Check

You may or may not have already noticed, but I gave my blog a facelift over the weekend. It's not nearly finished and in sort of a weird transitional phase, but I figured it was definitely time for a change. On an equally important note, I've also decided to wear my hair in a middle part. This was a big weekend for me.

Honestly, this little redesign was such a long time coming and I'm glad I finally took the plunge while I had some time back home this weekend. You know those things that sit on your to-do list forever and silently haunt you? This was sort of one of them. My blog header was also a lovely reminder of my Peter Pan Syndrome, since it still said I was an undergrad despite the fact that I finished classes 4 months ago. (WHAT? yeah...) So, here's to "checking" things off the list and accepting change.

P.S. This is a casual outfit I wore to work a while ago. Destroyed denim + plain white tee = highly recommended ✓ 

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Outfit Details:

White Tee—Madewell

Polka Dot Scarf—Forever 21

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban

Destroyed Jeans—GUESS

Blue/Rose Gold Watch—GUESS

Taupe Satchel—Anthropologie

Taupe Ankle Boots—Target

First article

Ampersand

Don't ask me why, but I was immediately drawn to this Ampersand Pullover when I saw it at Madewell. Sort of a random symbol to knit onto a sweater but I really think that's part of its charm. It separates the ampersand from its grammatical functionality and presents it instead as a design. Bet you never took the time to think about how pretty the "and symbol" was, huh? (At least, I never did.)

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Outfit Details:

Sweater—Madewell (shop)

Denim Vest—Nordstrom (similar)

Cameo Necklace—Vintage (similar)

Watch—Nixon (shop)

Cargo Pants—Nordstrom (similar)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Boots—Madewell (shop)

Pinteresting

This outfit was 100% inspired by this pin. Enough said.

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Outfit Details:

Shirt—Urban Outfitters (similar)

Destroyed Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Heels—Zara (similar)

Shadow

Get the look: 

Well, say hello to me and my shadow. I decided to switch up my picture-taking spot, and was left with the harsh lighting of this empty parking lot. But somehow, I think it kind of works with this black and white ensemble. I was going back into my blog archives, and saw I wore some version of this outfit almost exactly two years ago. However, I think I like this dress a little better with a denim vest so you can see the sleeves.

In other news, this weekend was great and felt like it lasted forever. There was lots of celebrating with good friends and it was just what I needed after a stressful couple of weeks. And now...happy Monday!

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Outfit Details:

Polka Dot Dress—Urban Outfitters (similar)

Denim Vest—Nordstrom BP (similar)

Belt—Thrifted (similar)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Tights—Anthropologie (similar)

Boots—Madewell (shop)

Secret Spot

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I finally discovered a place to take blog photos at work! It's a secluded stairwell off our parking lot and the perfect place to set up a tripod without getting weird looks from passersby. While I have (kind of) mastered the art of not caring what random people think, it is nice to take my outfit photos in peace. Really though...I was weirdly excited when I found this secret little spot.

Mainly, I think it's just nice to finally be getting back in the swing of things. If there is anything I've learned about myself over the past few years (or even just this summer, really), I desperately need a schedule. I gave up the grand idea of being "crazy and spontaneous" a while ago...and I think I'm okay with it :)

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Outfit Details:

Blouse—thrifted (similar)

Necklace—Modcloth (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Jeans—GUESS (similar)

Bag—Anthropologie (similar)

Flats—J. Crew (similar)

June Gloom

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June gloom is in full swing here in LA! To make the best of it, I've been mixing some fall styles in with new summer pieces like my chambray skirt. I wore this simple outfit to a day of classes and studying last week and it was comfy enough to wear all day long. I probably won't be dressing up too much for the next few days since I'm finishing up final projects and papers. It's going to be a hectic 48 hours, and even though I know I will get it all done, the doing it part is always the hardest!!!

