my workday routine made easier

happy thursday, everyone!

i hope you had a great week--the weather has

been seemingly perfect in seattle (70+ degree

temperatures), and i cannot help but want to spend

as much time as possible outdoors.

you may or may not know this, but

blogging is a hobby for me. i have a full-time

job in finance, working in our operations department

(specifically, in client information).

i have been with my current company for

almost two years, and despite my utter lack of

experience in the field, i have come to love

my position. i enjoy the challenge of learning

something new (and learning on the job

is prominent in our industry as we adjust to ever-

evolving regulations). i am proud of how much
i have learned in the past two years,
and i have to admit, i have been blessed
with some pretty amazing (and very patient)
coworkers.

disclosure: a special thank you to panera bread for providing
me with a credit to purchase the food items in this post. (they were
delicious.) as per usual, all opinions are my own!

between working full-time, babysitting,
blogging, and staying on top of my freelance projects
(while also completing a certificate program), meal
planning has taken a backseat. well--to be honest--
meal prep has never been a big priority
for me. i'm a grab-and-go kind of girl, which is
not typically healthy or affordable.

working in the heart of downtown, seattle,
is also less than ideal if you're trying to
conserve money, as the coffee and food options
are seemingly endless! tacos? pizza? soup?
sandwiches? thai food? we have it all and then some.

when i learned panera bread was planning to offer

delivery at select locations, i had to give

it a try! (you can see if a panera near you delivers

here.) i am fortunate to work within their delivery radius,

and i had a salad, soup, chips, and of course, a

chocolate chip cookie, delivered to my office

in 40 minutes. i was then able to fully enjoy my

lunch break while eating outdoors.

my office is located near several amazon-

owned buildings, so navigating nearby restaurants 

during the lunch hour can be tricky. many delivery 

services charge a ridiculous amount in fees, but

not, panera bread!

^^^ watch out for that wind ^^^

i ordered the seasonal greens salad and

added chicken for a small up-charge. i must confess,

i ordered from panera bread twice within the

same week, and for my second order, i opted

to try the green passion smoothie. ordering a 

smoothie to be delivered may sound risky, but my

smoothie arrived still frozen, and it was 

refreshing to enjoy with my salad!

photos by sarah wolfe photography

blouse: topshop, pants: zara, clutch: aldo,

shoes: qupid, bracelets: something silver

overall, i was incredibly impressed with panera

bread's delivery service, and i look forward to placing

future orders. anything to cut down on stress (who has

time for that?!) and provide a convenient,

healthy lunch. thank you again, panera bread!

xoxo.

dressing for spring in the pacific northwest

spring has finally arrived in seattle.

while summer is my favorite season (i love,

love the sunshine), spring is a close second.

the blooming flowers, increasingly long days,

and warming temperatures, i can't help but feel excited.

i also enjoy seeing fellow seattleites exploring

our city!

the key to surviving spring in the pacific

northwest, however? dressing in layers! keep

that sweater, sweatshirt, and/or rain jacket

close at hand because the weather can (and will) 

change quickly. if you're like me, you may

conveniently forget said sweater or jacket and find

yourself caught in an epic spring storm.

^^^ quick aside--i recently had my eyebrows microbladed,

and these were the first photos taken after my session

with amanda at eastside microblading. i have my touch-up

session later this weekend and cannot wait to see her again! ^^^

one of the ways in which i add versatility to my

wardrobe, while dressing appropriately for spring, is

to throw on a crew-neck sweater over a dress. 

don't get me wrong, a cardigan over a dress or a skirt +

sweater combination is just as fun, but there is something

to be said about a this crew-neck sweater and dress. perhaps 

it makes me look (or feel) taller? i have been on a 

sweater kick as of late, and this fuzzy cream sweater

is one of my favorites!

i also love pairing my booties with skirts, dresses, 

and denim come spring. hello, bare legs.

