side swept

Have a great weekend everyone! Hans, Baer and I are visiting Chris this weekend. We're doing a 10K (that I barely have trained for...oops) and going on brewery tours :)

Sweater: H&M
Scarf: DIY
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW
Watch: Kate Spade

September Budget

1. Target Extra Large Boyfriend Watch: $14.99 {seen here recently}
2. Old Navy Plaid Flannel: $24.95 + $8 off with Super Cash = $17  {seen here with a little DIY}
3. Old Navy Casual Blazer: $39.94 + $12 off with Super Cash = $28  {seen here, here}
4. Gap Dot Pullover Sweater: $44.95 + 30% off = $32
5. American Eagle Skinny Jean: $49.95

September Budget: $142*

I've been pretty busy this month which kept me away from the mall and online shopping. Before today, I had only spent $60 but I made a little pit stop at the mall after work to buy jeans. I found the gap sweater on my jeans hunt, and have it currently on hold until tomorrow, when my 30% coupon goes into effect (I received this coupon as a Gap card holder in the mail) so while I haven't actually purchased it yet, I do plan on picking it up tomorrow!

*I did buy my J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer (seen here, here and here) this month as well, but I had been saving for it the last few months as a birthday present to myself, so I don't count it towards this month's budget

Now it's your turn! Share your budget here - please make sure you link back so that your readers can be inspired by the other budgeting bloggers!

Twenty Five

It's my birthday this weekend (technically it was Friday). I was unsure how I felt about the day going in, but then a coworker older and wiser than I am told me that growing old is a privilege denied to many, and you know, that's so true. I've had a great 25 years so far and I'm excited what else life has in store for me. There is so much I want to do and see, so here are 30 things that I hope I can look back on in 5 years and be thankful for the life I've had the privilege of living.

30 before 30

1. Get into medical school...
2. ...and graduate/live through it
3. Swim with dolphins
4. Visit Norway to meet my aunt and cousins
5. Get married
6. Start a family
7. See Coldplay and Adele live
8. Run a marathon (I've done a half!)
9. Buy a Chanel bag
10. Find a charity I'm really passionate about
11. Live and love in a new city
12. See my brother graduate from college
13. Go on another road trip out west
14. Make a dress from scratch
15. Buy a piece of furniture I will still own in 50 years
16. Find the perfect LBD
17. Build up a savings account enough to not be able to work for a few months
18. Stay connected with my closest friends while making new ones
19. Plan an awesome 30th anniversary party for my parents
20. Take my sisters on vacation
21. Mend the relationship with my grandparents before it's too late
22. Go kayaking somewhere awesome that isn't a lake in Madison
23. Learn how to make steaks like my father does
24. Take an art class
25. Learn how to properly use my DSLR - no more automatic!
26. Buy a bike so Chris and I can go on actual bike rides together
27. Go whale watching
28. Actually see more of Germany than just the cities I have family in
29. Take Bear and Hans lure coursing as I think it would be their favorite thing of all time
30. Be happy and content with myself, my life, and those around me

Emerald

This is the third day this week I've worn flannel. Even though it's not technically fall until Saturday, Wisconsin decided to be chilly early, which is fine by me! I love this weather :)   Now I just need to find some quality flannel sheets....

Sweater: Gap  {similar}
Scarf: I made it!
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target  {exact in stores}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}

I think this color is one of my new favorite nail polishes (second to Chinchilly, which I wear way too often). It is Julep's Hoch from the August box (I wore the white polish here) and it is the perfect emerald color. The September box email just came today. It seems that instead of sticking with just one style, subscribers can pick whatever style they want this month! I think I'm going to get Maven's Choice because it comes with three colors that I really like, and because I'm not a fan of crackle nail polish.

If you're a subscriber, which box do you think you'll go with this month? If you aren't a subscriber, you can sign up here and get your first box for only a penny with the code COLOR2012.

On Tuesday I drove home to be a stand-in parent for my younger sister Karoline's Volleyball parent night because my dad had to work and my mom was in Germany. The drive back home is beautiful - lots of open fields and now pumpkins. I had to stop to snap this picture but it doesn't do it justice.

Look at her go! I'm so proud - I definitely am not coordinated enough to play volleyball which is why I ran cross country (like all the cool kids, am I right?! haha).






Linking up with Mani Monday.

Heart On My Sleeves

I've been obsessing over elbow patches for months now. I love how they look on a blazer and collared shirts, which is why I've been waiting until it has been chilly enough to do this DIY. I think the heart shaped elbow patch is a cute little take on what would normal be considered grandpa-sweater only territory.

I used the step by step instructions by Honestly, WTF. The process is very easy and she lays out the steps very clearly. My only suggestion if you recreate this is to not buy the cheapest felting needles. I stabbed around for about 45 minutes until I realized the needles were just not up to par. The middle grade needles only cost about $2 more and allow you to finish a patch in ~10 minutes.

