Back in Black (& Gray)

The backs of knees have to be one of the weirdest looking parts of the human body, don’t you think? OK, now stop looking at mine, creeper.

If you’ve been reading this blog for more than a day, you know I’m not one to wear head-to-toe black. We’re just not NYC-chic here in the Heartland. But being one of the chicest people in Indiana (it doesn’t take much), I decided I should try head-to-toe black and gray. It was the closest thing to all black I could handle. It was only Tuesday, after all.

similar Skirt (under $20) // similar Bag (on sale) // similar Shoes // Ring* // similar Sunglasses // Lips  “Please Me”

*Ring purchased with gift card provided courtesy of Shopbop.

#FriendsGettingMarried

This was the last outfit I wore before heading out to the beach – my friends Christie and Amy got married on Saturday, so I delayed my vacation by a day so I could be there. That’s how much I like them. (Take note, ladies.)

It only seems appropriate I tell you the story of how I met Christie and Amy, and I’ll try to do it in a way that is less embarrassing for Christie. So they moved to the Indianapolis area last spring, and they went to the Pride Parade. It just so happens that I was there too, and being the Instagram addict that I am, I posted a couple photos using the #indypride hashtag. Christie looked through that hashtag and saw my photos, which led her to my profile, which led her to my blog. From there she figured out that (a) I live in Indianapolis, and (b) I’m obviously super awesome.

Running the strong risk of coming off as a total creepster, Christie emailed me (she told me later that she read the email over and over and made Amy read it too before sending). I guess I was feeling nice that day, because I emailed her back. Not long after, the 4 of us met up for brunch, and the rest is history!

So if I get nothing else worthwhile out of this little adventure that is blogging, at least I have 2 great new friends. You can make fun of hashtags all you want, but without them, I probably never would have met Christie and Amy. They’re both fantastic people, and they make a fantastic couple. A million congratulations to the newlyweds, and thanks for stalking me!

Top (on sale) // similar Skirt // similar Shoes (on sale) // Sunglasses // similar Bag // similar Ring // Nails // Lips “Whimsical”

The Big Day

Well, the time has come. I’m writing this the night before the Bar Exam. They say you should stop studying the last day and so something to relax, so I figured I might as well blog. Because I’m weird and I find blogging relaxing. Plus, I feel like I look pretty good in these photos from my anniversary date last week, so it also gives me a little confidence boost. I mean, that chick up there looks like someone who can kick the Bar’s ass, right?

So. If you’re reading this between 8am and 5pm on Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m taking the Bar Exam right now! No need to pray for me or anything…Something tells me God’s not a lawyer so I don’t think She can help me. But thanks so much to everyone who’s been wishing me luck during my studies! See you on the other side!

Skirt (on sale) // Shoes // similar Clutch* (on sale) // Lips

*Clutch purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

Ruff Ruff! {Koons for H&M}

This bag probably seems really random if you’re not a modern art fan. But do a Google search for Jeff Koons and it’ll start to make more sense. As an art history major, you might think I learned all about him in undergrad, but funny enough I actually learned more about him in law school (he gets sued a lot –  those pesky copyright laws)!

So why do I have a handbag with Jeff Koons’ famous balloon dog on it? Because Koons has partnered with H&M to celebrate the opening of a new museum-inspired H&M store in NYC, and starting July 17, a limited number of these bags will be sold at select stores, on H&M’s website, and at the Whitney Museum.

I wouldn’t classify it as an “everyday” bag, but you have to admit it adds a little something unique and unexpected to this outfit! I’ll probably be sharing my bag with Kristin, because when she saw it she had the reaction of a small child who’s just seen…oh, I don’t know…a balloon animal.

If you want to get your own Koons for H&M balloon dog bag, they’re $49.99. I don’t know exactly how many there are or how popular they’ll be, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stalk the website tomorrow if you can’t live without one. Or if you live in a major US city, they might be in a store near you (the info I have says Chicago, LA, and Dallas). Good luck!

Bag* // Top (on sale) // Jeans // Shoes (on sale) // similar Necklace* // Lips “Unapologetic”

*Bag provided courtesy of H&M; necklace provided courtesy of Flourish Boutique.

Linking up with Mix & Match Fashion’s Summer Style Weekly Linkup!

