Shopping Cart: Zara

Checkered Blouse // Sarong Striped Skirt // Cropped T-Shirt // Green Heels // Black Heels // Yellow Cape Dress // Neon Clutch

Dream Shopping Cart Total: $349.40 (minus the clutch - which is now sold out)

In today's round up, I thought I would let you see what I'm craving from Zara these days..which on a good day, is quite a lot. A window-pane printed blouse and sarong style striped skirt are quite up to par with the black and white craze making its way across the nation. And that yellow cape dress - how amazing would that be to wear to my brother and future sister-in-law's wedding rehearsal in a few weeks with those green heels?. And I've decided that maybe, just maybe, it's time I jumped on the bandwagon of cropped tops & neon transparent clutches. 

Tell me, what does Zara have you lusting over lately?

Look for Less: Peplum Jacket

Tibi // Zara

Tibi // J.Crew

{one more steal for good measure}

Happy Halloween Weekend! Today we have a Halloween Parade at work, our department is taking on Peter Pan and Neverland! I hope to take in a scary movie or two with my man {Paranormal Activity 4?!} and do nothing but indulge with a bit of Halloween candy and finalize details for our first Des Moines Blogger Event happening in two weeks!

Happy Friday!

My Style: Bulldog Sweater

J.Crew Vest // Sunny Girl Sweater // Gap Denim // Shira Melody Bracelet // Coach Bag // Zara Boots

Just because I can't have a dog where I live doesn't mean I can't have one on my sweater. Couldn't be more obsessed with this pullover from Shopbop. A girl at Market Day laughed when I told her this and asked if I had more dog sweaters at home. Well, at least it's a talking point :)

My Style: Delicate Jewelry

f21 blouse {via itcwc} // f21 purse // paige jeans // zara heels // 

shira melody necklaces {1,2} // gifted bombom sexyback bloom earrings

While I love making a statement when it comes to my accessories, my typical day-to-day look is rocking a pair of stud earrings and a delicate necklace. Last week I added to my collection with these two necklaces from Shira Melody that I picked up during KCFW and these bombom sexyback bloom earrings {you can curve the back or keep them straight}. These three pieces will definitely be on heavy rotation for weeks to come!

Hints of Leopard

While the heat has subsided, at least for now, here are two ways to incorporate leopard into your transitioning wardrobe.  I can agree with most that I refuse to wish summer away, but it's always a bit refreshing once the temperatures start to drop {if only a brief moment in time}.

Shop these looks:

Are you brave enough to rock the bold peplum top or would you prefer to subtly add print with your accessories?

My Style: Leather Shorts

LC Lauren Conrad Blazer & Leather Shorts // Forever 21 Top // J.Crew Clutch // Zara Heels // JewelMint Necklace // BaubleBar Bracelet // Fossil Watch

Shop This Look

This is what I wore to an evening of wine tasting and dualing pianos. We toasted and sang to our hearts content. A perfect evening in my book. I can't wait to wear these shorts this fall with tights and booties!

PS. I'm itching to get a hair cut and color. It's been far too long {don't ask, you don't want to know}. What are your thoughts? Go darker and shorter? Bangs? I'm not usually one to take risks, but I'm ready for a slight change!

Jump for Joy

The Little Black Jumpsuit.

The newest alternative to the LBD. 

Tibi Amber Heel - White Python // Margit Brandt Jumpsuit Moma // Zara Combined Heel // Dorothy Perkins Jumpsuit // Zara Sandal // Rebecca Taylor Leopard-jacquard silk jumpsuit

{images via 1, 2}

My Style: Brights

Zara Peplum Top // Gap Scalloped Skirt // Sam Edelman Flats 

BaubleBar Necklace // Farrah Tassel Clutch c/o Stephanie Johnson

When I'm late for work, it's usually because I can't decide what to wear. Thankfully, the morning I decided to wear this outfit, I had spied something similar on Liz from {Sequins & Stripes}. It was that perfect moment of seeing something on someone & knowing you had all the makings of that outfit in your own closet. Clothing emergency solved!

Ps. If you loved this Stephanie Johnson clutch, stay tuned tomorrow for a giveaway from SJ!

Divine Citrus

TopShop Blazer // Eyelet Top by Marc Jacobs // Zara Purse & Heels // All Saints Boyfriend Jeans

I have been quite busy at work recently and our busy travel season has only just begun.  To keep things on the bright side {pun intended}, I've been working on incorporating color into my working wardrobe.  And while I won't be able to rock these distressed jeans at work, I will be most definitely wear a few citrus-hued numbers paired with feminine eyelet pieces.  And these Zara heels - to purchase or not to purchase?  That is the question!


