Monday Moodlifter - To A Tee!

I do love pretty clothes, and I enjoy dressing up for work during the week.  However, come the weekend I have to admit that my basic look consists of t-shirts and jeans.  I do add various accessories like cardigans, fun earrings, or sometimes a long necklace, but in general I stick with my comfortable cotton uniform.  This time of year, with spring oh so close, is when I like to stock up on new, basic tees in fun colors.  So here are the styles and colors i'm looking for this year.

Loft Sunwashed Tee

Some of my favorite tees come from Loft.  They are inexpensive, wear well, and come in so many colors.  I love this pinkish red color in the sunwashed v-neck style.  It's bright and cheery.

Loft Sunwashed Tee

See, I told you the Loft tees are my favorite.  And yes, this is simply the exact same tee as above in a different color.  I really like this green and it's a color my current collection is lacking.

GAP Rugby Stripe Roll-Sleeve Tee

 While I do like bright solid colors, I also love a good stripe.  This rugby stripe tee with the yellow and grey is perfect.

J.Crew Vintage Cotton Tee

There is something about a bright yellow shirt, be it a tee or a sweater.  I don't think I could ever wear a shirt this color and not be happy, it just brightens up a room in fun way.

Loft Linen Tee

Bright colors are obviously my favorite, however I do appreciate a softer look as well.  This pale pink in a linen material is feminine without being too little girlish.

What's your favorite basic outfit?  Are you a t-shirt and jeans girl like myself, or do you prefer to dress up or down a little more?

Monday Moodlifter - Clutch Me Close

*** The East Coast Creative contest is still going on, please go here and click on entry #200, you can click more than once if you really want to, and if you're feeling super generous take another second to click on entry #214 for my friend over at Gypsy Soul***

I promise things will begin to get back to normal posting around here, although there might be times when things pick up too much and posts will slow down again.  That's the unfortunate price for not being able to just be a full time photographer and blogger, a girl can dream though.  One thing that has not stopped during this little posting interlude, spring catalogs are flooding my mailbox.   It is depressing, I admit, to see the beautiful warm weather fashions and then step out the door to blistering cold wind.  However, I have noticed a fun, colorful trend this year that doesn't depend on the temperature, clutches!  I'm seeing them all over the catalogs, in fun bright styles.  Here are my five favorites of the moment, I hope they brighten your cold Monday!

Ann Taylor Envelope Clutch

I love the bright cobolt and aqua in this two tone clutch.  It's so cheery, if you're stuck wearing a boring black winter coat, at least you can carry this in your hand to stand out a little.

Ann Taylor Foldover Napa Leather Clutch

 I really enjoy foldover clutches, they seem to have more space than the envelope style.  This is a beautiful aqua color that could be a fun pop of color next to any other color you decide to wear.

LL Bean Signature Heritage Leather Clutch

 I know, you're thinking "LL Bean?", but yes.  If you haven't yet checked out their Signature Collection, you are missing out.  While not everything is my style, there are a number of lovely, quality pieces.  I have one of these Heritage clutches, although mine is a combination leather and denim (no longer available apparently).  I love this bright red leather, it has me thinking about 4th of July BBQs already.

GAP Leather Envelope Clutch

Despite being a bit of a girly girl, I actually don't love wearing a lot of pink.  I do enjoy a nice pink accessory though, and this neon clutch would be a perfect touch of pink.

Banana Republic Patent Clutch

 I saved the best for last, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch.  It looks like mint is going to be just as popular this year as it was in 2012, which I love.  It's a bright, fresh color, and this clutch combines it with patent leather, a to.die.for. combination in my book.

Are you just as ready for spring and warm weather as I am?  What are you most excited for when the season finally changes?

Monday Moodlifter - Weekend Getaways

So we're getting into mid-January.  The weather is cold, or it's doing that weird dance where it gets unseasonably warm and suddenly drops back down to freezing.  After this coming weekend there is only one three day holiday weekend left (President's Day in Feb.) and then we enter that looooong dry spell of holidays until Memorial Day at the end of May.  This time of year it's easy to start getting blue with the weather and the short daylight hours.  So what better way to cheer up a little bit and create some excitement than to think about a fun weekend getaway, perhaps to take full advantage of that last three day weekend coming up next month.  Here are five ideas some far, some near, some warm, and some cold.

