Back to School Checklist

What I'm looking forward to adding to my wardrobe just in time for the school year:

denim jacket / white jeans / boyfriend jeans / blue cami / dark wash jeans / textured pants / Tory burch flats / white sneakers / leopard flat / Red flat

//For the Top Half//
Silk Cami: Wear it with skirts, pants, under a blazer, under a cardigan. This blouse is the perfect year-round wardrobe addition
Denim Jacket: Mine is a bit on the baggy side, so finding a sturdy new denim jacket to go with, oh, just about everything is in order

//Pants//
New Skinny Jeans: Mine are a size too large and never keep their shape. I need a pair to last through the  school day
Boyfriend Jeans: Slouchy perfection
White Jeans: I'm warming up to the whole white-jeans-year-round trend...labor day rule be darned
Trousers: This is more of a autumn wardrobe prep: not completely necessary but oh-so chic

//Kicks//
Leopard Flats: Leopard is the new black. Plus, I adore the pointy toe and d'orsay details
Red Flats: simple, solid, can go with whatever I need it to
Tan Flats: ditto
White Sneakers: While breaking the labor day rule on pants, I'm not so sure I could do the same with shoes. However, these sneakers would last me a good 3 days before they go into storage
Sneakers: I love the sporty chic look and these sneakers are too cute to pass up

xoxo

HBM

Not over yet

I will admit, seeing all of the rich fabrics and deep colors makes me a bit excited for fall, but at the same time, I am SO not ready for summer to be over...

I'm not sure what summer has been like where you live, but Baltimore's weather has been beyond beautiful. Not to mention the adventures I've had with my friends and family making this the best summer to date in my opinion. After all the fun I've had, I''m not quite ready to go back to school...

As the summer winds down, stores start ordering and selling their fall inventory and summer clothes go on sale. This is the perfect excuse to shop for all of the pieces you'll need to finish out August and to get excited about for next year. Here's what I'm still looking at:

Shift dress / striped dress / polo dress / maxi dress / Jack Rogers / flip flops / heels / bangle / earrings / floppy hat

Are you wishing for an endless summer or are you already lusting for autumn 

xoxo

HBM

Catching some zzz's

As much as I love the snow (and snow days for that matter...), I'm fed up with it. I'm off from school today (and probably tomorrow, for that matter) due to the 16 inch blanket covering the state of maryland. Yea, I have homework, and yea, I should practice my trombone, and yea, maybe I should workout today, but in all reality, you'll most likely find me in my marching band tee shirt and yoga pants blogging, reading, or catching up on sleep (my 3 favorite activites!!).

To be honest, my pajamas are usually a random tee shirt and a random pair of (probably) target-brand flannel pants. Comfy and easy, but doesn't exactly scream luxury. Recently I've been seeing cute menswear pajama sets all over various blogs and pinterest and...I think I'm in love. I mean, what girl WOULDN'T want to go to bed clothed in silk? I love the idea of looking chic as soon as I wake up in the morning which generally doesn't happen in the tee shirt x flannel combo I currently sport. There's just something about wearing matching pajamas to bed that makes one feel pampered and put together (especially after a bubble bath and a cup of chamomile tea.), no? Sitting around all day in my "pajamas" has made me come to realize how much I need to restock my sleepwear supply (the middle school flannels don't even cover my ankles #yikes) and these sets are a few of my faves. Anyone else prefer big-girl pajamas?


Shop the post:

xoxo

Hannah

Ps:

valentine's from here

Splurge or Save: Riding Boots

Splurge / Save

I often find it difficult to find pieces that have the same quality and feel as designer pieces. Designer clothing is generally out of my budget, but other options may not be as appealing to me. 

For a while [aka my middle school days], i figured ugg boots were an acceptable substitution for riding boots [just like i thought that using ribbons as belts was crafty and cute...it really made me look like a martha-stewart-in-training]. Thankfully, i have had a change of heart. 

The only problem is that boots are generally a more expensive addition to one's closet. After browsing through the designer sites, i figured a pair like those tory burch beauties up there would do the trick. Then i saw the price...that wasn't going to do the trick. 

After a little more searching i found those Etienne Aigner boots at DSW for a much more reasonable price [especially as a birthday gift] and it had a logo on the side like the tory boots. Just as preppy, but for much less. I just thought i'd show anyone reading that you can always buy the designer boots if you can afford them, or you can save and buy a similar pair along with, say, another set of shoes. I personally am all for saving and getting more bang for your buck. My philosophy is that there is a similar, much more budget-friendly pair just waiting to be found, bought, and complimented on. Have you ever gotten a look for less?

What's Left

Sunglasses / Ring / Flip Flops / Dress /Bag / Skirt / Blazer / Boots / Necklace / Tunic

As some of you may have read in this post, i am obsessed with a certain checklist that Matchbook Magazine produced naming 50 essentials for one's closet. I made the edits i thought necessary and produced a new list. After doing that, i followed through by finding a perfect match for every item i thought that i still needed on that list. Given that these items are somewhat above my budget, i will have to do some re-scouting and re-grouping in order to find matches in my budget. Any suggestions on where i can find a wool blazer for a couple bucks? No? To the thrift store!

Seeing Double

 Kate Spade Necklace / Tory Burch Earrings / T&J Designs Necklace / T&J Designs Bracelets / C Wonder Earrings / KJP Bracelets / Kate Spade Earrings 

As i have almost no life during the week (notice i say almost, wink wink), i spend some of my      time looking around online shops and boutiques. But recently, i have definitely seen some       very similar designs on theses sites and i thought i would share them with you. Some are a      better deal, and some are just similar and eye catching options. Either way, as the saying goes, great stores sell alike. Ok that's not quite the saying, but it still applies. 

What is your favorite doppelganger?

xoxo

Birdy

So Needy!

Want / Eat / Need 1 / Need 2  

(i know...i definitely NEED those flats...soo needy)1

Here is round 2! 

Just some quick commentary on the flats: I love the color of the tory burch flats, but does it look too dark? The reason i picked this emerald color was because it's the pantone color of 2013 and i have just been eating this color up, wardrobe wise. Anyways, i love it, but i also love the orange-red of the madewell pair...which do you prefer?

Have a nice rest-of-your-weekend!

xoxo

Birdy

What to Wear n0.4: Valentine's Day Wishes

So because valentine's day consists of a marching band event in the morning and then coming home to pack up for my weekend vacation to rehobeth beach, you could say my day is pretty eventful, and it just proves that i will spend valentine's day with my friends and family...not with a special someone...i don't have one of those...
Anywho, because that special day is so busy, i thought that i would take some time to put together a little valentine's day "what to wear n0.4" and a special valentine's day wish to anyone reading from all of us at twirl. Love you guys!!
So for this what to wear, i wanted to use the romanticism and feminine quality of the day to my advantage. A lacy dress that has a flowy skirt and is tied off at the waist by a bow (belt). I incorporated the color and bows into the Tory Burch flats and added some baubley necklaces from baublebar (which i tried layering). Then a statement hairpiece and a cute clutch from ban.do and you are looking cute! Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Valentine's Day 

Forever 21 knit dress / Tory Burch ballet shoes / Bib necklace / Rose pendant / Pendant charm / ban.do ban do / Forever 21 waist belt / ban.do metallic heart clutch

xoxo,
Birdy