:: Best of the West ::

Western Conference that is.

T put our names on the season ticket holder list three years ago, essentially right after we started dating. I didn’t say anything, but in my head I was thinking “is this really that serious?” Guess it was! A few years back, Taylor bought me the jersey of my favorite player, James Harden. I adored that man, and have always loved an underdog. Even if he was being paid millions to be one. The following summer we were at dinner with his family, sister, and now brother-in-law, on the gorgeous patio at SW Steakhouse in Las Vegas. Then, tragedy struck. Knowing we followed the Thunder pretty closely, Luke made the comment that Harden had been traded. Not typically being one for the water works, I started crying hysterically at dinner. Couldn’t even finish my meal. And people – that is hands down, one of the top 3 steaks I’ve had in my life!

Since then, I haven’t been able to allow another jersey into my life, for fear of the NBA being in control of a potentially outdated wardrobe. However, Steven Adams (John Mayer’s look-a-like!)  is slowly sneaking into first place, for his devilish good looks, quite impressive ball skills, and that New Zealand accent that you could listen to all day. This time, I’ll wait until after the Thunder re-sign him though. No need to jinx the handsome fella! Until that day comes, when I can dress up a jersey, I’ll keep playing with the orange and blue color palette. What’s your go to Thunder wear?!

Top: J.Crew (old, similar here), Pants: Zara (old, similar here) , Boots: Tory Burch (cute here), Bag: Kate Spade (cute beige option, and HUGE KATE SPADE SALE!), Necklace: Anthropologie (very old, two tone option here), Ring: David Yurman

:: Mad for Plaid ::

I will openly admit that I am one of those people who gets mad when stores pull out their Christmas stock before Thanksgiving has even breathed post-Halloween. However, this year – I’m a holly, jolly, nutcracker-loving, hippopotamus wanting, chestnut roaster waiting under the mistletoe in a marshmallow world. It started with this beautiful dishtowel I bought from Anthropologie. Then, the twinkling multi-colored Christmas lights found their way into my basket at Walgreens. Finally, it was the realization that I get to wear my holiday themed clothes but once a year and oh  by gosh by golly, it’s time for mistletoe and holly!

I bought this skirt on sale from J.Crew last year for – wait for it – $19.99! I was just ecstatic. It’s such a fun plaid print, but it doesn’t scream Christmas SO loudly that you can only wear it in December. Of course, it was so cold out that we resorted to the beautiful Skirvin Hotel downtown – and what do you know, but they’ve decked the halls and created a life-sized gingerbread house. This Grinch’s heart grew three sizes upon seeing the festive decor, and now I’m ready to extend Christmas into the new year! What are you wearing for the holidays?!

Top: J.Crew, Skirt: J.Crew (old, fun option here), Vest: Stella Rae’s, Boots: Tory Burch (similar style), Watch: Michael Kors (similar), Rings: C.Wonder, David Yurman, Necklace: Max & Chloe, Bag: Louis Vuitton Recital

Skirvin Hallways

:: Marshmallow World ::

Ya’ll. I woke up this morning and literally flew out of bed, yelling “SNOW!!!!!!!” at Tallulah. Couldn’t even make out a full sentence. I ran around my teeny tiny apartment, unsure of what to do first. Hot chocolate? Christmas movie? Brush my teeth?  Going out in it was never part of the options. My apartment building is pretty tall, so we watched the GINORMOUS snow flakes fluttering about the sky, as my Christmas lights twinkled atop the window. It only got better as the snow fell behind our holiday-ready Christmas Flamingos. Truly, a beautiful sight. 

And then, there was brunch! I bought this sweater sweatshirt (it’s really in between both, so call it what you like) at a J.Crew sale during OU Texas weekend, on a day SO warm that I wouldn’t even allow myself to look in a mirror. As I tried to remove my crimson leather shorts (it was supposed to be chilly), the humidity and heat combined to give me a Ross Gellar leather pants moment. I poured sweat that afternoon like a small town football player during two a days. Slightly different from today’s weather…

As I was searching for a comfortable, cozy brunch outfit, to saddle up by the Flint fire with Sunday afternoon football in front of me – this little gem called my name. What’s even more lovable, is that the crumb-catcher colonial-style collar is actually attached! A miracle maker for a girl who loves the layered look, but is too petite to actually layer THAT much.

Top: J.Crew, Pants: J.Crew, Boots: Tory Burch (similar here) , Bag: Kate Spade (similar here), Gloves: H&M

Bling on the cold.

It’s a marshmallow world in the winter…

These boots have a great story behind them.