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We have known several people who hop down to Puerto Rico for three and four day weekends.  If you're coming from the East coast the flight is a little under 4 hours, and if all you are looking for is some lounging on a beach, drinks with umbrellas, and good food this just might be the perfect place.  Hotwire has some flight and hotel package deals available for 2 people for 3 nights in the $1,300-$1,500 range.

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I have been reading Kelle Hampton's blog Enjoying the Small Things for almost 3 years.  She lives in Naples, FL and she paints it as a picture of cute small town charm with various markets and orange groves, topped off with amazing beach sunsets.  Knowing other people who have turned Naples into their getaway haven gives us confidence that this is another great option for relaxation in the sun if you prefer to stay within the continental US.  You will have to fly into the Fort Myers airport so you will probably need a rental car making this a little bit more expensive getaway, but there are flight, hotel, and car packages available in the $1,800-$2,000 range for 2 people for 3 nights.

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If you still want some slightly warmer weather, but don't want to go all the way down to Puerto Rico or Florida, why not try Charleston, SC.  The historic district is full of cute shops, museums, and historic homes and gardens.  Don't forget to bring an appetite, this is the South so you are sure to find some delicious southern style fare.  If you choose not to rent a car  flight and hotel packages are available for around $1,500, but adding a rental car only increases the trip to around $1,600 for 2 people for 3 nights.

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If you prefer to stay closer to the DC area and have an interest in skiing, or simply lounging around a nice resort try the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania.  The drive is just a little over 3 hours, and not needing a plane means you can save that money for the room.  The resort offers snow activities as well as a spa for those of you who are less adept on the slopes.  The rooms are pricey, but it is a vacation after all, for Feb. 15-18 you can get a lodge room for 2 people for about $1,000 total.

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Another close to home option with skiing or snowboarding opportunities is the Homestead resort in Hot Springs Virginia.  The drive is a little under 4 hours, and you get to check in to a lovely, historic hotel which has been visited by 22 US Presidents.  Just like the Nemacolin Resort, you can choose to play on the slopes or relax in the spa or one of the hot spring fed pools.  For the same February weekend for two people you can get a room for about $1,000 total.


Are any of you planning a weekend getaway sometime soon?  Do you prefer beaches and sunshine or snow and mountains?

Monday Moodlifter - Casual Friday

Yes, it is only Monday but today we're already dreaming of Friday, and who isn't really?  H recently started a new job, and one of the many things she loves about this new adventure is that for the first time in her professional career she is in an office that has casual Fridays.  Yes, it seems like such a little thing, but there is something uplifting about knowing that when you wake up Friday morning you can at least put on a comfortable pair of jeans instead of a constricting pencil skirt.  In the winter it's especially nice because it means one less day of black tights during the week.  However, just because it is called "casual Friday" and jeans are allowed, doesn't mean that all professionalism can go out the window.  The jeans must fit well, not too tight or too loose, and no holes!  Similarly your top should be well fitted and office appropriate, a good rule of thumb is to stick with items you would otherwise wear with a skirt or dress pants, or items you would wear for a nice Sunday brunch.  Lastly, you can't forget to think about your shoes.  Flats are great with jeans, and still keep the outfit comfortable.  

So in honor of H's new found need for nice casual clothes, here are five items that will keep you comfortable and professional on your Fridays.

J.Crew Tipi Sweater

A great basic sweater like this in a bright color is an easy way to look pulled together and feel comfortable at the same time.  The crew neck is a classic style and ensures that everything is appropriately covered.

Loft Striped Textured V-Neck Cardigan

Cardigans are already a staple in our work wardrobes, however we tend to wear lighter weight, smaller knit cardigans during the week because of the lighter material of our pencil skirts and dress pants.  For Fridays a heavier, chunkier knit cardigan works perfect with the thicker denim of jeans.  An added bonus is the increased coziness of these sweaters.  Just be sure to wear a camisole or tee underneath with a tailored fit, a high enough neckline, and that is not see thru. 

