VS Anniversary Dress

G and I just celebrated our first anniversary! We went back to our "first date" spot for a lovely dinner, and met up with some friends for some late night drinks.

You know I'm never one to shy away from crazy, bright colors -- so for this big event, I'm wearing a one of my favorite dresses. I picked up this from the VS catalogue a few years back. What I love about VS is that they will continually update their prints, but the dress shape stays true -- season to season.  I love the loud colors in the pieces, but the corset shape and flared bottom are the big selling points. It's a super fun dress for any occasion, and I highly recommend.

Happy Anniversary my dear G!

Dress:  Corset Dress, Victoria's Secret  | shop similar

Shoes:  Gold Braided Wedges, Banana Republic | shop similar 1, 2

Earrings: Gold Leaf Earrings, Lia Sophia | shop similar

Linked up to Two Thirty-Five Designs.

LOFT Favorite Ruffle Puff Sleeve Top

The weather is crazy this winter; first the Midwest is hit with heavy winter snow storms, and suddenly it seems like spring time.  The warmer weather already has me lusting for the brighter colors and warmer patterns of summer, so I pulled out a summer staple and remixed it for cooler weather.  Using darker colors--like black, navy, or grey--as layering pieces is an easy way to bring your favorite summer look into winter weather readiness.

Top: Favorite Ruffle Puff Sleeve Top, Loft | shop
Cardigan: Gap | shop this season's version or this one with piping in lots of fun colors
Skirt: Victoria's Secret (old)
Boots: Melissa Button Boots, Frye | shop

Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C.

Yes.  That is indeed 3 dozen doughnuts.

I spent  Saturday morning standing in line for The Doughnut Vault, where they actually put their doughnuts in a vault.  A bank vault.  Filled with donuts.  That's my kind of vault.  The Doughnut Vault is a Chicago foodie hotspot, and it's become so popular that people begin lining up (at 8 am!) before the shop even opens!  My family and I waited about an hour with 60+ other people to grab these eats, and my fave was definitely the Old-Fashioned Buttermilk.

I snapped these photos while waiting in line for my loot!

Bag: Mini M.A.C. Clutch in Natural, Rebecca Minkoff

Dress: Victoria's Secret (2009) - I'm a big fan of VS clothing {1, 2, 3}.  And so is Miss Monkeyface... See her rock a Victoria's Secret dress.  Don't be surprised to see that monkey on runway at the next Victoria's Secret fashion show.  She's that stylish.

Cardigan: Abercrombie (circa 2003?)

Shoes: Slim Flip Flops in Navy, Havianas

Water Bottle: Thermos Hydration Bottle for charity: water - Keeps your drink cold for 12 hours!

Rockin' when you're off-the-clock

Summer is fading, but the weather in the Midwest is absolutely beautiful right now! It makes me want to wear things that are easy and carefree.


It also makes me slightly sad to see kids having to buy of all of their school supplies.

Off to run errands! Oh wait, do I need school supplies?! Who else is in homeroom with me? What should I wear on the first day of school? Summer, please don't end!

Shirt:  J.Crew

Skirt:  Victoria's Secret

Shoes:  Target, Pilar Strappy Wedge in Brown by Mossimo (also seen here)

Purse:  H&M

Earrings:  Ann Taylor Loft (also seen here)

Glasses:  Ray-Ban

Ode to the Summer Dress

You can never go wrong with a fun summer dress.  

I love dresses.  

I love everything about them. Dresses are comfy.

A single item of clothing, and you're looking put together and dressed.

There's no need to worry about finding tops/bottoms to match.

Dresses are ultra feminine and leave my legs feeling unconstrained and happy.  

In the wise words of Martha Stewart, they are a good thing.

Dress: Victoria's Secret ($20)

Shoes: Guess - Check out how Aili rocks these kicks in her Yellow Begonias post.

Belt: J.Crew

Headband: J.Crew

LBD

My sweet dresses and skirts in bright colors don't always lend themselves to a night out on the town.  So when I put in an order at Victoria's Secret, I picked out a few black dresses.  This particular dress can definitely go day (with the flouncy skirt) to night (edgy zipper).  This isn't a classic LBD, for sure, but I still think it's pretty fun.

Dress: Victoria's Secret

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

Headband: Borrowed from my momma's closet

Summer Florals

Photos courtesy of Carly

I'm a fan of Victoria's Secret clothing.  VS clothing is cute, fits me well, and always wins me compliments!  It's not always the greatest quality and is often overpriced, but you can score great deals with coupon codes or during their semi-annual sales.  Despite the drawbacks, I find myself regularly checking out their clothing selection (swim suits, too).

On an unrelated note, happy belated Father's Day to all you fathers out there.  And a special shout out to our father and our brother--a new dad celebrating his first Father's Day.  :)

Dress: The Corset Dress in Purple Multicolor, Victoria's Secret ($30, originally $58)
Cardigan: Jenna Cardigan, J.Crew
Shoes: Taiwan
Headband: Banana Republic
Earrings: Forever 21
Belt: J.Crew
Purse: H&M

Star Student

Photos by Kate!

This week is my final week of classes, and I've been spending all of my time in the library & computer lab on term papers and final projects. Next Tuesday is my last day of finals, and then I'll be home free! I'm just one gigantic term paper, one slightly less major paper, one relatively easy essay and two exams away from graduation! In the mean time, I'm keeping study time fresh & comfy with this colorful ruffle cami & rolled denim shorts.

Cardigan: J.Crew

Top: Ruffle Cami in Purple/Kiwi Plaid, JCPenney (on sale for $14.99, originally $26)

Shorts: Victoria's Secret, Spring 2010

Shoes: Forever 21

Earrings: Taiwan