over the river

One of my favorite things about Winthrop had to be the river. It was sort of mesmerizing. I now understand why Pocahontas sang a whole song about them. Ted and I didn't take any photos of the river during this particular evening in town, but we did decide to stop at the bridge over the river and snap a few photos before enjoying one of the best meals either of us have had in a very long time. Bravo delicious Italian restaurant in Twisp, WA. Bravo. 

a stroll through town

Maybe it's the theater girl in me, but I love a well-themed ensemble. Not to the point where I feel like I'm walking around in a costume or anything - I'll wait to do that when I fulfill my dream job of working at Disneyland - but rather something that makes me feel at home among the scenery. So when my boyfriend told me we'd be visiting a town that looked like an old Western film I had to bust out the strappy feather-trimmed sandals, burnished gold accessories and sunset-red dress.

a favorite fedora

Forever 21 jacket (similar) | Everlane tee | Nordstrom Rack skirt (same brand/similar)

Target fedora (similar with studs!) | Target watch | Ray Ban New Wayfarers

Sandals from a trip to Capri (similar here and here)

Something special happens when you toss on a black fedora. You start to feel a little more confident. A bit more certain of the things you can do. Pair that favorite fedora with a long and lean maxi skirt and the softest tee ever and now you're just feeling ridiculously comfortable! Seriously, I could sleep in this outfit. As mentioned before, it's my ideal travel ensemble...

perfect white tee

Everlane tee | Gap jeans | Nine West heels

Boyfriend jeans and a plain white tee. It doesn't get much more classic than that. Of course I'm a total girl and despite the fact that I was visiting a lake on this particular day I just couldn't resist tossing on a pair of red pumps. Personally I find walking around on a dock in high heels the ultimate thrill. What can I say? I live life dangerously.  

a pretty pick-me-up

tee ~ Nordstrom Rack (similar) | denim ~ Banana Republic | cardigan ~ Nordstrom Rack (similar)

Franco Sarto wedges ~ old (similar) | handbag ~ Sole Society | necklace ~ J.Crew Factory

In my experience, a lazy afternoon that will soon turn into an evening spent cheering on your best friend's country band requires a little pick-me-up to keep everything going. Please note the Starbucks Refresher pictured above. You know I mean business (i.e. 4-hours of dancing in heels...) when I get a venti.

let's take a stroll

Top: Nordstrom Rack | Denim: Joe's Jeans via Nordstrom Rack (similar)

Jacket: old Forever 21 (similar) | Satchel: Imoshion via HauteLook

Anorak jackets are kind of my jam. I have yet to find an ensemble they don't work with, and if there is one out there I beg you, please don't tell me about it because you would just be breaking my heart. 

a time to twirl

sweater: old Banana Republic | skirt: DownEast Basics via zulily (similar)

belt: H&M (similar) | sandals: Zara (on sale!) | sunglasses: Target

Happy Memorial day friends! Summer has (unofficially) started! Time to bust out the BBQ's, corn on the cob holders and croquet sets. Or if you're like me and living in Seattle...time to continue using our umbrellas and water-resistant rain gear! 

We experienced some summer-worthy sun over the past few weeks, but this weekend got a bit blustery, so I'm going to spend some time today pretending that it's as warm as the morning I decided to stop at my favorite neighborhood bakery for a pastry - wearing a twirl-worthy skirt of course. Because what goes better with a treat than some tulle?

it's in the (bucket) bag

Button-up: old Banana Republic (similar)| Denim: Banana Republic (last seen here)

Boat shoes: Sperry | Handbag: Sole Society

When it comes to my personal style I love trying out different looks. Classic one day, boho the next, maybe a little glam the following week, but there is one fashion area that I seldom experiment with, and that involves my choice of handbag. I will often rock the same old crossbody, satchel or tote for months and months until it is practically falling apart. At least I can never be charged with accessory neglect! 

spots & stripes

Top: J.Crew Factory | Denim: Target | Heels: Franco Sarto via HauteLook (similar)

Watch: Target | Necklace: 1928 Jewelry | Clutch: old Coach

It doesn't take much to get me into some leopard now and again. A few spots here and there can do wonders when it comes to enhancing your look with a subtle kick of sass. My boyfriend drove over for a date night the other week and dinner out in my neighborhood was just the excuse I needed to slip on a pair of my favorite primal pumps...

lace & chambray

Dress: Target (similar here, here and here) | Button-up: Nordstrom Rack (similar)

Boots: not quite sure...I bought them in Italy (similar)

