insta-lately...

It's already December! Wow! I can't believe 2013 is almost over and a new year is on its way. My favorite thing about December is getting in the Christmas spirit (see my Christmas 2013 playlist here). Traveling around Europe these past couple weeks and seeing the festive decorations in all these beautiful cities makes me even more excited for my favorite winter holiday. Here are a few of my favorite recent Instagram uploads filled with winter happiness! (Can you believe my summer-loving self just used the term "winter happiness?" Me neither. I guess when Christmas is involved, winter can be happy. Haha.)

Prague is beautiful at night! And the Christmas markets make the city even more charming.

 A recent OOTD from Budapest and my new favorite hat and scarf combo! Loving emerald green and how it goes with pretty much anything. I know I haven't been doing many outfit posts lately but it's hard to find a good time to take the photos when we're out and about working! 

 Walking along the river in Interlaken, Switzerland. No filter on this one! The river is so serene and the beginning of winter meant snow on the top half of the mountains and colored leaves on the trees on the bottom half. 

 The John Lennon wall in Prague! Not Christmas-y, but I thought it was cool to see the colorful wall in the middle of a city that has pastel colored buildings and traditional architecture. 

I had some time to kill one day before heading into a meeting, so instead of going home and going all the way back out, I sat on a bench in Piazza Republica in Florence while I waited. I started reading The Alchemist for the fourth time. I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it. It's incredibly inspiring and I always pull it back out if I need some direction in life or just a nice pick-me-up.

Follow me on Instagram here!

xo-ally

friday's fancies - pretty in plaid

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is pretty in plaid. I found this amazing (and inexpensive!) blanket scarf in fall's favorite print. I love how the traditional red color combo and also how the size of the scarf can double as a blanket - when it's not making a statement. ;)

scarf, sweater, skirt, booties, bag

For the rest of the outfit, I chose not-so-simple basics: a neutral-colored sweater with side buttons and elbow patches from J. Crew, a faux leather mini (been seeing these everywhere!), and black ankle booties. The blue snakeskin bag has a fun shape and print to add a little something "extra" to the outfit.

xo-ally

friday's fancies - travel chic

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is travel chic. I love the mixed materials on the J. Crew top (the sleeves are leather!) and the Lilly Pulitzer travel pants are supposed to be perfectly comfortable for travel. Add some boots, a cozy scarf, and a sleek cinnamon red MK bag and you're good to go!

shirt, pants, scarf, bag, boots

xo-ally

details lately...

Haven't had much of a chance to do my usual outfit posts lately, being so busy taking photos of the students on our trips! My Nikon is also currently broken...so sad! Hoping to get it fixed ASAP. In the meantime, I'll be using my phone.

Outfit details from lately:

Dixie glitter sweatershirt | Nordstrom hat (similar here and here)

My latest instagram: 

Stella & Dot scarf | Nordstrom sunglasses | Nike shoes (similar here, with a touch of pink!)

A little shopping from Croatia...  

From the market, these look like they could be inspired by J. Crew or Kate Spade, don't you think?

Loafers and sandals, also from the market.

And then I got these Nike high tops! I always said sneakers were just for the gym, until I moved to Europe...where literally everyone wears them. There is so much great style to be inspired by here, and I just had to snag a pair.

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

scarf + stripes

Scarf Nordstrom Tank F21 (old) Jeans DL 1961 Shoes Sperry Earrings Tory Burch Nail Polish O.P.I. "Quarter of a Cent-Cherry" Coat H&M

Quick outfit post today - wanted to do a closeup of the earrings! I made a striped yellow top that's more suited for summer work for winter by pairing it with a scarf, a navy parka, and brown wax-coated skinnies. It's crazy to think this is my last outfit post of 2012!

xo-ally

elephant scarf

Scarf Stella & Dot Jacket Nordstrom Sweater J. Crew Jeans Nordstrom Watch Michael Kors Bracelet J. Crew (sold out) (similar one by Juicy - and the same price!) Boots Corso Como Earrings Tory Burch

I got this scarf for Christmas and was so excited to wear it! It matches my purple sweater perfectly. I added a link bracelet, tweed jacket, skinny jeans, and brown riding boots to complete the look. I'm also wearing the Tory Burch stud earrings I got for Christmas, but you can't really see them (forgot to do a close-up photo! Will try to remember next time).

