World, meet my fancy shorts.

When I splurged on these suckers a few weeks ago [and yes, they were quite the splurge] my coworkers and I joked that while cute, we weren’t sure I had many places to wear them. You know, being that they aren’t work appropriate and all and that my nightlife is rather trending toward the boring to nonexistent side these days. 

But fear not! I found a reason to break out the fancy shorts last weekend at the beach ((& the elastic waistband was quite appropriate given the gigantor honey glazed croissant I wolfed down in near record time)). 

shorts: DvF (also here) // vegan leather jacket: Free People (a few more sizes here) // sleeveless chambray blouse: Madewell // sunnies: House of Harlow (think these are pretty slick as well) // pumps: Steven by Steve Madden // woven bag: Target 

Scenes from the mirror… finally a sunny day in Raleigh [it’s literally been raining since we got home from Charleston 2 weeks ago] and its warm enough for appropriate Spring attire. What- being that it is May and all I don’t feel that it’s too much to ask for. skirt // top // pumps // necklace

Scenes from the mirror…

finally a sunny day in Raleigh [it’s literally been raining since we got home from Charleston 2 weeks ago] and its warm enough for appropriate Spring attire. What- being that it is May and all I don’t feel that it’s too much to ask for.

skirt // top // pumps // necklace

On Sunday morning, while waiting over an hour for table at Toast (who by the way has the best head sized biscuit I’ve ever tasted & homemade apple butter that I don’t even have words for), we wandered around a yet-to-be-explored neighborhood and happened upon the most adorable little alley.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve been to this Southern charmer of a city — and yet it still continues to amaze me with it’s little undiscovered [to us] nooks and crannies.

striped tee:Gap (love this Ella Moss option) // white skinnies: DL1961 // straw fedora: J.Crew (similar) // tote bag: Longchamp // flip-flops: Havaianas // necklace: Gorjana // sunnies: an outlet score (love these) // watch: Anthro (similar)

(ps- I think my husband has an affinity for photographing my backside)

a pair of paisley pants

I stand for many things. For second chances, for the Wolfpack winning an NCAA championship of any sort [because no one is holding their breath for our football team], for true love, for grilled cheese sandwiches being their own food group, and for wearing clothing that feels like a pair of pajamas.

I’ll give you a hint: this ensemble MIGHT be cozier than all my Lulu outfits. Combined. Yes, I’m dead serious.

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In fact, I’m pretty sure there is an equation for this theory of mine:

maximum cozy + effortless style + not looking like a slug while doing so = living your best life

There you have it. Just call me scholar and a lady, folks.

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wide-leg pants: Anthropologie // cobalt blue top: Bordeaux // lanyard necklace: J.Crew // shoes: Michael Antonio (similar in gold) // bag: Goyard // denim jacket: Rich & Skinny (similar) // sunnies: House of Harlow

suffice to say— I’m obsessed. edit: (vegan) leather moto jacket- Free People (also available here & here’s a similar style in black) // tassel necklace- J.Crew // the rest really isn’t important

suffice to say— I’m obsessed.

edit: (vegan) leather moto jacket- Free People (also available here & here’s a similar style in black) // tassel necklace- J.Crew // the rest really isn’t important

stitch fix: take three

Okay, folks. Month three here. You would think that I’ve gotten more accustomed to this whole “shopping surprise in a turquoise and white box” but the excitement has yet to wear off. In true Elizabeth style, I immediately checked my account once my order shipped and learned what 5 items were en route to the H house. 

3 dresses?! and a hammered gold necklace?! SWEET ASS! 

So here’s my booty:

(no, not THAT booty— booty as in pirate’s loot. get your head out of the gutter…)

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Moon sleeveless knit dress- by far my favorite from the box but the pointelle knit in the skirt is totally see through (though you might not be able to tell from the photo). I tried with a pair of Spanx- but let’s be honest here, gang. Spanx & NC in mid-July temps are NOT a pretty pair. Plus, like a bad relationship, if it takes THAT much work this early on I highly doubt it’s worth it in the long run. Plus it was a tad on the big side and too long for my frame. Sorry dress- back you go. [ps- it was also $120] 

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Watercolor floral dress- way too big & bummed because this dress with it’s floral print and peplum detail would have certainly been a keeper. I believe this one was priced around $80. 

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Tart navy rope twist dress- cute but would have sat unworn in my closet all summer. Just not my style and for $100 I knew I could find something cuter. 

There was also a navy knit cardigan sweater thing in there (see below) that was literally down to my knees and dry clean only. No thanks.  Back into the box. 

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My complete fix- floral dress, necklace, navy sweater, turquoise knit dress, and rope dress. 

