Outfit Post : Date Night

It’s been a while since I did an outfit post, partly because I’m still new to the concept here on the blog. But the weather has been fickle lately, and I’m sick of wearing a coat or working the coat into the outfit…I’m ready for warmth! This weekend was mostly coat-free, so I’m down with that. Anyways, this was my outfit for date night on Friday. Date Night is always important to me, even if it’s just a quick meal, because it also means the weekend has officially arrived! This date night, we decided to head to Red Lobster because I got a gift card through work. Topped off the night by renting Blue Valentine, which maybe isn’t the best date night movie, but we enjoy a good discussion post-movie and we got it. Back to the outfit (and date night), after a tough week, I love getting a little girly and fun with my clothes.

About the socks…I’ve had these black knit thigh-highs since last Fall, but rarely found the time/place to wear them. Before you know it, it was too cold to do it without tights, and then it was too cold to wear skirts at all! Friday was the perfect thigh-high weather. I decided that I would definitely be wearing them, and that I would shape the rest of the outfit around them.

The socks are from Urban Outfitters, as is the skirt. The top, a favorite of mine, is from the Gap, and the flats are years old from Old Navy.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects - Nail Polish Strips

Okay, y’all, I sure hope you’re ready for me to geek out! I’m a pretty avid fashion magazine subscriber/buyer/reader.
And nowadays, it’s hard to go through a magazine without stopping on ads this.

At first, I ignored it like all the other advertisements. But then I started to see Sally Hansen Salon Effects pop up in articles, beauty Q&As, and blogs. I never paint my fingernails. I think the last time I had them painted was in 2005. The main reason I never paint them? I suck at it! I can’t paint in the lines, they smudge, and I just gave up. I also felt like my hands looked strange, and couldn’t stop stressing about the little imperfections. I decided I would stick with toenails…I can’t see them so close to analyze them and it’s a quick process. The more I started to hear about the supposedly easy and fun nail polish strips, the more curious I became. Not only could I get easy, nice looking nails, but I could do fun designs! So I finally picked up a little box, Misbehaved.

Girrrrrrrllllll, I’m in LOVE! I couldn’t stop staring at my nails. The whole process took about 20 minutes (the length of an episode of 30 Rock, which I listened to as I concentrated) but it was easy! Once you smooth the correct size strip on the nail, you file the remains off and you’re left with nails that look professionally done! They cost about 10 bucks, which is cheaper than most manicures. I still can’t believe I’m the one that put them on because they look great! I am dying to try other designs! First, I want to see how long these last. It’s been two full days and they are still goin’ strong. According to the box, they should last up to 10 days. But seriously…if I can do it, anyone can!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE TO ANYONE INTERESTED!

Just a couple extra random pics from my iPhone showcasing the nails…

Weekend

It’s always hard to say goodbye to the weekend, but this one is especially tough. Mostly because I will be working 6 days straight, but also because it was a fantastic weekend! Red Lobster date night with boyfriend, Blue Valentine viewing (Ryan Gosling, how I love thee), sleeping in, running fun errands, Sally Hansen nail polish strips (more on that later), wearing my H&M jumpsuit for the first time (I’ve had it since January), Mexican food with the family, casino night (I actually left with more money, a rarity!), and a lazy Sunday filled with food.

It’s my birthday on Thursday! Funny enough, I could care less. I’m actually hoping this week goes by quickly…but I’ll make it through. And I’m sure there will be plenty of lovely things that will make the otherwise long and poopy week go by at a nice and easy and painless pace. Hope you all have a very happy Monday and that your week is fantastic!

Surprise! It’s Friday!

So, the weekend is here! I’m very thankful, because I will be celebrating my birthday a little early with my family (actual birthday is next Thursday, the 19th). Favorite Mexican restaurant and casino! Both firsts for my dad. Couldn’t be more excited to show him a glimpse into my weekend world. Aside from that, I plan on sleeping in and just taking my days of freedom at a nice, slow, easy pace. Since next week will be longer and a bit more hectic, I’m thankful for this restful weekend right in front of me.

On a different note…I cut my hair! Perhaps you remember this post? Well, I went a bit further with the cut.

I’m aware this isn’t the best picture, but this is fresh from the hairdresser. I can’t wait to play around with it. It’s the perfect length for me…short enough that I can’t always resort to a ponytail but long enough that I’m not shocked from the change. I was getting sick of the same ol’ same ol’ and, when it comes down to it, long hair isn’t really…me. (I know, you were dying to know that!)

It’s about that time to wish you all a fabulous weekend, whether you’re partying until the sun comes up or lazing your days away in bed! As always, here’s a song to kick off your weekend. Enjoy!

Lykke Li

A couple of years ago, my sister introduced me to Lykke Li. I automatically fell in love, specifically with her song “Little Bit.” It was the perfect spring song, because I find this time of year to be perfect for falling in love/lust/crush. When it comes to female singers, I have always been inclined to appreciate a different sound (Sia, Bjork, Florence to name a few…).  Lykke Li has this perfect, whispery sound that can go from innocent and sweet to passionate and strong. Her voice is instantly recognizable and, in my opinion, makes everything better. Still not sure how I feel about her second album, Wounded Rhymes, just yet. But I will always highly recommend Youth Novels.

Midweek

Brad took this picture over the weekend. I have quite the crush on it. It’s funny how a simple, little photo can tell a story. It defines Spring for me. Bare legs, colorful flats, bright green grass, and the sun finally shining (thus the shadow). You can’t see what I’m doing from the knees up, but who cares? What has been captured says it all. Feet firmly planted on the green Earth, basking in the sunshine, outdoors and away from obligation. I don’t remember him taking this photo of me, but I’m so glad he did. It makes me very happy.

We are in the middle of the week, and it’s all downhill (uphill, really) from here. Just a couple more days of work and the weekend will arrive!

Shoe Lust : ModCloth

For many, shoes are a guilty pleasure. There are girls who will fess up to owning more pairs than they need, spending obscene amounts on pairs that they’ll never wear again, and needing extra closet space just for their shoes. I have never been this way. With that being said, I do adore shoes. It’s just that I’ve always stuck with basic colors and styles (simple flats, Chucks, and a few different neutral boots) that go with any and everything. Okay, I DO have a few guilty pleasure pairs (not very practical, I know). And I certainly long for some shoes that I’ll never have, that I can’t afford with my kind of budget. ModCloth’s shoes are somewhere in between.  They aren’t Louboutins or Jimmy Choos by any means (we’re talking hundreds+ dollas for them suckas), but they aren’t Payless or Target, the stores I frequent the most for shoes under 30 bucks (what can I say? I’m a bargain hunter, I still live at home, and I’m extremely far from rich). It’s hard for me to spend more than 50 bucks on a pair of shoes, because I won’t even spend that much on a pair of jeans that I’d wear everyday (again, I’m cheap!).
But they’re more attainable. And cute. And seemingly comfortable and…well…that’s what window shopping is all about.

Sensing a pattern here? Easy breezy cutesy shoes, with comfortable heels, and an affinity for t-straps. If I got any of these shoes, I’d probably get the last pair because I know I would wear them. But I love heels. I feel so feminine in them, and I adore them on everyone else. Unfortunately,  I’ve always felt too tall, awkward, and uncomfortable over time. Above, the heels are mostly thick, seemingly everyday. My favorite pair? Numero uno. They would go with any and everything. Maybe one day I’ll feel confident enough to treat myself…

Click on each photo to get linked to each page/purchase/get more info!