Spring Favorites

It seems like Winter is going to last forever and with snow in the forecast for this week I needed a glimmer of hope of warmer weather. I am die-hard lover of summer, but spring is much better than the dreary Ohio winter.  Basically 4 months of gray skies and gray snow.  I love spring clothes because pastels and floral (and stripes obviously) are so fun to wear!  Here are a few of my favorite pieces helping me make it through these last dew wintry months.  

These shorts. Ugh. Seriously dying at how perfect they are. Navy... Stripes... J. Crew.... What more could a girl possibly want? 

I saw this on Madewell a few days ago and almost had a little heart attack on how much I loved it! It is so easy and fun and great to throw on with a little jacket.  

So Kelly and I have just the slightest obsession with lululemon. And these little crops would be so fun to wear.  Not going to lie, most days I wear some type of lulu pants because it is just like a little bit of heaven.  These are going to be a must for me this spring.  

And last but certainly not least are these Jack Roger sandals.  I have three pairs myself but they are very basic colors and I would love this pair to spice but my wardrobe for the spring.  I mean who doesn't just love a blue like that?

I would love to hear from you as to what your favorite spring pieces are! 

Much Love,

Kendall 

Since Everyone Else is Doin' It...

(not pictured: two more bins and a ginormous box. I'm kind of embarrassed!)

Earlier in the week, one of my very favorite bloggers ever, Kelly Larkin of Kelly in the City linked this article about the Japanese Closet Clean-Out and my immediate reaction was "oh no" because man oh man did I need to do that.

As a college student, I live in a house with five of my close friends (Six girls, one house.  You can't even imagine the sheer volume of clothing that entails.) and also still sort-of reside in my parents home about thirty minutes away during long school breaks.  So that means I have two rooms to store clothes in, two closets, two dressers, and way too much stuff.

Right now I'm at home because my college has a forever long winter break (Not complaining! It's six weeks of heaven.) and we haven't started classes yet.  I got the flu during finals week and quickly and unexpectedly moved back home with just duffel bag of clothes I truly love and depend on, and you know what?  It's been totally fine.  Of course, I've accumulated more clothing over break with Christmas and honestly shopping trips taken out of boredom, but I really don't need much of anything that I left behind in my college house.

So today I drove back there, packed up two thirds of what was left, and have sorted it into "just need to be donated because I don't think I have friends interested in these clothes", "maybe my friends would like these", and "I don't particularly have a reason for this button-up or these slacks right now, but my mom will kill me if I give away my future work wardrobe".

It was actually fun because I'm excited to give some of these clothes a new life.  I don't dislike any of the stuff I'm offering to my friends (that wouldn't be fair, haha) but I just have things I like more.  I'm excited for other people to like them more than me and to give them away.

I'm hoping that the more I give away, the less I feel like I need.  For some reason all the clutter makes me feel like I don't have enough.  Weird how that works out, right?

Anyone else feeling the itch for some spring cleaning a little too early? What are your best tricks for staying organized and kicking out the clutter?

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(It's Kind of a Poncho but Don't Tell Anyone)

Crosshatch Cape Banana Republic || Ashley Bow Ballet Flats Banana Republic || Jeans Gap || T-shirt Gap || (Wow, now that I have this uploaded I realized what a bad quality picture this is! Oh well, too late now! Trust me, the sweater is b-e-a-utiful!)

 

I remember being in late elementary school and getting matching Easter outfits with my sisters that included, yes, a poncho.  I loved that poncho.  Some of my older friends in their own (more mature) Easter outfits?  Didn't love it so much.  So I've scoffed at the humble poncho for the past decade.

This poncho from Banana Republic has me un-scoffing, though!  It's fashionably risky enough for me but still true to who I am.  Bonus points because it's been incredibly cold in Ohio these days.  Like, in the negatives.  I know for you northerners and more northern mid-westerners this is nothing, but I'm freezing down here!  This sweater is like a giant knit hug all day.

Also, I've been getting crazy steals at the Gap lately.  This "essential long sleeve tee" was marked down to $7.99 with and additional 60% off, for a grand total of $3.20.  Crazy.  I bought a trillion because I live in them.  They're so soft but also quite thick as far as plain tees go.  (Nothing I hate more than a see-through tee, am I right?!)

Hope you guys are enjoying your winters!  I'm currently changing out of those ballet flats (cold feet!) and into wool socks and boots!  Stay warm, sweet friends!

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The Mildest July

Jacket: J.Crew Factory // Tank: Gap (old, but similar here) // Shorts: J.Crew 5" in Dusty Thistle - on sale! (I cuffed them once here.) // Necklace: Dogeared // Sandals: Jacks, of course.  On sale! Loving these and these which are also on sale and, wow guys, I could buy them all!

We are having the mildest July ever here in southwest Ohio.  So mild that I've been picking jeans up and digging for long sleeves.  I am definitely not complaining though! It's been so nice out - such a great break from our usual midsummer mug.

These J.Crew chino shorts are some of my summer favs.  I love the 4" ones but found these last night on a sale rack for $10.  I also bought a white pair in a size a little too loose but figured I'd tuck a shirt in, add a belt, and make do.  For ten bucks I could make a lot work.  When I went to college I made a promise to myself that I would never buy J.Crew solid chino shorts that cost me more than $20.  Part challenge, part "I truly believe I can get them this cheap" and trust me, I don't want for J.Crew shorts.  I have plenty.  A whole rainbow full.

The necklace was a bridesmaid gift from a wedding I was in last week for one of my closest and dearest friends.  Huzzah! to new beginnings but dang, I hate this ending.  So many transitions!  Trying not to think about how soon they'll be my transitions - graduating college, getting a job, blah blah blah letsnotthinkaboutit.

Of course, the watch is an oldie but goodie - a 21st birthday present that my mom loves to see me wear.  And it's not like I only wear it for her, I actually do love it.  The tortoise color has served me so well. 

Hope you all had a happy fourth! Yay FREEDOM!

Sunnies + Lilly Lovin'

One dilemma I constantly find myself in is having BIG TASTES in pricier brands and a much (much much much) smaller budget. Luckily I can normally get pretty creative, and I especially love a good deal. When those two things combine I know we're headed straight for success. 

Sunglasses: TJ Maxx, but other great deals on designer sunnies here and here. Strap: Lilly Pulitzer

I love a little bit of Lilly, but too much can be over powering and I've found I only get a few real wears out of it before it feels over done. A little touch though? That I can totally handle, and especially a $14.99 little touch. Paired with a pair of $9.99 sunglasses I found at TJ Maxx, I can't wait to enjoy this accessory all summer long.

*** The only caveat I have is that these do not fit Ray Bans or anything similar. Trust me, I tried and tried. It's what led me to TJ Maxx searching for cheap but cute sunnies. ***

Enjoy the sun, enjoy some shade(s). Welcome, sweet summertime!