work pants

{ What I Wore to weekend: J.Crew baseball tee (shop similar styles below) // J.Crew Factory chinos // Nisolo sandals* // Michael Kors cross body bag // Anthropologie sunglasses // souvenir scarf from Venice (extremely similar option) }

*Get 10% off your next Nisolo order using this unique referral link: http://nisolo.refr.cc/JXVHV36 

(I also get $10 for each person that uses the link)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

1 item that was missing from my work wardrobe was a pair of khaki chinos. I am so happy to have found this super soft pair from J.Crew Factory. And even more excited that they function equally as well for work as they do for the weekend.

Speaking of the weekend, I hope you have a wonderful one planned. Whether it involves relaxing, adventuring, or just catching up! I will be celebrating my adorable nieces turning 3 in their Pirate themed birthday. My sister is just too much fun!

P.S. Expect to see these Nisolo sandals a TON this Spring/Summer. My friend from high school is one of the company's co-founders, & I couldn't be more proud for the amazing work they are doing for artisans in Peru + the beautiful products that they create (see also: my leather tote bag). Interested in purchasing from Nisolo? Use my unique referral link to get 10% off your order! 

take your best shot

{ What I Wore: J.Crew baseball tee (similar 1 & 2) // Madewell lace shorts // Gianni Bini red sandals (love these) // Anthropologie sunglasses }

Oh the wonderful world of blogging.

Lordy how I had zero clue what I was getting into when I started on this journey almost 2 years ago now.

I have loved learning new things pretty much every day, meeting such wonderful & inspiring ladies, learning about new brands, interacting with you guys through comments & giveaways & developing in my personal style since I hit publish on my first post back in October 2011.

But seriously, one of my favorite things to come from blogging is my new-found interest in photography.

I am by NO means a photographer. However, the challenge of taking my own outfit photographs has been the school of hard knocks & I am constantly trying to hone my skills & get to the next level.

I shudder when I look back at where I first started with a point & shoot camera, but at the same time smile at the growth & a new hobby that I think will bring me joy for years to come.

Right now my Canon Rebel T2i with the 50 mm lens serves me well, but I love browsing photography shops dreaming of new camera gadgets to add to my clutch.

And I actually just inherited a vintage Minolta SRT 101 camera (as seen in these photos) - I can't wait to get this bad boy cleaned up & start taking pug pictures with this new toy.

What's been your favorite blogging outcome?

Any new photography hobbyists out there?

I am so happy that I got these lace shorts on super sale a few Summers back.

If you are looking for your perfect pair of lace shorts, these are my current favorites:

(size up for a more polished look)

time change

{ What I Wore: J.Crew baseball tee (similar) & factory crinkle skirt // Cole Haan Leather sneakers (similar) & crossbody purse (similar) }

The days are longer, but my productivity couldn't be any less.

Not only have we Sprung forward, several other major events have come along to cause a "time change" in my life.

1. See those cute bags hanging out under my eyes, those are puppy-induced.

Early morning potty breaks, extra play time, learning to sleep through the night... 

I think we forgot what all of this was like with Doug the first time around.

2. Speaking of which, Doug was an only child for the first 3 & a half years of his life & a very spoiled one at that. So now that puppy #2 is around all the time, I try to take Doug out on long walks by himself. These Doug Dates are nice for the both of us & the adjustment is getting better everyday.

3. Ever since Ty & I got engaged my new favorite past time is a tie between staring at him & at my new ring... um, yea not the most productive activities!

4. Wedding season is upon us again, lots of seeing old friends but also many weekends out of town & away from my to-do list

So Spring has Sprung & so has my Spring fever.

I have been ignoring replying to your always wonderful comments, visiting my blog roll, commenting on your inspirational posts, & generally putting my all into this bloggy-blog of mine.

Thank you for your love on our engagement announcement & being the best readers ever (seriously, you bring a smile to my face daily!)... I am going to be back to my old self soon

Anyone else suffering from a case of Spring fever out there?

What are the causes of a "time change" in your life?

weekend wear

 {What I Wore: Oasap tote bag (c/o) // J.Crew baseball tee (similar $15, similar $29), maxi skirt (similar $39), gladiator sandals // Target sunnies ($15) }

Not much is more satisfying than heading out on a Saturday to get some work done on the list of errands that inevitably piles up every week. Comfortable clothes and shoes are a must for making this icky but necessary errand running comfortable - but it is a functional bag that is the hero of tackling my to-do list. 

This bag from Oasap is not only easy on the eyes (look at those fierce studs!) but big enough for farmer's market goodies and my laptop (yes, grad students even work on the weekends!), has pockets for my keys and phone, and 3 strap options make carrying it all a breeze!

poser

{What I Wore: J.Crew vest (crewcuts), skirt, baseball tee // Nine West sandals } 

{Get the Look}

utility vest {save(ish) // splurge } + floral skirt + baseball tee + nude sandals

Well, after documenting 150+ of my outfits, the boyfriend is throwing in the towel on being my personal photographer. I really can't complain - I am grateful he has stuck with my backseat photography this far...

And now I am just a girl with a tripod and a remote.  I pretty much have no clue what I am doing... but this tutorial from IFB and these tips from Jen over on the Effortless Chic blog have helped so far. 

Maybe I should work up the courage to venture outside... there are only so many clean corners of my apartment to stand in front of!

Got any tips or tricks of your own?

Send 'em my way!

xx

Jessica

out of the ballpark

I have a blog crush on Crystalin from ITCWC, and I have her to blame thank for totally inspiring me to purchase a baseball tee. One day I was sitting at work, and the next thing I realized (while reading her blog) was that my life wouldn't be complete without a baseball tee... as if my life was a total sham before said baseball tee came into my life!

I mean, how fabulous is her styling board!? And check out how she rocked it in real life here, here & here

I finally had a chance to take my baseball tee out for a spin this weekend while getting some errands accomplished on my bicycle... basic white jeans and my favorite gladiator sandals were a nice initiation for my baseball tee... but I have big plans for this baby all. summer. long.

{What I wore: J.Crew baseball tee (on sale now!), white jeans (love these), gladiator sandals (fabulous ones on my wish list), straw tote (similar) }

Any items in your closet that you expect to go the distance this summer?
xx

Jessica

P.S. Have you signed up to be a part of the Oasap fashion hunter program?

 (if not, Join Now )

Have you also entered their Super Giveaway?

Check out this post for more details and the link to enter!

Giveaway ends July 10th, and winners will be announced soon after