FORMAL ATTIRE

Dress: Forever 21 | Shoes: Ninewest | Bag: French Connection | Jacket: H&M

'Dressing up' for me typically means switching up my modus vivendi of sweats & sneakers to sweats, sneakers, & a statement necklace.  I've always been an advocate of comfort style which is really just a decorative way of saying I'm an advocate of dressing like a coach potato. This translates to me always wearing long dresses or skirts to formal occasions so no one can actually see the air force one's I'm wearing underneath.

Last night I attended the 2015 SOY (Shades of Yellow) Hmong New Year Event in Saint Paul with some family members, which celebrated the GBLT community here in the Twin Cities.  It was a beautiful night filled with beautiful people so I made the exception of pulling out the short dress & high heels (okay they were really only a 1/2 inch heel, but that's still progress!).  You'll see we got a little carried away with our selfie stick, but hey! We was feelin' ourselves!  Until security escorted us out...

MARCH MADNESS

The nascence of March and all of its' madness has circumvented humanity the last couple of weeks.  And while I am no longer in the running for that billion dollar check, I am still in the running for a Jr. Whopper in my tournament pool (beginner's luck is a beautiful thing!).

After a full day of taping pieces of my heart back together from all the game upsets this weekend - I decided some therapy would be necessary so I dragged the boyfriend to see Divergent with me!  Thankfully so, as the onscreen performance of Theo James was the perfect remedy for my low spirits and just what I needed to get my mind off of Jr. Whopper distress for a couple hours.

Temps were not in Spring's favor this day, so I really dressed for comfort.  I purchased this sweater 4 or 5 years ago while I was on vacation (mainly, because I just wanted to buy something while I was on vacation. I spent way more than I should have on it) and have only wore it a few times.  It's the perfect piece to throw over any outfit for warmth and comfort. It will likely be on repeat as both warmth and comfort have been scant this year.  I may just change my blog name to '500 Days of Winter'. That or something more palpable...like 'I Take Awkward Photos & Think I'm A Stand Up Comedian But Really No One Thinks I'm Funny'.
    

Cardigan: BCBG
T-shirt: H&M
Jeans: Seven For All Mankind (old)
Necklace: Forever21
Watch: Diesel
Mini iPad holder used as clutch: Herschel Supply Co
Boots: Polo Ralph Lauren

Latest & Greatest

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Mine was filled with things I was supposed to do and rain checks to the gym.  In other words, it was a lazy weekend for me :)  I'm officially on Spring Break from school so I've been preparing myself to be mentally and physically dormant this week.  The boy and I decided not to go anywhere this year since his parents recently surprised us by letting us know they booked a trip for us in August!  We will be going to Belize, Jamaica, and Cozumel!  It will be my first time leaving the country so I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!  Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my pseudo beach (aka bed) and my daily margaritas (aka lemon water).

In recent news - I've entered into the deepest phase of shoe mania.  What was supposed to be a one-stop-shop for a new pair of work heels recently ended up being a one-too-many-stops shopping experience.  I couldn't help myself, as each of my finds was under $30!  I even told the cashier to keep the change when he rang me up.  No. No, I really didn't.  I thought about it, but I needed lunch money.  Staying true to my black palette, here's my latest & greatest: 

1. Vince Camuto Heels, $29
2. Ralph Laurel Fringe Boots, $25
3. Nike AFI Light High Top Sneakers, $20
4. Nike Air Max Sneakers, $27

business casual

Happy Most Dreaded Day Of The Week!  It has indeed served as another manic Monday.  They even closed down college campuses in Minnesota today due to the severe cold!  That hasn’t happened since Jesus walked on water.  My boyfriend got his 3^rd “Cold Day” from work and was able to stay home.  Really? Who coddles their adult employees by giving them Cold Days?!  And do they have any current openings?  I prayed really hard my car wouldn’t start this morning, but I think even God got the day off.  Unfortunately, I was cursed into making the 45 minute trek into the office – but comfortably and fashionably so! 

