Let’s hear it for Spring Break!

This week is my last spring break ever, which is awesome because that means school is almost over forever. It also means that Nick and I are heading to Savannah, GA tomorrow for a nice little four-day vacation. I’m really excited to get away for a romantic week with my lovey dovey. It’s been a really long and difficult two years of graduate school for us because I’ve had to spend most of it away from home, commuting to school (which is almost 2 hours away). This trip will give us a few days to ourselves, without having to worry about school or work or who is going to load/unload the dishwasher after an exhaustingly long day. The only thing I’m NOT looking forward to is packing because I’m a notorious overpacker. For as long as I can remember, I’ve overpacked for every single trip I’ve taken. I’m not even joking. One time we went to the beach for a week and I had at least three different bags full of clothes. As I’ve gotten older, however, I’ve gotten a little better at planning out a full itinerary so I will know what we will be doing and can pack/dress accordingly.

This trip is no different. We’re planning to eat at yummy restaurants, go on a nighttime ghost walk, see the sights, do some shopping, and possibly take a moonlight riverboat cruise. That all sounds easy enough to pack for, but the one thing throwing me off is that it’s supposed to rain all week. Boo, rain! Anyway, I’ve challenged myself to pack light for this trip. Everything has to fit into this weekender bag I purchased from Target:

I’ve chosen four shirts, two pairs of pants, and two pairs of shoes. I’ve only decided on one accessory (for now) which is a scarf. I’ll throw some jewelry in there last-minute, like usual

I also plan to pack my rain gear (e.g. trench and/or rain coat and rain boots) and a skirt or dress in case we make it to a fancy dinner or that riverboat cruise, but I haven’t decided on which dress yet because I still have to get my spring clothes out of storage.  Here are some of the outfits I’ve put together with my chosen items so that I have some options and can work with the rain.

I know these photos aren’t exactly Pinterest-worthy, but I took them  as I was putting outfits together and figuring it all out. I think they serve their purpose. Maybe next time I’ll be a little more organized and get better photos. I will say I’m actually really glad that I decided to post about this because it has helped confirm some of my choices!

Yes, that is my dog, Mia’s little butt/leg in the corner of this photo!

I can’t make any promises that I won’t add a bunch of stuff at the last minute (my brain is already screaming at me, “oh my gosh, you forgot to include a cardigan in case it’s a little chilly!) but I will do my best. I’ll try to get lots of outfit photos while I’m there so you can see how it all came together. I hope everyone has a great week and you all are enjoying the great thaw 🙂

Shirts: Pink sweater: Banana Republic | Gray tee: Target | Striped tee: Old Navy | Beige sweater: Banana Republic
Jeans: Both from Old Navy
Shoes: Canvas sneaks: Target | Cognac flats: Old Navy
Scarf: boutique from Wilmington, NC
Necklace: Stitch Fix

As a Christmas gift to each other, Nick and I decided to upgrade our bedroom closet and maximize space as much as possible. We’ve ordered one of those DIY-install closet systems and while we wait for it to arrive, I’ve been trying to reorganize/whittle down my clothes. I realized I haven’t worn this red sweater all winter, and as if she was reading my mind, Laura from I Do DeClaire posted this outfit.

I decided to copy Laura’s outfit and wear this one for Galentine’s Day. If you’re not familiar with this event, then you need to be watching Parks and Recreation1 Seriously, it’s okay, I’ll wait. See, wasn’t that great? 🙂 Two of my friends and I spent the day together, shopping and eating and having a great time. It really was one of the best Galentine’s Day I’ve ever had.

Laura wore knee-high cognac boots with her red sweater and pixie pants, which looked really cute on her. When I tried it with my cognac boots,I felt like I looked a lot shorter than I already am so I ultimately decided to wear my new ankle boots. I haven’t had them long but I’m already in love with them; they’re the most versatile boot I’ve had because they go with everything. EVERYTHING. But wearing them for a day out with the girls probably wasn’t the best idea considering we did a lot of walking and I haven’t really had a chance to break them in yet. Needless to say, they’re broken in now and my feet are only a little sore!

Sweater: Banana Republic | Pixie Pants: Old Navy | Boots: BP Trolley via Nordstrom | Red Bead Necklace: Target | Layered Necklace: Claire’s (old) | Bracelets: Old Navy

UPDATE: I just realized that this week’s Style Challenge from Audry at Putting Me Together is Wear an Old Piece (aka something you haven’t worn in at least 6 months). Technically, I haven’t worn this sweater since last winter, and not at all this winter – until now – so I think it counts. Therefore, I’m linking up!

