LIFE AS YOU LIVE IT: May 2015

My Closet Staples

15 May 2015


As I was getting dressed the other day I realized that I have some S E R I O U S favorites in my closet that I incorporate into my everyday outfits pretty regularly. In fact, I don't think I know how to build an outfit without these 10 items! Luckily my closet is on the smaller side, which doesn't allow for a lot of "extras" that end up getting pushed to the back or buried under piles. What I have hangs right in front of me, or folded in a bureau close by and I'm well aware of each and every piece of clothing I own (I do have a bin that I alternate winter/summer clothes). 

I tend to stick to the classics that will grow with my style, can be coordinated with a handful of different outfits, and will be around for a long time. I am not a clothes hoarder, in fact my new rule is "one thing in, one thing out". So whether I donate or sell it, I try to lighten the load before I add more to it! These versatile staples are the foundation to my closet and get used A L O T... makes getting dressed every morning so much easier too!

10 Closet Staples


Here are my staples in action!


Every girl should own a black dress (similarsimilar)! It really truly is a piece that you can throw on for any occasion. Dress it up for a formal event, or dress it down for work. 

+++++


If I could call you up right now and tell you how comfortable and flattering this Vince tee is, I would! I have never owned a more comfortable tee before in my life! The color block is fun, and hits you in all the right places (I'm wearing a medium). I honestly can't believe I haven't purchase another one yet! Also, those skinnies I'm wearing are glued onto my body 24/7/365. If I had it my way, I would probably never take them off, ever. I've worn them in so well! (:

+++++


I found this chambray top a couple of years ago at Maurice's (similar, similar, similar) and wear it all of the time. In fact, I'm wearing it right now as I type this post. It's very breathable and another great piece to dress up or down - I wear this skinnies/chambray outfit into the office all of the time! This is also my favorite "plane wearing" outfit (if that's a thing?), It keeps me so warm, and again... extremely comfortable!

+++++


I own way too many of these oxfords. Every time I'm in RL, I end up picking out another and another and they all get plenty of use! My favorite thus far is the classic white oxford (I'm wearing size 2, and it's starting to get a little snug on the shoulders). I mentioned these boardwalk shorts (similar) from J. Crew on here before, and I think they're worth mentioning again. I love the pattern and color, and even though they're bright and bold, I've been able to pair them with a handful of grey, white, and black tops! Love my neutrals! Oh! and they have pockets!! (I'm wearing size 2).

+++++


I bought these jeans (skinny version) from the outlets in North Conway this past winter and lurve with a capital URVE them. I needed a comfortable pair that weren't skinnies that I could slip on and off easily. Oh look, there's that white oxford making another appearance (; Those Tory Burch Thora sandals (my most recent purchase) are a new addiction for me.

+++++


I can't say enough good things about this oxford, can I? Dressing it up with my favorite seersucker skirt (similar) from Ann Taylor. This skirt is so flattering, and is the perfect length for me. Another favorite that usually finds it's way into an outfit a couple times a month!

+++++


Last but not least, I cannot stress the need for a good down filled puffer vest (similar). These vests go with me everywhere for all seasons. I probably own three? Maybe it's from the ever changing Boston weather, but you NEVER know when it's going to be a tad overcast, or a deceiving sea breeze sneaks by. The other day it went from 79º to 59º in a matter of hours? I wore these almost everyday in the winter, and now I keep one in my bag just in case. I wore one today and it's 65º ! Granted, when it's in the 80's and 90's, I usually leave it at home ;) J. Crew no longer carries this exact one, but there are certainly other great ones out there!

++++

What are YOUR closet staples? Do you carry a puffer vest around with you everywhere too because of crazy Boston/Northeastern weather!? Please share so I can go buy them and add them to my collection! (:
post signature

four.

11 May 2015

Jumping in and partaking in the "four" post that has been floating around. With a handful of new followers, I thought it would be fun to reintroduce myself! Please do the same, so I can get to know you too! (:



four nicknames:
  1. kay - I guess I only have one?
  2. -
  3. -
  4. -
four jobs I've had:
  1. real estate agent
  2. bartender
  3. lifeguard
  4. sandwich artist (my glory days)
four movies i've watched more than once:
  1. ermmm lifetime movies? I'm an addict. 
  2. the town
  3. the great gatsby
  4. law abiding citizen
four things in my purse wristlet:
  1. old hotel key cards to bar harbor & north conway (they're so pretty, and make me so happy)
  2. student i.d. - you would be amazed by the amount of places that offer a student discount!
  3. advil - I am the queen of headaches
  4. 10+ unneeded and unnecessary keys
four places I've lived:
  1. - boston
  2. - southern maine
  3. - middle of a corn field, ohio
  4. - southern new hampshire
four favorite drinks:
  1. water
  2. chocolate milk
  3. baybreeze
  4. rum & cran
four of my favorite foods:
  1. - mexican food!!
  2. - tortellini (L'Osteria in the north end has the best!)
  3. - breakfast foods; eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, etc!
  4. - pizza
top four places i've traveled:
  1. - bar harbor (read more about that breathtaking trip here!)
  2. - dominican republic (here)
  3. - holland
  4. - the caribbean
four favorite places to shop:
  1. - j. crew
  2. - l.l. bean
  3. - target
  4. - t.j. maxx/homegoods
four places i'd like to travel:
  1. - hawaii
  2. - alaska
  3. - all over the country (this is the map i'll be following)
  4. - somewhere tropical
four tv shows i'm currently watching:
  1. - grey's anatomy (i know, i know... 11 years and still faithful)
  2. - scandal
  3. - american crime
  4. - flip or flop
four things i'm looking forward to in the next year:
  1. - doing everything and all things boston. 
  2. - figuring out where our next home will be.
  3. - graduating! finally, my bachelor of science in biology!
  4. - taking a much needed celebratory trip with L!

