Find of the Week | 19

I picked up some cute clothes at Crosswynds Traders to build my summer wardrobe. I've been looking for more basics, office-appropriate pieces and  graphic tank tops for the weekend.

"Bright Romance" graphic tank top by American Eagle

"Charlie Skinny" by Lucky Brand Jeans

Sleeveless Blazer by Silence & Noise

My favorite thing about sleeveless blazers is that they are equally as versatile as regular blazers. They can be layered and worn professionally or paired down with denim shorts for a more casual look.

Want more fashion inspiration? My "Fashion" Pinterest board is always growing.

Find of the Week | 12

It's sweater-weather in Rhode Island and I am in desperate need of big sweaters. Naturally, I went to Crosswynds Traders first and found two cute knit sweaters by Urban Outfitters and a pair of zippered sweatpants by American Eagle Outfitters.

Black and grey camouflage

California Dreaming

These aren't the exact pair of sweatpants I have. My sweatpants are a darker grey, black contrast zippers, and have zippers on the ankles. You can find the sweatpants in the picture on Aerie's website.

Find of the Week | 10

With summer winding down, it's time to start shopping for fall. I've been looking for basics before going back to school, sticking with neutral colors scheme for everyday wear and professional attire. Maybe the occasional pop of color for loungewear or going out. 

I just picked up a few things today on my day off:

Sheath dresses in heather grey (left) and black, velvetREvolution

American Eagle colorblock zipper sweater with 3/4 sleeves, Crosswynds Traders

Alternative Apparel sweatshirt in Eco Royal, Crosswynds Traders

Small zipper crossbody bag in black

Gold anchor sandals in black, KC Shoes at the Pier

I went to get my nails done with my mom for the first time in months. The cobalt blue pedicure was a solid decision.

Rain or Shine

If you live in Rhode Island, the bizarre weather is hard to ignore. One day it's sunshine-y, summer fun, and the next day it's chilly winds and pouring rain. Thankfully, tomorrow is supposed to be nice, so let's hope the sun decides to come out and play!

Dress, available at KC Shoes at the Pier

The recently renovated Queen Anne's Square in Newport

A great quote from poet Langston Hughes to keep in mind on a rainy day

Tuesday's outfit--Tank Top and Denim Vest, Old Navy; HiLo Skirt, Primark; Shoes, Colin Stuart; Necklace, vintage

Today's outfit--Shirt and Cardigan, Old Navy; Jeans, Lucky Brand (from Crosswynds Traders); Neon Handbag,  Urban Outfitters (from Crosswynds Traders); Bow Sandals, American Eagle (from Crosswynds Traders); Earrings, available at Crosswynds Traders

My latest obsession from Crosswynds Traders

Madison came with my mom and I to Newport. After walking all around downtown, she was exhausted and took a nap at the salon.

Spring/Summer 2013 Shopping

Since last winter, I have been making more conscious, thought-out decisions about what clothes to buy. I love fashion and I love clothes, but I don't see the point in being "trendy" and slaving away to the latest fad.

I had been cleaning out my closet and donating a lot of clothes only to realize that I needed to find foundation pieces for my summer wardrobe: tank tops, jeans, shorts, sandals, handbags...

Okay, I needed a lot of new things.

Over the past few weeks, I've been able to find most of the summer wardrobe staples I'd been looking for--I just wish the weather would warm up so I could wear them!

Lucky Brand Chambray Shirt, Crosswynds Traders

The Chambray Shirt--I have been looking for a chambray shirt since February. Jack Wills has a phenomenal one, which also comes in pink, but the shirt I bought looks fairly similar and was only a fraction of the Jack Wills' price. 

American Eagle cardigan, Crosswynds Traders

 The Cardigan--I probably have more cardigans than I would like to admit, but I don't have any like this (promise!). I love that this is a light, chunky knit sweater than can be worn year-round.

American Eagle White Khaki Shorts, Crosswynds Traders

White Khaki Shorts--Everyone loves white denim cutoffs, but it's nice to have white khaki shorts if you need to be dressy-casual for a summer event.

American Eagle Lace Insert Shorts, Crosswynds Traders

 Shorts w/ Lace Detail--How awesome are these?! I'm not even going to contain my excitement over this cute pair of shorts. The lace detail really makes it special and the shorts just so happen to be right on trend.

American Eagle Floral Denim Shorts, Crosswynds Traders

 Floral Print Shorts--Whether or not these were a necessity is debatable, but they fit well. 

American Eagle Tie-Dye Shorts, Crosswynds Traders

 Tie-Dye Denim Shorts--Similar argument as the Floral Print Shorts--not really sure that they'll be in my closet forever, but I love them right now.

Lucky Brand Jeans, Crosswynds Traders

 Straight Leg Jeans--I always have trouble finding good denim and good denim that fits. I was so happy to find these straight leg, dark wash jeans that also have super stretch. One of my challenges denim shopping is that I am a curvy size 25 and the stretch is more than necessary, as well as flattering.

American Eagle Belt, Crosswynds Traders

 Belt--I wear my belts to death. I just wish this also came in black!

American Eagle Sandals, Crosswynds Traders

 Neutral Sandals--I have neutral sandals I bought in England last summer, but I don't want to ruin them. I can't wait to wear these this year!

