May Is Almost Here!

To be completely honest, it's been a crappy week. Lots of little things are getting me down, so I decided I need to turn my mind to some happy thoughts. And then I realized its April 28th, which means May is almost here! May is my favorite month of the year, hands down. And here's why:

1. It's my birthday month! I lovvveeee birthdays, and mine is no exception. This picture was taken on my 19th when my roommates surprised me at midnight with cupcakes. This year I'll be turning the big 2-1 which I'm pretty excited about. Plus I love birthdays because I've been known to use it as an excuse to splurge a little. Thus, how these Michael Kors heels found their way home into my closet last year.

2. Gorgeous weather. I'm so sick of cold and rainy days, and usually (I hope I'm not jinxing us by saying this) May weather doesn't disappoint.

3. All of the best movies come out in May. I admittedly have questionable taste in movies, but here are a few I'm excited about:

4. Memorial day weekend! Hello, 3 day weekend AND my birthday? There's nothing better.

5. It's strawberry chip month at Graeters. Those of you who aren't Ohioans, you have no idea what you're missing! Go order yourself a pint right now. And send me one while you're at it :)

6. This book comes out. So perfect, considering where I'll be spending my summer.

7. Along those lines, May means getting ready for NYC! I leave for my internship the first week of June, and the closer it gets, the more excited I am! I can't wait to return to one of my favorite cities.

What do you love about May?

Banana

What I'm wearing: Gap tee (2007), Banana Republic outlet sweater, Old Navy skinny jeans, Liberty of London for Target rainboots, Forever 21 belt, New York & Co. outlet bracelet,

My internet has been on the fritz the past few days. Every few minutes, it will cut out, and I have to close my laptop and reopen it to get it working again. This makes using my computer rather annoying, so I've been looking elsewhere for entertainment. My unfortunate internet situation combined with dreary weather has made the perfect conditions for cozying up with a good book. Yesterday, I started The Hunger Games, and I just couldn't put it down! I already finished it, less than 24 hours later. So good! In other news, my roommate told me I looked like a banana today. What can I say, I have a recent obsession with all things yellow!

Easter Gingham

What I'm wearing: Gap tee, Gap cardigan, Forever 21 skirt (refashioned from dress), Gap tights, J.Crew flats, Forever 21 belt

I know I'm a day late, but happy Easter everyone! This is what I wore for Easter dinner at my aunt's house. My mom always used to dress me up in a pretty dress for Easter, so I still like to get dressed up for the holiday. I've been dying to wear this skirt ever since my mom and I made it together over spring break, and I thought Easter would be the perfect occasion for it's debut. I really like how this outfit turned out, but I'm looking forward to being able to wear it without tights when it gets warmer out!

Cerulean

What I'm wearing: Gap sweater, Gap Always Skinny jeans, J.Crew flats, Forever 21 scarf, belt and bag, Urban Outfitters earrings

The color of this sweater makes me think of that scene from The Devil Wears Prada. You know, the one where Miranda Priestly goes on the rant about cerulean. "But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blindly unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St. Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers." Totally random, but that is what this sweater/scarf color combo reminds me of. Ahhhhh, such a great movie...now I kinda wanna go watch it!

Thank You, Random Stranger

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 sweatshirt, Gap tee, Old Navy skinny jeans, Old Navy boots, Macy's necklace (previously seen here)

First, I just wanted to thank everyone who commented or emailed about last night's post. Any advice is welcome, so keep the ideas coming! As for today's outfit, I have a random stranger to thank for the inspiration. A girl came into my work today wearing these boots, which inspired me to dig mine out from my closet. Seeing as how it's almost May and should be warm out, I had pushed these to the back, thinking I wouldn't be wearing them again until Fall. But Ohio weather never cooperates (I had to wear my winter coat today!), so I was able to build a whole outfit around them. I added my blue chain necklace as a final touch, and I like how it gave a little something extra to an otherwise very casual outfit.

Calling All Fashionistas...I Need Advice!

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As many of you know, this summer I will be interning at a fashion magazine in New York City. And although I'm excited, I'm more than a little intimidated. After finding out that I had received the position and the initial shock wore off, my mind immediately switched into wardrobe freakout mode. It went a little something like this: "Ohmygosh I need a new wardrobe. Ohmygosh, I'm so not cool enough for this. What do people at fashion magazines wear? I need new clothes. But what would I even buy?! Ohgosh, I need to make a list. Okay scratch that, I need to make seven zillion lists..." And almost two months later, I still haven't quite mastered the list of what I need for this summer. And since I don't have Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha here to guide me, I'm enlisting all of you. So tell me, what would be your must-have items for a summer in the city at a fashion magazine? I'm not looking to completely overhaul my closet, just add a few versatile pieces that can go a long way. I know I still have a month and a half before the big first day, but being the type-A planner that I am, I want to get started on it now! Plus, it's an excuse to go shopping! I would love to hear from each and every one of you...what would be your top picks? Comment, tweet at me, or email--anything really...I just sincerely want to hear what you guys think :)

Tut, Tut...