What a fun list to write up! Have you done one? If so, comment your link!


post signature

today...

08 May 2015

  • I desperately need to buy a new set of pajamas. I'm still wearing my buffalo check Christmas ones and they're going to lose their Christmas cheer if I keep it up any longer. I'm looking into a nice classic set like thesethese or these!
  • I was looking at our living room earlier and decided that it needed some more "spring" color incorporated into it. I ran out and bought the beautiful orchid pictured above, and have my eyes on these cute watercolor floral pillow covers and these stained glass covers from West Elm! What do you think!? I would love to put some more purple, blue, and green in that room. 
  • Have you ever heard of Packed Party before? It's a site where you can send and receive themed party packages. What a genius idea for when you need a quick gift for someone! They have mother's days ones!
  • This is going to be one of my next organizing projects. Everything she touches always ends up looking so clean, fresh and welcoming. I want her skills!  
  • I'm also convincing myself that I need a GiGi New York something! I keep seeing them pop up all over blogland and want to know which one YOU prefer!? The Madison Crossover, or the Uber Clutch?
Happy Weekend!
post signature

What $20 a week can do for you

07 May 2015


I have and always will be one to jump on the savings money train whenever it goes by. I did the 52 week money savings challenge for a couple years which was hugely successful and left me with an extra $1300+ stored away for when Christmas rolled around, and now I'm excited to share a different moneys saving project that I've been working on that is very similar to the 52 week challenge.

$20 A WEEK.

Every week I've been putting a $20 dollar bill into a jar that doesn't get touched. 
As I jump into week 19, I'm proud to say that there are $380 beautiful dollars sitting pretty for me.
I have decided that L and I will be going somewhere very fun next June, and there's no way of doing that without the cold hard cash. I hate, HATE taking money out of savings, and refuse to fund our trip with money that we don't have. This seemed like one of the easier ways of putting money aside, as it is only $20 a week which is $1,040 a year. Since I started in January and will have a total of approximately 78 weeks to save, I should end up with around $1,560 total. This will definitely make a huge dent in our vacation expenses. In fact, I'm almost a quarter of the way through already! It's so easy to put cash away and forget about it!

If you don't consider yourself a cash carrying person, no problem! Every time you swipe your debit card, you usually have the option to get cash back. Take $20 from there each month and you'll barely notice. 

Why don't I just put it into savings where it can gain interest and not get lost or spent? Any money that goes into savings doesn't come out. ever. In fact, the only reason that I will be taking money out of my savings within the next five years will be to either buy a house, buy a car, or an emergency. So if I put it in there, I would become attached to the fact that it was there, and would never, ever take it out. That wouldn't be the worse thing in the world, however I am specifically setting these doll hairs aside to spend on L and I, and I want us to reap the rewards of 78 weeks of diligent savings. I used to have a coin jar with over $1000 dollars in quarters that was going to take me to Bermuda. Then, my smart, financial boyfriend talked me into investing it into my retirement... so there went that trip ;) More on that later!

What's the easiest way for you to save up for something?
post signature

Life

04 May 2015

Boston had a beautiful day today, I'm talking in the 80's! I went into the office for a couple hours and then decided my time would be better spent working from our roof deck. I'm just so much more productive when I have that sweet sunshine on my skin, and a go-gurt in my hand. Some kind soul that lives in our building set a table up on the deck, so you can be sure I will be working from there more often, as well as eating dinner, playing cards, and everything else I can possibly do. I just decided I'm going up there and reading my magazine as soon as I'm done writing this post. 


These printed boardwalk shorts are my new jam, so comfy! I got mine in ripe kiwi!

Having been on the hunt for a new hair salon since I moved to Boston over a year and a half ago, I feel as though I might have just found the perfect fit for me. I was first drawn to Bangs of Boston by their very modern and chic storefront located on Salem Stret, and the dozens of positive yelp and personal reviews that I had received from fellow customers and friends. I finally pulled the trigger when I saw that they were offering an amazing Groupon deal that I couldn't pass up. Their salon was very light, bright and clean, and I had an amazing experience with my stylist, Danielle, who was extremely helpful and explained everything she was doing and every product that she used. I left feeling awesome, and very pleased with the results!




My Tory Burch Thora Sandals arrived this weekend, and I finally had the excuse to wear them on this beautiful 70 degree Boston day! I ran all over the city and had no problems. So far, so good. I'm thinking about going for these ones next!


Please take this blurry iPhone photo to document my winnings from the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. We all put in $10 for a horse, randomly pulled from a cup, and I lucked out when I grabbed American Pharoah! $180 richer!


Guys, I'm on the struggle bus when it comes to my face lately. I am breaking out like a teenager and I don't know why or what to do! I don't ever wear any makeup on my face besides eyeliner/shadow, however I'm not very good about properly washing my face twice a day. I just bought a bottle of Cera Ve so I'm going to try extra hard to thoroughly wash it in the mornings and evenings. I'm also considering buying a clarisonic. Thoughts?


Happy Monday, friends!
post signature
 
site design by designer blogs