EmilyStyle Schools Me

My blog-pal Emily, over at EmilyStyle, created one of her awesome What To Wear posts to teach me how to incorporate more tights into my wardrobe. I'm looking forward to using her examples to spice up my fall & winter style! Check out her great advice here.

Whoa

Wow, I haven't updated at all this week. I've been busy with field trips, voting, keeping Josh and I fed, belated grocery shopping, and the past weekend was full of Halloween parties. I got an A on my second English paper, a 95 on my Math test, and I'm impatiently awaiting the grade for my second History Essay, so all is going smoothly with school. Tonight I'm going out for tacos with the girls, and most of this weekend will be spent cleaning house. Conan returns to TV Monday night, and we'll be hosting a dozen or so friends to watch the premier. So excited to be able to see my favorite funny fella on my television again!

In other news, in a short two weeks they are opening an Anthropologie store across the street from my office. Look for my declaration of bankruptcy about two weeks after that, ha. They are also bringing an H&M to the area, but it will be in Dallas so it's not as much of a threat to my financial stability. Such pretty things will soon be so closely within my reach. Well, of my hands. Not so much of my pocketbook. ;)

Cowl-necked Confession

It's barely out of the 90's here, but I am yearning for lots of comfy fall fashions. Loving this sweater from Old Navy, as well as about half of their other new sweaters. Alas, I can only window shop for now. My pocketbook will thank me. It better!

Back To School Shopping

I technically don't need much more than my textbooks and a big notepad. Lord knows I've got plenty of pens, notecards, highlighters, and such around my house. But that doesn't stop the intense urge to do some back to school CLOTHES shopping. Realitiscally is doesn't stop the urge to buy a bunch of pretty highlighters either, but I can manage to deny those urges. I'm really liking these items at Old Navy. I might have to stop in and pick up the chambray shirt. I've been dying for a J. Crew one, which would probably be a bit nicer than the ON version, but at a quarter the cost I think I can live with a little less quality. :)

Pants and Such

Went shopping on Saturday with Holly and made a lot of progress on my resolution to improve my wardrobe, including pants! Pants had become my arch-enemy, so I was super excited to find some Gap pants that actually fit properly. Some pairs could use a hemming, which I'll be doing soon I hope, but overall they're great. And it seems as though I have definitely been influenced by Joanna and Joslyn in their attempt to dress more like a French woman. Lots of black, blue and gray, and the stripes don't stop here. I also got a $5 deal on a gray turtleneck with black stripes at Forever 21. And your eyes don't deceive you, there is something a bit bumpy about that blue dress. It's a maternity dress. And no, I'm not pregnant. But the dress is awesome. They actually took the XS off the baby-bumped hanger for me so I could try it on. I'm weird, I know. So, next steps? Accessories- shoes, bags and jewelry. I asked for a few things I've found on etsy for my birthday, so we'll see if I can make some progress without spending anymore cash monies. Not pictured is the cute octopus tee I snagged at Old Navy, a floral cross-front top also from ON, the F21 top, and a Groucho-faced tee from Kohl's. I heart Groucho.

Library Card

Running by the library after work to pick up a copy of this. A little crazy, since I'm still reading the biggest book and trying to keep up with Newsweek, but I'm up for a challenge.

Recurring Dreams

As it pours, and pours, and pours some more I'm having flashbacks to my previous yearning for wellies. Still just dreaming, unfortunately.

Gold Medal Fashion

I am super loving the outfits that the Finnish, French and Nordic women athletes have worn into the Opening Ceremony! Pics to come if I can track some down.

Edit: Okay, finally found some pics of France and Finland. Strangely more difficult than I thought it would be, ha. I couldn't seem to find if the Finnish dresses were Marimekko, but I think they were.

New Suit

Got a new bathing suit for the cruise. You know, that cruise that is about 10 or so weeks away. Excited much? But then again, it's not like I'll be able to walk into any store and pick one up in September. If only that waist came with the suit. But it doesn't, so it's hanging quite visibly in the closet as a workout reminder.

What Would Audrey Do?

I mentioned before that I got a dress for Spencer & Deb's wedding on my shopping trip with Holly. I picked it up at the J. Crew outlet, and I heart it. It's one of those embossed beach dresses. But I need to find shoes for it. I'm hoping for flats or very low heels, as I'll be on my feet for a good part of the day. Something comfortable for wandering around and taking lots of pictures. Anywho, this is the dress I got, but mine is a lovely powder blue hue. It strikes me very Audrey-Hepburn-in-Sabrina mixed with a dash of Meg-Ryan-in-French-Kiss. So, any (reasonably priced) shoe suggestions? I did some image googling for Audrey Hepburn pics, looking for shoe inspiration. But mostly I just fell more in love with Audrey, ha. And found pics so lovely that I just had to share.

Weekend Shopping

Shopping this weekend netted me one jacket (minus that belt), two dresses (one for Spencer & Deb's wedding- check), two sweaters, 4 shirts and two rings. Both dresses were marked down, one I saved $20, the other I saved $40. Word. Now I just need some pants and shoes, ha.

Wedding Wears

Josh and I have a wedding to go to in a week and a half and I've been having trouble figuring out what to wear. Emily came to my rescue with some great advice though. I'll be going shopping this weekend with Steph, so I'll be looking for a little something like this. Thanks again Emily!

Oh I Wish

Why am I not currently dressed like any of these ladies? I need to get some of the cheaper versions recommended by the Frugal-Fashionista. The past few days have been nothing but drool inspiring over there.

Wishful Thinking

My friend Holly brought this lovely jacket to my attention. I need to go try it on at Target, if they still have any that is. Of course, I won't need a jacket for a few more months around here, but maybe if I keep shopping for them the weather will cool more quickly.

Shopathon

Stephanie and I went shopping Sunday afternoon. We used to go shopping all the time, but both of us becoming old married ladies and she being a super-mommy definitely decreased the frequency of our trips. And we had been trying to go for several weeks, with life just getting in the way. But we gave life a shove so we could get together. And despite Stephanie's annoyance at how long it takes me to change, we had a great time and I got a ton of stuff. But, let it be known that she bares some of the responsibility, because she always picks out a ton of stuff for me to try on, ha. Of course, the things I want to show you most can not be found on Forever 21's site.

What did I walk away with?
-Strapless bubble dress in a great bold black & white floral
-Cute short sleeve three-button swing jacket in red
-Summery spaghetti strap top in yellow with tiny white polka dots
-Black sweater/shirt combo that's great for work
-Fun skirt that can transition well to autumn in this mod print
-Comfy and stylish bermuda/crop bottoms in a brown plaid
And I was actually able to find pics of the rest: