Tuesday, January 31, 2017

How to Wear a Maxi Skirt

how to style a maxi skirt


fashion blogger carnegie mellon institute pittsburgh

les bon bons earrings

carolina herrera outfit inspiration

striped maxi skirt

chanel east west chocolate bag

how to style a ball skirt

eliza j skirt

Emy Mack Pumps// Nail Polish (big apple red)

Well,  this is certainly my favorite outfit of the year so far. I love any excuse to get dressed up, so as soon as I got this skirt in the mail, I was ecstatic! Whether you have an upcoming wedding to attend or are headed to a more formal event, this skirt is for you. Or if you have amazing Valentine's Day plans, the blush and white stripes are just perfect for the occasion (we're just two weeks away!).

I am a huge fan of Carolina Herrera (the person and the label). Her stunning ball skirts paired with simple white blouses and tops are chic, sophisticated and timeless. I mean seriously, look at this photo... amazing. However, my budget and lifestyle don't necessarily call for pricey ball skirts. But, this skirt is inexpensive for the type of garment and the quality, so I definitely consider it a win! It also somewhat reminds me of this gorgeous yellow skirt worn by Jackie O.

You can't see clearly in the photos, but part of the reason this skirt is so stunning (especially in person) is because the white stripes are textured. You can see this more clearly in the photo of the black version of this skirt, here. The texture totally elevates the skirt even more for a luxe, elegant look! I actually bought this without a particular event in mind. This is unlike me because I really only ever shop for a dressier outfit if I have a clear occasion in mind. However, to me, this skirt is just too gorgeous to pass up!

Monday, January 30, 2017

Athleisure Outfit Inspo + Workout Playlist








Sweatshirt// Sports Bra (similar)

Today I'm sharing another athleisure look. After the weekend that I had, I'm starting to think I need to stock up on more athleisure pieces. After working out on Friday, skiing Saturday, and tennis Sunday, I'm ready for a day off. Although, my girlfriends and I get together on Monday nights for the Bachelor and we are doing this new thing where every commercial, we do floor workouts! So that's what is on tap for tonight.

I will actually probably wear something along the lines of this tonight. I am OBSESSED with this sweatshirt. I love anything with an open back, so as soon as I saw this, I knew it'd be something that would be in heavy rotation in my wardrobe! Not only is it great to throw on for yoga or tennis, but I also love lounging in it, too! And I was excited about these leggings because this shade of gray is hard to find! I wanted gray leggings to pair with all of my navy athleisure gear that I don't typically wear with my black leggings!

And since we're talking about athleisure, I am also sharing another playlist that is REALLY fun for working out. It's not necessarily high intensity but it totally gets me singing along and brings me back to the early 2000s. If you were in middle school/high school circa 2003-2008ish, then you'll remember a TON of these songs! I have a few funny stories from growing up that I thought I would share that remind me of this playlist-- if you are around 24-30 right now, you can probably relate to some of these stories!

In 7th grade, I so badly wanted to be a skater girl. I had a major crush on a skateboarding guy and he used to teach me how to skateboard after school. I was obsessed with Avril Lavigne and vividly remember going to the Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan concert with my older neighbor when I was 13. I remember being so concerned about what to wear because this was my first 'cool' concert. I remembered being so stressed out about it because my mom kept buying me Gap Kids/Talbots Kids/Ralph Lauren clothes. When in reality, all I wanted to wear was  Limited Too (my mom used to refer to as 'Limited Quality' haha!) Abercrombie and AE. Luckily, my aunt and grandma took me out to get me a 'cool' outfit for the occasion.  In case you're wondering, I wore American Eagle flared jeans, an Abercrombie graphic tee and flip flops (at the time I thought it was the coolest outfit ever... now, I cringe).
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Fast forward to my freshman year of high school and my style started to change and I was no longer into skater boys (I'm literally laughing aloud as I type this post), but I was really into skiing. We had this awesome program at my high school where every Friday after school, we would take a bus to 7 Springs (which is an hour outside of Pittsburgh and where I was this weekend!). I've always been a skier and my parents had me skiing as soon as I could walk.

I was one of the few girls who went on these Friday ski trips (and I loved it because my dad would come and chaperone!!). So I basically had to befriend all of the guys and they got me into music like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Since we had an hour drive, we would all sit together and share ear buds on one of the guy's iPods (literally the first generation iPod's, ha!) and jam out!
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My love for Dashboard Confessionals started when I was a cheerleader in high school. We used to have to ride buses to the away football and basketball games (my high school didn't have buses/a bus system, so we got excited when we got to ride on a bus!) and on the way back to our high school, we had a tradition where we would all sing 'Hands Down'. I have no idea where that started, but it was passed down to us from the older girls and it stuck. I still know every single word to this day and the memory is such a sweet one.
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And oh my goodness, Wonderwall. Who else loves that song? I consider that one a classic. In 9th grade, I was on AIM (that's AOL Instant Messenger for those of you that are too young) and I was chatting with a guy I liked and it was when you could send people songs. He sent me that song and still to this day, whenever I hear Wonderwall, I think of him.
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And I'm hoping you'll all remember/ be able to relate to this one... a lot of these songs remind me of the one and only Laguna Beach! Did anyone else LOVE that show? I mean my friends and I were obsessed. In 9th grade, I wanted to be Lauren Conrad. I also had a boyfriend named Steve at the time and we all used to stay 'Stephen' the way Kristin Cavallari would (Steeeeephen). Wow, this post just gets more and more embarrassing by the sentence.

