Must. Stop. Shopping.

I've done enough damage in March, I'm going to have a fresh start in April and make a real attempt to save some money, and not spend all of my paychecks on frivolous things like sunglasses and breakfast sandwiches from Starbucks. I am headed to New York City this weekend, and I am sure I will spend some money on going out to eat and drink. But I am not letting myself buy anything, unless it is the deal of the century on an item that I can't ever get in Maryland. (Last trip to NYC, scored a Foley & Corinna Mid-City tote for a great price). In April, I am headed to New Orleans for a wedding! Good thing is, I already have a dress I want to wear, and a long list of places to see and foods to eat. So.... I don't really need to buy anything clothing or accessory-wise.

Good news is, there was a contest going on at work, where we will out a Bingo-esque card filled with combinations of items (i.e. 2 knits + 1 accessory). I have already filled out 2 (out of possible 3) and therefore I am getting a free top and a free bottom! =) So that should fulfill my new clothing itch for April. Free = good!

So here are some ways I'm going to try and save money (most are common sense, but I am very frivolous and bleed money constantly):

-pack a lunch to work
-work out whenever I have the itch to shop
-bring coffee/soda from home
-eat dinner at home more often (and use up food in fridge first before going shopping for more)
-drink less when out (better idea calorie-wise too, not just $$)
-look in my closet for any alternatives before I even decide I "need" something
-NO MORE CLOTHES, SHOES, or BAGS!!!!!! [organizing my closet was a pain, made me realize I just have so much]

Red, White, and Blue

I was apparently feeling very patriotic today. Am excited to wear my new sunglasses!!!!

-M+O cotton cardigan (love the buttons and wee pockets on this)
-navy/white printed M+O silk top
-M+O slim jeans
-unknown leather bag
-gold DVF Love Knot sandals
-tortoise Ray Ban Jackie Os

I didn't really need to splurge on the Ray Bans, but I haven't bought new sunglasses in at least a couple of years. I was debating between the black and the tortoise, but picked the tortoise because I realized the two other pairs of sunnies I usually reach for are black. These Jackie Os are huge and gigantor but I think they are absolutely fabulous.

And yes, I must really retire these slim jeans. I just love them so.

Nails: China Glaze Grape Juice

Love the glass-flecked shimmer purple! Its from China Glaze's Summer Days collection which I loooove (and bought 4 polishes from).

Here is my transdesign.com order:
ChG Watermelon Rind, Grape Juice, Strawberry Fields, Raspberry Festival, OPI Miami Beet, Overexposed in South Beach, ChG Hybrid (replace broken bottle), Essie Sexy Divide


Needed some fun new colors for spring. I love doing my nails, and it's a fun, relatively inexpensive way to change things up!

LOVE: YSL Ymail Card Case

Birthday present from my mother! Absolutely love it, fits my drivers license, gym membership card, and debit card perfectly. And tucks great inside clutches while going out.

Now what I want is the zip around Ymail wallet.... yeah right. =)

Dinner and a Movie

It was an icky day outside weatherwise, and I had the day off and was getting frustrated trying to get my closet in order. My boyfriend came home from work, promptly ordered me to put some real clothes on (not pajamas) and decided we were going out. Ended up eating California Pizza Kitchen (YUM) and watching "I Love You, Man". I enjoyed it, it wasn't as great as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" but I am a huuuuuge Jason Segel fan (loved him in Freaks & Geeks) and Paul Rudd has had a special place in my heart ever since "Clueless". It definitely cheered me up.

What I'm Wearing:
-black waffle cardigan from the Gap
-floral Forever 21 top
-ebay pashmina
-M+O slim jeans (I really need to stop wearing these)
-cognac Steve Madden boots
-Foley & Corinna mini city tote in black

Leathah like Buttah

New favorite thing to wear: Michael by Michael Kors leather biker jacket. I feel a bit tough in it, but the leather quality is fabulous and I love the fit. I had to do a bit of online stalking, but found it at bluefly.com.

Underneath I am wearing:
-navy M+O scoop tee
-white M+O ribbed tank
-citrine/khaki M+O polka dot dip dyed scarf (say that three times fast)
-M+O slim jeans
-Tory Burch Quinn flats (quilted black leather)

Founders' Day

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg
Tights: Target
Shoes: Frye
Trench: Banana Republic
Bag: Foley & Corinna

For once I am not wearing M+O! Wore this to a sorority brunch in Chinatown.

