Green is an okay color.

I have to admit, I've always shyed away from green (except if it was on an Oakland A's t shirt). So I decided to take a chance on J Crew's warm jade and order a Jackie sweater during their last sale. And during one of my sleepless nights this dawned on me and I decided to try it out... and it worked. (And why didn't I try this sooner?)

Jeweled collared shirt: H&M, Jackie sweater: J Crew, Jeans: Banana Republic

Whodathunk that I can look okay in green? The majority of the time I've shimmied away from the color because it tends to wash me out, or look like I'm no longer breathing. But... I think I love this color. Yes warm jade, you will do.

Not much else is going on but our wedding day countdown is 11 DAYS! So crazy to say that I'll be getting married NEXT WEEK!

I've been doing some DIY and will share with you once the bridesmaids have their gifts. ;)

And in case you haven't looked at Old Navy lately, you really should. I'll be planning a post of what I've gotten of theirs lately with their 25% off promo code.

Hope you are having a great week so far!

White linen

I'm not gonna lie - I was a little apprehensive about picking out a white blazer, let alone a linen one. But when I saw the price on this at nordies (35.90) I decided to let myself be a little bold and picked it up. I also grabbed the cute littler triangle/banner necklace. I'd seen it at another store but Nordstroms had it cheaper. Hurrah!

Blazer: Frenchie, Top & Jeans: Banana Republic, Necklace: Nordstrom's BP, Watch: Michelle

I have to admit that I'm liking the white, probably because it's linen and it's a ligher fabric. And since it's 3/4 sleeves I can always roll up my blouse for some fun.

I also have a bunch of other items that I got from the Nordstrom sale - I'll be posting that sometime soon and I'd love to hear feedback on what should stay/go back.

And just for fun, here's my manicure I'm rockin' this week:

It's hard to believe that my wedding is just 17 days away. My bachelorette party is on Saturday night, and on Sunday I have my final dress fitting. I'm trying hard not to stress out, but sometimes it's hard. I'm DIY-ing a few items for the wedding and I'll make sure to post those, too!

Since I've been so tired/stressed at night I've been trying to do my best to unwind and unplug at home. I've been reading a lot (just finished the 50 shades series, I have no shame..) so book recommendations are welcome too!

Here's to a great week(end)!

Putting it out there.

I've hesitated to sit down and write this multiple times, but I figured I just have it put it somewhere, even if nobody ever reads it.

I've been thinking a lot about what happened in Aurora on Friday, wondering how someone could do something like that to innocent people. I think back to the earlier parts of my life when I was a lot different. I was scared, depressed. I was bullied mercilessly.

In middle school it was for anything and everything. When I got glasses for the first time someone came up and screamed in my face. I was taunted for liking cats, for not wearing the most up and coming clothing items, for wanting to belong. For my Lisa Frank folders not being the coolest thing, not reading the right books, saying the wrong thing in class when doing group projects, for being blessed with Italian genes and having hair on my legs, for sticking up for a friend and for being one. In church one Sunday someone in my class refused to shake hands with me during peace. And for what? I still, to this day at almost 28 years old still can't wrap my head around it. Was it my freckles? The fact that I had bangs? That I was the oldest in my family? And for what - just to see someone cry? To watch them crack and break because they just couldn't handle being hated anymore. I begged my mom to let me change schools, but there wasn't an option to do so. Looking back, my mom now says she wishes she realized just how depressed I had been over this. I don't blame her though - who knows if it wouldn't have continued at a new school?

And in high school, the people who I thought were my friends mocked me for not driving at 16, for the kind of music that I liked and for the way I dressed (sure, I expressed my sadness through clothes, black nail polish, and heavy metal with some country music mixed in. But I digress), the fact that I was going to a community college (my parents couldn't afford college tuition for me) and they always liked to insist that I was a lesbian (I'm not, but who cares if I was?). One once threatened to open the door of her car and throw me out if I kept my favorite band on the radio station in her car. These girls who I spent 4 years with - the ones who I travelled with, laughed with over stupid inside jokes and cried with when my dog died - they bullied me too, and I only realize it now over 10 years later. (And if you're wondering, I'm not friends with any of them today.)

