At the Office

J.Crew fitted dress / J.Crew crystal stud earrings / J.Crew j crew jewelry / Michael Kors water resistant watch / Kate Spade leather bag / Michael Antonio stiletto heels

Outfit of the Week: Mad Men

Dress: Jones New York // Shoes: Guess // Bag: Kate Spade

These are the photos of a time-crunched girl who only has 5 minutes in the morning to take photos, make lunch and eat breakfast. I dream of the day when I don't have to bug my mom to take some photos of me. It'd also be really nice if I could get my DSLR out and spend some time getting some really good shots. But alas, I don't live in a dream world.

Dresses are one of my favorite things to wear because, no matter how fancy they are, they are so, so easy. And this particular dress has a special place in my heart because it accentuates the curves. I mean, va va VOOM. Nothing like a well-fitting dress to give a woman confidence, right?

Inspiration

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Lazy Sunday

Good morning, lovelies! I just got back from an early morning run and am getting ready to celebrate my dad's birthday with my family. What fun things did you do this weekend?

Some great reads for your lazy day:

"We think we move through the world unseen. But sometimes (just inches away even) is someone who can hold the hard stuff with you. Our vulnerability creates a space for connection. A tender place where others are allowed to step in and offer what they naturally want to give — their comfort, their kindness, their presence." - On thinking we move through the world unseen

How caring for yourself allows you to love others bigger, better and bolder

Isn't 80 year old Rita awesome? I want to wear her sunglasses and strut down a street with confidence.

I'm not petite, but I still enjoy this blog on a daily basis. The blogger shows where to get clothes and alter other fits for petite women. I've literally rushed out and bought items she's featured on here.

"While I could never fully know of course, I think the main reason people judge in this way is because of fear. Fear that they need to cling on to that piece of paper. Or that brand of car. Or that man.  Because without such things they don’t know who they really are." - Let's release, not judge

I'm loving this girl's style. And hers, too.

Just because he's the best guy you've ever been with doesn't mean he's the guy for you (although you should definitely keep seeking out those good guys!).

A dose of cuteness. Seriously. Click this and watch the video. Go. Now!

Date Night

French Connection little black dress / Fantasy Jewelry Box hoop earrings / Miss Selfridge stud earrings / J.Crew j crew jewelry / Alexander Wang bag / Kelsi Dagger nude pumps / Aubin & Wills summer dress, $120

I'm a big fan of a classic wardrobe. A black dress is just so versatile, and every woman needs a good pair of nude pumps! But there's also a flirty side to me, which involves a more colorful and fun-loving dress. So to appease both sides of my style, I've created two looks with the same accessories. It's amazing how much the cut of a dress and a little color can change the whole look!

Cherish

I don't know about you but it's about time I take a serious break. I'm not even talking about a physical break--I certainly don't need that. But I do need a mental break. I'm what you'd call a chronic worrier. I can sit and worry about certain things enough to make me stress eat for every day for the rest of my life!

 Although my worries this time aren't unfounded, I do need to take a break. I know I'm not doing to stop worry about this because it's an inevitable situation that will drastically change my life, but I need to stop and smell the roses--to see what I have now, not what I won't have in the future. I don't want to look back and realize I spent a year+ worrying instead of spending a year+ enjoying what I had.

So...here's a reminder to stop and enjoy what you have today. We get so caught up in the rat race and stressful situations that it's wonderful to just breathe every once in awhile.

Vince Camuto

1 - Kabo in Tan // 2 - Karena in Rich Brown // 3 - Flavian in Chocolate // 4 - Keaton in Whiskey Tie Dye Leather // 5 - Fivvy Brandy in Brand Two Tone // 6 - Flavian Combo in Black/Whiskey

 Holy goodness, I love a good pair of boots. I could tell you it has nothing to do with my equestrian background but that would be a lie. I would probably wear my real riding boots every day if I could, but that would mean also wearing my riding breeches every day. And you guys, you should see the looks I get when I wear those tight babies in public!

Aside from my Ariat field boots that I wear when getting the big horses over the big jumps, Vince Camuto's collection is my favorite. I fell in love when searching for my first fashion riding boot and have been lusting ever since. They are SO sleek and the fit is perfect on my calves. And did I mention the quality of the leather?

