I went to procrastinate by painting my nails when I realized that I didn’t even know what half my polish colors looked like on my nails. Either it had been too long or too many colors were running together that I couldn’t figure it out. So I started painting, each half of each nail a different color until I had my entire collection on my hands. It’s kind of remarkable. So much so that I felt the need to photograph each nail with its respective bottles and share it with the blogosphere… as well as preserve it for my personal record. I now present you with: My Nail Polish Library.

NOTE: These are very rushed/crap paint jobs. And my nails are clearly not long/immaculate/filed. Nor is my bathroom counter clean. It happens.

TIP: Hover to see color names! Click to enlarge!

I think I want to start with that Pink Candy color

Hello blogoverse. This past week I set some goals for myself: 1) Blog about my outfits, and 2) Wear and mix colors. I’ve noticed that I’m not really great at mixing colors, as i tend to pick one color in an outfit and stick with it. But I know it’s possible. I mean, I watch What Not to Wear, I’m hip, I’m with it. So I tried, and here are my results:

Tuesday, July 5

Occasion: Class. Wooo.

Necklace: LOFT Outlet, Summer2011 $19.99

Earrings: LOFT Outlet, Summer2011, $9.99, $5.00 (BOGO 1/2 price)

Cami: Oldoldold

Shirt: Old Navy, Spring2009

Shorts: Fossil, old

Shoes: Shoe Carnival?, Spring2011

Wednesday, July 6

Occasion: Class, but also, NATALIE’S BIRTHDAY!

Dress: Target, spring2011, $20

Sweater: JCrew Outlet, spring2011, $39.50, $20.00 sale

Belt: Kohls, spring2011, $13

Shoes: Shoe Carnival, Kids department, spring2011

Earrings: Kohls, spring2011

(Pretty proud of myself mixing not only colors, but multiple shades of the same hue!)

Thursday, July 7

Occasion: Brunch with Sarah, Class.

Earrings: Kohls, Fall2010

Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet, Summer2011, $34.90, $17.45 sale

Shirt: Ann Taylor Outlet, Summer2011, $29.90, $14.95 sale

Skirt: Ann Taylor Outlet, Summer2011, $59.90, $29.95 sale

Belt: Kohls, Spring2011, $13

Shoes: Target, old

I tried one more colorful top this week, on Saturday, but forgot to take a picture of it. It’s super bright, from Banana Republic Factory Store, and the blouse itself mixes colors like crazy so I felt no need to add accessories. I’ll throw a picture up… sometime. Hopefully with a better outfit. I wasn’t too pleased with how I wore it :-/

But it’s almost over. One more month until I’m free forever. I know I disappeared. Like bigtime. And that’s really terrible of me. But I didn’t really feel cute this year. It really wasn’t anything you wanted to see. I broke my foot. I got sick a lot. I was super stressed and upset all the time. It just blew. I don’t mean to make excuses, but I needed to get my groove back. And by my groove I mean Natalie. BECAUSE SHE’S BACK IN AUSTIN YOU GUYS LIKE OMG. Reunited and it feels so goooood! I no longer feel so alone in trying to dress for this heinous weather.

Yes, heinous is appropriate. We’re in a ridiculous drought. As of today, Austin has had 15 days with temps over 100 (and it’s early July! August will be HELL). And the forecast for this week? Highs every day over 100. You pretty much sweat through your clothes as soon as you step outside. It’s not fun. Nevertheless, I managed to get out and go shopping this weekend after doing a MASSIVE goodwill overhaul of my closet. The Ann Taylor and LOFT outlets were having major sales and I got some good deals that I wore this weekend.

Here, my friends, is what I wore.

Friday, July 1

Occasion: Double dinner-date with Natalie and Jason

Top: Woven halter. LOFT Outlet, $29.50 $15.99 with coupon.

Pants: Khaki crop. LOFT Outlet, $49.50 $19.80 with coupon.

Belt: Old, reversible “leather”. Target.

Shoes: Old, Kohls.

Watch: Fossil 2009 fall collection, ~$60.

Earrings: Old, Kohls

Necklace: Bridesmaid gift from Natalie

Shades: Rayban New Wayfarer. Neiman Marcus Last Call, $45

Saturday July 2 & Sunday July 3

Occasion: Cookout with friends; Casual dinner with friends

Headband: Ridiculously old.

