Brightly Colored Puddle Stomping

Puddle-Stomping = Tongue's out!

Boots: Hunter from Nordstrom

Skirt: JCrew (here in ivory and on sale!)

Top: Ann Taylor (similar)

Pumps: Coach (also on sale!!)

Navy and lime - what a lovely combo!

Would you like to know a secret about me? I love stomping around in puddles!  I was so excited to have my Hunter boots today to stomp around in some puddles outside of my office-building.  Being able to just plow right through the puddles instead of having to go around them (like everyone in tennies!), is so liberating!  It's always been something I've loved to do.  Sorry to my friend and photographer, Meagan, for stomping a little too hard while we were walking out for the shoot - your pants will dry!  ;)

I love the faux-cowl on this silk shiffon top from Ann Taylor.  A few years ago, I purchased it for about $7 when it was on mega-clearnace (it was originally $89, I believe!)  The cowl and collar are detachable, so it is a very versatile top, as you can dress it up with the cowl or remove the cowl and wear an awesome statement necklace.  I would love it if Ann Taylor came out with a similar top some time.  I would probably purchase it again in other colors - it's one of my favorites!

A little history lesson: In England rainboots are often called Wellingtons (or, as I love to call them, "Wellies").  The reason for this is that Arthur Wellesy, 1st Duke of Wellington requested a pair of boots be made that could maintain dryness in the rain and marshes when hunting or at battle.  The boots that were named after the Duke were worn by calvary soldiers in order to stay dry.  

Another fun fact: Hunter boots are the Queen's boots!  On the inside of every pair of Hunters, you can read "By Appointment to her Majesty, the Queen. Supplier of Waterproof Footwear. Hunter Boot Ltd. Edinburgh."  

The same is said about the Duke of Edinburgh on the inside as well.  I suppose you could say I feel a little bit royal when wearing my Hunter Wellies.  :)

Again, help me out --> please share my instagram with any fashionista friends/family or anyone else that might be interested to help me reach my goal of 1000 followers by May 02! Thank you!

JCrew Yellow Skirt & Purple Gingham + HUGE FAVOR!

See HUGE FAVOR at the end of this post.  Thanks! :)

Flats: Old from Aldo (similar style)

Skrit: JCrew (yellow no longer available - more colors at JCrew Factory)

Top: Gap (it's a men's shirt!!)

Belt: Old from Gap (similar)

Necklace: eBay

Twist Bracelet: Old JCrew (love this one)

Stone Bracelet: Stella&Dot

View from above.

Close up of bracelets.

Funny story: For months, I was searching for a cute gingham top to wear with this JCrew mini skirt come Spring, but, for some reason, could not find one anywhere!  That is until I stumbled upon this one in the men's section at the Gap Factory store!   I shamelessly tried this shirt on in XS although it was men's. (A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?) I was so pleased with the way it fit that it was a no-brainer!  Having been a swimmer my whole life (and having done all the weight lifting and yoga that comes along with it), I have athletic, muscular arms, so often times women's tops are extremely tight in the arms, so I was just tickled when I knew this shirt would work out for me. And now that I'm seeing it in pink on Gap's website right now (for only $17.99!), I'm tempted to purchase another.  Oh! If only my student loans would just disappear!

This necklace is available on eBay for a whopping $6.99.  #Winning

When I first posted a photo of this necklace, my mom informed me that my great-grandmother had a necklace just like it!  I would love to see a photo - she was always a very fashionable lady.

The only negative I have about this skirt is how much it wrinkles!  It is linen, so naturally, it will do that.  Sitting at a desk all day will do a number on this skirt, but it's great once freshly steamed and I haven't sat down for hours on end.  I have the same skirt in cotton, and it does not wrinkle like this baby does!

I don't know about you, but I am in love with pockets!

I have a HUGE favor for you all:

Please please please follow me on instagram - My goal is to get to 1000 followers by my birthday, May 2, which is coming up!  So follow, share, etc. I would greatly appreciate it!

An Easter Outfit

Wedges: Old from DSW

Skirt: ChicWish (Less Expensive: here)

Top: Old from Forever 21 (Similar here)

Pearl Necklace: Gift from my aunt!

Pearl Bracelet: Old/don't remember

Pearl Earrings: Walmart

Happy Easter!

Today, I opted for these fabulous Spring colors!  I'm still in love with this skirt.  I just can not get over how girly and fun it is!  Additionally, it was an incredibly nice day in Des Moines, so, naturally, it was my go-to for Easter (and for work yesterday!).

The top I paired my skirt with is an old one from Forever 21.  This mens-wear inspired, tie-neck top adds a touch of sophistication to the outfit.  The hue of teal also seemed just perfect for an Easter outfit.  It is light-weight, as it is a chiffon material, which made it comfortable for the 80+ degree day.

Happy Easter!

Fashionable-Functional Gym Bags

Those of you that follow me on instagram may have seen this picture and are thus aware that I do not own a gym bag.  I use old grocery bags every day because I haven't yet buckled down and bought a real gym bag.  With that said, I've been on the lookout for functional and fashionable bags in order to ditch the "poor-college-kid" look of the grocery bag.  Especially since I've been out of college for almost a year now - I need to get a real gym bag to carry to the office and then to the gym.