Ann Taylor Silk Button Down Camp Shirt

If you are bored with sweaters and cardigans, then another idea is to find a casual style shirt, that normally would be too casual for the office, in a rich fabric like silk.  The dressy fabric will elevate the shirt into Friday casual territory.  For something like this camp shirt you should tuck it in and add a belt to keep the look classy and pulled together.

Ann Taylor Faceted Square Button Earrings

Adding some nice, eye catching jewelry is great way to make an otherwise casual outfit shine.  We are not fans of  large drop or chandelier earrings for the workplace, so we prefer something like these statement studs.  These won't get lost in your hair if you wear it down, but they aren't so over the top to be distracting.

Lucky Brand Peppy Flat

We don't typically pair heels with our jeans for the office, instead we prefer a nice flat.  Because we wear basic black flats and heels most of the week, we like to spice things up a little for Friday.  A simple style metallic flat always seems to work.  A light gold goes with almost any color scheme, black, brown, navy, etc., which helps reduce the number of pairs of flats you need to purchase.  The key to making a metallic shoe work, though, is to keep the style of the shoe classic, and to keep the tone of the metallic light.


Do you have casual Fridays at your office?  What's your favorite casual outfit?

Monday Moodlifter: Splurges Worth Saving For

Well, today is the last day of 2012.  We hope you all have fun plans for tonight, whether they be going to a party or watching the ball drop from your living room.  

While we typically prefer to shop more affordable, mid-range brands, occasionally we find pieces that are worth spending a little more on in return for the quality with which they are made.  So, in honor of the decadent feeling New Year's Eve seems to inspire within us, we figured it would be fun to share the splurge items we think are worth saving up a bit for.  Oh, and of course even with these items we do our best to find a good deal, which is why we recommend subscribing to sites like Rue La La and Gilt.  We have been lucky enough to save as much as 50-60% on some items through these sites.

Kate Spade Charlotte Street Miles Purse

A good, quality, basic purse is essential.  We're not talking about a fun, fashion purse, we're talking about the purse you use almost everyday.  We find tote style purses to be the most functional, but whatever style you prefer we highly recommend spending the money to get a good one.  In our early 20s, when we had little disposable income, we would buy the cheap $20 purses from Target.  These worked well enough, however typically 4-6 months later they would break and we'd be back looking for a new one.  Eventually we realized that spending a few hundred dollars up front on one good quality purse would actually be more cost efficient than constantly spending $20-$30 to replace cheap ones.  We both currently have Kate Spade purses we love, therefore we can speak for this brand and say that it is worth the money, but there are definitely other quality brands out there so feel free to shop around and find something you adore.

Michael Kors Blair Watch

There is something about a nice, basic watch that says "I am an adult professional" to us.  We prefer a metal link strap to leather ones which can wear, crack and fray.  For a basic watch we also prefer simple, non-flashy designs.  A little sparkle, like that shown above, is fine, but we would stay away from bright colors or too much sparkle.

Cole Haan Chelsea Pump

If you work in an office like we do then you should definitely have a good pair of basic, black pumps.  Patent leather has become acceptable even in more conservative offices it seems, and we really love the polish it adds to a basic pencil skirt and suit jacket.  Cole Haan, in our opinion, is the epitome of the quality work pump.  The Nike Air technology incorporated into their heels makes them the most comfortable for all day wear.  While the shoes are definitely pricey, we suggest subscribing to Cole Haan emails.  They tend to have large 60% off sales a few times a year which means you can score a $200 pair of shoes for less than $100, it's how we've managed to add these shoes to our closet.

LAUREN Ralph Lauren Newbury Slim Wallet

The reasons to splurge on a good wallet are the same as the ones for splurging on a good purse.  This is an item that you use almost every day, and buying cheap ones is just throwing away money because of the frequency with which you will have to replace them.  Wallets are also a good item to have a little fun with. Because it will hide in your purse and only be seen occasionally, why not choose one in a fun color, which can also make it easier to spot in your purse.

