friday's fancies - holiday party perfect

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is holiday party perfect. I've been admiring that black Lilly dress for some time now - the draped lace and shiny beading on the bottom are holiday-perfect, yet the black color keeps it subdued. I did add plenty of color in the jewelry though - colors are fun and perfect for parties! Simple black heels and a quirky Kate Spade clutch complete the look.

dress, necklace, red bracelet, gold bracelets, clutch, heels

xo-ally

friday's fancies - nice + neon

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is nice + neon. I'm loving neon, and my "travel bug" has been acting up lately - these past few days I've been dreaming about the French Riviera and how badly I want to visit! Nice is a beach city on the Mediterranean Sea. I thought there could be no more perfect way to use this week's FF theme with a neon outfit inspired by Nice, France.

[photos found on pinterest]

tank, pants, hat, bracelets, sunglasses, shoes

xo-ally

PS - the social media buttons on the side are now fixed! YAYY :D

floral statement necklaces

After seeing a photo of this beautiful necklace (on a recent tumblr saturday), I've been on the hunt for the perfect floral necklace for spring. Here are a few similar ones that I'm looking at:

The red Kate Spade necklace is gorgeous! It is the most similar to the one I've found yet to the one in that photo. 

I like this one from Etsy too - there are multiple colored flowers.

I keep coming back to look at this one from J. Crew Factory! The colors compliment each other well and are pretty versatile, in my opinion.

I think this one from Ruche might be my favorite, and it's only $17! The only thing is that it is sold out. :/ Maybe they'll restock soon?

Which one is your favorite? Do you like floral statement necklaces?

xo-ally

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

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

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

current shopping list: mint colored everything!

Yes, I know it's still January. Spring is around the corner! (In a couple months, give or take?) When stores begin to stock spring attire, my mind flashes forward to the days where I don't have to wear a coat or scrape the ice off my car in the morning. Ah, pure bliss.

I'm loving how both brights and pastels are huge this spring. I'm currently crushing on everything mint colored. It's subtle but can still be just as girly as a ballet pink.

Even though it snowed today (and yesterday, and the day before that) I can't help but get excited for the upcoming season! I already purchased white jeans recently, and here are a few spring mint pieces I'm lusting over.

Mint chino shorts. Love.

A mint hair bow!

Mint skinnies. The colored denim trend is stronger than ever and these jeans would be perfect for a cool, spring break evening!

Along with the colored denim trend, we're seeing bright colored exercise leggings in every hue imaginable. I already have avatar-blue leggings from lululemon, but these mint wunder under leggings are so adorable!

A smidge brighter than mint, but still a soft green nonetheless, this girly dress is calling my name.

Okay, okay, I'm stretching the dresses in this post a little too far with color, but this dress is great for spring too!

Let's bring it back to actual mint now. This plain tee is just asking for a statement necklace!

What's on your spring shopping list? Are you going to add mint and other pastel colors to your spring wardrobe?

xo-ally

statement necklaces

Statement necklaces have been on the fashion radar for a few seasons now and I think it's safe to say the trend is still going strong. Whether it is a collar necklace or the popular bubble necklace, necklaces of all colors, materials, shapes, and sizes are everywhere. My current favorites are below - click on the image for the link!

                    

              

I've been on the fence about getting a bubble necklace, but love the purple Bauble Bar one above. However, a chunky pearl necklace like the J. Crew one would go well with my outfits..... decisions, decisions! Which one is your fave??

xo-ally

coral necklace and boot socks

Necklace Stella & Dot Socks Nordstrom Shirt J. Crew (found similar colors on sale at J. Crew factory!) Boots Corsmo Como

I still don't have Photoshop back on my laptop :/ so I made do with what I do have! Hence the half-sort-of outfit post.

