Burnt Sienna

Next to pink, my other favorite crayon as a kid was Crayola's "Burnt Sienna" , this orange-brown color was constantly one of the most worn looking crayons on my desk. Every fall, this color creeps back into my life. It's everywhere! Not only found in nature, this shade is popular in fall fashion.

Here are some examples the fall 2011 RTW collections (all photos from Elle):

Michael Kors

Proenza Schouler (color detail in the pant)

3.1 Phillip Lim

Alice + Olivia

Here's how I'll be accessorizing with this color:

Anthropologie Triple Strap Tank

Halogen Ponte Knit Pencil Skirt

J.Crew Skinny Belt with Bow

Lulu's Burnt Orange Blazer (check out that lining!)

Anthropologie Sun Shaped Bangle (on sale!)

I am a huge fan of neutrals and brown tones, but add a bit of a burnt orange hue to it, and I'm just obsessed. My closet is kind of like a grown-up box of crayons, except instead of hanging my work on my bedroom wall, it's around my neck, on my wrist, and on my body.

August wish list

Every August, I start to get a little wish listy with things. My online shopping carts fill up with shocking balances expected to be paid, but will never make it further than the cart. I have to contribute this to one thing--my birthday is at the end of the month. While I think I'm the easiest person to shop for, my family tends to disagree. I have to start weighing out my options, and due to a horrible incident where my ipod died* the other day, husband got the easy gift by immediately suggesting that a new one would be his gift to me. I was slightly relieved because the ipod was going to be on the top of the birthday list had he not!

Here's what I'm wishing for this August:

Chanel nail polish in Peridot

 First of all, it's my birthstone, but what I really love is that depending on the light, the color changes.

Anthropologie Dots within Blouse

Free People Fluid trapeeze blouse

Marc by Marc Jacobs Francesca

 So spendy. But now that I take the train to/from work, I need a good bag for commuting. This will fit everything I need. My current cheapy bag is falling apart after 3 months. I'm saving my pennies!

Jessica Simpson Cheetah Pumps

Kate Spade No Sleep Till Brooklyn bangle

 I've had a year-long romance with this. I think it's time to pull the trigger.

Nikon 40mm Lens

Nine West Galactic

 Kind of like a pair of Sam Edelman shoes I wanted (but could never find in my size).

Anthropologie Pilcro Straight Ankle Chinos

We the Free Boxy Striped Sweater

I'd like this in the navy, but this picture is better.
 

I certainly wouldn't mind if any of these made their way to my door, that's for sure. I'm also working on my wardrobe, as always, and figuring out what I want to incorporate into it for this upcoming Fall/Winter and I'll be sure to share that one with you too. But not yet. Let's enjoy the summer. I have to say, my birthday at the end of the month, while still summer, is often associated with back-to-school, fall and pumpkin-all things I love. However, it also falls with the end of summer celebrations which often make me sad. Summer is my favorite season of them all.

*curiously, the last time I had an ipod die was right before Christmas, and once again he got the easy gift.

Flip flop bracelets

I was just browsing Anthropologie when I came across this on their site:



Eternal Youth Bracelets

Which, reminded me of these that I bought for my cousins this past Christmas from the Paper-Source:

Flip Flop Bracelets

I don't know about you, but I'm saying they're the same thing. I loved the fun colors of these, and you've got to love that they're made of recycled flip flop materials (I live in flip flops when the weather warms up). There's a rather big difference in price. Anthropologie's set of 18 retails for $48 and on Paper-Source's site you can get 20 for $19! If you have a store near you, I believe they retail for $1-$2. Definitely check them out. I've got a few for myself and I love them. (Not to mention, if you always wear hair elastics on your wrist, these hide them so well!)

This concludes my little thrifty PSA.

