Navy Off-Shoulder Top

Tuesday, May 31, 2016


It's no secret that navy is one of my most worn colors in my wardrobe. In fact my entire summer wardrobe essentially consists of white, blue, and red pieces. Sorry, but I like what I like. This little bow-back off-shoulder top is no exception. 



I scooped up this top from Banana Republic in May for 40% off and am so happy with the purchase. It's the perfect length to wear with jean cut-off shorts or a pair or white pants. I also love the little tie-back bow detail, making it a little extra-special.

It was so hot this weekend that I wore this look on Sunday with my favorite red Jack Rogers sandals and my favorite pair of jean shorts from Madewell (they're not too short and they're so comfortable). I thought the look was perfect for the long (and hot) holiday weekend. Speaking of which, the weather has changed and summer is officially here! I love the hot weather so bring on the heat!

What do you think of this look? Do you wear a lot of navy? I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend!

Outfit: Navy Off-Shoulder Top (similar 1, 2, and 3) // Jean Shorts // Jack Rogers Sandals // Baublebar earrings // Anjolee Citrine ring c/o // TOMS Sunglasses (similar)

BeautyToo Faced Born This Way Foundation in Porcelain // Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in 'Dim Light' // Tarte 12-hour Amazonian Clay Blush in 'Exposed' // Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara // Hourglass Eyebrow Pencil // NARS Lip Gloss in 'Chelsea Girls'
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Linking up with I do DeClaire, Mix it Mondays, Walking in Memphis in High Heels 

10 Things About Me That Even My Best Friends Don't Know

Monday, May 30, 2016

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Hi everyone, happy Monday! And it's actually a happy one because it's Memorial Day and most of us are lucky enough to have off work today! I'll be spending the day poolside at my parent's house grilling, relaxing, swimming, and capping off the night watching The Bachelorette with one of my best friends from high school, what are you up to today?

Anyways, I thought it'd be fun today to share 10 random facts about myself. I always like getting to know the bloggers I follow a little better so I figured since I've been doing this for 9 months now, why not? So, in no particular order:

ONE // Yellow is my favorite color. My old bedroom was painted yellow but my brother stole it when I was away at college. My second favorite color is gray. when I own my own home I want to do my bedroom in grays and yellows.

TWO // I have been to four continents and I'm planning a trip to my fifth for next June. Any guesses where I'm heading? (hint: I really like sushi & loved Gwen Stefani's style in 2006)

THREE // I have seen the Sublime tribute band "Badfish" perform over 15 times.

FOUR // I have read the novel 'A Clockwork Orange' four times. I think anyone who reads it should read it at least twice since it's difficult to understand all the slang the first time.

FIVE // Breaking Bad is my favorite TV show ever. This is followed closely by Game of Thrones and Gilmore Girls.

SIX // My favorite animal is a pig. This has been true since I was four years old and received a stuffed pig beanie baby for Christmas. I still own it, and yes it is sitting with me right now.

SEVEN // My favorite bar in Paris is called Tape Bar and if you are ever in the city you should definitely visit.

EIGHT // I hate the taste of diet coke and will only drink regular. I think I'm not allowed to actually be a blogger because of this but that's ok, doing it anyways.

NINE // I am naturally blonde but I dyed my hair red twice in high school and middle school. I don't see myself doing it again.

TEN // I've studied five languages throughout my academic career. French is the only language that I've studied that I consider myself conversational in. The others are Japanese, Latin, Spanish, and Italian.

Bonus: I hate watching sports on TV but I'm totally obsessed with the Olympics and I can't wait for Rio 2016. The swimming and gymnastics are my favorite events!

What about you? Share one fun fact that even your best friends might not know in the comments down below, I love getting to know my readers better! I hope you have an amazing holiday!
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Linking up with B Loved Boston

May Budget Update

Friday, May 27, 2016

Another month is almost in the books. How is it already Memorial Day Weekend? I had a pretty hectic week, a pipe burst at my client site on Tuesday night and so the rest of the week the office has been in various states of chaos while the contractors change out floors, clean carpets, and salvage files. I could not be more excited to go home today and spend the weekend with family and friends. Tomorrow we have a wedding for two of my co-workers at my old firm which I'm excited about and then we plan on relaxing on Sunday before heading to my parent's house on Monday to swim and grill. What're your plans this weekend? 

Anyways, with the end of the month comes my monthly budget update post! If you missed it, I wrote in this post about my monthly budget here where I have laid out a quarterly budget of $800.

