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

Sartorially Inspired

Sometimes I see photos of street fashion and think I can never come up with such crazy outfit combinations.

And then I see photos like this, and think, yes, that I can do, and that I love.

via The Sartorialis

I noticed style surrounding New York Fashion Week can be so outlandish, but I love the more refined, minimalist sensibilities of these European fashionistas. They look so cool and understated and not like they spent hours dressing to catch a photographer's eye.

Anyways, here's my interpretation.

[Sweater: Thrifted; Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Zara; Coat; Gap (thrifted!!); Necklace; BaubleBar; Ring: Forever 21; Watch: Nixon; Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched']

You can't really get more basic than jeans, a sweater, and a good wool coat, but that photo from The Sartorialist was a reminder of just how chic that combination can be.

I took some liberties with the jewelry (and posing), though.  

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

The Start of Something

[Shirt: J.Crew factory; Jeans: James via Gilt (similar); Booties: Report; Necklace: J.Crew factory; Ring: Aloha Sunday; Nails: Essie 'Merino Cool']

I donned this look for the first day of my new job. Growing up, the first-day-of-school outfit always seemed like such a big decision, and that has definitely translated to the first day of work.

As I learned a few weeks into my last job, my office then was a very, very casual place. I think over time I gradually let that sap my outfit choices of creativity. I thought that putting effort into my look would make me look silly. But that all changed once I discovered the world of personal style blogging, and I was totally reinvigorated with my fashion choices, despite not working in the industry (thanks blogging world!). That pushed me to investigate and write more about startups in the fashion tech space, which ultimately got my publication more readers, and made my bosses happy! Moral of the story: pursuing something I was personally passionate about made for a good professional payoff!

Still, once I accepted a new job, I was nervous about what it meant for how I dress. Would I have to go super casual and sporty, given that I was working in the health and fitness space, and with a lot of men? Would looking like I cared about my clothing too much come off as me not being serious enough about work? Because of this uncertainty, I put a lot of thought into what I exactly I would wear on the first day to feel like me, but not over the top and out of context. And here is the result.

Navy is pretty but comfortable color for me, and the oxford shirt, jeans and boots combo is a good classic choice. All in all, it may seem like a vanilla, safe look—and it intentionally was, as I was testing the waters that first day and week, but I added a few touches that felt modern and 'me.' The ankle booties felt current, as did the polka dots and the monochromatic palette I pulled with the dark blues. When trying to show personal style but still be subtle in a somewhat unknown style setting, I look to interesting jewelry. In this case it's the black button anchor ring (on my right hand in the second picture). It's not so splashy that everyone in the room will notice, but it's interesting and genuinely makes me smile when I glance at it when typing away. And it took the outfit from being just the jeans-shirt-shoes thing. Sometimes it's the little things.

To my relief, I'm starting to think that my new office will be a place where I can definitely self express with my style and not worry about being looked down on. It seems like a culture where people are just genuinely open and encouraging of one another, and where plenty of people have their own creative pursuits on the side. It feel like a safe place to dress how I want to dress and not try to dumb down my outfits for fear that showing an interest in personal style would mean I am a less serious employee.

That may not mean stilettos or glitter every day, but I am making a move to wear my first dress to work today (should the weather behave)—which is much sooner than I thought it would. Yeah, that excites me. Again, it's the little things.

I feel like I have so much more to say about the fine line of looking appropriate for the context of your office, and still expressing yourself! What do you think? Am I over-thinking all this and coming off like a crazy person? Or do you think about how you balance the workplace and personal style? I'm talking to YOU, ladies who aren't working in the fashion industry! Is your office dressier or more laid back? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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

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

Pretty Pretty Print

[T-shirt: Target; Skirt: Forever 21; Sandals: Madewell; Necklace: flea market; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Nails: Essie Lilacism and Muchi Muchi]

