Slacking Off

Why hellooooo there, loyal kittens! I apologize for being MIA this week, school+work+life has been kicking my bootay this week, and I just could not find time to take outfit pictures.
In lieu of an actual "this is what I wore today" post, I am instead asking (actually, begging) for your assistance in a matter of utmost importance.

Any of you who follow Elle of Joy, etc. (If you don't, do it. She's adorable) are most likely aware that the two of us are joining some college friends in NYC this weekend. It is sure to be a memorable time.

My dilemma, as usual, is that I can't decide what the eff to wear. The transitional weather is certainly not helping.

So, here's the break-down:

Weather: high 50s/low 60s, chance of rain
Itinerary: train ride, brunch, thrifting/wandering, wine bar, dinner, LES bar scene, breakfast, train ride
Objective: outfits that can easily transition between indoor/outdoor and from day/night

Right now, I'm leaning towards either a F21 dress or romper. I haven't had a chance to wear either of them yet and they have been staring me down from their respective hangers every time I open my closet.

Option 1: Dress (similar)
Daytime: black tights, black boots, black blazer (noticing a trend?)
Evening: swap boots for heels (probably black. hey, it's NYC nightlife. everyone wears black!)

Option 2: Romper (navy with green and white tulips)
Daytime: blue tights, kelly green over-sized cardigan, camel wedges
Evening: I'm stumped with this one. I would probably switch to my green flats, and swap out the cardi for.... something else? Help!

So yeah, as clearly evidenced above, I'm struggling a bit. Any words of wisdom from the audience? Feel free to suggest entirely different outfits too. I'm not completely hung up on these two pieces.

Thanks in advance!! My weekend bag loves you already (previously, I was planning on just stuffing her to the max with 5 different options).

Day Six: Rain Rain, Go Away

It has been raining since my drive home from the airport. Ugh. It's nice to be back home, but I really wish New York had better weather.

Comfy plane outfit: flannel, H&M; jeggings, AE; boots, Kenneth Cole

The strip!

Bird's eye view of Vegas

Sunset over the Rockies

Midnight snack at Eveready Diner. Best poor decision making ever.

Day Five: Mon Cheri

Featuring:

striped top, Target; scarf, F21; jeans, AE; flats, ModCloth; belt, borrowed from mom; purse, UO

(squinting courtesy of extreme glare and Mom demanding I take off my sunglasses)

Bonjour! (In my head, I say it like Julia Child.)

Yesterday, mom and I went for brunch at Mimi's Cafe, the cutest little French-inspired cafe I've ever been to. I ordered Crab Cakes Benedict and a Pomosa (pomegranate juice, orange juice, and sparkling wine), which were both delectable. They served it with fruit and nut bread and whipped butter. Nomnomnom.

This blog is starting to make me sound like an obese alcoholic, but I'm really okay with it.

Day Four: Girls Night Out

Featuring:

dress, H&M; blazer, H&M; shoes, Urban Outfitters; necklace, borrowed from Mom

Yesterday, I made french toast for breakfast (topped with bananas and raspberries. nom.) and then laid around the house all day reading Hyperbole and a Half, which is probably the funniest blog I have ever read.

But, there was a purpose behind my laziness! I was resting up for Ladies Night with my aunt and cousin, both seasoned Las Vegas party girls. Mom and I met them at Brio, a swanky Tuscan bar and grill, where we shared carpaccio (paired with a Flirtini (Prosecco, Absolut Raspberri, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and Citronge)) and lobster ravioli (paired with a glass of Malbec). DELICIOUS.

Then we moved on to Blue Martini. There was a live band playing salsa and jazz. I enviously watched a woman dance with her husband, and boyyyy could he work it. This scene was punctuated with a Caipirinha (the national cocktail of Brazil) and my mom rehashing how my dad used to get drunk and pretend to play Great Balls of Fire using the bar as a piano.

Our last stop was Cadillac Ranch. Even though it was walking distance from Blue Martini, you could not imagine a bigger contrast. This place had a mechanical bull. (No, I didn't ride it. But, I have tried in the past, and that shit is difficult.) My cousin ordered me a Colorado Bulldog, which tastes like a chocolate milkshake but is actually a mixture of Kahlua, Coke, and milk.

Overall, it was a great night. I had never met my cousin before, so it was really nice to spend some time with her. And my aunt is always a blast (she is so Las Vegas, I can't imagine her living anywhere else) so it was fantastic to see her.

Day Three: Shorts and Tights Forever

After a breakfast of Bacon Egg and Cheese on an English Muffin with Avocado Butter, I took mom and Hiram on a shopping adventure. Afterwards, we took Griffin to his orthodontist appointment. While his mouth was being filled with even more metal, Mom and I took the following pictures. I can't include all of them because 50% turned out fuzzy (her constant peals of laughter shook the camera, especially when I slipped on the marble staircase while trying to do the "One" dance sequence from A Chorus Line).

