I wore this last Wednesday.

{Blouse: Similar | Similar Jeans: Target or J.Crew }

You know what's cruel? Posting old photos of a good hair day on a day that you aren't having a good hair day. It's a reminder of what could have been. Sigh.

This post was about to become an ode to mint jeans, but as I was looking at these photos I realized that these "ankle-cut jeans" don't actually hit my ankles. I'm eye-balling it but that's a good 3 inches up from my ankles, which makes them "cankle-cut jeans". I'm not sure I would have bought them had I noticed the word 'cankle' on the tag. But on the other hand, I have mint colored jeans so that trumps overly long ankles any day. 

Case of the Vanishing Dress

{Belt: Similar | Blazer: Similar | Flats: Similar}
I wore this outfit a few weeks ago and instagrammed it. (side note: I love how I can make any social medium a verb.) Unfortunately we didn't get photos that day because that's when I caught the flu. And as I've said before -- if it wasn't photographed, it didn't happen.
This is the dress that almost didn't happen. I saw it a few months ago at Gap and had my eye on it for a while. And then it was gone. Like not even on the sale rack gone. It had vanished. One day when I was at another Gap store (judge me, it's fine.), the dress was there -- only one in my size on sale. I snatched it up quickly and held it aside in the dressing room. When I got to my dressing room, a few things were missing. I kid you not, the dress was gone. The nice Gap lady told me that someone else took some things to try on. Um, what? Doesn't that girl know the sisterhood rules of shopping: you don't take things from other people's dressing rooms, especially dresses that they've dreamed about their whole lives. There are few things that I get confrontational about but clothing -- I will throw down. 
Luckily the dress didn't fit the mystery girl who I never got to front, so I am now the proud owner of a crazy print dress of my dreams. (Although dear mystery girl -- you have great taste, if I do say so myself.)

Jewels

{Top: Gap Similar | Jeans: c/o Goldsign (similar) | Scarf: Similar | Wedges: Similar | Purse: Melie Bianco}This weekend we hung around our favorite town, Austin, for a little mini-getaway. But when you go out for a date night, it's just not handy to bring a camera. (Although I am not above that. There is little that I am above.) So again with the trusty iPhone for outfit shots. I hate to waste a good outfit. But seriously -- why am I just now figuring this out? Did you guys know that you can use the internet, send text messages and play games on your iPhone as well? I know, I'm still in awe.  Side story: (as if my whole blog isn't one huge side story) this weekend as we were setting up for the wedding, a lady desperately asked "does anyone have any tools in their car??" I of course heard "jewels" and perked right up. Turns out, jewels are of no worth when a wrench is needed. 

Dress Code

{Tee: Bloom | Skirt: J.Crew | Wedges: Gap | Watch: c/o Kenneth Cole}
With the exception of one job, I was called into HR about dress code for every position I held from the time I was 16 until now. As a cashier at a drug store in high school, the uniform was to tuck my polo into my khakis, but let's be honest -- that just wasn't ever going to happen. Minimum wage was not worth me looking like a dweeb. (I only lasted 2.5 months at that job. Go figure.) One time in college I actually got sent home from my job because I wore shorts and heels to work. (May I just say I was ahead of my time.) But I have to proudly say that since becoming my own boss, I've yet to be called into HR for violating the dress code. 
Luckily, cute t-shirts and bright pencil skirts are alright in my boss's book. She's pretty cool. She also talks about herself in third person on the internet, so there's that. 

Remember Me?

{Sweater: Bloom | Jeans: Similar | Wedges: Similar } 
A week is too long, right? I've missed you guys. So what's new? We have so much to not catch up on because nothing happened last week. Honestly, you missed a lot of reality TV and some colored-jean wearing, but that's about it. I am glad to be reunited though. I mean if this was a Nicholas Sparks novel, we'd run into each other's arms after writing love letters back and forth for years and then have a passionate make out session. But sadly, I don't even think Nicholas reads my blog. But we can still make out, if you want. 
I did cheat and take these outfit photos last Friday. Mainly because I had showered that day and put heels on, which to me calls for a photo shoot. Really I can make any excuse for a photo. I have hair: photo shoot. I'm wearing something: photo shoot. I woke up today: photo shoot. And this is why Instagram exists. 
(Also, if you are wondering what that splat is in the last photo, it was an orange. I'm sorry to report that the orange is no longer with us.)

