current favorites: printed skirts

I'm loving printed skirts these days, and there are so many on the market to choose from. With either a solid or printed top, there are plenty of mix-and-match options, making multiple outfits out of one skirt. Here are my current favorite printed skirts for both day and night:

For day, left to right: River Island Printed Flippy Skirt ($42), Sail With Me Skirt ($44), Milly 'Combo' Print Miniskirt ($195)

For night, left to right: Born to Shimmer Skirt ($46), Sequin Embellished Miniskirt ($60), Embellished Miniskirt ($59-on sale!), Printed Sequin Embellished Skirt ($50)

My top pick of all of these has to be the red, white, and blue skirt by Milly (top right). I can't resist a red and blue combination!

The tribal printed sequin mini (second from the left, bottom row) was also worn by Desiree on this season of The Bachelorette. When I was watching that episode all I could think of was how cute that skirt was!

Side note -- who can't wait for the season finale of The Bachelorette?!

As for shoe pairings for the skirts, I could see strappy sandals working well for the picks for day. I like this pair and this pair for all three of them. A pair of Jack Rogers sandals would also look lovely with the Milly skirt. For the night skirt picks, this pair of neutral, ankle strap heels would look fabulous.

xo-ally

1:27 am

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This isn't a photo of my desk, but it looks pretty similar right now with all the books and pens and laptop open.

I've been writing a research paper all night. My paper is due tomorrow, but I wrote down in my planner that it was due next week.

Oops...

Which is why I'm doing it now, since I had class 5:30-8 and dance 8-11. It was my bad though! I'm just mad I wrote the date down wrong, haha. This reminds me of the Gilmore Girls episode when Rory wrote the date wrong in her calendar for going to Yale and how she blamed Loreli for being home late because she wanted to stalk Bono.

"It's quick, it's peppy, and everyone loves a good pope story"

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Now if only I could blame stalking Bono for writing the date down wrong. :P

 I don't mind being up late, I just wish the Thai restaurant stayed open this time of night. I've been majorly craving fried rice!

This post is being typed as my eyelids are feeling heavy... I guess this isn't the most exciting topic. #sorryboutit

Next post will be more interesting, promise :)

xo-ally

friday's fancies - outfit crush

It is no secret that I absolutely love spring and summer fashion. I also love pretty much anything that Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf has worn, especially her Hamptons outfits in Season 2. When I saw that this week's Friday's Fancies theme with long distance loving was Outfit Crush, I couldn't resist using Blair's summer style as inspiration! From Milly and Lilly P to Prada and Chanel, take a look at the mint and pink outfit I recreated plus some extra inspiration below.

Top outfit info: printed lilly wedges, kate spade pink handbag, mint dress, beach cruiser bike, gold necklace <this is the exact one! I've been looking for years! However it costs $1,500...

Other items: blue lilly pulitzer dress, prada sunglasses, milly pink rose skirt, milly green sheath dress, white, buckle belt, pucci straw tote, jewel headband, summer bangles

The snow outside already has me dreaming of warmer days, and this post definitely makes me want to leap ahead to spring break!

xo-ally

[photos from here, here, and here]

outfit inspired by blair waldorf's wedding dress

I was very pleased with the series finale of Gossip Girl. In my opinion, it was the perfect ending to my favorite show. (Read a recap of the finale here.) Gossip Girl has been known for its fashion ever since it first aired six years ago, and the finale did not disappoint! Below is an outfit inspired by Blair's Elie Saab wedding dress.

dress, headband, earrings, bracelet, shoes

I could see this outfit worn to a fun party! I wanted to bring in Upper East Side shopping by choosing a headband from Bendels and strappy heels from Bergdorfs. Oh, am I going to miss this show now that it's over! Good thing it's on Netflix. :)

xo-ally

PS - see costume designer Eric Dahman's favorite Blair outfits of all time here

top image photos from here and here

summer shows

Like I mentioned yesterday, I love to watch summer shows. There is something about being outside all day and then coming in to a cool house (apartment?) and watching TV. It is the perfect, lazy way to end a day in the summer. What I'll be watching:

Pretty Little Liars

After that intense January season finale, I can't wait for this show to pick up again.

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So You Think You Can Dance

One of my favorite shows! Being a dancer, I get (slightly) obsessed with this show. My best friend is the same way, so you can bet we'll be rehashing every step of every dance this summer!

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The Bachelorette

Ah, yes. No summer show list would be complete without it. It's something my friends and I get together to watch Monday nights. Also, Emily is adorable and she's from NC (like me!)

