tickled

Over the past few years, pink has crept into my color wheelhouse.
I am a major neutral girl, you see. And as a redhead, pink was always one of those no-no colors (along with most any "warm" shades). So Molly Ringwald wore it and looked pretty darn good doing so, but it's just not a color I can pull off.

Although I don't wear it, pink has snuck its way into my life through other avenues. I love it on lips, nails, and purses, but I especially adore it as an accent color in decor.

How I would love to use pink.

How I actually use pink.

How do you wear/decorate/accessorize pink?
Oh, and Happy Valentine's, friends. I hope it's your best one yet.

images // 1, 2

winter tropical vacation must haves

I am aware of the following facts:

1. Mexico is warm when Kansas City is cold

2. Mexico is fun

3. Weddings are amazing

4. Mexico + wedding = REALLY good time

5. I'm visiting Mexico twice, both for weddings, within six weeks of eachother

6. My life is completely ridiculous

Far from a travel professional (still haven't been to Europe, tsk tsk), I have traveled south of the US border a handful of times over the past few years. The crazy thing is, I get to travel south again in 5 days, which also happens to be my 27th birthday. Which is why I felt obligated to list #6 above. It's the truth.

Naturally, I'm waiting until the last minute to pack. But luckily with my recent escapades to Tulum (first of the 2 weddings), Dominican Republic, and Cancun, I have the warm weather vacation packing list pretty much down to a science.

In case you're planning a trip somewhere warm during these last cold months of the season (or if you just want a head start on pool season), here are a few of my tropical vacation must haves.

j. crew popover

I have this in white (shown in chambray) and got it a size up so it would be longer, and use it as a cover-up. It's especially perfect if you're going on an booze cruise excursion where you'll be in the sun for hours on end and want those sleeves by the end of the day. It also makes me feel preppy on the beach, which I love.

stella & dot charlize teardrop earrings

These bring a beachy element to any outfit. I wear them nearly 100% of the time I'm on a tropical vacation.

soprano racerback maxi

This maxi is super form-fitting and lightweight. It's perfect as a cover-up as long as your bikini bottoms don't have string-tie sides, or as a casual dress at night.

havaiana sandals

In the blogging world, Jack Rogers sandals rule the roost; but I can't wrap my head around forking over $100+ on beach shoes. Havaianas are comfortable, reasonable, and offer really cute designs.

lumene vitamin c+ day dream with SPF

All day. Everyday. Plus it smells like citrus. This redhead has not had a face sunburn in two years.

Top photo by me while in Cancun December 2011.

black on black on black

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Is there anything as timeless as an all-black outfit? I love fall and winter because it gives me an excuse to bust out the black on many different levels in one look. The key here is texture, so this year I'm looking for a pair of faux-leather leggings to add to my closet. I'm thinking these will do the trick, and the price is a real treat! See what I did there.... trick/treat. Oh yeah.

PS: I almost didn't even post the third picture because of the cigs (classy and cigs are not the pair these days, no?) but alas, I'm still obesssed with those four outfits.

new feature: shop my picks

Today is my baby bro's 23rd birthday. Who else has a difficult time shopping for their adult brothers? I always want to get him something creative, but usually end up buying him clothes. He's potentially more of a clotheshorse than I am. I mean, the kid bought five pairs of Sperry's in one trip to Macy's a few years back. (Right when he got his first credit card and didn't understand that he would actually have to pay that money back someday.)

I digress. So here I am on his birthday looking up preppy outfits he can wear to work, and K-State gear that he's apparently lacking. You know what would be awesome? If he had an easily accessible, ongoing list of items he likes that I could look up on the internets whenever I wanted to. Oh hey guess what - I have one of those! See up above where there are links to the different pages of my blog? There's a new one on the far right called "shop my picks". This is a compilation of all the material things I am loving at the moment. Whether you want to buy them for me or for yourself is completely up to you.

Here's a little peek at some budget-friendly items I'm coveting lately.