Here are a few I'm eyeing:

This pretty gym bag is from Fivesse.  Clearly very fashionable, I would not be ashamed to carry this bag to my office and then to my gym at work!  It features a separate compartment for stinky clothes and also has storage for accessories, which would certainly be necessary for me and my statement necklaces!  There are two pockets on the right side which can fit water bottles and shoes (shower sandals, anyone?).

These two bags are from Herschel.  Your basic, timeless gym bags, they feature one big zipper pocket and several fun colors and prints.  I'm loving these zebra and salmon ones.

This utility bag is called the Nike Beautility, for good reason, obviously.  The gold and black saddle-shaped bag is surely a go-to for any fashionista!  I'd feel very stylish carrying this bag from office to gym.

Stella McCartney for Adidas has always been a collaboration I've enjoyed.  Having been an athlete and fashion enthusiast my whole life, I appreciate the fashionable and functional items the line produces.  This bag is made of taffeta and features a big zipper compartment and also a smaller zipper pocket for smaller items.

The All Pro Tote from Thirty-One is not only cute, but also highly functional.  My favorite part?  There's a separate compartment for stinky gym shoes!  I love the feature that you can separate them from your clean clothes when you pack your bag in the morning.  Even though your clothes will get sweaty and stinky while working out, there's no reason for them to be stinky from you shoes already from being stored together.

Right now, I'm thinking the Fivesse bag is my favorite, so that's what I'm saving up for (or wishing for on my birthday candles in a few weeks!)

I don't know about you, but when my workout clothes/accessories look good, I want to use them more!  So wouldn't you say a cute gym bag is a necessity?  I would! :)

Purple Dress & Crochet Top

Dress: JCPenny (on sale now! Only $25)

Top: eBay

Belt: Old from Forever 21 (similar)

Shoes: NineWest from TJMaxx (similar)

Bracelet: Old (similar)

Necklace: Old JCrew (similar)

I purchased this dress a little while ago at JCPenny with the intention if pairing it with this crocheted top, as I'm always looking for new ways to wear it.  I've had this top for several months now.  I purchased it from eBay, but then it started popping up everywhere, including Express and TJMaxx (TJ's has a Cynthia Rowley version right now). 

Anyway, when I saw this dress, I thought it would go very well underneath my top.  Deciding between green and purple was tricky for me, but I went with purple, since I don't own much of the color.  This is a very flattering dress.  It will go well with a blazer for work, or some statement jewelry for a night out.  And it's on sale now for only $25!  That's a steal!

Since this top is from eBay, I thought I'd bring up another topic: A few of you have asked about how I always get many of my items on eBay.  It can really be hit or miss depending on the day and the terms you use for searching.  The terms I often use are very broad, so eBay turns up thousands and thousands of results, so you really have to be patient sifting through your search results.  eBay is not for the impatient! 

Some terms I use: "ladies fashion top" "ladies fashion skirt" "ladies fashion bracelet" etc. Also, replacing the word "ladies" with "womens," "woman" or "women" will give you different results.  Another tip I have is searching for items ending soonest.  If you search for least expensive items first, you're going to see thousands of items that are $0.01 with 30 days left.  By the time it ends, it's at, let's say, $7 - you could have found the same item for "But It Now" or just ending sooner for the same price 30 days sooner.  Sometime I do search least expensive first and watch a few items, as sometimes you do get lucky, but I don't spend a whole lot of time sifting through the $0.01 items.

A final note: Most of the items I end up getting are from China, so they take about a month to get.  With that said, I wouldn't recommend looking for something you're in a hurry for.  But if you're just getting some new stuff to wear and aren't in a hurry, I recommend it, as you can find great bargains!

I love this nail polish!  I've had it for a little while, but haven't been in the mood for this springy color until today.  (It was 75 out here!!)  The color is called "Bikini so Teeny" and is by Essie (2 rows up, 9 from the right).  I accented my ring fingers with Maybelline's Color Show polish in "Gilded Rose"(8th on top row).  You can't tell from the picture very well, but there is mostly gold glitter of different sizes, but there is also some rosey-pink glitter in it as well!  It is so pretty and I'm obsessed with it!!  It is beautiful with a base color or without, which is nice.  

Saturday Kate Spade Slip Neck + Stella&Dot Giveaway Winner Announced!

Top: Kate Spade Saturday

Pants: Banana Republic

Pearl Necklace: Old gift from my aunt!

Silver Knot Bracelet: Banana Republic (in gold here)

I was feeling rather house-wife-esque in this awesome slip-neck top from Kate Spade Saturday!  This top is available in 8 colors online, however, I would recommend checking your local TJMaxx, as that's where I got mine (for only $20!).  It is a very classic style that is perfectly dressed up with some pearls and curls.

Men: If you want your woman to make you an awesome dinner, buy her a pretty, classy top and some pearls.  This outfit just made me want to cook and clean! :)

And the winner is....

The winner of our Stella&Dot Giveaway is Jenni!  Thank you to everyone that participated.  Keep an eye on the blog for more giveaways to come.  Also, be sure to contact Addie for all of your Stella&Dot needs.

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