Outfit Inspiration:Black on Black

In college, my choir director required us to dress in all black for our performances. I can still hear him saying every semester, "Guys: black dress pants and black dress shirt. Girls: black dresses that fall below the knees." I loathed it. First, I bought a hideous black ankle-length dress with a collar and some sort of built-in spanks. Do not ask me why. I don't know. (I still vomit a little every time I think of it). Then, I found a black maxi-dress at T. J. Maxx that did not fit me well at all - short people do not look good in empire-waist dresses. Eventually, the school allowed the girls to wear pants to perform (hallelujah!!), and my hatred for all black ensembles began to reverse. I found a pair of black cigarette pants and a black tunic that I loved, and I started to actually like my all-black outfit. Now I wear head-to-toe black on a regular basis and it makes life so much easier. Just throw on some bright shoes or a statement necklace, and you're good to go!

Black is such a staple color in a wardrobe: not only is it slimming, but it adds polish to your look. I mean, people rave about Little Black Dresses for a reason - they always work! Here are a few outfit inspirations for wearing black on black.

{Image}

{Image}

{Image}

{Image}

{Image}

{Image}

{Image}

{Image}

Here are a few places to start if you are looking to add some staples to your wardrobe:

{Ann Taylor - Target (Only $7!) - Nordstom}

{Ann Taylor - Nordstrom - Banana Republic}

{Pumps - Flats - Wedges}

The "Good Ol' Days"

You know when you take a bite of a lemon square and it's almost so sweet and tangy that it hurts your teeth? Thats how I feel about life right now - sweet and tangy. My roommate said to me the other day, "These are the days we will look back on and say, 'Those were the good ol' days.'" I think she's right. There are so many fun things do and go to and see, and there are such amazing people in our lives to join in on the adventures. I can't wait for the summer with beach trips, outdoor concerts, shag dancing, and weddings. What good ol' days these will be.

Wardrobe Philosophy

As my roommate will tell you, I have a system for just about everything. Just about. I've resigned myself to the fact that some things in life go much more smoothly without a system, so I've let go of some of my failed frameworks. But anyway, my wardrobe system is this: invest in quality pieces that work well together. My style tends to gravitate toward what I would call "Classic-Preppy," but whatever your style may be, here is my list of key wardrobe pieces that would be well worth a little splurge. Typically, clothes that are made well last a good long while and tend to fit better than comparable pieces that are cheaper (in more ways than one). 

{Shop}

1. Denim - First, decide whether you are a straight-leg or boot-cut jean kind of gal (or both!). Then, spend some time trying on lots of different brands to find the cut and size that work best for you. Trying on denim takes a lot of patience, but jeans that fit well are well worth the time and effort. (Note: I hate buying jeans because it took me forever to find a brand that fit me well, and as soon as I did, the company went out of business. I wanted to cry.)

{Shop}

2. Classic Oxford - Whether you go with white or light blue, a classic button-up can instantly make a casual outfit look a little bit sharper. I had to search around to find one that that was a good length for me and that fit well through the shoulders and torso. Take your time finding a shirt that works for you, and then take care of it once you find it.

{Black Pumps - Leather Flats - Nude Pumps}

3. Classic Shoe - Whether you go with a wedge or pump, a nice pair of black or nude heels will go with almost every dress or pair of pants you buy. Nude heels are great because they make your legs appear longer - who wouldn't want that! If you're more of a flats kind of girl, I would recommend finding a pair of well made brown leather flats; they work with just about everything.

{Dress 1 - Dress 2 - Dress 3}

4. Little Black Dress (LBD) - I know the "Little Black Dress" may seem slightly cliché, but there is a reason for that: it works. Having a classic black dress will come in far handier than you think. Weddings, funerals, parties, engagement showers, concerts, interviews, first dates - the LBD works for all of these. In the winter, throw on some tights and a sweater or blazer, and in the summer break out the sandals and big earrings.

{Shop}

5. Coat - whether you go with a classic trench, a wool pea coat, or a more functional down jacket, choose a color and fit that works for you, and be willing to splurge on something that will last more than a few winters.

6. Leather Belt - A nice leather belt works with a pair of jeans or over a shirt dress. Quality belts are actually pretty easy to find and often not all that expensive. I have two that I wear interchangeably almost everyday. Check out these options here, here, and here.

{Brown bags: Left - Center - Right}

 {Black bags: Left - Center - Right}

7. Leather Handbag - A good leather purse is the kind of piece that, if you take care of it, will last forever (almost). Invest in a classic style that will work with every outfit in your wardrobe, and then have a few fun clutches on hand for a fancy evening. And well made handbags in classic styles are often easy to resell if you ever decide you're ready for something different.

{Skirt - Blouse} 

Pop of Color - Find a color that works well with your complexion and run with it. From tops, to scarves, to shoes, look for things to stand out against the other classic pieces that you have used to build your wardrobe. My personal favorites are coral and blue.

{Striped Shirt & Leopard Flats}

9. Patterns - I always gravitate toward stripes, particularly blue and white stripes (remember my obsession with blue and white?!). But I also have a soft spot for a little splash of leopard - nothing too outrageous, but I do love my calf-hair leopard print flats! Even if stripes and animal prints are not your thing, find something you love (florals, plaid, etc.) and just go with it!

