Short & Sweet

I always aspire to wear a lot of different styles, but this is the kind of thing I end up wearing the most and it's the style I feel the most confident in. It's cutesy, girly, comfortable, and always vintage inspired.


Clockwise from left:
New Look Dotty Bird Dress
New Look tank top
Dorothy Perkins Floral Culottes
F21 Sailor Dress
Anthropologie Sunglasses
Urban Outfitters Kelsi Dagger Covered Heel Sandal
New Look Leather Sandal
ASOS Canvas Satchel
Madewell Sheer Cardigan

Get it, girl.

First off, I had an interview with the lovely Nay of Fashion in Pictures for her blog, which you can read here. Thanks for featuring me Nay!

{NOTE: If I had a working camera, I'd be all over the outfit posts from the weekend, but until then, I'll just talk music if you don't mind.}

This past weekend was the Do-Division street festival. I always love summers in Chicago because there are so many great things to do for free. I was so excited to see Warpaint live, and they did not disappoint. There's actually been a lot of buzz this year about Warpaint. Shannyn Sossamon used to be their drummer and her sister is still currently in the band. Needless to say, these ladies have the LA connections to get the media attention they've been receiving. But they deserve it! I didn't hear about them until my friend's ex-roommate posted their music video "Elephants" on her Facebook page. It's a pretty rad song. If you haven't heard it, definitely take a minute to listen!


Photo Credit: JenWhy on Flickr



Yesterday was the first free Downtown Music Monday concert in Millenium Park that I've been to this summer. She & Him were the headliners and I admit, I wasn't super impressed with their music before, but after hearing Zooey's voice live, I am no longer skeptical of her talent. She is incredible live! I left before their encore in an effort to beat the INSANE crowd that surrounded us, but I still got a chance to witness the genius-ness of She & Him's cover of I Put a Spell on You. You have to listen to this song. I can assure you, it's beautifully haunting and all kinds of wonderful.


Photo Credit: SFMoe on Flickr

Me and my magpie.

Dress: Buffalo Exchange
Necklace: Talonalia
Boots, Scarf: Thrift

First of all - I'd like to apologize for the banner photo and its less than stellar quality. Something happened with my camera and it toppled over in the middle of snapping pictures and now it barely turns on. I literally had to take this photo with my camera phone and tweak it in Photoshop! Anyway - It's just a little banner I made from Anthropologie textile swatches that I received in the mail a couple years ago. I wore this outfit the day I made the banner. The dress is usually something I'd wear with full length leggings but I opted for cycle shorts from Faith 21 instead (though you can't tell in the photo).

The magpie necklace is definitely one of my favorites from Talonalia. Obviously, it's a Pamela Love knockoff, but for $40, I can deal! I'm sorry I didn't get a detailed shot of it - there are more photos on their website along with other fabulous necklaces in several price ranges. The headscarf was something I wanted to play with, but I think it ended up looking more like Monique in Precious and less like one of those cute girls at Coachella. Haha, well, at least I can say that I tried!

Cool and casual

Cardigan: Target
Dress: F21
Bag: Thomas Paul, from Fred Flare
Necklace: Free People (gift)
Sunglasses: Buffalo Exchange
Ring, Shoes: Thrift

I wore this to pick up a few things at the the grocery store the day before Memorial Day. I try to not use plastic bags whenever I can, so I decided to use my Thomas Paul tote instead of one of my everyday bags. I try not to be that girl that uses a shoulder bag and a tote, but sometimes you can't help it!

I recently bought this dress and I love how simple and perfect it is! Every girl needs a go-to summer dress and this is definitely going to be mine this year. It's easy to wear, fits perfectly, and the colors are everything I love. What is your go-to item for the summer?

The perfect pair.

I rediscovered this video in an unpublished post of mine from a few months ago. This is Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman for Opening Ceremony SS10. The video is silent for the first minute and then it gets really adorable. WATCH IT! (btw, I have serious hair envy at the 2:04 mark in the video.)



Adorable, right? If Jason Schwartzman and Kirsten Dunst aren't the perfect pair, then I don't know who is.



One of the first Nylon's I ever bought was the one with Jason and Kirsten on the cover, and I still have that issue in my magazine stash (who says I'm not nostalgic?). Their chemistry is something to be admired. Regardless of who they are, you can tell they've been friends for a really long time. I haven't always been a huge fan of Dunst, but once I saw the Virgin Suicides (I still have my original copy on VHS!), and especially Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I became a believer. Now Jason, he can do no wrong in my eyes. From being 14 and blasting Phantom Planet in the car, to being 22 and watching hours of Bored to Death on HBO, I just can't get enough. Don't even get me started on what these two have done for Band of Outsiders and Opening Ceremony. It's as simple as this: They inspire me constantly. Individually, sure, but their bond is what inspires me the most. They are a habit I plan on keeping.

Still looking...

...for the perfect everyday black bag.


