Friday's Fancies: Stripes!

Friday!

Have a great weekend!

Friday's Fancies: Stripes! by smartificial featuring summer tops

Four on Thursday

Augh.

This is why I don't go out on school nights.

Last night, we went to see a friend's brother's band, Youngblood Hawke, at U Street Music Hall.  The show was awesome, the set was great, and a good time was had by all.

But now I'm tiiiiired.

1

The Limited Eyelet Shirtdress, on sale $29.99

This dress woke me right up.  Shirtdresses are your friend.  They are classic, simple, and chic.  I love that this one has an elbow-length sleeve, eyelet, and a buttercup yellow color.

2

Banana Republic Belted Ponte Sheath, on sale $64.99

Very into shades of yellow this week.  I discovered I'm in serious need of professional looking work dresses and this one fits the bill.  Great shape and the belt adds a bit more interest.

3

RL Denim & Supply Ikat Print Maxi Dress, on sale $64.99

Maxi!  The giant ikat print is fun and the simple shape is easy to dress up or down.  Denim & Supply is quickly becoming one of my new favorites.

4

The Limited Drew Classic Ankle Pants in Cobalt, on sale $14.99

Finally, some printed pants for your pleasure.  The geometric pattern is on trend and the bright blue color is more fun than basic black.  Cropped length and a tapered leg mean these will flatter you, so get on it!

I'm off to Taste of Vermont tonight (craft beer!  cheese!  more cheese!) and hope you're doing something just as awesome!

Currently Reading: Saturday

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In the middle of the night, or incredibly early on a February Saturday morning, Henry Perowne wakes up for no reason.  In a strange, but totally lucid state, he finds himself drawn to his bedroom window, where he sees a plane on fire.

Wandering down to the kitchen, he sits with his son, coming in from his night out.  They watch the news, hoping to see something about the plane, but there is nothing conclusive.

Henry goes back upstairs, where he makes love to his wife before falling back asleep for a few hours.  And then his day begins.

Ian McEwan weaves an intense, beautiful story out of one man's Saturday, including a squash game, running errands, and cooking dinner.  These casual, even mundane, activities are made exquisite through McEwan's writing and impeccable details.

There is action, happening when all of Perowne's activities of the day come to a head just before dinner, but the majority of the novel is simply incredibly detailed descriptions.  This is my first McEwan novel and I'm kicking myself for not having read him sooner.  The writing is stunning.  One sentence in particular stood out to me for its simplicity and its brilliance: "It nags at him briefly now, but the half-hearted effort of recall itself fades as he steps into the warmth of the hall and turns on the lights; a mere light bulb can explode a thought".  

Read this immediately. 

Blue & Red (But Feeling Black & Gold)

Dress: Topshop (similar); Jacket: Gap (current version); Bag: Longchamp; Sandals: Jack Rogers; Shades: Ray Ban

Guys, the Bruins?!  

Down 4-1 in the 3rd with ten minutes left, they came back to tie it up and then clinch a win in overtime.

That's why I love playoff hockey.

Although I couldn't watch it so instead was following it on Twitter, which is a terrible way to "watch" a sports game.

Who wants to hook me up with the NHL package?

Pop of Neon

Top, Shorts (similar), and Bag (similar): Old Navy; Sandals: Target; Bracelets: Forever21 (similar); Shades: Ray Ban

I hate when a good weekend comes to a close.  Especially one that's fun and productive.

My apartment is clean, there was an awesome dance party, and Sunday brunch was had, outdoors no less.

Hope yours was just as great.

Friday's Fancies: Weekend Wear

Longest. week. ever.

Amiright?

But now it's officially the weekend, so let's take full advantage of it, even if it's going to rain the whole time.

I'm going to swing by the National Building Museum tonight, where Hill Country has set up a sweet outdoor barbeque.  Here's hoping the lines aren't insane, because I get cranky if I can't have my pulled pork.

Tomorrow is one of our last soccer games, followed by another bbq at a friend's house.

And Sunday should be perfectly lazy.  If it rains all day, I think it will be a good day to curl up on the couch and put a dent in my Netflix queue.  

Friday's Fancies: Weekend Wear by smartificial featuring skinny fit jeans

Here it is, my personal version of weekend wear.  Bright jeans, a casual top (roll up those sleeves), flats for lots of walking, a big tote to lug around my camera, a statement necklace, a pop of lip color, and some fun nail polish.  Oh, and wayfarers because I don't think I function without them.

