This is a slight variation on this outfit I wore a few weeks ago: same shorts, same sandals, different shirt but still with stripes. I wanted something comfy to wear home for the weekend while still looking stylish for a family get-together, so this was it. I added the flower clip for a pop of color, and because it’s just super cute.

I love visiting my family, especially when we have so much to celebrate. During this trip, we celebrated a few birthdays, my baby cousin’s graduation from college AND his engagement to his girlfriend (welcome to the family!), and best of all, I got to spend quality time with everyone. I spent the last few years commuting to the eastern part of the state for school so I never had a lot of time to travel to the western part of the state to visit my family. I’m so glad that I can go visit them more often now that I’ve completed school. I try to make it home about once a month or so because my family is very important to me. I also love it when they come visit me and I can take them to all my favorite restaurants, or go a Durham Bulls baseball game, visit one of the many museums, or to the Duke Gardens (my mom is a horticulturist so she LOVES plants), or shopping at the mall or the many boutique stores we have. One thing is for sure: it’s always a good time!

Maybe this a blooper? I dont know, I actually think it looks fine!

Top: Banana Republic | Shorts: Gap | Shoes: X-Appeal | Sunnies, Necklace, Flower Clip, and Handbag: Target

I think it’s really important for my blog that I show outfits that I actually wear. I also want my outfits to look good, but I feel like I struggle with being “trendy” and heels with everything feels very trendy right now. I love how the heels look with these skinny jeans and the necklace of the same color, and this is definitely something I’d wear on a night out or for a special occasion, but to be completely honest, I wouldn’t wear heels to the grocery store. I’d definitely choose flats to run errands or to grab lunch with Nick. So, the truth is I did wear this outfit to lunch with Nick one day last week BUT with the flats I wore with this outfit.

But this outfit is so cute that I’ll come up with a reason to wear it. Or I’ll wear the heels to the grocery store because it’s so darn good. Maybe sometimes you just have to make those sacrifices 😉

Here’s the fun blooper: This is me giving instruction. I’m not bossy, I’m a leader! 😉

Tank: C. Luce via Stitch Fix | Jeans: Banana Republic | Heels: Christian Siriano via Payless | Necklace: Accessorize It | Sunnies & Handbag: Target

Linking up with A Pocket Full of Polka Dots | Penniless Socialite | More Pieces of Me | I Do DeClaire | Mix & Match Fashion

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

What do you wear when you only leave your house to run a quick errand? A sweater, distressed skinnies, and to pull it all together, you throw a scarf on it. I love to keep it simple. In fact, it seems as though my wardrobe is slowly creeping toward more minimalistic than anything else. But, I love the pop of pink from this scarf and it’s really warm. I wore this outfit a few weeks ago before the snow and ice came, when the sun was still warm. Can it please be spring now?

Sweater & Scarf: Banana Republic | Jeans & Shoes: Old Navy

Graphic tees are all the rage and this is my take on it. I have been known to buy lots of these little baby doll tees from TeeFury, a website that features a new design every day. When I first started shopping there a few years ago, they would only sell one design per day and it was no longer available after that 24-hour period. These days, they keep a gallery so you can shop around and buy multiple tees. I’m a sucker for these kinds of shirts because they fit so well and they’re comfortable. When I was in undergrad I wore them all the time, but I haven’t really w them outside of my house lately. I’m glad they’re becoming ever more stylish because I have a ton of them that I can wear more often.

I was drawn to the colors in this one; they’re beautiful and make the tee so versatile because I can wear it with a range of cardigans and blazers.

Tee: TeeFury
Blazer: Banana Republic
Denim: Old Navy
Wedges: Old Navy
Necklace: Target
Earrings: Wal-Mart
Bracelets: Old Navy