:: 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

:: Camo-flor-age ::

“Florals for spring. Groundbreaking.”

Perhaps florals for spring are nothing new, but surely peony-printed pants are ready for their moment. I think this is a hilarious play on words, T, however, thinks it is miserable. Writing, much like style, cannot exist with a “one size fits all” mentality though!

Which is also why you will have to forgive me for the less than verbose post today. It’s late and I have been working pretty wild hours, so – goodnight!

Here’s hoping your Monday is warmer and drier than ours here in Dallas – looks a bit different from this clear, blue day!

Top // J. Crew

Pants // Vera Wang for Kohls

Booties // Sole Society

Necklace // J. Crew

Bracelet // Tory Burch FitBit

Bag // Nordstrom

:: Unphotogenic Finds ::

This dress is the equivalent of The One with the Engagement Pictures. Much like Chandler’s smile, it looks great until a camera is pointed at it.

But really – this was an incredible Anthropology-sale-rack find for a whopping $20 a few weeks ago. I was in such shock that I ran around the store asking each of my new best friend’s in the dressing room area if they could find something wrong with it. A hole? A torn thread? A sensor that someone tried to pull off and it became saturated with ink?

Nothing. So it came home with me!

The accordion skirt and free flowing top half work so beautifully together and I have received a number of compliments. Plus, the colors work perfectly for any season – a must when you are a budget buyer! What do you wear that doesn’t photograph well?!   

Dress // Anthropologie

Booties // H&M

Bracelet // Tory Burch

Necklace // Kendra Scott

:: 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

:: Buffalo Creek ::

A few weeks ago I was invited to spend the day at Buffalo Creek Boutique for the Sip N’ Style Tour! I had a great time with Andrea Patrick of Keep ‘N it Haute, the Buffalo Creek gals, and their shoppers.

Here are a few fun outfits I got to play in as I added some Texas flair to my look!

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:: 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

The Oscars

I know I’ve said it before – but I’m just not that into awards shows. As someone who can barely sit through a movie, awards shows tend to test my patience (plus, once I’ve seen all the incredible styling there is st see – I’m done!).

That being said, I was really impressed with several moments from last night’s Oscar’s. Let’s begin with Reese Witherspoon – she promoted the #askhermore campaign, which essentially makes all my worlds collide. While I love seeing what styles the stars are wearing, I have no idea why it is necessary to ONLY ask them about “who” and “what” they are wearing. Reese also posted several example questions of what reporters could ask to learn more about actress’s thoughts about their work, aspirations, and proudest moments. Thanks to The Representation Project for ensuring our women are given the respect they deserve for their craft.

She was not the only celebrity to ensure women were receiving the positive attention they deserve. Props to Patricia Arquette for calling out that dreadful “mani-cam” that E! luckily didn’t have space for on the red carpet this year. The Boyhood star said she was “too busy working on an ecological sanitation project” to get her nails done for the awards show. Yeah girl – preach!

The fashion-loving, women’s and gender studies-learning, journalistic-soul in me is just simply over the moon.

And can we take a moment to touch on what my Facebook newsfeed is blowing up over? Lady Gaga gave Carrie Underwood (and dare I say it – Julie Andrews? No. Let’s not go there.) a run for her money on a birch lined, symphony-filled stage as she hit ev’ry single high note in her tribute to “The Sound of Music.”

Love her music, think she’s a total nut, but holy cow – the girl is talented. Top off her talented performance with that incredible full-skirted white Azzedine Alaïa gown. Just breathtaking.

Of course I can’t stop there, because there were several favorite dresses from last night. I was shocked to see an absence of pant-suits or capes, but I suppose my favorite trends can’t come back for every awards show.

A favorite, texture-filled gown (although God only knows how the girl sat down) was Lupita N’yongo in a fully pearl encrusted Calvin Klein. As someone who has worn liquid beading, I can bet this puppy weighed roughly 20 pounds. She pulled it off like a champ – I’ve yet to see her in anything I didn’t like!

Emma Stone wowed in a chartreuse, long-sleeved Elie Saab. With her skin tone and red hair, it was a winner. Cate Blanchett had, in my opinion, the most incredible statement necklace by Tiffany’s and selected a much simpler dress by John Galliano for Maison Margiela. Jennifer Lopez wore an amazing Haute Couture Elie Saab gown which not only complemented her skin tone, but matched it perfectly. Jennifer Aniston stunned in a fully beaded Versace, and Reese Witherspoon – that Tom Ford gown was impeccable.

But my favorite after-party look was worn by Mindy Kaling in a custom Savador Perez. The girl doesn’t do basic black very often, but when she does, she does it perfectly.

While I’m not the biggest awards show fan, I’m marrying a former theatre-kid who was recalling the days of watching the awards shows with his buddies. Of course, I’m not one to turn down the opportunity to host a party, so next year should be filled with many, many awards show watch-parties!

Oscars