Travel Wear

Flight clothes are tricky. Even if it's the height of summer, it may be ice cold on the plane or in the airport. Lucky for me it wasn't, and I didn't have to break out my back-up sweater. I tossed on some jeans to keep my legs warm and my hat so It wouldn't get crushed in packing, and I was good to go. 

By the way, I think my bag is quite a reasonable size for how much I managed to fit in there! The jury is still out on if I will be able to fit all my new purchases on the way back! 

I'm off to Fashion Show mall today to do some shopping! Have a great day!

 Luggage: Ross for Less (purchased years back in Seattle), Peplum top: H&M $15, Jeans: J Brand via Anthropologie, Silver flats: Zara (last seen here), 

 This peplum top has a slit up the back and a zipper. Great detail for $15! Comes in light pink with white dots too.

 Hurry up and wait. We got to the airport about 20 minutes before everyone else.

 My vacation work station. Sadly, most of those magazines are going unread at the pool due to the scorching Vegas sun melting the bindings and making all the pages fall out!

Quick change before heading over to Cesar's Palace Forum Shops before dinner...the luxury of staying a 5 min walk away from a mall!

Skirt: Forever 21(last seen here), Tank: H&M, Hat: Nordstrom BP, Sandals: Steve Madden

Vegas-Packing Light

What an awesome time we are having in Vegas! As this is now my somewhere-in-the-double-digits-time trip to Vegas with my family, I have learned a thing or two about packing to visit here:

• First of all, it is perfectly acceptable to wear multiple outfits a day, often times outfits you might never wear at home. Four outfit changes in a single day? Totally ok in Vegas, and that's just what I did today. 
• Second, You can never bring too many shoes or jewels to Vegas. I consider myself an excellent packer so check out how much jewlery I managed to bring (picture below)! Hey, it barely takes up any space in my luggage so why not? 
• Third, whatever you planned on wearing will all fall apart because you will find something awesome while shopping and want to wear it that night.
• BONUS: and now for my one UNpacking tip for this and any trip; unpack your stuff into your hotel room as soon as you get in. Move in a little. or a lot in my case. Take a look below at how I lay out all my goods for easy accessorizing access.

 Dress: Forever 21(I didn't like the way top two tiers of this dress were made to be blousy, so I tied the back 2 panels together to create a more slimming effect) $29.80, Necklace, Vintage, Sandals: Sophie by Sam Edelman,  Blue wristlet: Joe Fresh $6

 Mini-bar turned jewelry display area

My fun Vegas mani!

More Vegas posts to come soon...

Lost Summer Outfits

As you read this my whole family and I will be on a plane to Vegas to celebrate my dads 70th birthday!! We have all been going to Vegas just about every summer as long as I can remember. So while I'm enjoying the sun at the pool, and shopping at Caesar's, you can enjoy some outfits that never made it to the blog. Surprisingly a lot of the items pictured are still available online, and best of all, on sale! 

I packed more outfits, jewelery, and shoes than I can possibly wear in a 4 day trip... but I sure will try. Lots of pics coming soon!

Sometimes there is just no one around to take pictures of all the outfits I wear, and there are lots. My husband wonders just how many times I change my clothes per day. So here are some of the lost summer outfit pics snapped in my house using the good old auto-timer!

Worn to a dentist appointment then to some errand running

Vest: Zara, Striped top:(old) Loft, Dark cuffed denim shorts:(old) Target, Bracelet: Loft

Trial outfit for date night but wound up being too hot out for the top and booties

 Top and necklace: Forever 21, Shorts: Zara, Booties: Marks by Report on sale here, 

Leopard belt: Express

Worn to a work meeting

 Maxi dress: Old Navy (on sale here), Mirrored silver sandals: H&M, Necklace (old) Forever 21 

Worn on a solo shopping trip a few weeks back when Loft had their 50% off everything from noon-7 sale. Also biked in this outfit.

 Polka-dot top: J Crew (on sale here), Green sandals: H&M, Shorts: Loft, Watch: La Mer

Worn out on a bike ride to meet a friend

 Pants and top: Forever 21, Belt: Vintage

Worn to a meeting at school

 Shorts: Madewell (on sale here), Top: Forever 21, Sandals: Sam Edelman Trina, Bag: H&M, Necklace: Oia Jules on Etsy

Worn to the farmers market

 Sandals: Shoemint Kelin, Dress and vest: Old Navy

Worn out to have lunch with my dad on his official birthday. 

Top: Target, Skirt: Macys, Wedges: So old I can't remember

As you can see this absolutely not in my apartment, it's at Oak St. Beach

Dress:ASOS on sale for $18.73!

This one is definitely not in my house either but it is a lost summer outfit from  the week of the 4th of July!

Shorts: H&M $7, Black top: Gap, Hat: Nordstrom BP

Taylor Street FESTA ITALIANA!

So, this weekend was the Taylor Street Festa Italiana in Chicago. The worst part about any street fest is  having no place to relax amongst the crazy crowds. Lucky for us, we had two! Our awesome friend Amanda, who lives right smack in the middle of the fest, provided us with a sweet and secluded back patio full of drinks and snacks! Cheers to the fabulous hostess. Our other spot was a cute little pet store, Tails on Taylor, where we met three tiny little abandoned kittens that had been brought in after being discovered on the street. Elisa feel in love with the black kitten that she named Bella and decided to adopt. Two kittens still left needing a home if anyone is interested. Overall a fun and interesting night spent with great friends.

Mint pants: Forever 21, Charcoal tank: (old) Forever 21, Sandals: Sam Edelman Trina, Scarf: Zara, Bag: H&M, Necklace, Vintage.

Pretty yoga ladies enjoying our patio retreat!

Faux Leather Friday

This infusion of faux leather seems to be a little Friday trend I'm starting. Last week it was this Zara top with faux leather pocket and shoulder panels, and this week it's on these awesome new leggings from Topshop. I love them now but will I be able to get away with these while teaching? Hmmm... I'll find a way.

I tend to have an overly colorful wardrobe. I think my closet pretty much has every shade of the rainbow and then some. But about once a week I crave a tougher look, something that consists of dark shades of clothing and a bit smokier makeup. I guess it balances out all the girliness of the bright and cheery colors I wear the other 6 days of the week.

I am a little addicted to Zara t-shirts lately. So comfy and cool all at a reasonable price. They always have enough detail to step them up from the average tee. And my favorite part is that they are long which is great for us tall girls who like to wear the legging and tee look and still keep covered up. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

Tee: ZARA(get this one while you can, it's selling out fast!), Leggings: Topshop, Sandals: Sam Edelman Trina, Bangles: Nordstrom, Natasha Couture, Watch Michael Kors. Chain and leather necklace: Oia Jules on Etsy