Little White Shift Dress

I've already headed back to NYC and then left from there for the Midwest, but I wanted to share a couple snaps from my trip to DC last weekend in an attempt to keep things somewhat chronologically organized. I had a nightmare of a time getting down there Friday night but managed to ditch the rain for a mostly sunny, fairly warm day that was perfect for wandering about.

 I've paid visits to D.C. every few months since I moved East for everything from baseball games (rooting for the Cubs, of course) to the 2013 Inauguration. It's no New York—sorry D.C.!—but it's near the top of my list for a weekend visit when I need to get away. The museums are free, the food is good and the light is nearly always perfect. It's easy to relax and unwind when you find yourself wandering the mall in beautiful weather or passing building after building with a rich, unique history.

I have my favorite spots to hit when I'm on the mall, like the sculpture garden (below) and the botanical gardens near the Capitol. I've also done my fair share of wandering through nearby neighborhoods, but I'm always looking for new places to check out. Any recommendations for my next trip later this summer? Food, shopping, sites to see...all fair game!

P.S...these shoes are about to become my summer favorite. I wore them all over D.C. for two straight days; they didn't rub or cause me any pain, and they look super cute!

Express Dress || Michael Michael Kors bag || Anthropologie scarf (tied on bag)

Ray-Ban Sunglasses || Michael Kors Watch || Loeffler Randall Espadrilles || Catbird and WWAKE rings

On the Waterfront

 Ahh, sunshine! It *seems* like spring is finally starting to poke its head from the bunker it's been stashed away in, but I'd rather not gush too much for fear of jinxing any hope we have of ever putting our coats and jackets into storage.

A recent sunny weekend and a friend in town called for a walk along the riverfront in DUMBO...after brunch at Joseph Leonard, puppy playtime with some fuzzy friends across the street and a stop by my favorite hat shop in the West Village. This was naturally followed up by a tour of several of my favorite croissant stops, including Balthazar for almond and Bottega Falai for cream-filled (both around NoLIta) 

Definitely earning my#croissantconnoisseur status.

Jacket (similar) || Express (Minus the) Leather Top || Acne Skin 5 Jeans

Loeffler Randall Boots || Sequin Collar || Ray-Ban Sunglasses || NARS Lipstick in Niagara

Catbird and WWAKE rings (in ring finger stack)

Get the Look

#SelfiesWithMountains | Phoenix pt. II

Sharing just a few more pictures from my Phoenix trip with you today. It was short & sweet, with me arriving (finally) at about 1a Saturday morning, Phoenix time, and heading out at lunchtime on Monday. Though it was my first time there (and really anywhere in the vicinity, unless you count numerous trips to Las Vegas in previous years), I honestly didn't do that much. It was great to see my best friend—we've known each other for over 15 years and hadn't seen one another in almost a year—and much of our time was spent hanging out, playing with her dog and drinking margaritas (duh). 

We did, however, take an afternoon to head to the Desert Botanical Garden, a very different version of the botanical gardens I'm used to in NYC, to take in some warm afternoon sunshine & beautiful Dale Chihuly artwork. If you're not familiar with his work, take a second to head over to Google—he's most recognizable for his works at the Bellagio in Vegas, but this Chihuly in the Garden exhibit really captured my heart. I also couldn't help taking a #shamelesselfie, complete with mountains & Chihuly, and of course snapped some—okay, a few hundred—photos of the mind-blowingly gorgeous sunset.

Side note: a lot of the visitors that day were a bit older (think: grandmas), and many of them were excited to see my friend & I taking #selfieswithmountains—as evidenced by them proclaiming 

as they walked by, "Oh, they're taking a selfie!". Giggles for days about this.

Wearing: Express Shirtdress || Lionette Necklace || Ray-Ban Sunglasses || ECCO Leather Bag

Kelsi Dagger Sandals || Givenchy Le Rouge in Magnolia Organza

Weekly Wants

I'm looking at the calendar while I type this and having a hard time believing it's already near mid-December. I go home for two weeks in just nine short days (more on that to come), and won't be back in NYC til after the new year! I know most blogs, websites, magazines, e-mail blasts etc. etc. etc. are taking this time to share gift guides with you, and in a way weekly wants is a gift guide—to myself. I wholeheartedly believe in buying myself gifts, frequently, as a reward for all the hard work I do for myself. Selfish? Maybe a little, but I'm also a pretty fantastic gift giver so I'm not too worried (I'd share some of the things I've picked up for friends so far but I don't want to chance them coming across this). I may post one or two with you in the coming weeks, but this weekly ode to my own shopping addiction will certainly keep on comin'. 

*if anyone is looking at this to shop for ME, that twist front dress has been on my mind for weeks now. 

Clockwise starting from top left: Express Scoop Neck Tee || Jimmy Choo Anna Shoulder Bag || Sandy Hyun Emerald Deco Earrings || Equipment Roland Printed Sweater || Dwell Studio Crosshatch Decanter || Terrain United States Chalkboard Map || Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien Poster || West Elm Faux Fur Throw || Tbags Los Angeles Twist Front Dress || Todd Snyder x Champion Sweatshirt || Schutz Cailyn Bootie || Ranjana Kahn Embellished Collar || J. Crew Minnie Pant || Nars Guy Bourdain Cinematic Lipstick in Future Red

Shop the Post

Not For Sale

 Thanks to a friend of mine investing in a leather jacket recently, I spent a lot of time both in the All Saints store and browsing online...which is how I discovered this tank, part of their Not For Sale campaign to support anti-human trafficking efforts. Not only do part of the proceeds support an excellent cause, I love the DIY-collage effect, which taps into my punk-kid roots (remember my plaid pants story? Yeah, that went even further). All this outfit is lacking are some pink or blue streaks in my hair—I bet you don't miss that, mom!

