IT'S ALIIIIVEEE!!

Oh heeeeey, blog world!

I'm going to ditch the apologetic, excuse-ridden opening statement and just dive right in. I really want to start putting time into this blog again, and probably add some new things like recipes and music recommendations.

To catch you up on what has been going on in my life since my last post...

working a full-time job (yay!) as the Operations Director at a local business, dating a guitar-playing, blue-eyed boy for the past nine months, purging my apartment of its original dorm room decor and making it more "grown-up"/cozy/organized, and old roomie moved out and new roomie is one of my very good friends from home (He makes me rate his belching on a scale from 1 to 10. We have fun.)

Until I officially get my shit together (and my camera fixed/replaced), here are some other sites you can check me out on:

Pinterest     Twitter     Tumblr     Polyvore

Polyvore is the newest addition. I've been using it to keep a visual collection of everything in my closet (slowly, but surely) and plan outfits in advance. If I don't make note of an idea as soon as I get it, it's rare that I remember it again later/ever. And, now I won't have sticky notes on my closet door!

And if you've had enough and are ready to move on, here are some really great blogs by people who actually post on a regular basis:
Style and Pepper     Classic Noise    My Edit.     The Daily Dani     Shut up, I love that shirt on you

Be back soon! I promise!!

And the award goes to...

Greetings from The World's Worst Blogger When It Comes To Posting On A Regular Basis!

It's finals week here at Ready in Five, so I have been extremely busy wrapping everything up with my grad classes and still managing to go to work five days a week. Woof.

Anyway, I have no outfit pictures for you kids today. Womp, womp. Although, I promise, I have been wearing clothes the past week, cute ones too! It's a shame I don't have time to take self-indulgent photographs of how great I look, it really is.

To appease you for the time being, check out my friend's album that he just wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered more or less ALL BY HIMSELF. (He had a little help on bass and drums).

You can listen to 2 of the songs online (more to come!) if you go here: http://stanleytall.bandcamp.com/

Check 'em out!

Party on, Zombie Jesus!

*Warning: This is a photo heavy post. Beware!*

This weekend was jam-packed with food, friends, and fun. And while all that excitement (and lack of sleep) made getting up this morning extremely difficult, it was totally worth it.

Friday night was family dinner, as per usual, and we did a Mediterranean theme again.  This great decision yielded chicken bolognese, hummus, and hearty Italian bread with herb-infused olive oil. I made a grilled veggie phyllo pie with feta, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, and red onion.  The roomie made this cracked-out, Easter-inspired monkey bread that combined Peeps and buttermilk biscuits. It was intoxicating.

Still sleep deprived from a week of papers and stressful work situations, I threw some clothes in a bag and left Saturday morning for the much anticipated NYC reunion. Because I was running 3 hours late (oops), I had to drive straight from my apartment upstate to the train station in my hometown, and made the train with mere seconds to spare. But, luckily I made it in time to check out the Topshop in Soho with Elle, my best friend from home, and one of our college friends (A). I was too out of it to appreciate the sheer retail extravagance of this place, so I'll definitely have to go back.

Then we met up with another college buddy, wandered about, and got seriously delicious cupcakes.

Butter Pecan Cupcake

Our appetites sparked from the intense sugary goodness, we headed to a Mexican tapas restaurant for drinks and food. Everything was incredibly yummy.

Chips, salsa and lobster guacamole

Pork-stuffed plantains, braised beef on a corn cake, and meatballs

Mango tiramisu

Finally satisfied, we hung out at a little hookah bar for a bit, gossiping over a pitcher of white sangria, before meeting up with an old friend from high school at a fantastic dive bar that served coffee shop drinks along with a great selection of beer.

CakeShop, East Village, NYC

Exhausted from all the socialization, we had one last obligation to fulfill: street meat. So we headed towards Astor Place and got what was HANDS DOWN the best lamb gyro I have EVER had. I even got a free bottle of water because, according to the owner of the street cart, I am white like tzatziki sauce.

The next morning, Elle, college friend A, and I got ourselves together and had breakfast at the Polish diner near A's apartment. Nothing makes me happier than a Mediterranean omelet with challah toast, a giant iced coffee, and two really great friends.