Today I'm going to talk about these sandals, and how I saw them and loved them months ago but was determined to get a more budget-friendly version. No dice. I conceded fake leather is not worth it and that these babies will hold up for years to come, in both style and quality. I love the simple, classic shape, and warm cognac-y color. They go with lots, too, like this fun print skirt I picked up last fall for my honeymoon in Mexico.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Polo & Polka Dot

[Polo: Le Tigre (I think?) handmedown from hubby; Jeans: Gap; Scarf: H&M (earlier this season); Flats: Old Navy; Earrings: Gifted; Ring: Old Navy; Nails: Essie Lilacism Sass: Me]

A busy day and rain showers pushed this shoot inside. So here's your dose of primary colors, menswear, and my funny faces. Oh, and I just read this cool story on the history of the polo shirt (actually called the tennis shirt). Happy Thursday.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Vacationing

[Dress: H&M (recent); Hat: Target; Purse: Lolo Sinclair on Etsy; Sandals: DSW; Nails: Essie Turquoise & Caicos]

My outfit for our tour-de-happy hour on Lincoln Road in Miami (photos taken with the trusty iPhone). I'm back in Boston and pleased to find the weather is warm and sunny here too.

Swapped Style

[Cardigan: Old Navy, last seen here; Pink Shirt: Gap, swapped; Jeans: Citizens of Humanity via REVOLVE; Flats: Zara; Earrings: BaubleBar; Ring: Old Navy; Necklace: J.Crew factory (old) Bracelet: Flea Market]

I have been so excited the wear the goods from my first ever Swap party. The ladies at The Swapaholics put on this incredible event where you bring in three to five items in exchange for new (to you) pieces. I've heard that previous events are reminiscent of a Filene's Basement running of the brides, but this particular night was leisurely and lovely. Whenever you saw an item you wanted on the racks, you simply replaced it with something you brought. The idea was to hang out and see what else made its way onto the racks as more people arrived and swapped in their own items. You could even sip wine, munch sandwiches, and meet new people in the process. Way better than the mall or Newbury Street, if you ask me. And way greener, of course.

Sad you missed it? Don't be. That party just kicked off their swap season, and there's even another event coming up in Boston May 16. Oh, and expect to see more of my fun finds on the blog. I'm finally starting to embrace the color red, which inspired me to pull this awesome number off the racks. I have so many ideas on how to style this maxi dress, which I admittedly don't think I would have sprung for at any retail price. And the pink oxford in today's outfit is something I had been wanting to buy anyways, so being able to swap it out for something I didn't want anymore felt quite lucky.

Boston has slipped back down to its normally chilly winter temperatures, so I was happy to layer this pastel pink shirt (trendy this season but also timeless, in my opinion) with the Old Navy cardigan that looks and feels far too well constructed and luxe for its $15.99 (on sale) price tag. I played up the pastels even further with blue ring and lavender nails (Essie Lilacism). I think the color trend is really cute, but am a little wary of spending much money on pastel clothing just in case those shades become stale next year. But an $8 bottle of nail polish? I can do that.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Vintage Red

[Jacket: Forever 21; Shirt: Crossroads Trading Co.; Jeans: Joe's Jeans; Shoes: Old Navy; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Earrings: BaubleBar (only available in other colors now); Ring: Old Navy; Bracelets: Flea market and J.Crew (on mega awesome sale)]

I was all ready to splurge on a spring jacket until I came across this red number in Forever 21 for $35. The shade it comes in is called Lipstick, which is right on. It also reminds me of the color of a candy apple. Yum. In any event, it's functional and cute, and can dress up jeans for a night out with friends. That's what I did on Friday, when a bunch of us dessert picnicked in the North End for my best friend's 25th birthday. 

And the shirt. This is the third and final purchase from Crossroads Trading Co. that you will be hearing about (following the blue watercolor-esque dress and black Theory pants). It's worth mentioning, because I tried it on and felt like I didn't really "need" it.  So I brought it out of the dressing room and placed it back on the shirts rack. I was at the register pulling out my credit card when I turned around to grab it. The unique vintage shape just wooed me. And it made me realize that I don't hate the color red on me like I thought I did. So thanks, shirt.

 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!