{Pearl Studs}

10. Simple Studs - Seriously. Get some. They go with everything, from your striped tee, to the Little Black Dress, to the oxford button-up. I find myself wearing my pearl post earrings almost everyday!

There you have it: my top ten "splurge worthy" wardrobe essentials, and my general philosophy about building a closet around pieces that will last. I know there are other ways to go about creating a wardrobe and a style for yourself, any thoughts about what has worked best for you? 

Apartment Update

I'm beginning to understand that wherever I live, I will probably never feel "finished" decorating - it's more of an ongoing (as in, forever) process. But, now the new place has begun to feel cozy and much more like home. The living room is definitely my favorite room in the apartment. My roommate and I didn't know we would have a fireplace until we walked in on move-in day, but, let me tell you, it has already been put to good use!

Here is a peek at what it looked like when we first moved in:

Here's a glimpse of my view nowadays:

The wreath above the mantel is by far my best purchase to date, despite what others may say about my hanging it over the mirror. You know who you are...

Success!

Tonight is a night of great achievement. I cooked at the apartment and didn't ruin anything! The last time I tried to make food here, things did not end well. In fact, things ended at Chipotle down the street because of some dried-out sweet potatoes and some burnt steaks. This time around I opted for a no-heat-required recipe - Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. It's one of my favorites because it tastes amazing - perfect for a summer evening - and it's healthy! Guess what I'll be having for breakfast tomorrow?

Here's the recipe from Carrie on Living:

Be forewarned - this is a vegan recipe, so it has tofu in it. I am not a vegan, and I don't like tofu, but I can't get enough of this pie, so it's definitely worth a try!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie

Ingredients

• For crust:
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ⅔ cup dry almonds
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup pitted dates
• For filling:
• 1 12-ounce package organic silken tofu
• 1½ cups pitted dates
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup cacao
• ⅓ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened soy milk

Instructions

1. Crust: Combine the coconut, almonds, and salt in a food processor and pulse until the nuts are finely ground.
2. Add the dates, 2 to 3 at a time, pulsing between additions until well-incorporated and the mixture is crumbly but slightly sticky.
3. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate or tart pan with removable bottom. press the mixture thinly, firmly, and evenly onto the sides and bottom of the pan.
4. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you make the filling.
5. Filling: Combine tofu, dates, vanilla extract, cacao, peanut butter, and soy milk in a high-speed blender and process until smooth.
6. Use the tamper if necessary to push the ingredients into the blade.
7. Pour the blended mixture over the crust and use a spatula to smooth the top.
8. Place entire pie into the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so filling can firm up.
9. Serve cold.

Enjoy!

Grown Up

{via}

Being "grown up" is kind of scary. Ok, a lot scary. All the newness in my life is exciting, but it can also be massively overwhelming at the same time. I love my apartment, but it still feels like someone else should be living here and I should just be visiting. I also love having a new job, but it's often frustrating to still be learning the ropes and feeling one or two (or sometimes three or four) steps behind.

All growing up and all through college I would constantly think to myself, enjoy this now, because one day it won't be this way anymore. I would lie in bed at night and hear my brothers stomping around the room above me - Don't be annoyed. One day you won't live here anymore. Enjoy having everyone under the same roof. I would walk across campus to an early morning class - Don't wish this away. One day you won't be a student here anymore. Enjoy the days of having a schedule and be thankful you get to study something you love. I would always try to savor each moment, even the difficult or mundane ones, because I knew things would eventually change and I could never go back.

Things have changed. I can't go back. So even though I feel as though I'm standing in a deluge of all that is unfamiliar, I want to appreciate the good moments as well as the hard ones because I know this won't last forever. I don't want to wish this time away only to look back and regret not enjoying these crazy, difficult, fun, overwhelming, growing-up days.

Newness

{via}

Everything seems to be beginning all at once. This week. Today.

All though college, I wondered what life would be like once I was done with school. Now that I'm no longer a student, I realize I am just "starting" - new job, new address, new people, new opportunities, new perspectives. Life seems to have reset itself, and I am relishing it.

Today was my first day working in an environment that is absolutely new to me. I have almost always been self-employed, so working a fast paced job in a large company is such a refreshing change. Even from what I saw today, opportunities are endless and everyday there is something new to learn. Later this week I'll be living at a new address, and I can't begin to describe how excited I am make an empty place into my place. Life feels like a blank slate today. Anything can happen. So many things will happen, and I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for when they do.

Moving Out

     Moving out. Two parts exciting plus eight parts "what the heck have I gotten myself into!" You mean I have to be a grown up now? With insurance and utility bills and everything? Man, if I had known what it meant to "grow up" back in 5th grade, I would have just stayed there forever - doing homework, playing house, digging holes in the yard with my brothers, and begging my mom for a dog. Yet, here I am, sitting at home on a couch in my bedroom (which is much too small for a couch) getting ready to move this white, three-seater to my new apartment in a few short weeks. Raleigh better look out!