two little bells

• corduroy slacks: TJMaxx
• shoes: Danskos via onlineshoes.com
• shirt: New York & Company via TJMaxx
• cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft via JCPenney Outlet
• scarf: thrifted
• button earrings: made by my mother
• belt: Ann Taylor Loft

Ladies and gentlemen, this girl is tired. Went to NYC, went to Raleigh, getting ready for trips to Boston and Washington, D.C. Marathon trip time! Today is Halloween so my orange scarf is my ode to the holiday. Both my shirt and cardigan are cream so they sort of blend together. But cold weather makes layering crucial. I somehow missed the memo at work because everyone was dressed up in costumes. Maybe next year? 

• cardigan: Talbots [via Marshalls]
• shirt: H&M
• pants: Gap
• heels: J.Crew [epic sale at VT a couple of years ago]
• scarf: Target
• earrings: Forever 21

Guess I should have at least worn orange or something, but Halloween on a Monday is just kinda strange; plus everyone at school celebrated/dressed up Friday, so it’s almost like it was out of everyone’s system before it even got here. Apparently my subconscious was mirroring the weather in terms of color scheme, all grey and blue and icy like it was this morning when I headed out to work [28 degrees?!? ahhhhh… I complain about the weather too much]. Oh, and to elaborate on the shoes… the first few years I was at Tech, the SGA [I think it was] always put on this epic J.Crew sale twice a year as a fundraiser… you could get those floor length silk dresses they carry for like $20… it was awesome. I think I got this pair for $10 or $15… that’s what I’m talkin about :D

Oh man. Where to even begin with this?! Halloween is the best excuse to dress as ridiculously as you possibly can, and I’d say we were successful. These costumes have been in the works since probably last March or so, when we found these ‘Tracy’s Nails’ smock things during one of our many pilgrimages to MegaThrift [check it… this place is amazing]… cue the lightbulbs!?! Epic Halloween costumes?! I think yes.

Time to take this one and ruuuuun as far as you can. I immediately knew this was the perfect opportunity to rock an insane beehive [if it were socially acceptable I would totally do this more often…. ha] and even more insane gold talon-y fake acrylic nails, while SB went the classier [but equally heavy-handed with the hairspray] route with crazy curls and fire engine red nails. Pile on as much garish makeup as you can and I think we have a winner!

SBK’s wearing…

• Tracy’s Nails smock: thrifted
• tank top: Walmart
• skinny jeans: Target
• boots: Jessica Simpson via TJMaxx
• hoop earrings: borrowed from cait and then tragically lost on the dance floor
• fake nails: Walmart
• ring: my dad’s from when he was 7 years old.

Cait’s wearing…

• Tracy’s Nails smock: thrifted
• tank top: Walmart
• leggings: Marshalls
• shoes: borrowed from SB
• earrings: vintage
• flower clip & fake nails: Walmart
• necklace: ModCloth

Cait, Luce, and SBK before we headed out to unleash the ridiculousness on the rest of the world [aka Chapel Hill]. Not many people dressed up… it was kind of disappointing. Guess that’s what happens when Halloween is actually on a Monday.

• jeans: Target
• trench: Target
• shirt: JCPenney Outlet
• cardigan: Ann Taylor (thrifted
• purse: vintage Coach (thrifted)
• boots: Aldo

I just returned home from a great trip in NYC.  I splurged on some new boots. One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to see my great friend from college, Jamie. I had hoped to get some pictures with him, because he has great style, but rain, cold, and dark, crowded bars got the best of me. Btw, it definitely went from fall to winter while I was gone! I am absolutely exhausted but not too exhausted to start gearing up for Halloween celebrations!

Above is me shopping in Macy’s. Below is a shot I got in Rockefeller Plaza of the Today show! Who doesn’t love Al? And that dude’s an actor from Whitney. Kelly Clarkson was there too!

• jeans: TJMaxx
• shoes: Danskos (onlineshoes.com)
• shirt: Target via JCPenney Outlet
• cardigan: L.L.Bean
• jacket: J.Crew Outlet
• tote bag: L.L.Bean
• button earrings: made by my mom
• scarf: TJMaxx

Here’s a shot of me on the High Line. We walked the whole thing - it was originally a railroad line that ran above the city. Pretty awesome!

