Throwback Thursday: Fall Plaid & Stripes

Happy Thursday loves! This week I cleaned-up my hard drive to make room for this semester and this year in general. Sorting through my photos, I realized I have a few outfit from the fall that never made it to the blog. In order to rectify this great tragedy, I thought I would do a short segments of "throwback" looks for the next few Thursday's in honor of #tbt. Plus, with all the relentless cold, it's nice to take a moment and remember when you could leave the house without looking like a marshmallow and not die of frostbite. Today, I decided to first share what turned out to be basically what I lived in this fall; leggings, boots, sweater, vest, accessorize, repeat. To keep this "uniform" (also discussed here) fresh throughout the fall, I tried to mix it up with unexpected colors, prints, textures, and an extra layer for dimension here and there.

vest: old navy | sweater: jcrew factory | scarf: zara | tank: target | boots: target | leggings: target | purse: target | bracelet: very jane | necklace: mint sugar boutique

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Last First Day of School...

Yesterday was the first day of my last semester at LTU, and I could not be happier. After ten years of college I will finally be (fingers crossed) done. In just 4 short months I will be graduating and closing one chapter of my life to start a new one. My path to completing my Master's degree is anything but traditional; long and winding - yes, but traditional - no. Today I want to offer some background and insight into my journey, as I was met with a lot of mixed emotions and contemplation yesterday. 

So way back in 2008, I graduated from WMU with my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Comparative Religion. I had the most wonderful time during my 5 years at Western Michigan University; I met some of my best friends for life, learned so much - both academically and about myself, had grand adventures - across the US and abroad, and grew so much I barely recognized my reflection upon graduation. Then, after I graduated, I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do for my graduate studies. I had spent so long thinking I wanted to be a lawyer, but after my semester abroad in South Africa (during my final year at WMU, of course), I had a change of heart. I knew that being a lawyer wasn't who I was, but I still wasn't sure what was. I was trying to figure out what I was meant to be or do...thanks American culture for this ridiculous notion. 

During my year off, I found a program that I fell in love with and sincerely thought would answer that pesky question of what the heck am I supposed to be when I grow up? I started my graduate program at Lawrence Technological University 5 years ago in the Fall of 2009. It is a new program and a 5 year one that encompasses both the undergraduate and graduate work for a single degree: a Masters of Science in Architectural Engineering. I will be a member of the first graduating class. Since my previous degrees were in social sciences, I went to school part time for 2 years, then full time for 2 years to complete the undergraduate part of the curriculum, and this past year started the graduate portion. The graduate portion is 30 credit hours, all of which I have crammed into this 5th and final year at LTU. The program is very intensive with classes in four disciplines; architecture, mechanical systems engineering, electrical systems engineering, and structural engineering. It's a jack of all trades degree, where you graduate with extensive knowledge and proficiency in all areas of study. We are trained to choose among the engineering fields within a built environment. FYI, my focus is in electrical systems engineering, or power distribution and lighting design for buildings =D

When I set out to complete this degree, I really didn't know what I was in for, and I have invested almost my entire life so far, nearly 3 decades, into my education, which as the end nears, feels like an eternity. Sometimes I wonder if I should have done some less time consuming and less expensive, it seems like a long time to put "starting my life" on hold. It's silly, but when I look around, I notice I am seemingly behind everyone else in terms of life, at least by traditional standards; I am not married, or even engaged, I don't have children, I haven't started my career, I don't own a home, etc. and sometimes, I get really hard on myself for what feels like being a failure. I start over thinking all of my decisions and choices and regret starts to seep in. Enter the pint of Ben & Jerry's...

But, then I take a deep breath and try to laugh. I have to gently remind myself of my own personal mantra in life, "different isn't better or worse, it's just different and that's okay." It's just silly to compare myself to anyone or any "norm," because I am not living my life to make anyone other than myself happy. And, while school at times has made me more miserable than I know how to cope with, the rewards and experiences I have been afforded because of my non-traditional path have been something I wouldn't trade for a white picket fence, ring, and set of munchkins. Not to mention, I wouldn't have my currently job or have met Kevin, if I had chosen another path, which makes the "what if "game completely moot. When it comes down to it, the "what if" game only reassures me that I am incredibly blessed, and that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about my life or decisions. Judge not lest ye be judged, after all, right? So, after much contemplation about my life and where I stand today, I am content and excited for things to come. I don't have regrets about spending so much time learning or the money I have invested in my diverse education, it's all led me to where and who I am today, and I am okay with that. 

