workworkworkwork

 Dress: local boutique / Sweater: Zara / Scarf: homemade by mi madre / Tights: H&M / Boots: local boutique / Socks: Target / Glasses: Coach
  







 Grad school has truly and completely eaten my life. I haven't been able to post in forever (obviously) and am incredibly behind on seeing what you other lovely ladies are up to....I miss it!

I'll do my best to be back here as much as I can, but oh my goodness, I don't even know what free time is any more! Can't complain, though, I am so happy to be doing what I love and learning so much along the way.

Hope you're all doing well, and having a good start to your week!

One Down, One to Go!

Dress: Urban Outfitters / Purple cardigan: Target (similar: $, if only -->$$$) / Faux leather jacket: Zara (similar: $, $$, $$) / Floral carf: Forever 21 (gorgeous one from Coldwater Creek, of all places!) / Chevron tights: Target (similar) / Boots: DSW (similar)

 

Whew! One midterm down, one to go. Upon finishing my midterm, I went to the library and photocopied readings hurried straight home and took some outfit photos. I really like keeping up with this blog and the blogging community and have missed it this past week! Its good to be able to say hi again. :)

In addition to my midterm, this past week I:
-threw a surprise birthday party for the Boyfriend, which featured friends driving
up from New York, and even flying in from Portland and Chicago!
-had an amazing time hanging out with friends from college
-made best friends with/dog-sat this little guy:

Hope you've all had a lovely week! Does it feel like fall yet, where you are?

Take a Breath

Oh. my. goodness. I am so busy. I knew grad school was going to be tough, but dang, I am working a ton! I'm not complaining though; I'm doing what I love and I couldn't be happier with my classes and classmates. It just means I am a million years behind on following blogs, and posting might be a bit sparse around these parts for a week or two....at least until midterms are over....

 Top: Forever 21 / Tank: Goodwill / Shorts: Gap / Shoes: Crocs / Bag: Jason Wu for Target / Sunglasses: Target

   

Also, this is likely my last post in shorts for another 6 months. :) The leaves are staring to turn (I'll have to post some pictures of them next time around; its getting gorgeous over here), the wind is starting to crisp up, and that smell of Fall is in the air. Break out the scarves and boots!

And it seems like I'm really getting into this beige-top dark-bottoms thing lately...clearly I have to start digging through another part of my closet...

Good Sales Right Now & Blogging on a Budget: September

A few good sales and coupons going on right now...

GAP: 30% off your purchase online with code GAPCOLOR (Ends 10/8) and 40% select styles in stores

LOFT: 60% off select full-priced pieces online with code TAKE60, and an extra 50% off sale styles (no code needed)

J. Crew Factory:  40% off select styles, online (ends Sunday)

Ann Taylor: 30% off everything with code SALE30

Another month, another Blogging on a Budget!

 September's breakdown.....

Last month, I spent:

$0 on hair

$0 on makeup

$0 on jewelry

$24.94 on clothes (this awesome chambray shirt from Old Navy--review coming soon!)

 

Thank You, Internet

 Top: Gap / Sweater: LOFT (Buy here, currently 50% off, for $22.50! Small sizes unfortunately sold out, though) / Pants: LOFT  buy here, $59.50) / Flats: Target (similar with cap-toe, here for $19.99) / Necklace: bought in Italy / Glasses: Coach

 

I wanted to say a quick "thank you" to the internet today, and primarily to the style blogging community out there.

Overall, I have been AMAZED at the kindness, love, and support that flows through the style blogosphere; I have met some truly lovely women whom I greatly admire, and I completely enjoy making those connections. We all know that the internet (and, obviously the world), is full of not-so-nice people, but what this community has taught me is that it is even more full of kind, creative, and loving people, from whom I draw endless inspiration and support.

So, that's all to say a great big "thank you" to those of you who follow, comment, or just stop by for .01 seconds, and to those of you who put yourselves out there on your blogs every day and face the big scary Internet with humor and grace. You all inspire me to do it, too.

Hope your week is going well, and thanks, as always, for stopping by. :)

Ruff Stuff

Sweater: H&M / Vest: LOFT / Jeans: Gap Always Skinny 1969 / Boots: DSW / Bracelet: vintage, inherited from my Nana / Necklace: bought in Italy

Happy (belated) offical first day of Fall!! I, for one, am very happy that it's here. It seems as if New England got the message and is obliging us with blustery winds, a morning chill, the the first hints of changing leaves.

