bring on spring

Outfit #1: J. Crew shirt | Tory Burch bag | Kate Spade bracelet | C. Wonder jeans | C. Wonder shoes

Outfit #2: Juicy Couture dress | Juicy Couture bag | C. Wonder sandals | Ray-Ban sunglasses | J. Crew pearl cluster bracelet | J. Crew gem bracelet

I am so ready for warmer weather. I would wear the above two outfits in a heartbeat if I could!

xo-ally

windowpane

J. Crew top (on sale!) | Marc Jacobs sunglasses (similar) | Italian leather jacket (similar) | Nordstrom arrow bracelet | J. Crew enamel link bracelet (similar) | GJG jeans | Tory Burch flats | Laurenly ring | Longchamp bag

Anything checkered/gingham/windowpane/whatever has always been my favorite pattern (stripes are a very close second). Bold, graphic windowpane patterns have caught my eye for a while and when I saw this black and white top from J. Crew, I knew I had to add it to my wardrobe. I added shiny and sleek accessories (leather jacket, Longchamp, and Tory Burch patent Revas) with a couple pops of pink to complete the look.

xo-ally

spend vs. save: geometric sunglasses

I've had my eyes on a pair of geometric sunglasses for a while now. Sharp, angular sunglasses take eyewear to a modern level, while traditional shades like black and tortoise keep the look from being too "out-there."

Spend:

Karen Walker - $250

Elizabeth & James - $195

Save:

Nordstrom - $24

Topshop - $32

How to wear it:

Karen Walker sunglasses, Nordstrom top, Topshop pencil skirt, Tory Burch bag

What is your take on geometric sunglasses - would you try the trend?

xo-ally

rugby stripes; at the vatican

Florence boutique sweater (similar) | Trouve leggings (similar) | Longchamp bag | Ray-Ban sunglasses | Tory Burch flats | Henri Bendel earrings

Merry Christmas EVE! I haven't posted an outfit in a while but I was out and about in Rome yesterday and decided to take a quick couple photos of this outfit. I wore my cozy new sweater and leggings, perfect for the train ride, complete with flats for walking around the huge city, in addition to sunglasses because of the sunny (!) weather. The Vatican is gorgeous, and while I've seen it before, it never disappoints. It is honestly the most elaborate, most gorgeous church I have ever been in. Photos of Rome to come soon!

Have a great day, can you believe it is almost Christmas?!

xo-ally

friday's fancies - sparkle & shine

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is sparkle & shine. For the outfit, I went for a somewhat Americana look with the color scheme. The red dress acts as the focal point which is accented by navy sparkle heels and a sapphire necklace. The neutral bag (so obsessed with this Tory Burch mini crossbody) and gray coat finish off the outfit. This look is a sure stunner at any holiday gathering this year!

dress, bag, heels, coat, necklace

xo-ally

PS - I just realized this post went up a day late! Oops! Haha :) Happy Saturday!

subtle floral

J. Crew top | Swank shorts (similar) | Nordstrom sunglasses (similar) | Kate Spade bag (similar) | Michael Kors watch |  Nordstrom orange bangle | Henri Bendel yellow bracelet | Tory Burch sandals (close-toed flats) | Max & Chloe necklace

Today's outfit subtly mixes floral on the lace shorts, gold bag, and bangle. With the similar tones of gold and orange, it all works and makes the different sized florals go together. I love my J. Crew peplum top because it really can pull any outfit together (it is also SO comfortable). And I was excited to add my new neon sailor knot bracelet from Bendels! I got the bracelet at the Bendels summer sale in New York a couple weeks ago. Even though it's both neon and nautical, I have a feeling this bracelet will carry through to fall.

More ways to wear it....
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has only a few days left, and there are some great floral pieces on sale to choose from. First, I adore this hot pink floral pencil skirt from Kate Spade. It's $198, a hundred dollars less than the original price, but still a little spendy (for me at least!)
Floral tights add coverage to basic dresses and skirts in the cooler seasons, but still make the outfit interesting. This pair comes in black and a reddish-purple. There is also plus size available as well.
I couldn't resist adding this pair of bright, floral jeans to the list. I know, I know, they're very summer-y (and Kate Spade, again), but...they're wearable into September and you can save them for spring? Think of it as a future investment in next year's spring break wardrobe! :)

xo-ally

whales!

