Today I Want: Aqua

Halogen Stretch Cotton Pencil Skirt, $59

Does anyone remember the band Aqua, who sang the most awesomely awful song Barbie Girl?  I'm sort of ashamed to say that's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw this skirt. What were we thinking in the 90s?

Regardless, I'm in love with this skirt.  I need some fun colored skirts in my arsenal for summer.  And this one comes in a variety of others!

Today I Want: Still Bag Hunting

MARC by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Francesca Tote, $538

I still want a new work bag.  I like this one because its huge and has both short handles and a long strap.  One of these days, I'll actually purchase a new bag!

In other news, I'm in California, so I won't really be around (though I have posts lined up).  See ya'll next week!

Today I Want: Retro

Anthropologie Winnowed Lines Tank, $58

I'm really loving this retro, pseudo-sweetheart neckline that's popping up places (it can also be seen in my bridesmaids dress for next fall).  And this shirt from Anthropologie is so perfect for summer!  It's nautical and colorful.

I may have to make K. bring me to the Anthropologie in San Francisco this weekend so I can find it!

Today I Want: Weekender

Madewell The Porchstripe Weekender, $148

Tomorrow, I am (hopefully) off to California.  As always when I travel, I am entirely dissatisfied with my packing sitch.  I'm only going for four days, so packing a suitcase seems a bit much.  However, I don't think all the necessities for the weekend will fit in my large Longchamp bag.  The only other thing I have is a really ugly duffel.  Which I guess I will use.  But this striped weekender from Madewell is much cuter.

I really need a weekender.

Today I Want: Petrified

Anthropologie Petrified Wood Bookends, $148

Am I really weird for loving these awesome petrified wood bookends? I love decorative bookends (and I need them because the books at the ends always fall down).  And these speak to the archaeologist in me (love petrified things!).  

I wonder if they come in other colors.

Weekly Words

Oops, I neglected to do ANYthing yesterday.

Source: erica-sara.blogspot.com via Shay on Pinterest

Source: wanelo.com via Shay on Pinterest

Things I Love: Sandals

If you're anything like me, you're really excited that spring is here and it will soon be warm enough to say completely goodbye to winter clothing!  Personally, I'm most excited to say goodbye to closed-toed shoes.  As soon as the temperatures get above 65, I start craving my sandals.

However, now that I'm an adult, I can't just slip on any old pair and go bumming around my office in them! For those of you working ladies who can wear open-toed shoes, here are my favorite options, both dressy and more casual!

1. Monsoon Sand Shoes, 2. Madewell Belle by Sigur Morrison Randy Leopard Sandals, 3. MICHAEL Michael Kors Palm Beach Espadrille, 4. Zara I Basic Sandal, 5. Lucky Filomena Flat Sandal, 6. H&M Sandals, 7. Seychelles Hey There Heel, 8. Minnetonka Maui Fringe Sandal, 9. Seychelles Modest Heel, 10. J.Crew Olympia Leather Heels

Friday Favorites

Source: crateandbarrel.com via Shay on Pinterest

Source: vegetariantimes.com via Shay on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Shay on Pinterest

Source: homedecorators.com via Shay on Pinterest

Indoors

Where I Wore It: Work (3/21/12)

Seriously it's either hot or cold in my office. I have no idea how to dress. At least it hasn't been sweltering like it was last week!  When we move to our new offices in a couple weeks, I get the impression that it's going to be freezing like the rest of the museum.  Excellent. That means I have to brainstorm layering strategies again!

Top: Macy's (really, really old, similar)
Pants: H&M (similar)
Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

Today I Want: Double Duty

Anthropologie Knotted Hair Ties, $12

I've been seeing these all over my favorite blogs lately, and they're so cute! I love the fun colors and love that they don't look like plain old black elastics.  So when I wear 20 of them on my wrist, it will look cute instead of functional!  Granted, these little babies probably wouldn't make it around my hair more than once before they broke, but I like them anyway.

Rain

Where I Wore It: Work (3/20/12)

While it's still really warm here in DC, the weather has suddenly become much more March.  Every morning when I've woken up this week, the sky has been gray and the ground is wet.  There's been fog and just general wetness.  The sun usually comes out by afternoon, but it's still hard to get up and go outside in the morning.  At least it's not cold!

Shirt: Loft
Jeans: J.Crew outlet (similar)
Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider

Today I Want: Trendy Bags

STEVEN by Steve Madden Crossbody Bag, $78

It is a neon pink bag. Must have.

Did I mention it also comes in black, green, red and coral?

God, I love bright colors.

Cherry Blossoms

I'm really glad I work next to them so I could sneak in and see them before the hordes descend this weekend!

Today I Want: Essie

Essie Polishes (l-r): Guilty Pleasures, Mint Candy Apple, Tart Deco, Navigate Her, Orange, It's Obvious, Turquoise and Caicos, Knockout Pout

It's safe to say I love nail polish.  I recently found my childhood collection and it numbered somewhere around 50.  I stopped using this collection in high school, and I've since collected somewhere around another 20 (mostly in the pink family) which are stashed oh-so-messily in a dresser drawer.  But I think I'm over wearing only pink nail polish, and am so pleased that quirky, fun colors are back in style.