Chantelle Rive Gauche Demi Cup Bra

Every woman deserves to own at least one, although preferably more, really nice set of lingerie.  Putting it on makes you feel special, sexy, and feminine all at once.  It's an especially nice feeling when it's a style that can be worn under your regular clothes without notice, it's a secret you can walk around with all day.  So take some time to walk into that super fancy lingerie store, we promise your husbands won't mind the credit card statement for this particular splurge.

These are our splurge items, what are yours?

Monday Moodlifer : A Walk on the Wild Side

It is that time of year where our weekends are full of various holiday gatherings.  Some are casual, and some are more formal.  Typically at these types of events the common colors we see women wearing are blacks, reds, and some lovely jewel toned blues, greens, and burgandies.  We thought for today's Monday Moodlifter we would offer some different accessory options, all in the same theme, that will go with any of these colors, and that can either make a casual outfit a little more cool or a cocktail dress a little more daring.  So what is this universal theme, why leopard print of course!  So enjoy these wild animal print items we are completely in love with right now!

This J.Crew bangle is just beautiful and classic, with the leopard giving it that little bit of an edge.  This would be a great addition to a casual outfit adding just that hint of interest without going over the top.

These block heeled shoes from Ann Taylor would be the perfect addition to your outfit if you have a work holiday happy hour to attend.  They are fun without being offensive, and bonus, you can probably get away with wearing them through out the year in the office as well.

A scarf like this will help take your outfit from running errands to brunch or dinner or friends.  It will also keep you warm as you rush along to your destination from the metro.

This haircalf belt is super versitile.  It could wrap around a sheath dress or a pencil skirt at work.  You could toss it on over a long sweater and skinny jeans, or if you are daring, you could even try it out over a simple black cocktail dress.

 Lastly, this little box clutch is so lovely and would be a fabulous statement piece to add some sass to a more formal outfit.  It's also great because it will work with more casual outfits as well, which makes the $120 price a little more palatable.

Do you have any go to accessories for the holidays?  H has a lovely pair of onyx and gold teardrop earrings she regulary pulls out this time of year, and M likes to pair crisp cream/white tops with bright, sparkly jewelry. 

Monday Moodlifter: Making a List...

Sorry for the incredibly long hiatus, we both have had some exciting new job changes and there has been some vacationing going on as well, but we are BACK now!  Today, as you are probably very aware, is CyberMonday.  Most of our favorite retailers have some great online sales happening today, so it's a great day to get on that holiday shopping if you are like us and avoided Black Friday like the plague.  Here are five items on our gift giving lists, along with sale info.  Enjoy!

Classic Wide Bangle, $22.50

This versatile bangle bracelet from J.Crew would be a great gift for a friend.  Today J.Crew is offering 25% off and free shipping on any order with the code MONDAY.

Foldover Nappa Leather Clutch, $98

This leather clutch would be a great gift for your sister, it comes in so many different colors you're sure to find the one that suits her best.  Ann Taylor is offering 40% off everything today with code MONDAY.

Cashmere Infinity Scarf, $198

This is a bit pricey, but what mother wouldn't love this beautiful cashmere scarf.  Think of all of things she's done for you over the years, you know she deserves it.  Banana Republic is offering 30% off today with code CYBER.

Folk Flora Rolling Pin, $18

Grandma's kitchen could definitely use a snazzy rolling pin like this to jazz things up.  Anthropologie is offering free shipping on all orders today.

Enamel Bird Dish, $14.95

For that coworker who's really more than just a coworker this little enamel dish is perfect.  She can keep it on her a desk as a stylish little catch-all, or she can take it home for her jewelry.  Crate and Barrel is offering 15% off and free shipping today with code SAVE15.

Enjoy your online shopping today!

Monday Moodlifter

Mondays are rough, I think we can all agree.  And while we are excited for the season's shift into fall, letting go of summer can be hard to do.  So here are 5 things that are lifting our spirits this morning and getting us excited for cooler temperatures and colorful leaves, we hope they do the same for you.

Beautiful runs along Rock Creek Park Trail with comfortable temps and leaves about to turn

The return of comfy Brown Boots ~ via

A new cookbook with healthy, comfort food recipes

  Shopping for yarn to begin knitting and crochet projects ~ via

A Saturday morning catching up on fall trends with a cup of coffee

*Note: If photos are not linked or otherwise credited they are from either M or H