My spring uniform

I can’t wait until warmer weather! It’s right around the corner, right? RIGHT? Here in Ohio, we’ve had a taunting handful of unseasonably beautiful days mixed right in with more not-so-beautiful days. So this mermaid is ready! And I have my warm weather uniform all ready. 

Valentine's Day with Vanity Studios

Happy Valentine’s Day to my lovely friends, readers and those who serendipitously stumbled here! I’m glad you found my blog and are spending some time with me. 

I recently reunited with Kristina and Josh at Vanity Studios in celebration of the day of love. Kristina, a super talented and creative makeup artist, came up with two Valentine’s Day looks. The first idea was a soft, romantic look, suitable for champagne and a candlelit dinner, using spring’s hottest hue, peach! Let me tell you, this color is flattering on just about everyone. I adored how it warmed my face with a soft glow.

This spring thing? It's Banana!

When I opened the box from Banana Republic with a squeal of delight, I was pleased to see a vibrant cobalt and an army green – two versatile colors that I welcome for spring.

Look who's in the Toledo City Paper!

I was delighted and honored to be asked to be featured in the Toledo City Paper's "Style Sense" column! You can read the Q&A article in the October, Issue 1, at newsstands now or online here. But to make it really easy, I shared it below, too.

TCP’s Angela Conley learned of my blog and reached out to interview me. As a local blogger herself, she was kind to shine some light on a fellow aspiring writer with a passion for fashion. Angela’s passion is interior decorating and DIY projects. She offers useful tips on maximizing your home's potential. Check out her stuff on “The DIY Homegirl” or Facebook page.

Thank you to the Toledo City Paper and Angela Conley for this fun opportunity!

Thank you also to Patty Gelb who was my wonderful and patient photographer. See the rest of the photos from our shoot and the outfit details following the TCP article.

With a Blue Dress

There’s just something about a blue dress.

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels agree. However this dress is less devil, more divine. It’s buttoned-up and professional, but flattering and flirty. And thanks to the spiky necklace and leopard print clutch, this thrift-store find works for today at the office and happy hour; it’s wonderful what accessories can do. 

Polished Springtime Florals

My love for florals continues… add leopard print and bold red and I’m smitten.  This colorful springtime ensemble is ideal for those work to play days. The lightweight swingy jacket gives some sophistication, while the leopard clutch and strappy sandals add some sass.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day at Sunset

’Tis the season of spring to wear green!

For this festive shoot I teamed up with dream team Kristina Stuller, a makeup artist at Reve Salon & Spa and MisfitBeauty, and Joshua Ball, a photographer of Ball Multimedia. The dynamic duo has a passion for creating colorful portraits through Kristina's bold vision and Josh's smart execution. Their professional chemistry benefits from years of individual experience and over four years of dating.

Talk is Cheap

It’s fun to make a statement through fashion and this outfit does that literally – “Talk is cheap.” 

The sharp message on this pretty mint sweater struck me while browsing Forever 21. I’m a fan of the sentiment. Ideally, I believe people should remain true to their word, although I know too often the messy real world, or in my case, hormones, hangovers and unpredictable people, can make it hard. So this cheeky sweater is a reminder, to myself and others, to value your word and those to whom you give it.

What's your Personal Baggage?

One of my family members is a pit bull named Carter. He’s my baby. I adore his personality – he’s a 70 lb. lap dog. And I adore his sometimes misunderstood breed.

For those who may still believe the misconceptions about pit bulls, just look at his face and please see here or here.   

'Tis the Season to Be Mad for Plaid

At this time of year, I’m drawn to traditional plaids, rich reds and faux fur. So I’m regularly reaching for this silk plaid shirt that I adore, so much so that this is the third time I've featured it.

Pretty in Pink Petite Studs

  

I discovered Petite Studs, a local online shop that sells handmade stud earrings, earlier this year and became smitten with their fun and funky designs.  Made of high end clay and resin, the earrings are allergy free and very reasonably priced – about $10 a pair. 

My 1920s Birthday Celebration

My best friend, Brittany, and I were born three days and a three-hour drive apart.  We met 14 years later here in Toledo, Ohio and have together shared about all of the things you imagine as teenage girls become crazy college kids and now young women.  We've grown even closer in the past few years as our lives settle into a similar rhythm we strive to compose.  Today we live about three blocks apart.

Aztec Print on Broadway Street

Spring is finally here! Although Mother Nature seems to forget that we're due for warm weather, I’m embracing the season with bright colors and short skirts. So today I'm sharing a wildly colorful ensemble of vibrant coral and Aztec print that is appropriate for the season's fickle nature.

Flappers Fighting Alzheimer's

Before my grandmother passed away she no longer knew who I was. She often asked for family members who had died long ago and became frantic at her loss of memory. She suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, this is an all-too-common way in which we must say goodbye to a loved one. More terribly, it’s an all-too-common way those with the disease must say goodbye to the world.

Spring Forward in a Green Vest

Last weekend I was actually able to leave the house without a coat! Today? Not so much. While I wholeheartedly welcome the thaw of winter, it brings a roller coaster of weather that often leaves me to wonder, what can I wear today? Thankfully, there are some pieces that help with the seasons' transition: vests, light jackets, booties and cotton scarves are a few.

Flashback Friday: My Lucky Jeans

For last St. Patrick’s Day I put together four different looks with the same pair of emerald jeans from Aeropostale. See the details from this previous post for some festive fashionspiration!  

Photos courtesy of Gina at beatbeatheartbeat.com

What are you wearing to celebrate being Irish for a day? 

The Coat with No Label & Plaid at Work

The other day a woman followed me into a high end boutique to ask me where I got my beautiful red coat. To her disappointment, I admitted it was from Savers, a thrift store, and it had no label.

“Well it’s beautiful,” she said before she left.

Work to Play with Grace Adele

Sometimes, as a fun-loving, young professional, I have a busy day that involves going from work to play.  On these days I try to wear an outfit that easily transitions from the office to dinner & cocktails, or wherever I may be headed, with a few quick changes.  My new bag and clutch from Grace Adele helps me do just that.

Behind the Scenes with Humans of Toledo

The stories of people I met while visiting New York have stuck with me and still fascinate me. Stories – unedited, raw narratives that stumble out of someone’s mouth – make us feel empathy, yearning, shared sadness or triumph…  They make us feel connected, like we’re not alone in this life.

They remind me to “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle,” as written by Ian MacLaren.

Hello, 2014: A Holiday Recap

My holidays were filled with love, laughter and cocktails, as I hope yours were too! They were so much fun that I took an unplanned break from blogging to enjoy my family and friends and relax. But now I’m back to blogging and so excited to share with you!

At this time of year, I have more chances to dress up, don fancy jewelry and try something a bit more daring. So here’s a brief recap of what I've been up to – and what I've worn – over the past several weeks.