WANT: Matt Bernson Love sandals

$125.
Not sure if they are worth the $$. I feel like they will go with *everything* but don't know if I can justify paying over $100 for very plain sandals.

I did get these in the mail today (Matt Bernson Barracudas in brown) and they are amazingly comfy on my wide feet and I dig the studs.

Spring is in the Air!

Wore this to work on St. Patrick's Day (oops!) and got pinched by my manager. I felt spring was in the air and wanted to wear some of my new spring items. I recently bought this white American Eagle blazer, thought it would be great to wear over spring items in transition weather.

Blazer: American Eagle
Tee: M+O scoop tee
Tank: M+O ribbed tank
Jeans: M+O straight jeans
Shoes: Birkenstock (I pulled these out of the black hole that is my closet!)
Bag: Botkier Trigger in Nude
Bangles: Target + J.Crew

I straightened my hair! I hadn't done it in ages, and I forgot how much I liked it. Lately laziness had been winning and I've just been putting some product in my hair and letting it air dry.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is the outfit I wish I was wearing! This is an older photo from last year (taken in the office I used to work at) but I really love this dress and wanted to wear it today. But alas I have work today and can't really show up wearing this Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress. It is kind of an icky day out, I am not very motivated to put together a fun outfit. Its kind of a jeans, tank, and cardigan (yawn, that's all I wear apparently) kind of day.

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff
Headband: Banana Republic

This past weekend I went on a road trip to Charlotte, NC to visit some college friends! The weather was terrible there too, it rained the entire weekend, but we made the most of it! (With a lot of beer). It was great to hang out with good friends and relax for the weekend. My host also got me some great cupcakes which were DELICIOUS. My faves were the Red Velvet and the Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcakes.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

I have always been afraid of the military style jackets that have been in and out of fashion recently. They always seemed too similar to a costume to wear in everyday life. But then I found this Marc by Marc Jacobs denim polka-dot jacket (wow that just sounds busy doesn't it) at Nordstrom Rack one day and I had to have it! This has sat pretty much unworn in my closet for at least a couple of years, but this spring I am determined to wear it more often. I think that this will look great over spring dresses.

Jacket: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Dress: aerie
Tee: J.Crew
Leggings: aerie
Boots: Steve Madden
Bag: Foley & Corinna Mini City Tote

French Sailor

I guess thats what you can call my outfit inspiration for today. I love the stripes, and I feel like that with the ballet flats look very Parisian, while the red stripes and navy together definitely has a nautical vibe to it. The jeans are a pair of straight jeans from M+O that are a bit baggy on me, so I decided to cuff them to make them look more relaxed.

Tee: M+O
Cardigan: Splendid
Jeans: M+O
Flats: saks 5th ave
Necklace: UO

The weather today was fabulous (once the morning clouds disappeared) but it's supposed to get cold again... boo.

Splash of Red

Jacket: Banana Republic
Scarf: M+O
Dress: J.Crew
Bag: Gucci
Shoes: Loeffler Randall

It was gorgeous on this past Monday, so I decided to take advantage of it by wearing a dress with no tights! The dress is so soft and comfortable (what isn't in my closet?) and I got a great deal on it a few months ago. There was a drawstring tie but I ended up cutting it off because it was annoying.

The jacket is a great light striped chambray from Banana Republic, very lightweight. I think it went well with the scarf. I am obsessed with ombre, and this linen scarf is a great neutral, just a tad more interesting than a solid scarf.

Spring Wishlist

It has been an interesting week. Snow day on Monday, and heat wave this past weekend! Met up with a good college friend for a fabulous dinner (La Chaumiere in Georgetown) and drinks last night and it was so nice walking around at night with no coat! I enjoyed the lovely weather today too, wore a great maxi dress to work today. I think it's supposed to be nice tomorrow, but I'm sure it will cool down again. =( What a tease! But I am now in a spring-ish mood, and this is what I'm craving (even though I should not be spending any money right now):

• lightweight scarves in bright colors and patterns
  
• sunglasses (I'm thinking the new Ray-ban Jackie O's)
• tiered layer slip dress
  
• hoop earrings
• OPI Miami Beet nail polish
• new cropped yoga pants (my old ones are so worn out)

Now, of course I don't *need* anything, but I am procrastinating writing my two papers and I love making lists. I am still currently "shopping my closet" and today brought out some light jackets from the closet downstairs that I am eager to wear. I am hoping I can put away the sweaters and tights pretty soon. Annapolis is so gorgeous in the spring, I can't wait to be able to walk downtown and along the water without shivering.

