best sweatshirt ever

I recently purchased this sweatshirt with my Banana Republic birthday reward, and really I should have bought 12 of them. It's so comfortable and soft. Definitely will be worn all the time, all year long. Best part, today you can save 40% with the code BRWEEKEND.

Happy shopping.

wanting

I love items with my initials on them - what can I say it's the narcissist in me.  I was just taking a peak at Mark and Graham's clothing collection (pretty much because you can monogram everything - it's a New England girl's dream, I tell you), when I stumbled along this adorable cap.  All I can think about is what could I pair this with and justify the purchase? Also, would you go first initial or last initial here? I love the J, but would the Y make my day?

Clearly, I have some shopping to think about.

(images from Mark & Graham)

it wasn’t yet the spring

I feel ready for spring now - I've already started hoping that the groundhog does not see his shadow this coming weekend. My bones feel cold and my bed has more blankets on it then should be legally allowed. As I mentally prepare for warmer weather,  I recently purchased this lightweight jacket from Athleta in hopes it will make spring happen sooner.  Have you started any spring shopping yet?

retail therapy

After a heinously long week last week this weekend was all about taking it easy and getting some much needed rest. My Saturday was almost as lazy as one can get, I went to the gym to offset the sedentary week and then did a little shopping at the Loft to take advantage of the sales and the birthday coupon I had burning a whole in my pocket. I went in with the mindset of buying the top at the beginning of the post, I think half the bloggers I follow have featured this as a really cute item on their radar. I made it to the store, looking like the gym rat I pretend to be, and started looking for this top and there's only one on a display sized XXS. I wanted this so badly that I asked the sales girl if there were any in the back, and she told me the saddest story of how a customer accidentally spilled coffee allover all the shirts they had. I was a bit bummed but settled on the two tops below, which in honesty will probably get more wear then the top above.

After my shopping trip, I did a little food shopping at Trader Joe's and then headed home for a long hot shower and pajamas the rest of the day and I got caught up on my DVR. While I watched my shows, I drank Shirley Temples with the leftover soda from my birthday party and the grenadine I had on hand - I forgot how delicious these are.

Sunday was followed up with an early morning spin class that made my legs burn after the squat heavy workout from yesterday. I also finally took down my holiday decorations after thinking I should have done it at least a week ago - oh well. I also watched the Patriots not make it to the Super Bowl - but you cannot win them all.

Hope you had a nice weekend, and if you are not working this MLK day, I hope you enjoyed the extra day away from work!

(all images from the Loft)

four-eyes

I clearly need to stop going to Kate Spade online. I find so many things that strike me as so cool and sort of make it to my maybe wish list (you know the list, things you like but mentally cannot justify in your head right now to buy).  This unique necklace in the shape of glasses is so cute – I keep thinking about what a fun little accessory that would be for work. My inner nerd rejoices seeing them and I wonder if I’d truly wear this fun piece or would just try it on all the time and just take it off feeling like it wasn’t truly me. Anyway, I think the glasses necklace is amazingly cute.

PS: Kate Spade is offering 30% off with friends and family with the code FALL13FF

ring around

It’s not a secret that I love accessories and clothing. If anything my love for good shopping is often quite apparent. One accessory I am not a huge fan of is rings – I don’t like the way they are on the hand, they feel clunky to me. Then I spied these adorable stacking rings from Kate Spade – might this be the set that changes my mind (okay, I’ll say it, there’s probably one type of ring I won’t mind wearing when the time is right)? The scalloped edges are really a unique detail that makes me happy. Is it too early to start the list for Santa?

summer in the city

Summer is a fantastic time to wear brights - in a place were black is always an acceptable color choice, I sometimes have a hard time picking out colorful items for my workplace. I found this lovely skirt on a trip to the J.Crew Factory. It's already on the regular rotation of things to wear whenever it's warm enough not to need tights (where is spring? It's been freezing.). I really love the reds and blues mixed in the paisley - and it definitely feels like it should make an appearance at July 4th.

being green...