Here is how the year is panning out so far:

January: $0 (I went a month without shopping, one of my 101 in 1001 goals!)
February: $392
March: $517
Total Q1: $909 (overspent in Q1 by $109)

April: $134.25
Amount left for Q2: $665.75

See all 2016 additions to my wardrobe here
May Purchases:

Baublebar Kiara Drop Earrings - $36, less coupon code, $28.80 total


Banana Republic Bow Back Off-Shoulder Top - $49.50, less coupon code, $30

Banana Republic Striped Off-Shoulder Top (similar here) - $79, used coupon code $37

Endless Rose Louvre Top, also here - $59 (worn here)

Troubadour Chelsea Skirt - $178, on sale for $89 (worn here)

Total Spent for May: $266

Total Q2 Spending: $400
Total Left for June: $400

I'm ok with this spending, and June is either going to be a really light month or I'm going to go crazy. I have some summer events and travels coming up so that usually drives up my spending, however I'll be working at home now and will not be saving money on expenses during the week which could force me to be more careful. I'm on the hunt for some new business casual clothes to replace some worn out items in my wardrobe and those tend to be rather pricey. I also have a very special purchase for my wardrobe coming up which may cause me to be frugal elsewhere, stay tuned!

How did you do this month? 

Linking up with Fran.

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Stripes & Floral Midi-Skirts

Thursday, May 26, 2016

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Meet my new favorite skirt to wear to work. This baby is the perfect length for a business casual environment, pairs well with so many colors, and is perfect for twirling around. 

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Alex brought this skirt up to NYC with him last weekend since he told me it had arrived in the mail and I could not wait to try it on. Once it was on I was so so happy with my purchase that I insisted we take photos for the blog right away (thanks for being a good sport Alex). We took these photos on Saturday morning at the South Street Seaport on the lower east side of Manhattan. This little area has some cute little shops, restaurants, and bars and is one of my favorite spots for happy hour after work!

I love pairing stripes and floral together for a fun, casual look and I think this combo is going to become one of my go-to brunch looks in the spring and fall. I also already wore this skirt to work on Monday and I'm already planning the business casual outfit I want to shoot for the blog. 

What do you guys think? Do you wear midi-skirts for work? What do you think of this one?

Outfit: Troubadour Skirt // St. James Striped Top // Tory Burch Flats, old (similar) // Stella & Dot Engravable Necklace (mine says '504') 

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White Bell Sleeved Top

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

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You guys I think I have an addiction, it is to buying white tops for spring and summer. And this one, is my new favorite. 

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I was so excited when this shirt came back into stock online and immediately placed an order. It arrived last week and I could not wait to wear it around the city this past weekend. I wore this outfit on Sunday to brunch at The Smith and then shopping in SoHo, as I mentioned in this post. It was the perfect breezy top for the afternoon and I already know it's going to be on repeat in my rotation this year. 

Additionally, I had to pair it with my turquoise tassel earrings from Lisi Lerch. These earrings are one of my most worn pieces all summer season and I get compliments every time I wear them. I know I've featured them on the blog before (and I will again) but just take this as a PSA and order them before they sell out this year. I am contemplating ordering the gold pair just to have another color. 

What do you think of this look? Do you wear a lot of white and blue in the summer? 

Outfit: Rag & Bone Jeans (on sale!) // Endless Rose Blouse (if not in stock check back, it keeps popping in and out), also here // Jack Rogers Sandals in Platinum // Lisi Lerch Turquoise Tassel Earrings

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Linking up with I Do DeClaire

Weekend Rewind vol. 6 [NYC Edition]

Monday, May 23, 2016

Hello friends! How were your weekends? Mine went bye wayyy too quickly, one minute it was Friday at 6pm, the next I was getting up for work this morning! Alex came up to NYC this weekend to spend one last weekend in the city before I head back to Philadelphia to begin working on my project remotely. It was bittersweet, but we tried to enjoy every minute of the weekend, especially since the weather has gotten SO much better since December when I first start coming up to NYC for work. 

I started off by getting Bluestone Lane for breakfast on Friday morning, their banana toast with almond butter is AMAZING, a must-try! 

We went to dinner Friday night at Palma, I'm so mad I didn't get any good pictures from dinner because the restaurant was adorable and the food was divine, I highly recommend for dinner or brunch if you're in the city!

On Saturday afternoon we headed up to The West 79th Street Boat Basin for the Tulane Alumni Club of NYC annual crawfish boil. I was so happy to be able to hang out with some of my friends from school, all while enjoying unlimited crawfish, Abita, jambalaya, fried catfish, and red beans & rice! Besides my friends from Tulane, the thing I miss most about NOLA is the amazing food!

Gimme alllll the crawfish! So yummy!

On a tip from one of my co-workers we stopped by Levain Bakery while we were on the Upper West Side to try some of their chocolate chip cookies. Oh. My. God. they were AMAZING! Worth the line and the $4 price tag per cookie. Highly recommend if you find yourself in the area!

I was also loving the architecture and amazing pre-war buildings on the Upper West Side, if I ever move to NYC I could definitely see this being my neighborhood!


