Thursday, January 6

PRIM AND PROPER

There is something about loafers and accordion pleated skirts that looks so prim. Add in a little cardigan and you have the elements for an ensemble that screams "NO-NONSENSE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER!" or "VERY STRICT LIBRARIAN!" Luckily, with some color thrown into the mix, a very non-teacherly hemline, and my general immaturity, I think I managed to avoid looking like either of those things.

picture frame blouse, anthropologie
green cardigan, gap
accordion pleats skirt, f21 [x]
tights, anthropologie
tassled loafers, f21 [x]
skinny belt, urban outfitters
pave heart ring, coach
eiffel tower necklace, f21
gold bangle, kate spade



channeling tastymoog with loafers, though she has a much more impressive pair!


I love this necklace. I am kind of obsessed with going to Paris one day on a big, romantic adventure. I'll stroll around the streets with a grocery bag full of vegetables and a baguette, I'll ride around in a vespa, and I'll nurse a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe as I watch the people stroll by. These are some of the things I plan to do when I eventually make my way there (I can thank the movie Ratatouille for all of this!). So how excited was I when I saw this necklace that Boyfriend's sister gave to me for Christmas? (hint: VERY EXCITED)

I have a big list of places I'd love to visit besides the places I've been with my family, and being pretty blessed with great circumstances and the stars just generally aligning, I've already crossed Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), Hong Kong, Italy, and New Zealand (all over the North Island!) off my list. I certainly would not mind revisiting all of those places, either. But Paris remains this elusive romantic dream... someday, Paris, someday.

Is there any place that dominates your traveling fantasies?

28 comments:

  1. Um, can I steal this entire look?! I think I NEED a pleated skirt in grey stat, because I am pretty sure I just bought those same tights and now need an excuse to rock them with grey.

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  2. first of all, I really like the way all the textures in this outfit work together!

    secondly, there are SO many places I want to go, but number one on my list is so simple - Memphis! I have no clue why I want to go there so bad, but it is top priority on my list - the most ridiculous thing is that it's only about a 5 hour drive from St. Louis, so it could be visited easily in a weekend!

    I am going to Europe for the first time this spring - I'm so excited! My friend Sam is going to grad school in London and I couldn't pass up a free place to stay! I'm only going to be there a week, but we already have a day trip to Paris and probably Barecolna planned!

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  3. oh hai, thanks for the shoutout! i love the tassels on your loafers. :)

    this shade of green is reminding me of ice cream... pistachio, or maybe lime sherbet. yum!

    ooh, you've done some traveling, girl! i've never been abroad. we were thinking of going to portugal this year, but most likely have to delay that another year.

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  4. Oh my gosh - I love this outfit!!!! The colors are to die for and that skirt! I need that skirt!! How's the fit on it - think I'd take the small? I'm thrilled to see a pleated skirt (i friggin love pleats) from Forever 21 that covers the bum!

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  5. this is one of my fav outfits i saw in your blog. and I am buying that skirt!!!

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  6. Lisa - Do it! I love this skirt, and I can see you putting together another very English-drama inspired outfit from it!

    Ashley - Well, get on over to Memphis and fulfill that dream, haha! I hear the food there is excellent... mmmm... and lucky duck! I need one of my friends to go abroad so that I can crash at their place and explore Europe! Take lots of pictures so I can live vicariously through your adventures!

    tastymoog - No problem! ;) You are the queen of loafers! And lime sherbet, definitely. Mmmm... I'm lucky to have had a family that had the means and desire to travel abroad often, and that the fates always seemed to align to allow me to travel on my own, too, haha! Portugal is another place on my List of Places to Visit! Most likely, you'll be there before me, so do tell!

    Kim - I'm normally anywhere between a medium and a large in bottoms when it comes to F21, and this one is in a large. I wish it were just a little bigger, but I think you'd still rock a small! The only difference I can think of is that a small would sit higher up on your waist and the medium would sit lower. :) But yes, FINALLY a pleated number from F21 that isn't completely scandalous!

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  7. I suddenly feel the need for a grey pleated skirt too! This whole look is terrific!

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  8. Ohhh I think I'll get the Medium skirt then Amy - thanks!
    Did you find this in the store or order online?