Have you stopped by Collage Boutique yet? Enter "BRUNETTE" at check out for 15% off your purchase!

Runway to Real Way: Michael Kors Spring '11 RTW

Splendid Maxi Dress // Zara Wooden Wedges // ASOS Clutch // BaubleBar Neon Colorblock Necklace

I have been itching to recreate this Michael Kors Spring '11 look from NYFW for the girl on a budget.  This look for less is super low-maintenance.  Throw on this maxi dress with flat sandals to run errands or dress up with these wooden wedges and a punchy necklace when you head out for drinks with the girls!

{image 1}

Spring Awakening

I think all of these heels would be perfect additions to my wardrobe this Spring. 

What are you wishing to add to your Spring wardrobe?

{all images}

Look for Less - Olivia Palermo

I was perusing images on Pinterest this past weekend and fell in love with this look by Olivia Palmero.  Queen of mixing patterns, textures, and prints - she neutralizes the mixing of leopard and floral by adding a black feathered blazer & a cognac carry-all.  As I just invested in a pair of floral pants - this is a great idea for remixing! Below is the look for less - all items $100 or less!

Cropped Blazer // Blouse // Floral Pants // Leopard Heels // Tote // Watch

{images 1, 2}

floral pants

{Zara pants {similar}, Target Tee {similar}, Old Navy Vest, Forever 21 Necklace {similar}, Fossil Watch}

I love floral print and I love lived-in baseball tees. And of course, I love them even more when paired together.  My boyfriend is convinced that, at some point, these pants were my grandma's table cloth - but he finally admitted that they were growing on him.  I wore this outfit to our Girls Night Out event at worn, last Thursday night with A Sequin Dress at Breakfast.  Make sure you head over to her site to see some great snapshots of our event!

my new-to-me dorothy perkins peplum dress {tags still on it!} 

& 

a few fun snapshots from worn

patent ballerina

I need these ballet flats in my closet.

winter cozies

The past few days I have spent quality time with my extended family.  We have had multiple meals of Thanksgiving leftovers, cheered on our respected football teams {and had to comfort each other as they lost, with the exception of the Packers - GO PACK GO!},  dusted off our gaming abilities with the likes of Bunco, Dominoes, Jenga, & Taboo.  Tomorrow begins our official start to the Holiday season with the setting up of our family tree and then I will decorate my first Christmas tree at my new house! And as thankful as I was for the 60 degree weather on Thursday, I am happy to say the the cooler temps that have finally rolled in {and that may finally stick around} have me itching to wear this outfit I recently pinned.

via pinterest

coat of arms

My cousin approached me this weekend to help her find outerwear in preparation for the upcoming winter season.  She recently made the move from Atlanta, GA to Madison, WI.  As someone who has rarely had to deal with the harshness of mid-western winters, she needs my help in order to survive the blistery weather.  

A few of my favorite stores, ZARA & GAP offer suggestions for girls on a budget.  Here are my favorite picks that will sure to help her [& you] stay warm once those temps start to drop.  Don't be afraid to add some color, I'm loving the Red Toggle jacket from GAP. Don't forget to add some accessories; outerwear is not complete without scarves, hats, & gloves.

Gap

ZARA

be still my beating heart

I'm pleased to introduce you to these stunning leather cowboy boots that walked into my life in Stockholm, Sweden, and never left my heart.  I, with regret, did not purchase them in fear of having to pay booku amounts in baggage fees due to having overweight bags.   I happily obliged last night because the wonderful store, ZARA, has now opened it's doors to the world of e-commerce.  These boots will be walking back into my life in 5-7 business days.


Thank you, ZARA - Love, Happy Camper.

elbows off the table

They’re chic and easily make any outfit just a little more special - elbow patches.  This trend I can't wait to test out pays homage to our old college professors -- I may not have always listened in class but I did take note.  Patches are no longer just to cover holes in worn-out clothing, but can create a statement on any structured blazers or cozy sweater.  My latest find from an H&M in Copenhagen, was a chambray button down and sports a dark wash "elbow patch".  Perfect paired with dark skinnies & boots.

the brunette one's picks

zara wish list

If ZARA finally decided to use it's brain and open a store in Iowa, this is what I would purchase:

via

What would you buy?