this pair of dolce vita pointed-toe boots is perfect

in the pacific northwest. whether rain or shine,

my feet are dry and look stylish. i can't wait to pair

these booties with cropped and/or white denim!

layers are seemingly essential in the

pacific northwest. regardless of the season, 

be sure to wear (or pack) layers. i am 

almost always cold, so having a sweater

or jacket nearby is very important. in warmer

climates, a light scarf or sweater can also be helpful.

buying neutral colors, such as this sweater 

and bag can also extend the wear of your spring

wardrobe. both of these items can be styled

in a variety of ways. i wore this crew-neck

sweater with ripped jeans and converse last weekend.

cream and white are classics for spring, and 

they can be dressed up with accessories

or dressed down when unadorned.

light-weight fabrics are your friend.

unlike years past, this spring has felt

particularly humid in seattle. i am chilly

in the morning, yet sweating when racing to

catch my bus after work. fabrics such as

cotton, linen, chiffon, and hemp are

breathable when humidity is high.

photos by sarah wolfe photography

dress: lush clothing, sweater: nordstrom rack,

booties: dolce vita, purse: zara, rings: target

how do you dress appropriately for spring?

any tips for dressing in layers? if so, please

send them my way!

xoxo.

what to pack for a blogger photo shoot

infamous meme:
[normal life] 'i've worn the same shirt
every day this week.'
[packing for vacation] 'i'll probably change
a few times each day; that's 32 shirts.'

i am notorious for over-packing!
whether preparing for the workday, or packing for
an overnight or week-long vacation, i like to have
options (vast understatement!). clothing, shoes, accessories,
cosmetics, etc. etc. packing light has never
been my strong suit. my parents continuously scold
me when we travel, and i have been known to
'hide' miscellaneous items in fellow family members'
luggage. you never know if/when you might need that extra
sweatshirt or book or pair of sneakers, right?

packing for a photo shoot is no different;
the more options, the better (in my opinion!).

what to pack for a blogger photo shoot:

when preparing for a photo shoot, i typically

pack two or three outfits to shoot. if i try to shoot more, 

i often find that i look tired (and less happy)

in the photographs. believe it or not, photo shoots are 

incredibly exhausting! the constant walking, posing, smiling, 

and frequent adjusting of clothing and accessories

is tiring. shooting two or three outfits on a given day,

however, tends to work well for me and

my blogging schedule; the key is in the planning!

before arriving at the shoot location, i 

try everything on together. this may sound silly, but if i don't

 try on and walk around in the outfit, i usually regret it 

(i.e. the styling may look better in my head than

in real life, or the items may fit or pair differently than i 

imagined). repeat: try everything on together!

i usually build my outfits by selecting a specific

piece (or pieces) i want to style. for example, i may

have a top or dress in mind, and i build the rest

of my outfit around that particular piece. 

 making a list or taking notes on my phone helps

me stay organized. i am less likely to forget jewelry

or other accessories if i write down what 

i need to bring. forgetting a handbag

or other item on the day of a shoot is unfortunate, 

but has been known to happen a time or two!

it can be helpful to pack your full outfit, from

head to toe, in one bag (such as a reusable tote). 

pack separate looks in separate bags -- this can help

to get you thinking of your outfit as a whole --

did you remember shoes? jewelry? other accessories?

a slip? and any other relevant pieces?

if you have the time, bring options!

have you ever planned to wear something, 

arrived at the destination and thought, 'no,

i don't want to wear this,' or 'i wish i had worn something 

different.' perhaps the weather 

changed, or maybe you don't feel as comfortable in that 

particular item. if you have an extra outfit with you, 

you have more flexibility! i don't often have time 

to plan a completely different look, but i usually bring

a variety of jewelry, an extra handbag (or two), 

and layering pieces in case it gets chilly.

photos by jenna lynn photography

dress: zara, flats: steve madden,

bomber jacket: who what wear (via target; similar here), 

purse: urban outfitters

comfortable shoes are essential.

