Big Girls Invest

Saturday morning I entered J. Crew with gift cards in hand and the intention of purchasing a handful of extra 40% off sale items. I longingly looked at the racks and realized that there wasn't a single item that spoke to me. Then I remembered this jacket and the heavens parted ("awwwwww").

This jacket + me = love

 

Jacket by J.Crew // Shirt & Hat by Gap // Sweater & Scarf by Lands' End

The Kind of Bat I Can Get on Board With

I'm going to begin today with a little gloating. I, Samantha, was able to WAIT until the first day of fall had past to wear my sequined bat shirt. That takes some serious patience and restraint.  Not only does this top remind me of fall, but it leaves me feeling nostalgic for my time abroad in London. 

It taunted  me from the store window-front for weeks, but after spotting it on a wickedly stylish Parisian, I knew it had to be mine.

blazer- Gap, shirt- FCUK, pants- H&M, boots- Nordstrom, rings- Tiffanys

P.S. I worked my very first live TV segment last Friday and if you follow me on Twitter (as you should!) you know that I met the stylist for Pretty Little Liars. AWESOME? I think so.

Patent Boots

I truly wish I was a heels girl, but I'm not. For the most part, I've accepted this about myself.

However,  I admittedly attempted to wear a pair last week and had to remove them 3 hours into the day. Thank goodness I packed my trusty Gap City Flats! Instead, I scour the racks for flats and boots with interesting and endearing details. My patent Michael Kors boots below fit the bill flawlessly.

coat- thrifted, dress- Nordstrom Rack, boots- Michael Kors, bag- Longchamp

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Slight Update

I've been terrible at posting the past couple weeks, but I've come prepared with some really great excuses for you...

 

It was my first day at a new job

(celebratory cupcake from big sis)

Instead of blogging outfits, I instagramed them

It was my amazing boyfriend's birthday

(pictured with his gift!)

...and there may have been some of this.

What was everyone else up to?

How I Style

There are certain items that have a strange way of igniting the stylist spark within me. When I see that item, I obsess and am instantly able to envision wearing it fifty different ways. This very thing happened to me yesterday when I spotted a pair of perfect, paisley ballet flats. Here is how I would wear them to run errands, grab coffee, shop, on a day date...the list goes on and on.

blouse | jeans | flats | bag | bracelet | earrings | polish

Tote-ally Unexpected

Sunday morning went a little something like this...

Boyfriend: "Is that new?"

Me: "Yes."

Boyfriend: "I like it."

Me: "Thanks, I needed a new tote bag."

Boyfriend: (with huge smile on face) "NEEDED? I think they sell reusable totes at the grocery store, you know."

If only women functioned solely on utility. But, what fun would that be?

I truly had been in the market for a new tote bag for some time and am quite pleased with my find.  Remember when I talked about leopard pants here? Well, I didn't exactly go into the dirty details of my leopard print obsession... I've got shoes, purses, clutches, headbands, scarves (am I embarrassing myself yet?). It's such a timeless print and I have a hard time resisting it. No matter what, leopard print will always circle back into the trend cycle.

You will never believe where I bought it, so click here to find out for yourself.

Wander in Comfort

 

shirt- J. Crew, jeans- Gap, bag- Calvin Klein, flats- Vera Wang Lavender, necklace- J. Crew

 

 I purchased these Vera Wang Lavender flats over a year ago and they are hands down the best shoe investment I've ever made. They took a while to break in, but it was well worth the process. I can wear these babies all day without an ounce of regret...and THAT is rare in the flats world. 

Tip:You can almost always find them discounted at Nordstrom Rack.

I was once told to fake it until I make it

top- Zara, skirt (borrowed)- Francesca's,  flats- Gap, belt- Target, watch (borrowed)- DKNY

 

I've got to say, I thought getting more comfortable in front of the camera would be a lot easier than it has been. If you need a laugh, please let me know...I can show you the photos that don't make my page. Luckily, I don't take myself too seriously and share a few (or many) laughs with my sister looking through them. Thank you for sticking with me while I try to discover my inner Emily Schuman. I'm fairly certain she's in there somewhere.

 

I love pairing leopard with lace. Heck, I love pairing leopard with just about anything. Unfortunately, you can't really see my third pop in these photos; a ruffled sleeve. The combination is slightly unexpected, but doesn't leave you looking like you dressed yourself in the dark.

Soft Focus

 sweater- TJ Maxx, tank- J. Crew,  jeans- Gap, bag- Michael Kors, pin- H&M

             
 I am probably supposed to think that this is a horridly edited photo, but I don't.  
Sometimes a girl needs 
something that is
soft, a little blurry and full of light...

            I swiped this sweater from (you guessed it) my older sister. I love the way neutral colors compliment each other. 

Sunday was the most beautiful day we've had in a long time...it was actually bearable to be outside. My guy and I went on a walk along Mississippi River Blvd, which reminded me of how much I miss living in St. Paul. While Minneapolis is only a few skips away, it truly is a different city. 

Looking forward to this week and all of the potential it brings. Hoping everyone has a fabulous Monday and if you need an extra boost to your morning download "Gone in the Morning" by Newton Faulkner. It's one of my absolute favorite "kick off the week" songs.

                                                                                                                                        

black maxi

dress (borrowed)- H&M, vest- Old Navy, scarf- TJ Maxx, shoes- Target,  watch- Michael Kors, sunglasses (borrowed)- D&G

 

Maxi dresses hold a special place in my heart. They're so simple, yet so chic. Layering a vest over the dress allows me to wear something supportive underneath. Support = comfort and on a scorching hot day, comfort is key to keeping your sanity.

 

 I will definitely be watching for maxi dress sales, because they're an unexpected transitional item to take you well into fall.  

Is this a staple piece in your wardrobe?

something new

I've always had a knack for digging through racks upon racks of the most disorganized and disheveled stores you've ever dared to enter. There is a certain thrill that comes along with this talent. The objective is to find a hidden...secret gem. Friends will tell me what they're looking for, because they know I will eventually find it (for less!) and have fun doing so.

I have recently begun to venture into local thrift shops to see what I can find. Last Saturday, I struck gold. Florescent light magnificently beamed down onto this jewel toned, paisley scarf. I cannot wait to wear this and was able to think of fifty different outfits on the spot 

(that's how you know it's purchase worthy). I've always had mixed feelings about gently used clothing, but after this trip

...I'm sold.

 

Do you get nifty thrifty?

samantha vs. shorts

 blouse- J. Crew, shorts- Old Navy, clutch- Mango, necklace- F21

I only enjoy wearing shorts when they're layered with tights, because thinking of being bare legged makes me go blugh. I'm a pants girl through and through, but it's been so dreadfully hot this summer that I've had to purchase something that didn't make me absolutely melt. Enter this pair of orange shorts.

 All I could think about when getting dressed was how badly I wanted to throw on some black jeans and boots. 

*sigh* soon enough.

Ombre nails

Sunday was a day for an at home manicure

 

 I can't wait to try this again with purples and grays...

 

{Fiji, Cute as a Button and E-Nuff is E-Nuff}

 

My camera was not cooperating with me today, so a lot of the pictures I was hoping to post didn't quite turn out and the few that I was able to edit still felt rather blurry. Better luck next time?

HAPPY MONDAY