1. ASOS chunky tres cool sweater // $61.57

2. ASOS leather bow gloves // $26.39

3. Sugarhill Boutique penguin sweater // $84.43

4. Blu Bijoux bib necklace // $36

5. Express faux fur vest // $68.60
6. Kate Spade notepad // $8

month in photos: september

Last night I had a crazy realistic dream. One of those that when you wake up, you have no clue where you are for a few minutes. I was in Danielle Moss's chic Chicago apartment, just hanging out like we're friends in real life. She was giving me advice and kindly letting me read her collection of motivational books while lounging in her living room. (Must've been a stress-induced dream after yesterday's post.) Know how I figured out this was a dream? I was reading 350+ page books in one sitting. Oh and I was in Chicago hanging out with my blogger crush. Don't know who Danielle Moss is? Check out her blog, and her amazing website, the EveryGirl.

Now on to a topic that makes me sound a little less creepy than dreaming about self-help books and successful bloggers, here is the month of September, courtesy of my iPhone. 

my favorite coffee mug and essie power clutch polish // sand sculpting for work philanthropy

Paper Source is my happy place // nearly completed art project (more on that to come)

best card ever // j. crew pencil skirt with new oxblood flats from ShoeMint

September = K-State football season around here.
Blue Eyes & I at the Miami game // stadium renovations are under way
Wildcats boots // tailgating with our twin couple
K-S-U in Wyoming with my bro and same-dress-wearer mom the day K-State beat OU// EMAW!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful September, and have a lovely weekend. I am off to STL with my besties to celebrate a beautiful bride-to-be! 

accidental twinsies

The fall wedding season is upon us, and while organizing a packing list for last weekend's wedding, I found myself with zero cool-weather dresses. In previous years, I would repurpose a summer dress with a shawl and closed-toe shoes, but this year I wanted to invest in a new, sleeved garment for the Wyoming wedding, and a St. Louis wedding in November. I headed to Nordstrom and went home with a beautiful navy lace Adrianna Papell dress. 

About a week earlier, someone else went to nordstrom.com and bought a pretty purple lace Adrianna Papell dress for a wedding in Wyoming.

accidental twinsies

entertaining our family with twins pics

that's the face of a thrilled daughter

That "someone else" was my mom. As previously mentioned, she's pretty fabulous and has killer style. I was taught (by her) at an early age not to buy a dress right before a special occasion, because there's a good chance someone else will be wearing it too. And then there we were, in the Rock City Holiday Inn with the same dress and no other options. Breaking our own rule really caught up with us this time. Luckily I styled mine with a pair of boots and gold jewelry while she wore pumps and hose. It was a source of much laughter at the family wedding as you can imagine. 

Moral of the story, shop weeks before a special event if you're wanting a new outfit. Or else you might be twinsies with your mom.

sosie

I was doing my daily pre-lunch pinning yesterday and stumbled upon the cutest chevron dress. Afraid it was going to be way out of my budget given its covetableness factor, I clicked on the original link and was brought to a site I can only describe to you as broke-shopaholic-twenty-something mecca. The name: Sosie.

Porta blouse $41

bejeweled collar necklace $19

Fun Times sweater $43

Forever Zig Zag shift dress $49

This last dress is on its way to my apartment now. I can't wait to wear it with boots and a belt while the weather in Kansas City is still beautiful!

Fall wish list for the working girl

Mossimo vianca tuxedo flat

gap embroidered loafers

I almost never wear heels at work. If I do, I have to make sure I've brought my lunch to the office because my ankles have become so weak and used to not wearing three inch heels everyday. The down town Kansas City streets were not made with cute heels in mind.

