Tuesday, March 30, 2010

spring has sprung

Sort of. Yesterday a.m. on my commute to work it was 37 degrees. NOT OK. But, it's Easter this weekend. Heading up to see my aunts and uncles. I really want to get Carl Rove some bunny ears because he would be so ADORABLE with bunny ears on. Gus sort of forbid me to get him ears, but I think I might do it anyway. Because how mad can he be when he sees how adorable a puppy with bunny ears looks? Seriously.

So at my new job I think I'm only going to be wearing jeans on Fridays so I'm trying to get all my denim wearing in before I start.

Shoes: Steve Madden. Peeptoe snakeskin. Loe them.
Jeans: 7FAMK
Beater: Calvin Klein. It's actually Gus's. I don't know if it still fits him, but he claims it does. I'm glad he doesn't read this blog.
Jacket: Nordstrom.
Necklace: JCPenney. I think.

Friday, March 26, 2010

food glorious food

My other love, besides fashion and shopping, EATING! I love food. Delicious delicious food. Last night I had the opportuity to go to 112 Eatery for a friend's birthday last night. It is one of my favorite places to eat, but oh so difficult to get a table and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more. While the food is always delicious, it is the dessert that had me swooning last night. We ordered just about one of everything. While everything was amazing, the crowd favorite was Nancy Silverton's Awesome Butterscotch Budino. I had no idea what a budino even was, but as my friend Tarcy put it, "it is a jar full of deliciousness." I did a little Googling this morning and found the recipe here. It is heavenly and we decided that Nancy Silverton is really a saint. The little bit of sea salt sprinkled on top is really the icing on the cake and makes this whole dessert come together in a symphony of deliciousness.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

tuesday temptation

The warmer weather has made this challenge exceptionally difficult. I desperately want some cute spring dresses. DESPERATELY. I have a feeling I may breakdown soon, especially as the weather continues to get warmer and the sun gets shinier. Here are some of my favorite dresses for spring ... of course there are stripes involved.

Little Sparkler Dress - Lulus
$34.00 (here)


Tier Drop Dress - Lulus
$56.00 (here)


Licorice Dress - Modcloth
Fun piece of trivia? Looks v. similar to the dress Kara wore on the season finale of the Real Housewives of Orange County.

Strolling Strapless Dress - Forever 21
$24.80 (here)
I want to wear this with a cardigan or a cute jacket.


Plaid Patchwork Dress - Old Navy
$29.50 (here)
This would be adorable with a cardi and some cute flip flops. It is sort of J Crew-esque without the price tag.

wild puppy

Carl Rove has been feeling a little stir crazy lately. Last night he chewed on the leg of one of the TV trays. This is really only the second time in the three months we've had him that he has chewed on something in appropriate, so really how mad can you be? He's still a baby and learning and he hasn't been getting enough attention between work, job hunting, travel, interviewing, moving, freaking out, unpacking, packing, etc. So today he's at Pampered Pooch living the high life. Hopefully, that will help him get some energy out.

Here's what I'm wearing:

Shoes: Elie Tahari. Loving that I can wear peeptoes and not freeze my piggies.
Pants: Victoria Secret. I love these pants. So comfy.
Tank: Old Navy
Jacket: BCBG. I also love this jacket. I wear it kind of ALOT.
Necklace: JC Penney, I think?

Monday, March 22, 2010

times they are a changing

I think when I started this blog, I mentioned that I was going to make 2010 my bitch and find a permanent job. And guess what? I DID IT! I'm excited, nervous, terrified, thrilled ... the whole gamut of emotions. The new position requires a relocation and I will be moving without Husband for the first few months. We haven't been apart for more than two weeks in the three plus years that we've been together, so it will be interesting. I'm hoping that he will be able to follow me ASAP. So I'm leaving my not yet unpacked loft and trading it for my cousin's basement ... and another move in the near future. Crazy!

Here's what I'm wearing today. It's not fabulous, but at least it isn't Uggs and a sweatshirt.

Boots: Nine West. I think boot season is almost over ... keeping fingers crossed.
Dress: Target. This was a pretty good purchase. It's versatile.
Cardi: Gap. Not really orange. More of a red/poppy color.
Necklace: Forever 21. It's the knock off of an Anthropologie necklace.

I was watching High Society on CW. The show with Tinsley Mortimer where she swear up and down he will never wear flats and then I see her walking around in sneakers. Just an observation ...

