All the Single Ladies

Last night, I drove to Wanynesboro, PA for my friend Toni's bachelorette party. I picked up this dress at Target the other week and it is my current favorite: I love its bold print and how it's both casual enough for daytime picnics or adventures, but also dressy enough for a night out. The dress is a bit short, although it does pass the catholic school hemline rule (fingertips may not touch skin when your hands fall naturally to your side), but I like the barer legs with the sleeved-dress. I also can't wait to wear some orange or pink tights with it in the fall!
Also, this necklace, which I mostly bought because it reminded me of Double, Double, Toil, and Trouble, the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made for TV movie, was a perfect accessory for the dress. The print was so bold that I didn't want anything too busy in the rest of the outfit. I kept it simple with the necklace to match the tone of the dress, nude wedges, and a pop of neon color in the clutch.
Dress: Clutch

Wedges: Old Navy

Necklace: The Hills, Kerrisdale, Vancouver

Clutch: Kate Spade, Kate Spade Outlet
The bachelorette party was such a success, and now I can't wait for the wedding! xoxo Anna Rae

Resort Wear

I've never been a particular fan of the white summer dress before, mostly because I'm quite spilly, both in the sense that I often spill things on myself and in the sense that I'm constantly taking spills. When I saw this dress at Target, I decided to take a chance and purchase the summer staple. Obviously, I fell in love.
My favorite part of this dress is how the beaded neckline makes it unique enough to be an interesting outfit all by itself. The beginning summer dress code of a dress, a belt, and some sandals is liberating. I'm sure I'll miss my cardigans -- although how great does this tan one look against the white? Who knew neutrals could be so lovely paired together -- but for now I'm quite pleased with the relaxed, easy dress code.
Because the outfit was quite simple, I thought I could wear a pair of my bolder earrings. I love wearing earrings that are longer than my hair; it makes me feel so chic.
Dress: Calypso St. Barth for Target

Belt: Target

Shoes: Old Navy

Cardigan: New York and Co.

Earrings: Jewelry store in Malaga

I now absolutely understand the appeal of resort collections. xoxo Anna Rae

Winter Romps

I just can't seem to stop remixing my old summer favorites into new Fall (Winter?! It is snowing!) pieces. Today: the romper.

I know what you're saying: the pattern mixing, the layers, the tights: Anna's signature outfits are back. I was really happy about the way this came together, but there is a lot going on so let's break it down, top to bottom.I started by wearing the romper over this long-sleeved tshirt with a thicker belt, but I liked the look of the thinner belt once I added the vest and the idea of matching the nautical stripes with the small florals obviously delighted me.

The Tiffany's key necklace is amazing and can work with almost any outfit, but I try to not wear it too much, as I want to keep it a special treat. The romper, though covered, really represents summer fun and whimsy, and what's more whimsical than a key necklace? Not much.

The bottom of this outfit is by far the best. Again, the wool vest over the romper worked really well, and I matched it to my thick grey winter socks, a great addition under the boots and a nice way to contrast the color of the tights. The tights! These are actually my plaid tights wore inside out, and I have to say, they're a great solid color. Power blue!
Finally, the boots! The last of my birthday splurge on Zappos. I love these boots; they're so comfortable, but also adorable. The best part is that I can fold down the top for when I'm not wearing them with pants (or high socks).

Romper and Socks: Target

Shirt: Old Navy

Vest: Gabes

Tights: Kohl's

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappo's, Chinese Laundry

Necklace: Gifted, Mom and Dad

Belt: Vintage, Came with dress, Eons, Pittsburgh

And now, an adorable picture of me with my eyes closed, trying to hide from the cold. xoxo Anna Rae

Fun with Art

Last week, my trip to New Jersey presented me with some sartorial challenges -- how does one stay fashionable in 100 degree heat, long days, and endless outdoor activities? My answer was, as it often is, sundresses and keeping my hair off of my face. Likely, I had just the dress and hair style -- a combination that would be both cool and as fun as Grounds for Sculpture, Princeton University, cupcakes, Anthropolgie, and college best friends.Even the panther is excited about the return of my favorite summer hair style and some fun pattern mixing.
While packing, I saw my Liberty of London dress, a favorite of course, hanging next to my polka dot dress in my closet and an outfit was created. The pairing of the dress's crazy colors and patterns with the classic black and white polka dots made this my favorite outfit from the trip.

