Dressed up: pineapple graphic tee

Have seen this tee?? Yes? How ridiculously cool is it that my little sister DESIGNED IT?!?! Yes! Many moons ago I went to visit Colleen in NYC while she was finishing her summer co-op. It turns out, while she was there, she made this. Seriously. She bought the pineapple, spray painted it gold, styled it for a tee and made it. 

So naturally, when it came out in the spring line this year, I bought it. 

Now, as much as they probably should be, pineapples are not usually a staple in my wardrobe. So when I came home to Ohio a few weeks ago to pack up what remained of my wardrobe, I decided I should find a few ways to style it. & so I've got two outfits! Yay! Today I'll share a dressed up version, tomorrow, a dressed out. Is that a term? "Dressed out" like for going out? Let's roll with it.  

About this outfit: I've always loved the graphic tee to work trend. I try to sneak mine into the office whenever I can. Usually I pair with a blazer and call it "business casual," but in the late summer Ohio heat, that was not an option. Luckily, everything looks business-esque in a black pencil skirt ;D

Funny story: I'm writing this post to you from the Caltrain which is on a NINETY MINUTE DELAY. We've been stranded for over an hour on the tracks. Forgive me if I sound a little bit dazed.... I am. Learning this whole Bay Area Public Transit thing is a daily adventure.

Pineapple Tank: sold out | very similar
Fitted Long Pencil Skirt: inherited from cousin | very similar
Nude pumps: BCBG old | similar
Bag: borrowed from Natalie | similar
Photos: by Natalie Was Here Nikond3200 35 mm / Edits: VSCO filters for Lightroom

Late Summer Fashion: Skirt and Sweater

Let me tell you a tale of a girl who fell in love with a place. It was a magical land. Sure,  it was hot and humid all summer. Yes, true, it was bitterly cold in the winter months. But... every year, this magical land in the Midwestern United States would boast a few perfect days with a shining sun that warmed the skin to a dreamlike perfection.....

This was not one of those days.

Hi guys! Did you miss me? It seemed like time stopped in my whirlwind last few weeks. I flew home, spent some much needed hours with my family and a few friends before I moved out of my favorite apartment on the ever-perfect Ida Street. It took a lot of clorox, bruises and... SWEAT. That's right, Ohio. You saved up all your summer swelter for me. Coming from SF I wasn't used to 95 degrees with 90% humidity. You just wanted to give me one last taste of home ;D

BUT, in the spirit of nostalgia and to toast the many, many times we've done this before, Natalie and I spent Labor Day  afternoon away from the Clorox and sweating our way through one last marathon set of photos on Ida Street. 

So here you have it: one of four outfits I found in a closet I hadn't seen in 8 weeks. I'm very originally calling this ensamble the end of summer "skirt and sweater." Perfect for the day I wore it? HECK NO. It was way too hot. Perfect for both SF and Ohio weather today, why yes, yes it is. 

I smell fall in the air. Or maybe it's just a pumpkin spice latte ;D

Sneaks: Jack Purcell
Skirt: Fossil (before they cancelled their clothing line). Cannot find similar, but could possibly layer for this look?
Sweater: JUICY COUTURE.. can you believe it! High school dayz, my friends! Similar.
Sunnies: NYC street vendor. Similar. More Similar, but expensive. 
Earrings: Bought them literally off the ears of an artist/bar tender in Tahoe. Similar.
Photos: by Natalie Was Here / NikonD3200 35 mm / Edits with VSCO Filters for Lightroom

For the Love of the Transport Tote

Sure, I've always loved my Madewell Transport Tote.  I had it saved in my digital cart for months before I unwrapped the beautiful bag on Christmas morning (you're the best, mom & dad!)  & squealed like a little girl. Originally, I thought the bag would be my "look professional while you're traveling" tote. You know? So I didn't have to bring my backpack with me to business meetings.

Here's the pleasant surprise: this bag was made to grow with me. Like, for example, at this exact moment: I have no need to look professional while traveling. I'm in California. Things are super casual. 

There's a bag tax here, though. Did you know? Not big, just 10 cents. But if the goal is to make me think twice about using bags: successful. That's how I suddenly became acutely aware of how amazing this tote is. It literally can carry. it. all.

