In my red high heels...

Shorts Zara/ Heels Aldo/ Bag Chanel/ Top Old/ Necklace JCrew

I always struggle with what to write. I typically write a paragraph about how I am feeling, what I am thinking, some goal that I have, etc., but I always end up deleting it. I know the blog is supposed to be my space, where I can put what I want and not care. However, it can be difficult to open yourself up like that for several reasons...will anybody read it? take it seriously? care? I also realize that I go in cycles with my attitude (not caring, being angry, working hard at be a "good" person etc.). I guess what I am trying to say is that I am not ready to let anybody/everybody/nobody into my crazy little mind like I let those (un)lucky few :) I know that I have said similar things before, so I guess my consistent topic is discussing the difficulty that I have coming up with topics.

Stop and Smell the Roses

Skirt JCrew Factory (last seen here)/Top Nordstrom/ Shoes Vince Camuto/Clutch YSL/ Jewelry F21 and Express

Happy Monday! Thanks for stopping by!

More Tahoe...

Shorts JCrew/ Shoes and Sweater Zara/ Earrings Nordstrom

There are a couple of things that I want to touch on for today's post, so I will bullet them to keep myself organized:

• My sis-in-law "Kkbebe" was helping me come up with some different poses for my blog over the Tahoe weekend. Much appreciated :)
• I have been trying to wash my hair less, which is why my hair is in a braid and looks less than clean shall we say? The braid has been my go-to for disguising the oiliness. I think that it is slowly becoming less greasy as I wash it less (fingers crossed).
• I still can't get over how much better the picture quality is with the new camera. Much thanks to the hubby :)
• I obviously love these shoes from Zara, specifically the buckle on the ankle strap.
• Finally, I have been taking a class on autism the last couple of days and the term "Theory of Mind" has really hit home with me. For those of you who don't know, it means "the ability to understand that other people have thoughts and ideas that may differ from our own," which is what, in turn, leads to perspective taking. The instructor joked that those of us who think about what another person might think of what we are thinking they think, have really good Theory of Mind. I am going to go so far as to say that I have excellent Theory of Mind. I am the person who says something and then analyzes every way the person I am talking to could take that information, what they are then thinking, and so on and so on. One of my great friends does the same thing, so we always have a good laugh when a day later we are calling each other to better explain a comment we made the day before.
• I apologize for the run on sentences. I am taking an autism class, not a writing class! ;)
• It's Friday! Have a cocktail or two?!

Striped Shirt and a Hard Lesson

Shirt JCrew/ Shorts Loft/ Sandals Target/ Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs

This shirt has helped to teach me an important lesson....but it all started with the first couple of weeks of beginning my blog. I was doing some "research" on how to maintain a successful personal style blog (which really means looking at the FAQ lists of extremely popular blogs). Most all of them had a common theme when responding to the question, "What are your suggestions for having a successful blog?" The answer always being something along the lines of "be yourself." I found this to be kind of annoying, since OBVIOUSLY you would be yourself....it's your PERSONAL style blog. Fast forward a couple of weeks.....

I think that I started the blog with the best intentions, really showcasing my personal style. I wasn't seeing an increase in my followers, but I was seeing an increase on other sites of people who dressed very similar to the "popular blogs." At this point I somewhat subconsciously started dressing like the "popular blogs" about 15-20 percent of the time. There are several issues with this and I don't think that I need to state the obvious. So, back to the shirt. I saw this shirt on a couple of different websites and really loved the coloring. It went on sale for a pretty good deal so I scooped it up. After wearing it all day and looking back at pictures I realized that although it may be cute, I was attempting to wear it in a way that wasn't necessarily true to my style. Fast forward to today....

I've realized that I was focusing on the wrong aspects of blogging, instead of just having fun.  I may still have a relapse in my thinking (I am human), but for now I will try to maintain my current state of mind.  I think it is wonderful to gain inspiration from others and if you love the shoes someone is wearing, buy them. But also take the advice of "being yourself." :)

Have a great Tuesday!

Nautical Shorts

Shirt Nordstrom/ Shorts JCrew/ Jewelry Express, Nordstrom/ Shoes Gianni Bini/ Clutch Marc by Marc Jacobs

 

I think it might be impossible to wear these shorts without exuding a nautical vibe, so I just went with it. I wore this outfit for a lunch date with my sister-in-law, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am one of those people that talks a lot when I get excited or haven't seen somebody in a while, okay I guess I talk a lot in general. Right about now is the time to feel sad for Katie, or jealous that you weren't having lunch with me  ;) All kidding aside, I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  

Casual Work Wear

Shoes Jeffrey Campbell/ Jeans 7FAM/ Top F21/ Necklace Jcrew/ Bag TB

 

The last day of work has finally arrived :) Hello summer break!

Plaid and Mint

Jeans Express/Heels Target/Bag Rebecca Minkoff/ Shirt JCrew/Watch Micharl Kors

 

Here was my lumberjack/shiny shoe look from one of the cooler days we had last week. I hope you all had a great weekend. If you follow me on instagram you know that I did :)

 

XO, Hill

Double Peplum

 

Top and Jeans Express/ Sweater old/Shoes Steve Madden/ Bag YSL/ Jewelry Nordstrom, JCrew factory and F21

 

It is kind of hard to tell from the photos, but the cardigan is also peplum. These shoes have been on heavy rotation as of late. I love when I find a steal at Marshalls and get more wear out of the item than initially predicted. Thanks for reading!

XO, Hill

Stripes + Floral (again)

Shirt Calvin Klein via Marshalls/ Shoes Steve Madden via Marshalls/ Jeans Joes/ Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Belt and Necklace JCrew

 

Nick actually liked these shoes, which surprised me (he is the one that suggested the shoe close-up). He isn't always a huge fan of my sometimes impractical/outlandish footwear. Happy Friday!

One skirt, two ways...

I wore this skirt to work and then switched up some pieces and wore it out to dinner. I have a bad habit of wearing an item one way and then sticking to it the next time I wear the item. I have decided that I need to challenge myself to be a bit more creative.  Outfit 1: Skirt JCrew/ Cardigan and Tee F21/ Sandals Target/ Bag UO/ Jewelry Express, F21, JCrew, Nordstrom Outfit 2: Skirt JCrew/ Tank F21/ Bag Chanel/ Shoes Nine West/ Jewelry Express, Betsey Johnson XO, Hill

Floral Print

 

Dress Jessica Simpson/ Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Shoes Report/ Necklace JCrew

 

I found this dress while digging around at Marshalls and I am so glad I did. Dresses are the easiest piece to throw on and feel/look pulled together. What is your go to item?

 

Click here to enter the Express Necklace Giveaway!