Thursday, March 18, 2010

ass whoopin'

I'm getting my ass kicked by this cold. I'm dressed all in black because I had no energy to figure out what to wear. So I will spare you the funeral attire and give you my favorite shoe pics for spring. All very affordable, of course!


Mary Jane Wedge from Payless
On sale for $24.99 - here


Gladiator Sandals from Target
$22. 99 - here


Peeptoe Flats from Target
$19.99 - here

Peeptoe Cutout Wedge Sandal from CharlotteRusse
$34.99 - here

I haven't been shopping in a looong time so I bet there are some other super cute shoes out there, but I'm abstaining. Abstinence is the best form of prevention. You heard it here.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

happy st. patrick's day!

I'm not Irish. Nor am I wearing green. I don't even really observe St. Patrick's Day. Except last year when my entire firm went to the bar at 11:00, I kind of felt obligated to go. It was there that I talked to a partner about whether or not I should be looking for another job since the office had SLOWED down signifcantly. She said I didn't have to worry about it. CLEARLY, she was misinformed.

But perhaps my luck is changing. We have some big changes on the horizon. Hopefully, I can talk about them soon. It is an exciting and terrifying time and I will be happy when things are settled, although I'm pretty sure that won't be for several months. So I'm just plugging away. Unfortunately, I haven't been sleeping very well. Here's what I managed to pull together this a.m. though, at 3:00 a.m. Don't ask.

Boots: Steve Madden Intyce
Denim: Forever 21. These were $10. Did I already tell you that. I LOVE THEM! So comfy.
Top: Gap. It is a lovely poppy color, but it looks super orange in the bathroom picture.
Faux Fur Vest: Old Navy

Monday, March 15, 2010

rain rain go away

It's not ACTUALLY raining, but it's grey and sunless so it might as well be. Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous out. I was on my way to take Carl Rove to puppy playgroup when I decided that we should walk around Lake of the Isles instead. Carl is not so great at walking on a leash, but he had fun splashing in puddles, sniffing dog booties, and I even got him to try out the lake! He just kept walking until he splashed in the lake, at which point he backed up FAST!

And now I'm back at work and poor Carl is at home entertaining himself. Here's what I'm wearing.

Pants: Old Navy
Cardigan: Limited
Tee: Banana Republic
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Chinese Laundry

Here's the full length shot. You still can't see the shoes.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

what i'm REALLY wearing

You heard it here! This is what I am really wearing today. I actually managed to formulate an outfit before going to bed last night. However, given the lack of full length mirrors in our home, I got to work only to realize that this skirt seems a bit short for this outfit ... so pardon if it looks a little hoochie. You can simply focus on the red/teal color combo because I really like that.

Top Half
I should really crop out the sink.

Top: Limited. From a really really REALLY long time ago. Really.
Cardi: Express
Necklace: Forever 21

Full Length
Shoes: BCBG. I wear these all.the.time. I know. But I like them and they are comfortable.
Skirt: Forever 21. Once I put this in the rotation, I've gotten quite a bit of wear out of it.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

tuesday temptation

I spent yesterday napping on the couch with my favorite puppy. Now I'm wearing jeans, Will Steger mukluks, and a black sweatshirt. It's hot. H-O-T, I tell you. I'll spare you the image. Here's a few picks from Forever 21, my go to for cheap trendy pieces.

I'm obssessed with stripes this season, along with everyone else. This one is only $10.80. So inexpensive! It comes in several other colors. I'm partial to the grey. It would look so cute with the red wedges hiding in my closet. The ones that are adorable but hurt like H-E double hockey sticks when worn? Yes, those ones.


I'm also obssessed with ruffles. I could wear this top now with a cardigan and of course it would look super chic this summer with cropped pants. My husband hates cropped pants. He just can't understand why "girls want to wear short pants." I even got rid of some of mine in honor of him, but I sneak them back in every once in awhile.

 Also a fan of this plaid jacket. I think it's the one Chloe ala The Chloe Conspiracy has posted on her blog in some of her outfits of the day. She is adorable. You should check her out. Or don't because you will realize that her blog is 8 bazillion times better than mine and will never read 365 days again!

I'll admit that I haven't had the best luck with shoes from Forever 21, but I still like the look of these. I mean I wear uncomfortable shoes all.the.time. These are a knock-off of a pair of L.A.M.B. shoes. I love the color. I would wear them with a pencil skirt to add a bit of edge to an office look.

Maybe tomorrow I can muster enough energy to actually dress myself? Stay tuned.

Friday, March 5, 2010

here you go.

So I mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to break out my sequin cami. TA DA! Here it is!