Last seen from the boyfriend jeans:

Spring Layers

{Blouse: Bloom | Sweater: Old Navy | Jeans: Target - Magenta | Purse: c/o Ellington | Shoes: Modcloth}
Two things: 1. I am obsessed with colored pants. (Exhibit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Is this something we should be worried about?
2. I will never stop layering. Why does it always feel like when you layer on pieces your outfit looks more complete? 
The end. (I wasn't lying when I said I only had to say two things...)

(PS -- On sizing questions with this pair of jeans: they are TINY baby pants, my friends. I had to size up 3 sizes because I thought I was going to break a hip trying to get into my normal size. All that to say, don't be afraid to size up until they fit. I also bought the smallest size for my future unborn baby, because they were seriously that tiny.)

Oh Happy Day

{Dress: Blue Bird | Blazer: Gap (Similar) | Shoes: Similar }
I know that technically today is not the first day of spring, that in fact I must wait a few more weeks before I can call it official. But in my mind March 1 = spring. And as we all know, it's my favorite time of the year. Birds literally flew into my window this morning and pulled my curtains open for me, then helped me get dressed. This is why I love spring.
I kid. There were birds in my window but they hung around outside until 3 am last night tweeting up a storm (not on the Twitter, mind you.). But I still like spring, it's just nature I'm iffy about.

(If you were wondering, my dress is borrowed from my mom's closet. She is one stylish lady.)

Buildings and Books

{Blouse: Bloom | Skirt: Loft  | Boots: Fossil | Watch: c/o Kenneth Cole}

Up until this morning I thought that this shirt had books on it. I kept calling it my library shirt and my husband kept correcting me, to which I just rolled my eyes. What does he know about fashion? But it turns out he knows more than me as these are buildings and not books. Sigh, and I call myself a style blogger...and a college graduate.

It felt like spring this morning when I went outside and I immediately became giddy. I can not wait for spring; it is my favorite season of all time. Which means it's almost time for bare legs, wedges and patios-- AKA the most wonderful time of the year. (You probably thought Christmas was the most wonderful time of the year, but I'm sorry you are wrong.) 

You are all winners in my heart...

Thank you all for the sweet entries in the giveaway last week! It was so fun to read them and see your responses. If it would be possible to be best friends with all 1800 of you, I would. (Sleepovers obviously would not be an option.)

Winners of last week's giveaway are...

(I know I said 3, but I couldn't help myself, ok?)

Congrats, everyone! Send me an email and we'll hook you up. ;)

Win a $50 Gift Card to Bloom!

To say thank you for the sweet response to Bloom's online launch this week, we are giving away three $50 gift cards! All you have to do is:

1. Visit Bloom's shop and pick out your favorite item.

2. Leave a comment below and tell me how you'd wear that piece!

Giveaway open until next Tuesday, February 14th at 10 pm. Open to US and Canada readers. 

______________________________________________

The winner of last week's Lily Boutique giveaway is...

Congrats, Sofia! Email me :)

Now Open!

Although I'd really like to bore you with a poetic and poignant story of when I opened my first lemonade stand in 3rd grade that will certainly bring a tear to your eye, I'll keep this short and sweet. Bloom is now online.  I've picked a small collection from the retail store to share online with you guys. Hope you enjoy!

And here are a few pieces that I've been taunting you with that are now available online:

1/2/3

*Keep your eyes open for a Bloom giveaway this week!

Good News!

Let's just get this out there: I'm terrible at making announcements. But I have exciting news, so I'll give it my best shot. Next month Bloom is opening online! What is Bloom you say? Well I opened Bloom, a little boutique in McKinney, Texas, last September right? And every once in a while I'll sport something from there (that's what the 'bloom' tag is, if you were ever lost on that). But unless you lived close by, you weren't able to buy the items I wore. Next month, select items from Bloom will be available online -- a small peak into the retail store. Right now Bloom's site is getting a facelift, you can check our progress out on Bloom's Facebook page or right here, of course. I will not leave you hanging.

Till our undetermined date in February, how about a few shots our first photoshoot to hold you over?

See you guys and this cute little model in February. (Just kidding, I'll see you tomorrow.)