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...

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.

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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!

Counting Down

Top: Gap / Cardigan: from a local boutique / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target / Bag: Vintage Coach, via eBay / Sunglasses: Target / Belt: Target / Bracelets: DIY (how to, here!)

 

So the good news is I "inherited" this belt from my mom. Hooray for free stuff! The bad news is is broke all of two hours after taking this picture. :-/ It was a cheap-y belt from Target, so I suppose the fact that it lived for a few years is quite good.

I'm trying to be mindful of what I buy on the (super) cheap and what I spend my money on. Colorful skinny belts that will last a few years? $20, max. But, classic bags or workhorse shoes that will last forever? I'm trying to work up the courage to spend more on those sorts of things. Thus, my decision to buy that beautiful Cambridge Satchel as soon as I move to, fittingly, Cambridge, MA.

Speaking of which, I have only 3 days left working in the elementary school I've been in for the past year, 5 days left at this job, 10 days until I move, 11 until I start school, and 12 until my birthday! Whoah, there. I'm a serious combination of excited and nervous for what the next few weeks has in store. Wish me luck!

Hope you are all having a lovely week!

Skinny Jeans and Striped Tees

 

 Top: Anthropologie sz s ($19.95 buy here) / Pants: Gap 1969 Always Skinny Jeans sz 0 / Shoes: Macy's / Bag: Vintage Coach (ebay) / Sunglasses: Target / Hat: Target ($9.00)

  Thank goodness for Friday. This weekend, I'm going to the beach, doing a bit of shopping, and sleeping in (and by "in" I mean "until 8," because that's how I roll these days). I'm also hopefully spending it all in outfits like this. Tee shirts and jeans, here I come!

 Hope you have a great weekend!

Review: Gap 1969 Jeans

Back in high school, I thought that I had to pay a ton for denim ($100+) in order to get anything that fit and flattered my small frame. Of course I still had to tailor the jeans, adding on some extra cost. As such, I have a few pairs of Sevens and a pair of Paige jeans in my closet, that luckily have held up for about 6+ years and are still going strong! So, maybe I got my money's worth in the long run, but a few years ago I discovered Gap 1969 jeans and I don't think I'll be going back.

Top: from a local boutique sz m / Jeans: Gap 1969 jeans, size 24/00 "Always Skinny" (buy here) / Heels: Target Pearce Pumps / Necklace: Macy's, borrowed from mi madre

Gap 1969 jeans are relatively cheap (anything from $34.99 on an average sale, though sometimes cheaper if you hunt for 'em, to about $70), and fit and flatter SO WELL. I don't even need to tailor them if I can find them in the petite length, another great cost-saver.

I have three pairs of Gap 1969 jeans: two skinnies that I've had for a few years (and have hardly worn anything else since I got them) and a pair of bootcuts I just bought when I re-realized that there was more to life than skinny jeans, found on sale for $34.99. It should be said that the Boyfriend just got a pair of Gap jeans for $9.00, so I definitely cannot claim the sale-shopping crown in this case.

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Here are the firt pair of 1969 skinnies, size 24/00 "Always Skinny:"
Gap 1969 jeans, size 24/00, "Always Skinny," saturated dark wash (buy here)

They are suuuppper tight when I put them on straight out of the wash, and maintain their shape (though not their organ-constricting-ness, thank goodness) for many wears. The fit is great all around, and the dark wash makes me feel like I can dress them up a bit.

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Here are my other 1969 skinnies, sz 0R "Straight Leg Stretch:"
Gap 1969 skinny jeans, sz 0R straight leg stretch, medium wash (old)

I'm not even going to pretend I ever wear these with heels. These are my uber-casual jeans, good for a pair of sandals and a t-shirt. They have a medium wash and slightly slouchier fit (0 instead of 00), which makes them feel overall more relaxed. They're also "regular" length and I haven't bothered to hem them, so they're a tad bit long.

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And here are my new 1969 bootcut jeans size 24/00, "Sexy Boot:"
Gap 1969 bootcut jeans size 24/00, "Sexy Boot," saturated dark wash (bought on sale for $34.99, buy here)

I could only find these in the "regular" length on sale, so I did get them hemmed. I asked my tailor to re-attach the original hem so it looks like nothing was changed.
The fit on these, as on the 1969 "always skinny" jeans, is great and snug. They hug through the hips and tush, are fitted through the leg, and flare out ever-so-slightly at the bottom. These are definitely my new favorite "going out" jeans!

Anyone else have some cheap but awesome denim they love?