spring style – tide & bloom

apron dress

Okay so by now, I can own up to it – I have a shopping addiction that is completely facilitated by the fact that I need to look good and fresh at work. While in my heart of hearts I know that new clothes are completely unnecessary and it contributes to the overall waste of the world, I also know that new clothes make me feel new inside too. Like when I feel stale and weird, a new piece can really pick my mood up. Superficial, maybe. But it’s just honestly what happens. Do you feel the same way?

headband, apron dress, seychelles mules / anthropologie

in my white tee

Two things you may or may not know about me: 1. I’m not a “just a white tee” kind of girl and 2. I’m self conscious about my arms. Yes you may think I’m being ridiculous but I feel the way I feel and we all have our things that we can’t let go of. Cut to this top I just bought – it defied those two things and I bought it because I couldn’t get it out of my head.

I’ve worn it three times in the last three days and I have a feeling I will wear it until there’s holes in it. The feminine ruffle sleeve highlights my arms in a way that I somehow don’t hate. It’s the perfect proportion for my almost-petite frame. Not to mention, it allows me to wear just a white tee while still looking put together.

the warmest winter

You’re probably well aware by now that this has been the warmest winter. I write this as the sun is beating down outside and the temp reads somewhere in the 60s. I will never complain about Spring weather coming early (except that I’m not into this whole climate change situation) but I’m just a little disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to wear these new boots for just a little while longer. I got them from Target for $20. How.

I typically have a tough time with shoes, but I mean.. don’t we all. I have even worse trouble with boots this high; I can never find ones that hit the right spot and also have the right heel and also don’t look like hooker boots. The color of the grey faux suede is probably what did it for me. And I also can never wear boots all the way to my knees because it’s just not flattering. Trust me.

ode to a maxi

There comes a time every season when you see a dress and you just HAVE to have it. This irrepressible feeling is the measure by which you judge all your purchases. Say hello to the one that did it for me.

I would never call myself trendy, but this dress is undeniably “Boho Chic” which, let’s face it, is a trend that never goes away. I keep reading that the fashion world is at such a point of saturation that there are no huge trends anymore; buying is all over the place and everything that was once old is new again.

Don’t know when it happened, but I no longer flaunt my legs so midi dresses and maxi dresses are now my dress silhouette staples. I guess I’m just tryin’ to keep it classy and comfortable. The uneven hem on this particular floral maxi dress has the perfect amount of flirt, revealing just a little skin as I walk.

As a woman in her late 20s, my style is starting to settle into its true form. It’s more pared down than it used to be, with an emphasis on quality over quantity (predictably so) while still retaining an openness to the avant garde. I love a great pattern, but neutrals are my thing too. I love the classics – a chambray shirt, a pencil skirt, a turtleneck sweater – but I also crave modernity with some twists to keep things interesting.

goodnight, winter

Cocoon dresses can be intimidating. Since it’s basically the shape of a sack, it’s hard to envision how this silhouette can be flattering. But my motto is, just try it on. Seriously, it’s as simple as that. I plan on living in this dress all spring (at farmer’s markets and festivals) and summer (poolside).

buttoned up

may flowers

This outfit (minus the hat) won me a best-dressed contest at work and though it’s taken me quite a long time to put it on again, I’m still in love. I’m obsessed with jumpsuits/rompers and I bought this one way out of season last fall (out of season = great deal). People tend to think jumpsuits are difficult to wear, but I think it’s quite the opposite.

let the light in

Spring is so here. It’s so here. Regardless of how many more freak cold fronts we might face, I’m determined to be in spring mode. It makes everything better! And with every beautiful day, I’m starting to pull out things in my wardrobe I forgot I ever had. This easy outfit features items that have been hibernating in my closet for quite some time now so I don’t think any of it is available in the stores anymore..

spring fling inspired by modcloth

With spring almost in full swing, I’m dying for more patterns in my wardrobe. But since I do own so many solid colors, I’ve been trying to brainstorm new ways to mix, match, and liven up my closet. Using this ModCloth Lead By Example dress as my basic staple, I decided to layer all the trends I’m loving lately to create this fun work-to-play uniform.

The formula is pretty self-explanatory and would easily work with a number of colors, patterns, and textures. Dress, jacket, scarf, oxfords and then cool accessories. If that’s not easy breezy, I don’t know what is!