Watercolors

{Blouse: Target, Cardigan: Gap, Jeans: American Eagle, Flats: Aldo, Watch: Nixon, Bracelet: J.Crew Factory}

My goodness. I don't think I have received so many compliments on a single blouse before. But this one - from Target of all places - rocked the house the other day. I don't know if it was because it's the brightest thing people have seen for a while amidst our gloomy weather, or if it's just a great top, but it received rave reviews. I may need to not wear it for a while though, since all the enthusiasm and attention certainly did a number on my ego, which I usually prefer to keep small and timid for self-preservation purposes.

Take a Train to Classytown

{Dress: Tommy Hilfilger, Jean Jacket: Mavi, Belt: Old Navy, Shoes: Aldo, Watch: Nixon}

Classy.
That's how this dress makes me feel. Classy.

But, of course, the moment I throw on my jean jacket it turns it all just sufficiently hillbilly enough to work. Because we all know that even when I try to pull off classy, I do something to screw it up. But hey, I can always keep trying, right?

On a real life note, I've got some big decisions coming up that could either change the path I'm on right now, shake up my job and city and social life, or, you know, it could remain exactly the same. I still don't know. But I'll keep you posted.

Plum Crazy

{Dress: J.Crew Factory, Cardigan & Tights: Gap, Wedges: Aldo, Belt: F21}

I always forget that I own these wedges. Mostly because I usually forget that I own any wedges, period. But once in a while it hits me that they are kicking around the back of my closet. And so I then proceed to plan an entire outfit around them. In this case, it was this great purple dress and a whole whack of black accessories. Done and done.

Sidenote: I ate a whole pack of sour patch kids prior to taking these pictures, so I'm actually fairly surprised that I was even able to stay still long enough to capture four usable frames. I hope you too appreciate that miracle.

Countdown to summer

{Dress and belt: American Eagle, Jacket: Mavi, Boots: Steve Madden, Watch: Nixon}

I cannot wait for summer! Myself and a few of my coworkers keep joking about how summer is 'just a few weeks away' since the months of February-April are so busy that they tend to fly-by like nobody's business. Here's hoping!

I found these old pictures from last summer of an outfit that I love but never posted. I can't wait until it's warm enough for me to wear a sundress and a light jacket and be ready to rock!

Black and Red

{Top and Shoes: Old Navy, Skirt: Gap, Necklace: Plenty, Watch: Nixon, Bracelet: BFrend}

I found myself in desperate need of reorganizing my closet a few weeks ago because, as the sun finally decided to show its face, I was having trouble seeing all my summer options {read: dresses and skirts}. Since doing so, I think it's safe to say that I have managed to wear nothing but dresses and skirts for the past three weeks. I kid you not. I don't know when it happened, but somehow in the last couple years I have managed to hoard skirt-ed items like someone who should have their own show on TLC.

This particular skirt is a newer edition and the light linen is great for a hot summer day. Not to mention that I have yet to find the perfect pair of bright red skinnies, so this number has recently been trying to fill that void in my closet.

The Spaniard

{Cardigan: Gap, Dress: thrifted}

It isn't often {or, let's be honest, ever} that people outright ask me if I'm of Spanish decent without hearing my last name. No, no, my skin is much too pale for that - we're talking borderline transparent here. I can't even speak the language anymore. Nor do I have an accent in any way, shape, or form. In fact, I have about as much of an accent as Donald Trump has a full head of hair.

So, since I'm not often reminded of the vibrant heritage my father has gifted me, it also isn't often that I feel very Spanish.

Except when I'm wearing this dress. This dress makes me feel very Spanish. This dress makes me want to break out into some spontaneous Flamenco while stuffing my face with paella and over-enthusiastically yelling something incomprehensible at someone across the room {typically I am only ever doing the latter}. Was that scenario stereotypical enough to get my point across? What I'm trying to say is that this dress makes me feel like my father's daughter, and for that, I am very happy and proud.

Rose lace

{Top: Forever21, Jeans: Mavi, Boots: Steve Madden, and Socks & Belt: American Eagle}

I love how easily I can make this top fancy or casual. I've found that I can definitely work it to fit both ends of the outfit spectrum. Since our mornings here have been chilly, but it tends to warm up later on in the afternoon, this combo did me well when I wore it on Friday.

My weekend was filled welcoming new and old friends, dinner parties, experimenting with mint to create a refreshing concoction, jamaican food, and a sunny trip to the farmer's market for produce and fresh flowers. What did you get up to?

