Red Skirt + Booties

It feels rather appropriate that the moment December started here in Orange County, it began to look like fall. Ah, well, I'll take it, I guess. This weekend was a busy and exciting one, but I can't believe that it's already over. After having dinner with my good friend Casey on Friday night, I went to Temecula on Saturday morning for a very special event — my brother's engagement! He and his girlfriend have been together for six years, and he's been planning his proposal for some time now. He gathered her family and ours at a winery under false pretenses that her mom had planned the whole get together. She was in complete shock when he popped the question, and I think it goes without saying that she said yes. I've known her since jr. high, and she's been a good friend of mine since before they started dating, so it's doubly exciting for me to get to welcome a good friend into the family. 

The rest of the weekend wasn't nearly as exciting, but enjoyable nonetheless. There was cake involved, not to mention breakfast with family and friends. We also saw Arrival in theaters last night, and it kind of blew my mind. I'm a fan of sci-fi in general, but this movie was far more beautiful than I ever had expected. I can't stop thinking about it.

Remix Friday: J. Crew Peter Pan Collared Top

Collar, Cardigan, and a Cool Skirt // Ballerina // Love in the Time of Collar-A

For such a versatile piece, you'd that I would have styled this J. Crew collared top differently over the years. But, no. All I've ever needed is a high-waisted skirt and maybe a cardigan to make this one of my most worn pieces. For this week's Remix Friday, I thought that it only made sense to show you a top that you're probably sick of seeing. Ever since I got this gem in a J. Crew Factory sale, it has been on constant rotation. I'm honestly surprised that I was only able to find six ways that I've styled it for the blog, although the fact that it pops up on my Instagram so much (like here and here) would explain that. I have a feeling by this time next year, I'll have six more to share. Did I just challenge myself? I believe I did. Challenge accepted.

Which look is your favorite?

But First, Coffee // Peter Pan Collared Top + A-Line Skirt // Tread Lightly

Peter Pan Collared Top + A-Line Skirt

Sometimes I get so concerned with trying to style new outfits for this blog that I forget that basics are just as interesting. I wear a combination of this outfit weekly, and it never fails. I also wear my glasses fairly often, but I hardly get around to taking pictures in them. Honestly, I would wear them even more often if it weren't for my love of sunglasses. I love my glasses and feel good about how I look in them, but I'm weak and need to protect my eyes from the sun. Ah, well. It's nice every so often.

I have a short post today, but the good news is that you don't need to put up with my nonsense ramblings. You're welcome.

Head To Toe Remix: Tops

Hello, friends. Welcome to week 3 of The Head to Toe Remix challenge, my weekly post with the darling Priya of Perfectly Priya. Each week, we're remixing items in our closet that don't get much wear, starting from the head down. The past two weeks we tackled accessories and outwear, but this week, we're getting to the real meat of an outfit: tops. 

Tops are actually a hard one for me, as it's the category that I'm least comfortable with in my closet. Don't get me wrong; I constantly want to get rid of and buy new of everything I own. That said, I have a pretty hefty selection of dresses and skirts that I know I can never fail with. Tops are a different story though. I feel like I could get rid of 90% of the tops I own, and I wouldn't be emotionally attached to them. Fortunately, I've rediscovered my love for this short sleeved J. Crew button down with this remix. I fell head over heels in love with this top when I first got it, but over the past couple of years, it has essentially turned into a professional setting only top. It works great for interviews and meetings, and the little Peter Pan collar on it allows me to still feel like myself.

This week, though, I decided that enough is enough. Professional is great, but this piece deserves to be worn all the time. My solution? Print mixing. I know, it's so obvious. (Is it obvious? I really don't know.) The light blue stripes paired well with my favorite floral skirt, and I'm happy that it photographed together much better than I expected. I felt so perfectly summer-y in this, even though I just complained about the summer heat the entire time I wore it. Sacrifices, am I right?

Peter Pan Collared Top + Chunky Heels

What a relief is to have my sister-in-law, Elyse, taking my photos again. I love my camera, and I always like how my pictures turn out with it, but it's always nice to have someone who actually knows something about photography helping me rather than me just pretending like I do. I still miss my college days of having my photographer friends help me, so whenever I get to take advantage of Elyse's skills, I jump at the chance. I wore a similar version of this outfit last weekend when it was raining, but now that it has finally warmed up, I was all too excited to break out these Hello Holiday heels for the first time in months. Hello again, bare legs and chunky heels. I've missed you.

This weekend was a special one, as Jon and I celebrated our one year anniversary. It's kind of crazy; we've been close friends for about eight years, so it's hard to believe that we've only been dating for a year. I feel so strange getting sappy on the Internet, but it honestly has been the happiest I've ever been in a relationship. Everything is so easy and natural with him, and I've become that giddy girl who I've always ridiculed by being with him. It's disgusting. All of my cynicism is gone. Someone slap me.