casual blues

Vineyard Vines hat | J. Crew tee (similar) | GUESS coat (similar from Patagonia) | Hudson jeans | C. Wonder necklace (similar here and here) | Diva Shoes boots (from Italy)

Went to the Botanic Gardens the other day as part of a casual outing in DC. The gardens were gorgeous and it was nice to get out of the cold and into warm, jungle-inspired rooms. Seeing palm trees and smelling the flowers and greenery made it feel like spring despite the chilly winter air outside.

xo-ally

winter beach outfit in viareggio, italy

Nordstrom t-shirt (similar) | Longchamp bag | Hudson jeans | Diva Shoes Florence boots (similar) | Chanel sunglasses | Michael Kors watch | Stella & Dot bracelet | Seattle boutique bracelets | similar jacket

This is my last outfit post of 2013! Last week I went to Viareggio, a small beach town on the Italian coast. It is only about an hour and a half train ride away. (Yup, those are my pink ear buds you can see peeking out of my Longchamp...didn't realize they were showing until after the photos were taken...haha). Even though it was winter, it was only a little chilly because of the sun. It was so refreshing to be on a beach and by the water and to get away from Florence for a day.

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

a bright blue tank to match the bright blue sky

Tank: Nordstrom Jacket: Italian leather market Necklace: H&M Black jeans: Hudson Flats: Report

Okay, so my tank isn't quite sky blue, but I love the rich, saturated cobalt color and the contrast with the black and silver. "Black and blue don't go together?" Think again! That rule has been outdated for a while now, and I am glad. Because I like this color combo a lot.

Awkward story: On a day I wore a cobalt dress with black tights in high school, and a friend said to me, "You look like a bruise! Okay, well you don't look like a bruise, but you're wearing bruise colors. So, kind of." Thanks for the observation...

Enjoy the lovely day today. :)

xo