Speed networking.

This is what I look like at my first work conference.

Things I forget

How it really hurts to start playing the guitar again. But when the callouses form, it feels really awesome.

That writing in a journal really is therapeutic.

I'm not too old to buy concert T-shirts. (I'm not, right???)

I'm an adult, so going on a business trip is normal.

Flamenco music is pretty amazing...

...and that Explosions in the Sky and Sigur Ros are still the best music to get work done to.

Gap tunic, Target leggings, Old Navy scarf and bag, TOMS shoes

Happy last photo of Dress Week!

Thrifted remix

I'm giving this thrifted dress a second chance. It's actually not quite my style, but I made it work.

And, by the way, this is still the continuation of Dress Week. Still catching up!

White House Black Market dress, Old Navy cardi and scarf, Madden boots

Help me shop.

And Dress Week continues.

I do realize that by the time I finish posting, it'll be a new week. Maybe even Pants Week. Watch out.

So, I need y'alls help. (Don't worry; it's not serious. Just a matter of life and fashion.)

I got a Refinery29 (woot!) deal for Shop Sosie because they have this dress, which I've been eyeing ever since Kendi wore it. I know. There's a trend forming. I see a blogger wear something, so I want it. But at least I'm frugal about it. I mean, the last blogger-inspired purchase I made set me back just $10.

Gap dress, Urban cardigan & flats

So why do I need your help? Well, the price of the dress takes up less than half of what my deal coupon is worth, so I want some help picking my second item. I've even made a poll to make it super simple.

In addition to the dress, should I buy this tribal maxi dress or this red blazer or something else all together?

Why don't we vote on it? If you vote for something else, leave your suggestions in the comments, por favor!

What should be my second pick?
	Tribal maxi dress
	Red blazer
	Somethin' else
Web Polls

Floral

I think it's about time for me to return this dress to it's rightful owner, my pal Syd. It's been a loyal companion, and paired well with this vest. But it's time for it to go home.

So long, floral dress. It's been swell.

Borrowed Old Navy dress, Old Navy vest, bracelet and earrings, old flats

Weeknight date night

The hubs was away over the weekend. He went back to South Carolina for his grandfather's funeral. I wasn't able to go with him, so we missed our typical Saturday morning date. To make up for it, we had a Monday night date night where we sat outside to eat dinner (in San Francisco!) and made faces at each other.

And when he agreed to take photos of me at the grocery store, I was shocked. Also, yes, that's the same dress I wore the day before.

Gap dress, scarf and sandals, F21 necklace

Dress Week

Since the weather's so lovely this week, I'm wearing a dress everyday.

Exciting stuff happens on Bethy's blog!

This dress is my sweet find from the Gap sale rack. I like it so much. These photos are from Sunday, when I decided it'd be better to wear a tank under the dress for church.

In addition to wearing dresses this week, I also picked up my guitar again last night (that's two times in one week!). My fingers are throbbing and it feels good. Thanks, Dawes (the band), for making me want to play some of your music last night. It's just what I needed.

Gap dress, Old Navy tank, H&M neclace, Target and gifted bracelets, Target wedges

Just one

Yesterday, after an early-bird screening of "Contagion" (not really recommended, by the way) and a sushi lunch with friends, I decided to stop by the Gap on the way home to check on the sales. 

I picked up a few things to take to the fitting room.

OK, maybe more than just a few.

But in end I walked away with one purchase. This denim dress:

I first knew I wanted this dress when I saw Kyla from Blue Collar Catwalk sporting it in her adorable way here. But I wasn't convinced I would get enough wear out of it to justify paying full price, so I waited for it to go on sale. I found it yesterday on final sale for $12, with an additional 30 percent off of sale items. Sold! Ain't it cute? Thank goodness for San Francisco Indian Summers; I'll actually get some wear out of it. And I'm already brainstorming how to layer it up for cooler weather.

Then, I came home and browsed the blogs for a bit, stumbling upon this post from Deb of I Dream of Anthropologie. In it, she addresses something near and dear to my heart: budgeting for shopping. It's quite the open and honest post, and I gotta give Deb props for that. I don't remember if I've blogged before about budgeting for shopping (on here or for work), but it's something I think about a lot. If I've never filled you in before, remind me to do so later.

In the meantime, maybe you can share with me how you budget for shopping, if you do. Do you save up for some long-lasting big-ticket items? Do you save a little money each paycheck to splurge on some great finds? Do you pull out the plastic and hop you don't get declined?

Weekend fitting room adventure

Friday surprise

Isn't it nice when you get a nice little surprise on the way to work?

This morning I was strolling down my street. I decided to walk instead of taking the bus. And I'm so glad I did.

There it was, in all of its blue awning, Parisian glort: La Boulange. On my street! Just six blocks from my apartment.

Out front there was a little chalkboard sign: "It's our grand opening! Come join us!"

And so I did, and was probably acting a little too giddy with my cashier. But he seemed to enjoy my giddiness.

I walked away with a custard raisin swirl, a coffee and plans to return many, many times.

