Black & White

[Top: Old Navy; Jeans: Gap (similar); Shoes: Old Navy (sold out, I love these flats for fall); Necklace: J.Crew factory; Bracelet: flea market] 

I loved seeing black and white graphic prints all over the spring 2013 runways. It's such a modern and fresh combination and can go so many different ways (duh Erin, they're like the two most basic neutral colors ever). In this case, black top and white jeans. I added a pop of blue in the shoes to punch up the otherwise minimalist look.

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

Black & Blue

[Dress: Forever 21 (appears to be sold out, but another cool colorblock option here); Shoes: Ruche; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Boyfriend; Earrings: BaubleBar; Bracelets: J.Crew and Flea Market; Nails: Essie: Muchi Muchi] 

I promise you'll see my eyes again soon; it's just been really sunny out lately, so the glasses are a must. And yes, I'm posing in parking lot. 

On a completely different note, I am going to do something unusual for me and wax poetic about Forever 21 (sense the sarcasm?). No, but really. A lot of friends remark that the store is overwhelming and intimidating when they try to shop there, and I would agree if I hadn't spent the last 10 years fine-tuning the art of navigating it. If you're looking to get your toes wet, check out the store's Love 21 division, which is described as "contemporary." By that, I see nicer fabrics, more refined styles, flattering (i.e. not soooooo tight) fits, and an overall modern, chic look. Now, I think all corners of the store have gems if you look hard enough, but Love 21 has already sort of sifted through all the clutter for you.

I say all this to point you to my dress, which comes from the Love 21 line and called my name when I saw it in the store. The classic ladylike shape, cute bow, and skirt in my favorite color had me at hello. I styled with minimal jewelry and t-strap, kitten heel sandals that also play to the girlish vibe.

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

Shorts Suit

[Blouse: J.Crew factory (old); Cardigan: J.Crew (old); Shorts: Banana Republic outlet (old); Wedges: Goodwill; Bracelet: flea market;  Ring: Old Navy; Earrings: BaubleBar; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban]

Holiday Mondays are the best Mondays. It felt awesome to sleep in, get in the car with no exact destination in mind, and end up in the adorable town of Rockport. We found Granite Pier, and sat on the rocks and stared at the water. Peaceful and awesome.

There's some slight print mixing happening here, as the shorts are a very light tan seersucker. I played with this sweater in another print mixing endeavor here. I thought the neutral, monochromatic look with a few bright details was nice and summery.

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

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

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 

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

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

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