Cyber Monday Madness

Just as we're hitting the snooze button a few too many times this morning (guilty) in denial of the the long weekend ending, we are given hope - Cyber Monday! While I appreciate Black Friday just as much as your next basic b***h, Cyber Monday is my jam. 90% of my shopping is done online, and there is no exception made when it comes to the shop-a-holic days following Thanksgiving. 

I've listed a few of my favorite sales of the day below, as well as shared some items I have my eye on  above - like this fair isle turtleneck, adorable floral dress, grey jeans & statement necklace - just click the icons above (price listed reflects non-sale price). Happy shopping!

• ASOS: 30% off everything with code BLESSED.
• Anthropologie: Extra 25% off sale items + free shipping with code XTRAGOOD.
• H&M: up to 30% off purchase + free shipping & an additional 40% off sale items.
• J.Crew: 40% off almost everything with code MONDAY.
• Madewell: 25% off with code SHOPATWORK.
• Modcloth: 25% off everything
• Topshop: Up to 50% off select items.
• Urban Outfitters: $15 off $75+, $50 off $150+
• Nordstrom: Sale + additional 25% off select items.
• Nasty Gal:Up to 50% off sale items.

Fringe Sweater

With the fall weather officially here, I'm reminded just how much I dislike getting dressed for the colder months. In spring & summer, wardrobe options seem endless, since you can easily throw on a dress, skirt or jeans and a simple top and not have to worry about catching a cold. With winter comes layering, tights and as a result my wardrobe feels like it has shrunk significantly. 

However, a few weeks ago I picked up some winter wardrobe hope in the form of this sweater from H&M. It has just the right amount of detail but still keeps a girl cozy on breezy days. As a result, I've worn it every week and don't plan to stop. Crossing my fingers that I find a few more winter wardrobe rockstars to carry me through until April (yikes, long road ahead!).

 H&M sweater / Urban Outfitters bandana / GiGi New York clutch / Zara jeans, love these from Topshop / Vince Camuto booties, similar here, here & here / old fedora, check out an option at ASOS

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Around the World

Ever since I started following blogs in college, one of my favorite looks has been an effortless, slightly oversized graphic tee. The problem is, though, that finding that effortless, slightly oversized tee can be a bit of a challenge. The perfect combination of the right fit & non-obnoxius graphic is rare, which is why I was so excited when this shirt arrived, since it scores in both areas.

I may be a little biased (this awesome company also made our wedding invitations), but I haven't stopped wearing this shirt since it arrived a few weeks ago. In fact - confession time - I wore this exact same outfit Saturday night & Sunday - shhh, tell no one.

Forever 21 beanie / BlankNYC jacket / Ray-Ban sunglasses / The Oyster's Pearl tee c/o / GiGi New York clutch / Banana Republic jeans, similar from Madewell / Madewell heels, similar from Ivanka Trump (on sale!)  & ASOS

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Sunday Browsing vol.51

After this weekend, I'm already mourning the weekend in preparation for Monday. We had a wedding on Friday night that thankfully brought one of my best friends to town that I only get to see once a year.  Getting to spend quality time with her + a slow Saturday morning are apparently what weekend dreams are made of because I was one happy girl the last few days.

I hope that your weekend was just as enjoyable! Let's hold hands & get through Monday together. Until then, here are my favorite links from the week:

to shop:

• A great alternative to plaid, this geo blanket scarf is super affordable (under $30!) & will go with just about everything. 
• When a tutu goes punk. Love!
• Kind of obsessing over these fringe vans sneakers.
• Found this skirt on super sale today at J.Crew & I can't wait to wear it.

to decorate:

• In desperate need of new sheets, planning to pick up these or these today.
• H&M's holiday collection has got me a little too excited for December.
• I used these tips when styling our bookshelves this weekend.

to eat:

• 16 Healthy Snack Bars to eat instead of all of that Halloween candy that will linger around the office for the next month.
• A recipe for vegan banana oat bread that's on my to-do list for next weekend.
• This crockpot recipe is currently cooking at our home.

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Conversation Starter

If you're like me, there are times when you find yourself in a large-group situation where you know only 1 or 2 people. Events such bridal & baby showers, a significant other's family party, a work function and the like. You can of course implements off of those networking/ small talk tips (do those even work?!) or you can simply where a dress filled with graphic patches. It requires half the effort & makes for much more interesting conversation if you ask me. 

This isn't speculation people, it's a proven fact. I wore this dress to a dear friend's bridal shower and it made for some interesting conversation. Plus, how much more fun does one look if they're sporting a dress with the words "funny!" & "bam"?

henri bendel sunglasses / zara dress / movado watch / jeffery campbell oxfords (similar from gap & forever 21) / h&m coat / french connection bag (similar from nordstrom)

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Confetti Craves // October

clockwise from top left: asos leather jacket / nasty gal handbag / zara heels / zara skirt / nordstrom hat / nasty gal dress / mango blouse / louise et ice oxfords

Usually when fall rolls around, I am transition into the new season kicking & screaming. Don't get me wrong, I love pumpkin flavored everything as much as your next basic b****, but saying goodbye to warm nights, 12 hours of sunlight & food off the grill is a little rough.

This year though, has been different. I am looking forward to cozy weekend afternoons on the couch, brisk evening walks around our new neighborhood, and a trip to the pumpkin patch to indulenge my inner child. What hasn't changed however, is my sudden need for an all black wardrobe once temperatures dip below 60 degrees.