What I'm wearing: J.Crew Outlet chambray button-down, Old Navy jacket, Forever 21 scarf, Old Navy skinny jeans, J.Crew rainboots (sale)

...it looks like rain. You better get ready to see these boots a whole lot, because the weather forecast for the next week is looking rather depressing. I have two pairs of rainboots: these and my Liberty of London for Target ones. Both are bright and colorful, a must for dreary, rainy days. I've recently been considering adding Hunters to my collection. Thoughts? Do you have Hunters? If so, are they worth the splurge?

A Sundress and Sandals

What I'm wearing: Gap dress (2008), J.Crew Outlet cardigan, Target scarf, Thrifted belt, Target sandals, Old Navy and J.Crew bangles, Vintage earrings

It feels like forever since I last posted outfit pictures. Sometime life just gets in the way and makes me a bad, bad blogger. These pictures were taken last Thursday. It was the first day warm enough for a sundress and sandals, and I just couldn't resist. It felt so good to be outside with bare legs and wearing my favorite sandals. I'm sure I'll be complaining about the heat in no time, but for now, I'm enjoying it!

Weekly Gratitude

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Sometimes there are those weeks that you are just thankful to have over. This week was one of them; I had two exams, a tough assignment, lots of extracurricular events, and my back is bothering me again (I jinxed myself last week). But even during the crappiest weeks, we can still find reasons to be grateful. This week I'm thankful for:
-Finally being able to wear a sundress yesterday! It was gorgeous and sunny, so I just couldn't resist wearing a dress without tights for the first time this year.
-Pinterest! I'm pretty much obsessed. Such a fun way to keep track of what inspires me and what items I'm currently coveting. Let me know if you need an invite...although I'll warn you now: its HIGHLY addictive.
-Relaxing weekends (that start on Thursday nights) following super stressful weeks.
-All of my blog readers! Your comments make my day so much sweeter. I can't believe how much this little blog has grown and that there are actually people out there who want to see what I'm wearing/saying. I can't wait to keep you guys updated throughout my NYC adventures this summer :)
-Being asked to help a couple different girls I know with closet cleanouts/shopping for their body type. I feel so honored that people trust my style sense enough to want my help. Not to mention it's going to be so much fun!
-Setting goals and achieving them. Whether they be big or small, I'm so grateful for what I've been accomplishing.

Stop What You're Doing...

... and get your butt over to Gap.com! They're having 30% off everything (and 15% off sale items) today! I just snagged these little beauties...

Gap Espadrilles, Originally $59

With the sale, I was able to get these for $45 with free shipping! I usually have a hard time spending more than $50 on shoes (the bargain shopper in me just won't allow it), so the discount made these espadrilles the perfect price for my budget. As many of you know, I'll be interning at a fashion magazine in NYC this summer, so I've been slowly trying to add pieces to my closet that I think will complete my summer wardrobe. These shoes are right on trend (colorblocking AND yellow) and had a great price tag to match, so I just couldn't pass them up!

Rodarte Debut!

What I'm wearing: Rodarte for Target dress, Old Navy cardigan, Target tights, Ciao Bella boots via DSW, J.Crew belt, Vintage necklace, Urban Outfitters earrings

This day has been a long time coming. I finally wore my Rodarte for Target dress! As many of you know by now, I was obsessed with this dress when it first came out but could never find it in my size. When the Go International dress collection launched it for a second time, I knew it was fate. This dress and I were meant to be! I was ecstatic to find it my size at my local Target and have been waiting for the right opportunity to wear it ever since. When I originally saw this dress, I imagined styling it up with tights, boots, and a cardigan, but thought I would have to wait until Fall to make it a reality because of the rising temps. WRONG. It's springtime in Ohio, which means its 80 degrees one day and 45 the next. Today it was coooold, but on the upside, I got to style this dress exactly how I imagined it! Now I can't wait until warmer weather so I can style it up with my Dolce Vita for Target wedges! You just can't go wrong with Target designer collaborations!

To the Max(i)

Last night, my roommate texted me from across the apartment (yes, we're that lazy) to tell me about a dress she was thinking about ordering online. I promptly pulled out my laptop and hopped on over to Modcloth to see said dress (the Style on the Side dress), and while I was on the site, I decided to browse around a little. And then I found this...

Basic Wonder skirt

I've recently developed a mild obsession with all things maxi. I had my eye on this skirt from American Apparel, but it was a little pricier than I was willing to pay for a trend that I'm trying out for the first time. So when I spotted this Basic Wonder skirt ($32, one left, and in my size!), I had to give it a go. So I once again caved to the temptation that is Modcloth. So now that I'm a proud owner of a maxi skirt, how do I wear it? I need help from all you fashionistas! How would you style up this maxi skirt for spring/summer?

Update: Just joined Pinterest (thanks Amy!), so check out my stylish inspiration board to see how other ladies are rocking their maxis.

