a girl's best friend: simple black cardigan

In honor of my 300th post, I decided to dedicate it to one of my wardrobe staples. Although, I haven't featured it on the blog in awhile, I still wear it all the time.
Here are some of the outfits this baby has been a part of:







 
Thank you Target for supplying me with one of the most useful pieces in my wardrobe. Especially when it's freezing out! I noticed all these were taken pre-ombre, back when I was a full brunette! I don't think I'll be going back there anytime soon.

I hope you're having a great week and have a happy Friday!

so many bright lights that cast a shadow

Charlotte Russe, Delia's (from TJ Maxx) cardigan, thrifted belt, thrifted leather bag, and Forever 21 floral mary janes. 

I've had these photos in my virtual back pocket since Tuesday. We all know Thanksgiving was this week and life got pretty crazy!
I bought this cardigan after work on Monday to console myself after I fell all the way down the basement stairs while working. It was scary, especially since I was by myself. If you can help it, don't ever fall down a flight of stairs.
I paired this crazy cardigan with a winter-weather dress I haven't worn in ages. It has pockets, which I find pretty awesome. Don't ask my why, I never use pockets (that's what purses bigger than my head are for), I just find their novelty amusing. The belt was the finishing touch. This belt in particular has always puzzled me - I can't figure out if it's purple or blue. When I put it next to blue it looks purple and vice-versa. It's in that beautiful in-between land of colors that can't be named. That's why I love playing with color, it's so subjective. Everyone sees them differently: to you the belt might be a solid purple; to me it's a blue-purple. I'll have to think of a name for it. Until next time, belt...until next time.

On a totally different and frivolous note, I was loving this lipstick over the summer, but not so much now. My pale winter skin now looks too harsh with the super-bright pink. I hate when my skin get so pale. It's just a sign that...WINTER IS COMING (I know you see what I did there).

I hope you had a great holiday!

purple haze

 







Thrifted Gap pullover, thrifted vintage Jordache shorts, Target tights and thigh-high socks, gifted scarf, Icing sunglasses, thrifted bag, and Sam Edelman Zoe boots.

On Friday I felt like I should wear something a little bit crazy. I decided these polka dot socks were just the thing. I got them half off at Target - apparently they were classified as Halloween merchandise. Pretty sure I'll be able to find ways to wear what is supposed to be a costume year-round.
I paired the crazy socks with my new pullover, which is definitely going to be a favorite of mine this winter. I got it at Salvation Army (my favorite) during a high(er)-end sweater spree. I managed to score this soft Gap number, an argyle J. Crew pullover, and a thick Ralph Lauren striped sweater. WORD!
I realize getting excited over sweaters is something that grandmas do. I can't help it, sometimes I feel like whenever I walk into a store they start calling my name. My collection is getting ridiculous; one day I'll share it with you.

I hope your week had a lovely start. I'm so excited for Thanksgiving!

cozy sweater thursday

Thrifted Liz Claiborne sweater, H&M skinny jeans, Kohl's velvet headband, thrifted bag, and Miu Miu SS2010 clogs.

Thursdays have become a cozy sweater day in my world. Normally by this point in the week I'm a little burnt out and want something to wrap myself in. By Friday I'm ready to dress up again. This particular cozy sweater I found brand new at Salvation Army for $2.50. It would be incredibly warm, but the little eyelets welcome the breeze to cut right through. It's a small price to pay for a nifty sweater.

Of course I have to pair my comfy knit with my favorite pair of jeans! I still can't say enough good things about them. I don't know why I didn't try H&M for jeans years ago. I also got to wear my always-loved Miu Mius. It was perfect weather for them - dry, sunny, and not too warm. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

P.S. It was my first time wearing this awesome headband. I predict us having a long, loving relationship.

I'm off to go watch football (against my will) and pig out. I hope you have a great end to your week!

pleather

Vintage sweater, Lauren Conrad for Kohl's shorts, thrifted bag, vintage sunglasses and Target booties.

What to wear on what will certainly be my last day of sartorial freedom? Oh yeah: pleather shorts. I always stare at these awesome shorts when I go to get dressed. The problem is it never seems to be the right temperature. When it's cold, I feel like tights would look silly and when it's hot, forget it. A 70-degree fall day was perfect. I probably could have gotten away with no sweater, but with my propensity to be cold I decided not to risk it.
This sweater is honestly too beautiful not to be worn. It's a 1950's original that I found at an estate sale. The boat neck with the pearl buttons on the shoulder made me swoon. When I went to check out, the woman informed me that it was her mother's. She told me she hoped I would enjoy the clothes I bought just as much as her mother had. I'm glad it ended up in my closet. My appreciation for clothes (as silly as it sounds) is something I find hard to put into words. Especially the clothing of decades past. They tell a story and history of something you can't read in textbooks.

I know I'm rambling, but I can't not talk about these sunglasses; they were my grandfather's. I inherited a lot of his sunglass collection. Even though I never met him, I know he had great taste. The man had a pair of original Ray-Ban Wayfarers. How cool is that?

I hope your week is off to a great start. I'm excited, because tomorrow is Brian's birthday! I hope I make it special for him.

who's that girl wearing mom jeans?

Takeout sweater from Kohl's, vintage Levi's, thrifted leather bag, years old sunglasses, and Target booties.

Oh yeah, that girl is me. As some of you may know, I'm part of the cult of vintage Levi's. We're a group of girls who are on the hunt for the discarded pairs of the past. We don't see these as "mom jeans." Personally, I'm always reaching for my Levi's when I'm bored of my other jean options. I own a few different styles but these are my favorite. I feel like they were tailored just for me. That's a really nice feeling to have when you get dressed in the morning.

I paired my jeans with a comfy sweater that I got for free with a Kohl's coupon. I get those occasionally and it seriously feels like Christmas. $10 toward anything I want? Hello clearance!
The finishing touch was the boots. I wasn't sure about how they looked at first, but in the end I liked it a lot. These little booties are perfect for the crisp fall weather we're having.

Well, it's almost Friday, almost time to kick up your heels and party! I hope you had a wonderful week.

sick as a dog

Hi all!
I'm currently pretty sick, so that means I look pretty disgusting. Nothing you'd want to see, trust me. Even in my current state, I still had to go to work so I'm looking extra frazzled. Luckily I'm drinking a lot of tea like the pretty lady above. I definitely can't pull that look off while I'm sick.

I hope your week started on a lovely note and don't forget to vote tomorrow!

I change shapes just to hide in this place but I'm still an animal

Love Tree (from Marshall's) sweater dress, Target tights, thrifted leather bag, and Sam Edelman Zoe boots.

Waking up to temperatures in the 30's this morning, I instantly knew I had to wear this dress. As soon as I saw it, I was smitten. Part horrendously-80's, part Betsey Johnson, all Morgan DeLapa (that's me). At first I had this paired with hot pink tights, then I looked at myself in the mirror. All I needed were some leg warmers and I could have been on an 80's sitcom. Black was a much better choice; it makes the dress pop. Today was also the perfect day to bring my Zoe boots out of hibernation. I forgot that they are so freaking comfortable!
By the way, I know you're probably sick of seeing this bag. It's my standby at the moment. I love the soft pebbled leather, the messenger bag style, and the fact that it was 40 cents.

Try to stay warm this weekend - our forecast is predicting snow! Yuck.