Psych

I guess I was just kidding about being back from my blog break, because I decided to take another week off. It's just so darn hard to care about what I wear when it's this cold outside. (For reference, "cold" to me is 30-40 degrees. I realize that many of you have to regularly deal with temperatures below zero, but I don't, so 30 degrees is pretty shocking.) When I wore this outfit yesterday to church and lunch, I was so cold I kept the coat on the whole time. At least my outfit looked kind of cute with the coat layered on top.

Sweater: Gap

Coat: Marks and Spencer

Skirt: vintage Pendleton, from an antiques show

Boots: DV by Dolce Vita from Piperlime

Necklace: Evidence Jewelry, won in a giveaway

65 degrees

It was fairly chilly outside on Sunday, so I put a sweater over my dress, and when I went outside I found myself wishing I had tights on. I think it was only 65 degrees (so not actually that cold), but when you're used to 85 degrees, 65 degrees feels like tights weather! I love summer, but I will admit it: I miss layering.

I can't believe I only posted on this blog twice last week - I think that's the least I've posted since I started this thing more than a year ago. Even though my new tax class only takes an extra 12 hours a week, that's still 12 hours of free time I don't have anymore, and I've had to re-evaluate my priorities. I've been focusing on doing my favorite things in my free time, which means reading and hanging out with Josh, and maybe once I get used to my new schedule I'll be able to start catching up on all the blog reading I've missed.

Blue sweater: Anthropologie

Floral dress: Target

Red wedges: Jeffrey Campbell from Lulu's

Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta from TJ Maxx

Red earrings: gift

Necklace: free from my aunt

Floral embroidered bracelet: thrifted from Village Merchants

Red belt: free from my aunt

Blue and green (again)

I suspect these shoes will not last through the year. (Though that's not for a lack of quality.) When I bought them back in March I wore them at least once a week, and now I wear them at least twice a week, sometimes more. And I wear them to do ridiculously active things, like going on evening walks with Josh in our hilly neighborhood, or on hikes. They're so comfortable, though, and if I can be moderately comfortable while wearing heels, I will choose that over being incredibly comfortable in flats nearly every time. At least I only paid $20 for them, so when they inevitably fall apart at some point during the summer or fall, I won't feel like it was a waste of money. Do any of you have a piece of clothing (or a pair of shoes!) that you love so much you wear it until it literally falls apart?

Blue sweater: Gap

Green skirt: thrifted from Crossroads Trading Co.

Blue and green wedges: Nine West from Nordstrom Rack

Green hat: free from my aunt

Green necklace: purchased in Hong Kong

Turquoise bracelet: Charlotte Russe

Light blue bracelet: gift from my aunt, from B. Lee Designs

I'm linking this post up to Monday Mingle and Visible Monday.

A picnic in the countryside

This outfit was a bit of a fashion hodgepodge (gingham! floral! embroidered belt! bright wedges that don't really match anything!), but I liked it. I've been displeased with many of my outfits lately, so it was satisfying to finally hit on one that felt sufficiently quirky and interesting.

My family went on an early Memorial Day picnic on Saturday because it was supposed to be the nicest day over the weekend, but it was still a bit chilly so I layered some long-sleeved tops and brought a blanket to wrap around my bare legs while sitting at the picnic table. Then we went on a short hike - and yes, I wore these heels, which just proves how comfortable they are. (Or how stubborn I am. Or how determined I am to look stylish even in the woods.)

Blue sweater: Anthropologie

Gingham shirt: J. Crew

Floral skirt: thrifted from Village Merchants

Blue and green wedges: Nine West from Nordstrom Rack

Purple necklace: gift from my aunt

Embroidered belt: Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in Astoria

Downton Abbey

It was so darn cold outside yesterday that I wanted to wear these blue boots with this outfit, but couldn't decide if it looked dorky or not, since the boots stopped right where my pants started. And when I'm in doubt about possible outfit dorkiness, I tend to play it safe with something like black wedges. In the end, though, this look felt a little boring, so I almost wish I had risked the potential dorkiness and worn the boots.

In other news, Josh and I have been watching Downton Abbey in the evenings, which is incredible and surprisingly funny at times. It's on Hulu if you want to watch it. My favorite line so far was when the Dowager Countess said in all seriousness, "What's a weekend?"

Blue sweater: Gap

Pink blouse: H&M

Floral pants: H&M

Black wedges: Lulu's

Bag: Urban Outfitters

Gold necklace: Evidence Jewelry, won in a giveaway

Bracelets: In Pink

Summer dresses

Every year when summer rolls around, I realize that my closet is lacking in two things: lightweight dresses and tank tops. Sure, I could subsist on the handful of dresses and tank tops I own that are comfortable in 80-degree weather and hotter, but I like to have variety in my clothing. So this year I decided to be proactive and search for those items before the hot weather actually hits. This past weekend I found this fun striped sleeveless dress from Marshall's and another sleeveless dress (with stripes and flowers!) from Anthropologie. Hopefully next weekend I can find some tank tops (and not just your basic variety - I'd like nice tank tops that can be dressed up or down), and then I'll be set for summer!

Striped dress: Marshall's

Blue sweater: Anthropologie

Black flats: Kathy flats from ShoeMint

Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta from TJ Maxx

White flower necklace: gift shop on Oahu

Black belt: thrifted

Butterfly bracelet: In Pink

White bracelet: H&M

And, because I really appreciate it when people display official messages in cheeky ways, here's a funny sign from the park where we took these photos: