Hats on, hats off

{Refinery 29}

To wear a hat, or to not wear a hat. That is the question that has been haunting my mind for quite some time. It's sad, really, when I think about my head and it's lack of roundness. I can never seem to find the right hat that will stay on my flat head! Does anyone else have the same problem? I would love to wear a sweet little straw hat paired with a vintage blouse and shorts, or a dark bowl hat with some little lacey number. Alas, I cannot. So I'll sit back and watch all these ladies work it out, one hat at a time.


{Liebmarlene Vintage, Another Day to Dress Up, Hel-Looks}


{Knight Cat}

ASOS Review!

ASOS.com had a great sale that started a couple weeks ago and I could not resist making an order! This was the best online purchase I've made in a really long time. Half of the things I ordered were full price in my wishlist and all of a sudden they were on sale! Don't you love when that happens? Not to mention that shipping is only $6 and my package got here really fast considering it was shipped from Europe. The sale is still going on, so make sure you stock up on some cute summer items! Anyway - on to the clothes. Here are most of the pieces that I purchased:


ASOS Button Detail Tie Waist Dress
I thought it was going to be shorter since it was in the main size range but thankfully it wasn't! I can handle short dresses in the fall paired with tights, but in the summer I like to be a bit more modest. This dress is definitely my favorite dress in my closet right now!




ASOS CURVE Woven Insert Tee
This is my favorite piece from my ASOS order. I saw some other reviews for this top in the past and they definitely made me curious. It really is perfection. Perfectly slouchy. Perfect length. And even though I am pretty modest when it comes to clothes and comfort, the sheerness is gorgeous and what makes this top stand out from my other purchases.


ASOS Bow Back Skater Dress
Isn't this dress darling? It was only a couple of weeks ago when I listed this in my wishlist post and I'm so happy to own it now! The only thing I don't like about this is how thin the fabric is and how flimsy it is. I can't imagine that it will be easy walking down the windy streets of Chicago without flashing someone. I also need to go bra shopping to get the fit and details perfect, but so far, I'm happy about the overall look.


ASOS CURVE Longline Boyfriend Cardigan & ASOS CURVE Forest Print Top
This might sound silly, but I already have a long grey boyfriend cardigan. I like this one a little better because the hem is curved (this is important!), but the only bummer is that it's a little big. I definitely wish I would have gotten this in the main size range, but hopefully it'll shrink a little after I wash it. The shirt is beautifully cut, but I actually wish I would have sized up so it could be a bit slouchier. Both pieces feel like quality fabrics and I'm still happy I purchased them!

I also purchased this ASOS Printed Fitted Waist Dress, but I don't have any pictures. Why, you ask? Because the fit was bananas! It's such a lovely, sweet little summer dress but the bust was way too big and the torso needed to be shortened at least two inches. Right now I'm getting it altered, as well as getting those H&M jeggings hemmed that were worn in the picture above, and a few things dry cleaned.

Longest post ever! I leave you with this, my friends:

My life as LIV

This is the week that never ends!! Yes it goes on and on my friend. I have a million things to do today but I wanted to post this as proof that I'm not slacking off. I will return soon! I love you all!

xoxoxoxo,
Olive

Cheap and chic.

Jacket, T-shirt, Shorts, Shoes: Thrifted
Brooch: Anthropologie
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs, from Neiman Marcus in '05

Every winter I'm forced to stow my Marc bag away due to the snowy and rainy weather. It's actually pretty annoying that I have to do this, but the leather is just too high maintenance and gets damaged easily. Sill, I always love spring because it gives me the chance to work it back into my wardrobe. This bag was actually a present to myself after I graduated high school. It retailed for $428 and I bought it on sale for a little over $200. It still blows me away that I splurged that much at 17 years old, but I'm glad I decided to do it. The color is labeled "dusty rose" and that is exactly what color it looks like in real life. I really want to get the leather cleaned but I'm scared the color will fade more than it already has due to several hot sunny summers in Texas. I think I'm finally going to inquire sometime soon. Hmm. Maybe a little leather clean up will be my college graduation present to myself in the following months?

Hard to be soft, tough to be tender

Lace blazer, bag, belt: Thrifted
Tank: Target
Bralette: Sonia Rykiel for H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Evans
Jewelry: Thrifted/Forever 21



So much hair and never enough time to mess with it. Story of my life! My heart practically skipped a beat when I found this lace blazer at Unique last Monday. I tried it on and was slightly underwhelmed... it basically screamed Grandma in the summer, haha. But I bought it anyway (which is a bad habit, I suppose... my closet is filled with "what if's") - I knew deep down it had potential. So I decided to play dress up a bit and ended up running errands around town in this little number. I'd deem it a success as it was perfect for the in-between weather in Chicago.

