shopping: Baublebar

working at Anthropologie made me amass quite the accessory collection.  i've never been a "dainty" jewelry kind of girl.  i've always liked chunky, gaudy, costume jewelry.  my favorites include Juicy Couture for their crazy script hoops, Marc Jacobs chunky bangles, Kate Spade's famous bright bangles, and anywhere else i can find fun, bright pieces.

so when statement necklaces were in and haven't really left, i was happy to be able to find them everywhere.  i prefer pretty simple knits--mostly solids, so it is a fun way to add some color and fun to an otherwise boring outfit.

 

a couple weeks ago when i was visiting my sister in Chapel Hill we did a lot of shopping...especially internet shopping and we happened upon Baublebar.  so many cute bangles and necklaces!  i've already gotten 3 necklaces!  good deals at under $50 each!  so excited about this turquoise piece... the Turquoise Elsa Necklace $42.  one of the lovely ladies i worked with at Anthro had this piece or one similar, and wore it all the time and i always coveted it.  *yay*  you are now mine!

 

{Coral Colorblock Teardrop Bib $34}

{Spearmint Bauble Bib $36}

stylemint wishlist.

dixon convertible skirt, stylemint $59.95

okay when i first joined stylemint... i was a little annoyed that it is a "club" that charges your card monthly.  you basically accrue credits at $29.95 a month for one credit and then use those credits to purchase items from the site.  i have seen things i want every month so the club is totally worth it *haha* --i've also worn my striped tee to death already.  anyone who knows me knows how much i LOVE great knits in basic colors/ stripes which is what this site focuses on.  stylemint's silhouettes and styling are super modern, which i love. 

here is my current stylemint wishlist.  the dixon convertible skirt/dress comes in both heather gray and black...i want both!  i love anything you can wear two ways and this piece allows you to try the asymetrical skirt hem trend.  i would love this as a traveling piece that you can throw on with sandals and a great necklace or layer with a slouchy tee, belt and heels for evening. 

fashion stalking: shift dress

love this twiggy-inspired look.  personal pet peeve-- ladies that belt shift dresses.  it's supposed to be boxy, get over it!  anyhoo i want this silk one with a donkey print!

donkey silk shift, anthropologie $188

packing for Charleston

normally when i pack i just throw some random crap into a bag on my way out the door.  i've always been a lazy packer!

but Charleston is different...a southern gem (it's been called!).  it evokes a sweet southern charm and ladies who lunch.  so i wanted to make sure that i brought plenty of wedges and skirts for our mini day trip.

had so much fun packing that i had to share it with y'all.  i've been trapped behind the scenes at the juice bar without a need to look cute or feminine in any way so i forgot how fun it is to actually dress up like a girl.  gotta get going-- my friends are throwing me a small get-together cinco   de mayo birthday bash tonight!

outfit 1: a gauzy sweater with a striped mini skirt

a cluster of color with this chunky necklace

sassy, easy shift dresses for seafood dinners out

bright pop of hot pink

a ruffly top tucked into a fun printed skirt

so springy!

a easy knit tank dress with a hand-knit vest

i wear this hand-knit vest with EVERYTHING.  love this beaded necklace with neutrals.

my "beach house" show outfit.  a vintage-style polka dot dress.

layered with a thin coral cardigan and a fun belt.

can't forget my bathing suit!

Spring redecorating

i've always been a lazy shopper.  such a lazy shopper.  not the type to do any research or care if i'm getting the best deal.  just impulsive and buying the first thing i like and getting it over with. 

i had to get *thrifty* after i left my job at Anthropologie and find ways to scrimp on cash without hindering my lifestyle.  i tried coupon-ing (twice)---it was annoying, i wasn't good at it, and the food was all crap.  i wanted to keep trying new restaurants so i learned about the wonders of Groupon and other half-off sites like it.

you can tell by looking at my closet and apartment that i tend to gravitate to the same things (quirky, colorful) without much thought to where it can go or if i have a use for it.  with our redecorating project i wanted to focus on adding a touch of sophistication but maintaining my style.  i will have to re-"merch" (a retail term, ha!) some of my things and get rid of other things.  i will probably do a lot of re-painting to tone down some of the crazy colors.  lastly i want to add neutral colors to my space as well.  i've never owned a legit bed with a headboard and frame and everything so i had to snatch this one up from overstock when i saw it. 

came home the other day to find that matt had frantically re-arranged everything in all the rooms of the house!  normally, as a control freak, i would freak out--but i actually thought it looked pretty good and i was excited that he was excited to finally jump in and help with decorating and making better use of our space.  got rid of some scary old furniture and making a few purchases...i will post photos of before and after when we're done.  now that i am in the mindset i am ready to re-do everything! 

pastels done right

blair of Atlantic-Pacific does pastels.  i love love love the seafoam green and peach combo.  so modern!

xo

spring: the striped tee

been wanting to order something from Stylemint for a while now because i keep seeing their cute little knits popping up all over the blog-o-sphere.  i got this cute little nautical inspired number today for spring.  the "jackson tee" from stylemint comes in a bright red or softer white with pale blue stripes.  i like the bold red for print mixing or a pop of color under a jacket

here is a fashion love affair wearing the jackson tee paired with florals.  one of my favorite ways to wear stripes: just make sure the florals aren't "too ditsy" or else it can become crazy.  and keep the color scheme close.

blair from atlantic-pacific wearing stylemint 3 different ways.  i love all these stripes!

living notes from nyc has it paired with skinny denim and

a light denim jacket.  such a put-together spring look.

some of my favorite bloggers sporting stylemint.

calivintage in the striped dress.

a beautiful mess in the nautical striped dress from stylemint.

 

a good travel dress.  toss it in your bag and dress it up or down.

a beautiful mess.

cupcakes and cashmere glams it up

fashion stalking: green scalloped shorts by free people

free people babes

salivating for these kelly green high waisted scalloped shorts!

my favorite green linen shorts here a couple summers ago

spring is here.

 

the weather has been beautiful.  need to get a tan for shorts season!

fashion stalking: massimo gioretti

Massimo Giorgetti.  never heard of him til i saw these gorgeous images on another blog.  i am dying for every silhouette, color, print in this collection.  i have a girly style but try to add some accessories to make it not so sweet.  i like how they styled these super femmy outfits with overtly sexy heels and leather accessories like these black gloves.  ***swoon***

such a cool modern take on print mixing

sexy sexy heels

oh so girly

 

a showstopper of a fur.  obsessed!

"hi there" from karen walker

Karen Walker has been designing clothes since she made her first circle skirt for her Barbie doll at age seven.  She's come a long way since then, expanding her line to a full line of clothing, accessories and decor, all based on an undying love of patterns and color mixed together every which way.

basque floral dress $140

i've been excited to see this collaboration by Karen Walker for Anthropologie.  her vintage, feminine silhouettes and modern prints and colors are right up my alley.  i always need more dresses!

floral wing dress $160

acorn dress $150