Example? Sure! My first week in SF:

• Day two: Clipper card, lipstick. Chips, beer. Candle, measuring cups. Water Bottle. Thermos.
• Day three: lavender. 
• Day four: tomatoes, mozzarella block, mint, limes, arugula, bottle of wine.
• Day five: Computer, notepad, sunglasses = trip to the library. 
• Day six: Clothes. I found Crossroads Trading Co...

You get the idea. I feel like Hermione Granger cast an undetectable extension charm on this thing! Clearly, I've really come to appreciate my carry all tote lately. Do you guys have any bags like this? Staples that have stood the test of time? Pieces that have transferred into new positions as you needed it? I'd love to hear your stories :D

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p.s. Transport Tote look familiar? That's because you've seen it here before :) Photos are links to original blog posts.

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Header Photo: Nikond3200 / Edits: VSCO filter for Lightroom

Mixing Trends: Fancy + Grunge

I know, I know. SF, Cincy. SF, Cincy. Where am I really?! I'm still in San Francisco, but these posts are coming to you from the good ole Heartland. This is the last set we took before I left. 

Last week I showed you this sheer open blouse in a Fancy Friday Fashion. Today, we're returning so we can explore another, 150% different look. 

Everyone values comfort. As I've told you before, comfort is what I'm striving for at all times. & in the hot summer months, nothing is more comfortable than jean shorts & a muscle tee. However, there is also nothing more grungy. So, I decided to have a hand at mixing these two trends. My outfit is a total grunge ensemble (in fact, I wore the same thing - without the blouse - to go canoeing last week). I love how adding just one staple piece can bring up my classiness level.

What do you think? Is it so confusing that people just won't question it? Does it work? Does it not? Have other ideas? How would you style this blouse? As always, I'm sending you love. & PS, right after we took these photos, I donated 8 inches of my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths! Surprise! If I can sucker someone into taking pictures for me out here in SF I'll show ya :D

Sleeveless Sheer Open Blouse: Curate Boutique, sold out | Similar 
USA Muscle Tank: Nordstrom Rack 2013 | Similar | Similar
Jean Shorts: Curate Boutique, final sale
Sunnies: Curate Boutique (foldable!), sold out | Similar
Watch: Gift from Jake | Idlewild Woman
Earrings: Rock Salt Vintage, 2013 | Similar
High Top Sneakers: TJMaxx 2013 | Not that similar, but this was really hard...
Photos: Jacob Heath / NikonD3200 / Edited with VSCO Filters for Lightroom

Floral Jumpsuit

Hello from San Francisco!! I mentioned on Instagram I'm taking a longish trip to SF to spend some time with my cool older sister, Claire. If you have any suggestions of people to see, places to go, or things to try send them my way! 

Right now I'm just thankful I learned about the San Francisco micro climates on my first trip to the city 6 years ago. These California Girls have to pack more than sleeveless tanks & jean shorts into their closets, that's for sure ;D

So how are you?! How was your week?! Mine was pretty great. It started with meeting a lot of lovely women who happened upon Ida Street from the A Beautiful Mess studio tour. It has been so fun to chat, share & spend time with all of you! I ate some delicious food & then traveled without any delays all the way to SFO. I even tried something new to get to Claire's apartment - have you heard of a shared van? It saved me $50. No joke.

But on to the floral jumpsuit! These photos were NOT taken in SF. Nope. They come to you from the warm, humid embrace of Mt. Adams: Cincinnati, OH. I'm a jumpsuit junky. Remember here, here and here? When I saw Courtney at Curate Boutique wearing this at her closing sale, I snatched my size & bought it on the spot. It worked well for Independence week, very patriotic colors -- as a lady shouted out to me while we walked around taking these photos. 

I know it has been raining a lot, & I hope that in the quick respites you've been able to enjoy our beautiful city. Signing off until next week. 

xox

Jumpsuit: Curate Boutique -- on final sale
Sleeveless Sheer Open Blouse: Curate Boutique, sold out | Similar via Neiman Marcus
Sandals: Frye via TJMaxx 2011 | Similar via Rampage
Sunnies: Curate Boutique (foldable!!!), sold out | Similar RayBans 
Earrings: Gifted | similar
Watch: A birthday gift from Jake | Idlewild Woman
Photography: Jacob Heath / Edits with VSCO filters for Lightroom