color block and polka dots

You can color block it or polka dot it - either way, you're sure to make a statement with these button-up shirts, currently my favorite trend for the upcoming season.

From left, clockwise: b&w polka dots, peach color block, b&w piping, peach & pink piping, b&w polka dots with orange , yellow color block, mint and white polka dots

My favorite is the black and white polka dot button-up with the orange collar. Which is your favorite?

xo-ally

OH, and our #2 Zags just beat BYU. It was HUGE! It was close for a little, but our trusty bulldogs pulled it out. One more game against Portland on Saturday, and hopefully the road to #1 will be complete! :D

gingham and denim

Button up J. Crew Red shirt Nordstrom Jeans Hudson Belt Forever 21 Necklace H&M Watch Michael Kors Sunglasses Chanel

My schedule didn't allow enough time for a .GIF outfit post today, but I did manage a couple photos. I wore a long sleeved red t-shirt underneath my gingham button up with jeans and brown leather riding boots. And sunglasses. Because it was actually sort of sunny today, and because I am running on less than 2.5 hours of sleep. Even my favorite concealer can't hide the zombie bags under my eyes. Well, what can you do.

Happy Wednesday!

xo-ally

with a pop of pink

 Bag Juicy Couture Shirt Subdued (Florence) Jeans Rock & Republic (similar) Heels Nine West Watch Michael Kors (similar) Bracelet J. Crew (slightly similar) Earrings Nordstrom Necklace Max & Chloe

Wow! What a day. I can't believe I'm just getting around to blogging, and it's almost midnight! Tomorrow morning I need to get up SO early - 4am - to get in line for Vegas basketball tickets at 4:30. I'm so excited to see Gonzaga in the WCC Vegas tournament, but I'm definitely not excited about my 4am wake-up call. I also have my first midterm tomorrow in marketing - wish me luck! I hear the tests are pretty tough for this particular class...maybe I'll study tomorrow in line while half asleep. :P I think that'll work out well.

Also - what do you think about the .GIF outfit posts? Yay or Nay? I'm leaning toward YAY because I think they're fun, but I'd love your feedback since it's something new I've been trying out!

xo-ally

a wool fedora

Hat Nordstrom (similar) Jacket Arden B (old) Jeans Hudson Socks Nordstrom Boots Corso Como Tank Nordstrom  Watch Michael Kors (similar) Bracelet J. Crew

Extra surprise post today! I taught a Zumba class this morning, then ran some errands early this afternoon. Now it's time to go see our #3 Zags beat San Diego (fingers crossed)! I'm going to miss these free student tickets for basketball games when I graduate... #gozags :)

xo-ally

friday's fancies - red carpet ready

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is red carpet ready. This is what I'd consider wearing if I were ever to go to a formal red carpet event. I love this princess dress! :)

dress, shoes, palm bangle, toggle bracelet

And a few more gowns to lust over....

one, two, three

xo-ally

spring lululemon!

I really love fitness. I also really love shopping. So when the two come together for shopping for fitness clothes, I really like that too. Lululemon is one of my favorite brands for fitness clothing. The material is great quality and there are always so many styles and colors to choose from.

Here are some of the new items I'm loving:

Full length wunder under pants in light pink?! What a perfect spring color. Love!

A multi straps sports bra in a cheery spring yellow.

I like this bright green sports bra too. I have this style in a different color and I like the fit.

Love the matching green headband.

This racerback tank fits into the color blocking trend perfectly for fitness wear, and the design looks slimming.

These are a fun switch-up from the usual Nike running shorts.

Psst - fitness instructors get 15% off in-store. If you're an instructor and have a Lululemon store nearby, I highly suggest you get in on this great deal!

xo-ally

1:27 am

[photo]

This isn't a photo of my desk, but it looks pretty similar right now with all the books and pens and laptop open.

I've been writing a research paper all night. My paper is due tomorrow, but I wrote down in my planner that it was due next week.

Oops...

Which is why I'm doing it now, since I had class 5:30-8 and dance 8-11. It was my bad though! I'm just mad I wrote the date down wrong, haha. This reminds me of the Gilmore Girls episode when Rory wrote the date wrong in her calendar for going to Yale and how she blamed Loreli for being home late because she wanted to stalk Bono.

"It's quick, it's peppy, and everyone loves a good pope story"

[photo]

Now if only I could blame stalking Bono for writing the date down wrong. :P

 I don't mind being up late, I just wish the Thai restaurant stayed open this time of night. I've been majorly craving fried rice!

