My Insta-Life: The 4th & Beyond

 July was a perfect month filled with a visit home to see my amazing family and some friends, and a visit from two of my favorite people.  This is just a peek at what happened on Instagram last month, but if you want to stay updated on the daily, follow me here. 

New shoes, and a wine + berry filled girls night kicked the month off right.

 My trip home was punctuated with many trips to the beach, and a neighborhood fireworks spectacular.  And if you don't believe that beaches are a thing in Michigan, I invite you to watch this tear-jerking, goosebump-inducing, Pure Michigan commercial.

 Boat rides were enjoyed with the best people.

 Saying goodbye to the sandy shores, and crystal clear Lake Michigan water was tough, but then I got to come back and work an event for Banana Republic featuring their gorgeous Holiday 2013 offering.

 Towards the end of the awful New York heatwave, I hit the beach with some friends.  It was perfect. 

 Later in the week, friends and I convened at Brooklyn Bridge park for a night of laughter, and amazing conversation, with some pretty perfect views.  A sunset, and Ample Hills ice cream are really all one needs for a blissful evening.

FRIENDSSSSS!! The Jenny's came to town, and it was wonderful.  At work we had to say goodbye to one of the "dolls," and we fittingly brought Barbie's footwear out on the town with us. 

The month ended with a quiet night at home enjoying fresh flowers, and a new candle.  

Can't wait for what this final month of summer brings, p.s. how is it already August??  

Pretty Polka's

I wrote this post while I sat in my apartment last night riding out Hurricane Sandy.  I've never seen anything like this, and it's most certainly something that many people along the coast did not take seriously.  On a more happy note, the other day I wore a new polka dot blazer, and a tee with a sequined face.

I've never been much of a polka dot fan {at least ever since I was about 5 years old}, but when I saw this Madewell blazer it sort of made me smile.

 This Lanvin x H&M tee is still a favorite, so cheeky and adorable, and I feel like the blazer and tee were made for one another.

Current/Elliott flare jeans... <3.

Arm situation, and of course, an oversized ring.  

Hope you all stayed safe in the hurricane, this was truly an out of this world event.  Mass flooding, blackouts in Manhattan, and mind blowing amounts of downed trees.  I'd be pleased if something like this were to never happen again.  

Peter Pan x 2

Have you ever wondered if it was possible to sport two peter pan collars in one outfit?  No?  Well then, it seems I've accomplished the unthinkable...

I have a thing about buttoning up my top button, and so trying it with this dress didn't seem weird to me at all, and I have to say, I loved the way it turned out

Think you would ever do a double collar?  

My Look: Feels Like Spring

Last week ushered in the first real taste of spring.  This time of year always seems to puzzle me, what is appropriate?  Surely nobody wants to see my SUPER pale tights-less legs quite yet, but how do I find that middle ground?

 Last Thursday the above ensem' was my answer.  The deep mustard skirt is from Madewell which I paired with my J.Crew chambray shirt, belted and topped with a few gold accessories.  Last but not least, my leather jacket had to make an appearance,  I definitely plan on bringing this look out again soon.

 On Sunday afternoon I started playing around with a few things in my closet, and this is what came out of the try on session.  The dress is from Anthropologie, I layered it with one of my all time favorite sweaters, and my jean jacket.  I can't wait to find the right times and places to wear this...over and over again.

It will be fun to dress it down with my sweet new kicks from Gap or dress it up with my Zara heels.  The whole outfit is also ridiculously comfortable...which is pretty much my goal most days while getting dressed.

Crazy Awesome Sunday

This Sunday I treated myself to a nice afternoon since I didn't have to work.  The morning started off with a trip to City Church...great way to start the day.  I then headed back to my apartment before my big adventure...and found one of my roommates watching the "Coco Before Chanel" DVD that I had left in the player from two nights earlier...I couldn't resist so I sat down to watch the rest of it with her...it's a very interesting [love] story, if you haven't seen it yet you should.

Next up was my stop at Hominy Grill for "brunch" at 2 pm.  I had every intention of photographing my delish meal before digging in, but as usual of course the food had me distracted and I got right in there.  But I did manage to snap a pic of the last few bites of the most delicious part of my meal...

Hello homemade jam and tasty tasty biscuit..."ya'll" and biscuits are in an intense race for "best thing about living in the south."  Next up a member of the top five best things about living in America club...

As usual I found way too many things that I didn't need, but today self-control reigned supreme...that is until I bought snacks for activity #4 of the day, chocolate covered cookie dough and sour patch kids were the treat du jour split between aforementioned roommate and I during a screening of this Hollywood masterpiece...

Crazy Stupid Love rounded out the day in a pretty major way.  If you haven't seen it yet, you must.  Funny, clever and sweet.  LOVE.

Last but not least, I am no where near a great photographer, let alone personal style photographer...but today I thought I would try my hand at posting an outfit.  I knew I would be inside most of the day so I threw together this layered number.

My LnA black maxi skirt (as a dress...it's my favorite dress lately), jcrew sweater & belt, necklaces from target & my mom.