mixing prints

aaaand the .gif is awkward, as usual :P

Rebecca Taylor top | Articles of Society jeans | Sperry shoes | Nordstrom blazer (similar style) | Michael Kors watch | Swank bracelets | Nordstrom earrings

This outfit is all about mixing prints. I've usually kept it pretty simple with my polka dot jeans - adding some color or texture for sure, but staying away from crazy prints. However, pretty much any print would work paired with these jeans, seeing as they are neutral and the polka dots are subtle. A structured blazer helped pull the look together, and I wore my favorite pair of Sperry boat shoes and simple accessories to complete the look.

xo-ally

army green & polka dot jeans

Nordstrom jacket (similar) | Nordstrom top (similar) | Michael Kors watch | Henri Bendel ring (slightly similar here) | Henri Bendel earrings | Nordstrom flats (similar here and here) | Articles of Society jeans | Nordstrom sunglasses

I'm loving colored denim and printed denim, but haven't gotten into the crazy prints quite yet. I've been keeping it more simple these subtle polka dot jeans, paired with a crochet top, army green jacket, and sparkly brown accessories.

Tonight Florida Georgia Line is having a concert on campus. I'm so excited! :D

xo-ally

friday's fancies - project polka dot

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is Project Polka Dot. I love the black and white polka dot sweater so I built an outfit around it! The peplum top and scallop shorts make the outfit a little less casual but not too dressy. The trendy sunglasses, bold bangles, statement necklace, and bright nail polish complete the look!

top, shorts, sandals, necklace, bracelets, sweater, nail polish, sunglasses

xo-ally

bow bracelets

There is something about adding a bow that makes an accessory so charming. Here are four bow bracelets I'm loving - the Kate Spade one is just dainty and darling with the pearl and small bow. The Vickers bow bracelets add classic patterns in versatile colors. And the simple black one works with anything! [Click the images to link back to the site.] :)

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

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

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 :)

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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!

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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! :)

dresses for vegas

I'm going to Las Vegas for part of spring break, and I'm so excited! Our basketball team will be playing in the WCC tournament and I can't wait to go. I am currently in the market for some dresses to wear in The Vegs. I want to look polished but fun without spending a lot of money (since I don't know how often I'll wear these dresses post-Vegas.) Here are four frocks I'm admiring:

one, two, three, four

I'll probably only need two dresses, maybe three. Which one(s) should I go for?

xo-ally

spring trend: black & white

You know when you get really busy, time slips away from you, and life kind of gets in the way? To the point where you realize you haven't posted on your blog in two days?! That's me right now...however, I would like to take a chance to mention one of the hottest trends right now: black and white color blocking. I've seen it, worn it, and (usually) have loved it. Take a look at some of my picks that I suggest for any spring shopping list. (Click the images to go to the site.)

     

     

My favorite is the Kate Spade tote, because I love the pop of hot pink!

Will you be wearing black and white this spring?

xo-ally

chambray & polka dots

Button-up American Eagle (similar) Jeans Nordstrom Flats Tory Burch Handbag Tory Burch (old) Necklace H&M (old) Earrings Nordstrom (similar) Sunglasses Chanel

I love my school! We took the photos today in front of the admin building. My very first college class was in this building freshman year, and I have one this semester in the same classroom. Everything is coming full circle.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

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!

friday's fancies - new year's finest

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is New Year's Finest. I can't believe it's almost 2013!!! When I think of New Year's attire, the typical black or gold sequined body-con dress with a fur vest comes to mind. Here's a fun, totally glam outfit to wear while ringing in the new year that stands out from the black-and-gold crowd:

dress, heels, large clutch, necklace, black and cream bracelets, pink bracelet

xo-ally

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

crazy busy // mixing prints

Jacket: Vivid Collection Striped shirt and tank: Nordstrom Jeans: F21 Sneakers: American Eagle Butterfly ring and charm bracelets: Juicy Couture

This week is insanity with schoolwork, work, and dance team! I enjoy being busy, but still. I have a lot on my plate this week. Dance team practices are picking up as we prepare for games (AND performing at the one in Canada this weekend!) Also, this week is just busy with school - it is that typical point in fall semester where group projects, exams, and papers pile up to be done in time for finals. This is why I haven't posted in a couple of days -- I've been so busy that I've hardly been home!

That being said, I'm going to go work on a group project now. I'm staying pretty casual in ultra-comfy sneakers, jeans, and a tshirt with a cotton jacket. I mixed the polka dots on the shoes with the stripes on the shirt to make things a little more interesting and added a splash of gold jewelry for fun.

xo



Polka Dots for F/W 2011

**I started this post in JULY and never posted it! So I thought I might as well put it up on the blog.

It's that time of year again! Stores are starting to stock new garments for next season to mark the beginning of new cold weather wear. This is bittersweet to me, as I get super excited for all the new trends and pieces, yet know that mid-October I'll be longing for sunny, hot days at the lake wearing nothing but shorts and a tank. And I'll long for summer clothes all winter long during the -12 degree weather. Yes, Spokane gets that cold.

Before I talk myself out of writing this post on fall fashion I'll share a few of my favorite looks from the spotty trend.

POLKA DOTS

My favorite pair of tights (sheer with black polka dots) ripped when I was in Ireland! Though I'm sure I'll be able to find a replacement pair after Glamour magazine, Marc Jacobs, and Stella McCartney pretty much solidifed that polka dots will be a big trend this fall.

Blake Lively for Glamour

Stella McCartney

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

 Other trends I'm excited for are the 90s revival, 70s hippie lovin', leather everywhere, and lace-up ankle boots.

**It is mid-October now, and like I said above, I do miss the days at the lake wearing shorts and tanks! But the summer did last pretty long this year, so I can't really complain (until winter, haha). I am happy that I get to wear my new fall clothes and shoes, and am still looking for a new replacement pair of sheer polka dot tights! :)

xo

Who doesn't love shopping?

After weeks of randomly lusting after clothes online, putting them in my shopping cart, but deciding not to actually buy anything, I decided to finally go to the nearby mall to get a couple things. It was a good way of celebrating finishing my first two exams of the year. I went to American Eagle first, then decided after spending all that money that I just needed to go home and hold off on shopping for a while.

I was really excited because after getting bored with American Eagle and not shopping there for the past couple of years, they seem to have gotten a style makeover and added a lot more urban-esque, bohemian, trendy pieces. This is what I got:

Patterned sneakers on sale for $14.99. I think they will be adorable with rolled up boyfriend jeans and a chunky knit sweater.

A wonderfully hippie-looking fringe bag for $39.50. I've been needing a brown bag for a while and finally found one that I really liked. I wore it Friday night!

The chevron stripes on the socks look like the ones seen all over the Missoni for Target collection. I got them for $6.50 and am going to see how they look with ankle booties.

I also couldn't decide on whether or not I wanted to get this black, floppy, boho hat, because I already spent quite the chunk of change. So I "justified" it by going back the next morning to get it...hey, I had to go to get my phone fixed at the mall anyway, and the hat was right there. They don't have a photo of the hat anymore on the website but it'll probably be featured soon in an outfit post!

Have you gone shopping recently? What did you get?

xo