All this being said, yesterday was the last first day of school I will have, at least for the foreseeable future. To celebrate, I broke out some of my favorite pieces. I have 3 back-to-back classes from, 2 pm straight through to 8:30 pm on Mondays and I wanted to be comfortable first and foremost. I turned to my favorite jeans, boots, and scarf, some layers for warmth, and a double dose of sparkle to get through the day.

scarf - zara / sweater - old navy / shirt - old navy / purse - target / boots - target / jeans - old navy / knee socks - target

bracelets - jcrew factory, oldnavy /crystal necklace - mindy mae's market  / tassel necklace - mint sugar boutique 

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

2014 Closet Remix Challenge

Hi, my name is Ray and I'm a shopaholic. Legit, I'm verging on Confessions of a Shopaholic bad. Nothing makes me happier than the thrill of a new purchase, I love the high I get when I find a great sale item and when playing the mental math game to make my money disappear into glossy shopping bags. Due to my obsessive compulsive tendencies, I can get a little out of control without realizing it and easily overspend, leaving my budget on life support. I even have mood swings depending on whether or not I am able to get the items I actually set out to get, usually after some serious stalking. Both planned and impulse shopping are dangerous for me, because I can always find more things I want (I'm like a bird attracted to anything shiny). I am easily seduced by coupons, sales, and clearance items, part of the thrill of the "game" is the challenge of seeing how far I can stretch my money. In a weird way shopping, for me, isn't always about the clothes or shoes or accessories, but the addiction/compulsion to get more for less. It has gotten a little out of hand, especially with the stress (which exacerbates my compulsions) of the holidays and the end of the semester, I was spending way too much on things I wasn't even sure I needed or even wanted, just because the price of something was amazing. I also feel guilty about not picking something up on super sale, even if I barely have the money to afford it, I feel bad. It's strange to think about. In addition to this compulsion are the mood swings associated with it. Feeling sad, mad, depressed, etc. are all common things I experience if I could not get something I actually want. 

image via

I have become a spending monster and this spending, especially through the holiday season where I mentally justify everything with the promise of money coming in the following year, has left my insides and my bank account empty. I don't need more stuff. I don't want more stuff. In fact, I tend to hate stuff. It means less space with more to clean. So, what's a shopaholic to do? With what do I replace the elated feeling shopping brings me? The answer, thanks to the wonderful @jen_murph on instagram, is the #2014closetremixchallenge. Joining instagram last year has been both a blessing and a curse to a shopaholic like myself. Within it I have found an amazing community of wonderfully kind, stylish, and creative fashionistas, whose friendships and inspiration have meant the world to me this past year. The flip side to meeting and following all of these amazing women, is that it gives me a serious case of the I wants. So many of the things I purchase is because I see them on instagram and immediately need to have them too (I used the hashtag #instagrammademedoit more than I would like to admit last year). I am only human, and as hard as I try, can't help but sometimes compare myself to other bloggers and IG'ers, and can even fall victim to feeling the need to keep up with the Jones' of the blogging and fashion world. But, I also get so much inspiration that I also buy pieces to recreate or give my own spin on outfits I love. The reasons to shop are endless,  right? ;-)

Well, this year I am going to rehab. Participating in the challenge means that on a monthly basis, I will commit to not shopping - no new clothing, shoes, or accessories, and only creating outfits out of the clothing I already have in my closet with the exception of exchanges, returns, and giftcards, or replacing damaged necessities (runs in tights, leaky snow boots, etc.). January is my first month, and so far, so good! I participated in a closet remix challenge last June and had a fun time mixing and matching pieces I had from my closet. The challenge really encourages you to bust out the items in your drawers with tags still on them, dust off things you have forgotten in the back of the closet, and pair unexpected pieces to create fun new outfits, giving a twist on your trusted favorites. This new mental game of mixing and matching the things I already own is new puzzle for my compulsions to grab onto. The satisfaction of making new outfits out of things I have already used in other great outfits provides enough of a high to keep me from shopping, at least for a month or two at a time. I am also going to be more selective with the pieces that I do add this year, sticking to more classic pieces (I don't even own a pair of plain nude heels) and fewer trendy items. 

I have written on here before about getting the most out of my clothing, and this challenge is definitely in line with that goal. I have put together some collages of my favorite pieces that I bought this fall and winter and the multiple ways that I have worn them as inspiration for myself during this challenge, and you too, if you choose to join me! 