• cardigan: Target [courtesy of the madre]
• shirt: Nordstrom Rack
• skirt: The Limited
• belt: H&M
• heels: Nine West [via TJ Maxx]
• earrings: gifted

If I had it to do over, I would have switched what I wore yesterday with this outfit, because IT GOT COLD ugggghhhh. [weird posture = me trying to condense the amount of surface area exposed to cold/rain] I even heard rumors of frozen precip?! This is not okay with me. Anyways, had a meeting with one of the local newspapers, hence the fanciness = no casual Friday for me today! Sidenote: it is extraordinarily difficult to type with obnoxiously long acrylic nails…. oh yeahhh, Halloween’s gonna be exciting this year! Fotos forthcoming provided they’re not tooo ridiculous/embarrassing :D

I came across this recipe earlier and decided I had to try it, since I’m getting really bored with packing granola bars in my lunch every day. Super easy and super tasty, and actually reasonably healthy, too! Good thing because they’re pretty addictive :D

what you will need…

• 1 c oatmeal
• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 1/3 c honey
• 1 c coconut flakes [which I omitted because I’m picky]
• 1/2 c ground flaxseed
• 1/2 c mini chocolate chips
• 1 t vanilla

getting down to business…

> Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly blended. Throw in the fridge for half an hour.

> After that, remove from fridge and scoop out tablespoons of the mix.

These are great because you can eat 5 or 10 and not feel thaaaat bad about it since they’re small…. and have sort of healthy ingredients? Hooray for rationalizing! Make sure to store leftovers in the fridge.

• cardigan: Zara
• dress: Target
• scarf: Express
• belt: thrifted
• leggings: Marshalls
• boots: Zara

I loves me some jewel tone colors… the more, the better! Probably could have done without the scarf…. I slightly overestimated how cold I thought it’d get today. It’s weird not really being hyperaware of the weather due to now having a climate-controlled driving commute rather than a ten minute walking commute to class. This’ll be nice come winter, but I always enjoyed that this time of year… oh nostalgia.

• jeans: TJMaxx
• trench: Target
• danskos: onlineshoes.com
• sweater: Marshalls
• purse: vintage Coach (thrifted)

Ok, close your eyes and imagine I’m wearing skinny jeans and boots. That’s what I want to be wearing on my first trip in NYC but practicality and lots of walking demanded for my walking shoes. That’s me in front of the 9/11 Memorial yesterday. I’m having a great trip! 

Above is the view of the Empire State building from the river. Below is me eating breakfast in Central Park!

• jeans: TJMaxx
• shoes: Danskos via onlineshoes.com
• jacket: JCrew Outlet
• scarf: thrifted

Aren’t my parents cute? More pictures coming soon!! 

• cardigan: Old Navy
• blouse: Lush [via Nordstrom Rack]
• skirt: Liz Claiborne [via Marshalls]
• shoes: Mia
• purse: B. Makowsky [gifted/via Marshalls]
• necklace: charm from old necklace + chain = new necklace

I’m probably a little too excited about this blouse, but it’s one that can’t be worn backwards… works either way you try it! I don’t think this was the designer’s intention… but if it works, then why not? I’m wearing it the right way right now, but the back has some lace-y detailing that would be cute with a pair of jeans… hmm… stay tuned :D

• jacket: H&M
• blouse: J. Crew [thrifted]
• belt: thrifted
• jeans: Charlotte Russe
• boots: Corso Como
• headband: gifted

Today felt like a jeans sort of day… plus I figured since I was going to go hang out with some of the kindergarteners for a little while today, this was probably a more practical choice than something dressier. That was the most fun I’ve had at work so far; they were so cute and engaging, and surprisingly well-behaved! I’m really liking being able to interact with all the kids at school :D

• dress: Target
• sweater: Eddie Bauer (back in high school)
• shoes: Target (also from high school)
• bag: Etienne Aigner via TJMaxx
• button earrings: made by my mama

Tomorrow I’m heading off to NYC (where I’m hoping to still do blogposts..hoping), but before I go see what the world has to offer, I thought I’d show you a gem of my small town. This is Lake Lanier, less than half a mile from my house. Aren’t I a lucky girl? I went for a run later around said lake. When I got home, my parents were MIA and I was locked out. Had to slither in through my bedroom window. Hope none of the neighbors saw that sketchy move… Oh and I tied the sash that came with the dress around my sweater in this post. Gives the dress a really different feel.

