Initial Transitions

The weather in Texas is finally getting down to the low 90's, which is what we call "mild" or "fall" here in the Lone Star State.  I have been so jealous of all my fellow blogger friends in different parts of the country who've been sporting snuggly sweaters and boots, so I decided that I would jump on the bandwagon today.  Although I was kind of sweating by the end of the day when I got in the car, the office was fa-reezing all day, so it kind of worked out for me.  I love the transitional time of year, as I'm sure you can see by my first article for DeltaStyle, and this outfit is the perfect example.  I wore this J.Crew skirt all summer long and it goes right into fall by replacing my airy tanks with a flannel button down, and switching strappy sandals for booties.  Easy peasy!  

So, an update from my Atlanta shopping expedition last weekend - Swank was a total tank!  I hope y'all enjoyed that rhyme.  They did have some beautiful pieces, but it was pretty scarce and there was really not too much to see and try on.  They did offer some great Mara Hoffman dresses, which are hard to come by, but other than that I was pretty disappointed.  I did visit some other boutiques close by that were more in my price point wheel house, but the best part (and a total surprise) was my visit to C.Wonder.  In case you don't know, C.Wonder was founded in 2011 by J. Christopher Burch, Tory's ex, and both the line and the store are pretty similar in terms of decor and product.  C.Wonder is at a lower price point and offers a lot of customization with monogramming, initials, etc. which this southern gal lurves.  The store was like happiness exploded in 1000 square feet!  Everyone was in a great mood, the colors were beautiful, and everything just put me in a good freakin' mood.  I so wanted to blow my wad on the home decor stuff, but I had no way of packing it in my already packed to the gils wheelie bag.  I was super psyched to see the initial belt buckles in different colors and double sided belts to go along with them.  I got my new initial-to-be in navy enamel with gold accents.  I'm being proactive people!

Top: Theory (thrifted) but love this option and this colorful plaid

Skirt: J.Crew Double Crepe Skirt

Booties: DV Dolce Vita Juju 

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - search ebay!

Belt: C.Wonder Reversible Nappa Leather Belt

Buckle: C.Wonder Enamel Letter Belt Buckle

Necklace: J.Crew Twisted Hammock Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster

xoxo,

sarah

Leather and Dots

First off, I want to thank all of you who shared such sweet comments and well wishes concerning our engagement via the blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  We are just so excited and happy to be taking the next step and I am excited to take you guys along with us :)

Like several of you, I'm sure, I can't go to Target without blowing $100 or more on absolutely nothing, and Sunday was no exception.  After enjoying a long, lazy day napping, I decided I wanted spaghetti for dinner and decided to go to Target because I also needed conditioner.  Evidently, the cleaning lady thinks it's funny to throw away my conditioner bottle, BEFORE, I slosh water around in it in order to get the very last remnants.  Anyways, I was super stoked to see how stinkin' cute the new stuff for fall is.  I mean, I'm the first to admit that I wouldn't spend more than $30 on a pencil skirt with a faux leather peplum, and low and behold, there one was on the front row right by the magazines.  That led to several other purchases that I will be showing off in the next couple days, but how great is it to purchase 4 full outfits that can really all mix and match for less than $150?  I honestly felt pretty comfortable making a couple "risky" purchases that I otherwise wouldn't have made, at say, Neiman's.

Have you guys found anything super cute at Target lately?  I am very impressed, clearly :)  How great does this dot blouse blend in with all my other things from places like J.Crew, Zara, etc?  It feels good is a thicker material, doesn't wrinkle.  Perfect.

P.S.  I apologize for blinding you with my non-spray tanned skin.  Sorry about that!

Blouse: Merona Scoop Neck Chiffon Blouse via Target

Skirt: Mossimo Women's Pencil Skirt w/ Faux Leather Peplum via Target

Heels: BCBG (old) wallet friendly version

Bag: Banana Republic (old), dream minaudière 

Necklace: J.Crew Factory (old) but I think I would trade Famous for this one

Bracelets: H&M Cuff (old), Stella and Dot Renegade Cluster, J.Crew Classic Pave' Link

xoxo,

sarah

A Few Notes

Hi love bugs!  Hope you are having a great Thursday!  Mine started out with not one but two tire blowouts.  I hit a "city titty" while driving to work and that thing was solid as a rock.  Anyways, I am one of those girls who has car trouble written in her genetic code, so I just waited for roadside assistance and went on with my day.

