New Specs

Pants: Target // Purse: Rebecca Minkoff Love Crossbody // Shirt: Joe Fresh // Lips: YSL // Hat: Sole Society // Necklace: (pearl) Anthropologie // Cape: Forever 21

Recently I got new glasses, but I rarely wear them all day. Usually they are for when I enter grades on the computer at school. Looking at all those tiny percentages can give me a headache. Sometimes it just feels better to leave them on then to adjust after taking them off. These photos were taken right after school. And this my frends is how my new specs finally made their way onto a blog post. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

As per usual my fashion interests are all over the map. Take a peek at all that is catching my attention right now. Some of these items are even in transit to my closet right now! Can you guess which ones?

White Faux-Fur Vest

Hat: Forever 21 (under $3!) // Dress: H&M (old) // Faux Fur vest: Forever 21 (similar for less than $40)// Gloves: H&M (similar on sale here) // Tights: Wade & Belle Not Too Tights // Scarf: Zara (similar here on sale) // Boots: DSW // Purse: Mad Style c/o  // Lipstick: MACFashion Rival // Cape: Forever 21 (very similar)

Hot Pink Ray-Bans

Shoes: Nike //  Jeans: Rag and Bone c/o Shopbop // Sweater: Forever21 // Sunglasses: Ray-ban c/o Shopbop

One of the best parts about having holidays off from school is getting to hang out with my blogger pals who are free during the weekdays leaving us time to brunch, catch up, and shoot in fun indoor locations. This time Lauren, Arin and I got some smoothies and then head over to the Greek Museum to shoot some outfit pics. Not a bad way to spend a cold Monday.

As for the main course of this outfit, you can see I finally bit the bullet and got these perfectly "me" hot pink Ray Bans from Shopbop. I knew they were meant to be from the moment I laid my eyes on them and am so glad they are mine. They also come in a few other colors, so if pink ain't your thang, there surely is a pair for you.

Photos by Lauren Nolan

Topshop Geometric Scarf

Scarf: Topshop //  Jeans: H&M // Necklace: Loft // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop // Boots: DSW (old) // Sunglasses: Target // Cape: Forever 21 (old but really cute similar one here for under $50!) // Sweater: Forever 21 (on sale)

I'm so happy spring is near because I've been trying to work in all the pastels I can this winter but it's becoming increasingly easier to get them all lined up for Spring with all the stellar options coming out. I'm particularly loving all things blush and powder blue. This Minkoff bag I got at the beginning of the winter will transition perfectly into spring, but I'm still craving one of these new pastel numbers as well.

And if you are loving this scarf as much as I do, It's sold out online but I saw a ton of them last week at the Topshop on Michigan Avenue.

Valentine's Day Red Lace Dress

Dress: H&M (similar)// Necklace: Charming Charlie // Coat: Nordstrom Rack // Clutch: Akira // Heels: Zara (old) // Lip: Ruby Woo by MAC 

When I laid eyes on this red dress I knew I had to have it. Let's be honest, red dresses can get racy looking real fast if your not careful, especially when you are tall like me. But this dress has sleeves and a solid knee length hem to keep it modest which is just perfect for me. I could even wear this to school with a blazer for the Valentines Day dance this Friday and still feel professional!

And speaking of this Friday, I have a surprise date planned by Andrew right after the dance!  I have no clue where we are going but I'm sure wherever it is we will have a great time. Hopefully I can stay awake long enough to enjoy it. Planning and executing school dances can leave you wanting a nap and then some.

Hope you have something fun planned with the one you love or even your lady friends. Whatever it is I hope it involves something hot pink!

Photos and backwards belt styling trick, care of Erin Bassett

Francesca's Poncho

Coat: Nordstrom Rack // Francesca's: Poncho // Gloves: H&M // Jeans: Forever 21 // Bag: Mad Style c/o my pal the Sportsanista // Hat: Sole Society

How is tomorrow already Friday? Oh yes, I know. This week started with a snow day and then an extra blizzard on top of the previous blizzard. Then I think we just plowed though (pun intended) in hopes of the weekend coming faster. I think it worked.

I picked up this Poncho over at Francesca's in Lincoln Park. Pretty much anytime I wear this or any other poncho to school all I hear the whole day is "teacher, you look like a cowgirl." I guess they are more familiar with the Mexican cowgirls in the hood I teach in.  Ponchos are such an easy and comfy choice. They are just as warm as a sweater but have a little more personality, like say the personality of a Mexican cowgirl...?

I own this Nordstrom Rack coat in two colors and love the contrasting faux-leather panels. This Sole Society hat has been on major repeat lately too. It was a gift from my husband which he gave to me by wearing it when I walked into the room.  He knows how to make me laugh, that one.

One more day til Friday everyone! I'm super excited for this weekend because it's finally time for a treat! I've been sticking to a Whole30 diet pretty strictly for 35 days now and it's time for a little doughnut therapy. The problem really is do I go to Stan's or Firecakes? It's such a momentous occasion that maybe I should get one from each? Any suggestions? Either way I'm going to feel like crap after eating them so I might as well go out with a bang!

Maroon Dress

Dress: J. Crew Factory (on clearance right now!) // Button Down: J. Crew Factory // Hat: Sole Society // Bag: Nordstrom // Coat: Zara (old) // Boots: Chinese Laundry "Riley" // Necklace: J. Crew  // Lipstick: Fashion Revival by MAC  // Tights: c/o Wade & Belle (aka the best tights ever!!)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love a dress with sleeves! This one was a great find from J. Crew Factory clearance that I found in the outlet mall on the way home from a family holiday celebration in Wisconsin. You can get it here right now too!

I wore it over Christmas break while doing a little holiday sale shopping with my blogger buddy Samantha, who snapped these pics for me over by Water Tower.

If you have a shoe size any smaller than mine which is likely (hello size ten big feet!!) you can still probably find these amazing OTK boots of mine from Chinese Laundry that look almost identical to the 50/50 boot for just a fraction of the price. While you're at it you should also pick up some of these Wade and Belle tights. They have the most comfortable no-dig waistband that stays up and oh-so-comfy all day.  No tights waist line detectable through even the tightest of dresses (not that I'm wearing anything like that, but in case you're in need)

Stay warm out there everyone and enjoy your snow day!

Photos by Samantha Kramer of Gold Coast Girl