While previously O.P.I. was my go-to nail polish brand, I've since discovered Essie and decided that it is way more awesome.  Not only does it come in amazing, trendy colors like these above, but I believe it lasts longer than most nail polishes I've tried and it goes on my nails with better coverage (and therefore less streaking!).  I plan on hitting up the store and stocking up, because I change my nail polish color every 3 minutes and need something new in my arsenal.

How do you guys feel about nail polish? Are you a manicure addict or do you go natural?  Do you like Essie?

What I Wore: Still Spring!

Where I Wore It: Work and to see the cherry blossoms! (3/19/12)

This doesn't bode well for summer when I exhausted my desire to wear skirts in the space of one week.  Now, I know I will change my mind when it's 120 degrees out and I have to walk 6 blocks from the bus to work (I hope), but pants are just easier! And shorts are even easier than pants.  I will have to get more work appropriate shorts so I can wear them every day.  Because when it's hot, all I want is to be cool and comfortable!

I went to see some of the cherry blossoms yesterday! They are very pretty and very white this year.  I much prefer the pink variety.  Pictures will maybe be up soon.  Maybe.

Sweater: MICHAEL Michael Kors via Hautelook (similar)
Shirt: Loft (similar)
Jeans: True Religion
Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

Today I Want: Spring Shoes

Seychelles Hey There, $100

Even though it's still March, weather above 70 means it's ok to wear sandals, right?  I can't make up my mind (and my "welcome spring" pedicure hasn't happened yet).  I see a lot of people wearing them, but no one at work is wearing sandals yet.  Granted, the majority of work is freezing.

But, I'm so excited for sandal season.  I love sandals.  My feet are so happy.  I'm going to try to dress up my sandal collection this spring and stay away from flip flops.  These are perfect because they're dressy, but can also be casual.  They're also Seychelles, which is one of the most comfortable shoe brands out there.  And they're such a fun color!

Lazy Fridays

Where I Wore It: Work and Whole Foods (3/16/12)

As you can see, by Friday I had apparently exhausted my sartorial creativity.  It's understandable, given that my office is hot and it was Friday.  And it wasn't warm on Friday (even though the weather said it was going to be).  And I was exhausted.

But, I went to see my new office space Friday! I was...interesting.... My desk is directly in front of the door, so I plan to purchase a review mirror so I can see who is coming in.  Have to take precautions!

Shirt: Loft
Jeans: Levi (similar here)
Shoes: Toms
Watch: Fossil

Today I Want: Illusions

Splendid Tee Maxi Dress, $138

I'm all about easy.  My job has no dress-code, really, so I prefer to be as comfortable as possible.  It's also hot in DC during the summer, so easy, breezy outfits are idea.  Enter this beauty.  While it may look like a t-shirt and maxi skirt, that's an illusion.  It's actually a dress.  How much easier could this get?  It's a one-stop-shop to comfort and coolness.  

How did someone just come up with this idea?

Weekly Words

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Source: tumblr.com via Shay on Pinterest

Black and White

Where I Wore It: Work (3/15/12)

This weather is insane.  My father is convinced it means that we're going to be slammed with another huge snow storm in like May.  I told him that while that might happen in Massachusetts (it hasn't even hit 70 there this week), it is unlikely that it will happen in DC.  We're well into spring, folks!  And if it does snow, I'm murdering the weather gods.

This outfit was really uninspired.  My office is significantly warmer than the museum itself, so I'm never sure what to wear.  Needless to say, I was freezing on the way to work, but fine all day!

Also, I found my hot pink headband! Hooray! Neons!

Sweater: Loft Outlet
Shirt: Loft (similar)
Skirt: Express (old, similar)
Shoes: Tory Burch
Headband: J. Crew

Today I Want: More Cap-Toes

ASOS LADYBUG Toe Cap Neon Ballet Shoes, $44.76

I'm obsessed with cap-toe shoes. I want all of them.  These are so cute and so perfect for spring.  And they have a pink toe! ASOS, you're rocking it.

Has anyone ever bought shoes from there? Do they run true to size?

Friday Favorites

moves to slim/strengthen thighs

loving bright interiors

sweet potato gnocchi...mmm

red pants!

*all photos via Pinterest.  You should follow me there!

And Then My Camera Died

Where I Wore It: Work and Happy Hour for a friend's birthday (3/14/12)

My office is so hot. It's disgusting, particularly since when you walk immediately out of the doors the temperature drops about 10 degrees.  Alas.  Today I planned better and am wearing a shirt with shorter sleeves.

I first saw this skirt on Alison of Chain Strap Purse.  I loved it so I hopped on over to Old Navy to see if it was there (it was and it was $9.97..and is now sold out...).  Score.  I wish it were about 3/4 of an inch longer (I'm tall and I'm anal retentive about length), but the medium was too huge, so I had to go with the small.  However, I love it.  It's got a fun pattern, but it's still neutral colors.  Perhaps I will make a venture into pattern mixing soon?

My camera batteries died, so this is the only picture I got.  Alas.

Also, learned this morning that Union Station is getting a Jamba Juice.  SO HAPPY.

Shirt: BDG via Urban Outfitters (old, similar)

Cami: Loft (similar)

Skirt: Old Navy (similar here, here, and here)

Today I Want: On Time

ASOS Patent Color Watch, $44.76

A neon watch. What's not to love there?

And it has lines for all the numbers!  Because I may be not be able to tell time otherwise.