Downtown

Blouse & Pants (Limited); Heels (Naturalizer); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie);
Belkis-Cruz Photography

The undergrad marketing class I teach on Saturday is located in downtown Minneapolis - which is pretty much the only time I'm in the the city.  While I'm a suburban girl at heart, I do love seeing the morning sun highlight skyscrapers as I drive in... and now that we are getting over the 7 month winter we just had - there is an energy unique to downtown that is inspiring and exciting.  And this look captures that energy perfectly :)

Office T-Shirt

Tshirt (Old Navy); Blazer (KISS/NY); Skirt (NY&Co); Necklace (Consignment Shop)
Shoes (Ellen Tracy find at Marshalls ); Watch (Michael Kors)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

I love how you can pair anything with a blazer and it automatically transforms into work appropriate. Things typically reserved for the weekend (a strapless dress, tank top, and T-shirt) can easily be worn to the office with the addition of a blazer and pencil skirt.  And the best part is, all I have to do when I get home from work is put on my sweatpants and I'm ready for weeknight couch and DVR time :)

Orange Pop

Shirt (Ann Taylor); Jacket (H&M); Scarf (JCPenney); Jeans (Nordstrom);
Shoes (Nine West); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Watch (Michael Kors)
Dave Haas Photography

In this neverending winter, it is clear that the only thing we have control over is our mood and what we wear.  Since it's too easy to be crabby and irritable, I've decided to put on a bright orange scarf and fake it.    Oh, and having a margarita (ok, maybe more than one) at the end of the day also helps ;)

My Little Toto

Dress (Taylor find at Marshalls); Shirt (Old Navy); Tights (Target);
Boots (Guess find at Marshalls)

Rex is certainly not as tough as he thinks he is... and certainly not as tough as Toto.  Given my country girl meets Dorothy look, I thought some of Toto's courage would transfer to Rex (he did help Dorothy beat the wicked witch after all).  Poor Rex can't even face a bridge...  the entire time we were on it, he hunkered down and tried to slither as far away as possible.  So after a few pictures, we called it quits... and Rex will never be the same (yes, I plan on paying for therapy).

And I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Boston... yet amidst prayers and sadness, it's impossible to make sense of something so senseless. I hope that the good of humanity will rise above the evil of Monday, and that the stories of heroes outnumber the images of tragedy.

Pants Power

Shirt, Necklace & Pants (Limited); Shoes (Naturalizer Outlet);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Watch (Michael Kors)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

I don't know why it's taken me so long to break out of the monotony of black trousers.  When I got my first office job out of college my outfits were predictable: black dress pants and a top.  And on days I'm late or don't have the energy to think (this happens frequently) - I still revert back to that easy formula.  It wasn't until a few years ago that I finally bought a pair of dress pants that weren't black... and it was a game changer.  There is power in colors - and while this still would have worked with black pants, it's a much more fun look with blue :)

Friday Find: DIY

If I feature any type of recipe, I promise it will be stupid easy...  Many of you asked about the butterscotch sticky buns I made on Easter, so here's the recipe!  And the best part is that all the hard work is done the night before.  I highly suggest giving it a try this weekend :)

Ingredients

• Rhodes frozen dinner rolls (16 - 18)
• 1 package of cook and serve butterscotch pudding
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 stick of unsalted butter
  

Directions (prepare the night before)

After greasing the bottom of a bundt pan, put the frozen rolls at the bottom.  Sprinkle the dry pudding mix over the rolls, following by the brown sugar and then the pecans.  Next, melt the butter and pour over the rolls/pudding/sugar/pecans.  Then cover the bundt pan with a damp cloth (I add an "abracadabra" but that part is optional).  In the morning your rolls will have doubled in size - and all you have to do is remove the damp cloth and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Pour out the gooey goodness on a plate and enjoy!