On Sunday morning Alex and I grabbed brunch at The Smith in East Village, which is another neighborhood I've come to love. The Smith is one of my favorite spots for cocktails and dinner, and the brunch did not disappoint! I really like the candied bacon scones and the fresh squeezed orange juice that comes free with your brunch entree!
After brunch we went shopping in SoHo and I scouted out my dream purse...which I will maybe be purchasing this summer, stay tuned for that one. We got dinner at Cafe Habana one of my favorite spots in NoLita before heading to Brooklyn to watch Game of Thrones at The Halyards and play Game of Thrones trivia before the episode. It was such a fun experience, I'm thinking about going to viewing parties in Philly from now on, it's so fun to see how the bar reacts to the show...even though I was tearing up at the end of this week's episode. 

How were your weekends? I hope everyone has a great Monday! I'll be working and then ordering my favorite take-out and watching The Bachelorette tonight, anyone else with me? 
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Linking up with B Loved Boston and Her Heartland Soul

Wanted: Off-Shoulder Everything

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

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one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine

With the weather warming up, all I want to buy are off-shoulder tops! I got a couple from ASOS last year (like the one I wore in this post), but I want to expand my collection! 

Luckily, it seems like EVERY retailer has jumped on the trend an there's tons of options at a variety of price points. I'm in love with this striped Rag & Bone option, but I'm considering getting this Banana Republic alternative as it's a little kinder on the wallet (I also like this J.Crew Factory option which comes in at the most affordable price point). Also this cute navy number has a little bow back, a little extra detail that I love!

One thing is for sure, I'll be ordering one or two more tops/dresses to wear over the Summer and on vacation this year...the issue is just going to be narrowing it down to which ones!

Anyways, I'm finally trying Momofuku Milk Bar tonight after dinner, getting "crack pie" there is on my NYC bucket list, and with only 10 more days living in the city I'm making sure to take full advantage! 

How're your Wednesdays going? Do like the off-shoulder trend?
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Scalloped Shorts

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

The weather is finally warming up and I have pulled out my shorts from storage. I feel like my legs are rejoicing that they're finally seeing some sunlight, especially in this super comfy pair of scalloped shorts which are one of my favorite pairs.

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I got these shorts last season from Lilly Pulitzer and found they're the perfect length, not too long but not too short, run true to size, and are super comfortable. I know I'm going to get a ton of use out of them this year as well. I might even have to invest in another pair, they have a ton of fun patterns and colors available this year!

I also pulled out my new beach tote from Revolve. I was placing a pre-order for this shirt which is now back in stock and decided to browse the website a little bit. I came across this cute beach bag for only $22 and decided why not? Free shipping and this bag is perfect to take to run errands, get groceries, or take to the pool this summer. It's hand painted which I think adds a fun touch. 

So what do you think of this outfit? Do you have any scalloped hemmed shorts? I hope you have a great Tuesday!


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The Best Bars in Philadelphia

Monday, May 16, 2016

One thing I'm excited about for my time in NYC coming to an end, is that I'm going to have more time in my city of Philadelphia. Even though I grew up outside of Philly, I only moved into the city after finishing college in New Orleans. I have loved getting to explore the city over the last couple of years and discovering new places and developing favorites.

Over the past few years I have been to a fair share of the bars in Center City and some of the surrounding neighborhoods. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite spots with you all today! If you are planning a visit to Philly or live in the area be sure to share some of your favorites in the comments below, this list is not all inclusive and I'm always looking to try new spots!

1 // 700 Club

2// Sampan/Graffiti Bar

3// The Franklin Bar

4// Tressle Inn

5// U-bon

6// McGillian's

7// El Bar

8// Frankford Hall

9// Barcade

10// Johnny Brenda's

11// Prohibition Tavern

12// Ranstead Room

13// The Plough and the Stars

14// Bru

15// Drinker's

16// Bishop's Collar

17// Milkboy

18// National Mechanics

19// Cherry Street Tavern

20// Smith's

21// Rouge's Gallery

22// Tria Cafe and Wine Bar

23// Rooftop at Continental Mid-town

24// Monk's Cafe

25// Fox and the Hound

Tips for a Lasting Long-Distance Friendship

Friday, May 13, 2016

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Hey everyone! I have been wanting to write this post for a little while. It's been sitting in the back burner since I've felt too busy to take the time to actually sit down and write it with the time and effort I think it deserves. The friendships we have in life are very important; they shape us into the people we will become and have helped mold the people we are currently. I am sure that everyone reading this can think of friends that have had both positive and negative impacts on their lives. 

Well, what happens when you or one of your friends is no longer going to be in a close proximity to you anymore? Whether it's moving away from your home town, leaving for college, graduating college, moving across the state, or moving across the globe being away from the people that understand you the most can be really really difficult. 