I stuck to my basic blacks, whites, & grays for this ensemble.  Aside from the fact that my closet is barraged with these colors, I’ve also been in a dark mood lately from overdosing on episodes of my new favorite show The Following!  I devoted my entire weekend to it.  I  stayed up till 5 AM Saturday just to finish the first series; proving my unwavering loyalty.  Beware, World, I am on full cult awareness alert.  If you even look at me funny, I WILL not hesitate to pursue a roundabout kick I learned from Street Fighter III.

Blazer, Shoes: H&M
Waxed Pants: Old Navy ($7!)
Grey Sweater: Old Navy ($3!)
White Blouse: The Loft
Necklace: Zara
Clutch: NY&C

Homage

Being that yesterday was MLK and I was defeated with schoolwork & KUWTK episodes, I am officially posting my homage tribute a day late.  Pardon the photo shoot that had to take place in my boyfriend's living room with his beautiful blinds as a backdrop.  We couldn't get good lighting so we decided to go amateur.  I contemplated pinning a bed sheet behind me, but it was laundry day so all we had was Ninja Turtle ones.  Not that I have anything against Ninja Turtles - it really just came down to the fact that the print clashed with my jacket (all Ninja Turtle fanatics exhale).

All bargains are listed subsequent to the photos!  I wanted to show off some recent store finds that have become my every day go-to items, along with the tee I wore (a $7 find!) to pay homage to the legend that left his mark on this world some 46 years ago.  I hope you know we're still living out your dream, Mr. King.

Picture 2:  Tray ($8) , Mirrored jewelry box ($5) - Target | Boots ($22) - LEN
Picture 3: Perfume - Burberry | Fake Up Concealer ($24), Bad Gal Lash ($19) - Benefit | Lipstick ($5) - Kate Moss in Nude | Lip Gloss ($5) - NYX
Picture 4: Clutch ($15) - Rebecca Minkoff
Picture 5: Homage Tee ($7) - Urban Outfitters
Picture 6: Hat ($20) - Carhartt | Army Jacket ($11) - Forever 21

School's Out!

Ah, another semester of good grades behind me.  It has been such a grueling few months juggling both a full time job and a full semester of credits.  I applaud all the individuals who take on both, and still come out on top.  It certainly isn't easy, but investing in your future is the best thing you could ever do for yourself!  

Okay - enough with the Confucius talk.  En route to my  last exam, I snapped some photos of my last-day-of-the-semester outfit.  Yes, that is snow on the ground but it was actually a luscious 30 degrees!  In Minnesota, that's considered beach weather.  This hat came with my Urban Outfitters order mentioned in the last post and I was extremely excited to wear it!  I got it on sale for only $12; an amazing investment considering you rarely see me without a hat of some sort on.  Cheers to an ENTIRE month of overdosing on: sleep, alcohol, Glee marathons, and eating at Popeye's.

Hat: Undefeated (Sold out at UO, but you can buy here)

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Free People
Jacket: Marshalls (old)

Shoes: Converse

Necklace: H&M, F21

Backpack: The North Face

Ode To Ice Cube

Shout out out to Ice Cube on this one.  Today was indeed a good day.  Stopped by Urban Outfitters annual fall sale, that featured an extra 50% off all their sale items.  Picked up these camo pants and this Ice Cube sweater for $15 each!  The boy and I had a full day planned so I wanted to show how I transitioned these pants from day to night.  In the morning we had some errands to run so I paired them with the sweater and some wedged boots for a more urban appeal.  I'm kind of a poser when it comes to being a BA, so this look helped solidify my pseudo Compton upbringing.  

In the later evening, we went out for dinner + a movie so I switched out the sweater for a blouse (also an extra 50% off at the Loft's fall sale!) & leather jacket.  I'm a firm believer that you can and should throw leather over everything.   The wedges were swapped for some steel-tipped boots.  I call them my Wolverines and yes - people should be afraid of me when I have them on.  Not because they present potential harm, but because the heel height is substantial enough that a fall is almost inevitable with every wear.     

Outfit 1: Sweater, Pants, Boots  - Urban Outfitters.

Outfit 2: Leather jacket: old | Boots: H&M | Blouse: Loft