Spring Flowers

Cardigan: M+O silk cashmere
Tank: american eagle
Jeans: M+O slim
Shoes: Loeffler Randall

I love, love, love this tank top. Apparently a lot of other people like it too. When I walked into work on Thursday, a male co-worker commented that every girl he knows either owns or wants this tank (he was obviously exaggerating). At least one of my co-workers owns this tank. I love it because it is super soft, and has happy brightly colored flowers on it. There are a ton of colors on it, and therefore I can be sure to match it with any one of the array of colorful cardigans I have in my arsenal. This citrine cardigan is growing to be a regular staple in my work wardrobe. The bright color makes me happy.

I Heart Plaid

Cardigan: Gap
Dress: aerie
Leggings: aerie
Boots: Steve Madden

Another cold day of school! This outfit together with a pashmina scarf and a north face jacket kept me nice and warm between classes. I adore this cardigan, it has a waffle texture and is extremely comfortable.

The dress is a plaid chambray dress from aerie, I am pretty sure it is meant to be a cover up for the summer, but I loved the soft plaid and wanted to wear it now. They also have this dress in a light denim, I am wanting to pick that up sometime soon. Love this dress because it has pockets! The straps are also detachable, and I can definitely see myself wearing this to the beach.

My boots are disastrous, a close look will show that they are way too beat up. These poor boots are the boots I turn to when it is rainy, slushy, or snowy out, because they have already been really worn out. I do love them a lot, may have to replace them if I see the same pair on sale somewhere. These are perfect for walking on the salt covered sidewalks at school.

I love this comfortable, warm, and casual look. Apparently this weekend we are supposed to have 60ish and 70ish weather, so I am very excited.

Snow Day!

On Sunday night, the east coast was hit with a major snow storm. I had an exam on Monday, and of course stopped studying the moment I realized the snow was piling up. Now it is Tuesday night and I am cramming for my mid-term that got postponed until tomorrow. I pretty much stayed holed up in the house all day Sunday and most of Monday, but I was getting cabin fever and was itching to get out. So yesterday, we decided to go sledding! There is a park near by, with a pretty decent hill, and a great number of people from the neighborhood came out to enjoy the pretty powder!

I was freezing though. You would think as someone who had grown up in New Jersey, I would have a higher tolerance to cold. I have serious issues with the cold. For one thing, I hate getting dressed for cold weather. No matter what I wear, it's going to get covered up by a coat anyway (which explains my obsession with outerwear). I just don't feel as cute in cold weather, all covered up. Dresses are one of my favorite things to wear, but tights are such a pain to put on. And I've given up on warm and cute footwear that aren't boots. Which is why I wear boots all winter long. Today, I should have worn boots while headed to work, but of course I decided to wear ballet flats. Bad call on my part. Before I even stepped into my car, a ton of snow got into my shoes since the driveway wasn't cleared yet. FAIL. My outfit today wasn't even worth posting about, just a solid cashmere sweater with slim jeans, ballet flats, and a polka dot scarf. Blah.

I cannot wait for spring to come! I'm dreaming of floaty dresses, flip flops, tank tops, sunglasses....

Breaking the Rules

Sweater: M+O silk cashmere cardigan
Top: M+O striped tee
Jeans: M+O white bootcut
Shoes: Bolo wedges

I wore this to work on Saturday. I know its not really the season for white pants quite yet, but I never really followed those rules anyway. I have spring fever and even though the weather isn't cooperating just yet, I figured wearing white jeans to work couldn't hurt. I parked really close to the entrance and ran in! I can't wait to wear these all the time this summer. I may get a pair in the straight fit.

I love white denim because it goes with everything. You can wear it with dark, light, bright, or muted colors, various prints, and it all goes together perfectly. The only thing that worries me is keeping them clean, but I am trying to be careful with them. I love it with the striped tee (so nautical, yay!) and I find the white refreshing after a winter of dark denim.

My New Favorite Tee

I am such a sucker for all things that are soft, as well as all things that are striped. I just love the nautical look so much. We just got the Sheer-stripe Scoop-neck Tee in at work, and as soon as I touched it I knew I had to have it. I bought the red one first, but I also bought one in navy. They are super comfortable, ultra soft, and pretty flattering on everyone I have seen try this on. I wore the navy to work yesterday with a pair of white bootcut jeans and my raspberry silk cashmere cardigan. No photo because I was exhausted after work and wanted to change into sweatpants ASAP when I got home, but I promise you that this tee is adorable.