U-Rah-Rah

This weekend is the first Badger game of the season and I'm so excited. I was in the UW Marching band for 5 years (before you laugh, go watch this - can you spot me? I have blond hair!) and this weekend is also Alumni Band so we all get to relive "the glory days". All my friends are coming into town so I'm really happy to see everyone - I miss them so much :(

Enough sob stories, here's the manicure, all ready for a weekend of celebrating my alma mater.

White: Julep Eileen  (this month's Julep box)
Red: Sally Hansen Cherry Red
Glitter: Essie Set in Stone - looks green because of my yard :(




Speaking of Julep, congrats to Ashley M for winning a Julep Maven Intro Box by liking Franishh on facebook. Be on the look out for an email from me! If you didn't win, remember you can sign up for a box for just a penny using the code MAVENINTRO. Sign up here - and let me know if you end up signing up so I can thank you properly!

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday.

U-Rah-Rah

This weekend is the first Badger game of the season and I'm so excited. I was in the UW Marching band for 5 years (before you laugh, go watch this - can you spot me? I have blond hair!) and this weekend is also Alumni Band so we all get to relive "the glory days". All my friends are coming into town so I'm really happy to see everyone - I miss them so much :(

Enough sob stories, here's the manicure, all ready for a weekend of celebrating my alma mater.

White: Julep Eileen  (this month's Julep box)
Red: Sally Hansen Cherry Red
Glitter: Essie Set in Stone - looks green because of my yard :(




Speaking of Julep, congrats to Ashley M for winning a Julep Maven Intro Box by liking Franishh on facebook. Be on the look out for an email from me! If you didn't win, remember you can sign up for a box for just a penny using the code MAVENINTRO. Sign up here - and let me know if you end up signing up so I can thank you properly!

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday.

Understated Statement

This month's Marionberry Style Trend is statement necklaces. I, like just about every blogger out there, has a knock off J. Crew bubble necklace that was a gift from my sister (she bought it at H&M Germany). I decided not to wear it this time because 1. how original and 2. sometimes a little understated statement necklaces are more appropriate for wearing under a lab jacket.

Plus now I get to look like I'm celebrating the 4th of July.

Cardigan: Old Navy {similar in black}
Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet  {similar, similar}
Blouse: H&M  {exact}
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Fossil
Bracelet: J. Crew

Linking up with Real Girl Glam and wiww.

Let's Not Get Carried Away

I leave the house by 7:10 every morning (okkk, most mornings) and even though it's still August, it's been getting chillier. Chilly enough to need a jacket? Maybe, maybe not. But I can't help but reach for them, even if it's just for the walk to my car.


Jumping the gun on fall? Perhaps.

Jacket: Banana Republic  {save, spend, splurge}
Shirt: Forever 21  {similar}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang

1 day left to enter to win an intro box to Julep Maven. I just received the "your box has shipped" email - I'm so excited for this month's colors!

August Budget

1. Forever 21 Jeweled Collar Necklace: $8  {seen here}
2. Old Navy Twill Cargo Vest: $29.94 + 25% off = $22.50  {seen here, here}
3. Thrifted J. Crew Cardigan: $5  {seen here}
4. Essie Ballet Slipper: $8  {seen here}
5. Thrifted Ralph Lauren Button-up: $8  {seen here}
6. Aldo Siewert Flats: $70 + on sale = $33  {seen here, here and here}
7. H&M Striped Boat Neck: $18  {seen on instagram}
8. H&M Blouse: $29.95  {seen here}

August Budget: $132.45

I did pretty good this month! I wanted to spend a bit less this month so I can buy a few more pieces in September, including that classic navy blazer. I've been busy spending money on med school applications, so with less money and less time comes a better kept budget. How did you guys do this month? Did August sales get you, or did you impose a no shopping ban to save up for the fall?

P.S. Please let me know if you link up - this is my first time using this link-up and it's been giving me some trouble, so your link up may not show up right away. Thanks for understanding!

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1. Franishh: August Budget

2. Back to School-Oh, She Dabbles

3. Kim @ Life. Love. Law.

4. valeri @ subURBAN living

5. Budgeting Bloggers ~ August

6. Laura @ Twelve by Six

7. Blue Paper Lanterns

8. heidi @ literate & stylish

9. August Monthly Spending

10. Here&Now

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Bear Pup, Superstar

First of all, thank you for your kind comments yesterday while I was "having a moment". I think you are all great :)

Now back to our regular scheduled program - mainly, my dogs being so needy for internet attention that they feel they need to be in every outfit picture. Hansi last week, Baer this week. Maybe next week I'll bring in my fish from work (his name is Fynn Alpha the Beta Fish) and we'll pose together too.

