Friday, 18 April 2014

Weekly Wishlist: Black and Blue

This week? Longest ever. Amiright?  I have extremely limited plans for the weekend, for which I am extremely grateful. And since I'm doing nada thus far tonight, I've pulled together my most recently wishlist. (Hint: that patterned maxi in the middle is on sale, and it's currently on its way to me to see whether it's a winner for all these frickin weddings I have this summer!)

Weekly Wishlist: Black and White


And here's how I'd rock a couple of the items:


Black and Blue: How I'd Wear it

Anyone have fun weekend plans?

Saturday, 12 April 2014

Weekend Reading

Here are a few things I enjoyed over the past week:


What are you all up to this weekend? I'm looking forward to going to yoga and a concert today, and taking it easy tomorrow :)

Thursday, 10 April 2014

Packing a Week's Worth of Work, Play, and a Wedding in a Carryon

....And the kicker? The whole carryon wardrobe consists of 11 items. Eleven. INCLUDING SHOES.

So here's the backstory: In May I will be attending a work conference in Philadelphia, which happens to coincide with my boyfriend's family wedding that following weekend. I'll be arriving on Monday, work conference Tuesday/Wednesday, and time to play Thursday/Friday. Then it's dress-to-impress time with his cousin's wedding on Saturday and a family brunch/travel back home on Sunday.

Naturally, being type-A, I've already started plotting what I need to pack--that's a lot to fit in one weekend! Here's my plan:



Week-long carryon wardrobe for work, play, and a wedding


Keys to Packing Success:
  • Maxi dresses and traveling go hand-in-hand--they're so comfortable, yet look pulled together. Make sure you bring ones that don't wrinkle easy. Bonus points if they have a print so you don't need to bring jewelry.
  • Maxi dresses and weddings go hand-in-hand. I like the one shown because the high neck and busy pattern means no need for jewelry or fancy shoes. 
  • Bring one dressier blazer and one more casual jacket so you can dress your other items up or down. 
  • Pack patterned items that mix well so you have multiple options with minimal items. 
  • A blazer and pencil skirt are great go-tos. My work conference doesn't require us to dress up much, but if yours does, a pencil skirt and blazer are so versatile. After hours, dress down the pencil skirt with a graphic tee, and the blazer goes great with skinny jeans.
  • You don't need more than 3 pairs of shoes. I promise. If you're packing 4+ shoes, you're packing wrong.  I typically bring 1 pair of dress heels, one pair of comfortable shoes (here, the brown sandals, although sometimes I swap these out for some fun sneakers so I can sneak in a workout while away), and a pair of wedges for when you need to look nice but just. can't. take. another. high heel.
  • Take advantage of hotel amenities. Many hotels offer hot irons and laundry services. If you want to be real extreme, you could bring half the amount of clothing shown here (example: maxi dress, blazer, white pants, stripe top, floral skirt, wedges) and just get them washed and repeat outfits/items throughout the week.

Monday, 7 April 2014

Spring 2014 Capsule Wardrobe

I recently posted a series on how to create a capsule wardrobe, so in that spirit, I've decided to put together an example of a capsule wardrobe for spring.

There are many ways you can create a capsule wardrobe--some might decide on a number of tops, bottoms, and shoes, etc., or pick a specific color palette and work off of that. My theory is to start with staples, add in patterns and color, and figure out what I need to complete my outfit options...like so:

Spring Capsule Wardrobe
Notes:

  • Staples: I think that any wardrobe needs some variation of a blazer, denim top (whether that's a chambray buttonup or a denim jacket), a striped top, black skirt, jean skinnies, black heels, and black cigarette pants. 
  • Patterns: once you've established your basics, you need to add in patterns for interest. I like adding florals, stripes, and animal prints, because I think they can all mix together well.
  • Colors: most wardrobes benefit from a little color. For this one, I added a variety of colors, but you might choose to do just cool colors, or warm, or variations on pink/blue/purple etc.
  • Fill-ins: Every wardrobe needs a fun pair of patterned heels, casual sneakers, and black wedges, as well as a pair of silver and gold earrings, a funky scarf, and a statement necklace.
So how would I wear this wardrobe? See below:




Capsule Wardrobe: Outfit Options


Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Weekly Wishlist

Every single time I post a Weekly Wishlist, I start out thinking that my style is all over the board and nothing I'm about to post has anything in common with the other items. Then I start putting them together and see that I'm wrong and completely, totally predictable.

This week? I'm loving interesting mirrors, kelly green errythang, my go-to neutrals (stripes are a neutral, people), and hot pink:

Weekly Wishlist: Green, Pink, and Neutrals


In my ideal world, here's how I'd use these items in my entryway....




Weekly Wishlist: Entryway

...In my living room.....


Weekly Wishlist: Living Room


...while wearing one of these outfits:

Weekly Wishlist outfits


What are you craving lately?