Elle, keeping up on the latest backpack trends

Because we're terrible bloggers, Elle and I were too distracted by external factors (like, where to eat next) to take outfit pictures. So, we posed for these gems on Easter morning:

weee! friends!

This is what we're like 90% of the time.

I was lazy and didn't shower (attractive, I know) before heading home, so I disguised my not-so-clean hair with an LC-style braid to spare those taking the train with me from seeing the horrors that lay beneath my side part and messy bun.

makeshift headband to hide my greasy roots

After a much needed shower, and a wild dash to gather all my spring/summer clothing to bring back upstate, I went out for an early dinner with my Dad and brother.

Homemade pasta with rabbit, asparagus, and brussel sprouts

Yes, I ate rabbit on Easter. Yes, that probably makes me a terrible person. But I don't care, it was delicious.

Grilled salmon with artichoke sauce over potatoes and asparagus

We also got macadamia-nut tempura calamari with a pineapple dipping sauce, hanger steak with bleu cheese mashed potatoes and spinach, apple-pecan pie, and chocolate lava cake, but the wolves ate all of it before pictures could be taken.

Nicky Bro-bro and I!

I hope all of you got to have as much fun and food as I did this weekend!!

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).

EBEW: Maxi-mum Potential

It's Maxi Day over at EBEW! I was so excited when the maxi dress won the poll - I own 3 and I adore each of them. So effortlessly chic, and comfortable to boot!

Featuring:

H&M dress and belt, Old Navy cardigan, F21 sandals, gifted jewelry

I'm really proud of myself today for how well-accessorized I am. Normally I abide by the "before you leave, take off one thing" mantra, but today I just piled it on. Must be the sunny, warm weather. Hooray for it finally being spring in New York! I'm off to class, and then it's time for a free B&J's ice cream cone. SO EXCITED.

Wear a maxi today? Show it off!

Weekend Wrap-up

Photo courtesy of Petah's baller SLR

 After my shopping trip, some of my friends and I had a Mexican themed family dinner on Friday night. My contribution was black bean salsa - so simple and SO DELICIOUS.

black beans, tomatoes, corn, cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, roasted red peppers, red onions, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.

I spent Saturday doing homework and drinking an iced Almond Joy latte (nomnom) at the local coffee shop before going to an art show on campus. Best part? I got to wear my new polka dot tights!!

VS tank, F21 tank, DYI cut offs, H&M tights, VS hoodie, A&F scarf, UO sneakers, UO sunglasses

Note my canvas shopping bag, perfect size for my Macbook and notebook. Also, my landlord happened to walk down this alley right after I took this picture. Close call.

And now, on this lovely Sunday evening, I'm cuddling on the couch with my kitty watching the Comedy Awards. Life is good.

my pretty Sheva kitty!

Decisions are hard.

Featuring:

Gap tank, Gap cardigan, AE trousers, Charlotte Russe flats

Looking back at my recent posts, I've realized that almost everything I own is either a black, gray, or a shade of blue. So, last night, when the roomie and I went on an impromptu shopping trip to find a new shirt for her flute recital, I picked up a few things at H&M:

• sheer polka dot tights $9.95 - I've wanted a pair of these for SO LONG and I'm really happy I finally own them.
• striped button-up shirt $19.95 - Much needed wear-to-work item
• floral halter dress $12.95 - So perfect for summer, and it's a really pretty shade of periwinkle
• gray and peach striped 3/4-sleeve sweater dress $10 - A little pop of citrus for my spring wardrobe!

Things I tried on, wanted, but didn't get.

• Chambray shirt $25.95 - It fit really well, and was super soft, but I couldn't justify the price.
• Navy maxi dress (don't remember the price) - I own two already, but I seriously love how effortless and chic they are. 

Chances of me going back and getting both of those? Pretty good. Don't be surprised if I'm wearing a tied-up chambray with a navy maxi dress and my strap-y wedges later this week. Yeah, that outfit idea just confirmed my fears. Damn you, H&M!