insta-lately...

It's already December! Wow! I can't believe 2013 is almost over and a new year is on its way. My favorite thing about December is getting in the Christmas spirit (see my Christmas 2013 playlist here). Traveling around Europe these past couple weeks and seeing the festive decorations in all these beautiful cities makes me even more excited for my favorite winter holiday. Here are a few of my favorite recent Instagram uploads filled with winter happiness! (Can you believe my summer-loving self just used the term "winter happiness?" Me neither. I guess when Christmas is involved, winter can be happy. Haha.)

Prague is beautiful at night! And the Christmas markets make the city even more charming.

 A recent OOTD from Budapest and my new favorite hat and scarf combo! Loving emerald green and how it goes with pretty much anything. I know I haven't been doing many outfit posts lately but it's hard to find a good time to take the photos when we're out and about working! 

 Walking along the river in Interlaken, Switzerland. No filter on this one! The river is so serene and the beginning of winter meant snow on the top half of the mountains and colored leaves on the trees on the bottom half. 

 The John Lennon wall in Prague! Not Christmas-y, but I thought it was cool to see the colorful wall in the middle of a city that has pastel colored buildings and traditional architecture. 

I had some time to kill one day before heading into a meeting, so instead of going home and going all the way back out, I sat on a bench in Piazza Republica in Florence while I waited. I started reading The Alchemist for the fourth time. I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it. It's incredibly inspiring and I always pull it back out if I need some direction in life or just a nice pick-me-up.

Follow me on Instagram here!

xo-ally

colored denim in winter

Long necklace Kate Spade Monogram necklace Max & Chloe Boots Corso Como Watch Michael Kors (similar) Jeans GJG Denim Shirt Nordstrom Tank Nordstrom

Happy President's Day! We have the day off of classes, so I am sitting in the library as I type. I'm taking a break from writing a paper to blog! I tried the .gif outfit post again, hope you like it. :) With winter still (sadly) in the air, all I want is spring. That means that I will begin to phase in my spring pieces in any way that I can! Colored coral pink skinnies make the typical jeans + boots combo a lot more fun.

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. :)

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

color blocking with a hair bow

Shirt Nordstrom (old) Jeans Hudson Flats (my mom's closet) Watch Michael Kors Bow Forever 21 Earrings Tory Burch

It was actually sunny for the first time in a long time, so naturally, I forgot my sunglasses....I had, like, one full length photo with my eyes open. Ugh, not my best pic. Haha.

Earlier I had a 7am networking meeting. Being a college student, that is so early for me. But, as always, it was worth it once I got there. This is what I wore (don't worry, there were other people in jeans too!)

I also went to Lululemon for the sole purpose of getting a headband. They didn't have the headband, but I ended up getting a tank! Of course...I think I like shopping a little too much.

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

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

off to the nutcracker

Tank James Perse Skirt Nordstrom (similar) Necklace Kate Spade (new color) Tights Nordstrom Flats Tory Burch Watch Michael Kors Nail Polish OPI "No Room For The Blues" and OPI Extra-va-ganza (the glitter on my party nails)

I've been looking for a versatile skirt lately, and I was happy to find one a few days ago! The subtle stripes make it easy to mix prints, like I did with the purple dotted tights. To add more color, I wore my coral-red colored Kate Spade necklace. Now I'm off to see The Nutcracker! I saw the professional one in Seattle earlier this week and now I'm going to see one with the girls I used to babysit. Two Nutcrackers in one holiday season = a happy Ally. :)

xo-ally

snow on my toes

Coat H&M Scarf H&M Shirt Free People (similar) Jeans Nordstrom Boots Corso Como Hat Nordstrom Bracelets Nordstrom (similar) Watch Michael Kors Bag Guess

What a crazy week. I feel drained in pretty much every way possible, but a new scarf find from H&M (for only $5!), a few iced mochas, and some good friends helped me through it. Now I'm going to enjoy the break from classes, get a massage, and read a book tonight. Tomorrow I am beyond incredibly excited for the series finale of Gossip Girl (ahhh!!!!) and finally do some Christmas shopping.

xo-ally

finals and snow..........

Sweater F21 (similar) Headband Anthropologie (similar - love the braided style) Jeans DL1961 Flats Nordstrom Watch Michael Kors Bracelets Nordstrom Sunglasses Chanel Coat H&M

It's finals week. It snowed today. That is all.

Sorry for the short post! But.....it's finals week and it snowed. If you know me, these two things aren't really my favorite things when they occur at the same time.....blahh I will hopefully be better at posting after today haha.

xo-ally

all about peplum

Dress H&M Heels Nine West similar Peacoat Martin & Osa (old) Sunglasses Chanel Earrings Nordstrom Ring was a gift from Italy

I shot today's outfit photos in front of the music mansion on campus. The music mansion is gorgeous on the inside and out! Ashli (my photographer today!) suggested it. :)

Remember this post where I wrote about how much I fell in love with the peplum dress from H&M, but they didn't have it in my size?

I went back to H&M a couple weeks later. And it was still in stock. And they had my size. I did a happy dance in the store and bought it. YAY :D

I wore it today to class and will probably wear it this Friday for a networking event, and Monday for a group presentation. Yes, I will re-wear it in the same week (maybe switch up some accessories or add tights) so to those of you that know me in real life, well, you'll be seeing this dress again soon. Haha!

Ahh... gotta run to class. Have a good afternoon!

xo-ally

an almost marilyn moment...

Jacket Vivid Collection Tank Nordstrom (similar) Skirt F21 (similar) Flats Report (similar pairs here, here, and here) Ring Swank Boutique Sunglasses Nordstrom (new version)

Today was very windy. 

Today was also a day where I decided to wear a skirt. 

Today was a day I did not realize it was windy until I stepped outside wearing said skirt. 

Today was a day where I had to hold my skirt, due to almost Marilyn moments. (Almost!) 

And then to make things even more awkward, the part of the skirt that I had sewn up had re-ripped. I blame Forever 21's cheap material not my lack of sewing skills. Haha. :)

Hope you are having a wonderful start to the week!

xo-ally

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

stripes on stripes, with a dash of pink

Shirt Nordstrom (old) Jeans Nordstrom Sunglasses Chanel Earrings Nordstrom Boots Me Too Socks J. Crew (similar) Bag Guess (similar) Ring Kate Spade Watch Michael Kors Nail Polish Color Club in "Peppermint Twist"

Today I wore my olive green striped tshirt with skinnies, ankle boots, and striped socks peeking out in between! I continued to play up the pink from the socks with my earrings and nails. The pink really breathed some fresh air into the neutrals in the rest of the outfit.

Time to go change! Can't wear heels to Zumba. This is the last class I'm teaching till next semester! I'm going to miss it over the Christmas break, however, it will be nice to have some extra time to come up with some new routines!

xo-ally