The Blues

Shirt (Marshalls); Pants (The Limited); Shoes (Nine West);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie);
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Since I'm covered in blues... it got me thinking about the blues.  Typically every 45 days or so I need to have a good cry - which I swear is as powerful and necessary as any good cleanse. And even when I have nothing substantial to cry about and (yes, bad hair days and pimples are substantial) - it feels good to release the crap that builds up in everyday life and start fresh.  A good cry helps me to get rid of all the emotional toxins that build up from things like that A-hole driver going under the speed limit in the left lane, the fight I had with my stubborn mom (I may be equally as stubborn), the fact that my favorite lip gloss color has been discontinued, that I got so far behind in Grey's Anatomy I deleted them all from my DVR, and that I spilled all over one of my favorite dresses only to realize it's dry clean only (damn it!) - these are all things that make the agenda for my next big cry... what's on your agenda?

Neutral

Dress (AGB find at Marshalls); Necklace (Consignment Shop); Shoes (Tahari find
at Marshalls); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

When I got this dress I was so excited to add a pair of fun colored heels or a bold neon statement necklace... but every time I've worn it I've paired it with other neutral colors and minimal jewelry   And it's okay.  Overthinking things always leads me down a path best left alone... and this simple dress with it's 20's inspired flair is also best left alone.  Speaking of the 20's - did anyone see The Great Gatsby this weekend? I hope the movie lived up to those amazing previews!

Ruffles & Pinstripes

Shirt & Skirt (The Limited); Shoes (Nine West); Watch (Michael Kors);
Sunglasses (Charming Charlie); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Feminine ruffles and a structured pencil skirt are a perfect combo for an easy and appropriate look for the office.  And that that warmer weather has finally found its way to Minneapolis, Rex enjoyed a trip to the dog park this week... It was a highly anticipated 25 minutes of running around like an uncaged beast and marking his territory on literally every bush and tree in the park - the smile says it all :)

Primary

Dress & Shirt (Loft); Scarf (Jones New York find at Marshalls);
Shoes (Jessica Simpson find at Marshalls); Earrings (Nordstrom)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

There is something that feels very elementary with primary colors... like I should be carrying a box of crayolas and a juice box (PS how awesome would it be if I walked into my next meeting armed with both?).  This bold and colorful look seems appropriate for the day after Cinco de Mayo - hopefully the tequila haze has settled and you are ready for the week. My travel schedule for work has been insane lately and I'm extremely happy to be in town this entire week... it will be spent doing important things like laundry, grocery shopping and enjoying some long overdue happy hours ;)

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 :)

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 :)

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 ;)

Volume

Sweater & Skirt (Limited); Jacket (Sandro find at Marshalls); Tights (Target);
Boots (Nine West); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Except for hairstyles of the 90's, no one complains about too much volume.  Which is why I love this skirt. The short and full silhouette is fun and playful, and the more casual military inspired jacket is a nice balance to the girly vibe.  Now if only my hair could achieve the same type of volume as Rex's - besides being generally jealous of his days filled with naps, treats and cuddles... I have major hair envy :)

No Luck of the Irish

Sweater (Banana Republic Outlet); Skirt (Stolen from Mom's closet); Shoes (Naturalizer);
Necklace (H&M); Sunglasses & Tights (Target); Earrings (Nordstrom);Watch (Michael Kors)
Belkis Cruz Photography

Here was my St.Patrick's Day... Tom and I were driving back from another weekend in Wisconsin, and 2 hours into the trip my Dad sends me a picture message of my keys.  Yup, left my keys at my parent's place. I figured, no big deal - just mail them to me this week and I'll be fine as I have a spare car key and Tom has keys to my condo.  Well, we get to my place and I can't get my garage door open.  The code on the door isn't working and since the garage is detached, there is no way of getting inside without the door opener (which of course is attached to my keys).  Oh and by the way mailing the keys to me won't work since my mail key is inside my car, which is inside the garage I can't get into.  Not to mention I have a flight to Ohio on Tuesday afternoon for a work trip - so sorta need my car before then. Thank you to my parents who went Kinkos to overnight the keys - which I will get on Tuesday morning.

So while I didn't have any green beer yesterday, I did have a stiff rum and Coke after all of this!

Tough Girl

Dress (Target); Jacket & Tights (Kohls); Necklace (H&M); Heels (Nine West);
Earrings (Nordstrom); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie);
Belkis Cruz Photography

Even in the girliest of dresses, this motorcycle jacket makes me tough... And there are times (like this week) - when laundry is piling up, the bed hasn't been made since last week, there is no food in the fridge, the dog is out of dental sticks, birthday and baby gifts need to be purchased, and at some point taxes need to be dealt with...  And you feel like only a super hero can get it all done. And while I am no super hero, somehow my tough jacket made going to the grocery store a bit easier... as for the rest of the list - tomorrow is another day :)

Meow

Sweater (Ann Taylor); Tank (Loft); Jeans (Express); Necklace (H&M);
Shoes (Naturalizer); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie);
Belkis-Cruz Photography

Anything with a leopard print lends itself to a bit of sass and attitude.... which is exactly how I felt. Well, except for the 45 minutes I was laying in a dentist chair, getting a cavity filled (in fact nothing makes you feel less sassy than having a drool suction device shoved in your mouth every 5 minutes).  As I listened to the grind of the drill against my tooth (probably the worst sound ever) I thought about all the pieces of candy corn, Swedish fish, and Twizzlers I probably shouldn't have eaten.  You would think that would have stopped me from going home and immediately eating girl scout cookies... but it didn't ;)