Was this all because I was shy? Because I was nervous and anxious around boys and I wasn't as outgoing as everyone else? Because I never had a date to school dances and in middle school that no one wanted to slow dance with me?

And perhaps the biggest kicker? I went to private Catholic schools. So yes - bullying wears no face or name, doesn't differentiate between schools - private, public, boarding, it doesn't discriminate. And I know it doesn't stop there - it exists in the workforce but sporting different masks of disguise.

But through all of this, through the depression that this waged on me, I never once wanted to take it out on another human, another animal, nothing but myself and the pages of my journals. I cannot wrap my mind around how one person can do such damage to another.

I tend to think that this is why I gravitated toward human resources - the ability to make a work environment safe and positive for everyone.

So - I say to you, if someone is bullying you, harassing you, doing anything to make you uncomfortable, seek help. Please. Don't take it out on other people. If you're experiencing something like this, I understand. I truly, really do. But please, don't take it out on others. And if you are the one doing the bullying, please, I urge you to stop. You don't know the war that can wage inside someone, the sadness and the despair that you might make someone feel.

I'm not quite sure how to end this so I'll do it here. Thanks if you've made it this far.

And for what its worth - to the people who have made me so sad over the years... I don't hate you. I only want the best for you.

Gingham with red and blue

Hello Wednesday, I'm so glad you're here and it's no longer the first half of the week. The low clouds have finally lifted here in SF and there's sun out, but in the shade it's still on the chilly side. I decided to pair red with blue today and this is what I got...

Scarf: H&M, Jeans: Wet Seal, V Nec: Gap, Necklace: JCrew, Gingham buttondown: Target

Since I sit under the air conditioning for at least 8 hours a day I usually have to bundle up, hence the massive scarf. And it doubles as more warmth when the walk to work in the morning is a bit chilly.

I have to admit that I'm really loving chunkier statement necklaces. While this one isn't exactly huge it's still a fun piece. I think I might start looking for more to dress up outfits and give me the ability to remix and add pizzaz to something that I might shove back into the depths of my closet.

Renegade Craft Fair is also coming to San Francisco this weekend and with Saturday as my free day I'll be taking some time to go check it out.


Today's wedding count is at 24. Holy cow - where has this year gone? Tonight I'm heading up to a stationary store to get our colored escort cards. I've decided to do varying shades of color to designate meals. Between my aunt, cousins, mom, sister, and myself we're going to handwrite the approximate 205 cards for my guests. This weekend I also have another hair/makeup run trial with my gal pal/hair and makeup stylist.

So - what's some of your favorite outfit pairings when you want a few minutes of extra sleep in the morning?

Dotted Friday & Liebster blog award

It's Friday... finally! Happy almost weekend everyone! Here's my outfit of the day. Purple has to be one of my favorite colors... I adore it.

Outfit du jour - Blouse: Madewell; Necklace & tippi linen sweater: Jcrew; Jeans: Banana Republic

Necklace close up

I'm honored and thrilled to have been given the Libester Blog Award by Phiphi over at Phiphi's Blog. "The liebster blog award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.". I aboslutely love blogging - so thank you to all of you out there who are reading this. :) It means the world to me!

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!

11 things about me:

1) 11 is my favorite number. ;)
2) I love country music.
3) I love traveling and going to new places but I can't stand flying. Airplanes scare me.
4) I'm 100% Italian.
5) If I were to definte a uniform for myself it would be skinny jeans, a buttondown, and either a cardigan or a blazer.
6) I'm a diehard prep at heart. I adore plaid, tartain, stripes, and crests.
7) Up until I moved out I lived in the same house my entire life.
8) I've traveled to more countries than I have US States.
9) I love to dance. I'm not good at it, but whether its on the dance floor, in a gym class, or in my chair I can't stop moving when I hear good music.
10) I own two chinchillas.
11) I finally feel as if I'm starting to get a hold of this fashion thing and dressing for my body type.