This post is being typed as my eyelids are feeling heavy... I guess this isn't the most exciting topic. #sorryboutit

Next post will be more interesting, promise :)

xo-ally

colored denim in winter

Long necklace Kate Spade Monogram necklace Max & Chloe Boots Corso Como Watch Michael Kors (similar) Jeans GJG Denim Shirt Nordstrom Tank Nordstrom

Happy President's Day! We have the day off of classes, so I am sitting in the library as I type. I'm taking a break from writing a paper to blog! I tried the .gif outfit post again, hope you like it. :) With winter still (sadly) in the air, all I want is spring. That means that I will begin to phase in my spring pieces in any way that I can! Colored coral pink skinnies make the typical jeans + boots combo a lot more fun.

xo-ally

adorable pieces from modcloth

Currently loving each of these adorable pieces from Modcloth. I can't wait for spring!

[Click the images to link back to the site/product info]

xo-ally

my first .gif outfit post!

Here is my very first .gif outfit post!!!!

I've been planning on doing this for months and I finally just did it. I'm so excited! I've never seen any other bloggers do this with outfit posts, so I feel so innovative :) you saw it here first! 

And if you didn't, because someone else did it before me, then this just got really awkward....

Without further ado, here's my outfit:

Photo credits go out to my wonderful friend Lauren P! Lauren takes many of my outfit photos, including the ones from today!

Bag Kate Spade (similar) Bracelets J. Crew Shirt Forever 21 (similar) Skirt Nordstrom (similar striped look) Heels DSW Nails Cynthia Rowley Necklace Max & Chloe

Since I'm loving the black and white color blocking being a huge trend this season, I paired this sheer button up with my striped cupcake skirt and then nude platform heels. With touches of gold from my new monogram necklace, shoes, and bag, I had fun by using color on my bracelets and nail polish.

xo-ally

friday's fancies - red + pink

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is red + pink. Happy post-Valentine's day outfit! Even though Valentine's Day was yesterday, I still think this outfit is adorable and suitable for any day.

sweater, skirt, belt, heels, nail polish "demure vix", thin bangle, thick bangle

xo-ally

guest blogger - aryn from giraffes + garlic + glamour!

Good morning! Or whatever time it is wherever you are. Actually, it's night time for me. I should be getting to bed...anyways, last week I guest posted on my friend Aryn's blog (you can read it here) and today she is so kind to post for me! Enjoy :)

--------

Greetings Sunny Sweetheart readers! I'm Aryn from Giraffes + Garlic + Glamour and I am so excited to guest blogging for Ally today. Ally and I are actually friends in real life and traveled to Italy together two summers ago, so putting together this guest post today for you all has been a real treat.

When I think of spring my first thought is floral print. But it seems that every passing spring brings brighter and bolder printed pieces of clothing. This season I already have a lot of favorite prints that aren't even florals. Ikat, polka dot, water color, animal prints - I love them all! Adding pieces with these unique prints is a quick way to make an outfit edgy or more feminine. Try mixing prints with pastels, neutrals and even leather.

Here are some of my favorite spring printed pieces. Enjoy!

1. Ace Delivery Blouse 

2. Kate Spade Bangles 

3. Equipment Cashmere Sweater 

4. Tory Burch Sea Horse Cosmetics Case

5. Ikat iPhone Case

6. Emi Jay Hair Ties

7. Opening Ceremony Loafers

Thank you so much Ally for having me today!

-------

Thank YOU, Aryn for posting! :D I love all of the pieces above, especially the printed bangles and the adorable sea horse cosmetics case.

xo-ally

PS - if any of you would like to guest post, send me an email at ally_sunnysweetheart@hotmail.com and we'll figure out the details! :)

spring shopping!

When I was perusing clothes online to use for Friday's Fancies last week, I was overwhelmed by all the amazing spring shopping options! I am beyond ready for warmer weather and the spring fashion that goes with it. Here are a few of my spring shopping picks:

red floral tory burch bag, milly blue and green dress, milly black bow dress, hunter rain boots, j. crew silk carnation top, j. crew butterfly shorts, red shorts, black ray-ban sunglasses, ray-ban aviators, purple watch, red striped tank, pink long-sleeved dress, striped tunic dress, printed lilly button-up, floral lilly jacket and shorts, green jack rogers sandals

My favorites are the blue and green Milly dress, the J. Crew butterfly shorts, and the red floral Tory Burch bag!

xo-ally

friday's fancies - lovely layers

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is Lovely Layers. While this look is a little out of place mid-February, the layers would definitely keep you warm! Bring on spring, please, and soon, preferably!