I'm ready for my close up!

Bitch please, I'm fabulous.

Shirt: Old Navy {exact - seen in blue here}

Scarf: Present from my friend Alexa (coming home next week! hi5)

Jeans: Gap Outlet  {similar}

Shoes: Aldo {exact, similar, similar}

Bracelets: Forever 21  {similar}

Linking up with wiww

IRL

Documenting what I wear daily on this blog has been a really valuable experience so far. I'm building a workable wardrobe, I'm learning what works and what doesn't, and I've become more aware of the money I spend.

The problem with taking pictures of yourself and putting it on the internet is that I feel it has to be special/pinterest worthy/worth remembering. I would love to accessorize more, wear cuter shoes, spend more time on my hair, wear skirts. But the reality is that this is what I wear in real life. I like simple and clean, I have to wear pants, I can't wear rings that can't be worn with gloves, and after almost 25 years, I still don't know how to do my hair. I can't pretend to be something on this blog that I'm not in real life. This may not be the most special outfit ever posted on the internet, but it is what I actually wore to work today.

Shirt: Thrifted Ralph Lauren  {similar}
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  {similar}
Belt: Gap {save, spend, splurge}
Shoes: Rocket Dog (that need to be replaced...)
Necklace: 18th Birthday Present
Bracelet: J. Crew  {similar}

Fall Wish List

I know that it's such a cliche to be excited for fall...but I'm so excited!   We have finally turned off the AC (no more $200+ bills for us!), college football starts in 2 weeks, and my birthday is a month away. In an effort (ha) to stick to my budget, I've listed some of the items I want to invest in in the next couple of months. Fall is all about layering so I'm trying to buy pieces that allow for that. What part of fall clothing is your favorite?

Joe's Jeans Honey Bootcut
Flannel Scarf (a future DIY)
Frye Melissa Boots
Dorothy Perkins Open Stitch Sweater
Anne Klein Gold Watch
Urban Outfitters Flannel Shirt
Tiffany's Bead Earrings (Birthday Wish)
J. Crew Blazer (Birthday Present to myself)


And speaking of fall, and that back to school time, don't forget that you can win some awesome back to school devices by entering AT&T's Back To School Sweepstakes here. Good luck!












*Disclosure: I  was contacted by M80 to help get their word out about their Back To School Promotion. I receive a free product by participating but I do not receive anything for your entry. I'm crossing my fingers for you :)

Half Marathoners

We survived! I still can't believe we ran all of that, but I'm so proud that we did. I can't really walk today but am already excited to get back into running more now that I know I can do 13 miles. I'm not sure if a full  marathon is in my future but never say never!

My mom and sister Viktoria came to support us. Can you tell we are related?

Just after finishing...

and Chris finishing about 20 minutes before me ;)

Copy Cat

Today's weather was perfect. Now if only I got to experience it at all during the day at work - there aren't any windows in the room I sit in so I just like to pretend the weather is terrible outside so I don't have to feel bad about not enjoying it.

Luckily for me I get 2+ undisturbed hours "with nature" tomorrow as it's the day of my half marathon! It turns out that Chris doesn't have to be at the hospital this weekend so he is doing it with me. Wish us luck!

Sweater: Old Navy  {exact, splurge}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Belt: The Limited
Shoes: Rocket Dog  {exact, spend, splurge}
Bracelets: Forever 21

Since buying this vest I've been playing around wearing it with different pieces in my closet. I ended up not wearing it today but will re-wear this outfit for a cooler day. Not wearing it though means that I basically copied Sarah from Small Town Catwalk exactly - I just think it means we have great taste ;)

 Hansi wanted in on the pictures...

Have a great weekend! If you never hear from me again, take that as a lesson to never sign up for a half marathon.










P.S. I have removed Disqus for my comment section. That means that all of my comments have been deleted :(  I think going back to the Blogger comment section is better for my blog as a whole so I appreciate your support in this tiny transition.

Twinkle Toes

After weeks of bright nails, I was ready for something soft. I went to Walgreens looking to buy Essie's Marshmallow but walked out with Ballet Slippers instead. I needed 4 layers to get it how I wanted but it's the perfect off white so it was worth it.

Base: Essie Ballet Slippers
Tips: Essie No Place Like Chrome
Ring: Karen Walker



12 days left to enter the Julep Maven Giveaway!