Just a lazy Sunday at the Colcord

:: Foxy ::

There may not be a better feeling than realizing an entire outfit costs less than your watch or bag. This is one of those outfits!  I picked up this sweater, and a lamb version as well,  last year when it hit Old Navy – what an amazing find! THEN as I was perusing Target the other day, I happened upon this pair of camo pants, in exactly my size, and for a whopping $12. I have been searching for a good pair of cheap camo pants for at least a year, knowing that I did not want to spend a lot on something that I may change my mind about later. It’s rare to see me pick up a truly fad-ish item, but they are pretty bold, and not in the vegan leather pants or foiled snake print way. The last time I wore a pair of camo print pants was when I first began competing in Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen. You can read about it here, but I wouldn’t dare post a photo. After calling a local director, baffled as to how I didn’t place in his pageant, he told my mom exactly why. The dance costume was too scandalous. Now listen ya’ll, I don’t have a scandalous bone in my body, so that gave us a great big ol’ laugh for weeks! Fortunately, there’s a new way to wear camo pants, and hopefully this way will not offend anyone…

Top: Old Navy, Pants: Target, Bag: Kate Spade, Heels: Aldo, Sunglasses: John Randolph, Ring: C.Wonder, Bracelets: J.Crew, Playa Del Carmen Straw Market find, Gift

:: important business ::

:: Falling for Florals ::

WHEW! The past few days in Oklahoma have been quite unique for November. I think we missed out on Fall this year, which is über depressing, as it is my favorite season of all. We had a heat wave of a weekend, causing me to pull out my lightweight fabrics and match them with something fun – like florals! Hard to believe I have had this skirt now for three years, but watercolor-like painted fabric mixed with pockets is an unbeatable combination. What did you put on to beat the heat?!

Top: J.Crew, Skirt: J.Crew, Boots: Tory Burch, Bag: Kate Spade, Sunglasses: John Randolph, Necklace: Zara, Rings: David Yurman, Watch: Michael Kors

:: details ::

:: lights ::

:: Faux Real ::

This blog has been so much fun, and I am beyond flattered when my friends praise me for The Paper Doll looking polished all the time. So, let’s be honest here. I do not always look put together. I do not get up EVERY day, jumping into my closet and pulling together fashionable pieces. Some days, I wear my worn out, long-sleeved, button down flannel pajamas, sitting around solving Criminal Minds episodes. And that’s ok. 

So often, I see social media being used to “frame” our lives, only showcasing the exciting or seemingly perfect bits and pieces of our days. Workday Weekend called it the fashion blogger “bubble effect,” meaning we capture this somewhat staged bit of our life as we want others to see it. Some days my hair can’t even do a sock bun, others my wardrobe is literally falling apart, and even after acutane, my skin imperfections can’t always be covered with make-up. As a blogger who focuses so much on the aesthetic, I do find it very important for my readers to know that even Blair Eadie and Olivia Palermo have off days, as do I – clearly. So, when I found this comfortable, easy, casually somewhat cool look…. it became my new go to. It’s basically my socially acceptable flannel pajamas-level of comfortable outfit. The J.Crew pixie pants are a VERY thick legging (which can, attention sorority sisters – be worn as PANTS!), and if you know me, you will be seeing this outfit at least once a week. And I’m not even ashamed. 

I love faux fur, and obviously always have. My classmates had many a name for this fur-baby beauty, and I so often wish I could revisit the simple, unknowing, but oh so confident girl who hadn’t yet noticed that being different was not cool yet. She was many things, but she was authentically faux real, ya’ll. What do you wear out and about when you’d rather not roll out of bed?

You go girl!

Top: Kohls, Pants: J.Crew Pixie Pants, Vest: Stella Rae’s, Booties: Forever 21, Necklace: Lucky Brand, Bag: Kate Spade, Bracelets: J.Crew, Anthropologie, Gifts,

:: Earn Your Stripes ::

I was born to brunch. It’s by far my favorite meal, for several reasons. During the two years I lived in Tulsa, brunch became T and I’s thing. Since he was in law school, it was more difficult for him to head north, so I added thousands of miles to my car to make it work – typically trekking to the city on Sundays. (I know you’re reading this in the middle of class, so you can’t object to the miles I accumulated during this relationship!) We bounced from brunch to brunch, and I can rattle off the specials or mimosa price on nearly every menu in town. Now that we live less than 150 miles away from each other, we hit up Flint on Sundays. During Fantasy Football season (yes, I know – technically NFL season, but clearly we have to watch multiple different players and not just one specific team), we had to find a place that would give us great food, good prices, a convenient location, a television, and be able to get us out of there by a 12:05 kickoff.