I did keep the long Gorjana hammered gold necklace (see above; available here) which has been worn nearly every day since it’s arrival. It’s simple yet it can be layered with a chunky necklace for a more statement-like punch. You should get one so we can be twins. Because this bauble will be in constant rotation well into 2015.

Also, I kind of learned how to use my tripod for my DSLR camera. I say “kind of” because- well, let’s all agree it’s a work in progress. ((mental flashback to me balancing the damn tripod on the bed in my best attempt to get an okay shot here)) At least I can be self deprecating if I’m going to post these quasi acceptable half-shots of myself in these frocks. The good news is that you can see the clothes without having to stare at my [now shattered] iPhone. The bad news is that the pictures suck. Let’s all deal with it and move on, okay.

Here is more information & how you can sign up for the monthly subscription service that I’ve come to love [referral link used FYI]. And here are the January and February links to my orders in case you’d like to take a peek back. 

Am I shocked at the style that arrived? No, not really. I wish the stylist would pick things a tad more adventurous for me (as I’ve noted in my feedback). But all in all, I do think my $20 is well spent paying for this monthly service. When I stop getting excited about my deliveries and tired of providing feedback in terms of my “style profile”, I’ll likely cancel my subscription. But until then, count me as a satisfied customer.

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[big sigh] Friday at last. And no surprise I’m wearing my favorite unlisted green jacket again (similar). Because it’s 30 degrees outside. In mid-March. What the hell, Spring? 

[moving along- nothing to see here, folks]

We officially have new butcher block countertops installed. And Blake officially is missing 1/4 of his pinky finger thanks to a belt sander incident. Hopefully one of us can pull it together enough to tile our back-splash this weekend…

Almost there, guys. 

black toothpick jean, sweater, blouse: J.Crew (+ 30% off & free shipping with code SPRINGTOIT @ Factory) // necklace: Gorjana & Griffin // jacket: Forever21 // shoes: Ivanka Trump (loving these)

If Friday were a tangible object, I would bear-hug the shit out of it. 

sweater: Gap (similar) // skirt: J.Crew factory // silver spike pumps (my “watch out” shoes) ShoeMint; join here (referral link used)  // necklace: Nordstrom 

Don’t forget to enter to win a fabulous Brittany Fuson original here.

TGIF, peeps.  

When I brought this outfit home, Blake looked at me with a curious eye and furrowed his brow a bit as he asked “Are you going to wear those prints together? Because- honey- those dots don’t match.” I couldn’t help but chuckle and tell him that it was alright- the “dots” were supposed to be mismatched. That’s what made this a fun ensemble.  Truth be told- I still don’t think he understood and I’m now going to have a VERY hard time trying to talk him off the ledge when he attempts to wear two obviously [unattractive] mismatched plaids together this summer. I can just hear his defense now- “But you have that one outfit with the mismatched dots…” bless Blake’s heart polka dot skimmer pants- J.Crew Factory // Charley sweater (the Factory version of the Tippi- @ half the price!)- J.Crew Factory // polka dot popover- J.Crew Factory // nude pumps- Steven by Steve Madden (also in emerald and coral) // link necklace- Kohls; similar Don’t you think it’s pretty darn near impossible to be in a bad mood in an outfit that looks like this? Do you have any crazy get-ups that make you smile from ear to ear when you wear them? oxo

When I brought this outfit home, Blake looked at me with a curious eye and furrowed his brow a bit as he asked “Are you going to wear those prints together? Because- honey- those dots don’t match.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle and tell him that it was alright- the “dots” were supposed to be mismatched. That’s what made this a fun ensemble. 

Truth be told- I still don’t think he understood and I’m now going to have a VERY hard time trying to talk him off the ledge when he attempts to wear two obviously [unattractive] mismatched plaids together this summer. I can just hear his defense now- “But you have that one outfit with the mismatched dots…”

bless Blake’s heart

polka dot skimmer pants- J.Crew Factory // Charley sweater (the Factory version of the Tippi- @ half the price!)- J.Crew Factory // polka dot popover- J.Crew Factory // nude pumps- Steven by Steve Madden (also in emerald and coral) // link necklace- Kohls; similar

Don’t you think it’s pretty darn near impossible to be in a bad mood in an outfit that looks like this? Do you have any crazy get-ups that make you smile from ear to ear when you wear them?

oxo

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Ever wake up in one of those mood where you know that the best way to combat the day is to throw on your favorite skirt in hopes of lifting the corners of your mouth into a smile?

No? Just me? 

Well, today is one of those days. Favorite skirt on and chunky necklace in place. This day has no option but to be a stellar one. No. Option. You hear me, Tuesday…

{skirt} Corey Lynn Calter (old); love this one (on sale!) & this one // {blouse} Banana // {tights} Spanx // {booties} Vince Camuto; honey color (less than $50) available here // {necklace} Nordstrom (old); would also look cute with this one

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