TBMD

Credit for today's outfit goes to an Anon reader who suggested layering my gray cropped top over my white strapless dress. Like I wrote in my reply, I had been pining over this dress for the longest time, but figured I could duplicate the look... if I owned a trapeze-style dress to experiment with. Anon suggested my strapless eyelet dress... and voila! I think the resulting outfit is quite cute, so thank you!

DH and I met up with friends for lunch at Founding Farmer's (highly recommend!) over the weekend. Afterwards, I asked him to quickly snap some photos in succession when there was a break in foot traffic around us. Hair blowing in every which direction, me with my hands full of bags, trying to smile normally but failing miserably... these are the most non-embarrassing and about as "real" as it gets for my outfit photos.

[photo above]: My other alma mater that doesn't get much love. Still need to buy my first GW gear...

Photos thanks to DH!

Tourists from all over descend upon DC every spring to see the famous cherry blossoms. I imagine it's difficult for out-of-towners to plan ahead and time their visit during peak bloom, which unfortunately only lasts about a week (love this handy guide for reference). As a local, I don't have an excuse for skipping besides pure laziness. But not this year!

When my cousin was in town last weekend, we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and schlepped around the city. We walked from Georgetown, followed the path along the river, to the Tidal Basin. As we began to see cherry blossom trees, I wondered out loud, What happened to all the trees? There seems to be less this year, only a scattering here and there. DID THEY DIE?! And where are the mob of tourists? When we reached the Tidal Basin [photos below], everything made sense. This is where the majority of the trees and crowd are, and is the scene used on many postcards.

This may be the last cold weather-appropriate outfit for a little while. Temperatures are expected to be in 50-70 range for the next week!! Absolutely no complaints here.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Sale alert: Take 50% off everything at J.Crew Factory through 10/14 (prices as marked).

Recent buys that are still available:
- Stripe racerback cami - $27.00 (TTS - I'm wearing sz 00 / outfits: here, here, here)
- Skimmer pant in wool - $44.50 (last season's fit TTS / outfits: here, here, here)

Sold out online, but may still be in stores:
- Printed silk blouse - $49.00 (TTS - I'm wearing sz XXS / outfits: here, here, here)

Last year's wool mini skirt sold out rather quickly in small sizes, so I quickly snatched up this year's version upon release.

See right side bar for more sales this holiday weekend. Happy shopping!

Today's look is yet another office appropriate outfit. That increases the tally for this week to a whopping two (a first for me in a long time). No worries, I'll be back to wearing casual outfits the rest of my weekend... which starts now.

The last time I wore an all-white ensemble, Spiffie suggested pairing the eyelet skirt with a non-cropped top. I mentally ran through the tank tops in my closet and vetoed them all for one reason or another -- ribbed material is too casual, fabric is too thin, etc. Then all of a sudden I remembered a white sequined tank that hasn't seen the light of day in ages. It's the perfect middle ground of dressy-casual that I was looking for.

I've run out of comments for maxi dresses because I've been wearing and blogging about it practically every week! Here are two more outfits, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Sale alert at Ann Taylor: Use code CITYCHIC for 40% off your entire purchase. I haven't bought anything from them recently, so I don't have any new recommendations. Old favorites that are brought back this season include:
- Perfect pumps in leather or patent leather are $76.80 with code (see review / outfits: here, here, here)
- Cotton wrap cardigan is $35.99 with code (I'm wearing sz XXS / outfits: here, here, here)

(Updated on 4/27): LOFT is also running 40% off everything with code NOW40.
- Flounce hem lace dress - $56.93 with code - final sale (I'm wearing size 0 - sized up for hips / outfit here)
- Vaughn t-strap sandals - $17.70 with code (I'm wearing size 6 - TTS / outfits: here, here, here)
- Pamela scalloped Mary Jane pumps - $53.70 with code (I'm wearing size 6 - review here / outfit here)
- Denim leggings - $35.99 with code (I'm wearing size 24R - TTS / outfits: here, here, here)

I've placed an order to try the modern skinny ankle jeans with 29" inseam (the search for white skinny jeans continues) and cotton shorts with 4" inseam in white.

The first time I wore this pleated skirt, I went for a dressier look. This time around, I chose a decidedly more casual path in flats and a sweater messily-tucked (but intentionally done). Next up: pairing the skirt with feminine blouses.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Spring means I can finally dust off the cobwebs from my linen pants. They're the only white pants I own, so until I find the perfect pair of white jeans, these will be on constant repeat.

