Express Yourself

Because I am sure absolutely no one at the Express marketing department has every come up with this tagline, I thought I would offer up my services (I'm still looking for a job, and there are more gems where this came from, Express people).

Cheetah Sequined Sweatshirt

Gold Sequined Skirt

Faux Fur Lined Parka

Faux Leather Circle Skirt

Faux Leather Moto Jacket

"I Hate Running" Sweatshirt

Over the weekend, I happened to find myself in the money hole that is Express. Literally, I could spend $500 without blinking in that place. Something about the sophisticated lines and textures that still take trends and current fashions into account just draw me in like a moth to a flame and I'm done for. Particularly during the holiday season, Express pulls me in with their sequined dresses and metallic skirts just begging to be worn to a Christmas cocktail party (if only I knew people who threw Christmas cocktail parties). 

These 6 items were at the top of my "I wish I had money for this list" while I window-shopped, so I thought I'd spread the love in case anyone is looking for present ideas for loved ones or needs some inspiration for their own holiday wishlist.

Seeing Spots

Sweater- Target

Jacket- Juicy Couture

Skirt- Target

Tights- Kohl's

Shoes- Nordstrom

Bracelet- Marc Jacobs

Thrown Together

Shorts, Vest, & Necklace - Thrifted

Top - Shop Q

Shoes- Urban Outfitters

This is one of those outfits that went like this "oh, I think I want to wear this today...oh and this...oh and this...ok well I guess this all kind of goes together. Let's see what happens" and in the end you're not all that happy with the result, but you're already 10 minutes late so you're stuck. I do wish I'd gotten a picture of the back of this shirt though. It has dolman sleeves and a cute zipper that runs to about the middle of the back. It's simple, but there is still a bit of interest. 

As the week wages on, I've officially registered for my classes for next semester and my (new :p) boyfriend kicked my butt at the gym today. It's both a blessing and a curse to have a certified personal trainer at your disposal...pray for me.

xx

ModCloth "Uniquely You" Styling Competition!

Last week I recieved an email from ModCloth's leading stylist, Amy Hirt, asking if I would be interested in being part of a weekly styling competition, where the winner will be displayed on ModCloth's Polyvore page and linked back to the winner's blog. 

Does every blogger own the Zara skort? Is caffeine essential to life?

So here's how it works- every week I'll get an email with a special item from ModCloth's private label 

collection to style using up to 7 other items on ModCloth's website. This week featured the "Call of the Styled" coat (you can find it here!) and I ran with the first theme that popped into my head: the holidays. I'm easily excited by lights and shiny paper, so naturally the holiday season gets me a little bit riled up. Who doesn't love cut-out cookies, family, and presents?! If the holiday spirit hasn't quite hit you yet, however, a simple solid or heathered sweater would easily work with this outfit as well (if you want to be a Grinch that is...).

All of these items can be found on ModCloth.com, but since I'm feeling generous, I'll link them for you
Call of the Styled Coat
Snuggly Snowflakes Sweatshirt
On a Roller Derby Jeans
Footwork and Play Flat
Melie Bianco Full Course Load Bag
An Ornate Fate Necklace

A Cobalt Fall

Sweater- Thrifted

Disco Pants- American Apparel

Shoes- Nordstrom

Scarf- Fashion Bug

Earrings- Kohl's

Bracelet- H&M

Fall is finally here and I could not be more excited! The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and dry (great for my hair- not so much for my skin), and the sweaters have emerged! My easy fall uniform generally involves a sweater (preferably slightly oversized), tight pants (of the cotton and spandex variety), and boots. Here I wanted to show off my new flats, though. I'm usually strongly opposed to black flats. For some reason they scream mom who also doubles as a school librarian to me. More than once I've wished I had something simple to throw on, though, so I found a cross between loafer and pointed flat with a gold bow accent. No librarian I know would even consider wearing these ;)

Shop the Nordy Sale...College Student Style!

I officially have a serious problem. As the summer has snuck further and further away and we've inched closer to the end of the semester, my bank account has been dwindling down to bits of change the last few weeks. It's a sad (but honest) reality for most college students that the days of spending are summer, the beginning of the fall semester, and just after Christmas break (where we can all go back and earn a quick buck at home). What is most sad of all, however, is that Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale falls no where near any of those marks! *boo-hiss*

But never fear! I'm here to guide you to a few of my favorite items from the sale that are all *drumroll* LESS THAN $25! Yes-you read correctly! You could purchase one of these items with the money you made from just one session of selling your plasma to a blood bank.

Disclaimer- I would not recommend selling plasma unless you are a poor college student (and even then it is a questionable decision).

stone earrings | cheetah scarf | pattern tuxedo pants | track pants | stripe turtleneck | sweatshirt | leather pocket shirt | pj leggings | slim-fit sweatpants

For the price range that we're in, it's unreasonable to expect to see a Marc Jacobs bag floating around. However, this price range is spectacular for basics, lounge clothes, or accessories - perfect! My 21st birthday is coming up in less than a month (November 25th!), and I'm crossing my fingers that someone reads this and snags a couple of these before they're gone *hint hint friends and fam* ;)

Happy Nordy shopping!

The Secret Blogging Weapon You Probably Aren't Using

I'm sure this isn't what most people are expecting to read when they see a post update, but I feel this really does need sharing. It wasn't until my friend Elana from Room 334 enlightened me to the importance of networking as a blogger that I really truly understood it's value, which is what I'm here to write about.

Now I know that must seem silly. A blogger who doesn't have a handle on her networking? It sounds just as ridiculous as a pro-athlete that doesn't have a handle on their diet, or a doctor that doesn't have a handle on her people skills. At first, it doesn't seem like a HUGE deal. I mean, as long as a doctor knows how cure pneumonia and an athlete knows how to throw a ball, what harm is done? But once your eyes are opened that a doctor who can communicate with people and be empathetic or an athlete who can feed his body to make his performance that much more elite, you'll see that it's just as essential as the initial skill set- if not more.

A blogger who cannot utilize the resources of the internet will not make it very far. Rarely does it happen that a blogger with no networking skills make it beyond the level of sharing with friends and family on Facebook. Why? Because it doesn't matter how well your posts are written, how expertly your photos are taken, or how masterfully your blog layout is set up if no one knows about it.

Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, and I'm not saying that it cannot be done. However, prime examples of bloggers with networking skills are those who don't have a fancy camera and who's HTML skills are elementary at best, yet still have 100+ comments per post and their follower count inches closer to the next thousandths milestone every day. Have you never wondered how they do it? The key is networking. 

Sign up for all the websites you can. I know it may seem time consuming- that's because it is. I've been sitting at my laptop for about 2 hours reading "about us" pages and clicking "sign up" buttons. It also may seem overwhelming. In all that Internet space there are thousands of social media and networking websites, but there are a few that stand out and that seem to be reoccurring on many successful blogger's websites.

How Would You Wear It?

Ever since I made this post, I've been obsessed with this neon sweater from Dorothy Perkins. I'm not sure if it's the combination of summery florescent green with the chunky winter-y knit or if I'm just obsessed with anything from Dorothy Perkins, but I feel either is a valid excuse. The only problem is that I can't decide how I would style it! 

I've come up with two different options that have very separate feelings about them. Tell me- which would you wear? Or would you wear a completely different combination? What would that be?

Track Pants- Nordstrom

Hair Clip- Forever21

Necklace- Kelly Wearstler

Shoes- Aldo

Shirt- Target

Skirt- Alice + Olivia

Necklace- J. Crew

Watch- Fossil

Shoes- Prada

Tights- DailyLook