Thursday, August 28, 2014

When to Invest: Traditional vs Trend



VS

Both boots from Tory Burch

When I'm working on my seasonal budget, I'm often torn between whether I should spend my money on traditional pieces that will last me for years to come, or whether I should buy something trendy and fun. Since I do try to work within my budget, I figure out what amounts to about 20% of my income for about three months (ie the fall shopping season) and I figure out what I will buy that works within that budget. Obviously I try to find things that already match what I own, or outfits that will incorporate themselves nicely into my existing wardrobe. However, I always try to invest in a few key pieces such as a new pair of boots and a new jacket or coat every fall. And this is where the problem arises.

Because my mother made me start using a clothing budget when I was in the 4th grade, I have learned that the investment piece is usual a better buy. When I'm trying to figure out the cost per wear of the piece.  So, in the instance of booties, I realized that I had been looking for the perfect pair of high heeled winter booties pretty much since college (which was so long ago it seems!).  Chelsea booties, such as the trend pair, have only been on my radar for about a year or so, thus making them a less reasonable purchase in terms of cost per wear. I might wear them all winter long, but when they fall out of fashion's favor, I'll still wish I had bought the high heeled pair. If only they weren't so darn cute, though! 

Until next time,
xo
T

Monday, August 25, 2014

I ❤️🐘




Top: Lilly Pulitzer; jeans: Rag and Bone; shoes: Tory Burch; bag: LL Bean; watch: Michael Kors; sunglasses: Karen Walker

I spent the past weekend in Santa Cruz with my college friends for our yearly end of summer reunion. The thing about dressing for California beach weather, though, is that layering is essential because fog will be inevitable. So jeans plus a cute tank and a sweater you can just throw into your tote bag once the sun comes out is the perfect combo. Also, I am completely in love with this Lilly top of mine - it's hot pink (!! ) and it is covered in elephants, my favorite animals! Win win. 

Until next time,
xo
T



Friday, August 22, 2014

Short Party






Jacket: LL Bean; jacket: JCrew; shirt: Equipment; shorts: Cover via Monkees; necklace: Loren Hope; shoes: Tory Burch 

I wore this the other day when I was about to jump on a plane. I was leaving foggy Seattle (hence the jacket) for sunny San Jose to visit my granddad and then to Santa Cruz for my annual college reunion, so I wore high waisted shorts with a button up tucked in. I always like to try to still look put together when I'm at the airport- you never know when you might get upgraded for a first class seat! 

Until next time, 
xo
T





Thursday, August 21, 2014

Junior League, and why you should probably join!


A few months ago, I decided to look into joining my local Junior League chapter. At first, when I thought of Junior League I thought of my grandmother, and it kind of turned me off in the same way that being a debutante like her turned me off. I am a modern, independent woman, after all! But, being new to the Seattle Tacoma area and knowing basically no one, I figured what harm could it do to try it out. And I am so thankful that I did! After the first meet and greet I knew that this is how I wanted to spend my extra time. 

While many may have the preconceived notion that Junior League is just a bunch of women with coiffed hair and pearls meeting for lunch, it really is so much more. Not only do you have to dedicate a certain amount of time every year to the various charities Junior League supports (from Habitat for Humanity to local childhood obesity education programs and even lobbying in congress about issues such as human trafficking), you also have to go to various training meetings. These meetings teach you all sorts of things that essentially help you become an amazing woman. You can learn about public speaking, how to become a member of various charity boards, even about workplace politics. Then, of course you have monthly meetings to attend, as well as various fundraisers like Bachelor Auctions and black tie dinners. 

But, through it all, you are spending time with amazing women who are driven and intelligent and caring. You walk into volunteer event or a committee meeting and realize that you are surrounded by women who you wanted to be when you grew up. Also, it doesn't hurt that we all have pretty cute shoes :) 

Until next time,
xo
T

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Maxi Dress Season







Dress: Target; Vest: Nordstrom; Necklace: Kate Spade; Shoes: Tory Burch

Lately I've been living in these t-shirt maxi dresses from Target. I have this navy and white striped (duh) t-shirt style as well as a black racer back that I seriously have just been alternating between everyday for weeks now. They are so comfortable and easy to throw on, especially on those extra hot August days. And, because they're from Target, they're the perfect pieces to just wear for a season and not worry if next year wearing maxi dresses seems like wearing moon boots or something equally awful. 

Until next time, 
xo 
T

Monday, August 18, 2014

Sunday Style





Top: Amanda Uprichard; Jeans: J Brand; shoes: Tory Burch; bag: Kate Spade; sunglasses: Karen Walker 

Yesterday I had my provisional retreat for my upcoming year in Junior League. Because it was a brunch sort of setting I took the opportunity to wear these Tory Burch wedges that I bought a few months ago and would wear to sleep if I could. Paired with white denim and a light blue blouse it was an easy and comfortable outfit but still cute. 

I'll post more about Junior League and how awesome it is later this week! 
Until next time,
xo
T




Friday, August 8, 2014

Love My Murfee




Dress: Theory; scarf: Lilly Pulitzer; shoes: Jack Rogers; bag: Kate Spade; sunglasses: Karen Walker 

I have a confession to make: I am slightly in love with my Lilly Pulitzer Murfee scarves. They are absolutely perfect for summer, especially living by the water when morning fog and wind means I need a little extra layer. I of course love mixing patterns, too, and I really like how the stripes of my favorite theory dress go with the pattern of the Murfee. Just make sure your patterns are always in the same color family and of a similar size (ie no rugby stripes with a ditsy floral, generally speaking) and your good to go! When I have two competing patterns going on though, I tend to keep the rest of my outfit pretty minimal and stick to the basics like my jacks and a simple bag. 

