Be True to Your School

Dress: Kohls, Necklace: Forever21, Shoes: Material Girl, 

Bag: Thrifted (maybe real, but probably not) Coach

So apparently my campus started school today? I say that as a question not because campus was definitely alive with bright eyed and bushy tailed freshman wandering around this beautiful place, with their maps secretly hidden in books, and not knowing whether to run across the cross walk when it says not to or to stay securely on the sidewalk (... alas, what I'd do to be those kids again). No, that's a dead giveaway classes have started. I ask, because I didn't go to class today. I don't till tomorrow. And as sure as the sky is blue, it still feels like summer to me. Gosh darn it!

Regardless of that pointless introduction, school is starting back up. And regardless of the fact that I don't like it, and that it will be 90 degrees tomorrow, I decided to pretend for a little bit anyways with my studious shirt dress and librarian style bun. Because that says first day of school right?

Age of Aquarius

Dress: H&M, Shirt and Purse: AE, Sandals: borrowed, Sunglasses: Target

This summer I've spent most of my time embracing my inner love child. Summer started out fierce with the heat, and I found that maxi's were a great way to beat said heat.

I've been on the never ending search for a maxi skirt. For whatever reason I haven't found the one, so instead I've become a fan of turning my maxi dress into a type of maxi skirt by throwing shirts over them and using belts to give off the appearance of separates.

My boho- hippy self is much more creative than my normal persona.

Monday Musings: Super Easy Pesto

So I made this PESTO sauce earlier this summer and gave it another attempt  today. I thought I'd share it because it's super easy and basic, which also means you can vary the recipe with ease.

To start you'll need: 

• 3 cups basil leaves
• 1/2 cup of nuts (pine nuts for the most authentic, almonds if you like them, and walnuts if you're a poor college kid like me)
• 6 cloves of garlic (or the minced garlic equivalent... check your packaging)
• 1 cup of olive oil (I usually end up replacing some of the oil with water to cut the calories in this)
• 2 pinches of Cinnamon (original recipe uses nutmeg which I don't have in my spice cupboard.... it's called improvising. ha!)
• Salt & Pepper to taste

I first toast the walnuts for 10 minutes in the oven. This is a trial and error portion of the recipe (the first time I did it I burnt them). For walnuts, I place them on a baking sheet and then toast for 5 minutes at 300 and then bump it up to 350 for another 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. If they start to smell sweet they're pretty close to done. Check out the third picture for coloration help.

After this I place all the ingredients in a blender... or a food processor (what's really the difference?). Blend until smooth and thick. Now, technically, you're done! Easy right? However I strongly encourage taste testing. Both times I've made this I added in some grated cheese, although I can't tell you how much. It was a "just dump some in" kind of thing. I also added a bit more cinnamon and pepper.

I love this recipe because of how easily you can change it without really messing it up. It's delicious!

(This recipe yields about 12 servings. I store mine in a mason jar in the fridge. It's great on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and every other thing you can think of.)

Thank you to Rebecca who originally posted this recipe on Allrecipes.com

Ice Cream Social

Top & Skirt: F21, Belt: Grandma's, Rings: Target, Bracelets: Banana Republic and F21

I used to live in this skirt. It's one of those ones that is comfy and cute. It's also long enough to cover my bum (a problem I sometimes have when shopping at Forever21). This summer it hasn't seen as much action, but I decided it was perfect for an evening stroll around campus while eating Dairy Store ice cream.

Actually, any outfit is perfect for eating Dairy Store ice cream. It's that good.

Tomboy

Shirt: NY&Co., Jacket: Wetseal (thrifted), Shorts: AE, Shoes: DSW, Sunglasses: F21

Cool things about today? Pizza, not spilling said food on my white shirt, and this awesome wall by the pizza restaurant. 

Also, feeling like my old third grade tomboy self while still wearing wedges and peplum. Yeah. Pretty cool.

Monday Musings: Vacation

The thing is, we all need 'em. Mine comes in a yearly dosage of a Myrtle Beach trip with my ENTIRE family( we're talking about 30 of us). It's the best :)

Let's Go to the Beach, Beach

Duffel Bag & Beauty Bag: Vera Bradley, Backpack: Modcloth, Fedora: Target

I'm heading out for the next week on vacation with my entire family. And when I say entire I mean like 30 some people. We do this every year and it's the best part of summer.

See you all once I'm back!

Professionalism?

Top: Pitaya, Pants: F21, Shoes: BCBGeneration (old), Watch: New York &Co.

Here's the thing... these pictures did not do this outfit justice. I wore this for work and an interview after, in attempt to flaunt some sort of professionalism (I use that term very loosely). Honestly I felt very old school Hollywood in it. I think it's the pants. It's girly with a little bit of men's wear flare. 

Also, it's too hot for these pants. Alas, for fashion we must suffer I suppose.

All Natural

Tank & Sunglasses: F21, Skirt: TjMaxx, Purse: American Eagle

Today was a good day. Wanna know why? Ok, I'll tell you. Some friends and I went to this great little Mexican food cart downtown for dinner. AND THEY HAD REAL COKE! You know, the kind that comes in a glass bottle, made with real sugar, and has a label written in Spanish (because you can only find it in Mexico anymore). 

It was perfect. 

It's About Time

 Shirt, Shorts, & Necklace: F21, Watch: Kohls, Bracelet: Gift, Boots: Borrowed

IT RAINED!!!!

Sunday Was a Funday

Dress: Macy's, Shoes: MIA via Macy's, Purse: Gift, Ring: Banana Republic, 

Bracelets: Forever21 and the Farmer's Market

I wore this outfit to church this past Sunday and for a ton of fun running around, after I had purchased most of the outfit on Saturday (God had a plan people!).  The dress has an awesome cut out detail on the back, but I decided to be Sunday appropriate and wore a tank underneath.  I know what you're thinking; that's a first. No worries though. I can't wait to wear this out when I can up the anty and go shirtless with it (woop woop!)!

Sadly, I also managed to rip my new dress sometime on Sunday too and am going to have to put my sewing skills to the test. Or maybe to grandma's test. Whichever.

P.S. I know that's an awkward leg shot, but these wedges are too fantastic to not get their close up. They also received about a billion compliments. Not to toot my own horn or anything...

Hotness

Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt & Earrings: Forever21, Shoes: Me Too via DSW, Bag: Kohls

It's hot. Like, my insides are boiling hot. Like, insta-sweat hot. Like, I can't take more than a few quick pictures hot. So, (because of the previously mentioned hotness) these pictures don't show all the best aspects of this outfit, but I think you can get the gist. The skirt is breezy, the shirt is light weight, and my hair is off my neck. Really the closest you can get to built- in- clothing air conditioning.

What you can't tell from these pictures? That the skirt is a fun asymmetrical cut, that these wedges have pillow-like cushioning in them, and that  perpetual beads of sweat from this heatwave are forming on my back. Again. 

Lucky for you, you don't have to be physically near me on days like this :)