Dotted

[Pants: Forever 21; Top: Forever 21; Cardigan: J.Crew via Buffalo Excahnge; Shoes: Dolce Vita (similar); Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched']

Not much to say here. Just really, really, really sick of snow. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Icy Blue

[Dress: thrifted via Crossroads Trading Co: Sweater: J.Crew via Buffalo Exchange; Pumps: H&M (similar); Earrings: Francesca's; Ring: Forever 21; Nails: OPI 'Skyfall']

After a week of wearing pajamas all day or sweaters that feel like blankets (it's cold up in Boston), it's nice to think back to this festive holiday outfit. You may recognize it from my bloopers post.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Texture Overload

 [Blazer: Forever 21 (similar); Shirt: Behnaz Sarafpour for Target, via Buffalo Exchange; Pants: Francesca's (similar); Shoes: Zara; Ring & Earrings: Forever 21; Nails: OPI 'Skyfall']

I would normally balk at sticking a shiny pink & grey blazer, lace top, and black baroque print pants all in one outfit. But I couldn't find the right dress to wear to my office holiday party earlier this month (all my dresses are suited for the summer months), and this combination seemed to provide just the right dressy feel. I've since stocked up on some more season appropriate dresses, and I guess will have to wait until next year's office soiree to sport them. Unless any of you has a fancy party you'd like to invite me to? 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Fall Frock

[Dress: Forever 21(appears to be sold out but here's a similar one); Flats: Zara; Cardigan: Splendid via Buffalo Exchange; Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Old Navt; Nails: Essie 'Merino Cool']

I thought my love of cutesy dresses would retire come the colder weather. Nope. And I've been avoiding peter pan collars due to PTSD from my one year of Catholic school in third grade (the uniform was a burgundy plaid jumper over a white peter pan-collared blouse). But this pretty stripes-and-dots combo won me over. Navy and nude is a favorite classic color combination of mine. And I've quickly lost the little summer tan I had, so the nude shade seems to be matching my skin tone lately. Not that that's a good thing...

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

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

Black & Lace

[Top: Behnaz Sarafpour for Target, via Buffalo Exchange; Shorts: Forever 21; Sandals: DSW; Bangle: SoWa Vintage]

I'm playing the black and white card again this week. And getting wild with some grey in there. This shirt has come a long way, though. It appeared in my first outfit post on this blog, back here.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Morning Blues

[Striped top: Buffalo Exchange; Blue Dress: H&M (old); Scarf: Target; Flats: Zara; Bracelets: J.Crew and flea market; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange]

Promise I'm not doing the fake blogger laugh thing in the second pictures. Mikhail had just told me I look "very morning," and I laughed because I knew it was true. I felt like a zombie and my eyes clearly look half closed and anyone who's ever talked to me before 10 am can attest to the fact that I am barely human at those hours.

I'm covering this dress up with a scarf and t-shirt (my favorite way to create a fake skirt), but it has a fabulous top that slightly tapers in at the shoulders and is covered with this cool geometric clear shapes (great description, right?). I came across it at the sale racks at H&M two summers ago, when I had a tote bag full of fresh fruit from Haymarket. It looked luxe but I was worried it would fall apart at that price point. Two years later and still going strong. I can't wait to show it off in it's full glory in another outfit post.

Stripes, blue, and a shift dress. These are a few of my favorite things! (Said in a sing-songy voice). I showed them off at my first BostonBloggers meetup later that night. It was great fun and I got to see old blogger friends (dating way back to March), bloggers I had only talked to online, and completely new ones. I can't wait till the next event.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Closet Remix: Pattern Mixing

[Grey top: Buffalo Exchange; Dress: Forever 21 (old); Grey Sneakers: Forever 21 (old but similar here); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Earrings: Gifted] 

On Saturday Mikhail and I tackled the wonder that is the Brimfield Antique Show (a mile strip of antiques and collectibles vendors on either side of the road.). I wanted something cute and comfy, and that wouldn't show all the dust and dirt of the day. White jeans were a no.

I bought this top at Buffalo Exchange not even understanding how versatile it is and how much I would love it. This Forever 21 dress was feeling a little dated, but I realized it would work with this top for some layering and pattern mixing. New clothing life. Closet remix at its finest.

Please excuse the parking lot shots. We snapped these just before seeing The Avengers, which was completely AWESOME.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Closet Remix: Floral and Lace

[Floral top: J.Crew factory store (last seen here); Brown Lace Dress: Modcloth (old, another similar one here); Scarf: Buffalo Exchange; Shoes: Ruche; Jewelry: Flea market; Belt: Topshop]

I have about three skirts that actually look good on me, so the recent realization that you can turn dresses into skirts by layering shirts over them has been a revelation. It's been an awesome fix for someone like myself, whose long-legs-to-short-torso proportions make skirt-wearing a challenge!

This particular outfit gave me the opportunity to bring back the brown lace dress I purchased on Modcloth two summers ago for a dear friend's wedding. I think the cocoa color tones down the punchy floral print.

This scenic photo shoot took place at the Tufts campus, just a few minutes walk from our house. We were happy to discover these little nooks for a fun change of scenery.

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.

Prepping for Spring

[Cardigan: Old Navy; Dress: Cynthia Rowley via T.J.Maxx (similar shape here in purple); Shoes: Old Navy; Scarf: Target; Ring: Forever 21; Bracelet: J.Crew factory, old; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange]

 

I saw this sweater on Old Navy's website and knew it needed to be in my closet. And it looks and feels better in person than it does in pictures, with its Chanel-esque boxy shape and detailed trim. The dress, that's a Cynthia Rowley piece I bought at T.J.Maxx last summer for a cool $30. I went into the store to buy socks or measuring cups or something equally utilitarian and the versatile navy form called out my name from the rack.

When combined, the two pieces evoke a sort country club feel. My boss at work said she felt like she should be giving me campaign donations. To keep myself looking too prim and proper, I made the look current by adding the beautiful brights popping up everywhere this season. Scarf from Target, and Old Navy shoes, which I first learned about from this local blogger. (They also come with a bright blue toe.) One more secret: that "bracelet" is actually a necklace I looped around several times. Most actual bracelets look goofy big on my small wrists, so this was a great alternative.

Oh, and as if my husband doesn't do enough (shoot and process every photo on here), he came up with the idea for today's post title. It almost doesn't even feel like spring in Boston, but summer,  at 83 degrees. Yes, 83 beautiful degrees. I was still slipping and sliding on ice this time last year.

Floral and Stripe Brights

[Jeans: James Jeans via Gilt; Top: J.Crew factory store (old); Scarf: Target; Sweater: very old Diane Von Furstenberg via Buffalo Exchange, Earrings: Forever 21, Shoes: Report via DSW]

I am craving spring. It's been a warm winter by Boston standards, but it's still too chilly for full-on floaty fabrics and open-toed shoes. I faked it with some brights paired with jeans and a long, slouchy, grey sweater (very old Diane Von Furstenberg via Buffalo Exchange). Oh, and nice, naturally lit indoor shoot at our apartment. Then I threw my hair up and got crazy.