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Keeping Up With The Kardashians

Yup, you read that right. I don't really watch the spin-offs, but I like the main show. The fashion never disappoints, either, plus Kourtney's baby Mason is oh-so-cute.

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xo

gossip girl season 5 finale recap

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I was able to watch the season 5 finale of Gossip Girl today, and I have to say, I was pretty pleased with the outcome! Now, if you are an avid GG fan and haven't seen the finale yet, avert your eyes from the rest of this post! It contains spoilers. ;)

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So Georgina, as always, makes a comeback. However, she doesn't come in until the very end. Her trip to Italy with Dan will be very interesting and if they really go there and have Dan and Georgina start dating....well, that would be ridiculous. However, Dan being Dan, he will do anything for a damsel in distress and I can imagine that the show might take a possible relationship between the two somewhere. On another note, I'm glad that Dan was able to say no to Serena after cheating on Blair with her and finding out that Serena was scheming to keep Blair away from him.

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Bart Bass is alive. Okay, what?! A couple of episodes ago when they revealed that Bart was still alive, I was shocked. It was the total "OMG" moment that the show always says it will provide. However, with Bart's resurrection comes his scheming to get Bass Industries back, and poor Chuck is out. Hopefully Chuck and sidekick Jack Bass will be able to turn things around, as we saw them discuss at the casino scene.

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Isn't the photo above just adorable?! I'm hoping that next season Chuck and Blair will finally be together for good. We've been waiting for this since season one, people!

Other notes from the finale: 

Since Lily married Rufus after Bart's "death" and never officially divorced Bart, Bart is technically still married to Lily. This calls for an annulment with one of her marriages, and, sadly, she chooses Bart.

Nate gets a video from Diana showing Gossip Girl herself (or is it himself?!) rummaging through peoples' things at that weird prostitute party a couple episodes ago. Gossip Girl was dressed in an all-black outfit and wearing a hood, so I guess it will be a big build-up for next season. I wonder if we will find out who Gossip Girl is after all. I wouldn't be surprised if the show keeps Gossip Girl's identity a secret forever, though.

Serena leaves town at the end, and takes drugs from a guy. She has cut all her ties with pretty much anyone she cares about on the Upper East Side and is taking her emotions out in a self-destructive way.

Lola gives part of Cece's estate money to Ivy in return for Ivy's attempt to take down Lily. Seems like Ivy will be returning to the Upper East Side next season.

Eleanor decides to retire and turns her business over to Blair. Since Blair is not a designer, she will be running the show while choosing someone to design. The two went to Paris at the end of the episode.

The whole episode is nostalgic of the series premiere. Instead of the Shepherd wedding flashbacks, this episode includes the Shepherd's divorce party. Serena and Dan slept together in the same spot on the bar as she did with Nate all those years ago. Serena has the same expression on her face in the train window reflection, just like the series premiere. Dan went back to having a chip on his shoulder. Nate is just kind of there, but still good-looking. Chuck is currently not living up to his father's expectations in terms of business. So much similarity to the very first episode! I loved catching all these little details.

Aw, a season 1 cast photo! How adorable.

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In sad Gossip Girl news, the show's final season will be the next one and will only have 11 episodes, according to this article. I've been watching the show since the very first episode and will be sad to see it go! However, like every TV series, it needs to go at an appropriate time or else it will go downhill. I just wish it was a full season, not only half of one!

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Any other GG fans? What did you think of the episode? What do you think will happen next season? Will Chuck and Blair finally be together for good? 

xo

posting delay // new shows

Phew, this was a whirlwind of a week. Christmas was great; the whole family was together. I got some nice new clothes and jewelry, plus a couple other cute things. And a pillow pet. :) After Christmas, some personal issues came up. Therefore, a posting delay. I apologize for taking so long to write again.

This Christmas break has allowed me some extra time to watch some new television shows, however. I always see commercials about new shows or hear peoples' recommendations, but don't have much time to get into new ones during the school year. Which is why I love having some time off!

New Girl

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I watched the pilot episode for New Girl, thought it was hilarious, but never got into it. I've recently caught up on Hulu and am so glad I did! It cracks me up so easily.

The Vampire Diaries

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I was skeptical of this show at first. I like the Twilight series but had always drawn the vampire line right there. After hearing people saying how addicting it is, I watched a few episodes on Netflix...and then a few more...I am now currently halfway into season one. Yes, very intense and addicting. Anyone else think Ian Somerhalder is a fantastic actor?

xo