the simple life

Just a quick post, as today is my first day in Idaho with my extended family--however, my computer is finally fixed & I have a lot of blog material gathered up, so I didn't want to wait! I'm sitting in the Sandpoint Starbucks with my dad, overlooking the river and listening to the locals wander in and out. The water, sun, mountains and people are so beautiful here. It feels absolutely amazing to be away.

Anyway, I wanted to show what my summer uniform has basically been for the last month. These shorts, which used to be mom jeans and have now turned into mom shorts, are my go-to when I don't feel energetic enough to put together a real outfit! Tuck a tank in, belt 'em, and I'm set.

I wore this to take Ral out to his birthday brunch last week--more on his birthday coming. Like I said, it's a very simple outfit, but we all know it's not always possible (or necessary) to go all out, especially on lazy summer days. I really love seeing the more simple, everyday outfits that my favorite bloggers post now and then, because I feel like it shows the human, imperfect sides of everyone & gives us a real glimpse into each others lives. Let's be honest, we all have our days!

Raleigh tries to be tough sometimes. What do you think, did it work?

Shorts, Tank, & Belt: Thrifted

and August is upon us

I threw this outfit together in about 3 minutes to go to a free show on our campus with my boyfriend. We had never heard of the band before, but it was a free outdoor concert--why not? They are called Campfire OK and ended up being great! They are based out of Seattle, and will be playing at Bumbershoot this September. If any of you are going, I suggest you watch their set. Not to mention, how cute is her skirt?

These are actually from last week, I won't lie! It has been a crazy weekend--we had six weddings at work this weekend, so I have barely been home since Thursday. But now I have today to do nothing but run errands, have a coffee date with a friend, and enjoy the sun! Then my family is coming up here to camp for a few days, Thursday is my boyfriend's birthday, and next week I will be in Idaho visiting my lovely family. I cannot wait! August is going to be a lovely month.
What do you have planned for August?

Dress: Forever 21
Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Thrifted
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

I've been wandering aro-o-o-ound

My sister came to visit me last week, and between days of hiking and lake loungin' (more later) we had a lazy day of wandering around Bellingham's historic district, talking, sitting in the sun, eating gelato, and meeting the boys for Thai food. My life seems to be involving Thai food alot lately, and I am not complaining.



I unearthed these cut-off Levi's last week after missing them for about a year--so happy! I've basically been living in them since then. They are so comfy and just long enough to not be hoochie mama...(right?) This outfit is pretty simple but was perfect for traipsing around town in.

After taking my photos, my little sister wanted in on the action...such a diva!
My outfit:
Sweater: Forever21
Shorts: Levi's, Thrifted (used to be pants)
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Her outfit:
Romper: Pac Sun
Sweater: Buffalo Exchange

photoshoot fail

I bought this jumper from a thrift store a few years ago and this was the first time I've worn it! It down to my ankles when I got it, but I cut it to make it a bit more flattering. I really wanted to get some good photos in the outfit because I love the jumper and I was wearing the shoes + necklace I ordered from Urban Outfitters recently...but unfortunately, the world was against me. My friend took the pictures for me but forgot to mention how horribly awkward I looked in ALL of them but these two. Seriously--awkward, awkward, awkward photos. So, these two are all you get:


Then, to make the photoshoot even more of a fail, my boyfriend sabotaged me and jumped in...he tends to get antsy if he's not getting the attention :)

Perhaps I should be thanking him though--I look the most normal in those photos.
I have to get back to work in an hour--looking forward to the next two days off! How do you like to spend your days off?

recent treasures

A few of the things I've thrifted lately. I wore the top in this post a few days ago, and it is really comfortable and breezy. I haven't worn the other three things yet, but Raleigh and I are doing a small hike/picnic today, which may or may not be an excuse to use the soft brown backpack. The skirt fits perfectly and I'm already dreaming of Autumn ways to style it: tights, flats, button-up shirt, scarf, et viola! I love the soft pink of the necklace as well.
Have you thrifted anything great lately?

all thrifted, all the time

Now that school is out and I have the brain capacity to care about what I look like, I've had the chance to do more outfit posts! Browsing the ever-growing list of blogs I follow always inspires me to do more personal style posts, mostly because I love looking at everyone else's so much! I also think it will be fun to watch how my style might change throughout my blog--my memory isn't fabulous, so hard evidence helps. This week, three different boys took my photos for me--my roommate, friend, and boyfriend. I always think they'll be embarassed taking pictures of me in public places, but so far they don't seem to mind! (thanks boys)

I had never noticed this precious little gazebo in Fairhaven, an historic district in Bellingham--sunny days tend to make us notice things that the clouds must have covered all winter.

