The Swing

Get the look:

For some reason I haven't had the motivation to blog lately. I've seriously been writing bits and pieces of this one post all weekend. Plus, I have like seven un-blogged outfits photos just waiting in the wings (which never happens). I guess I can blame my lack of posting on adjusting to a new schedule. This was my first official week working full-time after the holidays and I just felt like I had a million things to do every night. Then this weekend, I spent most of Saturday in bed. I wasn't sick, I just literally could not bring myself to do anything except completely veg out. And the highlight of today was taking a field trip to a laundromat in Santa Monica and running errands. So please, don't for one second think I'm living some high-roller-LA-life over here!

These photos were actually taken an embarrassingly long time ago. A month ago maybe? My best friend from home came to visit me, and we decided to have a little photo shoot since we hadn't taken a picture together in who knows how long. I had just bought this plaid blazer and decided to pair it with my go-to striped top for some simple print mixing. I've worn this combo a ton since then, and am becoming pretty keen on plaid.

Okay, here's to being back in the swing of things and hopefully blogging more this week! P.S. Who here is as excited as I am for GIRLS!?

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Outfit Details:

Plaid Blazer—Madewell (similar)

Top—H&M (similar)

Boyfriend Jeans—AG (similar)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Flats—Anthropologie (similar)

Pastel Pop

I had been eyeing this crochet blouse on Ruche's website for quite a while until I finally took the plunge and bought it. That's the thing about me and online shopping. I will keep items in my shopping cart for weeks—or even months—before I finally make the commitment to buy them. And when I finally hit "purchase," it is usually out of some random momentary impulse that only comes around once in a blue moon. For instance, with this blouse, I had convinced and I mean convinced myself I didn't need it. But then the stress of final exams set in...and one day I found myself desperately needing a "reward" for all my hard work. So that, my friends, is how this lovely blouse came to be :)

I decided to keep the color scheme of my outfit fairly neutral (just like I did here) to let the simple pastel lining of the blouse stand out. I really like the lilac detailing on this top, and it's one of the elements that initially drew me in. Even with the lilac pop, however, I still felt like my outfit was lacking a little color. So, I added my vintage orange necklace for another pop of color. Although I'm not usually a fan of purple and orange, I think the pastel version of the color combo works pretty well together.

P.S. How is it already Thursday of my spring break? I feel like all I have been doing this week is preparing myself for the quarter ahead and haven't had much time to just sit back and r e l a x. Seriously though...most of the time I feel like I'm just running around like a chicken with its head cut off! 

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Outfit Details:

Crochet Blouse—Ruche (shop)

Cardigan—Target (similar)

Orange Necklace—vintage

Boyfriend Jeans—AG Tomboy Crops (similar)

Bag—Fossil "Explorer Tote" (shop)

Wedges—Cathy Jean Shoes (similar)

Galway Girl

{Plaid Shirt—Anthropologie (similar // remixed), Cardigan—H&M (similar), Jeans—AG "Tomboy Crops,"

Earrings—Galway, Socks—Target, Boots—Marks & Spencer (similar), Bag—Fossil "Explorer Tote" (shop)}

After visiting the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren, we spent some time exploring Galway City. The sun was shining all day, so I fared well in a button-up and light cardigan. Because I had packed really light (I'm not exaggerating, I promise!) for this trip, I didn't bring any jewelry...so I felt like my outfit looked a little bland without any accessories.

My first instinct was to throw on a scarf. Instead, however, I wanted to try something new by buttoning my plaid shirt all the way up, rather than leaving the top button open. This way of wearing collared shirts is really popular in Ireland, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a try! I'm happy with how it turned out, and next time, when I have a statement necklace handy, I will throw it on to complete the look!

Not sure how this made it on the blog. But, sometimes, candid shots really make for the best photographs.