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

xo-ally

polar bears!

Shirt Nordstrom Scarf Nordstrom Watch Michael Kors Jeans Nordstrom Shoes Sperry

Stayed pretty casual today, but posted this because the polar bears are just so cute! And I got a new scarf :)

xo-ally

plaid scarf and purple cable knit

Sweater J. Crew Scarf was a gift (similar) Coat F21 (similar) Jeans Nordstrom Boots Corso Como Sunglasses Chanel

I'd like to use this post to thank the wonderful friends I have for taking my outfit photos! Even though it only takes a few minutes, I really appreciate you all for going out of your way to photograph me awkwardly posing in my outfit in public. :)

The photographers and a few of the looks they have shot:

Lauren B: the look above and this look

Lauren P: this look this look, this look, and this look

Morgan: this look, this look, and this look

Abbie: this look, this look, and this look

My dad: this look, this look

My mom: this look, this look

Ashli: this look, this look, this look

Alexa: this look

Erin: this look, this look

Tessa: this look

Elyse: this look

Jenn: this look

You're the best! THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything and for contributing behind the scenes to a major part of my blog!

xo-ally

friday's fancies - monotone

Soooo, I totally, completely, forgot to do Friday's Fancies last week. 

Oops.

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is monotone. I chose navy blue as my hue - the girl at Neiman Marcus says navy is the color for fall. I put a subtle neutral scarf and a watch with a leather band so it's not too blue. Here's what I came up with! This is something I would totally wear on a comfy, cozy, fall day. (btw - I have those polka dot jeans and they are so comfy!)

shirt, jeans, vest, flats - sold out :( , earrings, scarf, watch

xo-ally

these jeans are from high school

Scarf: Market in Florence Jacket, tanks, flats: Nordstrom Jeans: Hudson Watch: Michael Kors Bracelets: F21

Skinny jeans have become such a staple in our denim wardrobes these days that it is hard to remember a time when they weren't popular. For me, junior high and high school was the beginning of the skinny jean trend. It is crazy to think how much skinny jeans are now the "norm" with denim when the "norm" years back was boot-cut!

I got my first pair of skinny jeans six years ago - I remember being excited about tucking them into cowboy boots without the fabric bunching out the sides. (That was during the days of Jessica Simpson starring in the Daisy Duke movie. I still have those boots, by the way.) I'd wear boot-cut jeans more often in high school, with graphic tees and Abercrombie fur-lined hoodies. (Oh, the days when that was considered fashion...)

Now that wider-leg jeans are becoming trendy again, I thought I'd pull these back out. I feel like they're not as flattering as my beloved skinnies, but maybe it's because I haven't seen myself wearing boot-cut jeans in ages! I added colors on the top of the outfit, a side pony, and a splash of sparkle on the flats to complete the outfit.

xo

firenze clothes

Tank, bandeau: Brandy Melville Scarf: Subdued (Firenze) Jeans: DL 1961 Cardigan: Nordstrom Watch: Michael Kors Ring: Kate Spade Bracelets: F21 Ankle boots: me Too

Since I'm a GIF ambassador, I am answering questions at a meeting tonight for next year's students studying abroad. What is more appropriate than wearing a few pieces I got while I was in Italy?! The tank, bandeau, and scarf I'm wearing are from shops in Florence. :)

To go with the neutrals of the tank and scarf, I wore chocolate-colored skinny jeans with brown ankle boots, and a hot pink cardigan for some color. 

I miss Italy (and the shopping) so much...

xo

scarf transformation

Scarf: from a market in Italy Jeans, tank, belt, bracelets: Nordstrom Yellow tank: F21 Watch: Michael Kors Heels: GUESS Earrings: New Look (London)

Today I thought I'd try something new with my scarf. It's your typical scarf, yet I wanted to make it into a long, circle scarf. I just tied the ends together and voila! Transformation. I put it over my belt and tank today, but I think it would look great underneath the belt as well. (Oh, and I wore a coat today, don't worry. It's just not photographed because I'm inside!)

