Too Cool

Wishing that I could ever look so effortlessly cool. Here is some inspiration from The Satorialist. 

Saja Dresses

It's been about six weeks since Chris and I got engaged and of course between writing papers, studying for midterms, choosing classes for my last semester, and working, I've been looking at wedding dresses. I just stumbled upon this great website, Saja. I love that these dresses are simple, pretty, and a bit casual. I really love this sweet little short dress, but I've always imagined myself in a floor length gown. This short number is super cute though, what do you think?

Cowls, Scarves, and Coziness

I didn't realize how much I love scarves until I was organizing my closet the other day. I have a ridiculous amount. No matter, there's always room for more! I found some patterns and have been knitting my little hands off for the past few weeks. I am yet to make this cashmere cowl that I found on Purl Bee, but it is on my list for sure. I am dying for this sweater from athleta, I LOVE that you can wear it as a hood, hanging down loose, or you can even stretch it across your shoulders and looks like a little caplet. This last pattern for a wonderfully comfy infinity scarf is what I'm working right now. I found it on ravelry and it was designed by Madelinetosh. Making one for my lovely mother and one for myself. How I love fall!

Flannel Forever!

For some reason I got stuck in the '90's. I love everything about this decade. Wayne's World, Nirvana & Pearl Jam, and Bill Clinton. But what I really loved were those cozy flannel shirts that everyone used to wrap around themselves with their favorite band t-shirt underneath (My old Alice in Chains t-shirt still sits in the closet, unworn for years.) Everyone used to wear them with ripped up jeans, Birkenstocks or Doc Martins, and totally undone hair. Well, these wonderful plaid pieces have made a come back, although this time they're a little more chic. Check out Kirsten Dunst in her sweet flannel with some ultra short shorts and cute flats. You can wear them belted over leggings, or with a pretty cardigan, skinny jeans, and great leather boots.

perfect fall clothes

Here in Kansas City it has been like, 180 degrees during the day for the past two weeks. It is awful and I am dreaming of fall. Golden leaves, pumpkins on front stoops, cripsy bike rides, and my favorite of all sweaters, boots, and scarves. So here are my picks for the perfect fall outfit. Loving this plaid shirt and olive green cardigan by j. crew , a pair of perfect jeans with these amazing tall tabacco boots by Ugg, and this great carry everything bag by Fossil . Now if it would only drop 50 degrees so I can rock it.

Rings by Tinahdee

I saw these rings on etsy today and i thought they were really cute. stackable initial rings made by Tinahdee ! You could wear one for yourself, your honey, your kids, or if your name is short enough, you could even spell it out! She has lots of other beautiful rings and bracelets in her shop. check it out!

Rhinestones are a (poor) girl's best friend

Lately I've been on the look out for great vintage rhinestone clip on earrings. Luckily, they can be found at a lot of flea markets.  I bought my first pair for $6 at an antique store in Weston, Missouri and found two other pair for great prices too (one pair was only $4!) I like stuff like this because they can really glam up otherwise blah outfits, (I like to wear mine with a simple black t-shirt, cute jeans and flats) or they add a great touch when you're dressed to the nines. 

For the Fair Skinned

I burn, then I peel, then I'm back to being white again. I was lucky enough to be on a boat twice in two weeks after not setting foot on one in about two years. Unfortunately, both times I didn't slather enough sunscreen on and have been recovering from pretty brutal burns for the last week or so. So now I'm obsessed not only with sunscreen (bought some Aveeno SPF 70 the other day) but with finding a great floppy hat to wear as well. I like all four of these, and I'll probably just end up with a plain one like the one on top I found on the J. Crew website but I'm also digging this stripped one from American Eagle . I like the simple detail as well, but this last one is just drop dead gorgeous and if I had $165 to drop on a hat, I'd spend it in a heartbeat on this bottom one, also from J. Crew. It might look great to have a tan but, for me its next to impossible plus the whole lines, wrinkles, and skin cancer thing really makes having a tan a lot less glam. These hats are definitely more alluring.

