dream in neon: zara

11.17.2013

squirrel hill adventures

it's a rainy sunday here in pittsburgh, and it's the perfect day to lounge around in comfy clothes and just relax. this weekend has been a great one, with equal parts of being productive and having fun. i found out on wednesday that i got a full time job (yay!) in dc (double yay!) and will be starting in january, after graduation and the holidays are over. i honestly couldn't be more excited and happy about everything going on in my life right now.

i also chopped a few inches of my hair off last week! i needed a small change and for me that means doing something different with my hair. i'm trying not to dye it anymore (i've had so many horror stories experimenting with at home kits) and i'm focusing more on keeping it healthy. it always feels so much better after a fresh haircut.

change is good and there's so many exciting changes happening in my life right now. in the next two months i'll be graduating from college, moving to maryland, and starting a new job. it's crazy and hectic and hard to believe, but i truly can't wait. i have so much to be looking forward to.

while out and about in the adorable little neighborhood of squirrel hill, i found this awesome mural wall with the initials "SQH" on it and i couldn't help but stop and snap some pics. this is a typical casual fall outfit. piling on a few different layers to stay warm and wearing my favorite army jacket. i get asked every time i wear it if i bedazzled it myself and i wish i could say yes (it's very tempting, i wish i was that creative) but i sadly say that i bought it like this. i love how the jewels give this more masculine piece some girly flare.

also, side note: drop whatever you're doing and head to the nearest goodwill and stock up on cozy, oversized grandpa sweaters right now. you will not regret it, i promise you. get some plain colors and some crazy patterns and call it a day. they are the perfect winter wardrobe staple. you can wear them over a dress, with jeans, with a cute skirt, etc. the options are endless! okay, yes i have a slight obsession, but i think everyone else should too!!

what are your favorite pieces to layer in the fall? i'd love some new ideas!

xxoo,

outfit details

tee: urban outfitters

sweater: thrifted

scarf: zara

boots: dwds

jacket: jolt (on sale right now for $16!!!!)

10.16.2013

downtown living

it's been a slow week over here, and i'm currently sipping coffee and relaxing because wednesdays are the most low key day in my schedule. some days i work and have class 12 hours straight, and some days (like today) i have one class and then nothing else to do! while i enjoy the little moments of free time, i wish it was a little more balanced. oh well, i only have two more months (omg!) of the crazy college student life so i guess i better enjoy it while it lasts.

i'm trying to soak in all of my favorite pittsburgh hot spots while i can. whether it's hanging out at my favorite bar or getting sushi at the best restaurant in town, i feel compelled to cram all of the things i love about this city into to the next couple months while i've still got my lovely downtown apartment and easy access to all the fun stuff. and by fun stuff i mean anything that will distract me from applying to scary, full-time, big-girl jobs. eeeek!

i guarantee if you see me anytime in the next four months, there is a 86% chance i will be wearing a scarf. i just love these things! they can take a simple outfit (ie. jeans and a tee) and make it pop. for this purpose, i usually choose bright colored and patterned scarves so they can add that extra oomph to a casual look. i have an entire drawer in my room dedicated to scarves, so that just gives you an idea of what we're working with here!

these boots are becoming a fall staple in my wardrobe. i will wear them with dresses, skirts, jeans, tights, tall socks, and leggings (when i'm feeling lazy, don't deny it, you love them too!) so i think you get the message that i wear them a lot. i just can't help it! it's not my fault they match everything and are super comfy. some days you just want to be cool and casual, and this was definitely one of those days.