Ironically enough, the day I decided to wear this outfit happened to also be the Mean Girls 10th Anniversary. On Wednesdays we wear pink indeed! It also happened to be one of the first 80-degree days Seattle had experienced yet this spring. The weather called for something special. Lace and some polka dot chambray seemed like the right choice.

the happiest hours

Nordstrom dress - on sale last season (similar) | Target cardigan (similar)

Tory Burch flats via Nordstrom Rack (similar)

Confession...I am a serious sucker for Happy Hour. Those magical moments between 5 - 7 p.m. are some of the best I have encountered, and I find them terribly hard to resist. Here are a few reasons why...#1 it means I'm done with work for the day. I love my job and my company is awesome (weekly dodge ball games? a CEO who brings ice cream around when the weather turns warm? being told to read InStyle for an hour and call it "research?" well okay, if you insist!), but I quite enjoy when the day shifts from work to play and I get to go indulge in a cocktail across the street at one of my favorite bars, Six Seven. 

where the heart is

The Home T | Joe's jeans | Target sandals (similar)

Vince Camuto purse (similar) | Ray Ban New Wayfarers

MAKE UP FOR EVER lipstick #42

I am crazy proud to call Washington State - and more specifically Seattle - my home. I was born here, raised here, and aside from 10-weeks abroad in Rome I haven't lived anywhere else. True, it's crossed my mind to move once or twice (I'm praying that my place of employment opens an office in NYC...), but for the moment I am quite happy to call myself a Seattleite. 

Not to brag or anything, but Washington kind of has everything...a metropolitan (and quite stylish) city, gorgeous mountains, beautiful waterfronts, GREEN EVERYWHERE, some of the best wineries in the nation, art, film, music, theater, coffee, coffee, and coffee (did I mention the coffee?) Our foodie scene is out of this world and there is a new craft cocktail bar opening up every other weekend...in short, this place is a 20-something girl's kind of heaven. And it's my home. And I'm kind of obsessed with it.

So I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to stumble upon a tee shirt that proclaims to all the world where my home happens to be. I first discovered it via the fabulous Keiko Lynn (take a moment to pay her blog a visit - don't worry - I'll wait), and the moment she featured her Florida pride tee I knew I had to have the Washington option in my closet stat.

The best part is that it isn't just another tee to throw in that one drawer that's already stuffed with a dozen or so tees, tanks and what not. No, this tee is special because it's linked to a cause. And a pretty cool one at that. Here's the sitch: at the end of each quarter, a portion of The Home T's profits go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

A bit of background...MS is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, essentially disrupting the flow of information between the brain and body. My uncle was diagnosed 30 years ago and it's empowering to know that there are groups out there, like The Home T, that utilize fashion in such a positive and proactive way. As they say on their site, each purchase is just a small drop in the bucket, but get enough drops together and the bucket will fill right up. 

The tees themselves are wonderfully soft, the perfect slim-but-not-too-tight cut, and are now offered in both v-neck and raglan styles. They even sell tote bags (definitely on my wish list!) and bitty bodysuits for the wee ones in your life. 

Dress it up a bit with skinny jeans, stilettos, and red red lips, or go casual in a maxi skirt and anorak jacket (aka...my go-to travel outfit) -  either way you will feel (and look) awesome each time you wear it, which will be a lot...trust me!

For more information about the Home T, visit their site. 

sunday in the park

Gap sweater (similar) | Target jeans (similar) | Sole Society wedges

Forever 21 crossbody bag | Maybelline Coral Crush lipstick

Distressed denim and I are having a major moment right now. It's getting quite serious actually. I see the way my boyfriend eyes them...even he's starting to get jealous. Or he might just be wondering why I tend to gravitate toward jeans with holes in them. The gentleman who swiped our tickets at Disneyland recently had a similar, quizzical look on his face. He told me I better run home and inspect my washing machine because it was obviously on the fritz and eating my clothes. Oh men! They just don't understand. 

saturday

J.Crew Factory top | Banana Republic jeans | Sole Society flats (similar)

Target watch | H&M necklace (similar) | Old Navy sunglasses (similar)

It's a universal truth that Saturday is a wonderful day. For most it signals the start to a relaxing weekend, encompassing the first 24 of 48 work-free hours, but for me it involves something even better, something that Seattle does really, really well. And that, my stylish friends, would be dim sum. 

morning coffee

H&M Trench (similar) | Target skirt (similar) | Nordstrom Rack tee (similar)
Cole Haan boots (similar) | My scarf (similar)
Coach sunglasses (similar) | Wanderlust + Co Earrings (similar)

Pretty blooms have been popping up all over Seattle lately. What better way to celebrate their arrival then with a vibrant, floral pencil skirt?