Back to the Midi Skirt

If you've been reading my blog for a couple years, you know I went through a midi skirt phase. Need evidence? Check here, here and here. I thought it would be a passing trend, one that I tried because of how undeniably feminine it looks and sort of a throwback to a different time in fashion history. In fact, I almost decided to get rid of this icey blue gem because it had been sad and lonely hanging in my closet. What was I thinking? This is one instance where I can pat myself on the back because I would have regretted doing such a thing. I love the midi skirt. It may not appear the most practical, but I don't really care. Sometimes you just have to go back to wearing a piece of clothing that evokes happy memories, and this is one of those for me.

Wearing //

Forever 21 crop top, similar. Love this

Topshop midi skirt, pretty option

Asos pumps, similar

Halogen clutch, similar and also scalloped

Loft silver bracelets

Now I'm going to do something different today! I'm linking up with Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer and answering some questions for "what's up Wednesday".

1. What I'm eating this week:
Well considering my brother-in-law's wedding is this weekend and I'm actually IN the wedding, I'm on my best food behavior. Lots of leafy greens, lean proteins, and water. I just don't want to feel bloated on Sunday when I put on my bridesmaid dress. I'm sure I'll find something to bitch about.

2. What I'm reminiscing about: 
I miss college. I graduated in 2010, but every year around graduation ceremonies, I get nostalgic. That was just such an important time in my life. I remember feeling terrified of entering the "real world". I'm a perpetual student, so I have finally decided that I'm going to get my Master's degree in writing. I want to be a copy editor. It's time to stop wasting my energy and start living my dream. I'm done denying the things that I truly want just because it wasn't my original plan and it isn't the field I currently work in. Life is too short to be doing something that looks good on paper but that ultimately doesn't fulfill me. I love helping others and I will always try to in my daily life, even through this blog. But if I'm not happy, how can I best serve others?

3. What I'm loving:
Daily text messages and private snaps between my best friend and I. We get each other through the week, and we keep each other in a positive state of mind. Or at least we try to! I'm also loving that Gina and I keep in regular contact as well. She's quite possibly the nicest person I've ever met.

4. What we've been up to: 
Nate and I are not only preparing for the wedding this weekend, but also family events, making sure the house gets cleaned for the groomsmen to stay the night before the wedding, and planning our last minute details of vacation. We leave for Hawaii on June 8th and there are still some loose ends. Pray for me :)

5. What I'm watching: 
ID network and Bravo's Real Housewives of NYC. Is it me or are those women even more eccentric than ever! The show cracks me up, mainly because I can't wrap my brain around some of their drunken shenanigans. It's absolutely my guilty pleasure.

6. What I'm listening to:
Um, everything! Music gives me life. Classic rock like Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, The Eagles. Alternative rock like Rise Against and Cold War Kids. And of course, my mellow boys like Vance Joy and Jack Johnson. I'm also really loving a song by The Lumineers called Ophelia.

7. What I'm wearing:
Denim, sweaters, and flats. It's pretty mild this week, but when the wind kicks up, I get chills. I think June gloom has hit us early because this has been a pretty cool month weather-wise.

8. What else is new: 
I have a couple friends that are going to fill in for me here while I'm on vacation! I hope you'll leave them some good feedback because Katie is starting her own blog and Nicole already has one that I recommend. Honestly all I can think about is Hawaii right now so that has taken over my brain and I'm getting so excited! Nate's friend/business partner is going to stay with Nettie for the nine days we are gone, and I'm nervous. I feel like my dog is my child, and I have the jitters about leaving her behind. I know she'll be fine, but I hope he can handle her craziness!

I hope you ladies enjoyed this! Let me know if you'd like to see more of these, maybe once per month.

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Currently Loving: Gel Manicures

I may not be an expert hair guru, nor even the most skilled at applying makeup. I love doing it, but let's face it, I can barely trace my liner or coat my lashes in mascara without poking myself in the eyes. I do however have one special talent - I know how to give myself a good at-home manicure. My ex-manicurist mom taught me everything I know, and my endless drawer of nail polish, cotton balls, cuticle sticks, files, and tools can prove it.

Lately, I have been neglecting my plethora of polish and going to a manicurist that I absolutely love. I'm so comfortable around her that I've even told her my life story, unsolicited. I've never had a good experience with gel nails at other salons. I've been cut, sliced, diced and injured more often than I  ever have in my own kitchen! After my last terrible experience, I vowed never to do gel at all. Well for the past month, I've been getting gel manis and am currently in a state of shock.

In all of these pictures, I have gel on my nails. The first was for Vegas so I went a little more out of my comfort zone with glitter. The second and third are right up my alley, as I've come to accept that pinks, nudes, and reds are my go-to colors.

I think the takeaway from my current love is that you have to find the right manicurist. Not everyone will do what you tell them to, and some have more knowledge and experience than others. I plan on doing my own nails again after Hawaii so I don't feel too guilty about neglecting my collection of nail polish. But until then, I'm enjoying this fun little treat.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend and I'll see you here on Monday!

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Off The Shoulder

Wearing //

1. State top

Express jeans

Sole Society heels, similar here & here

Rebecca Minkoff pouch, similar

What do you think of the off the shoulder trend? Love, hate, indifferent? I wasn't sold on it, and although I'm still  unconvinced I need to run out and buy them in multiples, I think the good outweighs the bad if you want to add one to your closet.

Pros:

• If you like your shoulders as I think most women do, an off the shoulder top can be ultra flattering. 
• I'm pretty modest, but I don't want to look matronly. This allows for a little sliver of skin without feeling showy. I suggest using a drop of liquid highlighter on your arms for extra glow.
• It looks great with jeans and shorts, perfect for the hot Summer months. 

Cons:

• This style tends to ride up, and I hate fussy clothing. Maybe this is more of a sizing issue, but I did feel like I had to adjust the way it hung on my body a few times. 

So clearly I can see why this is such a hot trend. I think it's best to keep the rest of the look simple and let your top half be the focal point. I was tempted to really pile on the accessories but the whole point of this is to look easy breezy so I stopped myself. I can't wait to wear it on vacation with shorts, flat sandals, and a frozen drink in hand. June cannot get here fast enough! 

Speaking of trends, what are you ladies loving lately? Even better, what trend don't you love! It's okay if "off the shoulder" is one of them :) 

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Plaid & Lace

Wearing //

Rails plaid shirt

1 State lace top, almost identical

LOFT jeans

Marc Fisher pumps

Kendra Scott druzy necklaces & ring

Chanel bag, similar

Beauty //

Lips in Lancome Juicy Shaker (melimelon)

I went off the rails last week at Nordstrom. Literally. I remember two years ago around Fall, I saw these beautiful plaid shirts by the brand Rails and immediately thought, okay I'll get one. They can't be more than 100 dollars right? Wrong! They are in fact a bit pricey, so I decided to try my luck at finding a good dupe. The problem was, I wasn't satisfied with what I found, and often the fit was off. Fast forward to my trip last week to Nordstrom, when the SA brought me the holy grail of plaid/flannel/modern day 90's grunge rock uniform. I touched it you guys. I touched this perfect plaid shirt and I knew I was dead, I knew my bank account was in for a huge dent. So I tried it on, and it was like slipping into a cloud. The softest fabric I have felt in a long time. I had to have it. Even though I was on a mission that day to find Summer clothes, I couldn't pass up my Kurt Cobain loving fantasy. Even Nate loves it (I think he wants to wear it himself). Which is definitely odd because my style is feminine. To make it more girly, less boyish for my taste, I added a lace camisole underneath and voila...boy meets girl. 

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