Cable Knit Cardigan

Herringbone Vest

 Polka Dot Pencil Skirt

Leopard Loafers

Striped Sweater

Plaid Blanket Scarf

Taupe Ankle Boots

Crystal Sunburst Necklace

As you can probably tell by these collages, I definitely play favorites! All of these pieces highlighted are things I have purchased in the last 4 months and I have tried to get as much wear out of them without feeling like I wear the same thing everyday. Some of these items were bought because of instagram, such as the J.Crew Factory herringbone excursion vest and the Zara plaid blanket scarf. But others were filling a whole in my wardrobe, such as the taupe booties, which were my first pair of booties ever. My hope is that after rehab, every piece that I add to my wardrobe is used as frequently as I wear these favorites. This is also a pretty good representation of my style; comfy, colorful, creative, and all about the details. Being on a remix challenge only pushes my closet creativity further. I hope that this post inspired you to mix-up your closet this month too!

For those you of who are not on a challenge and would like outfit details, please visit their individual posts on my instagram account. Please shop the links below to add my favorites to your closet!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

It's a Plaid, Plaid, Plaid World + Zara Scarf Giveaway

Happy Friday lovelies!! I am so excited to be teaming up with two of my favorite bloggers today to show you how we wear our Zara blanket scarves. I met both of these incredible ladies through instagram and have had so much fun following their blogs and getting style inspiration from them. Whitley writes over at Simply Whit in a Sequined Life and she is my plaid obsessed twinnie who I am positive was separated from me at birth. I love how she styled her scarf with a colored pant, navy gingham, and vest, such a cute preppy look! Ashton is such a sweetie and writes over at Ashton Wears Things, her adorable style blog. I love how polished she always looks, seriously, the girl is pure class, and this gorgeous blazer with jewel tone pant is no exception! Please check out their blogs for more details on their looks.

Scarf - Zara / Sweater - Target (similar) / Jeans - Old Navy / Purse - Target

Booties - Old Navy / Bracelets c/o Hawthorne Collection

Today, I styled my scarf with a cozy, over-sized, knit, cream sweater which is super soft and comfortable. I paired the sweater and scarf with taupe booties and bag, and my go to denim skinnies for a casual look. To me, this is the kind of look that is quintessentially fall. You know, the type of outfits you immediately associate with fall: over-sized sweaters, scarves, cable knits, plaid button-ups, boots, leggings, wool socks, etc., or at least this is what I think of. So, that being said, I really wanted to capture what my fall style really is about in this look; being comfortable and cozy, while being full of texture. When styling this scarf, I also wanted it to be the focus of the outfit, so I kept the outfit fairly simple with minimal jewelry and neutral accessories. I feel like this really helps the colors of the plaid pop too.

A lot of these pieces you have seen before, as I have written about previously, I am definitely about recycling my closet pieces into new looks to make sure I get the most out of my clothes and to keep myself from feeling like I have nothing to wear. I am still loving these booties from Old Navy and my bracelets from Hawthorne Collection, I mean seriously, how perfect is this sapphire tassel bracelet? 

I must admit that I am a little in love with how these photos turned out. They were taken around sunset on a Friday earlier this month, at the park near my apartment. Kevin and I walked down and took photos, kicked a soccer ball around, and just got to spend some time together outside in the warm glow of the setting sun. It was just a really lovely night and because it was a Friday there was no rush which was a nice change of pace than during our "hurry up and go there and do this" lifestyle during the week. So, maybe its the memories that make me love these photos, but I do all the same. 

Okay, can I take a brief moment to celebrate that it's Friday?!? Holy cow, it has been such a long and stressful week. Since midterms were this week, I am feeling a little mentally spent. This weekend will definitely be used to recharge my little brain batteries and do some much needed cleaning around the apartment. I will try to enjoy having some time to relax, and maybe if I am lucky, take a nap or two ;-) Although the semester is flying by, sometimes I feel like I am caught in a tornado, spinning so quickly I have no idea which way is up and which way is down. I will be counting down the days to Thanksgiving for a prolonged break for sure. 

I really can't express how much I love this scarf...it is the perfect combination of colors; is gigantic, which leads to endless styling possibilities; and is probably the softest material I have ever felt. I know that Whit and Ashton feel the same way, which is why we have teamed up to give one of our lucky readers a scarf of their own. Please use the rafflecopter below to enter for your chance to win this amazing scarf. The widget will be open for one week and then a winner will be announced next Friday. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How would you style this Zara blanket scarf?

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!