you do a great deal of walking when taking photos --

between scouting locations, finding that 

seemingly perfect backdrop, and striving to obtain 

natural, 'street style' photos, your feet get a workout.

i recently wore new wedges when taking photos,

and boy did i regret it. by the time we finished,

i had serious blisters on my toes and heels.

looking chic, yet feeling comfortable is a balancing 

act; don't underestimate the importance of a

comfortable pair of shoes! 

a few other photo shoot essentials?

a brush and hairspray to tame unruly hair

(particularly if you are taking photos in rain or wind);

lipstick; oil absorbing sheets (i prefer to have

my skin look smooth and matte!); depending on 

the location and length of your shoot, having water

and a snack on hand can be helpful -- as i mentioned

above, posing and taking photos for an extended

length of time can be tiring!

what are some of your photo shoot essentials?

i am always looking for additional tips 

to have shoots run smoothly!

xoxo.

diary of this girl i.r.l. (in real life)

'what does she do in real life?' ;

 'is that her job?' ; 'is that how she always looks/dresses?'

perhaps it is the 'natural' blogger in me, 

and maybe i spend too much time reading other blogs

and perusing social media (guilty!), but these 

questions often come to mind. i thought

it would be fun to share a few details about my

everyday (and not so glamorous/blog-worthy) life!

monday through friday, i work my day job -- in

september, i made a significant career change and said

goodbye to the world of education. i previously worked

as a montessori preschool teacher. while i loved working

with children, i wanted something a bit more structured,

with the opportunity to grow and advance in my career. i was fortunate

 to find a position with a finance company. i knew nothing about finance,

 but have learned a great deal over the past several months.

though intimidating at first, i could not be happier with this change!

each morning, my alarm goes off at 5:15am. i shower,

 throw on makeup, pack a lunch, and aim to get out the door 

before 6:00am. if i feel over-zealous the night before,

i may lay out work clothes and lunch items.

more often than not, however, i scramble

to do everything the morning of, which always

takes more time than anticipated -- particularly when i 

wake up feeling utterly sleep deprived ;)

i take the bus to and from work each day and am in the 

office from 7:00am-4:00pm. unfortunately (for my bank 

account), our office is located in the heart of downtown.

thus, i spend far too many lunch breaks browsing

through local department stores. zara, nordstrom rack, and 

urban outfitters are among my favorites!

after work, i enjoy going to the gym, or

weather-permitting, getting outside for a run. i often babysit

during the work week, and i like to keep busy.

in the evenings, i read or watch tv, run errands and complete

your typical household chores, and of course, create

content for my blog. my family lives 20+ minutes from me,

so i visit them (and our dachshund, bailey)

on a regular basis!

 

photos by jenn from hello rigby 

chambray: american eagle, jeans: madewell, 

shoes: zara, purse: thrifted (via seattle goodwill)

glasses: mcm eye wear

a few other facts you may not yet know about me?

during the work week, i never blow-dry or style

my hair; you will see me with a ponytail or top knot!

i have a younger brother. we are

six years apart, and he attends college in bellingham, 

washington. he loves hiking, skiing, camping, and

just about every other outdoor activity you can think of ;)

i bite my cuticles (badly). i most often catch

myself chewing on them when i am stressed or bored.

i am an avid coffee drinker. i usually drink 2+ cups

a day and enjoy all things coffee flavored (ice cream,

mousse, macaroons, etc.)

while i love to shop, the majority of my clothes and 

handbags are thrifted. my favorite thrifting destinations

are seattle goodwill (if you're local to washington,

the u-district 'boutique' store is my favorite) and 

buffalo exchange (also located in the u-district).

i have four tattoos! i have a tattoo post in the works to

share with you.

i am a terrible cook. or perhaps inexperienced 

is more accurate, though i greatly enjoy baking. i hope to 

get better at meal prep and experimenting in the 

kitchen. any tips are appreciated!