I am in love with this sweater from the Gap.... it's so cute and perfectly lightweight for those upcoming spring months that I bought it in both the lilac and the green. One of the things I completely appreciate is the higher neckline, which makes it perfect for meetings at the office or a nice casual Saturday top as well. I have already been sporting the lilac with my favorite skinny black pants on a regular basis.

money money money

I don’t think it’s any secret that I enjoy shopping. I’ve been trying to think of the best way to actually set a fairly decent clothing budget for 2013 and stick to it, which is easier said than done when I walk by shops every day, get emails with great sales all the time, and just have a love for wearing something new that makes me feel nice. I am not uber trendy, but I am enjoying the pretty colors in the windows – and I do enjoy purchasing items for certain special occasions or for specific trips. I also have a closet bursting full of clothes that really has way too much, and plenty to wear. For this year, I thought about how can I start trying to curb the shopping and clean out some of the clutter. I decided to essentially pay myself for a shopping budget by three ways- $50 flat right in the bank account for clothing shopping each month, “earning” $5 per every lunch I bring to work (remember that was one of my goals for 2013), and “earning” $5 for every workout I do (general thought – trip to the gym, run outside, worth $5, if for some reason I go once in the morning and do something at night – that’s two trips, but that’s probably not going to happen).  I am hoping by having ways to earn more shopping budget will get me motivated to work out regularly (good for the body, good for the wardrobe), keep up the good lunch habits and just give me a better sense of not instantly buying new clothes just because I can. I’ll definitely do an update about how this is going at some point down the line.

(photo from pinterest)

her shoes

I am by no means the first person to discover Tom's Shoes- but I never thought I would love them as much as I do. I wore these shoes all over the place, my go to pair in both Charleston and San Francisco. They are a personal favorite when thinking about casual Fridays and weekend wear. I wore them so much, I actually have a bit if a "tom" tan line - a bit embarrassing as it cuts strangely across my foot - thank goodness it's wintery and I can hid the feet in tights and boots for now. I'll have to be more careful in the spring when I get back to wearing these babies with more regularity. I highly recommend everyone pick up a pair, since they are comfortable as heck, but also since your purchase means a child in need also receives a pair of shoes, and trust me that's a great reason to buy any pair of shoes. I know I'll be back for several pairs in the near future.

(Buy Toms here)

look at the stars

Completely digging on this top - I have been for years looking at the one from a much pricier standpoint, but Old Navy has come through again with this lovely close enough version for my needs. You know my motto, if it sparkles I want it, and well I want this shirt.

i just can't get enough

Fall 2012 is the season of pops of color – and I am loving every single minute. I recently stumbled into C.Wonder – a new shop over at Columbus Circle, because I was so drawn into the brightness of the store itself. Colors were everywhere – greens, blues, pinks, everything in between.  The store also has some really adorable housewares and items for pets, and beautiful bicycles (I want a bike so badly, you know just in time for winter, so I can figure out where to put it in the apartment).  I could have just as easily spent the rest of the day just oohing and awing over all the pretty things, but settled on the sweater above in a bubble gum pink- I know I’ll feel extra happy every time I wear it.

(photo from C.Wonder)

see polka dots

When you live in the city, a trip to the mall can be a bit fascinating. I feel like I’ve gotten very use to doing a lot of online shopping (NYC crowds, shopping and tourists- ick, ick, ick, ick), as well as planning trips to specific places with specific purchases in mind. Stores in New York allow you to avoid going to multiple if you don’t want to be swayed into looking due to window displays. On a recent trip to a mall, I found this lovely scarf at The Gap, which I plan on wearing a lot during my two trips coming up – one to Charleston with my mom, and one to San Francisco with Ali (ever loyal blog reader). This just feels like one of those accessories that will go well with everything, and keep me nice and toasty on those chilly nights or days, depending what state I am in.  I love the polka dots and the rich fall color.