What I Want: Scarves

Asos scarve / Asos scarve / ASOS scarve / ASOS scarve

It's pretty windy here, so I am on the hunt for some big, blanket-like scarves. These from ASOS are perfect! ~Lori

Loving:The Floral Skirt

If there is one thing (okay, maybe two) on my spring wish list, it is a floral pencil skirt.  I love how fresh and vibrant so many of the options are right now.  I also adore how I am seeing them paired lately; in more casual/cool combinations of t-shirts, stripes and leather.  Also, there are so many affordable options that I'm sure to find one I love for a price that won't make it impossible for me to get a few other things I have been eyeing.  

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The Floral Skirt- Spring 2014 by rebecca-iverson featuring high waisted skirts

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!  I'm, unfortunately, having to say goodbye to a couple of dear friends tonight.  They are moving out of state.  While I am thrilled for them I have been deferring all the tears.  

Adieu for now!

Minor Obsession: Peg Pants

I had a dream last night that stayed with me when I woke up.  Part of it involved a house I have dreamt about before, one that has a bunch of rooms in the back that are a pain to get to and are a little, um, shall we say haunted.  I don't know what's up with my psyche; all I know is that some crappy Hollywood producer would probably be able to get his next psychological thriller from some of what goes on in the back of my brain when I am asleep.
But I digress.  One part of the dream was far from nightmarish, though the aftermath that is my new obsession just might turn out to be... I was wearing, in the dream, the most perfect pair of black peg pants that you ever did see.  They were slim enough that they didn't teeter over into M.C. Hammer territory, and I did not look like a harem girl.
I woke up thinking about those pants, about how I need those pants to make my life complete.  How is this a nightmare?  Because as far as I can tell, the designer who has obviously had the same dream as me is one Stella McCartney.  (Let me clarify- this is only nightmarish because $595 for pants that came to me in a dream are, sadly, not in my budget.)

Buy them here, if you have $595 in your budget for pants.

Oh, Mrs. McCartney, did you have a bowl of Special K before bedtime too, causing you to have dreams of this type of pants?

They're obviously one of her staples, as they are all over the pants section of her website.

Still $595.00

Stella McCartney Dahlia Trousers

Okay.  So, happily, Stella McCartney is not the only designer who still sees the fabulousness that is the peg pant.  Below I've put together a few more choices, some even well within my budget!

Theory pants / Topshop clothing / ASOS peg pants / Forever 21 highwaist pants / Women's STELLA McCARTNEY Tapered - Pants - Shop on the Official Online...

I'm thinking I could get away with $17-$64.  Any thoughts?
I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!

Little White Dress

As I type this, I am eating my weight in popcorn and milk duds.  It's true.  I have yet another head cold/allergy attack/sinus deal that is wiping me out, and I wanted a snack.  So milk duds and popcorn it is.
Here's the recipe:
Popcorn
Milk duds
Pop the popcorn.  Are you fancy?  Use a popper.  Are you lazy/hungry/tired?  Use microwave popcorn.  (I know, I know, pinterest says you can pop real popcorn in a brown bag or something.  One day I may try just that.  Today is not that day.)
Dump in your box of milk duds.  Add as many or as little as you like.
Consume voraciously.  Be sure to eat both the popcorn and the milk duds simultaneously.  That is key.

So.  Bet you didn't know you were going to come here and get a tried and true recipe, did you?  Well, have no fear.  I'm pretty sure Julia Child wouldn't have classified the above as a recipe.  But it is delicious.  I promise.

So today was hot.  I think spring forgot to stick around for a little bit, or else the desert just chased her away, because we kind of went directly into summer out here.  80+ degrees here today, people.  I'm not complaining, believe me.  I'd rather be too hot than too cold.  But I did don a dress, and it got me thinking about updating my dress collection.  And while I have a couple of white sleeveless numbers, I do not have anything like these...