Vintage Inspired Swim Wear

I don't know what its like where you live but here in the middle of the country we're experiencing our first summer sweltering heat wave. It is unbearable already and all I can think about is laying by the pool, swimming in the lake, and sipping some tasty summer beverage (Gin and Tonics anyone?) I am so happy that these vintage inspired bathing suites are so easy to find now. I fell in love with this top one from Anthropologie , it reminds me of 1930s Atlantic City, the next one you can order from Mod Cloth and is so 1950s pin-up. The third is from J. Crew and i love the color, such a modern take on the vintage classic. You can find tons of high waisted two pieces, one piece suites with boy cut legs or hip-covering ruching. These suites are classic, modest yet sexy, and you'll be totally comfortable wearing them in front of your boyfriend's parents.

Yellow Accessories

I have been obsessed with Yellow accessories lately. I bought these cute flats by Blowfish a couple of weeks ago. They feel springy and happy, and they give a great shot of color to my Navy Blue dress . I also bought a skinny yellow belt at Marshall's for $1! I found a great second hand yellow scarf from Arizona Trading Company , and I am currently lusting over this Nine West Zip Clutch. I even got this great tote from Target last week. I don't know if it's just me but it's all about Yellow right now!

Messy hair for all

I used to have super long hair, down to my waist but when I was 23 I cut 14 inches off and donated it to Locks of Love . Which was great, I grew it out again, cut it again, and now I've had short hair for a little over a year. I miss my long hair now and I'm ready to grow it out again. Looking at these messy braids and buns really make me yearn for my long hair. Aren't these styles so pretty, fun, and chic? I can't wait for my hair to grow long!

I wear mine at night

Sunglasses are quite possibly the coolest accessory. They can set the tone for your whole outfit. I think I own at least four different pair of sunglasses. Which do you like best? These funky round frames, classically cool wayfarers, sleek and sophisticated aviators, or these trendy over sized frames?

Gwen. Always.

It's been so long since I fell in love with Gwen Stefani, I don't even know when the affair began. It must have been 7th or 8th grade. I remember my best friend gave me a little old CD called Tragic Kingdom that her brother had heard before "Just A Girl" was even on our radio station. I put it into the massive CD player in my bedroom and listened to it start to finish. I have been hooked ever since. Gwen has always been a woman I've loved. If she's on the cover of a magazine, I will buy it. Music, Fashion, Motherhood, Marriage, she and Gavin have been together for a while, maybe almost record breaking for a Hollywood marriage, right? Both No Doubt and her solo career have rocked my world. Tragic Kingdom will always be a favorite of mine and I adore her own Sweet Escape as well. I often listen to these albums while I'm working out or taking a long trip in the car and belt out the songs like I'm on stage with her.  From red lipstick to crop tops and bindis to her edgy albeit sophisticated style as of late, I will follow her until she or I dies, whichever comes first. 

Who doesn't love Amy?

I love to sew. When I have some free time I really love to spend it behind my sewing machine. I scored a Free 1954 Necchi Supernova when I lived in Winona, Minnesota and it works like a charm, nice and heavy duty and runs beautifully. For the past...while it has sadly been sitting on my desk collecting dust because I rarely get time to myself to work on things BUT when I do, I Love to use Amy Butler Fabrics. I discovered Amy Butler through her book InStitches which I picked up at my local library. It comes with patterns for projects that are way cooler than those goofy patterns you pick up at Hobby Lobby that end up looking like giant sacks or monstrosities you want to burry in your closet.  She has patterns for everything from lounge pants, to bedside organizers, to cozy quilts. She designs all her own fabrics which are usually a modern take on classics, like damask prints in modern colors, that look fresh and beautiful anywhere. Check out her other books too, Midwest Modern and Little Stitches for Little Ones

Unique Knits

I found this esty shop a while ago and fell in love with it. These knit creations are so unique and beautiful, I was absolutely inspired by them. I love that they are so organic yet girly.  These are my favorite pieces in the shop. The top piece is versatile and cozy, the middle looks both feminine and warm, and the bottom would be a wonderfully unique accessory to dress up a plain summer dress. I love the warm wraps and sweet necklaces in this shop.

Tax Return + Anthropologie

Oh yes, we must love tax season! I planned to splurge on a dress or two from Anthropologie when I got my return, so I went today and found these super cute items. I love the top one for just hanging around the house on a warm Sunday afternoon, watering plants, making sun tea, reading a book on the porch. The bottom dress was just too pretty, the back dips down to a V and has a tie at the bottom, I bought a beaded belt to wear with it. I will probably wear it while in Italy, maybe to a wonderful restaurant. I'm also thinking it would be great for my Grandmother's 90th birthday party this year. Ahhhh anthro, how I love your clothes and how special I feel in them!