scarf, sweater, button-up, denim, flats, umbrella

xo-ally

bumblebee

 Dress Vivid Collection (totally loving this similar one!!) Jacket from a market in Italy (here's a cool, trendy take on a leather hoodie with color blocking) Tights F21 Wedges Tory Burch (similar) Bag Tory Burch (similar) Ring Henri Bendel Nail Polish Essie "Playa del Platinum"

Unlike yesterday, I woke up to a gray sky and drizzling rain. It felt like Seattle...ick. Instead of wearing the black peacoat I intended to wear, I threw on my black leather hoodie from Italy! I realized I haven't worn it in a while since it has been so cold. The leather material is soft and as smooth as butter. Also the material makes the outfit look a little more dressed up than a cotton or velour hoodie would. It's nice to pull it back out of my closet!

As you can tell, I am wearing mostly black with a huge pop of yellow in my dress. I love wearing bright colors in the winter! I played up the black in the rest of the outfit, and bounced off the yellow with gold accessories like my bow ring and the chain strap on my Tory Burch bag. Beige nail polish added a subtle, yet clean touch.

Happy Thursday - almost the weekend!

xo-ally

PS - to the girls that commented asking for a hot rollers hair tutorial - I am definitely considering it! I would need to practice the style more, however.....we'll see. I'll keep you updated if I do one. :)

I'm guest posting today!

Hello, hello! Happy Wednesday. Today I am posting on Giraffes Garlic Glamour, my friend Aryn's blog, about the essential steps for cold winter layering! Check it out here.

What's cool about this guest post is that Aryn and I actually know each other in real life. We studied in Florence at the same time and go to the same school! We were even pensione roomies in Italiaaaa :)

Now if you stumbled upon my blog by coming from Giraffes Garlic Glamour, I want to say welcome! Thank you for stopping by. If this were a party and I were the hostess, I'd invite you to sit down, have a drink, and enjoy yourself! And may I take your coat? If only more regular day happenings were parties... Haha :)

xo-ally

I've been wearing a lot of navy lately

Scarf H&M Jeans Nordstrom Flats Report (similar) Bracelet J. Crew Necklace H&M (similar) Tank Brandy Melville Firenze Jacket Aritzia

It's rainy and my roomies aren't around to take my photos outside, so....I took my outfit pics on my phone today! I'm realizing that I've been wearing navy a lot lately. My navy parka is a current staple in my winter wardrobe; I wear it almost daily. I love that navy is a neutral that goes with pretty much anything. Last year my "go-to" neutral was olive green. Except, while I love olive as a neutral, I don't think it matches my skin tone that well. Maybe that's why I've been gravitating toward navy this season!

Today I wore a light military jacket over a basic cotton tank with skinny jeans and sparkly bow flats. Today was all about the accessories when I matched my ombre infinity scarf to the jacket, then added a strand of pearls underneath and my J. Crew pink link bracelet. I wore pearl stud earrings too but you can't really see them in the photo.

I've also been experimenting with my hair! While I just left my hair naturally straight today, I've been trying to take just that extra 5-10 minutes to try something out of the ordinary. Whether it's a side pony, topknot, a headband, or a bow, I'm working on branching out more with my hair. This weekend I borrowed my roommate's hot rollers. I love the loose, swoopy curls! I used to rock the hot roller curls look in high school when I borrowed my mom's rollers. I've been dying to do this since I've been at school!

Happy Tuesday!

xo-ally

super bowl sunday 2013

Hope you enjoyed your Super Bowl Sunday! I spent Super Bowl Sunday with some friends. This year I made my bacon-cheese-date appetizers and tried out Corona Cupcakes for dessert.

First I made the bacon-cheese-date things, due to multiple requests- they're a crowd favorite! They're so easy to make. I just filled dried, pitted dates with a smidge of light creamy swiss cheese, and wrapped the dates in half a slice of turkey bacon. Then I stuck them in the oven on a foil-lined cookie sheet for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. They're also pretty low-cal, too :) about 40 calories per piece give or take, depending on which brand ingredients you use.

Then I baked the Corona Cupcakes, which I found on Lauren Conrad's blog here, but the original recipe can be found Erica's Sweet Tooth here. And...I cheated on the cake mix. I used a box vanilla cake instead of making it from scratch!!! I did, however, make the citrus cream cheese frosting from scratch. So in my mind that cancels out the pre-made cake mix. The cupcakes actually turned out pretty good - there is just a hint of corona and lime in the sweet, confectionery goodness.

How was your Super Bowl Sunday? Did you make any fun treats?

xo-ally