I’ve been wanting a rust-colored top so that I could recreate this pin, and this one, and even this one, and I found one while thrift shopping. I snatched it up as quickly as I could and wore it the very next day. That’s just how I do.

We spent the weekend cleaning out our closets and made a ton of donations, so I don’t feel quite as bad about adding another cardigan to my wardrobe. In my opinion, cardigans are the most versatile piece in the world (next to denim) so you can never have too many. When you have at least three+ pins to inspire you, I think it was meant to be!

So, more ruffles. I think I’m going to have to take back my previous statement of not liking them because I realize I have several tops with ruffles that are totally adorable. They’re very subtle, though, so I guess I like ruffles as long as they’re not in your face. We’ll leave it at that.

Top: J. Crew (thrifted) | Scarf: Amazon | Belt: Banana Republic | Denim: Loft | Heels: Target | Earrings: Target | Bracelet: Old Navy

Isn’t yellow such a happy color? I mean, it’s the color of sunshine, daffodils, and lemonade, all of which are some of the happiest things on the planet!

It was bright and crisp out today so I decided to wear yellow to keep the happy spirits up while finishing up some holiday shopping. It was a valiant effort, but, alas, I still have some shopping left.

Button front and vest: Old Navy | Sweater: Target | Denim: Loft | Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW | Necklace: Caroline G. | Sunglasses: Target

I might as well just stop trying to fashion blog right now because I’ve found my new favorite outfit. I’ll probably wear it every day for the rest of the season. I was going to say ‘the rest of my life’ but the weather will eventually warm up and I’ll end up sweating it off. But seriously, I love this outfit. I first wore it on Thanksgiving, even though I had planned to wear something slightly different, and decided then and there that I would wear it again every chance I got. And I almost have!

I absolutely adore this sweater because of the beautiful lace-like detail on the front. I don’t wear sweatshirts, but with this one I can get the feel of a sweatshirt with a look that is still casually elegant and put together. Also, the pattern on this vest is great! I know I mentioned in a previous post that you couldn’t really see it but in this photo you can. It’s not quite houndstooth but it works!

 I didn’t intend for my porch umbrella to end up in these photos, nor did I intend to match it! Actually, the umbrella is a burnt orange and my sweater is red so I don’t really match. *whew*

Sweater and Vest: Banana Republic | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots: Steve Madden

It’s a rainy Monday in my neck of the woods and I’m studying for my last final tomorrow so I won’t be leaving the house all day. What that really means is that I won’t be changing out of my pajamas so I won’t have a nice outfit to share with you today. Instead, I’ll leave you with the outfit I wore for family photos last month. For the last few years, we’ve had beautiful family photos taken by our favorite photographers – who also photographed our wedding and are available if you’re in the market – to put on our holiday cards. They offer an event where you have 10 minutes to take all the photos you can get for a very reasonable and inexpensive price. The photos always turn out gorgeously, as you can see, because Thad and Sarah are artistic geniouses!

As we do for every event in life, Nick and I coordinated our outfits with a pink/navy/brown color scheme. I’m wearing a pink sweater with denim (for my navy) and he’s wearing a pink button-front under a  navy pull-over sweater. Unfortunately, Nick wouldn’t let me dress up the dogs, even though Mia has the cutest little seersucker dress in pink!

These photos could also serve as engagement photos if we weren’t already married so I hope it gives you some good ideas for your own photos!

Happy Sunday!

This week’s serenade is You & Me by Diamond Rings.

“So come on, hold me tighter,
Let’s shine brighter,
Let’s be you and me”

Love it.

This Week’s Top 5

1. Holiday parties. I’m hoping to get some outfit ideas up this week for all of the upcoming holiday parties. I’ve already had one party and I”m not sure how many more I will have this year, but the one I did attend was for my program at school and was a lot of fun. My new friends are all pretty awesome.

2. Quiet study areas in the library. It’s where I do the majority of my studying and, believe me, I’ve utilized it a lot this week.

3. Sleeping in. After several late nights in the library studying for final exams, it was the best feeling to sleep in the morning after a big exam. Only one more left and the semester is over!

4. Dinner with friends. Especially those you haven’t seen in a while, like, at least a month! Catching up is the best.

5. Getting to know new people. I’ve done a lot of that over the last few months and it’s incredibly satisfying. New people, new friends, new experiences… that’s the life!

Photo of the Week:

Just one of the many purple and gold Christmas trees around campus to celebrate the holiday season. This one is in the library. Go Pirates!