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.

May Flowers

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I hope you guys like my casual studying and exam-taking outfits, because you’re going to see a few more of them. This one I decided to make a little more “special” with some fun shoes and my favorite statement necklace (yes, sometimes I play favorites). But my best accessory of all is this tree behind me. I can see it from the window when I’m getting dressed, so I think it inspired me to be a little extra springy. Who needs Pinterest when you have Mother Nature? (Me. I still need Pinterest.)

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

Black Out Challenge Week 1: Complete!

Coat // similar Shirt // similar Sweater // similar Jeans // similar Boots (on sale) // similar Necklace // Sunglasses // Lips

You know what I didn’t realize? That I would be struggling to complete not one, but TWO wardrobe challenges this month. Not only am I doing the Black Out challenge, I’m also doing the Don’t Freeze to Death challenge. Let me tell you, doing both of them at once is not easy. When you have to wear 2-3 layers and slush-appropriate shoes every day, it’s pretty hard to not wear any black. Granted, the Black Out co-host Nicole and I agreed there should be 2 passes per week allowed for tights, shoes, and subtle patterns. But I already took both my passes this week on Tuesday…didn’t have time to take photos of that outfit, but I’ll re-create it some other time. Like in the spring.

This outfit was the biggest struggle of all. I nearly gave up and stayed home, but I had brunch plans, and nothing stands between me and French toast. I had an internal debate with myself over whether this sweater was cheating, because up close it’s very clearly black and white yarn all mixed together. Finally I realized this was a totally insane thing to be worrying about. It’s a gray sweater. And the Black Out challenge is not about eschewing all neutrals, it’s just about not dressing like you’re going to a funeral when the weather is already depressing enough.

But enough about me and my problems. Let’s talk about all the people who tried the Black Out challenge this week! I hope the rest of you will consider joining in for the last week…Don’t forget about that adorable fox necklace you could win!

• Nicole, VV Boutique Style (co-host and brains behind the challenge)
• Katie, Style on Target
• Erin, Loop Looks
• Joelle, Clothes But Not Quite
• Laura, Rock That Frock
• Lydia, Cotton to Couture
• Shannon, She Does Create (designer of the awesome foxy prize!)
• Kristen, Sunshine Speech & Language (non-style blogger)
• And our lovely non-blogging participants are Heather, Beth, Chantel, Kim, Chantal Y., Wendy, Adrienne, Stephanie, Denise, Angele, and Sara! Thanks for joining in, ladies.

More Stuff I Wore

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If you saw how cozy I looked in my last outfit, you’re probably not surprised that I picked this cardigan to remix. Maybe I’ll just remix it every day for the rest of the month. Or maybe I should be impressed with myself for not spilling spaghetti sauce on it 2 days in a row and quit while I’m ahead. I didn’t actually eat spaghetti either day, but still…I wouldn’t have been surprised.

Cardigan (on sale under $17 & in lots of colors!) // similar Jeans (on sale) // similar Necklace // Bracelet // similar Boots

Wardrobe Workhorse: Pavé Link Bracelet

Last year for Christmas, I asked Santa for the gorgeous J. Crew pavé link bracelet. Santa delivered, but he probably wondered why I had to have a $125 bracelet. I’m sure Santa would be happy to know that almost a year later I’ve worn this bracelet more than 40 times. Below are just a few examples.

I love throwing this baby on to add a little oomph to any outfit. It makes a statement because it’s so chunky, but at the same time it’s a classic. Sometimes it’s the only jewelry I wear, and other times I stack it with another bracelet or watch. I like having the “original” pavé link bracelet, but since the J. Crew version got so popular, similar versions have popped up all over.

Here are a few pavé bracelets for your shopping pleasure, including the one I have and several other cheaper options (in case you don’t want to wait for Santa).

Shop the Bracelets Here:

1. J. Crew $125 // 2. Bauble Bar $58 on sale // 3. Ann Taylor $49.50 // 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs $71.99 on sale // 5. Bauble Bar $58 on sale // 6. Macy’s INC International Concepts $29.50

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P.S. I should note that the J. Crew bracelet is a little bit large on a small wrist like mine. To see how I fixed this problem, see this post. I can’t attest to the size of any of the other bracelets because I’ve never tried them on.

2 New Staples

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To avoid aimless buying when the stores are bursting with newness at the start of a season, I try to make a list of things that I really feel are missing from my wardrobe. You know, to keep me focused. Sometimes it even works.