One thing that is interesting about this outfit, which I didn't notice until blogging them, is that every single piece of it is thrifted besides the shoes! The layer underneath is actually a maxi skirt I found at Goodwill last spring because I needed a "modest" skirt for a mission trip. I fell in love with the print, isn't it gorgeous? I'm a bit obsessed with the colors in it. I think it was $3. I wore it as a dress with a tank from Buffalo Exchange over it, and the belt was $2 at a thrift store. I love finding a new outfit in things people have discarded!



I have the next five days off, so I'm thinking either a Seattle or Canada day trip. Let's hope this sunshine continues into Monday!

Statement Piece

A quick outfit post from a few days ago--my friend Mikey and I spent the afternoon in our favorite coffee shop, just waiting for the sun to come out. I asked him to take a few photos of me, mainly to show off this necklace that I'm currently obsessed with! My sister got it for me when she lived in Hawaii last year, and I didn't love it at first, but I've recently rediscovered it and can't stop wearing it. It adds some originality to an otherwise mediocre outfit, I think.
Tank: Forever21
Skirt: Sample Sale in Gig Harbor, WA
Belt: Thrifted
Sandals: Target

in the woods

My brother took these shots of me at the wedding (below) we went to over Memorial Day weekend. I was too excited to wear this dress! I've had it for over a year but haven't had the perfect chance to wear it until now. It's so comfortable and it doesn't need very much accessorizing because the pattern is so interesting--I paired it with turquoise earrings and some silver rings.

Dress: Forever 21
Purse: Thrifted (my new obsession)

the jacket that goes with everything

Raleigh and I walked along the boulevard and studied on the bay yesterday, and I made him snap a few photos of me for another outfit post! I love mixing gray, white, and denim together--and this jacket is one of my most favorite purchases of the last year. It goes with almost anything! Also, I recently found this nail polish in one of my purses after searching for it since my birthday night in December; I was so stoked!




Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Shirt: H&M
Shorts: Forever21
Shoes: Thrifted


This little guy trotted by while we were taking pictures--look at those precious fat rolls on his neck! so adorable & ugly at the same time.

what I wore: spring edition (!!!)

yesterday was sunny, and today is too! I couldn't be happier that I can finally break out my jackets sans hoods - none of my favorites have hoods so I've been itching for a precipitation free-day. Yesterday I slept through my only class (woops) and the rest of the day was spent in a coffee shop looking for jobs/houses and running a few errands downtown, as well as going to a poetry reading and then homework until I fell asleep. Today is pretty much the same, except I woke up on time!
What I wore for yesterday's somewhat spring-y weather:

spring cleaning/shopping

Two things purchased in anticipation for spring:

I can't wait to wear this dress with my favorite gladiator wedges & a summer tan! I'm thinking I'll style it with a thin brown leather belt & plenty of turquoise accessories.

I've been looking for a hat like this for over a year, but considering how huge my head is, I've had trouble with it (seriously, my giant head is a curse). I've even looked in the men's section, but they tend to be too boxy. But I finally found one! And thank God, because my bad hair days have been plentiful lately.

wanna-be-spring outfit post

I bought this dress the other day and it has me aching for spring even more than I already was! I can't wait to wear it sans sweater/leggings. However, it does feel good to wear nonetheless. I've been all over the place today, so I love how easily I can move in it. Yesterday I was trapped in uncomfortable jeans alllll day and could not wait to change!

I put some new shoes on...

In the post before this, I showed a few articles I thrifted last week - I thought it would be good to show how I wore some of them. The boots I found for $7 are my new favorites - I've worn them with four different outfits already! Anyway, I wore this outfit to church & out to lunch last Sunday: the boots and purse are thrifted & the skirt is from Urban Outfitters (borrowed from my little sister!)

my little sister & portrait experimenting

While home for winter break, I took some pictures of my younger sister to get some practice with portraits. I don't consider myself a photographer by any means, but I do want to get better and perhaps do some of her friends' senior pictures in the spring. Not to mention, she likes the attention! I styled her, except she chose the tank top. All of the coats are mine, as well as the shoes. We took the pictures at about an hour before dusk, at a place called Howe Farm which is part dog park, part agricultural project, and part wetland. It was fun! Enjoy.