June Challenge

So, my whole idea of a shopping ban for May didn't go so well. I finally got fed up with my color lacking wardrobe and set out to purchase some items that would brighten things up a bit.

And bright my wardrobe has become. The May roundup:

JCrew: Biennial Satchel in red. Striped bow flats. Red eyelet pencil skirt. Mint green tippi sweater and modern red vneck (coming Monday, eep!). I really can't wait to pair the stripes with the red eyelet pencil skirt. And I have to say, of course, all the items were on sale. Huzzah!

Nordstrom: Frenchi blazer in cobalt (for 28.90!), polka dot blouse, and my much lusted after Sam Edelman spiked flats.

Gap outlet: Mint green tank, cobalt sweater, kelly green skinny jeans. (linked to similar items).

Via polyvore

Target: White cropped jeans (!), pink tunic, and The Webster patterned tank (never would've thought to get this, but its adorable).

Photo via polyvore

And perhaps the big finale, from Neimans, the Tory Burch natalya wedge in black.

Which friends, leads me to a shopping hiatus for the month of June. And perhaps July. I used the word banned for May and that just seemed to spurn my need to shop. And with two weekends away this month, I'm hoping I can reign it in.

So far, the responses to my new clothing items have all been positive. I've gotten a lot of compliments from coworkers and it makes me feel more confident in myself and what I'm wearing.

Outstanding items to get at some point: Tweed jacket.

That's it for now.... have a fantastic weekend!

Ode to the J Crew Biennial Satchel

I'm not gonna lie - I'm a former handbag addict. Perhaps I shouldn't say former as much as I should say recovering. I had been eying the J Crew Biennial satchel in store and in the catalogues ever since I first saw it sometime last year. And a few weeks ago when it got marked down online, and had an additional 30% off, well I bit.

Here I am trying the bag on in store. It was love at first sight.

Today's outfit in a dressing room: Blazer and crops: Gap. Bag and blouse: J Crew. Scarf: Jason Wu For Target.

I'm a leather gal - and the leather on this bag is AMAZING. It's probably the softest bag I own now - even softer than bags that I own that are much more expensive. It's a true red (even though the photo above doesn't show it) and I can fit it over my shoulder. The only thing that worries me a bit is color transfer from dark jeans or scratching, but I guess all leather is prone to that. The bag has three zipped compartments and the above pic is holding my wallet, makeup case, headphones, sunglasses, kindle, and a few other miscellaneous items tossed in. I could fit my ipad in there too, but I don't like taking it to and from work so it remains at home. But really - this bag would be perfect to travel with too!

Better pics of today's outfit:

Anyway. Life has been hectic. Work is good and it's hard to believe that in about two weeks we'll be going to Colorado for the first wedding of the season.

Also, for what feels like the first time ever, I bought a pair of white jeans. Thank you target, for cute affordable items that I can test the waters with.

Outstanding summer wishlist items:

Spiked shoes, mint colored sweater, another pop of color blazer, the Asos Penguin blouse I found online the other day..

In wedding news... invitations are here and going out this week. I have a dress fitting on Saturday and my sister and mom are helping me with some stuff :) Trying to keep it a secret... shh!

Hope everyone is having a good week so far... so looking forward to this weekend and an extra day to sleep in!

My new friend Tory

..Burch that is. I remember walking through Nordstrom one day lusting after this particular collection. I made a mental note to check back when and if it ever went on sale. And then December happened. The bag went on sale. And I bit. Hard.

And once I started bringing this bag out I knew it was a good buy (1: it was on sale. NO RETAIL PRICES!. 2: i didn't have anything like it. 3: its extremely businessy, something that I needed since I am a late twenty-something working professional. 4: its durable as all heck.)

I honestly adore this bag. It has inside pockets which are perfect for me to separate my stuff (wallet, makeup case, notebook, planner), a cell phone pocket, another smaller pocket (good for keys!) and also a detachable mirror! It also has feet on the bottom of it so I don't have to feel so bad about setting it down somplace other than my lap. And the fact that it makes me feel like an adult is fun, too.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Lust list - April 2011

Dear checkbook, I am so so sorry for the following list. Of course, if it was up to me, all of these items (and then some)  would be coming home with me. Alas, I don't currently have the budget for it, so pouring over these pretty pictures shall do instead.

Skirts:
In case you haven't noticed, I'm kinda obsessed with Anthropologie. Their ruffles and soft colors make the little girl in me squeal.
Anthro's convergence skirt with its stripes and little pleats just make me smile. Plus the colors are a great neutral to go with a variety of tops and shoes, too!

Next up in Anthro's sugar work skirt. What's better for spring than a sunshiney yellow skrit with white ribbons swirling around it?

Anthro's drawing parallels skirt is something that I think would be fantastic for Easter, if not the rest of spring and summer and even fall. I adore the color on this, and I think it would be a fantastic addition to my wardrobe.

Shoes:

There is one pair that I've seen similar styles pop up over several blogs. Alas, my local Urban Outfitters is outo of these and I would have to order them online. I really like the nude color because it's a fantastic neutral, and honestly I don't have any shoes that already look like this. And the price point isn't that bad, either!

Bag:

I haven't lusted after a bag in awhile, quite frankly, probably more than 6 months. The last one I bought got sent back because it wasn't the right size. But this one has me drooling, especially in the chai color. JCrew's lockwood hobo is spot on with everything that I want in a bag - plus there's 4 colors to choose from. And if you order by the end of today, you can get an additional 20% off orders of 150.00 or more.

Well friends that's about it for now - at least on my end. What's currently on your spring wishlist?