I'm freezing!

I'm not sure why my eyes are closed here. I wanted to use a different photo, but this was really one of the best ones. It was almost dark, so we didn't have a lot of light to work with. Ben said that it is actually a good photo and that I just look " very relaxed" (I'm not so sure).

It has been very cold around here for the past week or so. The day these photos were taken, it was especially cold and windy. This is my "I am seriously freezing, please take the picture, I don't know how much longer I can stand out here" face!

Details

The back of the cardigan

Top: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Jeans: Joe's via Anthropologie
Shoes: Dansko

Have you heard about the giveaway/challenge over at Little Girl Big Closet? Go check it out! I'm really excited because a) who doesn't get excited about anthropologie gift cards, and b) I really want to learn how to take better pictures. I have really enjoyed the tutorials Tara has posted and I am ready for the challenge:)

I have wanted to learn how to take better photos for quite some time (not only for the purposes of this blog, but just in general). I recently decided to buy my very first SLR camera. I have done a lot of research and shopping around, although I haven't made the purchase just yet (soon, very soon). My goal right now is to focus on the things Tara mentioned in her tutorials (lighting, background, editing, etc.), and to start making improvements in those areas. Once I get a decent camera, I can move on to the more complicated aspects of photography (here is a super helpful "DSLR 101" post from cindi, which I have bookmarked for future reference!). I am excited to learn something new and I hope to do a few posts on this topic to share my experiences.

I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

night owl

Earlier in the week, one of my friends asked me if I wanted to go the gym with her for a 9:00am class yesterday morning. I reluctantly agreed, thinking that it would be nice to get a workout in first thing, but also thinking about how early 9:00 comes on a Saturday morning. You see, I take my weekend sleep-in opportunities VERY seriously. Still, I thought 9:00 really isn't that bad and I would still get to sleep quite a bit later than I do during the week. So, I thought it would be just fine:) My night owl self was up until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning, happily browsing the internet, watching a few shows, reading, and cuddling with the dogs. Then, when my alarm went off just a few short hours later, I realized what a terrible mistake I had made (okay, maybe I am being a little too dramatic about this). I rolled out of bed at the last possible minute and ran around like a crazy person trying to find my gym clothes and water bottle. I showed up just in time, looking dazed and feeling groggy. I snapped out of it pretty quickly and actually had a really nice workout. Once it was over, I felt great! However, in the future, I think I will stick to the later classes so that I can really enjoy my sleep.

Here is my post-gym outfit from yesterday:

(I'm practicing the advice that Tara gave in her photo tutorial here, about using props to avoid awkward hands/arms:)

Tee: J. Crew
Tunic: Anthropologie
Jeans: Joe's via Anthropologie
Socks: Sock it to me via Sock Dreams
Shoes: Dansko
Clutch: Anthropologie
Necklace: Botanical Bird

My Interpretation

I put this outfit together earlier this week for the Inspiring Interpretations post over at Stuff Jewish Girls Like. JG just started this wonderful feature and I love it! I had so much fun putting this outfit together using the inspiration she posted and I really enjoyed seeing all of the other beautiful interpretations everyone else came up with. Go check it out!

The best part:)

Dress: Anthropologie Beda Dress
Cardigan: J. Crew Jackie
Belt: Anthropologie Snakebite
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: Chie Mihara Loti

Sock Dreams is one of my favorite stores. They have a great selection of high quality and unique socks, stockings, tights, etc. The store is located here in Portland, but they do have a great website for all of you non-local folks (the selection on the website is better than in-store anyways). Whatever you are looking for, I'm sure they have it!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

ps - Follow my blog with bloglovin

Snowpocalypse

I woke up this morning to a whopping 1 inch of snow!!! Normally, this would not be a big deal. However, if you live in Portland, it is a HUGE deal! I left for work early thinking that traffic would be a nightmare, but it was quite the opposite. There were barely any cars on the road at all. I guess everyone decided to play it safe and just stay home. FedEx even got in on the excitement! Yesterday (that's when this gigantic storm was supposed to start), the FedEx driver that picks up/drops off at my office came in and said that they would not be able to do any pick-ups after 2:00pm. Why? Because the FedEx plane was leaving early from the airport in preparation for the "storm".