I've been thinking a lot on what direction to take some things from this little old blog here, to my career,  to things I simply love doing, and then maybe blending them all together.  I would describe myself as someone who hands their hands in 10,000 different things.  I'm interested and curious about everything from fashion, business, interior design, fitness, cooking... the list goes on.  I want to figure out a way to blend it all together and to have one feed the other.  I get some feedback from time to time on certain things, but want to ask you guys what you would like to see more of.  

Obviously, this is a fashion blog and always has been, so I don't want to take away from that.  I do get a really great response when I post things about home design, interiors, things of that nature, which really ties in with both of my businesses (mortgage lending and real estate investing).  I love taking something old and neglected and making it beautiful and am lucky enough to have the opportunity to do more and more of that in the near future. I haven't even shown you guys pics of the new house and it's something that we are so super proud of and that we designed specifically for us.  I'd like to mold all of this together at some point, but also have some things to share on fitness, building wealth and making smart financial decisions at a young age (young being post college to 35-ish).  Basically, I have a lot to say, but I don't want to turn people off who visit this blog for a very specific reason.  And maybe that's the part of me that wants to please everyone, who knows. I am probably going to separate it into two different blogs so one can be more business based, but I think a lot of it intertwines.  Blogger problems, right?  Give me a little feedback on things you would like to see, would ya?

Moving on.

So, you all know my love for a good old fashioned spray tan, right? Right. It's my therapy session, because the chick that does it is absolutely hilarious.  If you live in Dallas and need a flawless bronzing, call Tantrum Tan and ask for Daesha.  Anyways, this is the dress I wear when I go for my appointment.  It's cute, loose, and black - all requirements for appropriate spray tan attire.  The weird thing is that it's been in my closet for at least 7 years and I just rediscovered it when I was redoing my closet and fell in love with it all over again.  I kind of love when that happens because it becomes part of my weekly uniform, along with some other staples that beat the heat. Also, I love how my Raybans look like the mirrored reflective ones that all the cool kids are wearing nowadays!

Dress: thrifted, love this similar version

Sandals: Soda, love this brand and their awesome price point, another option

Sunglasses: Rayban

Bracelets: J.Crew, Stella and Dot

Necklace: Francesca's,  also at Daily Look for $14.99

Do you have pieces that you wear consistently, week in and week out?

xoxo,

sarah

Hell Hath No Fury

What is goin' on y'all???  I don't have much news, other than the fact that it is hotter than Hades and there is no end in sight! This Texas heat is not conducive to, well, anything really.  I can't begin to describe to you folks who don't live here how friggin' hot a Texas summer can be.  We've had 12 days straight with temps over 100 and you cannot go outside without breaking into an instant sweat.  And as though that ain't enough, there are mosquitoes taking over life as we know it.  Inside, outside, in your car.  One actually woke me up on Saturday morning because I heard it buzzing in my ear!  Totally unacceptable. 

It's tough to dress for this weather, when quite frankly, I'd just assume walk around naked.  But no one wants to see that, so I have been trying my hardest to make the best of our sweet little summer of hell.  I also decided to start a workout regimen and eating plan right smack in the middle of all this heat, so that's been really enjoyable.  I'm on week 4, but I took these pics right before I started, so hopefully they can serve as inspiration as I make my way through the first 90 days.  This dress looks cute now, so I can't imagine how it looks when I'm ripped to shreds and look like Jessica Biel.

Dress: Francesca's Soda Shop Striped Dress

Bag: Louis Vuitton Musette - awesome priced on pre-loved LV bags

Heels: Christian Louboutin Simple 120

Cuff: H&M old - great option from JewelMint

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Stella and Dot Renegade Cluster

Necklaces: J.Crew Venus Fly Trap,  but awesome jade version here

xoxo,

sarah

Perfect Print

I'm sitting here in bed underneath piles of blankets, chicly dressed in not only sweatpants but also a sweatshirt, drinking coffee.  Why?  Because the temperature dropped 50 degrees in the past 12 hours and I just can't manage to go anywhere besides the kitchen and back.

