an incredibly delayed purple week finale

I don't know if any of you have noticed, but I totally never got around to posting the last purple outfit for Purple Week. WELL, HERE IT IS!

dress, anthropologie

cardigan, f21

sandals, target

belt, mom's

bangle, kate spade

The dress is all sorts of purple, so it definitely qualifies for Purple Week.

And now, your outfits!

Sherry from Girl's Day Out makes me want to emulate this outfit really badly. The punchy orange and rich purple are so perfect together, and her entire outfit is from Target! Don't you just love it when you can get on-trend and expensive-looking clothing for a great price? Insert wistful sigh here.

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Rachel from promises like pie crust wore this sassy number! The shirt is so adorable, but the real star of this are those amazing heels! Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme!

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And since I've been away for so long (let's just attribute it to health issues and move on -- I don't want to revisit those germy, germy memories), I've got a few more photos for you all to make up for it.

I bought the Draper Media Console from Urban Outfitters a few weeks ago and it arrived last week! It's supposed to be used as a nifty stand for your record player and records, but since I already have one of those and what I really need is a better place to store all of my cheap, cheap wine (keeping it classy here, folks), I turned it into a bar instead!

 

The top section on the left opens up as well, which makes it easier to access my various glasses. Obviously, I need some more, but that'll do for now.

And did you notice my awesome new bag? Of course you didn't. So here a closer look:

And here's where I need your help, Minkettes. I got this Rebecca Minkoff bag from Nordstrom last weekend, but I can't find this style online anywhere. I'd love to know what it's called, so if you have any idea, let me know!

See you all tomorrow with a regular update.

gingham can be rock&roll, right?

For the most part, it seems only really irritating songs get stuck in my head. It's like my mental jukebox is permanently set on GratinglyAnnoying.1 FM. I remember that just a few days ago, Ricky Martin somehow elbowed his way into my skull and I ended up driving myself upside-inside-out la vida loca indeed. But today, a rare thing has occurred: I have Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" stuck in my head. I don't know how it happened, but I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts. You know, before my mind wanders back to the likes of Ace of Base and Rico Suave.

suckered gingham shirt, j.crew [x]

toothpick zipper jean, j.crew [x]

snakeskin gladiator sandals, aldo

beaded horseshoe necklace, f21 [x]

duchess cocktail ring, j.crew

bell bracelets, target

morning after mini bag, rebecca minkoff [x]

I am a big fan of this gingham shirt. The material is super soft, light, and yes, just a little sheer. It's a bit looser and longer than J.Crew's typical buttondown shirts (I'm wearing my usual size 2 here), but I like it that way. Also, YOWZA at my midsection. AmyK needs to start running again! Because she sure isn't going to stop eating her brother's leftover birthday cake any time soon...

Well folks, this is my last post until June! I'll be gone on vacation for the entirety of next week. I may or may not sneak a post in, but I'm veering more towards "may not" than "may" because I know myself and well, myself is a lazy person. Bwahaha! SEE YOU ALL LATER! Have a great weekend, week, then weekend again!

stripes and food analogies

Print mixing is always something I love to do, though it is admittedly tricky because I'm not as gutsy as some of the bolder print mixing veterans out there. One easy way to mix prints is for one of the prints to be of the striped variety. Stripes are relatively tame in the world of prints, so they get along well with other bolder patterns. Kind of like how the mild flavor of potatoes pairs well with bolder flavors like ketchup, sour cream, or curry.

Yes, I did just compare stripes to potatoes.

favorite striped ribbed tank, gap [x]

zebra zoo best friend cardigan, crewcuts [x]

denim, joe's jeans

suede wrap flats, overseas purchase

green stone necklace, f21

duchess stone cocktail ring, j.crew

morning after mini bag, rebecca minkoff [x]

I completely forgot to get a "close up" shot of the outfit, but you get the idea.

I'm leaving for my week-long vacation in just a few days! Eeeeeek! I am super excited, especially since I also received great news a few days ago -- a promotion at work! I'm beyond ecstatic because now I officially know that my supervisors appreciate the effort I put in. Woooooohoooooo! I now have "manager" in my title, which makes me feel like a Big Dog indeed.

kicking a sweater vest up a notch

I'm baaaaack! For now, at least, because next week I'll be out enjoying my much-awaited vacation! FINALLY! I am more than ready for a break, readers. As much as I love my job and my family, I need to just get away for a little bit and relax. Take a mental break, if you will, and recharge my metaphorical batteries. Boyfriend and I are taking a trip to San Antonio, then making our way to the muddy waters of Galveston Beach (which I am concerned may be muddier than usual thanks to the big oil fiasco) before heading back to Houston at the end of the week. It's not much of a trip, per se, but I'm really excited nonetheless! Next year, we plan to head up to my old university stomping grounds in Boston, so saving this year is essential.

Anyone getting some goods from the massive Anthropologie sale today? I hope to scoop up the Sailing Stripes blouse after work! You can see a great compilation of everything the sale includes on Roxy and Kim's blogs! Thanks, ladies!

cotton check shirt, j.crew [x]

sweater vest, j.crew outlet

ankle stretch toothpick jean in premium twill, j.crew [x]

joley flats, j.crew

studded leather belt, j.crew [x]

morning after mini in pansy, rebecca minkoff [x]

Don't mind the wrinkled-ness -- I actually had gotten home yesterday and thrown everything into the hamper before realizing that I had to dig it all out again to take photos. I think the sweater vest gives this ensemble a menswear-vibe and I don't mind it one bit. And before anyone calls me out, the whole head-to-toe J.Crew thing was totally unintentional. I find that happening quite often, though. I guess J.Crew just makes items that go really well with other J.Crew items.

I also have BIG NEWS, readers! I am officially on the prowl to move out of my parent's house and be a big girl and live in a big girl (and big boy too, I guess, since Boyfriend will be there) apartment. This is my first time apartment hunting, so I welcome any tips on how to go about finding the perfect place to settle down in!

And finally, I'd like to wish a very happy belated birthday to Tara B. from Little Girl Big Closet. She's hilarious, sassy, and cute as a button, so head over to her blog to wish her a happy belated birthday if you haven't already! She's also got a great giveaway going on right now, too!