Weekly Gratitude

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This week has been a pretty crappy one. I've been busy, busy, busy and cranky, cranky, cranky. But weeks like this are when it's most important to notice the good things around me and be grateful. Here is what I'm thankful for this week:
-Frozen yogurt. It's delicious, semi-healthy, and the perfect thing to enjoy while indulging in some girl-talk with a friend.
-Reading. My goal is to read 20 books in 2011, and I set this goal so I would rediscover my love for books. Lately I've been taking some extra time out of my day to read, and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
-Having Fridays completely off this quarter: no school OR work. It's so nice to have a whole day to myself to catch up on sleep and relax.
-Knowing I get to go home for Easter in two weeks...it's something I'm really looking forward to.
-Getting my official NYU housing confirmation for this summer! I'm going to have air conditioning...couldn't be happier about that! I'm also going to be living near Washington Square Park...yay!
-How good I feel after I workout. It's taken awhile, but I'm finally getting back to the point where I kind of enjoy working out again. And I especially love how I feel after I've completed a hard workout.
-Along the same lines, I'm so thankful that my back is healing, I've completed physical therapy, and I'm almost back to feeling 100%. I'm extremely grateful that I was able to avoid surgery.
-Naps....I think I might go take one now!

In The Garden

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 top, J.Crew Minnie pant, J.Crew flats, Forever 21 necklace

Reason #728 that I love my university: so many awesome spots on campus for photo ops. While on the way to a meeting yesterday, my roommate Alex and I decided that I needed to have an impromptu photo shoot in the "Numbers Garden" on campus. So much fun! This was another "business casual" event which means no jeans, so I wore my J.Crew Minnie pants again. They're proving to be a great purchase: they're comfortable, flattering, and feel less stuffy than long black dress pants. I can already tell they're going to be a staple in my work wardrobe this summer!

April (Faux) Flowers

What I'm wearing: Merona cardigan via Target, Gap tee, J.Crew Minnie pants, J.Crew flats, Handmade flower pin (inspired by Kendi), Forever 21 pearl earrings

What do you do when it's April, and you're still wearing your winter coat because the sun refuses to shine and the temps won't rise? You put on your brightest tee shirt and slap a faux flower on your chest and DEMAND that Spring arrive right this instant. That's what I did, at least. The jury is still out on whether Mother Nature decided to listen or not...

A Second Chance

What I'm wearing: J.Crew outlet chambray button-down, Loft Outlet jeans, Steve Madden moccasins (2007), J.Crew outlet scarf (gift), Earrings via NYC street vendor

Tania wasn't the only one in the mood for some Canadian tuxedo today. What can I say? This shirt is quickly becoming one of my go-to's. I wore it here, as well as countless times that weren't documented on the blog. I think the reason I like it so much is because it's a great blank canvas for accessorizing. I found these shoes while I was cleaning my closet out over break, and I decided they needed to make the trip back to school with me. They were old favorites from high school, and with spring being all about color this year, I decided they needed a second chance at shoe-life. Now if only they were a little bit more comfortable...

Adding Some Pizazz

Occasion: Roommate's birthday dinner
What I'm wearing: H&M blazer, J.Crew outlet tank, Gap Always Skinny jeans, J.Crew flats, Macy's necklace

This outfit is all about the necklace. I rarely build a whole look around a piece of jewelry, but I picked up this necklace over break for 50% off, and I was dying to wear it for the first time. I kept the rest of the outfit simple and neutral, wearing my H&M blazer for the first time since my big interview. I've been all about jewelry lately...such a great way to add some pizazz to your wardrobe without spending a bunch of money. I'm on the lookout for some great colorful (and inexpensive) pieces for spring and summer, so let me know if you know of any!

Weekly Gratitude

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This week I'm thankful for:
-It's finally April! I hope this means cold weather is coming to an end. I'm ready for spring!
-Having a full weekend planned, complete with delicious Mexican food to celebrate my roommate's birthday and reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in awhile.
-Netflix. Whether it's Greek on instant queue or Love and Other Drugs (which I'm watching as I type this), Netflix offers a wonderful distraction from everyday life.
-Jillian Michael's Cardioblast workout video. I started doing it over spring break, and I love it! It's a full body workout, and I always feel so good after I complete it.
-Kashi chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Their delicious, semi-healthy, and the perfect amount of chocolatey-sweetness for an after dinner sweets craving.
-Hairpsray. A high bun has been my go-to hairstyle lately, so lots and lots of hairspray is a must!
- 30% off J.Crew final sale! I scored a silk top for $30 total with tax and shipping. Now I'm just crossing my fingers it fits!
-My family. They've been so supportive recently, especially my mom.
-Finding out that one of my good friends from school will be in NYC this summer as well. I could not be more excited to have a friend to run around the city with this summer!
-Having something to look forward to. I know it's going to be a lot of hard work, but I could not be more excited for the summer ahead.

What are you thankful for this week?