* * * * * * * *

My boyfriend calls this vest (and my other, very similar one) my "ruff." This is a reference to that part of my dogs that forms a collar-like mane around their faces....

Exhibit A:

 (That's Won Ton, the king of the ruff)

 Exhibit B:

(Won Ton and Mu Shu, whose ruff is only slightly less pronounced!)

Yeah, they're cute and all, but I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the comparison. :)

Hope you're all having a great Monday!

Back to School

 Top: Gap / Cardigan: Zara / Skirt: Target / Shoes: Crocs, via Zappos / Necklace: bought in Italy / Belt: bought in England / Glasses: Coach

 

 

 

 

Well, my first two weeks of grad school are over, and I'm (almost) all moved in to my new place! What a crazy past few weeks it has been!

 

I'm learning a new language (German), continuing with a slightly older one (Hebrew), taking two other fantastically interesting classes, getting trained for my new job, finding furniture for the new house, and getting into the groove of grad school life in general. So far, so good! Lots of studying in coffee shops and spending time outside, soaking up the last, gorgeous rays of late summer.

 

Hope you have all had a great week! And happy (almost) Friday!

Right Around the Corner

 Top: Gap (similar, similar) / Sweater: Forever 21 (similar, similar) / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny, size 00 (same) / Shoes: Target (similar) / Necklace: from Italy / Bracelet: vintage, inherited from my Nana / Bag: from Unique LA  

Today was my favorite day (weather-wise) that I've had in New England as of yet. In the morning it was all blustery winds and bright blue skies, fading in the afternoon to a perfect 75 degrees with a light breeze and warm sunshine. It was the best combination of fall-is-just-around-the-corner and I-don't-want-to-leave-summer-quite-yet. I spent a good chunk of my downtime today (all of it, really) sitting in the sunshine and reading The Sun Also Rises.

Perfect weather, really, for what I was doing the rest of the day, which was Orientation! My program starts classes next week, so this week it's all meeting advisers, signing up for classes, figuring out study cards, and meeting new people. I am so excited to be back in school again, and cannot wait for it to start! Before classes, however, I've got to tackle a big move this weekend into my new/permanent apartment, though it can't be as bad as the Bigger Move across the country, right? :)

In the meantime, I'm going to go enjoy a bit more of this late-summer sunshine. I think I need to store up on it in order to have any chance at getting through my first New England winter.

Hope you are all having a great week!

H&M Fall Picks

H&M Fall Picks by petiteonapenny featuring ballet pumps

Just a few of my favorite picks from H&M this fall. I'm loving the dark burgundy color that is cropping up all over the place this season (it's always been one of my favorites). And that tweed-esque mini has been on my wish list for over a year! Here's to hoping I can find it in-store.... Has anyone picked up something good from H&M recently?

Can't come quickly enough

I absolutely cannot wait for fall. I am so tired of it being a million degrees and being stuck in shorts and tank tops. I'm boring myself to death with 100 degree appropriate clothing; I long for some layers. That's probably the #1 reason I've been short on outfit posts lately; I don't think anyone out there would be that impressed by my jean shorts and thrifted tank tops!

I know fall will be followed shortly by winter, and then I'll be longing for summer again and cursing my current thoughts, but as of now, I just want to wear some dark colors, comfy knits, and all of the scarves in the world. Plus, I've never had an East-coast autumn and I'm pretty excited for the crisp winds, dropping temperatures, and changing leaves. You with me?

Fall by petiteonapenny featuring a silver necklace

What are you most looking forward to in the fall?

Can you really dye my shirt to match my wall?

("Uh-huh!" "Jolly old town!")

Sweater: H&M sz xs ($15.00) / Skirt: LOFT A-Line Eyelet Skirt sz 00 ($69.50,  $32.99 + waist alterations) / Belt: Madewell ($48.00, $12.00, buy here) / Tights: Target / Shoes: H&M  sz 7 ($24.95) / Necklace: homemade

 And it FINALLY feels like fall in LA. Grey skies, a light rain, a crisp breeze....mmmm. I couldn't be happier. What better way to celebrate the fall weather than with a new warm & cozy sweater, tights, and black booties on a business-casual day? I'll tell you what's better....exactly matching your outfit to your tool shed, that's what.