Clockwise from top left:
ASOS Dark Leather Slot Through Satchel
Tulu Kip Handbag
ASOS Premium Washed Leather Double Zip Satchel
Steven French Martini Bucket
Sabina 2510 Bag
Carpenter Bee Bag
High Fashion 5705 Bag
Deux Lux Oversized Basic Satchel
Sabina 4524 Bag

Denim Days

So I probably should have posted this before my last OOTD, but oh well. My goal this past Saturday was to find a cropped denim jacket to wear with skirts and dresses on warm windy days. I started my adventure with a trip to my neighborhood Gap and tried on this Cropped Motorcycle denim jacket, but the Large was too snug in the waist.



It was really lovely, and on sale, but since they were out of the next size I decided to keep it in the back of my mind. After that, I stopped by the Land of the Lost vintage store around the corner for a quick browse. Then I found it! The perfect little cropped worn-in denim jacket.







It's a Levi's jacket and was only $17. The fit is great - I always have a hard time finding jackets with boxier cuts. I'm usually in-between Large and XL for this very reason. I guess you could say that there aren't any bells and whistles except for the beautiful seaming and the worn-in distressed details that the previous owner had to have done through everyday use. I could have gotten the Gap jacket at another location but I enjoy supporting small businesses, especially when I find one of a kind pieces like this jacket.

Later on in the day I went to the Brown Elephant in Wrigleyville where I found yet another denim jacket by J. Crew in a Large for $7! No pics, though. Sorry! I tried to make it work for me, but I can't compromise fit when something is too small. Which brings me to this little guy...



I bought this earlier in the year at my go-to thrift store for about $6. It actually doesn't look so bad in this photo, but it's about a size too big and overall, isn't what I've been looking for. I've been compromising for a while with this jacket, which gives me a semi-guilty fashion conscience! I'm feeling like I'm a little too guilty of this and I want to stop, but it's such a hard habit to get rid of. Are you guys guilty of this too?

Alley cat

Jacket: Land of the Lost
Dress: Zara
Cat Eye Sunglasses: Vintage Heaven
Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Tights: Nordstrom
Shoes: Evans
Bag: Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue

Yesterday was Ryan's birthday and we celebrated with an afternoon stroll in our neighborhood that included shopping, wandering, getting lost, and wining (dessert alcoholic drinks) and dining (burgers). Jealous? Okay, sure, we're a little boring but I'd prefer the term "low-key". I'm certainly a little more out there than Ryan, hence this kitten tunic-dress from Zara. It's the Miu Miu knock off that nearly knocked me off my feet when I saw it a few weeks ago in my size and in my price range. This was the first time I wore it, and boy, am I in love. Oh, and that jacket? That's also new, but more on that in a near-future post.

Hello ambition, it's nice to meet you.

My mind is getting pretty carried away these days. I want to do everything but I'm realizing there's enough time to spread it all out. As the semester is coming to an end, there are several projects out there that I am just dying to do. Here's a top 5 list, in no particular order, of projects I'd love to work on this summer.

Magnetic Chalkboard Mirror {Design Sponge}

You've probably seen this project done everywhere, but it's probably because 1. it's really awesome looking, and 2. it seems pretty easy to do. I moved into my new apartment shortly after this semester began, and it's still pretty bare. I'd love to add a focal piece like this to my kitchen.

Lighted Paper Lantern Garland {Once Wed}

Okay, so this is a project that may be slightly difficult but I feel like I NEED to do. Preferably with a handful of friends for a mid-evening picnic in the park.

Fabric Pom-Poms {Once Wed}

This is another project that seems really easy. I want to string smaller versions of these together along with some yarn pom poms (maybe about 10 spread out side by side). I think it could be another focal point on one of my bare white walls.

Doily Table Runner {Ashley Ann}

Isn't this so pretty? It makes me want to go thrifting so bad. I actually don't have a dining room table right now, but when I do, I want to make this runner for everyday use.

Paper Clock {Design Sponge}

SO COOL! I just found this on Design Sponge tonight and I think it would be perfect in my living room. I always pass by the Paper Source and force myself to not go in. This could be the tipping point in which I indulge in pretty sheets of paper. It's not always fashion that makes me weak in the knees!

Makeover meltdown!

If anyone reading this knows me, you probably know that I'm an au naturale kinda gal. And when I say au naturale, I'm referring to my face. And by that I mean I can count the number of times I've worn makeup on one hand. I'm turning 23 in August (oh god..) and I've been seriously thinking that it's time to leap in the world of cosmetics while I'm still young.

I think my main objective is to buy a product that feels natural and is affordable. I've heard great things about Bare Escentuals, so I was thinking of popping into a Sephora and buying the $60 kit they have available on the website. And hopefully they'll apply some on me? Is that what they do at Sephora? Ahhh. I need help! If any of you guys know of a product I should try out, let me know in the comments section or e-mail me!

I also just decided that I NEED these clubmaster-style sunglasses in white this summer. I'm thinking they'll look adorable with red lips and blunt bangs. I just don't know whether to get the $27 with shipping vintage pair, the $10 Urban Outfitters pair in grey, or the $17 ASOS pair in nude. What would you do?


Etsy, Urban Outfitters, ASOS