I am loving these two loafer options from Target and Gap. There are so many cute print and color options for both of these styles, and the price points are reasonable enough that I might have to splurge and get two of each. I'm thinking adding the purple Mossimo flats and the polka dot Gap loafers to the mix.

madewell true love shrunken oxford

Along with my very favorite Banana Republic silk blouse (mentioned here, similar found here), this Madewell  oxford is a staple in my closet.

gap really skinny pants

Gap pants for work. You just can't go wrong here. Actually as I'm typing this (at work, shhhh.), I've got the True Straight on, which are the more conservative option than the Really Skinnies above. I live in these pants when the weather gets too chilly for skirts and I wake up too late to put on tights. Which is most everyday.

j. crew etta cap toe pump

In my own little dreamworld, these shoes are sitting right next to the Gap and Target loafers above. This is one heel I could live and work in: a sturdy heel, leather and cap-toe to boot. Even the description says this shoe is "for the girl who only ever wears flats". *sigh*

I bet I know what you're thinking: J. Crew, Gap and Madewell. Really. Don't step too far out of the box. But let me tell you, after dressing business casual for four years, these three brands continually deliver quality garments, have sales, and most everything is compatible. i.e. mix-match heaven. Today I barely have to think about what I'm going to wear in the morning, I just pull a top and bottoms from the work section of my closet, add a watch or necklace, and I'm out the door. Love that.

What are your work wardrobe must-haves this fall?

cozy

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It was one of those morning here in Kansas City. I woke up and could almost smell the crisp air waiting for me outside. I checked my phone. 57 degrees. YES. This is what I've been waiting for. Time to break out the boots and scarves. Happy fall, you guys.

kansas city fashion's night out

Tonight is Fashion's Night Out! I'll be celebrating in Kansas City this year, although I've been recklessly stalking the inspiring images via twitter and instagram from #nyfw.

Last year I cried real tears when I couldn't find anyone (I should add very last minute) to attend FNO with me. It was a weak moment for sure, but can you blame me? Yes, you can. That is pathetic, Monica. But I really did have my heart set on going.

This year I approached KC's fashion week with a nonchalant attitude and guess what - I'm going to FNO tonight! With actual friends. So I won't be the random girl wearing __________________ (this blank is giving me a bit of anxiety with 3 hours to figure it out) without anyone to talk, shop, and Instagram with.

needed this last year..... via @bellaroma97 

KC bloggers - are you going to FNO on the Plaza tonight? If so, I hope to see you there!

you look pinteresty today

Possibly the best compliment I've ever received came from a co-worker today. In order to truly appreciate what I'm about to tell you, I think you need a little insight to my corporate life:

1. I work with men ages 27-55 90% of the time. Some Fridays a female consultant or two will drop in.

2. Our lunch conversations mainly involve sports (fine by me) or politics (zzzz.....).

3. Dress code is business casual. Emphasis on the casual.

So when my 29 year-old co-worker came up to me at the coffee station and said "you've looked very Pinteresty this week", I laughed, then thanked him, then glowed (still glowing). How cute is that? His wife has just started using Pinterest and was showing him her favorite style looks last night.

So here are some of my favorite "pinteresty" looks this week:

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What the best compliment you've received recently? I hope it's that you're Pinteresty. I think we should start using that instead of "your outfit is cute". Who's with me?

green + leopard

I just love getting this in my inbox. Although it means I've probably spent a benjamin, I know my closet will be a happier place in a few short days.

Through tonight, J. Crew is giving online shoppers an extra 40% off their sale items, just use the code "OURTREAT" at checkout.

Inspired by the impeccable style below, I bought what I expect to be my staple ensemble for the fall work season: the Jackie pullover sweater in jade and the No. 2 pencil skirt in safari cat. Rawr.

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month in photos: june

June was such a fun month! I celebrated a wedding, a birthday, two new engagements, and the official start of summer! Hope you all have a lovely weekend. I will be participating in our traditions at the lake with the 4th of July group.

Manifesto celebrating Erin's birthday

college-style partying

Remember I said I don't like jorts? These are styled perfectly and not too short. Bravo Nordy.

Birthday present for my Mom. I had to get a matching one of course. 

No longer the one that got away. similar shorts / top / sandals / watch

at a wedding shower. necklace / similar dress

The Z Man at Oklahoma Joe's, one of the 13 places Anthony Bourdain says you must eat at before you die.

surprise engagement parties are fun!