Shades of Pink + Straw

It's raining...still. I need springtime sunshine right now! What's getting me though the day? J. Crew's Spring 2011 look book and Tory Burch's blog (read here). I definitely need some hot pink and straw in my life! What about you? I really want to try some monochromatic looks this spring...and I have a feeling that I would always be happy if I had this Tory Burch striped straw tote on my arm (it's the simple things in life, right?)

My Wish List...

Rainy days translate into me browsing the web all day long...what do I want for Spring? Well I'll tell you...

1. Promenade Dress in French Vanilla: Madewell
2. Weather Edge Nisqually Trench Coat: Eddie Bauer
3. Women's Earthkeepers Cabot Leather/Fabric Desert Boot: Timberland
4. Lina earrings: Turkey Museum Replicas 

What are you wishing for?

Like a (Hair) Virgin, Touched for the Very 1st Time

So after yesterday mornings post I did a ton of thinking! Yes, I did try to apply the "steps" and while it did get me thinking about many things I noticed that I do way TOO much for other people; basically I let other peoples ideas/beliefs get in the way of my own. Although I think this is just something all 20-somethings go through, that cliche "discovery"/"finding myself" phase, I can't help but want to do something to break the cycle...so I dyed my hair. Me, the indecisive and predictable girl did it; problem is, you can barely notice a change. I guess my dark brown hair was too much for the lightest golden brown natural instincts hair dye product (any suggestions how to go lighter without breaking the bank? I really want to change it up!). Besides the hair-dye-fail, I decided to mix up my food/meal routine as well (strange again) and made a delicious chocolate smoothie last night for dessert (totally making it again tonight!) and went out last night to socialize with friends I never see; senior year is weird for me--I feel like I never see anyone anymore. Between my homework, internship, job applications and "me" time I rarely have the energy to see old friends--this is all changing! What did I wear last night to the local college bar? I felt more NYC than Narragansett, RI but I loved it nonetheless:

T-shirt: GAP, Blazer: Dalia Collection, Jeans: Forever21, Belt: GEORGE, Wedges: Nine West, Earrings: NYC boutique

How do you change "it" up? Whatever that "it" may be?

Any hair-dying suggestions?

Need Some Motivation?

You know those days when you just feel crummy? It's as if the sun could be shining, you have you favorite pair of shoes on, and you just got a cute text message from a guy you like/date/etc.--but it doesn't matter. I've kind of felt this way lately; maybe it's my upcoming graduation, stress in applying/finding a "real" job and trying to figure myself out in the process but I am spent...emotionally spent. When I was flipping though the April issue of SHAPE magazine I found an article about how to be your own cheerleader. I have been noticing a lot of bloggers like myself have been stressed about upcoming graduations, projects, events, etc...so this may be the perfect time to pep all of us up! Here are the steps:

1. ID your strengths: the article tells us to write down 3-4 emotional and physical things about ourselves that we love. This is usually pretty hard for me (most people would agree, I think). Anyway, I think emotionally I am very genuine and observant, physically I think I have a strong body (thanks to the gym) and long, wavy hair.
2. Give your wardrobe a makeover: it is suggested that we highlight our assets and figure out what works for me. This is a funny one; I always think that I dress my body correctly, but I have been noticing (since I read this article) that I tend to hide behind baggy clothes a lot--there's a difference between the tom-boy look and swimming in my clothes. Perfect time for some spring cleaning. I am definitely going to donate my unwanted clothes to a charity bin (find a Salvation Army location here).
3. Make your heart pound: without a given, exercise can do so much for a person--even though some days I want to just say, "get away from me treadmill!" usually after a cardio session I feel so much better.

I'm hoping all of these things get me out of my little "funk." Maybe they will help you too--having great friends and outlets to vent your frustrations is always good and looking/doing things that make you happy and remind you of happy times is always key--with that said, here are some pictures from my Spring Break cruise to the Bahamas!

 Enjoy the sunshine!

Rachael & I on the Norwegian Jewel: taken before dinner

Nicole, Sydney, Rachael, Elora, Me--on Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas

The ladies and I in Nassau, Bahamas!

Elora and I on the boat: last full day at sea

Friday Fancies

It's raining--what is with New England weather? It was snowing last night--early April Fools Day joke? Anyway, I am pretending this early "April Shower" will just pave the way for pretty blooms, green, GREEN grass and tons of sunshine in the upcoming months!
This week my Friday Fancies are inspired by my love of the new spring color CORAL! I am in love with it; coral lipstick, coral nail polish (currently wearing: Loreal Paris: Mango-Get-Em--an orangish-coral). Want to design your dream outfit, no money required? Play along and link up with {av} at {long distance loving}!

1. Alloy: Mackenzie Stripped Knit Dress (worn as a shirt)
2. Herve Leger Color Block Skirt in Peach and Fuchsia
3. Surface to Air Nude Canvas and Leather Lace Up Wedge Sandal
4. SML Bag: Coral Brocade Mae Clutch
5. Vineyard Vines: Travelers Way Anorak

What would you wear?

Happy Friday Y'all

In the Stacks

I did something I never thought I would do...take OOTD pictures in the library. Okay, I did go to the 3rd floor, hiding behind shelves of books, in the farthest corner of the building by the windows (hope the passerby's couldn't see me...that would be embarrassing)--but I still did it. I'm wearing:

Cardigan: BASS outfitters, Long Sleeve: Target, Cargo pants: SL8, Flats: GAP, Ring: Lone Star Jeans Boutique, Bracelets: street vendors in NYC/Bahamas/URI campus (I'm pretty diverse, right?)

Side note: I tried doing the stacking bracelets thing again--usually I feel like I'm wearing handcuffs, but after Staley's post a while back I decided to give it another go!  

I'm off to tackle some homework and job applications--what's on your to-do list?

Has anyone else ever taken OOTD pictures in weird places?

Flow is Flow

I needed to post this picture; it captures everything I am coveting at the moment: flowy skirts, patterned booties, over sized sunnies, metallics, neons, leather bombers--edgy and lady-like!

 

Happy Hump Day!

Let's all try and get through it together!