Recharged

Coat (Old Navy); Sweater (Gap); Scarf (H&M); Jeans (Target);
Boots (Guess find at Marshalls); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)
Belkis Cruz Photography

This has been a much needed week of sleeping in, no work, no schedules, and extra treats...  Which is exactly what I needed.  And now I know how Rex feels...  And it feels wonderful :)

Christmas Cheer

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! Rex and I are back in Wisconsin this week to celebrate with family... and he wanted to show off some of his favorite Christmas looks :)  

Friday Find: DIY

This year the gifts that I struggled the most for were the Grandmas... there is not a lot they need or want. So I picked up these pretty ornate frames from Marshalls and printed out a fun quote about "Grandma's House".  It's a cute way to gift and personalize a picture frame, and can be used for anyone loved one. Not to mention these quotes speak the truth :)  

Oh and do yourself a favor and pick up Taylor Swift's Red.  I've been listening to it on repeat for 2 days straight.  It's all things fun and girly - and makes you feel like a teen...it's fabulous.

Bus Stop

Shirt & Tights (Target); Sweater (Loft); Skirt & Necklace (Limited); Shoes (Kohls)
Dave Haas Photography

Why yes I'm just hanging out at the bus stop. It's a very good thing I don't have to actually rely on public transportation... the one time I did I took 2 wrong buses, and ended up getting home 3 hours later than usual.  Not to mention I was that girl sitting in the front by the bus driver (tears in my eyes) so he could help me get off at the right stop.  Having said that, as bad as I am with directions - I can ALWAYS find my way around a Target :)

Plaid Remix

Shirt (Old Navy); Scarf (H&M); Skirt (JCPenney); Shoes (Nine West);
Earrings (Nordstrom); Watch (Fossil)
Belkis Cruz Photography

There are many ways to wear plaid shirts, but if you are me there is only one - and it's with a skirt.  This post is more of a rerun vs. a remix (evidenced below) - but sometimes it's Monday morning and I just want my outfit to be easy.  So I grab my trusty plaid shirt, pick a skirt, and call it a remix.  It's like having popcorn, cheese and wine in the house- you can always find dinner there :)

Friday Find

To this quote I say AMEN!  May this Friday find you drama free :)

“There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living." - Jose N Harris

Striped Steal

Dress & Earrings (The Limited); Shirt (Old Navy); Tights (Kohls); Shoes (Nine West);
Belt (H&M); Sunglasses (Charming Charlie)
Belkis Cruz Photography

I've been trying to be good and focus on others during my Christmas shopping... but sometimes the universe temps you in a way that cannot be ignored or resisted.  And by universe I mean those taunting signs that stores put right in front (40% off everything - 1 day only!). My eyes cannot unsee that - and before I know it I'm walking in... heading to the sales rack... and checking out with this striped dress for a cool $17.  As you can see - this was completely out of my control ;)

The Clash

Dress (Taylor find at Marshalls ); Shirt & Tights (Target); Socks (JCPenney);
Boots (Nine West); Necklace (Limited)
Nicole Lai Photography

I love dressing up plaid - it's fun and unexpected... and helps give this short sleeved dress a winter life.  And I LOVE pattern mixing... it forever eliminates any misguided fashion combinations (pretty genius if you ask me) ... what do you mean my shirt doesn't go with my dress?  I'm pattern mixing!

Winter White

Coat (Calvin Klein); Jeans (Express); Hat & Shoes (Target); Bag (Limited)
Dave Haas Photography

With snow falling over the weekend, winter white is everywhere.  I love this color... it's sophisticated, creamy, and chic.  Now that its dark when we leave AND get home from work, winter white is a nice shot of light during the dark season.  Only downside is that Rex is off limits when I wear this coat... paw prints and winter white are a combo I'd like to avoid :)

View from my living room

Snow dog :)

Friday Find: DIY

Frame, ornaments and ribbon (Dollar Tree)