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday

Navy Blazer...ish

No, your eyes are not deceiving you - this is not a navy blazer. But last night in Forever 21 it looked like one! I've been searching for a navy blazer for a long time...and it looks like the hunt will continue because as fun as a purple blazer is, it isn't what I want to spend my limited budget on. So far this month I've spent $90 of my budget, so I'm thinking about cutting it off there and putting the rest of the money towards next month to use it to buy myself a great navy blazer as a birthday present. So far I'm considering this Topshop blazer, this Banana Republic one, and of course this J.Crew one. Any suggestions where else I can look?

Blazer: Forever 21  {exact}

Scarf: Forever 21 {save, spend, splurge}

Top: H&M

Jeans: Gap  {exact}

Shoes: Aldo  {exact, similar, similar}

Watch: Fossil  {similar}

Bracelet: J. Crew  {similar}

A few weeks ago I had my first Save/Spend/Splurge post about pink saddle bags. Kara who blogs at My Life in the Curvy Lane mentioned that she had a very similar bag that just neeeeeded to be taken off of her hands. I was kind enough to help her out with that ;)  Make sure you stop by My Life in the Curvy Lane! She has some great pieces in her giant closet, and I wish I lived closer to her so she could make me her amazing Strawberry Stuffed French Toast.

We're going to be good friends, you and I.








Linking up with Everybody Everywear, WIWW...

Invested?

You can only wear so many button ups and blazers before you get bored. I don't think I've owned a vest in about 10 years, but seeing how cute it looks on everyone (like here, here and here) I wanted in on the cargo vest. I happened upon this Old Navy version while I was there returning a top, and picked it up.

On the one hand, I can think about 10 outfits on the top of my head about how I would wear this vest. On the other hand, am I falling into a trend trap, and will regret this decision in 6 months?

On a different note, I am in LOVE with this shoes. I've been stalking them for about 2 months now, but (of course) wasn't willing to pay full price. I was watching the price on Zappos, but they never went lower than $55. I checked on the Aldo website, and they were $33 on there! While I'm disappointed I couldn't get them through Zappos and use a giftcard I have, I'm happy getting these shoes for 50% off retail.

Vest: Old Navy  {exact}
Shirt: Forever 21  {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Aldo  {exact}
Belt: H&M
Watch: Fossil {save, spend, splurge}
Bracelet: Tiffanys & Co {exact}

1902

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a red Equipment blouse and said that I'm already looking for a nude version. I found this cream blouse while shopping the other day at H&M - it's a great alternative! It's not 100% silk but that means I don't have to take it into the dry cleaners ;)   I'm excited to have a white button up that I really enjoy as I think it's a timeless piece of clothing to own. I kept on telling my best friend Hannah how excited I was to "find the perfect white shirt" which saying and typing out just sounds kind of silly but  for me, it was exciting!

Blouse: H&M {exact, save, splurge}
Jeans: Banana Republic {similar}
Shoes: Crown Vintage {save, spend, splurge}
Belt: very very old
Bracelets: J. Crew, Forever 21
Nails: Seen here

This necklace is a gift that my maternal grandmother gave me several years ago. I haven't worn it since the chain it was on was too long. I did a little metal working this morning and changed out the chain. The pendant is an old German coin from 1902.  It's pretty neat wearing a piece of history around your neck!

Linking up with A Little Bit of Lacquer

Summertime Sadness

This is not my favorite manicure of all time. I wanted to keep it light and "summery" but I'm so excited for fall that I wanted to use my copper glitter. So there you have it folks. I'm trying to cut back on buying nail polishes right now since I have heaps of them, but sometimes I'm bored with what I have. Are you ever uninspired when it comes to doing your nails? Or is this such a #firstworldproblem that I should just shut up?

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday

Base: Julep Renee
Glitter: OPI Traffic Stopper Copper

Sparkled

Happy (haha, yeah right) Monday everyone! I don't really have much to say about today or this outfit except that I've been looking for a sparkly necklace like this one forever. Just like that pearl bib necklace, I knew if I waited long enough that Forever 21 would eventually make one. I found it randomly hanging with the rings in the jewelry section while shopping with my best friend. It was the only one left in the store - fate :)

Shirt: Calvin Klein Outlet {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {save, exact}
Necklace: Forever 21  {exact}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Seen here - Enter the Julep Giveaway!

Edited to add the close-up...because who writes an entire post about a necklace and then doesn't show it?







Linking up with Real Girl Glam