Balancing Act

[Top: J.Crew via Buffalo Exchange; Jeans: Gap; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old);  Earrings: BaubleBar; Sneakers: Forever21 (similar): Nails; Essie Lilacism]

This outfit is all about the opposites attract concept. I paired a fall-y jewel-toned top with summer's quintessential pant: white jeans (which I still have plenty more outfits planned for).  And mixed casual grey Ked-style sneakers with a frilly, ruffly top. I call it balance.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

A Floral Touch

[Dress: Forever 21 (earlier this year); Scarf: Forever 21 (old but cool options here); Rings: Forever 21 (different color left); Earrings: Forever 21; Sandals: Madewell]

This scarf has been my favorite last-minute chic accessory for the last four years. It transforms a basic white t-shirt and jeans, and spices up an already bold, bright dress.

[All photos by Mikhail Glabets] 

Almost Peplum

[Top: Forever 21 (last year); Jeans: Gap; Necklace: Banana Republic outlet (old); Wedges: Thrifted at Goodwill; Ring: Old Navy; Bangles: SoWaVintage; Nails: Essie Turquoise & Caicos]

This is the closest to peplum you'll ever see me wearing. I've resisted buying a top in the ultra-trendy shape for fear that it would cut my already-too-short torso in half. But this bubble shirt was a buy for vacation last year and was perfect for pool and beachside covering up. I paired it with jeans and wedges to work for daytime. It mimics the peplum fit-and-flair shape while giving my torso the length it needs. Dress for your body top, people. Your awkward proportions will thank you for it.

On another note, Mikhail and I discovered this awesome historic house just a street over from ours. It's pretty as a photo backdrop, and pretty secluded from onlookers. My perfect picture setting! Happy August! 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Monochromatic Blue

[Dress: H&M, last seen here; Shoes: Thrifted at Goodwill (these are a pretty cool option); Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Forever 21; Nails: Essie 'Tart Deco']

I think it's a requirement that I make silly faces and pose like a fool every time I shoot in front of this white backdrop. It's also a requirement that I work as much of this Tiffany Blue color into my life as I can. My old bedroom is painted in it (sorry roommate successors), my new place is accented with it (in every room, one recent visitor remarked), and my closet is dominated by it. So is this outfit. I don't know what's too over the top: the blue everywhere or the snazzy neck of this dress, which had my coworkers thinking I had bedazzled myself with plastic that morning.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Coral, Neutrals, & Night

[Coral Blazer: Forever 21 (appears to be sold out now but similar shades are here and here); Ruffled Top: J.Crew factory (old); Pants: Gap (old); Earrings: Old Navy; Ring: Old Navy; Bracelet: Flea Market; Shoes: Goodwill]

Where's the daylight, you say? We ran out of it before managing to take some good outfit photos on Saturday, so Mikhail got playful with his flash. That's why you see the fun hazy effects swirling around my face.

This blazer is a bright orangey coral, so I paired it with neutrals and some blue accessory pops. I bought the pants a couple years ago on sale at Gap during my senior week at college, and they have served me well. They can be dressed up, down, with color or with neutrals (and sometimes both in the same outfit). My favorite thing about the look, though, is the subtle print mixing, with the striped brown pants and the polka dot lining of the blazer, which flashes when the wind picks up! Otherwise it feels like my little fun secret.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Nautical Coral

[Dress: J.Crew factory, different shade but same style here (It's $24.50 now, buy it!!); Cardigan: H&M (old); Shoes: Ruche; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old, seen before as a bracelet here); Nails: Essie Turquoise & Caicos; Toes: Essie Tart Deco]

Told you I liked this dress. This is the lipstick coral pink version, which I think looks best with a tan, but I jumped the gun here. I've caught the summer dress craving, thanks to the warm Boston weather lately, and it won't go away. And this one has that awesome swing to it, so really, how could I say no?

This is the second appearance this week of these Ruche shoes, which are already a spring/summer favorite. Not gonna lie, I'm loving the kitten heel height. I'm often running to the bus or rushing to get somewhere on time, so 4-inch heels just aren't a reality for me, now matter how chic they are. The 1-2 inch kitten height gives a look just enough polish while still being practical.

My favorite accessory here would have to be my nail color, though. Essie has captured my favorite blue beautifully in a shade called Turquoise & Caicos. The name makes it that much better.

Happy weekend everyone!