Baby got Back

While browsing the interwebs, I've been coming across a lot of tops for Spring that are pretty simple from the front, making your entrance just kind of average, but when you look at the back, you can tell that with these tops, it's all about the last impression as you walk out of the room. Here's a few back details that have caught my eye:

 Past Reflections Pullover (Anthropologie): I love the back detail, but overall this top falls short for me. I don't care for the candy cane like stripes, or the knit, and the fabric just isn't doing it for me. Maybe in a different fabric/non-knit, I'd dig it.

 Bow Back Corset Top (Free People): I love bows, and Free People has been infiltrating my closet at a rapid pace. I like the fact that the cutouts get smaller as they go down the back, helping nip in the waist, while the floaty almost peplum ruffling beneath helps hide any pooch. This needs to be mine. Paired with cuffed skinny jeans and flats or even wedges, and a cardigan on top for the workplace, perfect.

 Lace Back Cardigan (Gap): Someone give this model a booty, stat! I love this cardigan, it's lace back is unexpected, and perhaps just what I need for a spring/summer work cardigan to leave at my desk. This would be great with a few dresses and sleeveless tops I already own. I'm picturing my Free People floral trapeze tank under this awesome lace detail, how feminine!

 Chic Taupe Top (Lulus):  Okay, part of me loves the lace racer back tank under this. Part of me thinks this top got into a fight with Freddy Kruger, Edward Scissorhands, and Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Fidelity Black and White Striped Top (Lulus): I like the drape and I'm a sucker for stripes. You could most certainly get away wearing a bra with this top, but the draping may make a booty look larger. I picture this more for the beach or a cookout, than any other kind of situation, just add shorty shorts, and sunblock.

In my wishes to shop smarter, I'm already working on my Spring and Summer wish list and needs. I've got a few things that need to be replaced for those seasons, and I'm looking forward to a little seasonal wardrobe update. I'll be sure to share what I come across. In the meantime, what say you on the back details? Yay? Nay? Did I miss a totally amazing top somewhere?

29...and 30!!

DONE!!!! FIN!!!! FINITO!!!! END!!!!!!

First the nitty gritty:

Day 29: Anthro top, Gap Modern Boot pants, Nine West pumps, petal & pink Icicle earrings

Where: Work. Plan and Simple

Day 30: Anthro top, J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Express Editor pants, Target heels, petal & pink Icicle earrings.

Where: Work and errands.

Thoughts: Honestly, I am so so so so so happy to be done with this challenge. I've taken a lot from it, sure. But really, honestly and truthfully I've missed the diversity of my overflowing closet. Primarily with shoes, secondly with layering pieces. About a week or so into the challenge, I read a blog post from Amber, who said that she couldn't (wouldn't) do a challenge like this limiting her wardrobe because she's a layer-er. Any of my friends who know me, also know that I too, am a layer fiend. Summer, Winter, it doesn't matter, I layer it on. It's primarily why I chose 6 cardigan pieces. To layer. However, even picking 4 "fancy" tank/camis, I just couldn't get into it, and my dressing took a turn towards the simple. Sure, I've got PLENTY of jewelry to pick from, and a fair share of scarves and belts, but looking at my outfits, I really just wasn't feeling it. I stuck to it though, I'm not a quitter, but in the end, I don't think I got what others take away from it. I've really enjoyed this challenge, and I've found a few new twitter friends and blogs to read, but I'm just happy to get back into my closet, my precious shoes, and dress like me again...dripping in layers.

Now if you'll need me, I'll be rolling around in my closet, petting my shoes I've been longing for.

And, if you need something to do, be sure to check out the giveaway over at Amber's Notebook. It's a good one! (including a coupon code!).

Days 18-20

10 more days left. I think this is the part where I start going a little bit crazy. Or maybe it's the onslaught of all things Holiday for the next month that's coming on...either way, here's what I wore for days 18-20!

Day 18: Top, Cardigan, and Skinnies: Gap. Boots: Steve Madden, socks: Target, Neckalce: Forever 21 (or 29 in my case. *wink wink*)

Where: Thanksgiving dinner (house hopping for the best eats!)