Jacket (similar) || All Saints Tank || Express Pants || Jeffrey Campbell Boots

Ray-Ban Sunglasses || Francesca's Collection Crossbody || Into the Night OPI Nail Polish

Photos: Jessica Sturdy

Weekly Wants

Look at me, getting my sh*t together this week (so far)...but since I've long been eyeing so many of the things in this week's post, it was pretty easy to pull together. I've even been to the gym and done some cleaning, with plans to hit up a spin class, get drinks with a few friends and *hopefully* relax by the weekend.

I'm simplifying my look now that the weather's getting much colder-a sweatshirt, relaxed jeans and slip on shoes would be perfect to have on hand every day. Simple accessories like a pink lip & this adorable map necklace from Three Jane are all I need, especially once the jackets and scarves start to pile up. 

Clockwise from top left: Franco Sarto Zahara Shoes || Target Decanter || NARS Velvet Matte Pencil in Never Say Never || Todd Snyder x Champion Sweatshirt || Express Stella (minus the) Leather Legging || Siiso Giclee Print || Pickwick and Weller Hanna T-shirt || Three Jane Map Necklace || Zara Fur Shopper || The Beau by AG Jeans || Terrain Tumbes Throw || Lulu & Georgia Sweet Pea Jar || Être Cécil Cheetah Striped Tee

Weekend Casual

Once the event-loaded month of September died down, I finally had a few weekends to relax and just enjoy my city. I have been living in casual looks like the one you see here-and these pants from Express have been no exception. You may remember I've been crushing on the rag&bone version, but when I found these for just a third of the price (and then got another 25% off) I knew I had to get them. The other great thing about easy weekends is I'm able to carry around a much smaller bag-like this one from Danielle Nicole! It's a known fact I love the color blue, and this cross-body is the perfect size to fit my wallet, a good book and a few other essentials.

Jacket, old (similar) || T-shirt, Target || Necklace, vintage || Pants, Express || Shoes, Zara

Bag, Danielle Nicole || Polish, OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest

Easy Breezy

I picked up this dress earlier in the summer after I spotted it on Jacey (apparently I wasn't the only one-Molly told me last week that she did as well!) and proceeded to wear it entirely too much. I'd normally shy away from white-I'm a magnet for spills when I wear it-but the versatility of this dress was too perfect to pass up. It's fully lined (I can't tell you how many times I've returned or not purchased white pieces because they're too sheer) and works with just about everything in my closet. I can't wait to pair it with tights & a blazer when it gets colder!

On a sadder note, this dress was inside out on my floor recently when I went to light a candle. The match didn't want to light at first, then splintered and broke just as it did, landing on the dress! Thankfully, I put it out before it burned through both layers, and the fact that it's lined was about the only thing that saved me. I've become so attached to the dress I spent nearly an hour trying to find it online, to no avail! Ah, well, at least it's not completely ruined.

Dress, Express (similar) || Quartz Necklace, Sparkle Farm

Cuff, Sequin Jewelry || Boots, Jeffrey Campbell

Stars & Stripes Style

Is it really (almost) the Fourth of July already? It feels like just yesterday my mom was here over Memorial Day weekend, and somehow we're halfway through the summer! Luckily, I have a Betsey Johnson knit dress already prepped for the holiday complete with a solid blue skirt and red & white striped top, but I was feeling the need to bring some new red, white & blue into my holiday this year. How incredible are those flag print shoes? I already own this white dress from Express (and wear it frequently, sans belt-it's lined and both flattering & comfortable!), but I'm crushing hard on this star print bib necklace (bonus: it's on sale). Usually, my Fourth of July holidays in Iowa were spent at the pool during the day & shooting off fireworks (acquired from a 1.5 hour drive down to Missouri) at night, but this year I'm looking forward to a quiet four days off in the city while most of my friends work or travel. I haven't decided whether I'm going to hit the beach tomorrow, or attempt a few things around the city I don't normally have time to make it to (like the rain room at MoMA). Follow me on instagram to see what I decide!

P.S. if those mirrored Ray-Bans look familiar, that's because you've seen them here, here, here & here!

Clockwise starting from left: J. Crew Linen Peasant Top || Dolce Vita Sandal (on sale!) || Forever 21 Rhinestone Flag iPhone Case || David Aubrey Cobalt Bib Necklace || Express Sleeveless Shirtdress || C. Wonder Keepsake Box || Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses || Alexander Wang Emelie Bag (on sale!) || Jeffrey Campbell El Carmen Platform || Sophia 203 Star Necklace (on sale!) || Grand Bazaar Canvas Bag (on sale!) || BDG Americana Short (on sale!) || Zara Nautical Stripe Canvas Slipper

*image via

Shades of Blue

If you haven't caught on by now, you'll know after this post that I live for color. Specifically, wearing as much of it as possible, whether it's every shade of the rainbow in one outfit (pinky promise, this has happened) or wearing every shade of a particular hue, like this blue hued confection I wore to brunch with Jessica & re-worked with a bright blue pencil skirt later in the week. Perhaps I was feeling rather inspired by the fantastic color of these Ray-Bans I scooped up on a whim after leaving my previous pair of cheapies in the seatback pocket on an airplane!

Top, Express | Jeans, 7 For All Mankind (50% off!) | Sunglasses, Ray-Ban

Bag, Steve Madden | Shoes, Nine West (similar) | iPhone case, Rifle Paper Co

Necklace & Bracelets, Sequin | Lips, Revlon Love That Pink

Thanks for taking my pictures, Jessica (& hooray for spring & sunshine)!