Smile

Around these blogosphere parts, we like to smile. Do you? If so, go here.

What's making me smile this week?

Sure, I was sick this weekend, but it also meant I got to finish "The Hunger Games" and start the first season of "Game of Thrones" (the TV show, not the books).

I'm going camping this weekend with some of the funniest people I know.

My red cords. I love them.

My new Warby Parkers. Still getting used to my slightly different prescription, but I'm diggin' my geeky glasses. Maybe I'll get some sunglasses next time.

My first business trip, coming up at the end of this month. Chicago, baby!*

My husband and the fact that, even when he doesn't love what I cook for dinner, he happily has two bowl fulls. On the other hand, I did love what I made for dinner. :)

These pants. So cute! And so cheap!

Pinterest. (Follow me!)

The end.

Gap cords, gifted top, handmade and gifted silk scarf, Old Navy jacket, Banana Republic oxfords, F21 locket & sunglasses

*Actually, I'm going to some hotel outside of Chicago, but it still counts as Chicago, right?

Missoni for Target: My Thoughts

I hear there was mass pandemonium at every Target in the nation today.

It was reflected on Target's website when I tried to browse a bit this morning and was constantly denied by the cute little Target dog saying the site was currently down. (As I type this, it looks like it's back up.)

Why all the craziness? Missoni for Target, the long-awaited designer collaboration launched today. Imagine, the best in Italian fashion design right at your local Target, with most pieces coming in under $50. That's incredible! I mean, it is, isn't it? Yes?

I admit, I had gotten a little caught up in the hype of it all--reading blogger commentary on the upcoming launch, watching promo videos and wondering which pieces I would choose. But, you know what? I don't even like Missoni. It's not that I don't respect the design--and the iconic zig-zags. It's just that it's not really in my aesthetic.

Like, not at all.

And yet, I was a bit bummed today when I heard that nearly piece of apparel in the line was already sold out (or close to it). Many of the items are popping up on Ebay and priced much higher than retail. A little part of me thought, Bummer! There's no way I'll be able to get my hands on one of those cute sweater dresses.

AND I DON'T EVEN LIKE THE SWEATER DRESSES*.

That's mass marketing for you. And the keen campaign idea of teaming up with a famous designer to make it seem like one-of-a-kind pieces are becoming available to middle America. (News flash--you're not getting the same quality or exclusivity. You're just getting the name. But if that's all you want, you're golden. If I had an extra $400 lying around I would've been swayed by that adorable bicycle.) Target's certainly not the only company to do this (and this isn't its first foray into the designer collaboration world), but I would say that their collaborations have been the most successful in retail. Remember Tucker for Target and how every blogger out there snatched up the cute dresses and tunics? OK, I'll admit it. That's a collaboration I'm sincerely bummed I missed.

Soon, there will be another collaboration to look forward to, and it might even be with a designer I resonate with aesthetically. Till then, I'll try my best to resist the marketing ploys that basically cause me to purchase everything I do.





*I say this, and yet, if the site had been up, I probably would've bought one of the dresses and worn it proudly. Part of my style aesthetic or not, it's still a statement, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the bloggers I follow style the different Missoni for Target pieces.

Warby Parker sneak peek!

Cream?

I go into Starbucks Friday morning for my very first pumpkin spice latte of the season. It was my end-of-the-week treat.

After I ordered, the barista asks me, "Cream?"

"What?"

"Cream?"

"Um, no. No cream." Confused, I prod further: "People actually put cream... in their lattes?"

"Well," she starts, not a smile grazing her face, "It's a seasonal beverage, so we add whipped cream."

"Oh!" I say, realizing she means whipped cream not creamer. "I thought you meant like creamer."

"Um. No."

Apparently, she wasn't amused by my little misunderstanding.

But, to be fair, everyone else at Starbucks calls it whipped cream.. Not just cream. It's a little thing, I know. Even the guy who made me my drink said "no whip."

And that's the end of my pumpkin spice latte story.

Is anyone else excited to try the salted caramel mocha? That'll be my next end-of-the-week treat, I think.

Old Navy sweater, F21 tank, gifted jeans, Banana Republic oxfords, gifted from Sudan earrings

Sick day

Stayed home all day today recovering from some grossness that sneaked (snuk?) into my system yesterday.

A sick day at home meant...

Finally starting--and nearly finishing--season one of Game of Thrones.

Ginger Ale brought to me by my sweet husband. It always made me feel better when I was little.

Cookie dough Ben & Jerry's, also brought to me by sweet hubs. Obviously, ice cream heals all.

A bubble bath. Just 'cause.

I'm feeling better, and will probably be all healed up just in time to go to work tomorrow morning. Ha! Isn't that always the way?

Layer FAIL

Well, I tried.

I tried a style out of InStyle magazine.

Old Navy dress, vest & scarf, Target leggings, Madden boots

InStyle has a great feature on layering different types of apparel pieces together.

And so I tried this one:

But it didn't really turn out the way I wanted:

I still liked the outfit, but I think I'll try something else layering-wise.