Thus, we found our brunch home at Flint. My personal favorite spot is at the bar, sitting in front of the fire. But that’s because fireplaces hold a special place in my heart. As a child, I used our fireplace as my stage – dancing, singing, and occasionally pretending I was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. In college, Josh and I would settle up with our laptops and student organization work by the not one, but TWO fireplaces in Pi Phi, which Mom Mindy often joined us to enjoy. If you ever make it to this little gem in the Colcord, do yourself a favor and order the berry compote topped brioche French Toast, Farmers’ Biscuits and Gravy, and if it’s there – the pancake special. You’ll be so content with fullness that you’ll need a mid-day nap. Aren’t those the best?!

I know we’re going to eat a little more than usual on our Sunday fun days, so here is what I throw on to leave a little room for my favorite weekly tradition!

Dress: Gap, Scarf: Coach, Bag: Kate Spade, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelets: Coach, Juicy Couture, Shoes: Converse (You have to see these beauties in person – they sparkle, but not with glitter or rhinestones…just lovely!), Sunglasses: John Randolph, Ring: David Yurman

Hellooooooo brunch!

:: Wild Thang ::

Let’s be real. I am not into the creepy crawly stuff – especially snakes. However, python print is slowly becoming my new leopard. I didn’t even see it coming! It literally popped up one day and I had to capture it. After spotting it on Pinterest, it brought back memories of my late-nineties snake print stage. I was in fifth grade, and Animal Crackers had dressed me in one interesting outfit. I think this was around the time Britney Spears began mixing prints (which did not belong together at ALL) and clearly I believed I was destined for fame. I showed up to the first dance of my life in multi-colored snake print pants, and a sheer multi-colored top, beads hanging from the threads and a bright red tank underneath. Can you believe no one asked me to dance that night?! The only photo I could find had been published in the yearbook, and it was probably a blessing that it was only printed in black and white. I’m definitely an example that it gets better… What’s your most memorable 90’s look?

Normal people wearing normal clothing, and then there’s me…
Please remember, the pants were lime green, red, black, aqua, purple, etc.

Top: Necessary Clothing, Pants: J.Crew, Sunglasses: John Randolph, Heels: Zara (similar here), Necklace: J.Crew (in store only), Rings: David Yurman, C.Wonder, Bag: J.Crew (old – similar here)

southwest flair

dangerous downtown

bling bling

:: Canadian Tuxedos and Basketball ::

To say this weekend was busy is an understatement. We took off for Dallas Thursday night – with my three bags in tow, one full of just shoes. From North Park and the Dallas Flea to a perfect Nobu dinner and late night high school reunion including Chace Crawford (Honestly, I don’t know why T thought I would be so star struck. He knows there is only room in my heart for one other man – John Mayer), church and a drive back to the city. Of course, we then turned around and ran to our second home, the Chesapeake Arena, to catch the first home Thunder game as season ticket holders! We’ve been on the list for ages, so we celebrated these two special seats of our very own with hot dogs and brew. Really – do you think we could afford a nicer dinner after that kind of purchase?!

Somehow in the cold and the wind, we managed to click a few pics, even though my new sunglasses absolutely did not want to stay on my face. Fans were asked to wear blue for the first home game, and I struggled with an outfit that was comfortable, warm on the walk, cool next to 18,000 of our closest pals, and of course – blue. Then it hit me. What better way to cheer on our favorite team, than in a Canadian Tuxedo?!

Top: J.Crew, Jeans: Gap, Clutch: Tory Burch, Jacket: Stella Rae’s, Sunglasses: Elizabeth and James, Booties: Forever 21, Necklace: Dallas Flea

outtakes

a gem of a find

:: Going Rogue ::

“Life is a party. Dress like it.” – Lilly Pulitzer

So often, I wander into my closet, looking at my most prized pieces, and putting them back because it’s “too much” for whatever occasion is in store. Then I got inspired by Blair Eadie and decided to throw together all the things I had been wanting to wear and were instead beautifully decorating the interior of my closet. It was time to go rogue… and not in the Sarah Palin way.

Skirt: Shoptiques, Top: J.Crew, Jacket: H&M, Sunglasses: John Randolph, Belt: Vintage, Boots: Tory Burch, Clutch: Christopher Kon, Necklace: Max and Chloe, Bracelets: Seasonal Whispers, Anthropologie, Rings: C.Wonder, David Yurman, Nails: Nails INC – Regent Street