Earrings: Thrifted, Second Time Around.

Top: Embellished tank, LOFT Outlet, $29.50 $14.16

Shorts: Denim, LOFT Outlet (purchased this spring)

Shoes: Exhilaration flats, Target, Old.

I promise to get better with blogging. I will be entering the exciting world of Big Kid Jobs in September and I’m gonna be fashionable as HELL. Gotta document that.

I was pretty excited about spring… and my DH bought me this cute new top from Target

But then I looked outside and realized….

I have to wear my new top like this:

Top: Target, Sweater: Loft, Belt and (wool) skirt: H&M, Boots: Clarks

It has snowed two out of the last four days in Boston. It was actually snowing when I took this picture, so I ran inside and put on my outwear to show you what I look like walking around the city..

Scarf: American Eagle (bought out of necessity while I was in NYC a couple weeks ago), Coat: Esprit (this coat is about five or six years old!)

All of this cold weather is really just making me want to go back to bed…. or better yet just move back to Texas! Hope you are having warming weather!!

Hello! I know, it has been so long…. again. Thankfully, I no longer feel guilty about updating because when Ashley and I started this blog we knew that there would be times when we just COULDN’T update as often as we could during the summer. So, hi

I have been starting to think very seriously about professional attire since I have a very important event coming up at the end of this month (can you believe it is already February!?). I have actually had a little bit of spending money since I now have two jobs, and have been able to cross a few things off our closet essentials list. I found a great pair of black heels at Clark’s a couple ofweeks ago on sale (yay!!!).

I also found a LBD at Banana Republic! I feel as if finding the right LBD has been years in the making; however I don’t think I have been actively looking for that long. I think it just took me a while to muster up the confidence to go through black dress after black dress before finally finding my work-horse.

My final purchase was a white button-up from Banana Republic. From the front it looks like a boring old button-up but then there are more buttons in the back! I instantly knew I had to have it because it was such a great take on classic wardrobe piece.

Well, I think that is all for now. I am hoping to put some outfit ideas together and post them to get your feedback (Ashley…. since no one else reads this… LOL). Stay warm down there in Austin!

Nope, I haven’t had too much eggnog, I have actually just gotten pretty creative with my wardrobe since I stopped shopping (not by choice!).

Remember when I wore this dress?

Well, I wore it today.

Dress: Anthro, Earrings and Belt: Kohl’s, Sweater: gift, Tights and Socks: Target, Boots: Clarks

The high today was the lower 30s and it snowed most of the afternoon, but I was nice and warm After I took this picture I realized that I am in dire need of a haircut and Lightroom really couldn’t save my awkwardly shaped bob no matter what I tried. Alas, I know where I am investing some of my Christmas money.

Hello old friend.

I am back! Well, at least for a while. Had to take a hiatus for a few months while I was just trying to not fail at life Don’t worry the last few months haven’t been a complete fashion fail! I have actually managed to dress myself into winter without looking like a bag lady! YAY!

Department Holiday Party 12/4/10
Dress: BCBG (Borrowed, it is actually a halter dress and I tucked the straps!) Necklace: Anthro (Early holiday gift from my DH)

Things have been really hectic, but I have been keeping up with all of my favorite style blogs and lusting after their finds! Unfortunately, due to lack of funds  I don’t think I will be able to finish my closet essentials. However, there is a brighter side to every story, and that is I have become much more creative with the things hanging in my closet and stuffed in my drawers. I wish I had pictures to show, but I guess you will just have to trust me.

I will, however, show you the top five items on my Christmas list

#5 Off the Shelf Slip
Does Anthropologie do anything badly? I need a slip and Antho has caught my eye (again)

#4 Merona T-Strap Heels
I have been eyeing these cuties for months… I think they would pair well with jeans, dress pants, and skirts

#3 Black Canvas Pleated Multi-Purpose Bag with Pear Lining
I think this bag is adorable. The end

#2 Boston Diptych Art Print
I discovered this a couple of weeks ago after Kjrsten posted a gift guide… I fell in love..

#1 Two roundtrip plane tickets for Jason and I to travel anywhere in the world.
A girl can dream right? It has been one heck of a year, and personally, I think we deserve a little vacay

Happy holidays!