Sale alert at Gap: Use code GAPSHOP for 30% off today 4/12 or 25% off tomorrow 4/13.

Two old, but much loved items from my closet are:
- Broken-in straight khakis (retail $54.95): I'm wearing size 00 - outfits: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight
- Pure longline tunic (retail $32.00): I'm wearing size XS - outfits: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight

I placed an order for a few items to try: printed crossover maxi dress in yellow print, luxlight crew cardigan in extremely green, and moss stitch striped cardigan in true indigo.

Continuing my love affair with all things romantic, I wanted to add an eyelet/voile skirt to my wardrobe. I was looking for one that hits around the knees, with a handkerchief hem, and isn't too poofy. I came across many that were on the shorter side, too poofy, and/or had an even hem.

When I saw this Old Navy eyelet tube dress, my creative side went into overdrive, imagining all the potential it held. The strapless top worked in my favor because I figured I could tuck it down and inward. Converting the dress into a skirt meant the bottom portion of the bust area would sit at my waist, therefore giving me the longer length I desired. The skirt works for the time being, but I'm considering slimming the sides and/or shortening the length just a tad. For today's look, I balanced out the longer skirt with a cropped top and jacket.

Every time the weather warms, I realize how complacent I've been throughout the colder days because I can randomly choose a public spot for photos and there would hardly be anyone milling about. I usually have to ease my way back into thick-skinned mode come spring, but this time around I dove in head first. Well, I had a little push. I figured I only had a few days' window before the rain washed all the pretty flowers away, so there I was, taking photos with my tripod next to an intersection with fairly heavy traffic. Well worth the few minutes of awkwardness, I'd say.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

I can't seem to pass up opportunities to brag talk about myself. So Caroline, thank you for tagging me. Here are five (more) things about me:

1) I've never had a pet because I'm irresponsible (my brother's hamster doesn't count). If I ever do, only the one and only Boo will suffice. Since that's not going to happen, I'm happy with this cutie.

2) I eat Chipotle once a week. I would it eat more often, but my metabolism has been slowing down (see #3).

3) I'll be turning the big three-oh this year and I.am.freaking.out. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up going on a shopping spree. Or cry all day. Or go skydiving. Or all of the above.

4) I type fast (~100 wpm) and apparently melodically (so said a coworker). In my middle school's intro to typing class, my teacher accused me of cheating... by looking at my fingers. Sorry, no, that just slows me down.

5) I'm keeping my maiden name. The thought of jumping from the end of the alphabet to the beginning was tempting, but I'm just too lazy to do the paperwork.

If that's not enough, here are 22 previous tidbits (seven + fifteen). Have a good weekend!

Some kind of gem(stone) on a chain necklace has long been on my wishlist (see right sidebar). Forever 21, my go-to source for costume jewelry, had some I considered, but none of which I ultimately loved. So I turned to eBay to browse for hidden gems (ha ha, get it?) I didn't find any pre-made necklaces to my liking, but did come across pretty gemstones that I could "make" into a necklace. I bought my stone for $5 and a chain for $1.40, so the total is about how much I would've paid at Forever 21. Another item crossed off my wishlist!

Old habits die hard. Tan jacket, chain scarf, and leopard shoes = check. Chambray shirt with chain scarf = another check. Snakeskin clutch with leopard shoes = check again. All worn together and we get today's outfit.

Have a good weekend!

Alright, even I might be reaching my limit of wearing pinks and blues together. Here's to one last pairing for awhile the week.

Have a great Monday!

It's hard to believe that just last weekend, a derecho hit most of the Mid-Atlantic. Behind me is a small sample of the aftermath. Some areas suffered much worse damage, ie: fallen trees, with cleanup still ongoing. A week later, I think 99% of power has been restored in the area, businesses are again running at full capacity, and lives are pretty much back to normal. One thing that hasn't changed? We're still experiencing a heatwave.

If today's outfit looks a bit familiar, it's because I love the pairing of a simple tee with a scarf :) I find myself falling back to old ways, knotting a scarf around the neck for a casual but accessorized look.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

I have to give all credit to SewPetiteGal and Aubs for their all-things-anchor enabling the last few weeks. I'm such a sucker and didn't even put up much of a fight. Little anchors is such a fun print to wear and accessorize in. Thanks SPG for bringing this scarf to my attention!