The Ring of Kerry

{Beanie—Krochet Kids (shop), Raincoat—Anthropologie "Climatic Cropped Anorak", Cardigan—H&M (similar),

Striped Top—Splendid (remixed), Jeans—AG Cuffed Tomboy (remixed), Rain Boots—Hunter (shop)}

After we saw the Dingle Peninsula, Andrew and I went on a tour of the Ring of Kerry. Although I'm not the type of person who likes massive tour groups (aka I hate them), because we can't drive ourselves, a guided tour was pretty much our only means of seeing the area. So, we bit the bullet and hopped on a massive charter bus for the day. While there were definitely some moments that I wanted to run away from the huge tour group (i.e. when we stopped for lunch at a tourist trap that accepted US DOLLARS), overall, it was a nice way to see the beautiful Kerry coast. PLUS we even got to see a super touristy but actually kind of awesome demonstration from a shepherd and his sheep dogs (see picture below).

However, my favorite part of the tour was our stop at Ladies View in Killarney National Park. The lookout point was named by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, who loved the view of the land. And after visiting the point myself, I can definitely see why they adored it so much.

obligatory tourist picture...

I Workout?

{What I'm Wearing: Baseball Tee—Madewell, Boyfriend Jeans—AG "Cuffed Tomboy" (shop),

Watch—Michael Kors (similar), Flats—Anthropologie, Handbag—Anthropologie (similar)}

Maybe if I wear a baseball tee people will think I'm sporty...

Summer Sequins

{Cardigan—Anthropologie "Alpheratz Sweater", Striped Tank—Forever 21 (similar), Boyfriend Jeans—

AG "Cuffed Tomboy" (shop // remixed), Belt—H&M, Satchel—Anthropologie, Wedges—Cathy Jean}

Brace yourself...I'm about to go on one of my rants where I brag about what a good deal I got at Anthropologie and do an imaginary little sale dance. So, if you're not okay with this, then stop reading here. Okay here goes...

I found this lovely little sequin number in the return bin at work for $9.95 and it was love at first sparkle! Yes, I'll admit, I definitely would not have paid the steep $178 for this bold statement piece. But, for 10 dollars, I managed to convince myself it was okay to wear bright sequins in the middle of summer with jeans and wedges. Perhaps the people that gave me funny looks at my local Starbucks while I was on my way to my internship might say otherwise. But, for now, I'm standing by my bold wardrobe choice and now broadcasting it on my blog so the whole world (aka my 300 readers) can see how sparkly I am.

New motto: If my outfit manages to reflect enough sunlight to blind someone or make them look away...then it's been a good day.

P.S. These photos were taken by my bff Hayley (we did a little double blog photoshoot), who has recently started her own blog Old, New, & Something Blue! Hop on over and say hello :)

Pastel Stripes

{Cardigan—Nordstrom (shop), Camisole—LOFT (similar), Boyfriend Jeans—Anthropologie (shop // remixed),

Handbag—vintage, Mint Watch—Anthropologie "Viscid Watch" (shop), Heels—Steven Madden}

A light summer cardigan + slouchy jeans + heels = the perfect outfit for a relaxing date involving chow mein, fortune cookies, and Redbox :)

P.S. for those of you who love mint...Anthropologie just restocked this gem.

Have a great weekend!

The Boyfriend

{Blouse—Urban Outfitters (shop similar // remixed), Boyfriend Jeans—Anthropologie AG "Cuffed Tomboy" (shop),
Belt—Nordstrom, Earrings—Anthropologie (shop), Satchel—Anthropologie, Wedges—Cathy Jean Shoes}

I'm not going to lie, these boyfriend jeans definitely make me feel like I'm wearing pajamas in public...and that freaks me out a little bit. But at the same time, I loved the fact that I was able to keep them buttoned through a big dinner and two hour movie. Yes I confess...I may or may not unbutton my jeans in public sometimes to feel a bit more comfortable.**

The problem is, after wearing these wonderful denim pajamas for a full day, they are completely stretched out and are practically falling off of me! So, back in the dryer they go!

Anyone else jumped on the boyfriend jeans bandwagon?

**wear a loose shirt that is long in the front and you are golden