Every girl has baggage

I'm definitely guilty of trying to cram as much junk in my bag as possible! This particular bag probably gets the most use because it's easy to wear with the long strap, and it looks small but has enough room inside to carry my essentials. So here's my baggage in all its glory!


Grey pouch to carry my digital camera, 80 gig iPod and Panasonic headphones (I hate that everyone has these now!), new agenda via nothingelegant on etsy, bag thrifted from Salvation Army, LG En-v Touch from Verizon, vintage pouch for random anythings from Buffalo Exchange, Upass, keys, thrifted sunglass case, sunglasses from Buffalo Exchange, lip balm from Anthropologie (gift), hair ties, bobby pins, and tissue because you never know, thrifted wallet.

I'm so glad I bought this planner! I've been needing one since the end of last year and was waiting to buy the perfect one. I finally found this one by O-Check and it was my first Etsy purchase!

Fair game

This video created by Gia Coppola starring The Like was made to promote the Zac Posen for Target line debuting April 25. It's a shame you can't really make out the clothes, but gosh, this video is so darling!

Bad things happen in threes

Shirt: Old Navy
T-Shirt: Crossroads
Leggings: H&M
Boots: Ebay
Bag: Thrifted
Necklace: Renegade Craft Fair

This outfit is a reflection of the weird weather we've been getting in the Midwest. I hate wasting cute outfits on rainy days, so this is a simple and easy outfit when the day doesn't matter. I have a funny story about the hairdo (Okay it's actually kind of embarrassing) - When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I started wearing my hair in a bun every single day. This did not change until the 10th grade. That's basically 8 years of the same hairdo! After that, I had my hair above shoulder length for about 3 years and have been growing it out ever since. I just think it's funny that all of a sudden it's cool and fashionable to wear your hair in a bun (or "top knot" for the trend goers). I tried pretty hard to not go back to the bun, mostly because I was so tired of getting picked on about my lack of hairstyle. The good thing is that I'm getting more and more comfortable wearing it out in public, and I don't think it looks that bad if it's done with the right outfit and attitude.



The t-shirt I'm wearing had me completely smitten when I found it on the rack at Crossroads. It totally reminded me of Twin Peaks when I first saw it. I love a good graphic tee, and this one is the perfect length for a legging outfit when I don't have time to think about what I'm going to wear.

Since I'm on a roll with the horse-talk, I really love this ASOS Painted Horses Bangle. I've never been a big bracelet kind of gal, but I'm considering ordering this. I think it would be a nice piece for the summer!

I'm dreaming of a simplified spring

For the first time ever, my wishlist consists of only black and white! I am a strong believer in color, but I can't resist these pieces.


Clockwise from top left:
Urban Outfitters Embellished Back Tee
Aldo Hillsgrove Tote
ASOS Bow Back Skater Dress
Faith 21 Grommet Trimmed Dress
Aldo Muth Shoulder Bag
Dorothy Perkins Pinstitch Bandeau Playsuit
Urban Outfitters Peter Pan Tunic
ASOS Shopper/Backpack

I know it sounds weird, but I've never owned a black shoulder bag, and since I can't afford Miu Miu (hi dream bag designer), I think these two from Aldo are lovely! The romper from Dorothy Perkins needs to find a way into my closet or I don't know how I'll deal! It's a little pricey, but I'm still dreamin'. The dresses are simple, but have just the right amount of detail to keep me wanting. The black top is gorgeous but I'd definitely need to invest in the right bra in order to pull it off (same with the ASOS bow back dress). All of these pieces are so good! I actually had to make another folder just for them entitled "Extreme Wishlist". I'm obsessed, haha.

P.S. I made a new header!



I made this sample last week in my jewelry making class. It's just a piece of brass (2.5" x 1"... don't let the photo fool you!) with hammered letters. Lets just pretend that I intended on making the "D" in "Day" backwards. Haha. Though I love its imperfections, I knew I could fix it with some minor tweaking in Photoshop. And voila! New header. This class was such a drag at first, but it's really growing on me. I made a sample ring out of copper the other day and we're making rings tomorrow night using silver. It's way harder than I ever anticipated, but I'm pretty excited about it!