Have fun this weekend!

Four on Thursday

This hasn't been the best week for me, but I'm glad it's Thursday and things are winding down.

Tonight I'm heading to Swap in the City for some shopping, fashion shows, and champagne.  And then I plan to be in bed by 9:30pm.  

Ahh, the fabulous life of a fashion blogger!

1

Calvin Klein Sleeveless Button Front V-Neck, on sale $44.99 (add'l 25% off at checkout)

It will eventually get warm out all the time and when it does, tops like this are my favorite thing to wear to work.  Keep it light and breezy for the commute, throw on a blazer at the office, and you're all set for the day.

2

The Limited Button Back Peplum Top in Mint, on sale $22.49

This top could also work for the office or for a night out.  The button detail up the back is unexpected and gorgeous.  It also comes in a shade of red if that's more your style.

3

Kate Spade New York Drop Earrings, on sale $45.56

I have a new-found love for drop earrings.  In college, I favored the big chandelier style, have since moved on to fun studs, and now am looking at simple drop styles.  This color is amazing and this pair of earrings is timeless.

4

BCBG Generation Morgan Lucite Clutch, on sale $48.99

The lucite trend is not my favorite.  While a little goes a long way, I still get the stripper heel vibe a little bit.  This clutch claims to be lucite, but is actually just on the outside and tones it down with a pretty floral pattern.  Great for spring or summer weddings.

Let me know if I'll see you at the Swap tonight!

Currently Reading: The Fourth Hand

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John Irving is my favorite contemporary American writer.  I've read most of his novels and consider some of them to be my all-time favorites.

The Fourth Hand is not one of them.

Patrick Wallingford, an attractive field reporter for an all-news network, travels to India after disaster strikes at a circus.  During an interview, his hand is snatched and eaten by lions.  Wallingford henceforth becomes know as "lion man" or "disaster guy".  

A surgeon in Boston hopes that Patrick will be the recipient of the first ever successful hand transplant.  And when a donor hand becomes available, it looks like this may be the case.  The donor's widow however, asks for visitation rights with the hand.  Things become complicated, to say the least.

I can't pinpoint why this book isn't working for me.  It's trademark Irving from the quirkiness of the characters to the numerous and strange sexual encounters, but it just doesn't feel complete to me.  The characters, with one exception, don't gain my curiosity or sympathy and the plot seems to meander too much for my taste.

I'll finish this one (almost done), but I don't think it's a book that I'll reach for again and again.  

Maxi-nista

Dress: Olive & Oak via TJ Maxx; Sweater: LL Bean: Sandals: Jack Rogers; Bag: Target; Hat: Eastern Market (similar); Necklace: Vintage: Bracelet: Kiel James Patrick; Shades: Ray Ban

I'm slowly, but surely becoming a morning person.  It's like all of my dreams are coming true!  By no longer dreaming!

Except I then get back into bed and maybe fall back to sleep a little bit.  And then I'm maybe running late, but still make time to make peanut butter toast.  This is all hypothetical of course.

On a totally unrelated note, I've been suuuuper slow to get on the maxi dress/skirt bandwagon and what exactly was I waiting for?

I snagged this baby at TJ Maxx a couple weeks ago and it's going to get serious use this summer.

Have a lovely Tuesday!  Or, you know, as great of a Tuesday as you can.  

Candy Striper

Sweater: AKA New York (old); Dress: Old Navy (similar); Bag: Target; Shoes: Me Too via Marshalls (almost identical); Necklace: Groop Dealz; Shades: Ray Ban

I'm very sleepy on this Monday morning, so let's just focus on the fact that it's May, which is basically summer.  My pool opens this month, we've got visitors coming, and pretty soon I won't need to wear a jacket at all.

Also, hockey playoffs.  I'll be rooting for the Bruins tonight.

How was your weekend? 

Friday night I made some chicken enchiladas and DT and I finally finished House of Cards (if you're not already watching, do so immediately).

At our soccer game the next morning, the other team didn't show, save for two brave souls, so we ended up scrimmaging ourselves before getting brunch at the Queen Vic and watching the incredibly boring Arsenal game.

Throw in a Tie-dye and Tequila party, an assortment of tacos, and a Sunday afternoon stroll to Eastern Market and there's my weekend in a nutshell.