• dress: Calvin Klein [via Marshalls]
• cardigan: Talbots [via Marshalls]
• belt: thrifted
• shoes: Target
• earrings: gifted

So it’s cold enough to merit wearing both a sweater dress and a cardigan, but since I’m crazy/not ready to concede defeat this early in the war on cold weather [it’s still October after all!], I’m going bare-legged. That’ll show you, too-cold temperatures!… guess you just gotta pick your battles and all that. :D

• dress: Cynthia Rowley [via Marshalls]
• shirt: Gap [thrifted]
• leggings: Marshalls
• boots: Zara
• necklace: Urban Outfitters
• purse: vintage

We had an open house at school today, so I figured I’d give the school colors look a try… been a looong while since I’ve had cause to rock the blue and gold. Tomorrow is homecoming at Tech, too, so I’m just gonna be all up on my school spirit-ness through the rest of the weekend… so exciting! Also exciting is getting to break out these boots, they’re slouchy and comfy and great… first time i’ve worn them since back in the spring.

• shirt: JCPenney Outlet
• denim slacks: JCPenney Outlet
• sweater: Spotted Moth (thrifted)
• shoes: JCPenney Outlet
• purse: vintage Coach (thrifted)
• scarf: TJMaxx

Dude it got chilly out there overnight. It’s hard to see the detail on my cute little sweater but it’s got this bow detailing that’s pretty cute. I didn’t know it until I was informed at a board meeting after work, but October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, which is represented by a purple ribbon. Guess I’m right on target without knowing it :)

• dress: H&M
• scarf: market stall in Spain
• belt: Urban Outfitters
• boots: Corso Como
• earrings: vintage

Totally stole this outfit idea from this pin I saw on Pinterest; as soon as I saw it I knew it had to be added to my repertoire :D In my defense, I did add a scarf, so it’s a little different I suppose… I like the simplicity of it. I’m also thinking this is gonna be a go-to dress this winter… add some sweater tights and we’re good to go! I’m so excited to not have to deal with winter in the mountains this year… that’s the lone part of my college experience I don’t even miss a tiny little bit.

• trench coat: Target
• skirt: JCPenney Outlet (hemmed by my Grammie)
• shirt: Old Navy via JCPenney Outlet
• cardigan: JCPenney Outlet
• shoes: JCPenney Outlet
• clutch: thrifted
• earrings: hand me downs from my great aunt

My puppy Annabelle, aka Banana, was really intrigued by our picture taking process. I usually take pictures outside but the rain today forced me to try out our screened in porch, with varying success. Had to include a shot of my outer wear and my inside look. Our Nikon camera is fairly new so we’re still trying to figure out the best shady day settings; bear with me. Check out my new patent leather clutch; the little gold handles lift up and it also has a long chain tucked inside - three looks in one!

• cardigan: Target [thrifted]
• blouse: H&M
• pants: Gap
• shoes: Nine West [via TJMaxx]
• earrings: Forever 21

Pants still feel more professional to me than skirts/dresses do, but dresses and skirts are generally fancier than pants… I feel like professional can equal dressy, but dressy doesn’t necessarily mean professional? I guess it depends on the context. I also have a tendency to overanalyze unnecessary things. Anyways… had the first of probably many professional development seminars today, which was pretty interesting. I also had a kid at school ask me if my kids go to school there. My kids?! I barely feel old enough to be entrusted with a full time job, much less another human, haha.

• skirt: Target
• shirt: Target
• shoes: Target
• belt: Banana Republic (thrifted)
• earrings: craft show

I’m a walking Target ad today! Late getting my post up today because I’m busy talking to my grandparents and parents here at home plus my brother at college via facetime. I’m getting behind on my million of tv shows but facetime, (the literal version) is what life is about. 

• dress: Target [thrifted]
• scarf: Express
• jacket: H&M
• shoes: shoe store in Providence

My name is Cait and I’m an impulse shopper…. but at least I recognize that? Maybe there’s hope yet?! I bought this dress for $3 because it’s super comfy… I like it, but I’m not quite sure if I love it. “But it was only three dollars?!?” Time will tell. Shoes are newish [got them back in the summer on clearance] and the blazer is oooold and perfectly broken in. Might not be the most stylish outfit ever, but I was going for comfort today and that’s what I got :D

• dress: TJMaxx
• corduroy jacket: H&M (thrifted)
• belt: Eddie Bauer (back in high school)
• shoes: JCPenney Outlet
• button earrings: made by my mother
• clutch: thrifted

I listened to my Grace Potter & the Nocturnals station on Pandora for a longgg time today; thus the title. We’re having such beautiful weather! Perfect for one of my three corduroy jackets and yet another lbd.