But very long story short, these songs totally take me back. They're so catchy and while it's not really my musical taste nowadays, these songs were some of my favorites when I was around 13-16 years old!

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Saturday Shopping


I hope everyone is having a great weekend! It started snowing yesterday so some friends and I packed up and headed to 7 Springs to hit the slopes! I have really started 2017 off on an active note. Between ski weekends and tennis lessons and trips to the gym, I have been more active this month than the past few months, that's for sure! 

There's not too much on my radar right now. I found a few new pieces, but I am itching to start shopping once the newer spring arrivals start to really come through! 

Friday, January 27, 2017

An Affordable Blush Outfit







Quilted Jacket (on sale under $75)// Striped Sweater (under $60)
Boyfriend Jeans (similar)// Bow Flats
Cashmere Scarf (on sale, under $100)// Cable Bracelet

There are a few reasons I wanted to post this outfit. Let's go over them, shall we?
  1. I think this is one of my favorite outfit posts of 2017, thus far. Which, I guess isn't really saying much since we're not even to month 2, yet. But still. So cute. 
  2. My jacket, sweater, jeans are all under $100. However, my accessories (shoes/bag/sunglasses/jewelry) are all a little pricier. Which goes to show that investing in accessories can really elevate your inexpensive pieces and complete a look! 
  3. I never owned a pair of distressed/ripped pants until a few years ago. I know my parents/grammie/etc. scoff at the idea of me wearing any type of ripped article of clothing. While I don't wear distressed items a ton, it's something I like to do from time-to-time. However, contrary to popular belief, you don't have to look sloppy when wearing distressed clothing! I think this look definitely illustrates that.
  4. Monochromatic is my new favorite thing (did you see Monday's post). I mean I've always liked it, but I've been making an effort to do it more often. I love the blush coat with the blush stripes and shoes and scarf. They all work in such a cohesive manner. I think wearing all one shade is an easy way to look chic and sophisticated. And it doesn't just have to be all-black. You can do it in any color and with this look, it's not totally monochromatic. So this is a good way to start trying the 'trend' out. 
I also want to highlight the blush jacket (which is currently on sale under $75) as the hero piece in this post. Bomber jackets are really having their moment right now. I'm not really in love with them, but when I saw this quilted jacket, I thought it was the perfect 'compromise' between a trend and a classic. 

The cut of the jacket has a slight bomber jacket vibe, but the quilting makes it a little more classic and wearable after the bomber jacket trend fades away. Like I said, it's currently on sale. I, unfortunately, paid full-price for it, but I'd honestly pay full price for it again because it's a really well-made piece and at under $75, I definitely consider it a steal. 

It's a nice weight (I'd say perfect for around 50-65 degrees... so spring and fall) and is lined in the softest gray fleece. Cozy and cute is a win, win! I am wearing a size medium, which is a size up from what I usually wear. I like the added roominess and wanted to the room to layer with sweaters, etc. I would say it runs true to size, though, and to only size up if you want some room for some bulkier sweaters.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Lately 1/26/2017


Wearing: You guys. I am IN LOVE with this maxi skirt. This is just a quick iPhone snap, a full outfit post will be up next week, but I just couldn't wait to share until then! You can't tell in this iPhone photo, but the white stripes are actually textured making it look even more gorgeous and luxe in person!

Wanting: Like last week, I haven't really found too much, but hoping some new arrivals start to arrive at retailers with the start of February! Can you believe the second month of the year is next week?!

Recommending: My friend, Gina, recommended this really amazing app called 'Think Dirty'. You can scan all of your beauty products and see if they have ingredients such as carcinogens or something that could interfere with fertility or allergies. It's really good. I downloaded it immediately!

Eating: I've been compiling recipes and keeping a 'meal diary' that I plan on sharing here, soon. So keep an eye out for that!

Listening: I'm not really a podcast listener but came across Peter Kafka's Recode Media series and it's my new favorite thing. He talks to and interviews some of the most interesting and influential people in media and technology. I put it on while I work and tune in and out. It's definitely worth checking out if you are in PR/Digital media. 

Watching: Have you seen this futuristic mockup video of the Hyperloop system? I've been following along with Elon Musk's ideas behind this for a while now and really want this to become a reality ASAP!