Phiphi's 11 questions:


1. what is your biggest fear? Hm. snakes. and besides that, getting old and passing away.
2. in terms of your job/studies, did you end up doing what you thought you would when you were younger? yes and no. i majored in english language literature - so i can write and edit things. i originally wanted to be a teacher but got too used to the biweekly paychecks of a full time job.
3. if you could buy one thing without worrying about the price tag, what would it be? oh man. a blazer. or a birkin. ;)
4. what is your idea of a relaxing day? sleeping in, snuggling with my cat, reading in the sun, and then dinner with my FH at one of our favorite restaurants.
5. how did you meet your best friend? my oldest friend and i met in first grade.
6. what is your biggest pet peeve? people who are late.
7. if you could have an alternate career, what would it be? photo journalism!
8. what is your favourite season and why? i love fall. any excuse to wear skirts and blouses during the day but snuggle in warm sweaters in the evening is fine by me!
9. what is your greatest accomplishment? most likely graduating from college. i'm the only one in my immediate family to do so.
10. where do you see yourself in 5 years? to be honest, a mom. hopefully being able to work from home
11. if you could change one thing from your youth, what would it be? to tell myself not to worry too much now. i sometimes feel like i grew up too fast and missed out on being a kid.

My 11 questions:

1: What's your favorite place that you've been to?
2: What do you do for a living - do you enjoy it or is it just work?
3) What would be your last meal on earth would be?
4) What's your favorite accessory?
5) What's one thing you do every day regardless of where you are?
6) What's your favorite book?
7) What's the most exotic thing you've eaten?
8) If you could go back in time to any era, what would it be?
9) Do you have any pets?
10) What made you decide to start blogging?
11) How would you spend $1000 that you randomly found?


And in no particular order, my nominees:
Law Fashionista
Add Bubbles to Taste
BeauChaton
The Lilac Pages
Colorful Corporate
The Jess Journals
CPA9
That Brunette One
Hello Katie Girl
A Package A Day
Granola 2 Glam

Monday stripes & One Lovely Blog Award

If you took one glance outside the windows today you'd think that it was winter. Ah, summer in San Francisco usually involves fog - so take note visitors - wear layers.

And with today being Monday (and me being tired) with the new work week ahead of me I decided to play it casual but warm. I picked up this striped tippi sweater yesterday that was marked down at J Crew (I couldn't resist, it was stripes..I love stripes) and just paired with a white button down for a casual but still work appropriate look for Monday in the office.

Tippi sweater: JCrew, jeans and button down: Banana Republic; shoes: gift from Morocco; watch: Michele

I kinda can't get enough of stripes. I'm still on the hunt for a striped blazer and am considering a few - there's one I'm eying from Lands End. And of course there's the J Crew Factory maritime stripe blazer. Decisions, decisions!

Life has definitely gotten busy. We are officially 33 days until our wedding day (yay!) and life has been consumed by the small details outside of my 9-5 - so thanks everyone for being patient over the past week while my posts got few and far between.

And speaking, of a huge thanks to Jeannie of Colorful Corporate who awarded me with the One Lovely Blog Award.

As part of getting this award I'd like to go ahead and nominate 15 lovely ladies to receive this as well.

Lisa of Respect the Shoes
Katie of Hello Katie Girl
Phiphi of Phiphi's Closet
Cori of La Vie Petite
Glistenpearls at Glistenpearls
Cindi at PurrinCup
My4Boys at Tweed and Toile
Katherine at Feather Factor
Cate O at A Package A Day
Rosa at Love at First Shop
Chris at Granola2Glam
Mez at Domestic Divinity
Aili & Ailyn at Jane Squared
Hannah at 17 Inch Heart
Tokki & Oliver of Tokki & Oliver

And thank you to everyone for reading/commenting/coming along this ride with me - you all are so great!