Comfortable

Dress (Kohls); Sweater (Banana Republic Outlet); Tights (Target); Shoes (Naturalizer);
Necklace (Consignment Shop); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)
Nicole Lai Photography

I love a good pencil skirt or fun belt to cinch in a dress... but sometimes I just want to be comfortable.  I removed the belt that came with this dress and to add definition I added this cropped sweater. All day long it felt like I was walking around in my pajamas - and it was awesome.  In other news, apparently Rex is getting too comfortable... got word from the vet the other day that he is about a pound overweight (which is significant when you are all of 8 pounds total.  So it's a strict regime of exercise and diet for this pooch (I hope Rex's grandparents are reading this... that means no people food!).  Given his sad eyes in this picture, I think someone is sensitive about his weight ;)

Sock Hop

Sweater (French Connection find at Marshalls); Skirt (gifted by eShakti); Tights (Target);
Shoes (Nine West);Earrings (Limited); Bracelet (Windsor)
Dave Haas Photography

If I were going to a Sock Hop - this is what I'd wear.  And the fact that this skirt has never been to such a dance is a sad one.  Instead it goes to work with me - which isn't quite as fun since this is a skirt that demands to be twirled (which I may or may not do in the office bathroom when no one else is in there).  And yes that white stuff  is a form of precipitation that should not occur in "Spring" - so we'll just pretend it's not there...    

Friday Find

Sideways Cross Necklace (Etsy)

My second cousin Lauren (at least I think that's what my cousin's kids are called) is 16 years old and she's getting Confirmed next weekend.  I am honored  to be her Confirmation sponsor, and wanted to get her something meaningful for her special day.  I found this beautiful sideways cross necklace on Etsy - which was perfect (and under $30 so was the price). It's delicate and simple, and I like that it's not just a traditional cross necklace. When it arrived, it was even more beautiful in person, and I fell in love with it not only for Lauren but for myself... so I ordered another one. Although the one I just ordered is technically for Lauren since I've already worn the necklace originally purchased for her... Hopefully necklace #2 comes in the next week - otherwise her gift will be gently worn :)

Calendar Dressing

Sweater (Old Navy); Shirt & Jacket (Target); Skirt (Limited); Socks (Kohls);
Boots (Guess find at Marshalls); Glasses (gifted by Firmoo)
Watch (Michael Kors); Earrings (Nordstrom);
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Let me be perfectly clear... I am absolutely freezing in these pictures.  And I don't care.  I've had enough of these ridiculous winter like temperatures. So I've decided I'm dressing for the calendar instead of the weather. Sorry Mom, I will likely get sick- but it's not my fault!  Spring is supposed to be warmer than 30 degrees. My tights have been overworked from daily wear and my winter coats need a break. Rex is going stir crazy because it's been forever since we've been to the dog park.  And I'm just going just plain crazy... hence why I'm standing outside in the cold defying the weather ;)

Remodeled LBD

Dress (Limited); Blouse (Target); Watch (Michael Kors);
Earrings & Tights (Nordstrom); Shoes (Naturalizer)
Nicole Lai Photography

There is nothing wrong with a little black dress - it's simple, classic, and always chic.  Today I wanted more out of of my LBD... I wanted pattern and texture - and needed more warmth.  The addition of a blouse and patterned tights created an update to this dress worthy of a whole new outfit.  Updating a classic item can have the same impact as a good home remodel. While the integrity of the piece remains, the renovations can create an upgraded style with more visual interest... ultimately resulting in increased curb appeal ;)

  And right now my Dad is most definitely shaking his head at that analogy...

Easter Best

Dress (Limited); Cardigan (TJ Maxx); Tights (Target); Shoes (Nine West)

Easter was pretty low key this year - there have been many trips back to Wisconsin over the past month, so we decided to stay in town this weekend.  It was a nice and relaxing day of church followed by mimosas and butterscotch sticky buns... then Nintendo and episodes of Mad Men (we just finished season 4)... and ended with a bottle of wine and an awesome ham/cheese/broccoli casserole.  It was wonderful. Even Rex got into the Easter spirit - seriously what is cuter than an dog in a bow tie? :)