 Since I'm trying to take it easy on my bank account right now, I'm holding myself back from purchasing any new ones. I already own a black pair and a brown pair so I can't exactly justify getting any more (well, I could but...). Instead, I'm going to share my favorites with you and hope you get to rock them out there in the world. Please buy a pair or two just because I can't!

Outfit of the Week: Purple Haze

 

Top: Nordstrom // Skirt: The Limited // Shoes: Vince Camuto // Bag: Kate Spade // Neckalce: Urban Outfitters // Bracelet: Urban Outfitters

I threw on this outfit this morning and didn't get a chance to take a photo until after work (read: I'm looking a little rough!) I also didn't have a chance to get better photos because my camera battery was barely breathing. But! I was so excited to get my Outfit of the Week series going that I wanted to post it anyway!

I hope you're all having a lovely week

Take a Bow

ONLY bow top, $28 / Kate Spade vinyl bag / Juicy Couture gold bangle, $46 / River Island bow ring, $11 / Kate Spade earrings

I've never been much of a girly girl. When I was younger, I was rolling in the mud, spraining fingers playing football and wacking the baseball harder than the boys on the baseball team. Even though I've since blossomed a bit and gotten in touch with my girly side, it's a little weird to me.

That's what makes my recent interest in bows so surprising. It started with a mid-summer trip to a Kate Spade outlet. I'd been looking for some delicate jewelry and stumbled upon some beautiful gold rings at 40% off. I snatched two; one with a tiny flower and the other with a bow. I haven't been able to get enough of them since, and Kate Spade seems to do them best. Here a few more items I would love to have in my collection!

Grammy's Chocolate Cookies

You guys, I don't know what my problem is. I find good recipes. I gather all the ingredients. I follow (what I think are) the instructions. I even take the necessary finger swipe to taste the concoction. But for the life of me, I just can't bake. I don't know what it is. I think I'm too impatient to follow a recipe, choosing instead to stuff sugar in my mouth and hear the accolades of my adoring munchers. It's not like I'm one of those people who can only cook, either. I really should just stay out of the kitchen but I'm too much of a foodie. Which is why I gave it another go tonight.

I peeled open Martha Stewart's Cookies and turned to this: "Grammy's Chocolate Cookies: A hefty dose of cocoa powder makes these old-fashioned drop cookies perfect for fans of dark chocolate. The recipe is so simple, it's a natural for preparing with children; they especially love forming the dough into balls and rolling them in sanding sugar." Dark chocolate? You got me. Children can do this? I'm starting to get intimated.

It turned out fine, though. You know, after my sister came to my rescue with a bigger bowl (butter was flying everywhere) and my mom explained how to sift. Oh, and did I mention that I always fail to remember that dry ingredients stay separate from the liquid ones? Oh well. This is a learning experience, right?

What is probably most amazing about these cookies, besides the rich, dark chocolate flavor, is that they stood the test of Baker Lauren. Oh, and they're pretty much cookies disguised as brownies disguised as cookies. I'm sure they will taste even more divine when you make them!

Grammy's Chocolate Cookies - as written in Martha Stewart's Cookies 

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract sanding sugar, for rolling 

1. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl. 

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat to combine. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add flour mixture; beat to combine. Form dough into a flattened disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

3. Preheat oven to 350*F. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each ball in sanding sugar. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through. Transfer to a rack to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies from baking sheet to wire rack. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. 

Lazy Sunday

Have you seen these adorable prints by Inslee Haynes? I stumbled across them on Pinterest and now I can't get enough!

Things Boys Don't Understand, Pt. 2 courtesy of Jenna Marbles.

Adulting 101. Seriously, you need to read this blog. It offers advice on just about everything--from how to change a tire to whether or not you should wear that outfit to work.

Building a bar is definitely something I need help with.

If you're a twenty-something, stop what you're doing. Go get this book. And thank me later when you're a successful thirty-something.

If you didn't already feel awful about those unpaid bills, Rich Kids of Instagram are here to rub their lavish lifestyles in your face!

I am obsessssssssed--with these and this and this.

Animals hanging out with miniature versions of themselves. Aaaaaand you're welcome.

Inside

“Over the years I have learned that what is important

 in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”

—Yves Saint Laurent

And that's all there is to it.

Welcome to London + Grey. I hope you enjoy.