Photos by Meaghan Elliot
Pittsburgh-ing: I'm often asked by so many of you about bridal shops/wedding venues/etc. in Pittsburgh, so today I'm sharing one of my Pittsburgh favorites, Bella Bridesmaid (located in the South Hills). I met the owner, Bridget Pope a few years back and she is so sweet! She also has amazing knowledge about the bridal industry. It's definitely the first place I would recommend when looking for bridesmaids dresses in Pittsburgh because they carry so many different styles and colors.


Loving: I've mentioned in the past how much I love the Mac Whirl lipliner and now you can buy the lipstick and liner as a set and save about $5. That's a major win. This is one of those very neutral colors (not nude at all, though) that adds just a slight color to your lips (really just accentuates your own lip color).

Quoting:  Ok you guys were BEYOND amazing in sending in your favorite quotes from yesterday's post! I was poring through them all last night and they're so good. So I'll start sharing some of my favorites each week! 'Spread love wherever you go, let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.'

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Ask The Readers!






Sweater (under $70)// Cords 
Suede Bag (monogrammed!)

Today I'm doing something a little different! I want to get to know all of you a little more. Blogging is definitely more one-sided and less conversational than social media (which is why I tend to prefer social media) but I want to try and remedy that and get to know all of you a little better!

I know you all are smart, inspiring, empowering, and have great taste so I'm excited to learn more about what you're all about! I'm also itching for some binge-worthy Netflix ideas, some great recipes, and more! So, today, I'd love to invite you to fill out the super short questionnaire (you can click the link to fill it out and I have also embedded it at the bottom of this post for easy access). You can choose to answer just one of the questions or all of them, it's totally up to you and it can be totally anonymous, too! I will do this a few times a year so keep an eye out for them and hopefully, this will create more of a conversation and sharing of fun and happiness! I'll be sure to post some of the responses as I get them so we are all learning from each other! 

And obviously, I'm going to share my answers with all of you! So here it goes:

Favorite movie of all time:
This is a tough one,  but I'm going to go ahead choose Father of the Bride, When Harry Met Sally or Home Alone.

Show that you should be watching:
I LOVED Westworld, Stranger Things, and The Night Of. Couldn't recommend them more. I'm currently watching The Bachelor (duh), This Is Us, and The Crown and love them all.

Best book I've ever read:
I mean, in all honesty, Harry Potter. #NoShame

Favorite (easy and somewhat healthy recipe):
My 3 ingredient spaghetti squash recipe. You just need your favorite jarred pasta sauce, a spaghetti squash and Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Sausage. You can read full directions, here. It's beyond easy and SO delicious. Also, it makes enough for several people.

Favorite store/brand to shop:
Dream brand would probably be Carolina Herrera, Oscar De La Renta, or Ralph Lauren Collection. But in reality, Club Monaco and Tuckernuck.

Favorite quote of all time:
I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be. -Roald Dahl

Best vacation you've ever taken:
Probably anywhere ski related and I really loved St. Maarten.

Favorite blog:
I just love Atlantic-Pacific. She mixes lower end and luxury so well and is the best at wearing a ton of color in a chic way.

Favorite non-fashion Instagram account:
I've recently become obsessed with Tina's, The Enchanted Home. So. Much. Interior. Inspiration.

Favorite affordable red wine:
Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon. It's around $17(ish) and SO good.

Favorite Trader Joe's item:
I love all things Trader Joe's, so this is a tough one for me to narrow it down. I think their chocolate molten lava cakes. They look fancy and taste just like a restaurant... and you can MICROWAVE them in one minute. They're indulgent but worth the calories!

Beauty product you should know about:
I talked a little about this brow powder on snapchat last week, but it's literally the best brow product I've ever used. I actually got it as a suggestion from several readers!

Charitable organization on my radar:
You can see all of my picks, here. I included this question because I'm always happy to share information about really amazing charitable causes and I also like to keep a running list so I can update my post whenever necessary! 

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Valentine's Day Outfit Inspo






Top (under $50)// Black Cords (on sale)
Similar Burberry Scarf (similar)// Coat (Old, similar, similar, similar
Does anyone have any fun plans to celebrate Valentine's Day this year? Quite honestly, I'm not VDay's biggest fan. I think every day you should be celebrating the people that you love! However, I love a reason to celebrate. 

Whether you don't have any plans, you're celebrating the weekend before or after (it's on a Tuesday this year) or just want to rock a little red, this top is a great option! It's so cute and affordable (under $50) and comes in three colors. I have a soft spot for ruffles and I've mentioned that I've been trying to wear more red so this top is one of my newest favorites! 

I dressed it up for work or a date, but you could easily pair it with jeans for a more casual look. Although I'm not one to wear many statement necklaces, this top would look great with one!

Besides dressing for Valentine's Day, here are some cute gift ideas. Whether you are gifting your 'galentine's' or your love, there's a little something for everyone at every price point. And if you are looking for some great experiential date ideas, check out my post from last year.


Champagne Bears// Heart Bag
Shop Items:

 

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