So, I am going back a couple weeks on my looks to find something to warm me up!  I absolutely had to have this dressed when I saw it in F21 about a month ago.  Not only was it $29.99, but it reminded me of all the gorgeous Mary Katrantzou prints that showed up earlier this year.  Since I wasn't about to throw down the Visa for one of those, I was thrilled to find this great alternative.  I was lucky enough to be invited to Fashion Group International of Dallas Night of the Stars honoring the beautiful and talented Lela Rose, and this is what I wore.  

Dress: F21 (in store only)

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Target, no longer available, similar option

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass Plated Crystal Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, Banana Republic

xoxo,

sarah

Swan Song

I've professed my undying devotion to Target lately and have spent more money there than I care to admit, but every time I go in, I'm completely blown away.  I got this freakin' adorable, not to mention, soft and perfectly lightweight sweatshirt there last week.  I am so in love with it and want to wear it every single day!

I also want to mention something that's been on my mind.  Someone threw the word "pretentious" at me the other day and it's really had me thinking about what that means.  The word typically has such a negative connotation, but I couldn't help to think that maybe I would turn the tide and take it as a compliment instead.  So, the word was directed towards me in an office setting, and I was kind of taken aback because I am very conscious and really think about my attitude, actions, and demeanor in the office.  I feel that I'm almost always helpful and kind, I stay away from the gossip if it rears it's ugly head, and am pretty much friends with all of my coworkers.  The difference is that I dress nice, wear expensive shoes (sometimes), and carry a different bag every other day.  Does that make me pretentious, exactly?  I really don't know.

Sometimes guys people say things with a laugh afterward to make their backhanded comment lighthearted.  They think it's cute or funny, or want to look a certain way in front of other people. In this case, I was a little pissed at first, but after thinking about it, here's my take:  the only reason that anyone in my office would call me pretentious is because of the things I mentioned above.  I love fashion, clothes, shoes, jewelry, curly hair, and lipstick.  Stuff basically.  I also love my friends, my family, my dog, my coworkers, and my job, tremendously.  If that makes me pretentious, then I am very proud to be so.

Sweatshirt: Mossimo Women's Long Sleeve Sweatshirt w/ Nailhead Swan @ Target

Blouse: J.Crew, similar @ Factory extra 30% off: SCOREMORE

Pants: Zara Camouflage Trousers with Zips

Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection

Bag: LV

Earrings: Kate Spade Gumdrops Stud 

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave Link, Kate Spade, vintage Hermes, Banana Republic

AgSwag

This outfit was part of my expedition to Loft that I blogged about a few days back.  You guys loved the jade striped sweater, so here is another one.  How adorable is this maroon peplum sweater?  Gah!  I wore this on Monday as part of my "AgSwag".  I am a very, very, very proud Fightin' Texas Aggie and as a show of support after our win against top ranked Alabama last Saturday, we all wore maroon to the workplace.  This has been an epic year of college football so far and it ain't over yet!  WHOOP!

Sweater: Loft Peplum Hem 3/4 Sleeve Sweater

Denim Shirt: H&M, similar

Pants: Loft Marisa Straight Leg Pants in Optic Dot

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Alexander Wang Emile

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, Banana Republic

Blast from the Past

We've all had those encounters where we see someone from our past unexpectedly.  It makes your heart skip a beat for a second and then a very strange feeling comes over you.   Whether it's an enemy, an old friend, or an ex, you are never quite prepared for it.  That happened to me yesterday evening and it was completely unexpected.  I'm just glad that the I could look within myself and say that I am proud of who I am now, proud of where I came from, and proud that I don't have to look back.  I was also proud that I stopped by home before I went out in order to freshen up and looked pretty dang hot ;)   

Top: F21, last seen here, similar option here

Skirt: thrifted, St. John Collection Basket Weave Knit Pencil Skirt in Lapis

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Belt: Anne Klein, similar

Necklace: West Avenue Monogram Necklace via Max and Chloe

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave Link, vintage Hermes

Ring: YSL Arty