Shoes: Payless! They are blue patent and I love them.
Denim: Joe's Jeans
Cami: Wet Seal. I bought it in large because I really really wanted it and it was the only size they had. I really could have done with a medium. This is probably why I don't wear it v. often.
Cardi: Limited
Necklace: Target

I came to work with the cardi belted but it was making my tummy uncomfortable and since I typically spend the majority of the day behind a desk in a cubicle in a corner, I took it off. Wahoo! But here's the pic, just in case you want to see it.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

what i'm not wearing

I'm not wearing this today. I slept in. And by sleep in, I mean I woke up at 7:02 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m. DOES THAT EVEN COUNT? I don't think so. I try to head to work super early because it means that Carl is home for less time by his lonesome and I don't have to hike 1+ miles from my car to the building. While I love some of the perks of working at a big company ... in house dry-cleaning, post office, sushi for lunch, Redbox, etc. I HATE THE PARKING LOT. ALOT. They have shuttle buses to take you to and from, if you don't want to walk. Unfortunately, I can't really figure out which bus I'm supposed to be on and figure it is easier to just hike it than to get on the wrong one and go for a joyride around the campus.

So anyway, my sleeping in has resulted in me wearing jeans, chuck taylors, and a random l/s shirt ... but here's something prettier that you all can pretend I'm wearing!


Shoes: BCBG
Dress: Forever 21. It is the k/o of the Black Halo dress. I don't think I even own this dress anymore. Seeing this picture makes me sort of wish I hadn't given it away though. Sad.
Cardi: Banana Republic. This cardigan was a great purchase. I wear it quite a bit.

You can tell that I'm not wearing this today because the picture was taken in our old condo. We don't even live there anymore!



Wednesday, March 3, 2010

tuesday temptation on wednesday

I missed the Tuesday temptation. Here's what is tempting me today. The AE sequin cami - here. It seems like the perfect piece to dress up or down. Unfortunately, I have two sequin camis wallowing away in my closet that need to be worn. They are similar to the AE one, but just not quite the same ... le SIGH. But this would be a seriously unjustified purchase - so I better put my thinking cap on and figure a way to wear those sequin camis waiting for me in the closet.

AE sequin cami $39.50
Excuse me while I covet in silence ...

happy hump day!

I'm so glad today is Wednesday and I am on my way to the weekend. We have some weekend plans here in town, but I'm looking forward to being home and not on the road. I need some R&R.

Here's what I'm wearing ...

Boots: Old Navy
Denim: Forever 21, stretch denim is my favorite, and they were only $9.95.
Cami: Arden B
Sweater: Express
Necklace: random

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

exhausted.

February was the busiest month we've had in a loooong time. Moving, skiing, Las Vegas ... so exhausting. We got back from a wedding weekend in Las Vegas early Monday morning and I'm still trying to recover.

Excuse the weird pose. I feel like I'm sticking my boobs out.

Shoes: Paolo
Pants: They are navy and have cute little sailor buttons that unfortunately are not captured in the fluorescent lght that is the work bathroom. H&M.
Tee: Von Maur
Cardi: Gap
Necklace: Forever 21

Oh and can I tell you about my library adventures or misadventures, as it were? I've been trying to use my local library in an effort to not spend money on books. The day we left for Vegas I was running around doing errands including dropping off my library materials that were due. I pulled into the parking ramp, which ended up being full. Not really sure why they wouldn't let me just pull through and return the books in the book drop ... I didn't even need a parking space. When I hit the call button for assistance, I was told that "it will be awhile before someone can come help me." Really? WTF? So I backed up the ramp and tried to get back on the street without causing an accident ... and if you know me, you know how much I LOVE driving backwards. Then I couldn't find a meter to park at so I improvised thinking that I was just going to run in and out and no one would be the wiser ... particularly the Minneapolis meter maid. Well, some older gentleman starting yelling at me because I had apparently boxed him in (which I had not, perhaps he just doesn't like driving backwards either) so I ran back to the car and waited for him to pull out. FINALLY, I have a parking space. Now the Minneapolis library doesn't just let you put your books in the book drop. You have to SCAN your books in and if it doesn't ACCEPT them then you have to stand in line and WAIT AND WAIT. Seriously? How can it be so damn hard to return library books? Does the library not want them back? So what should have been a 3 minute process turned into 15 minutes, lots of swearing, and being late to pick Gus up from work. END RANT.

Moral of the story? Stick to the libraries in the suburbs with free parking and large parking lots.