A Very J.Crew Day

I went to Dallas to visit the boyfriend this weekend. I spent way way way too much money at J.Crew when I was there. Oh well. Everything was on sale. 30% off of sale items at J.Crew, and 30% off of almost everything at J.Crew Factory. J.Crew Factory has really stepped it up recently. A lot of their clothes are just as good as the ones you'd find in the normal stores. I can barely tell the difference between the Jackie cardigans at the two stores. Also, how fun are these pants? I've made it a goal this year to add more "statement" pieces to my wardrobe. I've been building up my basics for a long time, so now I can branch out and get things that are more interesting. 

Shirt: J.Crew

Cardigan: J.Crew Jackie in Navy

Pants: J.Crew Cafe Capri

Shoes: Nine West

Watch: Target

Bracelet: J.Crew Factory

I booked my hotel for Miami today. We were able to find a cute little art-deco boutique hotel in Miami Beach for only $86 a night with the AAA discount. If you don't have a AAA membership, I highly recommend one. It definitely comes in handy when you travel. I also qualify for government rates at hotels since I'm a state employee. Usually that's cheaper than the AAA rate, but not all hotels offer government rates. Our hotel is about 2 miles from South Beach, but that's fine because my mom and I didn't want to be close to the party scene anyway. We just wanted to be able to walk to the beach. Hopefully the good reviews online were telling the truth! Now I just need to book a hotel for Key West, and all the major stuff for my trip will be planned! Gahhh I can't wait!

The Better Half: Chronic Interns and Standing Out

Advice for interns and Average Joes- my next column for men is up on Electrogent.com!

Red, White, and Blue

I had such a hard time this morning trying to decide what to wear. I knew I wanted to wear my J.Crew jersey dress (it looks black in this picture but it's navy), and my new white summer wedge heels. I tried it with a white cardigan at first, but I wasn't feeling it. A tied button down shirt was the perfect solution. It adds texture to the flat navy, and it gives off a cute 1940's vibe, especially when paired with bright red lipstick. These heels are crazy high (I'm 6'1" tall when I wear them), but they are super comfortable and I wore them all day without my feet hurting. 

Navy dress: J.Crew

Shirt: Kohl's

Shoes: MIA (from T.J. Maxx)

Watch: Target

Lipstick: MAC- MAC Red

(I'm obsessed with this lipstick. So much so that I'm going to write a whole post about it later.)

I don't know if anyone else does this, but when I can't decide on something in a store, I take a picture of it. I can usually get a good idea of whether or not something looks good on me if I look at a photograph, rather than in the mirror. Anyways, here's a picture of my wedges from when I tried them on in the store:

My HG Lilly Skirt and Summer Vacation

After waiting months for this skirt to go on sale, I finally found it for 50% off at my local Dillards! The colors in this skirt are bright and happy, and it's fun to find all the little details in each of the state patches. It's definitely my holy-grail Lilly skirt. 

Skirt: Lilly Pulitzer Roslyn skirt in Lilly's State of Mind

Shirt: Lilly Pulitzer Lana Top in Lagoon Green

Sandals: Tommy Hilfiger

And of course, the best accessory for any Lilly outfit is a pair of pearls! ;) 

I saw Snow White and the Huntsman this weekend. Visually, the movie was absolutely gorgeous. I'm not sure I buy the fact that Kristen Stewart is "fairer" than Charlize Theron, but at least her acting was much better in this film than it was in Twilight. I felt the plot left a little to be desired, but that's ok- I can overlook the plot issues because of Chris Hemsworth. Enough said. Watching Thor kick ass and take names as a grungy, drunk, Scotsman redeems almost any problems I had with the movie. I mean helloooo, look at this man. Does your movie suck? Just add Chris Hemsworth! Instant box-office success. 

In other news, I booked my flight to Miami today! My mom and I are flying to Miami in July for a girls-only vacation. I can't remember the last time I went on vacation, and I'm so excited I get to see my mom for a whole week! We're going to do Miami for a couple of days, and then we'll drive down and visit Key Largo, Islamorada, and Key West. I've already started packing in my mind... 

Summer Reading List

These are the books I have on my summer reading list. I'm an avid reader, and I have plenty of free time now that my boyfriend is away working in Dallas for the summer. This list is sure to expand. I go through books way too fast. Thankfully, my library has an e-book loan system, so I never have to buy books or even leave my house if I want to check out a book. (Books I've already read are crossed out).

Ape House by Sara Gruen
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James
Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
Lake Overturn by Vestal McIntyre
My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
Private Life by Jane Smiley
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Stash by David Matthew Klein
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo
The False Friend by Myla Goldberg
The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
The Missing by Tim Gautreaux
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
The Stuff that Never Happened by Maddie Dawson

What are you reading this summer? Have you read any of the books on my list? 

50 Shades of Navy

I'm back!  I've been away for a few days because I was too busy reading the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. Seriously. I was hooked! They were definitely racy, but I have a soft spot for trashy romance novels. You can definitely tell that they started out as a Twilight fan-fiction though. Just replace Grey with Cullen and it's basically Twilight 2.0. Moving on.... My outfits from the last few days have been very navy-centric. Thus, the title of this post! (And if you look in my closet, there probably are 50 shades of navy in there...)

Cardigan: J.Crew Jackie in navy

Shirt: Jones New York (T.J. Maxx)

Skirt: Dillards? I honestly don't remember where I got this. 

Ring: LC Lauren Conrad (Kohl's) 

Shoes: Nine West

Dress: Antonio Melani

Cardigan: American Eagle

Belt: J.Crew Factory

Watch: Target

Shoes: Nine West

Pink and Poppy

I'm really bad at remembering to post every day! I had a lovely weekend though. I spent lots of time catching up on good books and watching my favorite girly TV shows. 

Monday's outfit: PINK!

Cardigan: Target (Currently on sale for $15!)

Skirt: Lilly Pulitzer Avery Skirt in Hotty Pink Cherry Begonias

I absolutely adore this skirt. It's pretty and feminine, and juuusst long enough to wear to work. 

Tuesday's outfit: POPPY!

Shirt: J.Crew (old, but I know the color is 'Poppy.')

Cardigan: J.Crew Jackie

Pants: J.Crew Cafe Capri

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Target

Did anyone else watch Venus cross the Sun today? It wasn't as impressive as the eclipse a few weeks ago. It basically just looks like a tiny speck on the sun. Still pretty neat though... And I did get to wear these very fashionable glasses while I watched it: 

Did anyone else see Venus?