Coat: J. Crew
Top: J. Crew
Cardigan: J. Crew (Jackie:)
Pants: Anthropologie
Shoes: Dansko
Necklace: Found at a local consignment shop (It may be a little too reminiscent of an Easter egg, but I like it anyways. Easter is actually coming up fairly soon, so I guess it's appropriate.)


I also have to tell you about a great deal I found today! I have been stalking the Pins and Needles Pleated Knee-length Skirt from UO ever since seeing it on Sara from You, Me & Anthropologie (here it is on her).

It's been in my cart for a while, but I have been hesitant to order, just because I have never ordered anything from UO, I didn't know if it would fit me, and I didn't want to pay the $10 shipping. Online, the skirt is currently $59.00. I was looking at it again this morning, and I almost went for it and checked out. Then I thought that maybe I should just go to the B&M (which is actually very close to my office) to see if they had any in stock so that I could try it on before buying it. So, that is what I did on my lunch break (parking was very easy, thanks to all of this snow we got:). I looked around, but didn't see the skirt. I asked one of the SA and she said that if they had any left, they would be in the sale section (Sale????). Low and behold there were a few left. I found my size, it fit nicely, and it was only $19.99!!!

business casual

First of all, if you haven't already checked out the reader submission outtake post over at Respect the Shoes, you should (here it is)! Lisa has the best ideas for reader submission outfits, and this one is hilarious!

These two outfits are "work" outfits. The top one I wore today and the bottom one is from last week. The dress code at my office is fairly strict/conservative. Depending on what I have going on during the day (meetings/clients/etc.), I may or may not be able to push the dress code limits:) The 2 days that I wore these outfits were definitely days I needed to follow the rules and be somewhat professional.

One of the biggest challenges I have with my wardrobe is feeling like everything is separated into 2 categories - one for work (like the two outfits below) and one for play. I don't really like my work clothes. They seem boring, dark, and not "me" enough. I am working on finding pieces that I like and that are "me", but that are also appropriate for my office. This has been challenging.

Please share your tips! I would love some advice on making my "work" clothes less boring and also making my closet less divided.



Top: Anthropologie Stratus Cloud top
Cardigan: J. Crew
Pants: J. Crew
Shoes: Dansko
Necklace: Forever 21



Cami: J. Crew
Cardigan: J. Crew
Skirt: J. Crew
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Indigo by Clarks Jungle Java pump

All of the J. Crew pieces in this outfit were purchased during my recent trip to the J. Crew Clearance Center!

work, work, work

I unfortunately did not have the day off. No long weekend for me:( Oh well. I had a quiet day at work and it went by fairly quickly. I went a great spinning (cycling) class after work and then ate lots of homemade pizza!

Once I got to work this morning and saw this post over at Bella Seattle, I was so excited that I wore this slip today! LC does a great job at showing different options for the Polka Pop slip.

Here is my take:

Cami: J. Crew
Cardigan: Plenty by Tracy Reese via Anthropologie
Dress: Anthropologie
Slip: Anthropologie
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko




This picture of Talus is just too cute not to post:) This was taken today after a nice walk to the library with Ben.

Lazy Sunday

My Sunday started like this:



As for the rest of the day, I have done a lot of relaxing, internet browsing, and TV watching (Being Human). Here is what I wore, once I finally got up and showered:

Top: J. Crew
Jeans: Joe's via Anthropologie (Yes, the same one's from yesterday)
Belt: J. Crew
Socks: J. Crew
Shoes: Dansko


I have also started a new decorating/craft project! I first saw this on Pinterest and loved it! It originally came from The Purl Bee and that is where you can find all of the instructions, etc. for the swatch portraits. So far, I have picked up about 7 different fabrics, but I could only find 4 of the embroidery hoops. I may have to order more online. I am excited to get started and I will be sure to show you my finished product!