if i could wear sneakers every day of the week, 

i would. i enjoy dressing up, and of course, i 

strive to look professional during the work week, but i

crave comfort. sneakers = the ultimate comfort shoe!

i wear (prescription) glasses at work.

i need them when i am on the computer,

while reading, or if i feel my eyes are otherwise

strained. i purchased these frames after

my last eye exam!

do you have any questions for me?

is there anything you're itching to know?

my adorable friend (and fellow blogger), 

ana luiza from northwest blonde recently shared her

'top three most commonly asked questions.'

her honesty inspired this post on my blog!

xoxo.

little letters, dress over jeans edition

dear dresses over jeans, i love you this trend.

dresses and tunics that are too short to wear sans

leggings, i won't forget about you. i can't wait

to wear you again and again with my ripped jeans.

dear iced americanos with white chocolate,

you are my favorite drink as of late. add a splash

of cream, and i get my daily caffeine and chocolate (or 

white chocolate) fix! you can't be too 

terribly unhealthy, right?

dear skin, stop peeling; just stop! i promise

to continue washing and caring for you, 

and i will be diligent about applying sunscreen all
summer. please. stop. peeling.

**little letters inspired by this blogger/post.

dear nails, i am sorry for chewing you off
last week. and for picking off my shellac manicure.
i hope you grow back soon.

dear bedroom, i know you won't clean yourself,
but really, could you clean yourself? i need
more time in the day to keep up with you!

dear blisters on my feet, i love you
because you result from getting back into
running outdoors, but ouch! you don't look very
cute (especially with sandals) either.

photos by bailey makaimoku photography

dress: zara (similar here), jeans: citizens of humanity,
purse: urban outfitters, bangles: nordstrom rack,
boots: dolce vita (thrifted via seattle goodwill)

dear pike place market, i never grow
tired of exploring here. rain or shine, you
are comparable to the heart of seattle. i greatly enjoy
finding new gems to explore -- like shugs soda fountain
mid photo shoot!

dear ruffles, i hope you never go out of style.
xoxo.

a few of my favorites for spring

 despite the month of may being more than half over,

seattle has yet to experience much of a 'spring' season.

rain, rain, please go away!

if you are from the greater seattle area, or familiar with the

pacific northwest, you can likely relate to our weather woes. 

while we are accustomed to a slow start to spring,

this year is seemingly ridiculous (in real life:

i was freezing when these photos were taken).

we have had more rain this year than as far back 

as i can remember; temperatures in the low 50s are

less than ideal -- especially when all i want to do is wear

spring attire and enjoy the sunshine.

 

 a few weekends ago, three bloggers and i

packed our bags (many, many bags!)

 for a day trip to the skagit valley tulip festival; i shared my first 

outfit here. we met in the morning and drove an hour north 

of seattle to the infamous tulip fields. although the tulips were

nearing the end of their peak, we greatly enjoyed the vibrant

colors and gorgeous blooms!

we were fortunate to visit towards the end of the 

tulip season, as the groundskeepers were less strict about 

foot traffic in the fields. i did not recall this, but you are 

**technically** not supposed to walk between the rows,

as it can harm the tulips. we were very cautious, however,

 when taking our photos.

it's no secret that voluminous, bell sleeved tops

and dresses are prominent this spring. while i've

always been a bit of a hippie at heart (my mom often says 

i was born in the wrong era), i added

a few new bell sleeved dresses to my wardrobe.

other trends i am loving right now?

fringe (on clothing and accessories), chokers,

tropical prints, ruffles and all things 70s-inspired.

