:: She Wears the Pants ::

Happy Friday, my printed-pant loving pals! If you knew how often I wore this exact outfit (literally, no variation) you might be embarrassed for me. Or, maybe it’s just that it is the ideal work-weekend-pushing the limits but still professional enough-type outfit that you would do the same.

Eh. Either way, these pants find their way into my line-up weekly because they have such a unique pattern, a stretchy waist-band, and a baggy-in-the-right-way kind of fit.

Oh, and pockets. Could they be any more perfect?!

Pants // Anthropologie

Top // boutique find

Shoes // Forever 21

Necklace // Bauble Bar

Bracelet // Tory Burch + Fit Bit

Rings // H&M

:: Something Blue ::

Bride Brain. A very real condition affecting the nervous system and the brain’s executive system.

As someone who has been a “planner” her whole life, and executed events since the dawn of time ranging from two to 20,000 people, I thought my own wedding would be a total breeze.

Seems like I’m very rarely right these days!

While I absolutely know what I want, it’s the constant feeling of never being able to say that one task is fully complete which just kills me. Just when I have made the biggest leap into selecting one thing or another and am feeling as though I’ve gained leverage on the whole thing, someone asks if I’ve done this or that and I spiral back into realizing how much there is left to do. Meaning I never want to leave the house and I’m ready for October 24th to arrive. But not really. But so ready.

Girls often say that they have spent their whole life dreaming of their wedding day. Sure, I thought about it, but was way more interested in Barbie rescuing Ken from an abductor. #girlpower? In reality, I wish I had grown up learning how to use a spreadsheet and learning how to diagram a reception hall to fit the correct number of guests – this would have been much more beneficial – and another reason we should be implementing STEM into our schools as much as possible.

So, how can we be upset with our bridezilla Britanzilla friends who just want to go to bed at night feeling accomplished? It’s certainly insane to think they can multi-task at this level while doing their real job, getting into wedding-gown shape, and spending their parent’s life savings.

In honor of the wedding-to-be, let’s look at something blue today! This blouse from Anthro is an absolute fave and the warmer weather is slowly helping me circulate through my skirt collection. The Dallas heatwave will be here before we know it though, and this work-appropriate outfit will be too hot! My closet is seriously lacking in the blouse department – what’s our go-to for tops?!

Top //  Anthropologie

Skirt // Adrianna Papell

Clutch // Nordstrom

Necklace // J. Crew

Shoes // Old Navy

:: Best Dressed ::

When I was in high school, I was awarded the senior superlative of “Best Dressed.” (I really wanted a different superlative, but honestly probably would have been devastated if my attempt at expressing myself sartorially had gone unnoticed and let’s be honest – I’m nice, but I’ve never been referred to as “a sweet girl.”)

Of course, for the yearbook photo I selected the most ridiculous of basic outfits. We’re talking jeans, a tunic and if I remember correctly, rhinestoned moccasins. Ok. Maybe it wasn’t all basic (and definitely not stylish).

I remember being asked a question and the answer was to be recorded in the yearbook as well. “What celebrity’s style best describes your style?”

Um… I remember immediately thinking that no one’s style really fit mine. So instead I just picked a pretty celebrity (because at seventeen no one else cares what celebrities wear, as much as they care about their physical appearance).

Recently, the same question was posed to me (albeit, minus the celebrity piece), asking me to describe my personal style. At the ripe old age of twenty-six, I’ve finally realized that my style is consistently inconsistent. Sure, there are basic elements of style I love, but in the grand scheme of things – my style is that of who I want to embody that day.

To sum it up – I prefer to play dress up. Every. Single Day.

And so my friends, that is why you should join me at Buffalo Creek Boutique in Allen/Fairview, Texas THIS SATURDAY, March 21st between 2 and 4 pm. Enjoy the Sip and Style Tour with light bites, libations, and this Okie girl getting her true Texas style on.

Join the Facebook Group here and I hope to see you this Saturday!

Top // J. Crew

Pants // Zara

Jacket // Sheinside

Booties // H&M

Necklace // Kendra Scott

Speaking of dress up… this rainy weather has me craving color, but I’m clinging to my all black ensemble while it’s still appropriate!

 

:: Puddle Jumper ::

There’s just something about the weather that can really deter a normally goal-oriented overachiever. Between the wind and rain, it is honestly a miracle that I graduated from college. Great Oklahoma weather gear helped ensure that I made it over that finish line, and rain boots were among that crowd. Although, nothing was worse than when you threw on the boots when it was pouring freezing rain in the morning and by afternoon it was a humid 75.

Shockingly, that has not been the case lately in Dallas! Freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and rain make me semi excited for Daylight Saving’s Time and *hopefully* a spring to soon arrive!

Top // J. Crew

Skirt // Adrianna Papel

Boots // Hunter

Necklace // Max & Chloe

Fit Bit // Tory Burch

:: Chill ::

Literally. I am frozen. I’m so over wearing pants every. single. day.

GIVE ME THE SKIRT WEATHER!!!!!

Luckily, this waffle sweater is so warm that you’ll practically start sweating. No complaints here. I’m just thankful that my faux leather pants have a zipper on the side, ensuring I don’t have another Ross-in-the-leather-pants moment like OU-Texas 2013. (Humidity makes for a very difficult situation).