J. Crew sweater (similar sweater, solid) (similar print, tee) | Nordstrom sunglasses | Sanctuary jeans | Tory Burch sandals (similar, great year-round option) | Michael Kors watch | J. Crew yellow bracelet (similar) | Swank silver bracelets | Color Club "Disco Dress" nail polish

How adorable are these little whales?! It was a chilly Seattle morning, so I threw on my new critter sweater I've been wanting to wear :) Pairing it with white skinnies and metallic sandals made it still feel like summer despite the cool breeze. The sweater is a little sheer due to its lightweight feel, so I'd recommend a navy cami (like this one from Nordstrom) if you wouldn't want a different color to show through (I wore a white cami underneath).

To bring this look into fall I'd swap the bright white denim for a pair of off-white cords or tuck the sweater into distressed skinny jeans with a classic, brown leather belt.

xo-ally

friday's fancies - tanked!

This week's Friday's Fancies with Long Distance Loving is tanked! While I wear tank tops literally all year round (layered, of course, in the winter), the middle of the summer is the perfect time to go sleeveless and show off those bronzed shoulders!

tank, pants, handbag, bracelet, watch, sandals

This tank from Asos is super trendy so I paired it with classic, red skinny pants and neutral colored accessories. The colors work really well together and all play off the fun print on the tank. This outfit would be perfect for brunch or an evening around town. For work, swap out the sandals for a pair of pumps and top it off with a blazer. And aren't you just swooning over this Michael Kors bag?! Since a Celine is currently out of my budget, I'm actually seriously considering MK's take on the similar silhouette.

xo-ally

friday's fancies - memorial day weekend

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is Memorial Day Weekend. I featured many true-blue pieces in this all-American outfit, with red and neutral accents. And I'm loving those glam Ray-Ban sunnies! I so wish I could wear something like this to kick off summer this weekend, but unfortunately, it will be raining in Seattle (what else is new?) I'll have to save it for sunnier days!

dress, handbag, sandals, sunglasses, bracelets

xo-ally

friday's fancies - stripes

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is stripes.

top, skirt, shoes, bracelet, bag

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! :)

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. :)

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

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

living colorfully and logo love - jewelry from kate spade and tory burch

During my Christmas shopping lately I've come across some fun jewelry from Kate Spade and Tory Burch. (I love their accessories!) Below are some of my favorite picks from the two designers. I am just imagining all the perfect "arm party" jewelry stacks you could do with the Kate Spade bangles and the perfect, complementary, metallic accents from Tory Burch.

KATE SPADE PIECES

green polka dot idiom bangle

black& white scallop bangle

light green scallop bangle

arm candy bangle

skinny mini silver bow bangle

black drop earrings

spade colored stacked bangles

long link necklace

gem long necklaces

TORY BURCH PIECES

brown logo stud bangle

purple fox double wrap bracelet

white lucite cuff

tortoise logo cuff

silver logo stud earrings

gold stacking bangles

floral logo snap cuff

colorful multi-strand necklace

xo-ally

frills n' bows

Sweater Madewell Shirt H&M (old) Jeans Nordstrom Bracelets Nordstrom (similar) Flats Tory Burch Nail Polish OPI "No Room For The Blues" Necklace Muses & Rebels

My SLR camera battery died today so I took my photos with my phone and a mirror. Haha. The lighting makes my tank look white but it's actually light pink! I kept the look casual today as I was Christmas shopping and walking in the city.

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

friday's fancies - black friday outfit

This week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving is Black Friday. While this is definitely not the best shopping outfit, it's a great dressier outfit for any parties or get-togethers! I love the bows on the heels and the subtle floral embroidery on the peplum top. Even though most of the outfit is black, I chose a red pencil skirt to add a pop of color.

top, skirt, heels, necklace, cuff bracelet, handbag

xo-ally

fair isle tank with black mini

Tank Nordstrom (similar sweater) Skirt Free People (similar) Tights F21 Cardigan old, have had it since 8th grade! Similar one here Flats Tory Burch Ring Nordstrom (similar) Watch Michael Kors

My first indoor outfit post in a while! It's been dark and rainy all day. :(

Even though Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I am already getting excited for Christmas. Christmas decorations are everywhere and my family has had Christmas music playing all day. I got excited and pulled out my reindeer fair isle printed tank.

Kind of like Seth from The OC Chrismukkuh episode (just in a more fashionable way).


Who am I kidding! Seth Cohen can always rock a Chrismukkuh sweater.

xo-ally