This month I am on a very serious hunt for a leather jacket (every one I like is over $500, go figure) and a new hat to hide those crazy static hair days. I just treated myself to a pair of oxfords that I can't wait to wear, which I think will go well with this dress that is en route to me. Oh, and how amazing in this zara skirt? You know I'm a sucker for anything embrodiered.

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The Trifecta

A few weeks back I was all excited about how this dress was going to double as a swim cover-up & a day dress for our trip to Europe (and yes, there will be a trip recap at some point, if this girl can ever get her life together). Well, hindsight is 20/20 and clearly my celebration was premature.

In my usual weekday morning panic of what to wear to work, I threw my favorite (vegan) leather jacket on over this summer dress and was pleasantly surprised by the result. So much so, that I decided to add my well-loved sandals for the day that bled into a night of celebrating our newly engaged friends. And with that, I have now nicknamed this dress: The Trifecta.

We leave for Florida next week for Labor Day and I'm pretty sure I only need to pack one item now, right?… LOL, who are we kidding here?!

blanknyc jacket / h&m dress, last seen here & shop similar shape here / ray-ban aviators / old sandals, similar from kelsi dagger

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On A Whim

I finally took my own advice (even if it was a few months late) and picked up this high-neck knitted top from Abercrombie earlier this summer. It was an on-the-whim purchase, which usually means there's a 50/50 chance it will sit in my closet for two years almost untouched and then head straight to goodwill. 

Luck was clearly on my side this time though, and this top has easily become one of my favorite purchases of the summer. I love the white piping around and the edges mixed with the knit fabric, an unexpected, but surprisingly breathable, fabric for summer. 

P.S. - Although it may not look like it from these photos, I'm actually not unhappy with my life and everyone in it. Homegirl needs to learn how to smile.

henri bendel sunglasses / abercombie top / old jeans, in love with this madewell pair / zara heels, similar from asos (how amazing are these?!) / gigi new york clutch / movado watch

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Confetti Craves: August

clockwise from top left: madewell sweatshirt / zara dress / j.crew top / adidas sneaks / madewell bracelet / frame denim jeans / zara booties

If I've learned anything about my personal style in the past few years, it's that I'm a sucker for a small detail that makes an article of clothing or accessory feel special. This month is no exception, as I'm lusting over these amazing leather booties with a metal back, flared denim with an exaggerated pocket, and a beautiful dark floral print dress that would look killer with a leather jacket. 

Of course, no wardrobe would be complete without a healthy dose of classics like this boyfriend style top and a pair of fresh sneaks.

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Spotted Souvenir

As soon as we arrived in Paris, one of the first things I noticed is the city's love affair with all things Adidas. It felt like everyone we passed, both men & women, were either rocking a pair of stan smiths or superstars (yes, the sneaker that you loved in middle school). Since Nike reigns supreme in the US, I hadn't given much though to any other sportswear line. 

After being surrounded for a few days, we made our way into an Adidas store where I immediately saw this billowy leopard top and decided it would be my version of a souvenir from our trip to Paris. Since then, I have paired it with skirts, jeans and now shorts, trying to be 1/5 a chic as those Parisian women. But seriously, how do they do it?

henri bendel sunglasses /  old leather shorts (similar from blanknyc & nordstrom) / gigi new york clutch / movado watch / old heels (similar from nine west & steve madden)

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New Basics

I've been on the lookout for a button-front denim skirt ever since eyeing them for the first time a few months back. I finally pulled the trigger on this one from zara in a last minute online shopping frenzy to procure a fresh wardrobe for our trip to Europe last month.

It didn't arrive in time to make it into my suitcase, but it seems that it's all I can wear since we've been back. In fact, in the last 2 weeks I think I've worn my new skirt at least 3 times (shhh, tell no one), solidifying it's place as my new wardrobe staple. I've been wearing it on the weekends with a favorite tee & sandals and dressing it up slightly with a new oversized-white button up that is on heavy rotation as of late too.

leith top (on sale!) / zara skirt / shinola watch / old sandals (similar from zappos & urban outfitters) / zara clutch

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A Palais Royal Morning

We were in Paris for 4 days and explored as much of the city as we could, but my favorite morning was the one where we found ourselves at the Palais Royal, where these pictures were taken. Neighboring the Louvre tucked away in the 1st arrondissement, the Palais Royal was a quiet haven filled with a tree lined garden and it's iconic black & white columns. 

It was mid-morning on a Thursday when we visited, and I was instantly surprised by how many people were sitting in the garden reading, writing and enjoying the sunshine. This observation ended up being a constant theme across the city, and I ended up leaving Paris challenging myself to slow down more and enjoy my surroundings, instead of constantly being concerned with both my professional & personal to-do list.

henri bendel sunglasses / abercrombie tank / j.crew factory skirt / ramy brook bag / baublebar earrings / nike sneaks (on sale!)

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Double Duty

As I sit at the airport typing this post all is surpassingly calm after a weekend spent shopping and running last minute errands for our trip plus two days of work that seemed to never end. Why is it so hard to go on vacation? As my husband said last night, being an adult ain't easy. 

In a frenzy to pack 8 days worth of clothes in a carry-on, most of my time shopping this weekend was spent looking for pieces that could take me from day to night or serve a dual purpose, like this breezy dressed I snatched up from H&M. I plan to wear it for our days exploring in Paris and then use it for a trip to the beach in Barcelona.

ray-ban sunglasses / brixton hat / h&m dress (available in stores) / forever 21 sandals / old clutch (similar from madewell)

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