This past week was also filled with a lot of different emotions. There's a lot about this quarter I wish I could have done differently, but there's no use in fretting over the past now (I know, easier said than done). I'm excited for a new beginning this summer. It's going to be my first summer living in LA, and my first summer with a 40-hour work week...more details on that soon! It's definitely going to be interesting and there will probably be a lot of this going on—just swap The Bachelor for The Bachelorette ;)

P.S. This post is eerily similar to one I wrote at almost the same time last year. So weird how quickly time flies, and just how much can change in one year! Good thing I've still got this little blog to document it all :)

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Outfit Details:

Sweater—Anthropologie "Swoop and Glide Pullover" (remixed | similar)

Skirt: Anthropologie "Holding Horses Denim A-Line Skirt" (shop)

Bag—Fossil "Explorer Tote"(shop)

Watch—Michael Kors (similar)

Boots—Target "Kaelyn Ankle Boot" (shop)

Birthday Boy

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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)

Same o', Same o'

Polka dots seriously never get old for me. I've worn this dress a solid three other times on my blog (which in real life means I've probably worn it at least 20 times...woops now you know my secret!) and I still love it just as much as when I first bought it! As I was going back through my blog archives, I thought it was funny how I took these photos in (almost) the exact same place as I did when I first blogged about this dress over a year ago. Might seem silly, but I'm in this weird almost-end-of-college nostalgic phase and it's nice to use my blog to "reminisce" on old times. You should have seen me the other night...I spent a solid hour going back through all my posts from study abroad. I'm still kind of in shock at how quickly time has passed since I came home.

I should also probably mention that the reason for this sudden nostagia is the fact that I've decided to finish early and graduate this December instead of next March or June. Sooo, I'm sure you can understand my major minor anxiety about this. But until December when life becomes a bit more uncertain, I plan to keep doing the same o' same o' (which might include loitering at the top of this parking garage on a weekly basis) and enjoying every minute of it.

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Outfit Details:

Polka Dot Dress—Ruche (more styles | remixed)

Chambray—Anthropologie (similar)

Key Necklace—vintage

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Ankle Boots—Target (shop)

Tailored Dots

I have seen almost every style blogger I follow wear some version of this polka dot button-up. But, every time I would go shopping, I could never find one that fit my style...or my budget. However, last weekend I ventured into Urban Outfitters determined to find this polka dot shirt, even though the website told me it was sold out of all stores in my area. And, low and behold...I found ONE (in my size) in a pile of these shirts that look just like it but have a slightly different polka dot pattern. It seriously felt like Christmas morning, and I guarantee I will be wearing this shirt all through the spring and summer (and fall and winter)...

I decided to keep my outfit simple, but paired my polka dot button-up with a pearl collar necklace to add a little sparkle. Classic combinations like this never get old, and I have found myself gravitating towards looks like this more and more. Also, I think this look could transition easily into night by adding a simple black blazer and maybe some darker ankle boots or heels.

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Outfit Details:

Polka Dot Shirt—Urban Outfitters (shop)
Jeans—Madewell "Rail Straight Jeans in Western Wash" (shop)
Pearl Collar Necklace—H&M (similar)
Bag—Fossil "Explorer Tote" (shop)
Ankle Boots—Target (shop)

Luck of the Irish

On Saturday Andrew and I took a study break and ventured into Brentwood to try a place called Lemonade. Then, we got some dessert at Blockhead's Shavery Co. where we had "snow cream," which I'd like to think of as a healthy version of ice cream. It was fun just driving around the city, and a much needed break from paper writing. For my outfit, I decided to get a little dressed up and wore my favorite Ruche blouse with black jeans. Lately, I have been really into layering necklaces under collared shirts, so I added my vintage cameo to accessorize.

P.S. This outfit would have been perfect for St. Patrick's Day, but unfortunately I wore it a day too early! Yesterday I was too busy studying for finals and baking to wear anything more than a sweatshirt and yoga pants. I'm also pretty bummed that I wasn't in Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I guess I left the country just a few months too early...

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Outfit Details:

Blouse—Ruche (remixed)

Cameo Necklace—vintage

Jeans—Urban Outfitters (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Ankle Boots—Target (shop)

The Vest

Originally, I was just going to wear my peplum top and black jeans to work, but I decided to throw on my vest at the last minute. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like this denim vest makes all my outfits a bit edgier. I also like that it made my simple feminine outfit a little more trendy.

P.S. TGIF! Even though I have a weekend of studying ahead, I've also got big plans to bake muffins and go to brunch as many times as possible (aka twice)...which in my book are plans worth looking forward to.

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Outfit Details:

Denim Vest—Nordstrom BP (shop // remixed)

Top—Anthropologie "Bloomfall Peplum Tank" (shop // remixed)

Jeans—Urban Outfitters (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Flats—Anthropologie (similar)