just a t-shirt and jeans

This is my typical casual outfit.  Some kind of jean and t-shirt combination.   What makes this outfit special are the little pops of color brought in by my accessories.  Wouldn't you agree that this outfit is somewhat boring without them?   You can literally jazz up old pair of jeans and mix in some chunky or dainty jewelry to bring in little focus points.  Whenever I'm looking for something simple I reach for my baptism medal and chain.  It adds just the right amount of extra.   I love mixing in chunky jewelry an ultra feminine outfit. Just as I love mixing simple jewels much like what you'd find at My Jewelry Box to a masculine outfit such as the boyfriend jeans and blazer look.   

How do you play up your boring outfits? 

Details:
Tee - Target
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - BCBGeneration, similar
Bracelet - American Eagle old, similar similar
Necklace - DIY'd by me. similar

chambray...again

I'm sorry for the overload of chambray lately.  Nah, actually I'm not.  It's so incredibly easy to pull off and goes with literally anything.  I wore this outfit yesterday to Laura Ingalls Wilder Day at Genesee Country Village and Museum.  It was perfect for a 70-something day!

My weekend went by too quickly, as it usually does.  Saturday I met my girlfriends/business partners at the studio and cleaned!  Although that doesn't sound like much fun, it was a blast and was so good to just chit chat as we scrubbed, swept, mopped and rehung signs.   I had a graduation party to attend in the evening.   It was a pig roast as well and I haven't been to a pig roast in years!  The food was delicious! 

Sunday at the museum the guest speaker this year was Alison Arngrim who played Nellie Oleson.  She has written a book and does a comedy act entitled "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch".  She was literally hilarious and spoke about her time on the show, her relationship with Melissa Gilbert and her post show personal life.   If you have ever watched Little House on the Prairie you know what a vile beast Nellie was but she had such a sense of humor about it - she was really fun to listen to.   

Monday always comes too soon!

How was your weekend? 

Details:

Top - Old Navy

Shorts - J.Crew Factory

Shoes - Toms

Hat - American Eagle old, similar 

neon, stripes, and everything nice

I don't have to tell you how hot it's been (100 last Friday!).  Which means I grab the clothing with the least amount of effort and weight.  Luckily, I do work in air conditioning all day! 

This weekend flew by and today I'm off to the beach.  Saturday I went to Toronto to watch their Major League Soccer team Toronto Football Club.   I played soccer for 10 years so I always enjoy that.  It was such a crap rainy day here but once we crossed the boarder it was gorgeous!   

Sunday a bunch of us went to see Toby Keith - oh.  my.  god.  Amazing!   He's one of my favorites as far as Country goes and it was great finally seeing him live. 

Did you have a great weekend? 

Happy Monday!

Details:

Top - Old Navy now $10!!

Skirt - Target, similar

Shoes - JustFab

not thrift shoppin'

A few years back my mom had given me this dress that was my grandmother's she had stored away.  I cannot remember why, but I needed something nicer for work and this Audrey Hepburn inspired number was perfect.  At the time I belted it with a thick black belt and wore kitten pointy heels with it to personify it's Audrey-ness.  

 My mom just had a Psychic reading this past week and one of the things the Psychic told her was that her mother gets so excited every time she's ever pulled out her old jewelry....  I was hoping that I made her happy and excited to see me recycling her dress and making it feel new again.  

My grandmother was a singer and used to perform all the time.  Every time I wear this dress I think about it's story it has, where she was when she wore it.  Was it glamorous or just to church...  

Do you have any hand-me-downs that have a story? 

Details:

Dress - Queens Way, similar

Clutch - Gap & ON SALE! 

Shoes - JustFab 

summer lovin'

This summer is flying by!  I cannot believe it.  Even nights like last night, sitting on the boat with my aunt and sisters just relaxing while docked.  Insane.   I hope you all are having as much fun as I am having.  Seems every weekend is filled with exciting activities.  This weekend, for example, I'll be heading up to Toronto to watch some soccer (Toronto Football Club) with a friend and then Sunday I'm going to see Toby Keith.  Which I'm SO excited about.  He is my absolute favorite country singer! 

