Birthday Boy

Get the look:

Even though Andrew's 21st was two weeks ago, we only finally got around to celebrating his birthday this weekend since he unexpectedly came down with a fever on his actual birthday :( We got dinner and cocktails at Upper West and it was nice to dress up and go out even though finals are right around the corner. I wore this breezy summer dress because it was both comfy (perfect for post-meal food babies), but still a little fancy when paired with my new favorite ZARA heels. It's also paisley and polka dot—two of my absoulte favorite prints that, when paired together, make an unexpectedly good combo!

Overall it was a great night with delicious food—I highly recommend their veggie burger! I can't believe the first birthday Andrew and I celebrated together was his 17th...my oh my how time flies! Happy (belated) birthday my love ♥ 

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Outfit Details:

Dress—Anthropologie "Top Dot Mini Dress" (shop)

Earrings—Nordstrom (similar)

Bag—Fossil "Explorer Tote" (shop)

Shoes—Zara Mid-Heel Sandals (shop)

Big Debut

{What I'm Wearing: Dress—H&M (similar), Necklace—Forever 21 (similar),

Watch—Michael Kors (similar) Handbag—vintage, Boots—Target (shop)}

And...here is my first official post with pictures from my new DSLR!  I'm so happy with how they turned out and was excited that I knew enough about my camera to instruct Andrew on how to use it. All those hours locked up in my room reading that manual seemed to have paid off!

Anyway, these pictures were taken before Andrew took me out for a (very early) birthday dinner at a new Italian restaurant that I have been wanting to try all summer. Even though we will be together for my birthday in Ireland, it's sort of a tradition for us to go out for my birthday when we are both back home. Plus, it was a great excuse for me to wear my lace shift dress that I recently snagged at H&M for $15! I was instantly drawn to this dress because it has a very retro feel to it and I loved the cut. While I am always tempted to belt shift dresses (proof) and I actually did earlier in the day when I wore it to my internship, I'm glad I wore it unbelted because it felt a little dressier and I didn't have to awkwardly loosen my belt buckle after our meal. Always a good thing.

A Very Early Birthday

{What I'm Wearing: Top—Forever 21, Jacket—Anthropologie "Openwork Army Jacket" (shop // remixed),

Skirt—Anthropologie "Sunblaze Lace Skirt" (shop // remixed), Necklace—vintage, Wedges—Cathy Jean (similar)}

I wore this ensemble out to dinner with Andrew and my family for a very early birthday celebration since I'm leaving for Ireland in two weeks, and my actual birthday isn't until later in September. To play down the color of this fancy (but surprisingly comfortable!) lace skirt, I decided to throw my favorite army jacket over my outfit. I'm not sure what it is about this jacket, but there is something surprisingly versatile about it that makes it great for day or night. Plus, its a nice alternative to my infamous chambray...

P.S. If you are interested in what I have been up to at my internship, you can check out the most recent segment of Breakfast at Ruche where we show you how to style two day-to-night looks with a few key Ruche pieces and interview our stylist, Mara :)

Hollywood Forever

{Blouse—Anthropologie "Tulip Lace Shell" (remixed), Maxi Skirt: Kaitlyn Clothing (remixed), Straw Fedora—university store (remixed), Earrings—Nordstrom, Belt—Nordstrom, Satchel—Anthropologie}

Before you stop following my blog because you realize my photos are taken in a cemetery...READ ON! Last Sunday, Andrew and I were fortunate enough to go to the Sigur Rós concert at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Sigur Rós is one of Andrew's all-time favorite bands, so I bought tickets for us to go for his birthday a few months back. The venue was really cool, and it was so weird to see the gravestones of so many classic Hollywood stars. Mr. Alfred Hitchcock is behind me in all my photos...

P.S. Other than the amazing music and the fun picnic we set up before the show, the highlight of my night was making eye contact with Joseph Gordon-Levitt on my way to the port-a-potties. He saw me staring at him and smiled back. It. Was. Awesome. 

The most important part of this photo is that it was taken by the actor who plays Kurt's dad on Glee.

And that is my claim to fame...The End!

Death by Pie

To celebrate Andrew's 20th birthday, I took him to The Pie Hole in Downtown LA—a cute,
hole-in-the-wall café in the Arts District. It was the first time either of us had ever been there, but after having their pies, I assure you it won't be our last! Even though it was a little bit of a drive, going there was fun little adventure and it was nice to get out of our college town bubble for a bit...

For lunch, we got their macaroni & cheese pie and chicken pot pie. And for dessert we each tried a slice of their amazing lemon meringue pie and Mexican chocolate pie.

I would highly recommend all four of our choices!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and stay tuned for more photos to come from our adventure in Downtown!

Sweet 19

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Anthropologie "Camera Obscura Chemise"

Heels: Nordstrom Brass Plum

Belt: Nordstrom BP

Earrings: Claire's

Watch: DKNY

For my birthday, I decided to throw a super awesome party for me and 150 of my closest friends. I came out in a glittery pink ball gown, wore a custom-made tiara, and gave each of my guests a personally engraved iPod shuffle. I also had a DJ that played Justin Bieber all night long and I jumped up and down to the music like I was back at my 8th grade promotion dance. It was awesome.

kidding.

My birthday was actually this past Saturday in the midst of sorority recruitment. These pictures were taken a few weeks ago when Andrew and I celebrated my birthday before moving back to school because I knew things would be crazy once classes and recruitment started. 

I came up with my birthday outfit on a whim after snagging this night gown on clearance at Anthropologie. Personally, I don't know anyone who would actually wear this to sleep...but I did feel like a rebel wearing "pajamas" out in public.