You know my friend Abbie, who I go to lunch with on Thursdays? (She's been mentioned a couple times on my Thursday outfit posts.) It's her birthday today! Happy 22nd, Abbie!

xo



breaking the (fashion) rules

Button-up: F21 Jeans, Bracelets, Scarf: Nordstrom Bag, Belt: American Eagle Shoes: Sperry Tank (Underneath): Mercer Watch: Michael Kors

Fashion "rule" #1: Don't wear navy and brown together.

Fashion "rule" #2: Don't wear different shades of white together.

I broke both of these rules today! I am wearing a white tank and a darker cream-colored scarf; navy checkers in the button-up with a brown bag and belt.

 

And I think it works perfectly.

 

Many fashion "rules" are so outdated.

Like the "Don't wear navy and black" one:

[photo]

See? Kourtney Kardashian pulls off navy and black flawlessly, and even adds adorable animal print booties to go with it!

 

The "No white after Labor Day" rule? Forget it!

[photo]

Kristen Bell shows us that white coats are a very chic alternatative to basic black. If typical autumn colors include dark reds, oranges, browns, and yellows to match the changing leaves, then it makes perfect sense that winter colors include white to match the snow.

Still not convinced? Read this vintage College Fashion article that says so otherwise!

Have you broken any fashion "rules" today?

xo

 

in the garden

Blazer: Nordstrom Tank: James Perse Shorts: Nasty Gal Wedges: Tory Burch Watch: Michael Kors Black bracelets: Forever 21 Orange bracelet: Nordstrom Hat: American Eagle Earrings: Nordstrom Scarf: Escape Outdoors

Today Abbie, Morgan, and I went to a park with all these beautiful gardens. When we got there we found out that all the flowers are going to be cut down tomorrow, so we were very lucky to be there today! The flowers are so beautiful. After living here for almost three years, I never knew all these gardens existed. They're like hidden gems amongst the big city.

I just got these shorts in the mail! I've been wanting printed, flowy shorts for a while now, and figure these will be versatile in all seasons. They are also very appropriate as they match the flowers. I added wedges, a tank and blazer, and piled on the accessories. I thought the hat and scarf were a little too much so I took them off later. (Oh, and did anyone notice I finally took an outfit photo OUTSIDE?! ... this is a once in a rare opportunity! Haha).

More photos to come SOON! I'll edit them after I do some homework and post them tonight or tomorrow.

xo

indecision, as per usual

Skirt and Tights: Forever 21 Tank: J. Crew Sweater: Nordstrom Bracelets: Forever 21 Ring: Nordstrom Rack Watch: Michael Kors Boots: Corso Como

aaand a shot up close of the bracelets/tights/boots:

So I put this outfit on, took a couple photos, then looked out the window and saw the rain. And looked in my closet and didn't see any rain-appropriate jackets that went with this outfit. So I changed my outfit because of the weather, four times, slowly getting farther and farther away from Outfit #1. I eventually came up with this:

Jacket: Italian market in Florence Tanks: Nordstrom Skinnies: Forever 21 Scarf: Urban Outfitters Boots: Corso Como

I have a feeling I'm going to be wearing this jacket a lot! I love it and it's perfect for the weather these days.

Earlier this week I went to a meeting about Public Relations (which is also what I am majoring in for school) and I loved it. I just had a really good feeling. Then I read a couple of articles in the handout they gave us and I knew that I was in the right place doing the right thing. Isn't that feeling the best?

xo

golden raspberries

It's summer, and while I love relaxing in the sun I've been busy babysitting (my summer "job" - hey, gotta pay the bills) and staying inside with all this rain we've been having. Babysitting can be a little draining sometimes, long hours, early hours, late hours...talking about pets and dogs and boys and new TV shows on Disney. I really can't complain at all though. It's fun, it's easy, I get to play outside, and take the kids to ice cream. It's nice to enjoy your inner kid-self.

Anyways, I wore this outfit (yesterday...still trying to work on consistency with this!) because it was grey, cold, and rainy outside and it was an excuse to wear a summer scarf.

Scarf: a market in Italy Tank: Brandy Melville Firenze Bandeau: Brandy Melville Firenze Jeans: Forever 21 Flats: Tory Burch Handbag: Nordstrom

I also recently found golden raspberries at the grocery store and was so intrigued I had to try them out for myself! I honestly have never even seen these before, but they're so yummy.

xo