Between being slammed every day with work/wedding/pretending to be an adult I’ve found myself in a cold weather rut. Researching honeymoon destinations is somewhat helping and majorly hurting my current frigophobia. What’s your best honeymoon destination suggestion?

 

Top // Free People

Pants // Zara

Booties // Sole Society

:: Put a Bow on it ::

I’ve always had an affinity for gift wrapping. Every Christmas my mom puts together a theme for the presents under the tree and lucky for us, she’s never let up on that little bit of Christmas magic. From bows and ribbon to tissue paper and wrapping paper – I love it all.

When I found this bow on ASOS, it brought a flood of happiness to my heart. I didn’t have hair until I was three, so I certainly never got into the bow-wearing thing, but a giant bow that is versatile enough to be worn with ANY top?! Sign me up!

 

Top // Equipment

Pants // J. Crew Pixie

Booties // H&M

Bow // ASOS

Bag // Kate Spade

Rings // H&M

:: Basic ::

These past few weeks have been craaaaaay and I have put so little effort into my outfits. Praise the Lord for the Stylebook app to at least help me keep it semi-together throughout the week.

While wedding planning should be a breeze for an organized and decisive person, it’s such a huge pain to try to get all my vendors on my schedule and to communicate effectively via e-mail.

All I have to say is – pass the wine.

It’s looks like this that help me save time in the morning when I’m wiped out, and I have probably worn this exact, basic outfit for almost a week straight. Just swap out this vest for a different one, add a jacket, change the shoes – no one will ever know!

 Top // J. Crew

Pants // J. Crew Pixie Pants

Vest // Bloomingdale’s

Booties // Sole Society

Bag // Tory Burch

:: Dress Code Violation ::

During this indecisive (but oh so welcome!) Dallas weather, I’ve been going back and forth between the pants and skirts rack in my closet. I love this graphic tee and based the entire look around it. Soft, pink meets my favorite edgy jacket? Yes. The midi skirt is my newest pal, as it allows me to cover enough of my skin so that I won’t get frost bite, yet still have the comfort and flexibility of not having to wear pants. Plus, it can be tough to look work appropriate and stay stylish – but for me, this skirt does the trick.

I was always getting called out for my skirts being too short in school, so this style would have been filling my closet in 2003. Whether they were too short or not, the shaming of young women and their clothing of choice is very real and unfortunately happens all too often. Sure, for every woman dressing appropriately, I’m sure there is another dressed scandalously – but the young girl in the article here was not among those. I just read this article about a girl in Utah who was asked to cover her shoulders at a school dance, and subsequently shamed. Take a look and let me know if you think her dress was inappropriate…

In the grand scheme of world problems, I understand that this is perhaps not the most imperative of issues facing us. However, requiring a student to wear a gigantic neon yellow shirt with “DRESS CODE VIOLATION” emblazoned upon it is only going to further the relational aggression we see taking place in our schools. How can we close the achievement gap if students in appropriate clothes, which cover themselves, are unable to focus because they are wearing a “shame suit?”

Just my rambling thoughts on a Thursday morning. This is not a fully formed opinion, but the article hit home for me – and I’m sure for many other fashion bloggers, working professionals, and students just trying to get through high school day by day.

What are your thoughts?

 

Top // J. Crew

Skirt // Top Shop

Jacket // Stella Rae’s

Booties // H&M

:: Golden Globes ::

I’m not one to actually watch an awards show, but you better believe I’ll spend a good chunk of time on the internet the following day!

1. LOVE green and LOVE the sheer accent on Shaun Robinson.

2. What’s not to love about a pantsuit with a gigantic bow? Well played, Emma Stone.

3. While the color on her skin isn’t perfect, I can’t help but adore the way this beauty shines.

4. Zuhair Murad – my favorite designer. The middle of this dress is distracting, but the intricacy is gorgeous.

5. Satin is tricky and shows loads of wrinkles, but THAT TOP!

6. Hate radiant orchid, but Lupita looks absolutely amazing. The texture, the flow – perfection.

7. Tina Fey – you made the casual sequined tux cool again. Where can I get one of these puppies?

8. Easily my favorite. This silhouette is so flattering – particularly the gathered peplum and belted waist.

9. I honestly just threw this in because I like symmetry and a classic shape.

:: Black Sheep ::

Almost two weeks in to 2015 – how are those resolutions looking?

I rarely make resolutions (failure is not an option, so I rather not set myself up for it!), however this year – I just couldn’t get enough. I started jotting down all of the things I wanted to do and/or improve about myself. Not surprisingly, the list grows miles each day.

One of my challenges for 2015 is to push myself even further outside of my comfort zone.  Sit by the person I am least likely to have anything in common with. Go rogue and choose the restaurant with no online menu available. Sounds small – but it will mean a lot in growing myself this year.

“Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times – it’s the only time we’ve got.” Time to get to work!

 

 

Top // Nordstrom Rack, J. Crew

Pants // J.Crew

Shoes // Sam Edelman

Bag // Tory Burch

Sunglasses // Tom Ford