Couch Potato

The print of this shirt kind of reminds me of an old couch – like the kind that’s past the point of even being cool and retro. Just old. And yet I love it. I wore this on Friday for Bar review lecture, when part of me was excited about the nice weather and the beginning of the weekend, and the other part of me just wished I could stay home and be a couch potato. So this outfit was pretty much the perfect compromise.

Shirt // similar Skirt // Shoes // Bag (on sale) // Sunglasses (on sale) // similar Necklace // Lips “Corail in Touch” (on sale)

#LookingLucky 2: Floral

Thing that makes me happy: The fact that lots of fun people are joining the Looking Lucky challenge. And one of those fun people is going to win a $15 gift card to Lucky B Boutique soon! Remember all you have to do to get in on this action is wear one of the 10 trends (like floral, which I’m rocking today) and post a pic on Instagram. Get the details here.

Thing that doesn’t make me happy: Trying to take my own outfit photos in the middle of a cold, rainless hurricane. What, you think there’s no such thing as a cold, rainless hurricane? In April? In Indiana? Well all kinds of people believe in God even though they’ve never seen her, so I don’t know why I can’t believe in cold, rainless hurricanes when I just survived one. These were the select few photos when my bangs weren’t pointing directly east and/or I wasn’t making a really pissed off face.

Top // similar Jacket (on sale) // similar Bag // similar Bracelet // Shoes (on sale) // Lips “Romantic”

It’s All in the Shoes

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So I was standing in bare feet in front of my mirror looking at this combo and thinking that a loose tank + drapey jacket-type thing + long pendant + distressed jean shorts = a little too loosey-goosey-hippie-dippie. One set of rhymes might be OK, but two? Whoa. Slow your roll.

Then I put on my trusty black wedges and I was singing a different tune – one you wouldn’t have heard at Woodstock. I can’t totally explain it but I feel like they have sort of a simple, classic elegance to them and they just give the whole look a different vibe. Plus my feet look cute in them and they’re really comfy. So it’s all around a win.

similar Tank // similar Jacket // Shorts // Sunglasses // Shoes (on sale) // Bag (on sale) // Lips “Romantic”

Check out how I’ve worn some of these pieces before! It’s the remix…

Utility Jacket + Pencil Skirt

Not to sound too self-satisfied, but I really like every outfit I wear. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t wear it. But there are some outfits I really love. (It’s kinda like: I like my Sketchers, but I love my Prada backpack – name that movie!)

This outfit was one I loved! I just got this utility jacket after looking high and low (but mostly low because I’m short and cheap) for the perfect one. This baby’s just the right shape and weight to wear all day, so rather than wait for the weekend to wear it with jeans, I wore it to work yesterday mixed with this floral pencil skirt. It was right up my alley because there’s nothing I love more than an unexpected mix! Except maybe a kitten washing its face. I mean you can’t beat that.

Jacket // Skirt (on sale) // similar Shoes // vintage Coach bag via eBay // Lipstick “Romantic”

Good Day for a New Dress

Two exciting announcements:

(1) I got a new dress.

(2) The first time I wore this new dress, I found out that the epic paper I worked on all year will be getting published in the next volume of the Indiana International & Comparative Law Review.

So basically, any time I have the potential to get good news, I’m going to wear this dress. It has a 100% success rate.

This dress, by the way, is from H&M. If you don’t have a store near you, check out the links below for a couple similar options.

similar Dress // another similar Dress // Sunglasses // similar Blazer // Bag // Bracelet

I Already Said That

I just can’t get enough of mixed prints. Did anyone else see the Today Show earlier this week when they did a segment on how to mix prints? Hello?! I did a post on that 2 weeks ago! I totally beat them to the punch. But I’m not bitter, because, as a humanitarian, I want the gift of print mixing to be shared with as many people as possible. And the Today Show probably has a bigger audience than I do. Maybe now that Ann Curry left, anyway. Everybody hated her.

Oh, I wore this to class on Saturday, then to lunch. I had cheesecake. In case you were wondering.

Shirt: Target (old, an even cooler one here)

Jacket/cardigan thing: LC Lauren Conrad

Jeans: American Eagle (old)

Shoes: Target (old)

Watch: Anne Klein (similar)

Bracelet: Forever 21