i feel smart

Hey heyyyy. This is going to be a short little bit of a post but I just wanted to let you all know I feel like I finally became a semi-legit blogger. See those cute little icons over there?

Me and my non-HTML savvy brain did that. And the links actually work! Obviously I can't take all of the credit for those baby quatrefoils/links/connections-to-my-life. Many thanks to Katie over at Lady Million for her very helpful DIY blog design posts. Seriously - I could not have done it without her. I tried.

So click on them and follow along or shoot me an email if your heart so desires. I'd love to hear from you.

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

via

via

via

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.

it's planner time

Yesterday I received my second save the date of the 2013 wedding season. For now, this only means one thing - it's time to start looking for next year's planner. The Type A personality is out in full force today you guys.

Most planner owners struggle with the same general issue when it comes to picking their paper BFF for the year:  finding the one with the perfect mix of functionality, space, size, and aesthetic. Don't worry, I've done a lot of the hard work for you this time around. Here are some of my favorite planners I have found for 2013...

This planner from Etsy shop Letter C design includes touches of whimsy, simple and convenient weekly & monthly layouts, and six {really} cute cover designs to choose from. 

This self-proclaimed multi-tasker planner is from See Jane Work. It includes pages with lines & check boxes, graph paper (side note: did anyone else love using graph paper notebooks for all their high school courses?), and weekly appointment pages. 

It's personalized, chevron, ombre, AND you get to choose a layout option. Not to mention there's a back pocket (third image) for stashing important stuff. I always have random bills and photos sticking out of my planner - a pocket is the perfect solution. Coming to you from Etsy shop plum paper.

Here's another pretty chevron option with large spaces for each day. I love the "diary style" ribbon to keep your place. This Breast Cancer Awareness planner can be found at Blue Sky. This layout is similar to my current planner from Paper Source which I've been very happy with.

The owls were what first got me to click on this planner, but the inside is just as intriguing. Part planner, part journal, and you can start using it at any time since the dates are filled in by you. From yet another Etsy shop, Notbook Notbuk. Isn't Etsy the best?

For the minimalists, a way cute monthly version of the planner above from Letter C design. I'm thinking this would be perfect for a blog editorial calendar. Not that I have one of those, but maybe by 2013 I'll be ready for one. PS: doesn't Letter C design do an amazing job styling her planners? I feel like if I buy it my desk that I don't have and my life would be so clean and organized. SOLD. 

How do you stay on top of your busy schedule? Are you a hard copy person like me or have you moved on to a fully digital calendar? If you are a planner person, I'd love to hear which ones you've used.

//Image credits in text.//

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!

one of these things is not like the other

Here's a little game for your hump day. Which one does not belong:

Did you figure it out? OK I'll tell you, it's the last picture. Which is also my room. Do you feel like you know me better now? I kind of feel like you're peeping Toms... Kidding.

My roomie and I have officially renewed our lease and are staying in our spacious apartment on the Plaza for another 10 months. Before signing on the dotted line, we debated renting a small house in the Prairie Village area. Although we eventually decided against it, the decorating ideas leftover are still very much with me.

A few weeks ago I went to my Interiors Pinterest board to see if there were any recurring themes I could easily implement in a new living space. (Side note: How many walk-in closets and gigantic ranges does one girl need to pin?) One decor pattern kept popping up from my year and a half of pinning: simple white linens in the bedroom.

I've already mentioned my issue with white comforters here, but I really think I should try this in my own room. I've never had a crisp, white bed. The duvet cover you see above is circa college. Anyone else still have their college comforter? I sure hope not but if you do, at least you now know you're not alone. This duvet cover just happens to match our walls that I can only describe as "not-quite-finished-baking-caramel" colored. I tried to spice it up with the cute Anthro bed skirt, which kept me from buying new linens for the last two years.

The current color scheme throughout my bedroom is jewel-toned, which I still enjoy (especially on nails) but am ready for a change. My goal over the next few weeks is to show you peeks of my room as I slowly go through the change from peacock hues to white with a few pops of color.

image credits: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // mra (me!)

month in photos: august

Hope you all had a fun Labor Day weekend! Here's a peek of my life in August. 

For real-time updates, follow me on Instagram: @monicarosekc

And Twitter! @finerfeelingskc

I know, I'm committing a major blogging faux pas by having different twitter & instagram handles.

#ootd featuring j. crew pencil skirt // ready for Chiefs season

new accessories, pre-freeze // wedding shower

kauffman center for the performing arts // the best brunch wine

texting pics of cam newton from his gq shoot. not creepy at all // edward 40 hands at the lake

just the essentials for a successful lake weekend // one of my favorite views

i was so tempted to take this brittany home // out in the ville with molly for opening game day!