 

 

photos by jenn from hello rigby

dress: zara (exact here), bracelet: nordstrom rack,

boots: hunter gloss rain boots via nordstrom (short version here),

purse: steve madden via tj maxx, ring: forever 21

i picked up this floral print dress at zara

a few weeks ago (exact style linked above -- it's

very budget-friendly, too). it was fun and festive with my 

pink rain boots. i wore wedges with my previous outfit

and was rather unsteady on my feet, trekking through

gravel and mud. rain boots were a much better 

(and more practical) shoe choice.

what trends are you loving right now?

did you visit the tulip festival this year? my good 

friend and fellow blogger, ana luiza of 'northwest blonde'

is sharing a guide to the skagit valley tulip vestival on her blog.

stop by for tips on what to wear (including what to pack for 

your day trip), the best route to take and

dining options along the way!

xoxo.

the perfect lbd for spring

spring is officially here (though our current weather patterns

say otherwise!), and my skirts and dresses, sans tights, are 

ready. they've been neglected all winter and want to 

make their return -- complete with cold brew coffee, blooming

flowers and warm temperatures! 

a few of my favorite trends for spring? ruffles (i have worn

several blouses and sweaters adorning ruffles), all things 70s, 

and of course, lace. there is something so feminine and chic about a 

delicate lace dress. whether you're in need of a date night look or 

were invited to attend a spring or summer wedding, lace won't let 

you down. it's both classic and trendy!

disclosure: stylewe graciously provided me with the dress i'm

wearing in this post. as per usual, all opinions are my own!

i love the hem of this dress; with a shorter slip

underneath, the lace makes a statement! while i have 

other black dresses, i don't have anything quite like this.

and despite ordering this dress online (which has proven

 risky at times, particularly when it comes to dresses), the fit is 

seemingly perfect.

the cotton collar adds a bit of edge to this otherwise

feminine dress. i think it would be great for an event, but

could also be a go-to dress for the office. though i must admit, i would 

quickly ditch the heels for my preferred ballet flats, as there

is nothing worse than aching feet after a long day.

as an alternative to heels or flats, this dress

would be equally adorable with your favorite city sneaks. 

i commute to and from work on the bus and have become

an avid supporter of sneakers with dresses. while

i typically have flats or ankle boots in my bag, there are times

i have kept the sneakers on throughout the work day.

while this may not be appropriate in all office environments, i like the 

casual 'i didn't try' vibe it gives off. 

so, grab your white converse or colorful vans and give 

this dress an altogether different look! fashion is about experimentation

 and finding different ways to wear pieces in your closet --

combinations that make you feel like you.

photos by karya schanilec photography

dress: c/o stylewe (exact here), purse: gift from my very sweet coworker,

shoes: bcbg via dsw (similar here), rings: forever 21

have you joined in on the current lace trend?

how do you like to style your lace pieces?

let me know in the comments!

xoxo.

the ultimate shift dress

when it comes to getting dressed, there are days i feel quite lazy.

during the week, i live in leggings and oversized tops, denim, and the occasional

skirt. i am all about comfort and practicality when dressing for work. 

as a toddler preschool teacher, i fear wearing anything too fancy, 

as my clothing must withstand 

runny noses, yogurt-covered fingers, and of course, slobbery hugs and kisses!

and on weekends, i crave convenience. give me a dress and denim jacket, 

or jeans and a blouse any day. putting together an entire outfit, complete with jewelry and 

accessories (not to mention hair and makeup!) - it's a lot of work.

a good shift dress, however, is seemingly effortless. throw it on,

grab your favorite heels or booties, add a necklace, scarf or earrings, and 

you're ready!

photos and makeup by elizabeth kathryn photography

dress & necklace: stitch fix, clutch: forever 21, booties: vince camuto (exact here), 

rings: target (exact here)

whether you're headed to the office, happy hour, or a saturday brunch, 

a shift dress is an effortless, yet stylish choice. i've linked a few

of my current favorites below:

1 // 2 // 3

what do you wear when you're craving fashion and comfort?

how do you style your favorite shift dress?

have a wonderful weekend, and i will see you next week!

xoxo.