Also, after my initial freak out of the "business casual" attire that started Monday, I'm surprisingly wearing almost my normal clothes.  Of course there are a few exceptions here and there, but I've only pulled out two things so far that I wouldn't have normally worn.  Not to shabby I'd say.  

How's everyone's summer shaping up?

Details:

Shirt - Old Navy

Skirt - J.Crew Factory, similar

Shoes - BCBG via Marshalls, similar

Don't forget you can follow along on Facebook now! 

Linking up with Amy! 

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

Hope your holiday is filled with remembrance, hot dogs, pools, and family! 

Details:

Tee- Target

Shorts - Old Navy old, similar

Necklace - BrinaBox 

Shoes - Target

keeping cool in floral

I finally caved and put my AC unit in the window.   I call this caving because the best part of summer for me is that I can open the *two* windows I have in my bitty studio apartment.   With only two windows who wants to have them both closed when you can have them open while the birds chirp, neighbors have parties, and firetrucks fly by?   Regardless of my desire to hear every sound in my neighborhood, I clogged up a window.  

The deciding factor was  yesterday morning.  It was an absolute disaster trying to get dressed.  After about 4 outfits, and lots of sweat trying to get the pants on... and then off... I landed on this dress and brought a denim jacket to work with me.  I couldn't bear trying to make another pair of pants work.  

Week is almost over and I'm already ready for vacation! 

Did you enter my $50 Anthropologie giveaway?

Details:
Dress - Old Navy, similar similar
Belt - Forever21 (old), similar
Shoes - Old Navy, similar

statement necklaces & $50 anthropologie giveaway!

So, I keep seeing everyone with this J.Crew inspired flower thing around their neck.   Well I had to have one.  I must say, it's the perfect little statement.   

I'm very excited to have teamed up with the lovely Kelsey from Ladies in Navy to bring you a giveaway for a $50 gift-card to Anthropologie! Not only does Kelsey have a kick booty blog with amazing and easy recipes, she has killer style and has been a huge supporter of After the 40 Bar Finish!  What has become one of my favorite things about blogging is the friends you make along your journey! 

 Enter below by following along on social medias using raffelcopter and best of luck! 

The winner will be announced next Monday!

Details:

Top - Old Navy

Jeans - Gap

Clutch - Gap

Wedges - Target

Necklace - BrinaBox

a Rafflecopter giveaway

two rad looks for graduation season

It's that time of year again, that time when you see loved ones and friends accept little pieces of paper that mean so much more.  Graduation season.   My baby sister graduates High School this weekend and I keep brain storming on what to wear.  So, I've rounded up two looks for you today.  Whether you're just attending or your walking these looks are comfortable and chic, and are appropriate for either guest or grad!

For a ceremony look I paired a simple preppy tweed with fun and colorful accessories.   If you're a grad you want to look sophisticated and smart!  As a guest you want to make it known that this event is worthy of your effort.

For a grad party look I took a simple sundress with a colorful pattern and played it up with summery accessories.  A fedora, sunnies and flat comfortable sandals will keep you looking put together yet comfortable.   You have to able to mingle with your guests in style!

Shop my Ceremony picks:

Shop my Grad Party picks:

(not) business casual

I could honestly wear chambray daily - however, I will no longer be allowed to come July 1st.  HUGE sad face!!  My office just came out and declared that we're going from pretty much no dress code (with a few exceptions) to business casual.   As my site leader spoke I played a slot machine game with my wardrobe...  Pull the lever and wait for it to stop spinning on a random item that I'll now be allowed to wear.   Yikes.  This cuts my wardrobe in a third and completely changes how I'll be shopping from now on too.   I know I probably sound like a gigantic whiner to those of you who work in semi-professional and professional offices but for the past (nearly) four years I've been able to wear whatever to work!   This seems like a harsh punishment for a crime I most certainly did not commit.  

Regardless - they lifted the little bit of rules we did have through the end of the month so I rocked my SHORTS, that's right shorts to work.  Believe me, it was a difficult mental hurdle to jump.  

It was kind of nice, but I was also a bit cold. 

What's your work dress code? Do you have one?

Details:

Shirt - Old Navy

Shorts - J.Crew Factory

Belt - Target

Shoes - SoleSociety