In Pause

Please excuse a small pause as I study my butt off for the next few days in preparation for a big final! I've been taking an intensive language course for these past 8 weeks (two semesters of Biblical Hebrew in 2 months) as the first course in my Masters' program. Now just the final stands between me and two weeks of summer break.

So I'll be absent for a few days more, and then back, refreshed and (hopefully!) victorious. :)

Wish me luck!

Petite Fashion Challenge #18: Date Night

This month's challenge is hosted by Amber at Easy Petite Looks. She challenged us to put together an outfit for a date night or a girls' night out.

Allow me to apologize for the horrible indoor photos! I left this challenge to the last minute and it was raining by the time I got around to taking the pictures.

Here is my date night outfit. It's been so horribly hot in Boston I couldn't wrap my head around anything more than a sheer, flowy mini dress and some comfy wedges. Anything more, and I was probably going to melt. Also, this whole outfit cost me somewhere under $60! (I can't remember how much the purse was...I know it was cheap...but the dress was $12 and the shoes were $24.99.)

Dress: Ross ($12.00) / Shoes: Target ($24.99) / Necklace: gift / Bag: honestly no idea.... :)

Please go on and check out the other entries (with undoubtedly better pictures!) over at Easy Petite Looks.

Amrita Singh Blowout on Hautelook

In case anyone has been coveting some Amrita Singh jewelry lately, Hautelook (referral) is having a huge sale with massively discounted prices.

A few of my favorite jewelry pieces are Amrita Singh, including this necklace ("Chinolli Necklace," available through this sale for $29, down from $120):

And this ring ("Shelter Island" ring, available in this sale in orange for $9, down from $50):

 A few quick thoughts on Amrita Singh jewelry:

In my opinion, the best part about this jewelry are the bright, bold colors. Most of the pieces are "statement" pieces for sure, and do a great job brightening up a look. The designs, I think, are modern, unique, and eye-catching.

The downside, however, is that this definitely is costume jewelry. It looks like real metal and stone, but is made mostly of enamel and resin, I believe (materials used are available in each item's description). As such, it's pretty lightweight, but I have no complaints as to the quality, as long as you know what you're getting! The prices before a sale like this one on Hautelook are quite jaw-dropping; but after, I think they're fantastically priced! 

A few of my favorites from this sale:

 East Lake Cuff, $18 down from $100

Turquoise Coral Chain Necklace, $49 down from $100

Let me know if you get anything!

*off to peruse the website*

Review: H&M Shirtdress (and a bit of photo-phobia)

Dress and Belt: H&M (Size 4, $34.95) / Bag: Jason Wu for Target / Sandals: from my sister, bought in Dubai / Necklace: hand-me-down from my mother / Bracelets: bought in England

 

A few hours ago, I was all about this shirtdress! Almost half of the reason I bought it was for the belt, which struck me as endlessly pair-able (no holes, totally adjustable, great color). Then, I put on the dress today, and...the belt broke. Damn it, H&M! I know we're not talking the greatest quality here, but breaking on my first wear? Given my sample size of 1, this may not be an issue with the belt's construction as a whole and might just be that I got a dud. I'll probably make my way back to the store and try to exchange it...

Other than that, the dress is great! It runs small (I got a size 4 and usually wear a 0 or 00 in most stores and a 2 at H&M), and it's floaty and feminine and perfect for summer. It is, however, a bit sheer (I'm wearing an extra slip underneath, in addition to the attached lining), so I wouldn't buy unless you have a slip handy, or can rock that sheer look in a way I can't.

If you're interested, here's the product #:

 

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In other news, I'm becoming increasingly self-conscious about taking photos! I've been shooting in a little alley next to my summer sublet, looking about furtively each time I walk there with my camera and snapping pictures as quickly as possible, terrified that someone will walk by. I have no idea what I'd say if they did, though I've invented a few fanciful stories in my head about photography class self-portrait assignments that seem to ease the fear. :)

So, anyone have any tips on overcoming photo-phobia? Does this unfounded fear get to anyone else, too?