dressed

{dress: thrifted | purse: target | shoes: target} 

Do you guys ever get dressed with something you think you want to wear sometime in the future, and then take pictures of yourself wearing that outfit, and then change into something more comfortable? No? I guess it's just me then. 

I'm heading out on a little mini-vacay in Chicago tomorrow, and I'll be seeing the Book of Mormon while I'm in town (you should probably know that I LOVE musicals). I've been thinking about what to wear, and this little dress made the maybe list. I wanted to try it out because I usually wear this "dress" as a shirt, see here, so I wasn't sure how I would like it as a dress. I wore it around for a while and took these pictures. Then I put on my favorite sweatpants and watched the latest episode of Smash (show about musicals) instead of packing. I still don't know what I'm going to wear, but I am most definitely in the musical spirit! 

the shirt dress.

{dress: Gap | jacket: h&m (similar) | clutch: dooney and bourke | shoes: shoe mint (similar)}

This is my first shirt dress. And even though I'm wearing it, I'm still not sure how I feel about shirt dresses.  Even though I've worn other dresses that are this length or shorter, there is something about the loose fit and shirt like feel that just occasionally startles me into thinking that I forgot my pants.. After a few seconds I remember that this is a dress and I am fully clothed in public. Phew. 

Do you wear shirt dresses? Am I alone in this feeling? 

Black and White Glamour

{shirt: old navy | pants: banana | clutch: F21 | shoes: payless | necklace: thrifted}

As you may know from this post, I've had black and white on the mind lately. It's so simple, yet it makes me feel glamorous. That, and the Oscar's. Nothing says glamour like wearing sweatpants while

watching beautiful people in beautiful gowns hand out gold statues. 

And I guess there were some beautiful suits thrown in the mix too. But as my niece says "why are the boys all wearing the same thing?" It reminds me of those embarrassing days in high schools when another girl had on the same outfit and we'd try to play it off like we wanted to be matching. Except our outfits weren't thousands of dollar suits. They were graphic tee shirts and jeans that were 3 sizes too big from the local mall. So I guess it's really not like the Oscar's at all. Either way, I think my niece was right. The girls have way more fun.

Lendperk

{dress: Lendperk | blazer: h&m | boots: Jcrew}

Have you heard about Lendperk? (I thought I'd ask, but it doesn't really matter because I'm going to tell you about it either way). 

Lendperk is a dress renting service that lets you wear something different every time! (I stole borrowed that line right from the website because it's just so good!). For $49 a month, you can rent as many dresses as you want from brands like Anthropologie, J.Crew, ModCloth, and Asos. 

I had the pleasure of trying out the Lendperk service, and selected this ModCloth dress for my free trial. I picked out the dress online, and it was at my doorstep within a few days. I then wore it out for drinks (those drinks on the dress made me thirsty!) and when I was finished, I slipped the dress back into the prepaid mailing sleeve and dropped it in the mail. Order. Wear. Return. Repeat. How's that for easy fashion? 

And this is even easier! Lendperk is offering a free 9 day trial with every monthly plan. You can borrow a dress for free and there is no financial obligation to sign up afterwards. Although with a service like this, I'd get your signing up fingers ready.

Realizations

{blazer: h&m (similar) | blouse: thrifted | jeans: Jbrand (thrifted) (similar) | necklace: Target | shoes: Faryl Robyn via Gilt}

I've realized 2 things today and it's only 9am. Whew. 

First, it's time for a haircut! Now that I'm living in Portland, I need to find myself a new hair stylist. This is one of my least favorite tasks. I'm not sure why, but I've never been able to commit to a hair stylist. I might go once or twice, but then I'm back on the hunt. I'm just waiting for someone to hair-tie me down. 

Second, I'm starting to look like a crazy person when I take photos at my mom's house. I'm that girl. You know, the one standing in the driveway, posing in front of a tripod. Where's a good alley when you need one? 

Red Cheer

{shirt: thrifted (similar) | pants: Jcrew | scarf: Old Navy | shoes: Target}

Do you ever wake up and think "it's a red pant kind of day!" No? I guess it's just me then. Since it's December and these pants are red, I've taken to calling these my Christmas pants*. Clever, I know. It's hard not to be cheerful when you look down and see these red pants. So I'll be off spreading cheer today, one leg at a time.  

*(you can bet money that in February these will be my Valentine pants.) 

Red Shoes

{Blazer: Loft | Tee: J Crew | Jeans: Paige | Shoes: Banana | Scarf: gift}

There is something about wearing red shoes that just makes life feel a little more fun. I've been known to say the same thing about scarves and stripes. So that means we are dealing with triple the fun on this outfit.

And now for my public service announcement, go VOTE! Inform yourself and know what you are voting for, or against, but by all means, get out the vote!! I voted via a mail-in ballot this weekend and it's a great feeling to be able to make choices to support what you believe in. You could even wear red shoes while you go vote and then you'll really be feeling grand!

Street Festival

{Shirt: H&M | Skirt: Urban Outfitters (similar) | Shoes: Ciao Bella | Necklace: F21 | Watch: Marc Jacobs}

Last night I walked outside and was cold for the first time in months. It finally felt like fall was in the air. But don't be fooled! It's still summer during the day! 

I wore this outfit over the weekend to the H Street Festival. The entire street, H street to be exact, was blocked off so that local vendors and artists could fill the street with food stands, pop-up shops, and exhibits. Popular items included street meat, bbq corn, smoothies served in whole pineapples, po-boys, and ice cold beer. You couldn't ask for much more on a Saturday around town! 

Black and White

{Shirt: Anthropologie | Skirt: Anthropologie | Necklace: Nordstrom BP | Shoes: Farly Robyn via GILT}

I seem to be on a black and white kick lately. When life gets a little out of control, I turn to basics. It is so easy to create a classic look with these colors, and I enjoy adding a POP with colored accessories and shoes. The easiest part is that anything will go with black and white! Red, yellow, blue, purple, coral, turquoise, tangerine...need I go on? Good, because I was going to have to bust out a box of crayolas to keep coming up with color names.