School Days

Figuring out what to wear to class in grad school is a bigger challenge than one would think. I want to be sure to not look like an undergrad, but business casual is a little too much. General rules: No leggings as pants, nothing short/tight, no flip flops and hoodies are reserved for finals week.

Cardigan: Target

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Unknown

Tshirt: Madewell

Necklace: American Eagle

These jeans have a cute bow shape on the pockets, it's a nice girly touch for black denim.

I love this necklace. It was less than 20$ from American eagle, and it has a great fenton fallon feel.

Puddle Splashing

I hate rainy, humid, warm weather. I grew up in desert, and the nasty frizz inducing damp fall humidity (with high 70s temp) just drives me nuts. Here was my attempt to cope.

Sweater: Banana Republic

Button down: J Crew

Shorts: Anthropologie

Tights: Gap

Boots: Hunter

Watch: Target

I don't like wearing skirts with rain boots because I feel like the skirt is too formal, or trying to hard. Stuffing jeans into rain boots is too hot in this awful weather. Solution? Shorts and knit tights. I have actually never tried the tights with shorts thing before. I had no idea how comfortable it is! Plus I feel a little bit like a pre-schooler, which is always fun. It's not something I plan on rocking all the time, but I thought it worked alright with the high waisted dark denim.





I majorly struggled in my attempts to get a decent picture of this necklace. I got it from a jeweler in Boulder, it has a little pearl and a tiny heart with S's initials on it. It's a little cheesey, but I love it.

Fuzzy Wuzzy

AC had some old friends visiting Friday, AZ and I went to meet up with them after dinner for some drink at Local 16. There must be something I am missing about Local 16, I am just not a fan. Strangers are always talking to you (not in the fun, nice way, in the creepy, I'm talking too close to your face way) and it's always too busy. I did have one great night there, but that's because it was a friend's birthday. We quickly moved on to Wonderland, much more my pace. Vest-Fabulous Furs (Faux)

Shirt-Gap

Jeans-Banana Republic

Boots-Frye

Watch-Target

Necklace-Ross Simons

a) Yes, I cleaned my room the next day.

b) The vest is faux, I love animals too.

Everyone else was wearing dresses and heels, I just wasn't to in to wearing the expected that night. I did feel like I should have been carrying a shot gun or something though.

Closer up shot of the vest. Excuse the mess!

I love this watch. It was about 15$ from Target, and I wear it all the time. S has this awesome Gold Rolex that I want to steal, but it was a gift from his dad, so it's off-limits. The cheap-o Target version will have to sustain me.

The Best Place on Earth

I went to Denver for six days for my Fall break. I used to live there, and my boyfriend and brother still do. I absolutely love Denver and had a fantastic weekend.

I wore this out to dinner. I picked up the sweater from a consignment shop in Georgetown, Second Time Around. The gold sequins make me so happy! I love the idea of thrifting/consignment, there is something so romantic about breathing new life into forgotten clothes. Although in reality I don't have the patience, and the musty smell gets to me. Second Time Around is an exception, it has some great designers and you don't have to do too much digging.

Sweater-thrifted

Silk tank-Nordstrom

Jeans-James

Pumps-Zara

Bag-Foley and Corina

Ring-Rachel Roy

Every time I go "home" (aka Denver) S and I go to Stuebens. On the way home at the airport, I made him stop there so I get could one of their killing strawberry shakes. Stueben's is a modern take on traditional diner food. It is wonderfully updated and hip without being kitschy or too greasy.

They give you these awesomely vintage signs while you wait. Then you hear, "Kevin Bacon, party of 2?"

We went to brunch when I was feeling a bit... let's say sleepy. They fly in H&H bagels from NYC, and have fantastic lox. It's a great cure for whatever ales you, as is their banana bread french toast.

Sweater: Banana Republic

Dress: Asos

Boots: Frye

Headband: JCrew

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Purse: Cole Haan

(Still angry that Target made knock offs of these boots after I invested)

Glasses: Oliver People

Scarf: Ralph Lauren

Jacket: JCrew

Sweater: Zara

Button down: JCrew

Jeans: James

Boots: Frye

My friends from college, J and S, had a dinner party while I was in town. S made prosciutto wrapped chicken stuffed with goat cheese and figs and hand-made rosemary thyme pasta. J made tempura squash. My salad was very outdone by their culinary skill. Someone even made homemade baklava!

Now I am back in DC, back to the grindstone. I ran the Army ten miler this morning actually, it was a beautiful morning for a run!

Asos expands to the US and provides some scalloped greatness

I have loved the UK retailer ASOS for a while. My college roomate E introduced me to the website. It's afforadable on a college/grad school budget, and you don't have to worry that you will see everyone else in it. It's less trendy than top shop (plus no Kate Moss, I can't stand her) and better quality than Mango. Although the weird UK sizing is really problematic when you have to pay astronomical shipping, so I was thrilled to hear in Lucky that they have opened a US website! My suggestion: size up.

Browsing the website,

I found the great light scalloped pieces. I love the femine prep vibe mixed with a little scale vibe, like Marion Cotillard's Oscar dress. (Or Blair Waldorf in that Marc Jacobs number on GG.)

I might grab one as a last nod to summer before I disappear into sweaters and boots.

Finals Time

It is the end of the semester here in MBA-land. This means no sleep, horrible diet, worse clothes, and so much stress that I thank I have morphed into a whole new person. A not very nice one. S took a picture of me studying, and made this with it. Kinda cool huh? I am wearing all his clothes, got to be comfortable! I promise I will really update the blog when I am not longer overwhelmed with finals.

Back to my Kentucky Roots

The National Association of Women MBA's had their annual conference this past week in Louisville, KY. My dad is from Kentucky, so I welcomed the opportunity to visit. I forgot to take any outfit pics, although I was wearing a black pants or skirt suit with a button down and pearls all weekend, hardly post-worthy.

I did find some amazing gems in Louisville. If you have images of rednecks and tiny town, you should visit. Louisville has amazing food, not just BBQ, just upscale modern takes on American and Italian that are fit for any east coast city. After stepping out of of our hotel, we immediately met a kind man who a) gave us the complete history of the city, as well as neighborhood descriptions b) invited us to dinner and insisted that his wife is an amazing cook c) tried to set up my friend with his cute son. Great city! Here were a few of my favorite things:

HillBilly Tea. Local, delicious, and fantastic pastries, food and tea.

I realize this tea looks like anti-freeze, but it is Macha, a Chinese Green tea. Very refreshing, and served with just the right amount of sugar. You have to love the mason jar, and the plate that looks like it is my grandmother's.

Lynn's Paradise Cafe This photo of the inside barely does it justice, it looks like a pastel garage sale. The food was authentic, delicous, and the only place I could find a "hot brown". My dad grew up on this open face turkey sandwich with gravy.

We started with fried green tomatoes (served with a sauce of just the right spiciness) and Jambalya as my entree. It was delicious! Although, if you are a purest, stear clear. It not the traditional stew, but fantastic all the same. The sausage was just a bit sweet, which added great flavor. I do not think it is physically possible to finish this whole plate, so if you go, share.

And of course, wash it down with some great beer.