L'amour

It's the little things in life that matter the most: sunlit floors, familiar smells, enjoying your first cup of coffee, finding that perfect outfit....I could go on.

This morning was another one of those mornings, where things just went as planned but I actually spent a few minutes appreciating the little things on my walk to work.

Today, I feel a little parisan flare going on...maybe I'm inspired by Carla Bruni who I was listening to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N89Md8k6XXk

I brought out this vintage pokadot (Target isaac mizrahi dress $40) from 2 years ago...and paired with black shrug sweater to cover shoulders and accented with a black flower in my hair.

Feeling like I should don red lipstick and drink cappuccinos all day? Sounds good to me!

It's a beautiful morning...la, la, la...

Goooood morning! Suns out, 80 degree heat with no humidity and summer is in full force...what can you complain about??

Today I paired this white banana republic skirt with a navy blue jcrew shirt, I guess I have 4th of July on my mind this upcoming weekend, because all I need is some red and I'll be looking quite patriotic.

you smell like roses

Really? I smell like roses...awww that's sweet, thanks so much for saying that you random man on the metro bus!!??

This morning like any morning usually results in me being constantly in a rush...rush to the gym, rush to starbucks, rush to your desk, rush to that evening event...

So I'm starting to wise up and wear comfortable shoes on my commutes (I've even started trying to get away with wearing them under my desk until the last possible minute when I have to switch to my uncomfortable heels waiting nicely beside them).

Another pink cotton dress from Banana, which by the way they are having amazing deals...this $130 dress was 1/2 off on sale! whooho...Paired with the most comfortable nine west strappy sandals, until make the switch to my tan heels...

why silk can be risky in 90 degree heat...

Embarrassing...let's just say.

Not that I'm a sweaty person, but my 1/2 hour commute to work usually is so much fun and actually a nice time to wake up before diving into the craziness of work.

But, in this sweltering D.C. heat!? Forget about it...

And wearing silk probably wasn't the best decision, just looking at my "pit marks" makes me want to cringe.

However, on any other normal occasion, this lovely purple silk Banana Republic dress would be the idea shoice.

I'm still a little under the weather this week... this sickness I got from my trip just won't go away. So in order to hide the redness and snotty nose, I wanted to go easy and simple. Therefore....bring out my go-to black!
Paired with a cardigan and black pumps.

now, does anyone have some more Vitamin C????

beads make me happy

Another one of my recent purchases from greece...this beaded trim blue skirt (with pockets!)

I saw this at one of the shops there and had to have it...although I was backpacking (which probably wasn't that practical lugging around skirts and other clothes that I wouldn't be wearing until I actually had a decent shower and didn't smell like a suitcase. :)

It was a little bit of a debacle this morning deciding what color of top I should pair this with, but I ended up going with white, classic, clean and doesn't distract from the skirt.

But black, navy blue or even a cream/off-white or grey would go with this. I've started seeing grey and blue paired together as a nice summer alternative color combo...see there's plenty of ways to wear this outfit...hence the problem this morning! haha

bringing out the white

You know, I've always had a fear of white pants...never thought they looked good on non-anorexic types, always hard to keep clean and are they really that flattering?

or do they overly essentuate the areas you are trying to hide the most....um, yeah.

But, I found these great (and super cheap $18 at Old Navy) white jeans and was like "why not, white can be the new khaki this summer."

And if you pair with heels and a blazer (like so...) it can actually be sorta work professional looking. And also versatile as casual wear for those after-work summer happy hours...wooho!

I added a scarf for color, but funky beads or a cool necklace would also work.

Just a tip to the wise, bring a pocket tide stick...for the inevitable stain mishaps.

goodies from greece

So after a week of traveling, exploring and more importantly shopping (!!) during my trip to Greece...

I couldn't wait to show off my favorite purchase this morning:

these gold gladiator sandals that were all the rage over there.

And aren't they cute! I paired this with a beaded skirt and purple silk top which I thought purple would be a good color to pair with gold.

Now looking chic in my new greek gear, if only I could get use to this time change.

Greece or bust!

So I'm going to be taken some time off, heading to Greece to see my friend Jackie Fitz and traveling like the sisterhood of the traveling pants to GREECE and the Greek Isles.

I'm taking a backpack, 2 suimsuits and a sundress and will hopefully be soaking up some rays living on the beach for the next couple of days.

Tips for plane attire: 1. bring a scarf that you can also double up as a blanket/shaw when it gets cold from too much AC circulating the plane. 2. bring comfy shoes you can slip off easily for security check points and during flight. 3. bring a spare compact to freshing up post-flight and I sometimes bring a small smelly lotion to put on after landing, so i feel somewhat clean.

I'll be sure to come back with a nice tan and report on the fashions in metropolitan Athens.

Ciao!

So this morning, maybe it was the coffee or an abundance of breaking news with Obama in Cairo...but I'm way too perky for my own good this morning.

However, this photo doesn't do justice to my good 'tude.

But, I had a great time picking out my outfit today...black slacks and this fun silk Banana Republic top that I paired with a belt around the waist. The top is a little loose fiting, so the belt helps to essentuate the waist, without making it look like i'm wearing a bag!

Added some red beads to accent...

Wear purple

haha, it's quite funny walking into your office and the rare coincidence when you realize your coworkers are all wearing the same color...purple!

So today has been dubbed purple hump day!

I've noticed I've been bringing out this jean jacket lately, which at first i thought would never go as "professional chic"...but I think it just depends on the style of the jean jacket.

What's the crop of the jacket, is it fitted? Several jean jackets now in style look like blazers, which I guess could be worn professionally depending on what you pair with it. I'm not sure you could get away with wearing jean jackets during the winter, but paired with a light cotton summer dress...I think jean is a perfect choice!

bling... $$ bling...

Hollar! As we say on the west coast...

Today it's all about the benjamins (did I really just say that!?)..ok more like rock and roll city, that *gold* JCrew belt ($34) that I purchased awhile back is coming out today.

I added a few gold accesories with the outfit (dress H&M), but before I left the house today I took off the excess gold bangles and necklace I was wearing...it was a little much.

It was more like Atlantic City on a Friday night and I'm always a little fearful to bring out too much bling in Washington for fear of mass panic or major stares in office.

But the BIG hair today might resemble some jersey types...(I promise it's unintentional, this humidity brings out the worse!)

Manic monday

Did anyone watch the MTV movie awards last night, hilarious!

I also was so excited when I saw Lauren Conrad wearing the same shirt as I during the "Hills" season finale...not sure if that really is a big deal, but I think it won me some fashionista points, as the wannabe designer herself.

Anyhoo..Today, I'm wearing the lovely green target Mizrad collection dress. ($40) Bought this last season, but still love to bring it out from time to time. It's not normally a color I like to wear.

but pair it with a scarf (urban outfitters $24), like so...see below.

or a gold belt...

Even accessorize with gold chain necklace or funky jewlery, there's many options!