Many returning readers to this blog probably already know that I attended Tulane University in New Orleans for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I spent some of the best years of my life in New Orleans and made some of my very best friends. While I miss living in the same city (or apartment) as these people I make a very conscious effort to stay in touch with them and maintain our friendships. Some people are shocked when they learn I don't live in the same city as some of my Tulane friends, mostly due to the amount of snapchats and pictures we have together. Well, although there's no exact science or perfect formula for maintaining these relationships, I thought it might be nice to share on the blog today some of my favorite tips for supporting lasting long-distance friendships.

ONE // Pick up the phone and share. This sounds like a no-brainer, but don't wait for big news to reach out to your buddy. If something happens that reminds you of them then let them know! Shooting a quick text when you're bored, waiting in line, or watching TV is also pretty effortless but gets the lines of communication open. The more often you talk to your friend, the more lasting your friendship will be. My favorite times to connect with friends are if I'm walking around the city running arounds or in my car driving somewhere, I have a bluetooth system in my car so it's almost like having someone riding along with me. 

TWO // Make an effort to visit. It's easy to say "Yes come visit me, it'll be so fun!", but the truth is you're probably both busy. Set a phone date, get out your calendars, and pick a weekend. If you're friend lives very far away or money is a big concern then make a savings goal to work towards or try meeting somewhere in the middle. One of my good friends lives in NYC and travels a lot on the weekends, I'm so fortunate to get to see her now since I'm living in the city, but we're trying to hammer down a weekend for her to come to Philly. However, time passes so quickly and before you know it the perfect weekend is gone with no visit, so plan early!

THREE // My friend Risa emailed me this tip and I really liked it: "Since most of my sorority sisters are scattered across the country, long distance friendships have been inevitable and difficult.  One surprising way we have all been keeping in touch is through fitness apps on our phones.  At any given point, I am in a step competition on the Fitbit app and a workout competition on Mapmyfitness.  I love the Fitbit competitions because there's a chat section on it so we can talk about our lives (in regards to our walking of course).  Mapmyfitness, on the other hand, is just for logging workouts, but it's such a great motivator to know that your sisters will see your workout.  It often pushes me to go just an extra few minutes on my runs.  It's been nice to see how our lifestyles have evolved from that partying-centric college life to a more balanced healthful life.  Even if we aren't going out together anymore it still feels like we are part of each others lives."

FOUR // Find a common television program or read the same book and talk about it. My friends and I love watching anything in The Bachelor series, so it's a great conversation spark to text or snapchat during the shows and send each other articles or Instagrams of the cast throughout the year. Side note, is anyone else excited for Bachelor in Paradise this summer? One of my other friends and I both love Big Brother and listen to the same podcast about it. We text constantly about the show over the summer and it really bonds us closer. 

FIVE // Send postcards and other sentimental mail to your friend. How fun is it to get something in your mail that isn't a bill? A card, letter, or postcard from your far away friend is such an unexpected and thoughtful way to let them know you're thinking about them. Especially if it's around their birthday, go on and dig out their address and connect the old fashioned way. For birthdays, my friend Catharine likes to send personalized Dunkin' Donuts gift cards in the mail, you can choose any photo you want for the card and write a little message inside, how perfect is that? 

While maintaining a strong friendship takes a lot of work, the obvious key is communication. Also, some friendships require more work than others. Some friends you may text every few weeks when an inside joke pops into your head or you have some downtime, and some friends are going to be blowing up your phone daily in the group chat. Or spamming you on Instagram by tagging you in every meme possible (btw I love when it when my friends send me memes). The important thing is to make the other person know you care about them and are thinking about them. Putting forth an effort to maintain the friendship is the first step and the most crucial.

What are some of your tips for maintaining a long-distance friendship? Do you have any faraway friends?

I hope you have a great Friday!
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NYC Bucket List

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

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Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday! I wanted to drop in today and share with you a little "to-do" or bucket list I have been jotting down the last few days. This month will be my last month living and working full-time in NYC for my current client assignment. Currently, I am slated to begin working remotely from Philadelphia and traveling to NYC on an ad-hoc basis starting in June. I'm very excited and looking forward to having more time at home, I love my home city of Philly and I love being in the city and able to spend time with friends and family more easily. 

That being said, I also love NYC. I have a couple of good friends here and I've really enjoyed getting to see them and explore this city over the last five months. I realized the other day that I've essentially done a semester "abroad" in NYC! Since I only have a little over two weeks left of living here full time I thought it'd be fun to share what I'm going to try and accomplish. Even though my #1 goal is to see Hamilton (I enter the lottery EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.) I decided to be a little more realistic with my list. Luckily, I will still be popping back into NYC for the next few months for work, and even after my project is completed I live just a short 90 minute train ride away! 

Do you have any suggestions to add to this list? I'd love to hear anything, from recommendations of restaurants and things to do, places to shop, can't miss murals, let me know!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great Wednesday!
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