That's a Maserati, in case you were wondering.

"But maaaaam, I don't know how else to pose!"

I want to look this good when I'm 50.

Featuring:

sweater, Express; belt, H&M; shorts, Forever 21; tights/socks, Bass Outlet; boots, Kenneth Cole;

scarf, Forever 21; sunglasses, Urban Outfitters

Shopping was a great success. I hit up F21 and Target HARD. I purchased much needed cute/warm tops, a skirt, a necklace, and these amazing shoes (in ecru, not grey). They have four inch heels and will actually make me a better person.

Day Two: Cena de la Familia

Featuring:

top, unknown; shorts, Forever 21; tights, Bass Outlet; shoes, Modcloth; necklace, Forever 21

Griffin, my youngest brother, took these for me. He kept asking me why I pose so oddly: "Can't you just smile? You look weird." How supportive.

Check out that cheesy last picture. It totally says, "Venido a mi casa!"

When reviewing the pictures, I instantly took my hair down. I always attempt to "style" my hair for occasions, but it never seems to work out.

I wore this last night to family dinner with Hiram's (my stepdad) mom and brother. They were both very sweet and his mom made sopes which were DELICIOUS. I am eating everything in sight here, this could end badly.

Suitcase Challenge, Vegas Edition: Day One

Hola from sunny Las Vegas!

While the actual flight out here was uneventful, I was kind of a hot mess the entire time (clearly waking up at 5:30am doesn't work well for me). I managed to lose my sunglasses, then find them, lose my boarding pass, then find it on the floor in the bathroom, spill tea on myself, lose my actual glasses, then find them. But the plane was on time and didn't crash, so overall I deem it a success.

View of Nevada from 700 feet above land

This is my mom's dog, PD. He's named after a character, Pocket Dog, in a book Griffin (my brother) read. He likes to snuggle.

For the flight I wore: Charlotte Russe ivory flower stud earrings, Old Navy navy tank, H&M grey cardigan, AE jeggings, and my Kenneth Cole whiskey boots.

In addition to acting like a hot mess, I looked like one too by the time I arrived at LAS. So, excuse the lack of full body picture, this was about as much posing as I could handle.

After dropping off my bags at the house, we went for sushi. GREAT decision. I honestly think I could eat sushi every day for the rest of my life. The frosted mug filled with Sapporo and iced green tea were a perfect addition.

Our plates from Yummy Sushi.

The first one (with eel, cream cheese, avocado, tuna and a bunch of other delicious things) is called "That's What She Say" roll, so I obviously had to order it. The second is a Rock N Roll, filled with salmon, tuna, and sprouts and wrapped in cucumber. Nom.

Then they took me on a little drive around town to see Griffin's high school and some tourist spots. He goes to a Career and Technical Academy that seriously looks like a college campus from the movies. Jealous.

The gates in front of Siegfried and Roy's mansion. One time a lion escaped from their house and Griffin's school, which is a block away, was put on lock down.

It's 30 degrees and snowing at home. Here it's 65 and sunny. Win.

Packity Packpack

Tomorrow, I leave for Vegas. My mom and youngest brother live there, and I am visiting them for the next six days. Sounds great right? 60 degree weather, delicious homemade food, great nightlife, quality brobro time, the list goes on.

One problem: I am AWFUL at packing. In a mere 8 hours my flight leaves JFK and I have yet to put anything inside of my suitcase. Instead, I have a giant pile of items on my bed.

Clearly, Ginger is very helpful.

And in case my lack of planning wasn't a big enough obstacle, I decided that since I have been slacking on the outfit posts I should bring only items that haven't been posted here. So here is my promise to you, dear readers: I will post every day for the next six days.

In my opinion, living out of a suitcase is like a mini 30-for-30. This should be good practice for when I do Kendi's next challenge.

Inventory:

green flats, brown boots, black heels

grey cardigan, black blazer, black jacket

denim/black shorts

lace/black/plum t-shirt

navy/white/grey tank

blue sweater

flannel shirt

jeans

purple/black/floral dress

(and a variety of tights/scarves/socks/jewelry)

Yes, I realize that this list provides me with at least 7 different outfits. And yes, I will only be there for 6 days. But! I have no idea what the itinerary looks like, and knowing my family, there will be daytime and nighttime activities, which means I need more than one outfit per day and/or outfits that can be transformed. And, I like having options!

I'm floundering. But it's fine. This is a learning process, right?

This is my 20 for 6. What up.