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  9. After Lisa steals your look, I would like a turn at that skirt. I love pleats and remember seeing this on F21's site and thinking it looked so proper. You have a little librarian going on, but it is definitely cute with that top and all of the fun colors.

    You are so lucky to have travelled all over. I have yet to put a passport on my stamp, but that day is coming soon. I am dying to go to Greece and see that wonderful scenery first hand, London, and the bf and I are hoping to go to Monaco one day.

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  10. Ady - Thanks!! You would look so sweet in one, I just know it.

    Kim - I found this one in the store last weekend, so they should be in stores everywhere. There was a full rack of them, too!

    fshnonmymind - Awww, thanks! And yes, I have been *very* lucky! Your travel picks are wonderful! Boyfriend is half Greek, so we'd love to go to Greece one day too... and ooo, Monaco! I didn't even think of that one!

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  11. Amy, what a find on that skirt! I love it! You asked what I used on my hair - I love Pantene!! It's always been my favorite. I wonder if they have this in store or only online? I want the Tartan plaid F21 shirt too. I HATE going to the actual store though!

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  12. Just saw you got in store-thanks!

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  13. Adorable outfit! Love the mixture of colors and textures! And your necklace is so cute!

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  14. Definitely Europe, but specifically Spain and Greece. I used to travel a lot internationally thanks to my parents who are world travelers and now live back in the Philippines. Unfortunately corporate America doesn't allow me to travel the way I used to.

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  15. dang it amy! i'm on a strict NO BUYING POLICY for 2011. have i mentioned my infinite love of pleats? well, this is a cunnundrum. this outfit is so cute ~ kelly green is a great color for you!! susan

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  16. Oh Amy, you would just adore (or j'adore) Paris. It's my favourite place on earth. Why? Because I can't tell you how crazy I am for wine and cheese. When you go there, you need to go to Rue Cler and buy a baguette, and some cheese, and some veggies and then go sit in the Parc du Champs de Mars and admire the Eiffel tower while you eat all this delicious food. And wear this necklace. And take a picture too. Actually, wear this entire outfit, because it would be perfect for Paris!

    Lisa
    www.sweetlaundry.blogspot.com

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  17. That what I was talking about...I can't seem to pull off those skirts either :) ha You look dorable though... I love the pop of green!

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  18. Ahhh, me too, I'd love to go to Paris someday. Lol, riding a vespa is def a MUST. And eating a baguette too. Oh, you must also wear your black and white striped sweater and a red beret! :)
    Love the colors on your outfit and your darling necklace.

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  19. awesome! I love every bit of it it- but especially that cardigan with the tights and cutie shoes! you deserve to take this outfit to paris...I'd love to go to Spain, I think (and not just for the shoes...!)

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  20. So pretty...I love the dotted light blue top with the green cardi!

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  21. Finally a Forever 21 skirt that isn't too risque for the office...I want it! Now if only finding it weren't like finding a needle in a haystack :/

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  22. I know I love your skirt, but I love your loafers, such a cute detail to the whole outfit!! The kelly green cardi is so so perfect with the picture frame!

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  23. I'll take your librarian-inspired look any day :)

    One of my fantasies is to travel to Paris too! I'm keeping my fingers crossed it comes true in May for my birthday.

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  24. I love your necklace. The Eiffel tower is very in right now. lol

    I just had a random thought that I would love to go to Nashville. I think it was after reading that comment from the girl that wants to go to Memphis.lol

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  25. This is a great look Amy. I love pleated skirts and wish there were more of them hanging in my closet! I love that dotted top as well - it's super cute.
    I've already lived most of my travel fantasies. I would love to re-live my travel fantasy of going to the US and shop to my heart's content. You guys have the best stores!

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  26. I agree with everyone's sentiments about this outfit being awesome. I love seeing longer skirts at F21! Longer meaning it at least covers your bum. I was planning on going this weekend and this was just added to my list of stops.

    I would love to go to Paris. I would just need to sit in a cafe and people watch. that's good enough for me!

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  27. That necklace is super cute! I'm obsessed with all things Paris too (bookends, jewelry, dinnerware, etc!)

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