     A lot: burberry /   A little more: Ganni dress, $100 / A little: Forever 21

That last dress was my inspiration dress; it is gorgeous Burberry perfection. It is silk cotton. It is $495 and out of this little old teacher's price range. The other two dresses are fairly similar, for hundreds less. The F21 dress is ridiculously low, at $23. The middle dress, which can be found at ASOS, is $100. Not bad, but give me the Burberry any day!

Outfit of the Day: Chambray and Red

Day 7~

I am thankful that I have a job that I love and enjoy. I get to introduce class after class to some of my favorite classic authors and to pieces of literature that I love.

Okay.  Here is my outfit of the day. 

Even in the desert, we have beautiful little lakes.  Just don't get too close to the water; you might turn green!

I am loving this look- red cigarette jeans, a fitted chambray shirt, and a great grey neutral sweater in case it gets a little cold.

I got this great sweater at H&M for free, people! For free! (The sweaters were buy one get one free, and I saw this at the last minute and grabbed it off the hanger. I didn't try it on until I got home, but luckily it fit!)  I have been loving my navy pumps lately; they are a perfect neutral. 

A big thank you to Kim Trzyna Photography for the fantastic outfit shots!

Shirt: Forever 21

Sweater: H&M

Red Pants: Asos

Shoes: Sofft

Bracelet:  Mine.  (All mine.)

~Lori

Shoes!

I'm always on the lookout for new shoes.  I tend to buy the same styles over and over.  I guess I know what I like, and I like the following.  They are all similar, but that would not stop me from adding all of them to my shoe wardrobe!

Love these two tone flats- the colors are classic and because there is both brown and black, you could pair them with so much!  They come in another color, too.
The Patent Speedway from Madewell

I adore a good loafer.  I have a pair of Cole Haan loafers in my favorite shade of brown leather, and I  wear them all the time.  I got them at Marshall's sometime last year- they are about a size too big for me, but that is all they had left, and I wanted them so badly that I bought them despite the size!
Urban Outfitters Cooperative Canvas Loafer

Here are the same shoes in black and brown.  Again, the color blocking opens them up to all sorts of outfit  combinations.
Cooperative Loafer in black

Mmmm... I'm a sucker for navy blue and prep/nautical.  These look so comfy and perfect to throw on in the summertime!
Fred Perry Larks Linen Canvas Flat Shoes at Asos

Hope you've found a little bit of shoe inspiration here- I know I have!

~Lori

A New Year's Resolution I can keep.

Audrey- no one does this look better!

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions.  Probably because I can't really stick to things very well.  I don't put much stock into New Year's resolutions.  But this year I am making one.  My resolution is to wear more cigarette pants and more capris.  I think both are classic and chic.  I searched forever to find the perfect pair of black cigarette pants a couple of years ago and finally found some at the Ann Taylor Loft outlet store.  I knew I should have bought two pairs of those pants, but instead I bought one pair and two really great coats that I still love.  So now, of course, they do not have them anymore.  And I wear those pants a lot.  So my resolution is to find some more great cigarette pants and some more great capris in  a myriad of colors, and to wear them ALL THE TIME.

image via pinterest

J. Crew

image via pinterest and a broken link :(

Asos

~Lori

Equestrian Style

When I was in grade school, when most of my friends were more interested in recess than in what to wear, I was concerned with fashion.  Certain looks dominated my wardrobe, including equestrian inspired pieces. I had this fantastic outfit that consisted of black houndstooth stirrup pants, a white turtleneck, black fitted jacket, black riding boots, and a derby hat. A derby hat! I think the whole outfit came from Nordstrom, and I felt very fashionable when I wore it. Not every kid in my class quite understood it, but I didn't care. I knew I was rocking that derby hat.  Unfortunately, I cannot find a picture of me in that outfit.  I can't provide you with that little treasure, but I can give you some of my favorite examples of equestrian inspired pieces that are pretty perfect for fall.

Asos equestrian midi skirt

Bit Bracelet
by rebecca ray designs

Massimo Dutti
fall/winter equestrian line

Cole Haan kids' boots

Ralph Lauren Leather Stirrup Wrap Bracelet

Ralph Lauren belt

~Lori