Cool

{Dress: Old Navy, Denim Jacket: Mavi, Boots: Steve Madden, Belt: my mother's}

I. Love. This. Outfit. I didn't want to take it off at the end of the day. I wanted to sleep in it and dream about pretty things. It was so comfortable, not to mention an appropriate length {which is actually so darn hard to find} and I loved the way the colors popped. Love, love, love.
On another note, please enjoy this song du jour {just because I've been rocking out to it lately and it may or may not make you swoon}:

Denim Dayze

{Chambray: Old Navy, Cami: Garage, Jeans: Big Blue via Plenty, Boots: Steve Madden, Socks: American Eagle}

My goodness, am I horrible at posting consistently or what? Sigh.
I blame Gossip Girl and all the drama that follows Serena and Blair and the rest of their crew. Mind you, I've only just been re-watching season two and I hear that things have gotten out. of. con. trol. in the latest season. Oh those kids.

So what else is new, you ask? Not too much, but these are the highlights:

- I inadvertently burnt my shin whilst reading at the beach this weekend.
- I gave an awards speech for one of my outstanding staff members and started to get all choked up in front of about 150 people. People are still making jokes about it... four days later. I try really hard not to get emotional in public, so I refuse to apologize for the one time I do.
- I saw the Hunger Games for the second time. And had an even more violent reaction to the end when the mutts jump out of the darkness.
- My on-call responsibilities for work are officially over for the next FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS. I cannot express to you how amazing it is to say that. Freedom!
- When skyping with my sister and my niece I {apparently} did something hilarious that caused little baby K to flip with enthusiasm, hand waving, and giggles, followed by an adorable amount of clapping. Heart melted.

Pastel Party

{Sweater: Old Navy, Pants: American Eagle, Shoes: Aldo}

It's a pastel part-ay! Because I just don't know a better way to celebrate all this spring weather that we've been lucky enough to have for the past five days.

That's a lie - I do know a better way to celebrate spring. And that would be walking down to the beach, snapping some photos and tossing around a football. But that involves some minor exercise and, as we all know, I try to avoid foolish activities that cause me to sweat and/or have a heart rate above 50 bpm and/or have the possibility for injuries (i.e. cauliflower ear and sand in the eyes from an epic dive for the football, etc.) as much as possible. So for now, I will just try to celebrate the seasons via my clothing and avoid any of the unpleasantness that may or may not occur from spending a beautiful day at the beach.

Serious question: do I look like I've had a stroke in that first picture up there? Because I feel my face is looking a little lopsided. Maybe? Think about it and let me know. That's all.

Slammin' Salmon

{Jacket: Le Chateau, Sweater: Old Navy, Cami and Flats: Gap, Jeans: American Eagle}

When I wore this sweater, the first thing a coworker said to me was, "slammin' salmon!" It made my day. And is now officially the name for this sweater.

Other than that, I only just got around to watching the season finale of The Bachelor {because, little did I know when I wrote this, the awful model stayed around to the bitter end}. Really, I don't even know why I watched it. But once I started, there was no stopping me!

Hello, Springtime! (kind of...)

{Tshirt: Old Navy, Cardigan: Tommy Hilfiger, Jeans: American Eagle, Flats: Gap, Necklace: H&M}

Today, I dressed for spring. Since today was the first day of the season, and the skies were bright and clear when I woke up this morning, I thought, "why not?"

And then I walked outside.

Cue: rain, hail, sleet, and snow. Apparently.
Regardless, I felt very The Glitter Guide today and even the fake spring weather couldn't ruin that. Finally, you should all know that I'm officially on the colored jeans train. So, have fun with that.

Farmer's Daughter?

{Button-up: J.Crew, Cardigan: American Eagle, Jeans: Big Blue, Boots: Steve Madden}

I am in no way a farmer's daughter. My father is a naval architect/Spanish flamenco guitar player {he's really amazing, people} and my mother is a homemaker and dream chaser {in the most inspirational sense of the term}.

Having said all that, this outfit makes me feel like I grew up on a farm in the middle of the prairies and my dad was the essence of Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man" {although he does maintain several of those hard working qualities}. There's something about the gingham pattern partially showing through the yellow cardigan that makes me feel like I need to go muck out the barn, plant some crops, and then run into town to pick up some feed for the animals. I don't even know.
All I know is that I need to go attend to the chicken coop.
and "G'day," she says while tipping her cowboy hat in your direction.