Thirty-One

Wearing //

Express dress

Steve Madden flats, similar

Rebecca Minkoff tote

Elizabeth Stone Jewelry necklace and assorted TopShop rings here

Beauty //

Nails in Chanel Graphite

Lips in Glo Minerals Bloom

I apologize for being MIA lately! But should I? I remember reading a post that a fellow blogger wrote a few years ago. Her belief was (and possibly still is) that it's silly to feel guilty about being busy with other things in life. She wrote something to the effect about readers understanding when things get too hectic, and she would rather have quality posts that she genuinely feels good about than mediocre content every single day. I don't really know if anything I post is that spectacular, but I do agree that I like my hobby like I like my handbags - quality over quantity. Sometimes I think we fear that if we don't blog often enough, that it will go by the wayside and that readers will become uninterested and disappear. I personally don't feel that way. I'm pretty loyal to the ladies I love to follow, and I try my best to stay connected through Instagram and Snapchat if I can't post.

Anyway, part of the reason why I only posted once last week was because it was my birthday on the 12th and it threw me off schedule. I did document a couple of my birthday looks, and this is obviously one of them. I thought a little day dress and flats would be perfect for wine tasting. It's a dress from Express that I got before the labor day sale, which was a total impulse on my part. I needed instant gratification, and I also wasn't sure if there would even be a sale so I just grabbed it. I love the long sleeves! I feel like it's nearly impossible to find. Nate said I looked like the first lady in it, and my other friend said I dress like an old woman. Okay boys, I can appreciate the snark on my thirty-first. My second birthday look is coming up on Thursday, and it's my favorite of the two. Stay tuned!

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New LOFT Essentials

Wearing //

LOFT jeans & cardigan

Express cami

Sole Society heels, similar

Kate Spade bag, pretty option

JaxKelly necklace

Elizabeth Stone ring

Beauty //

Lips in Nars birthday duo from Sephora (obsessed)

Toes in China Glaze "Flip Flop Fantasy"

When I found out that Ann Taylor LOFT was having their friends and family sale, you guys know I had to pick up a couple things. Aside from Express and Nordstrom, LOFT is my favorite place to buy  essentials that carry me from work to weekend, and from day to night. Their denim in particular is my favorite. Ultra soft and petite friendly, I can walk in to the store and come out with perfectly tailored jeans that I don't have to bother hemming. I'm also happy that they are coming out with new washes and styles, since most of my jeans are of the dark rinse variety. I really need to get away from skinny jeans too. I love them to death, but I'm finding myself looking more and more at relaxed or flared styles. We shall see if I deviate from my usual though. Shopping for jeans can be frustrating, especially if you're pear-shaped like I am. If any of you ladies also have this little issue, try the curvy skinny style from LOFT. They are roomy in the bum, but still nice and fitted throughout the leg (although not suffocating). For sizing reference, I am a size 28 petite,

I also picked up this long grey cardigan that I love because it has pockets! It's the perfect length to pair with just about anything, including over a dress. I think longer cardigans are more flattering on me these days.

Hope you had a great Labor day!

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Review: TopShop Lace-Up Flats

One of the most notable trends of this Summer has been "the lace-up flat". I first noticed them on my favorite blogger, and then I continued to see them day after day on Instagram bloggers. Because I love wearing flats, I wanted in on this one. I live in flats during the week. They are comfortable and polished, and I don't have to worry about hobbling about from meeting to meeting in heels. But, are these lace-up flats just as effortless and comfortable as the norm? Are they worth the money? A little review for your consideration:

TopShop 

• To my surprise, these TopShop flats ARE just as comfortable as the others I own in my closet. They feel a bit loose upon first step, but once I tighten the laces, they are pretty damn perfect. They mold to my feet very well, and are supple and soft. For reference, I am 5'2, have narrow feet, and go between a 6.5 and 7 in shoes. These are only available in whole sizes, so I went with the larger size. I thought they would be too big, but they are actually roomy enough without my feet slipping.
• I will say that the laces ARE a bit of a pain to keep fastened. You have the versatility of being able to lace them both in the front of your ankle or the back, and I have seen them worn on others both ways. I prefer to tie them in a bow in the back, but that's just me. They look equally pretty and dainty tied around the front. After walking in them for any length of time, the laces begin to come undone for me. I do have ridiculously small ankles and maybe that plays a role, but this annoyance doesn't deter my purchase and overall recommendation for them. This may for some of you though. 
• I've worn them twice with jeans, and have yet to try them with a dress. That's the next step! 
• Although I would recommend them if this is a look you enjoy, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on them. Mine were only $50, so I didn't feel leery about being too spendy on a trendy shoe.  

More options here and here

So class, any other questions?

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