This fall, 2 of the things on my list were a light chambray shirt and skinny black pants. The chambray was easy, but for some reason black pants were really hard. I wanted a pair that I could wear to work (once I have one of those job things again), so not jeans. But I also wanted to wear them more casually with flats, so not too long. But that means they needed to have a nice slim fit without being too tight, so not leggings. You see how this got hard? Finally I found these from Ann Taylor and they’re about as close to perfect as I could find! I haven’t washed them yet so we’ll see how they hold up.

What on your shopping list is stumping you right now?

Shirt // Pants (on sale) // Necklace* // similar Shoes // similar Bag (on sale) // Bracelet

*Necklace provided courtesy of Max & Chloe.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

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There are lots of ways I approach putting together an outfit, and sometimes I just pick a chunk of the rainbow – in this case the yellow, green, blue chunk. It’s one of the best chunks, I’d say. Well, red and orange are pretty great too. And you can’t argue with blue, indigo, and violet. Basically, rainbows are the biz-nass. You can’t go wrong.

I’m trying to get in the habit of putting together a little collage at the end of my posts showing how I’ve remixed what I’m wearing. After all, in real life, people don’t buy things to just wear them one time. Still, you can always find new ways to wear things so you don’t feel like you’re repeating. So…Scroll down to see how else I’ve worn these pieces!

Shirt (on sale) // similar Skirt (on sale) // Sunglasses (on sale) // Necklace* // similar Shoes (on sale) // similar Bag (on sale)

It’s the Remix…

*Necklace gifted by Max & Chloe.

Stripes & Sandals

I don’t know about you guys, but I had a pretty fun weekend. It ended with a trip to the suburbs to see my other half perform in a community theater cabaret. It’s quite convenient being married to a talented person. I’m always entertained.

Besides the overall casual theater-going chicness of this outfit, I’d like to draw your attention to the cute little blue bands in my hair and on my wrist. They came to me via 6 Degrees Hair Ties! Ever since I threw away my last scrunchie, I’ve been looking for something cute to put around my ponytails. OK, to be honest I haven’t thought much about it, but now that I have these babies I love them!

I was a little worried that the elastic wouldn’t be strong enough to hold my hair, but I was pleasantly surprised. My hair is very thick, so if I do a high ponytail I might have to use a regular ponytail elastic underneath to be totally secure, but for this low side pony I didn’t need anything extra.

And if you’re the type to keep a hair tie on your wrist, these are way cuter than plain old hair-colored bands. Check out the 6 Degrees website to see all the colors and patterns. Besides the pack I got, I’m a big fan of the chevron print! You can get 10% off your order with the code SARAH10.

Top // similar Shoes (on sale) // similar Sunglasses (on sale) // Coach bag via eBay // Earrings // similar Spike Bracelet (only $5.80!) // Hair Ties*

*6 Degrees gifted me these hair ties for my review. Opinions are my own.

My Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

I tried on these sunglasses one day last week, and I thought they were fabulous. I just thought maybe they were too fabulous, like I would look ridiculous. So I didn’t get them.

The very next day, I was studying at Starbucks, and this old lady walked in. She had to be at least 75, probably older. She weighed about negative 50 pounds; her handbag was bigger than she was. It was 80 degrees, and she was wearing long black pants, a yellow sweater, a floral silk scarf, and…these sunglasses.

Well, that was it. Obviously I had to go back and get the sunglasses. Yes, a 75-year-old woman is definitely my role model. Why wouldn’t she be…especially considering my idea of a fun Saturday night is watching Downton Abbey with my cat and a big glass of wine.

Shirt (30% off w/ code SUNSHINE) // Skirt // Sunglasses // similar Shoes (on sale) // similar Bracelet // similar Bag

P.S. I submitted this post to IFB’s Project #96, which just happened to use the same song reference I did 🙂

Stay Warm, Stay Cool

I used to think wearing long sleeves and shorts was ridiculous. Long sleeves are for cold weather. Shorts are for warm weather. So the only logical reason for wearing them together is if you have some malfunction in your car where it blows cold air from the top vents and hot air from the bottom. Right? No, silly. I finally get it. I don’t know about the rest of you, but my top half tends to get chillier than my bottom half. So shorts keep my legs from sweating when it’s warm out (we hit 80 last week! yay!) but long sleeves keep me from freezing once I get inside an air-conditioned building.

Shorts + long sleeves = springtime comfort. It’s like a whole new world has opened up for me. And speaking of new, are you digging these new Cole Haan shades? Because I totally am. I went looking for classic black sunglasses, so naturally this is what I bought. You can’t tell that well from the photos, but the lenses are tinted blue! I think they look like perfect poolside shades (where I probably will not wear long sleeves but you never know).

Blazer (on sale) // similar Shorts (on sale) // other similar Shorts // similar Shoes // Sunglasses (on sale)