Reality bites.

I almost didn't post this because I am somewhat ashamed of certain parts of this outfit, but I promised you more outfit posts, and it's time you learned about one of the sad realities of my life.

Yes, my friends, those are Uggs.  I ruined a nearly flawless outfit by wearing Uggs.  I desperately wanted to wear my Steve Madden oxfords, but it was cold and rainy and I didn't want them to get ruined!  So now you know that, in spite of the big game I talk, I often give in to the evil temper of the weather and just wear something that keeps as much of my body warm as possible.

As for the rest of my outfit, the cardigan and skirt are two of the impulse buys I made in the dead of February.  I'm absolutely in love with both of them, and they're so comfortable I feel like I'm committing some kind of crime while I'm wearing them.

Cardigan: J. Crew

Skirt: J. Crew

Belt: Fossil

Necklace: Banana Republic

Happy Fashion Fridays, everyone!  I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Fashion Fridays: Summer's in the Bag

Happy Fashion Friday!

We all need the perfect purse to accompany our gorgeous, tanned selves around all summer, right?

Kate Spade Hit the Dock Stevie Purse

Raise your hand if you're surprised that the bag I picked has stripes on it.  What, no one?  Yeah, I'm not surprised either.  Big enough to throw in a bathing suit and a pair of flipflops, but not so large that you'll have your friends asking if they could just shove their towel in there real quick (don't you hate that?).  The best part?  It's half off right now on katespade.com!  I am sorely tempted, y'all.

What are you planning on dragging your necessities around in during the summer?  I may need some recommendations that don't weigh so heavily on my admittedly paltry bank account.

Fashion Fridays: Etsy Encounters

I love perusing Etsy almost as much as I like scouring Tastespotting (that's a lie, Etsy's not even a close second, but I do like it a lot!)  There are many new and interesting, and occasionally hilarious, things to find as you search for bargains on everything from vintage clothes to handmade jewelry.

One of my roommates purchased these rings recently, and they really are quite lovely, and were only about $22, including shipping.

Pictures from toComfortAlways on Etsy

I find their simplicity charming.  Unfortunately, that particular shop is on a break until July.  However, if you don't feel like waiting that long, I managed to some other interesting and inexpensive rings in the spirit of those two.

I think they're all pretty darn good-looking, and I would love any of them.  The best part is that they're all under $15!  Click on the pictures to go straight to the listing on Etsy!

Happy Fashion Fridays everyone, hope you have a lovely weekend!

Fashion Fridays: Karen Millen

As I transition from my school e-mail account to my "adult" e-mail (read: a regular gmail account), I've noticed a few differences. One of them is that normal gmail accounts have ads. I don't like them, because when they change, out of the corner of my eye it looks like something has popped up in my inbox, and then I'm disappointed when it isn't new mail, because I like getting e-mails.

I bet you're really glad you know all that now.

But, there's a point, and the point is that these ads actually proved useful to me the other day.  I know!  Very exciting.  One of the ads was for Karen Millen's US website.  Karen Millen is a UK-based company I first became aware of in the summer of 2009, when I spent a month at a program in Oxford.  The dresses in the store were beautiful, with bright jewel tones all over the place, just brightening up my day every time I walked past the store, even if it was raining (which it did, a lot.).  I ended up leaving the country with a beautiful purple dress that I sometimes take out just to admire.

Thusly reminded by the wiles of the internet, I checked out the website.  On my most recent click, I was greeted by this image.

Click through!

DO YOU NOT DIE FOR ALL THE COLORS?  Seriously, how chic is that bag, and that dress is so effortlessly cool I don't know what to do with myself.  And who does not like like to be greeted with news of a sale?

That skirt is on sale for $45!  I know!  Save that sucker up for next fall!

I love the clean lines of these dresses, it makes them so classic.  I can just envision myself standing by a pool somewhere in the first one, wearing a large hat and carrying a perfect clutch.  And, as we all know, color blocking is what it's all about this spring (really, though, it's what my life is about).  Really, there's just a bevy of beautiful things to admire and contemplate purchasing.  Head on over there to check it out!  I know I'll be clicking the hours away as I look for endless ways to procrastinate :)




Fashion Fridays looks like it's going to be sticking around, so thanks to Kori at Blonde Episodes for facilitating it!

This post was not sponsored by Karen Millen or anyone affiliated with the company.  I just really like their stuff.

Vice Report: Week of 3/28/11

In addition to this being my weekly vice report, I'm participating in Kori of Blonde Episodes' linkup today, called "Fashion Fridays," so make sure you check out the posts from all the other participating bloggers!

This week's vice was a whole outfit (which is perfect, since it's "Fashion Fridays").  Since last Friday, I have worn this outfit four times.  Twice as an outfit for a whole day, once to an evening meeting on Monday (the pictures below), and once during my headshot shoot (from which I'll hopefully have a really cool photo to show you guys soon!).  And if any of you think that's gross, all I have to say is that the blazer and skirt are dry clean only, so let's not pretend that I wasn't going to wear them multiple times anyway.  You do it, too.

Zara Blazer, J. Crew Shirt, Fossil Skirt, Steve Madden Shoes, 

Banana Republic Necklace, Gifted Bracelet

As you can see, I refuse to make a normal face.  I won't do it and you can't make me.  The one with the creature hands is my particular favorite, although I do enjoy my faux wistful look off in the distance. You'd almost think I'm looking at something other than El tracks. 

I am in love with this blazer.  I got it at Zara in the fall, but couldn't really figure out how to wear it until recently.  The shirt was one of my impulse purchases back in February when it was randomly 50 degrees one week, and I adore the gold color of the stripes.  It also has buttons all the way down the back, which I'll enjoy showing off when I don't have to layer anymore.  The wool skirt was another of the treasures I dug out of my closet at home, I got it at Fossil two years ago, and I like how it toes the line between fancy and casual.  I was forced to put my coat on, as it is still uncomfortably cold here, and I thought I'd let you all know that we still have the shovel and bucket of rock salt on our front porch in case it snows again.  Boo.  I hope it doesn't, it actually wasn't that cold today.

Thanks to my roommate Quinn for taking the pictures with her fancy camera!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!