Is everyone aware of how fabulous the Dollar Store is?  For under $5 total, I bought a 8.5 x 11 picture frame, ribbon, and various ornaments.  After removing the frame's glass and back, and spray painting it silver - I had the perfect window frame to feature my mini ornaments.  It's a easy and simple decoration that you can change up for any season or holiday. I hung this up in my kitchen, and have to admit that I'm quite proud of my dollar store special :)  

Tribal

Dress (Primp Boutique) Coat (Old Navy); Hat (Kohls);  Tights & Gloves  (Target);
Shoes (Nine West); Necklace (H&M)
Nicole Lai Photography

Tribal prints take me back to the 90's - specifically Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff.  In fact, for $42 -you can buy the man in your life this beauty. With a name like "90s Abstract Tribal Fresh Prince Hip Hop Club Silk Print" - you know it's going to be super fly ;)  It took me awhile to embrace the tribal pattern again - but I'm so glad I did!  I'm loving the grown up glam version of this print, but the loudly colored over-sized silks shirts from the 90's will always have a very special place in my heart :)

Brunch

Sweater (Gap); Scarf (Macy's); Jeans (Nordstrom); Boots (Guess find at Marshalls);
Hat (Tailors on Blake)

This was my Saturday brunch outfit - and who doesn't love brunch?  For some reason I always feel slightly rebellious eating breakfast after 10AM, and pancakes definitely seem to taste better in the afternoon.  The only thing missing was Rex.  Someday I will open a quaint little cafe called (wait for it...) Brunch. Dogs will be welcome for special "yappy hour" specials, and drinks of choice will include Arnold Palmeranians, Salty Chihuahuas, Puggletinis, and Colorado Bulldogs. I can even see the sign in the window: Come to Brunch for a doggone good time!  :)

Merry & Bright

Blouse & Skirt (Limited); Tights (Target); Sweater (TJ Maxx); Shoes (Nine West)
Belkis Cruz Photography

This truly is the best time of the year. The word holiday is attached to everything - which automatically makes it more exciting, fun, and cheery.  Holiday lights... holiday shopping... holiday parties... holiday decorations. Not to mention that leaving work early for a holiday happy hour is way more acceptable than leaving early for happy hour.  Although it doesn't work with everything.  Holiday work... holiday cleaning?  Nope ;)

Friday Find

Have you ever wanted to drink an Andes candy with alcohol? Of course you did! I was skeptical of the Mocha Peppermint flavor because I don't like anything that tastes too much like a candy cane - but this stuff is perfect. Combine this with half and half - and you have the most amazing, creamy, and subtle chocolate mint flavor. I have to give credit to my boyfriend's mom on this one... She pulled it out of her cabinet of fun over Thanksgiving and I immediately bought it and have been drinking it all week (it's been a good week).

Since I spent this week perfecting the Kahlua Peppermint Mocha & Cream, next week I will focus my drinking on the Kahlua Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate... wish me luck :)

Bow Tie Scarf

Shirt & Earrings (Francesca's); Jacket (H&M); Jeans (Nordstrom);
Scarf (Target); Shoes (Payless)
Dave Haas Photography

Sometimes my life feels a lot like Groundhog Day.  I park in literally the same spot at work every day. I always have raisin and spice oatmeal for breakfast (at the precise time of 8:50).  I am guaranteed to be asleep by 10PM on "school nights".  When I think about my day, it's a little scary how ridiculously routine I can be. So when I put my scarf on, my heart raced a little when I tied it in a bow tie instead of wrapping it around my neck per usual.  Call me crazy, but I can really shake things up sometimes :)

Subtle Mix

Dress (Gap); Shirt (Old Navy); Tights (Nordstrom); Earrings (Macy's);
Shoes (Nine West)
Belkis Cruz Photography

Today's pattern mixing is brought to you by a button down and sweater tights. Sweater tights are the secret weapon to wearing dresses/skirts in winter... so warm and cozy!  I felt unbalanced without a pattern on top, plus the open shirt helps bring a more casual vibe to this look. Sometimes I feel like I'm constantly dressing for a fabulous party I'm never invited to...  But should I ever get invited, I'll be ready at a moment's notice! If success is when preparation meets opportunity - I'm halfway there :)