Day 19: J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Anthro top, Gap skinnies, Steve Madden boots

Where: Running errands

Day 20: Anthro Cardigan, Gap Forever Straight Jeans, Steve Madden Flats

Where: My parents house

Thoughts: First of all, I tweeted on Thanksgiving about wearing my black dress and this cardigan. But, I really wanted to wear those boots. I live in them. But when I put them on, the proportions were all off. So I tossed on this instead. The cardigan was still great when it came to hiding the extra servings of cheese potatoes, rolls, and cake/pie gallore.  Also, I'm now a day behind on the challenge. You see, the day after Thanksgiving...I don't leave my apartment. I have always taken the day after Thanksgiving as a sort of mental health day. The most strenuous thing I did all day was shower and put on clean lazy clothes. And I'll tell you this...It. Was. Glorious. I also REALLY love outift 19. I love the way the boots and teal go together. I also think that I wore this outfit in a way, that made it look new to me (on me?) I don't know. All I know is that my husband asked me if this was a new shirt. 1. I wore it last week. 2. It's over a year old. Either way, I'm taking it as a win for the challenge!

I faux hemmed my pants again today. I will have that how-to for you later on this week. I have currently over 160 pictures to go through. I was a beading machine, and created a ton of new jewelry and photographed the hell out of it. I also have the DIY steps for my earring holder to go through, and the faux hem. My computer and I will be inseperable over the next few days. However, if you follow me on twitter, you've seen a few of the pieces I've created for my etsy, and the final product of my earring holder/display. And if you don't follow me...these are the kind of things you're missing out on. Well, that, and my giveaway. ;)



Days 14-17

For days 14-17, this is what I wore:

Day 14: J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Banana Republic top, Gap skinny jeans, Steve Madden boots (Target boot socks over jeans), Tiffany & Co bangle

Where: Errands and laundry

Day 15: Anthropologie top, Express Editor pants, Nine West heels

Where: Work

Day 16: Gap cardigan, Express lace trim cami, J.Crew Matchstick vintage style cords, Steve Madden flats

Where: Work, walking about the city on my lunch break

Day 17: Express ruffle fly away cardigan, Express lace trim cami, Gap skinny jeans, Naughty Monkey Detective boots, necklaces by me.

Where: Work, running errands after work.

Thoughts: There isn't much I have to say about many of the pictures. However, day 16...I had a 2 hour ride home and needed to take the picture of my outfit. So, I got home grabbed my camera, turned it on, only to find out it was on...and my battery was drained. I threw the battery on the charger and stuffed my face with Triscuits while waiting for a slight bit of a charge. I was hungry, and cranky. So that was me in a post Triscuit, 2 hour commute haze. I actually had better pictures but I got a little delete happy and this was the only picture I had left. Luckily I caught myself when I had this one lonely picture left. I wouldn't be happy if I had to change to retake a picture!

In general, I'm going through withdrawal from the rest of my wardrobe. My other clothes are calling to me, and I miss them. I suppose I could take a day off, but I know if I fall off the wagon, it's going to be hard to get back on it. I'm going to push through. I will make it. I may have to remove all my clothes for this challenge from my closet, but I will get through it! Accessories, I'm calling on you now. Help me push on!

In other news, I've got free shipping going on in my Etsy shop for Thanksgiving weekend. (Including "cyber Monday") so if you're looking to get a start on your Holiday shopping, be sure to check it out. The free shipping extends into any custom orders placed in these days.

Also, be sure to check out the giveaway I have going on now. I've reached my twitter milestone!

The dress so nice they named it twice

New York, New York Dress

(Anthropologie, $168)

Every now and then (okay, almost daily) I take a little trip to a few favorite websites of mine. While looking around Anthro, feeling a little spring in the air, I came across this little number. Love. I'm always looking for fun Spring/Summer dresses, and this one is perfect. I love the water color painted look to the print. The shape is what I do best, and the colors are so fun and feminine and subdued and just waited for me to play them up. This might just have to come home with me...eventually. But for now, I just wait and hope for a sale.