I added the black belt to really define the dress's waist line and because I thought a navy belt might look weird with a black and white scarf. Ideally, I would have worn my black flats, but comfort and packing space won out with the flower flats.
This lion on Princeton's campus always really liked the outfit. Also, if you look closely, my favorite accessory is in this picture -- Diet Coke.
Dress: Liberty of London for Target

Belt: Gifted, Erin

Scarf: Homemade (by Karen) from thrifted dress

Shoes: Target

Yellow wristband: Proof of entry
Thanks to Janet and AlyWebb (pictured above) for picture taking, picture crashing, and hosting me in one of my favorite places to visit. xoxo Anna Rae

Rodarte! (for Target)

Look at that smug face, the face of a girl who just got her hair cut and just saw her photo on What I Wore. All very big deals.

Tonight, the night before I graduate, was a night of celebrating and potlucking and karaoking -- all of which are marvelous and completely worthy of my Rodarte for Target dress, well worth the hassel and disappointment of trying to find a Target carrying the line in Western PA.
Because the dress has an incredible bow tie (yes! I love it!), I thought it would be appropriate to pair it with a blazer. Don't you love how I shameless wear the same articles of clothing over and over and over again? No wonder my last yellow blazer completely disintegrated.
Since my hair is a little crazy and the dress is so amazing and the blazer is yellow and the lipstick red (phew), I thought it would be best to keep the tights and flats a simple black.Jude left the party momentarily tonight to take my pictures by the shed in Martin and Derek's yard. The wonders of photography -- how easy it is to play up the lovely blue and ignore the couch, mere feet away, that has set through 12 months of Vancouver rain.

And a close-up of the dress, of course, because it's just so lovely.

Dress: Rodarte for Target

Blazer: Thrifted, Value Village

Tights: Target

Shoes: AE

Now time for sleep before I'm tempted to review every song we sang at Karaoke tonight. xoxo Anna Rae

Hello again Canada, meet my new wardrobe.

Yesterday, as I mentioned, I went on a shopping adventure in the States. Erin, my friend and fashion hero, drove me and her boyfriend (who, by the way, does not think you need to leave the country to shop. He saw a movie) across the border on a mission to buy Liberty of London at Target. Yes, the line was to launch today, but we called the store and the lady said it was already out. Well, guess what -- this is where the story gets sad -- they had everything out but the clothing. I will leave you some time to be appropriately devastated.

Do not worry, though. Erin and I recovered by buying other things, and for me, that meant a lot of other things. I bought more than one piece of clothing at a store! I bought a few things full price (yes, that full price did not exceed thirty dollars, but still)! Nothing I bought was used or damaged or donated! As you will notice on this blog, this is not how I often shop. And, of course, we ordered from Liberty of London at midnight when the clothes become available and shipped them to my house in the States (what a misleading and extravagant way to say my parents' house). How can one not be excited for Easter when they know this dress is going to show up in their Easter basket?

Because it happens so rarely, when I find myself buying more than three things at a time, I feel like I have an entirely new wardrobe. So, I'm a little disappointed to say, that the pictures I have to post are from my old wardrobe. It's so wintry and not new. But, I do like this outfit I wore to teach on Friday and you certainly wouldn't be impressed with my current state - self-tie-dyed "Guster is for Lovers" tshirt and sweatpants. Expect new clothes (but aren't they all new to you?) in the future. Until then...

I took this outfit when I came home from school, desperately needing to sleep and wearing no make-up, so I, like Libby, Maria Antoinette-ed my head. This outfit was formed around my love of a cuffed, Khaki trouser and the attempt to make my Wide-leg trousers resemble that.
When your pants kind of resemble golf pants, how can you not wear argyle and loafers? These socks, an important piece of the outfit, are actually Erin's, a great Sleepover success where she decided that my plain grey socks just wouldn't do.
This necklace, which you should love, is from one of my favorite Etsy seller's -- Jspoincas. Her entire store is so amazing. I wasn't sure if I wanted to wear all neutrals with the pants or add some color, but clearly I chose color with this cardigan, and added the blazer to help make me look extra Teacher-professional because the prof came in to observe our class.

I also wore this headband to distract from the fact that I hadn't spent much time or effort on my hair. It's amazing and I wear it about once a week so look forward to seeing it again. Instead of this headband, I briefly wore Will Best's Newsboy Cap (he wears it to look like JT), and it really completed the golf look. But, tragically, he wouldn't let me wear it home for photo documentation.

Pants: Ann Taylor's The Loft

Sweater: Mango

Blazer: Target

Necklace, Etsy, Japonicas shop, Present from Mom and Dad

Shoes: Value Village

Socks: Borrowed from Erin

Goodbye Canada, Hello Style.

I am crossing the border into Targetland for the much anticipated Liberty of London line. Hopefully, I will be able to report back later today about all of my amazing purchases.

Until then, think good thoughts for Libby, who has school work to do.

xoxo Anna Rae.