I wore a pretty casual outfit but wanted to showcase the necklace and boot socks! I love the contrast of boot socks against jeans. The peek above the boot really makes a color blocking combination too, which is super trendy right now! My socks can also be worn over-the-knee (would look great with skirts and dresses) or scrunched to be worn under the knee. The coral pendant necklace was a Christmas gift, and while it is a little summery January, I couldn't resist! I love the long, gold chain, too.

xo-ally

tiny polka dots

 Shirt J. Crew Jeans Nordstrom Silver Bracelet Tiffany & Co. Chevron Bracelet Nordstrom (similar) Flats Report (similar) Earrings Nordstrom Belt Nordstrom (similar) Necklace Muses & Rebels Nail Polish OPI "Quarter of a Cent-Cherry"

I just got my nails done today! I even had little rhinestones put on the ring finger nails. :) Love me some sparkle in any way possible. My toes are purple sparkles too but you can't see them because it's winter and I'm wearing flats. I'm so sick of winter. I'm also sick of these jeans - have you noticed I've been rocking this pair quite a lot lately? Wellllll, it's the only pair of jeans I brought home. (Besides my brown skinnies, which, don't go with everything). The more I wear these jeans, the more I question why I only brought one skirt so I don't have to wear jeans, then question if I should wear a dress, then end up deciding to wear these jeans. 

It's basically a whole lot of indecision going on inside my head.

2 1/2 more weeks, then I'll be back at school with my full closet.

xo-ally

PS - here's a closeup of my nails:

A dose of sparkle is never too much!

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

friday's fancies - holiday best

I can't believe it's already Friday! This week really flew by. Being on break from school really threw me off my routine.

This week's theme with long distance loving is holiday best. I chose a jewel dress from Kate Spade that I just adore with red tights, classic black heels, and a simple, sparkly necklace. Here's my outfit:

dress, tights, heels, necklace

xo-ally

Anddddd the world didn't end today.

dun dun DUN.

I feel like everyone jumped on the bandwagon a few years ago. Then realized it wouldn't actually happen.

We're alive! YAY.

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: dress yourself

This week's Friday's Fancies with long distance loving is dress yourself - basically anything that's "totally you." I'm definitely a girly girl and love anything bright-colored, with sparkles, and fun! I put together an outfit (really quick - got busy today!) with a red mini dress, heels, and accessories from my wish list. Now if I had a sparkly headband to add to this outfit, it would be complete!

dress, heels, earrings, handbag, necklace, nail polish, bracelet

xo-ally

fall/winter hats

Today was a day where I realized I really should've worn a hat. When did it get cold?! (A regular person would've realized that on the first snow, which happened recently. Yet I still didn't fully realize this during my weekend trip to the mountains....) Yup, today I wore jeans, flats, a tank, and a cardigan. Then ran back home to grab a coat. But I was still cold! Luckily, the coat has a hood so it acted like a makeshift hat.

I love college, but I'm moving somewhere warm and sunny when I graduate.

In the meantime, I'll wear a hat when it gets cold. Or when it acts simply as a cute accessory, like my "Blair Waldorf" hat, which you can see in this post.

Some fall and winter hats I'm loving:

This teal-green wool hat from Nordstrom would totally transform any outfit.

For super cold days, this trapper hat from J. Crew would be perfect!

Nordstrom also has this classic cloche hat in multiple colors.

Pom pom hats are so fun! I like this one from American Eagle.

I love these winter headbands! I have a older white one from Anthropologie, but this new red one subtly stands out from the crowd with the bow detail.

What hats are you wearing this season?

xo-ally

PS - one of my recent outfits is on Fash Boulevard's post on riding boots! Check it out here. I'm excited because this is one of my fave blogs. :)

hues of blue, and a bow

Shirt: American Eagle Tank, belt: Nordstrom Shorts: J. Crew Sandals: Tory Burch Watch: Michael Kors Sunglasses: Chanel

Happy Thursday-almost-weekend-day!

Short post because I am about to leave to start horseback riding classes. I'm so excited :) I haven't taken riding lessons since I was 7 years old so this will be interesting. And (I hope) fun!

xo-ally

labor day

Shorts: J. Crew Checkered shirt: Forever 21 Headband: Lacoste Shoes: Sperry

This post is going up so late because I was debating whether or not I wanted to put my outfit photo up! I'm kind of squinting and my shirt looks funny...whatever. I am wearing patriotic colors complete with my new glitter Sperrys so I thought it was deserving of a post!

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the last few minutes of the weekend!

xo-ally