My Best Friend

Meet Kya! She has been a part of my life for almost 8 years. I found her when she was only 3 1/2 weeks old. Someone had just dumped her and her siblings off at the shelter. I had never had a dog before, and didn't really know what I was doing, but it felt right. When I laid eyes on her, it was love at first sight! She was the tiniest little thing, but full of life, excitement, and pure joy! The first few weeks were rough - bottle feedings every 4 hours, and a lots of poop! We have been through a lot together, including: chewed up kitchen floors, broken into refrigerators (and food ALL OVER the house), destroyed furniture, a move across the country, many hikes and camping trips, new (and challenging) additions to the family, and the list could go on and on. Kya is sweet, outgoing, bossy, full of personality, needy, demanding, and a bit wild. I love every single ounce of her. We share a bond like I have never experienced before. It is the most wonderful thing! I never imagined a dog could impact my life the way she has/does. To me, it is magical!




Awwwwww! Baby Kya (she was about 6 - 8 weeks old here)!


When I woke up today, the sun was shining! What a nice surprise! It has been cold and rainy recently and that's what I expected today. However, that was not the case - we had lots of sunshine and blue skies! I went to gyrokinesis class first thing, then I came home and picked Kya up (and Ben too!). We walked to our neighborhood coffee shop and hung out for a while. After walking back home, we hopped in the car and went for a drive, went out to lunch, ran some errands, and finally back home again. Kya was so tired, she went straight to bed!



Here is what I wore today:

Top: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Jeans: Joe's via Anthropologie
Socks: Sock it to me
Shoes: Dansko


Soaking up the sun!



I hope you all are enjoying the weekend!

Purple Sky

I wore this outfit on Monday. I discovered this skirt in the anthropologie sale room a couple of years ago and it has served me well! My favorite thing about it is the zipper that runs all the way down the front.

Cami: J. Crew
Cardigan: J. Crew
Skirt: Anthropologie
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko
Necklace: Botanical Bird Purple Sky Necklace




Botanical Bird is one of my favorite ETSY shops. The pieces are cute, affordable, and well-made. I have always been super happy with my purchases (very fast shipping, great customer service, etc.). Here are a few items from Botanical Bird that are currently on my wishlist:

Vintage Squirrel Locket:



La Roja Red Rose Necklace:



Little Bird Cage Neckclae:

Valentine's Celebrations:)

Ben and I celebrated Valentine's day on Sunday. We went out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Torro Bravo. We both ordered the tasting menu, so we got a nice variety and we got to try things we normally would not have ordered. We love trying new food, so it was perfect! We had so much fun!

This is what I wore (not the best picture, I could have at least smiled!):

Dress: Anthropologie (purchased about 3 years ago, made by Deletta. It is the perfect LBD!)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: All Black

I carried the Hobo International "Libby" bag:


This is the cutest little thing ever, but it does not hold a lot. For me, it's perfect for going out because I don't like to take a lot with me. I adore the chain and the closure and I like that it can be worn cross-body.


Last night, we had a relaxing night at home. Ben is a really good cook and he enjoys cooking, so probably 85% of our dinners are made by him, including last nights dinner. We had an amazing goat cheese/spinach/carrot/current salad. I saw this post on Farmer Jo's blog and I knew that we needed to try it! Yum! The goat cheese toppers turned out really well.

Isn't Ben a sweetie? Just look at these heart shaped, onion and leek tarts! Mmmmmmm!

And for desert, made from scratch chocolate souffle, with homemade whipped cream! ♥

TECO

I wore this outfit to work last week. This is one of those dresses I knew I had to have the moment I saw it. I love the print, colors, and pleats! You can pair pretty much any color with this dress, but for some reason, I usually go with some variation of purple:)

Dress: Anthropologie Southward Stop Dress
Cardigan: J. Crew Jackie (I told you, I'm well on my way to having every color of this classic cardigan)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Dansko



This is how I wore the dress a few months ago for my Birthday (The purple tights and bare arms are a bit much for my office, so this is a non-work outfit option for me):


Dress: Anthropologie Southward Stop Dress
Belt: Anthropologie Snakebite
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Chie Mihara Teco


These were the first pair of Chie Mihara shoes I purchased. I found them on sale at Ped shoes (here is the product information, although they are now sold out). Aren't they beautiful?!?!





If you haven't already, you must check out the new Chie Mihara spring/summer 2011 collection. Here are a few of my favorites:

The IONA:

The LOVELY:


The AVAGAR:



Now, I'm off to dream about shoes and go out to dinner with my sweetie! Happy Valentine's Day:)