Shirt: Old Navy  {exact}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Steve Madden  {similar}
Watch: Fossil





What's been your favorite DIY? I have so many more things I want to try!

Handsome

I'm still feeling a bit under the weather, so I'm going to just leave this adorable picture here instead of subjecting you to my sick face. Hans loved the fabric so much when I was making my scarf that he got his own from the left over scraps. He's a handsome little bugger, isn't he?








Don't forget you can win a human sized scarf for yourself here!

...sniff...

I'm sick. I think my body is in protest of Chris being gone and my bank account being low. Thanks a lot, body.

I tried to do my hair today but gave up half way through. Bangs are fun but a pain sometimes, especially when all you want to do is go back to bed.

someone call the wah-bulance.

Blouse: Old Navy  (similar)
Cardigan: Forever 21
Jeans: Gap  (exact)
Shoes: Rocket Dog (exact)
Watch: Fossil  (similar)

Homemade Flannel Scarf + Giveaway

In my Fall Wish List post, I mentioned that I was going to make my own flannel infinity scarf. I couldn't find any in stores or online that I really liked (or were less than $50).

Now that Chris is 3 hours away, I have a lot more time (and table space) available so I spent an hour making one! I googled instructions (I used these) after debating fabrics at Jo-Anns. I love the way it turned out.

Luckily for you, I had so much fun making my own, I'm making another to give away! See below for instructions to enter. This is open internationally. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bang Bang

I may have gone a littttttle crazy yesterday while getting my hair cut. Full on bangs. I've never had them before but they're pretty fun! Any styling tips for bangs?

The more I wear my vest, the happier I am that I kept it. I can't wait for the temperatures to drop a little bit more so I can wear it outside of work too.

I've been seeing tons of ladies wearing theirs in cute ways so check them out if you are looking for some new ways to style a cargo vest:

26 and Counting
Because Shanna Said So
My Here and Now
Lilly's Style
Putting Me Together
Sterling Style
Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique
J's Everyday Fashion
C's Evolution of Style
Clothes, Kinks and Curls
Librarian for Life Style

Let me know if you'd like to be added - I need the inspiration :)

Vest: Old Navy (sold out online, try in stores)
Shirt: Old Navy  (similar - on sale!)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target (exact)
Bracelet: J. Crew

One of my closet friends Alexa (the one that gave me my favorite scarf) is back from New Zealand for 6 weeks - I'm so excited to have her back stateside! Her family just got this adorable yellow lab that we've been cooing over all afternoon - her name is Cali - isn't she just adorable?!

Back to School?

Happy first day of school! Even though today I drove to my job like I do every day instead of starting out a new school year, I like to reminisce about back to school time. God, the beginning of the school year was the best! You got to wear all of your new clothes you spent your summer job money on, you get new school supplies (nothing I love more than a new planner and pens), and you get to see all of your friends again.

So even though today was a day like any other, I wanted to wear my brand new blazer and even though I'm seeing less friends (Chris just left for 2 months! :(  ), I'm excited for what the fall has in store for me. 

Are you surprised at all that I'm wearing this blazer today? I'm so glad that I didn't stick with the first navy(ish) blazer, or the second/third blazer to cross my path. I want to wear this one every day this season but I promise to hold myself back.

Maybe.

I just love these two rings together.

Blazer: J. Crew {exact}
Blouse: Gap
Belt: so old
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Shoes: Aldo {exact}
Necklace: family heirloom {more here}
Heart Ring: Karen Walker  {exact}
Anchor Ring: H&M
Watch: Target  {exact}
Nails: OPI Razzle Dazzler

What's your favorite back to school memory?











Linking up with Real Girl Glam and wiww.

Mission: Classic Wool Navy Blazer, Part 2

As I mentioned in Part 1, I ordered the J. Crew Schoolboy blazer in a size 10 tall to see how it compares to a regular size 10. The J.Crew website says that tall sizes are for women 5'9'' and taller. I'm 5'9'' so I ordered both regular and tall blazer to compare the fit.

As you can see, the tall blazer has longer arms (by about an inch) and a longer torso (by about 3/4 of an inch). With the added length of the sleeves also comes a bit of width, which I may have corrected by a tailor. The longer sleeves allow me to move my arms without looking like I am wearing a 3/4 sleeve blazer, which is what happens a lot when i buy blazers/sweaters. The added length in the torso, even though it is just a little bit, allows the blazer to sit a lot better on my waist. I feel the buttons on the tall blazer aren't pulling pulling across by chest like they are on the regular blazer because they sit right underneath it.

The catalog and website don't tell you the fabrics used for the blazer, but in case you were curious, the shell is 98% wool and 2% spandex (which explains the "wool with a hint of stretch").

Over all, I'm thrilled with this blazer. Expensive? Yes, but I hope that the cost per wear will drop quickly because I plan to wear this allllllll the time. Get excited.