Linking up with InDuffinitely Me | The Tiny Heart | Mix & Match Fashion | The Penniless Socialite | Putting Me Together

Nick and I don’t usually make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. In fact, our usual tradition is to eat dinner at Chipotle (or somewhere similar) on Valentine’s because it’s less crowded and we’re of the mind that we don’t need Hallmark to sell us a day to show our love. BUT, with me being away at school so much these past two years, Nick decided it would be a nice, romantic date night opportunity.About a month ago, he told me not to make any plans for Valentine’s because he already did. Nick doesn’t plan things like this very often (if ever) so I was pleasantly surprised. He wouldn’t tell me where we were going or what we were doing – except that we were going to dinner but he wouldn’t tell me where – because it was a surprise, but he did tell me I could dress up. So, only knowing that we were having dinner but nothing else, I put together two outfits and told Nick to pick the most appropriate one. I chose a nice blouse and pants for outfit #1 and a really cute dress for outfit #2.

Scroll through to see the outfits in more detail, and at the bottom, you’ll see what we did and which outfit he chose!

Outfit #1: Black and white blouse, black pixie pants, pink heels

Outfit #2: Black and white print dress, tights, and ankle boots

The Date

Our date was dinner at Taberna Tapas, a delicious and authentic Spanish restaurant serving small & large plates, including charcuterie and paella, and then a comedy show at the Carolina Theatre featuring Maria Bamford! I had mentioned to Nick as soon as I found out she was playing in our city that I wanted to go see her and he remembered! (And he doesn’t remember ANYTHING!)

And the Winner is…

The dress! Nick said he liked both outfits but this was his favorite of the two, so it’s what I wore.

We had a great time and I’m really glad we celebrated Valentine’s this year. And the best part was, as we were leaving the theatre, it was snowing! It didn’t last long, and it was REALLY cold and windy, but there was something a little magical about it.

Which look is your favorite? Did you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Outfit 1: Blouse: miami via Francesca’s | Pants: Old Navy | Shoes: Christian Siriano via Payless | Bracelet: Old Navy | Earrings: gift from my MIL

Outfit 2: Dress: Soprano via Nordstrom Rack |Belt: Target | Tights: Banana Republic | Booties: Target | Bracelet & Necklace: Old Navy | Earrings: gift from my MIL

Linking up with More Pieces of Me | Still Being Molly | InDUFFinitely Me | Because Shanna Said So | The Pleated Poppy | Tucker Up | The Tiny Heart | Mix & Match Fashion | The Penniless Socialite

I’m finishing up my Master’s program in May and with graduation comes a new job and… office wear! As crazy as it may sound, I’m actually really excited about getting back to working a 9-5 and wearing my pencil skirts on a regular basis. Office wear is much easier for me than casual wear, and I’ve talked a little bit about how difficult it was for me to figure out how to dress for graduate school. I worked in an office for about 6 years before going back to school, so I have a lot of practice with office wear. Plus, I’m really comfortable in it. All that to say that I’m starting to put together more work-appropriate outfits because I’m on the hunt for a real job, a career. This outfit is really simple: black shirt, black skirt, textured blazer and fun, sparkly shoes. It makes me feel like a realtor, which isn’t a bad thing, but it’s not what I’ll be doing.

How cute is this little doggie necklace? It was a birthday gift from a friend; they know me so well!

And here’s the fun one: Maybe I’m a plane?

Top: Old Navy | Skirt: Target | Blazer: Banana Republic | Shoes: Fioni via Payless | Necklace: gift

You guys, I had my eye on this jacket for a while but it was a little more than I was willing to pay, but I recently found it on sale so I did what any girl would do: I snatched it up! I’m still learning how to choose outerwear for my outfits. I started out with a denim jacket but I don’t like wearing it with jeans, and then I finally got a trench coat but I can’t figure out when it’s appropriate to wear (only when it’s raining? can you wear them with jeans? it can’t be too cold out because it doesn’t keep me warm, etc.) but I was convinced that I needed this jacket and now I have it and I’m wearing it with everything! I don’t even care! Also, let’s talk about this sweater. I got it on sale at Target recently and I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be a cropped sweater for an average-size person but I’m so short that I feel like it hits at this awkward point around my belly button. I really like it though, so I’ll make it work.

Here’s the blooper: I have no idea…

Jacket: Banana Republic | Sweater: Target | Jeans: kensie via Stitch Fix | Boots: Mix No. 6 via DSW | Jewelry: gift from mother-in-law

Also, did you catch the reference of my title?

GIF source

Linking up with Bri over at Work Clothes, I Suppose for Third Thursday Threads