Victory!

(and thus ends my Entourage moment)


But, if you remember back here I posted about NEEDING a particular cardigan from Anthropologie:

Well let me tell you a funny little story about this cardigan. Shortly after creating that post, I wandered around the city on my lunch break...not too out of the ordinary for me when the weather is nice--however, this day I was feeling gross, and bloated, my hair was doing whatever-the-hell-it-wanted despite my best efforts, and I was just feeling down and out. So I took a break to walk and clear my head. I stopped by Starbucks, got an iced drink of some sorts (this was a while ago and my memory isn't the best with the wee little details, but the drink is enough detail for where this story goes). Anyway, I'm wandering around, just trying to enjoy the weather, get my vitamin D for the day and perk up...and I all of a sudden realize that I was near Anthropologie. Retail therapy will cheer me up!

Or so I thought....I rushed in through the doors--a girl on a mission. I grabbed this lovely cardigan and made a dash for the fitting room, fat day and all, I mean I wasn't trying to squeeze into pants. While trying to hunt down someone to let me in a room (why are they never there when I need one?!) it hit me--mybladder was full. So now, I'm a disaster wind blown, messy hair, fat day, bloated gross, omg is that a pimple coming through?!, already down-in-the-dumps girl trying on a cardigan for weather it is not yet appropriate for, and oh yeah, it's my lunch hour and I will have to wander back to work shortly, waiting to try on one. little. cardigan. STRESS!!!!

I get into the fitting room and pull the cardigan on and....

...disappointment.

I HATED IT! Couldn't take it off fast enough. It was unflattering, and made my gut look big(ger at the moment) and man there was something just off (no, it couldn't possibly be my self defeating attitude at that moment).

Discouraged, I left Anthro with nothing but a full bladder and rushed back to work.

So, this past weekend when I figured it was time to put away the flip flops, strappy sandals and open toe anything and purchase those sweaters I needed. It was off to the mall for me!

I was in a much better frame of mind. I knew what I needed and I was a girl on a mission! I went into Anthro and knew exactly what I was looking for...and no, it was NOT the Frilled and Thrilled cardigan.

But wouldn't you know...we crossed paths again! There was 3 hanging on a sales rack, I looked and wouldn't you know, there was ONE in my size! This is a sign for me. I'm a stalker shopper and when something I want is in my size and on sale it NEEDS to come home with me. But, I remembered our previous nightmare of an encounter. However, I remembered my down-and-out day, and figured trying it on in a better state of mind couldn't hurt me...

I. LOVE. IT.

I didn't try on the one in the colors pictured, but rather its bordeaux/chartreuse partner, it's a lovely combination and I'm glad to have found it, and this time it did come home with me.

Let this be a lesson (to me, but feel free to listen, too) that shopping with a negative mindset can have a negative impact on my wardrobe!

I don't want you. I NEED you!

Hello, lover.
So, I know I need a lot of things but this Frilled and Thrilled cardigan from Anthropologie is on the top of my must have list for the fall. I'm a big fan of everything uber girly, and ruffles are certainly that! I must admit, I have visions of walking around wearing this, a lacy cami (probably one of the few dozen I own from American Eagle) with jeans and my oh deer! sequin flats. Oh the times we'd all have together...(yes, dear reader, I refer to my clothing, and especially my shoes as if they were living, walking creatures...they have soles you know! ha! Bad play on words? Yeah, I thought so too. Sorry about that.)

Anyway, when I really get into my fall shopping I will let you know when this is mine (oh yes, it will be mine...) with a full review. Don't expect it soon though. Fall shopping means that I'm admitting to the end of the summer, and since it's started so late here in Boston I will most likely refuse to admit fall until late October, and who knows maybe by then this beauty will be on sale.