Blue Grey Flashdance

[Grey Shirt: Old Navy; Striped Shirt: Forever 21; Jeans: 7 for All Mankind; Shoes: Goodwill; Necklace: J.Crew Factory (old); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Wayfarer; Earrings: BaubleBar, Bracelet: Flea Market; Bag: Flea Market, last seen here]  

We welcomed the gorgeous weather on Saturday with some flea market shopping. It provided the colorful trailer backdrop you see in these photos. This grey top caught my eye on the Old Navy website for its sale sticker price and it's fun Flashdance vibe. It's just comfy but just cute enough for a day outside shopping and picking through booths of funky old stuff. And I thought it made the perfect pairing for all the accents in my favorite turquoise blue color. I just painted my nails in a similar shade (Essie Turquoise and Caicos) and it makes me so very happy.

We were hoping to walk away with some fun knick knacks for the house, but came up empty handed on that front. I did get four bracelets at $1 each, one of which is on my wrist above. And that gold star ring is something I just found in my jewelry pile this week. I know it's about 10 years old. I remember picking it up with my cousin on a trip to New York with our moms and Nana in middle school. It's from one of those fun-but tacky, hole-in-the-wall jewelry shops. I remember all of us going nuts over that place.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

Ladylike Print Mixing

[Striped Shirt: Forever 21; Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (old); Jacket: Forever 21 (old) ; Jeans: James Jeans via Gilt; Necklace: J.Crew; Earrings: BaubleBar; Shoes: Cole Haan (old)]

I've loved seeing all the fun print mixing this season and wanted to try it out with a few pieces I had. I bought the striped shirt earlier this spring from Forever 21 to have as a good staple, and realized it was the same color tone as a leopard-esque cardigan I got from the J.Crew outlet a few years ago. I also remembered this fun houndstooth cape-like jacket I bought at Forever going into my junior year of college. I think it gives the look a Mad Men feel. Who says bargain purchases have to be thrown away after a season?

All photos by Mikhail Glabets 

The Blush Gray Lady

[Blush & Gray Jacket: Forever 21 (similar); Blouse: Forever 21 (similar); Gray cords: J.Crew Factory (old); Shoes: Old Navy; Earrings: Old Navy]

This blazer looked odd but awesome on the rack at Forever 21, and I'm so glad I bought it. The menswearish shape, muted palette, and different colored sleeves set it apart from the other more tailored, bright blazers I've been gravitating towards.

This outfit is another in a string of style blogger inspiration I told you about last week. I had been pairing this jacket with grey T's and jeans and had been wearing the blush print blouse separately, and then I saw this post in eat.sleep.wear. The color tones are bit different, but the shape of Kimberley's blazer is similar and inspired me to pair my blush pieces together and pull out the grey cords that have been sitting in my closet, mostly untouched this season!  Oh, and these flats were such a fun last minute buy at Old Navy and added my twist on the outfit, with a pop of my absolute favorite color.

Side note: today's blog post title is a play on the New York Times' nickname, The Great Gray Lady. That's what you get from journalism dork like me.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Bright On the Run

[Coral Top: Forever 21 (sold out) ; Striped Top: Forever 21 (more options here); Navy Cardigan: Splendid via Buffalo Exchange; Jeans: Citizens of Humanity via REVOLVE, Striped snood (yeah that's what it's called!): Asos, sold out now but a here's a cute polka dot one; Bag: Vintage Coach, thrifted, Shoes: Aerosoles via T.J.Maxx, available here;]

Here's a quick look of my first-day-in-San-Francisco outfit. We had left Boston at 6 a.m., and neither of us are morning people. But it was well worth the early flight to still have a long chunk of day left on the West Coast once we arrived.

These pictures were taken with our point-and-shoot camera, and about two hours after we got in, so they might look a bit more raw than usual. But I was excited to throw on a bright, girly blouse with the cutest tiny bow details. The striped shirt underneath has my favorite turquoise blue color in it. And M captured some beautiful light, as always.

That day we ate a late lunch Sweet Maple, which had the best bacon ever (thick cut and seasoned with brown sugar and pepper) and was located near the Lower Pacific Heights apartment we rented through Airbnb. We walked all through the beautiful Marina neighborhood and ended up near Crissy Field, with a great view of the Golden Gate bridge. We ate more delicious food than I can even keep track of on that trip, but other favor spots were Uva, Plow, and Nick's Crispy Tacos (cheap but good margaritas will always win me over).

It's back to winter weather here in Boston, but I'm excited to wear that coral blouse again. Many ideas on how to layer and pair it with other stuff in my wardrobe, so keep on the lookout.