Until next time,
xo
T



Thursday, August 7, 2014

Summer Rain Coats






Jacket: Vineyard Vines; shorts and shirt: JCrew; shoes: Converse

Growing up in California, summer rain was a foreign concept to me. It was until I was in Georgia and North Carolina that I realized rain wasn't just for the winter! Now that I live in Washington, that definitely hasn't changed. As a result, I've started collecting lightweight rain jackets that I can throw in my bag and go. I started with a North Face, then a Patagonia because I lost the North Face. But, when I was in Florida a few weeks ago, I realized I had forgotten my trusty jacket. I was at Vineyard Vines on Worth Avenue when I found this amazing jacket. It's great and lightweight, just like any good summer rain jacket. However, the great thing about this guy is that it folds up inside one of the front pockets, containing itself into a little pouch. In other words it's absolutely perfect! Plus, it's navy with pink accents, aka my favorite color combo, and the pink happens to match my Hunter boots perfectly. It even matches my mom's dog's collars! Perfection :) 

Here are some of my other favorite rain jackets: 




Until next time,
xo
T


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Book of Mormon




Jacket: Joie; dress: Parker; necklace: Loren Hope; shoes: Christian Louboutin; bag: Kate Spade 

Last Friday I went to see The Book of Mormon, which was absolutely hilarious. I've wanted to see it every time I've been in New York recently, but it's never worked out. So, when they came to Seattle, I jumped at the opportunity. I like to get dressed up to go to the theater (I can hear my grandmother in my head saying that I should be wearing gloves and a hat into the city), so I wore this navy blue Parker dress and edged it up with one of my leather jackets. The dress is actually sheer chiffon all in the back, but knowing me I chickened out and had to be covered up all evening. Paired with classic black pumps and a gorgeous statement necklace from Loren Hope, I was ready to laugh till I cried, which I totally did :)

Until next time,
xo
T





Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Tory Burch Fall Wishlist

I woke up this morning to an email from Tory Burch announcing that her fall line had officially dropped on her website. Needless to say, I immediately headed over to check it out. As anyone who has peaked inside my closet before knows, I have a bit of a Tory obsession. And this fall line is no exception. While I always love classic silhouettes with a retro edge, I think that fall is a particularly perfect time to get a little bit of 60's and 70's inspiration for your look. The pieces from the fall collection are just that: with patchwork and brocade and a-line skirts with matching coats, it would be hard to not feel like a cool co-ed on a New England college campus running around in these pieces! Which is exactly what I'm going for pretty much every year when autumn rolls around :) 
I wanted to get the summer version of this dress a few months ago, but am no glad that I didn't! I can't wait to pair this with my brown riding boots and thick socks. 

Do I have an obsession with Reva Flats? Yes. Do I think that that's a problem? No. A leopard print pair similar to these was actually my first pair of Reva's when I was back in college, and I basically wore them to death. My mom legitimately bribed me to throw them away because they were so embarrassingly ratty. However, now that there is a new pair out this fall, you better believe that this will be in my shopping cart ASAP. Leopard is just the perfect neutral to punch up a basic outfit or to mix with other patterns and prints, especially during the colder months of the year. 

I love skirts almost as much as I love my Reva flats, and this nubby a-line mini is the perfect piece for fall.  I love pieces like this that have a classic silhouette and a classic composition, because they can sit in your closet for years and still look chic and put together. They are also great for going from day to night: I imagine I would pair this with a chunky sweater and flats or boots during the day, and then a black silky top and booties at night. 

Speaking of booties, these are, in my opinion, the most perfect booties that have ever existed. Living in the Northwest, I spent much of last winter *freezing* my little buns off. Needless to say, I decided that this year I would invest in some good cold weather going-out apparel, having learned my lesson last year. The first thing on my list was a pair of practical high heeled booties that I could pair with tights and a dress or skinnies and a cute top, and these fit the bill.  I have a predilection towards anything suede, so all of my booties from when I lived in California were unfit for rainy Seattle, so the flat leather on these, in tandem with the practical, thick heel, make these a must have for me. 

Last but not least: this amazing cuff. Granted, at it's price I will only be buying it if I suddenly come into a large inheritance or something, but I can still lust after it anyway, right??

Until next time, 
xo 
T





Monday, August 4, 2014

Leopard for Beyoncé





Top and shorts: Alice and Olivia; jacket: AG Jeans; bag: Chanel; booties: Joie; Necklaces: Loren Hope and Jennifer Zeuner 

Last week my friend Becca and I went to see Beyonce and Jay-Z, and let me tell you, it was amazing! However, I felt like wearing a Lilly dress (my usual summer uniform) wouldn't quite cut it for such a glam night. So, I wore these high waisted Alice and Olivia shorts that I bought last summer to go see The Rolling Stones. I guess you could say they're my go to concert attire. Paired with a black crop top, booties, and layered necklaces, I felt pretty freaking cool, but also not like I was wearing a costume, which is basically the best of both worlds. 

Until next time,
xo
T