Kimchi Blue Wallet, Crosswynds Traders

Wallet--When I go to university, I typically carry 2-3 bags with me (backpack, purse and/or extra book bag for library books). I desperately needed something that could function as a purse, but not be a big handbag. Functional beauty, what's not to love?

In the future, I would like to find more maxi dresses, sandals, and light/chunky knit cardigans.

Newport/Narragansett: I Need to Go to Paris

For the past few days, I have been obsessing about studying abroad in Paris. It's probably because:

1. I am taking Intermediate French and a course on 19th century Paris.
2. In my Cross-Cultural Psychology class, I was assigned to do a project on French Polynesia.
3. I learned there is a study abroad program in Paris with my current French professor and her husband, who is my Macroeconomics professor. 
4. I went to a downtown bookstore (Island Books) and found a book about a woman who moves from New York City to Paris to write ad copy for Louis Vuitton through her addiction to sweets (Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas) .

It's as if all of these circumstances are signs.

Besides researching summer programs in Paris, I went to Apothecary Newport today, celebrated my friend's 21st birthday, and figuring out my work study with the Pell Center of International Relations. Overall, the week has been pretty normal...

And I decided to sign up for a women's bootcamp at Black Diamond Mixed Martial Arts studio in Kingston. I need to work out more regularly somehow between classes and commuting. My first class is tomorrow after French... It should be interesting to say the least.  

Monday's Outfit: Dress, Xhilaration; Cardigan, Simply Vera by Vera Wang; Flats, Nomad; Purse, Gap

Tuesday's Outfit: Cardigan, Charlotte Tarantola; Pants, Gap; Shoes, Ralph Lauren

Wednesday's Outfit: Cardigan, Old Navy; Tunic, Gap; Leggings, Gap; Boots, Steve Madden

Today's Outfit: Sweater, Gap; Jeans, American Eagle; ID lanyard, Jack Wills

Barrington/Narragansett: Preppy Pig BBQ

My family and I went to a family friend's BBQ in Barrington this afternoon. It was the perfect weather to be out and enjoy the early days of fall. 

I honestly try to avoid eating red meat as possible, but the catering company who worked the BBQ did a great job on the brisket--it was slow cooked for 14 hours. According to their website, Preppy Pig BBQ, based in Warren, RI, caters events all over New England--think of preppy hot-spots Nantucket, Newport, Greenwich, "and all points in between." 

The owner's enthusiasm for his company is genuine in both the online company description and in-person. He  prepared and served the ribs and brisket at our family friend's BBQ with a smile. We had to leave the BBQ early, but the owner was kind enough to send us off with brisket sandwiches to-go.

The rest of the day was spent like every other college student in the country--doing homework that should have been finished before the weekend even begun. Thankfully, I finished reading Old Man Goriot and studying for French. Only four more classes to work on.

Today's Outfit: Cardigan, Old Navy; Tank Top, American Eagle; Jeans, American Eagle; Belt, vintage

Newport: Clubs, Jewelry, and More Clubs

After finishing up the third week of the semester, I feel much more comfortable commuting to university--I am gauging my comfort level based on the many cups of green tea I have had time to enjoy.

I survived club rush on Tuesday and the study abroad fair on Wednesday. For the study abroad fair, I represented an Oxford alumni and showed a Powerpoint presentation of some photos illustrating life at Oxford to prospective students considering the trip. 

The university paper began accepting articles for the year, so I submitted an article today about Sequin, a fashion forward jewelry brand, which has three locations in Newport. One of the great things about Sequin is that they collaborate with designers such as Badgely Mischka and Ralph Lauren. It was a great boutique to write about and I hope to return there and buy some jewelry.  

This morning I went for a job interview--earlier this week I decided to leave my hostessing job--and it took much longer than I expected. I thought it would take half an hour maximum...but it turned out to be a two and half hour process. I just hope it was worth it.

Sequin on 119 Bellevue Avenue

Sequin on 182 Bellevue Avenue

Sunday's Outfit: Top, Express; Cardigan, Martin and Osa; Leggings, Gap; Boots, Michael Kors; Purse (from B Chic)

Monday's Outfit: Sweatshirt, (from Fordham University); T Shirt, Victoria's Secret Pink; Jeggings, American Eagle Outfitters; Sandals, Steve Madden

Tuesday's Outfit: Dress, Max Azria; Cardigan, Gap; Belt, vintage; Shoes, (from  Mr. Shoes)

Thursday's Outfit: Dress, Urban Outfitters; Bangles, Primark

Friday's Outfit: Sweater, Pants, and Purse, Gap

Newport: First Day of Classes and Commuting

"First day of school! First day of school! First day of school!"- Nemo, Finding Nemo

Yes--today was the first of classes for the fall semester. I had Macroeconomics and Intermediate French in the morning, then ran errands around campus, such as getting a commuter sticker for the windshield. I went home, ate pasta leftovers from last night's dinner, then went back to Newport for work.

It is going to be a productive, busy semester. Wish me luck.

Yesterday's Outfit: Palm Tree Sweater, Fetching; Jeans, American Eagle; Crossbody Bag; Bangles, Primark

Today's Outfit: Navy Ruffle Shirt; Pants, Gap; Rain Boots, Coach

Warwick/Wakefield: Muffins and Chameleons

Instead of spending the morning at the beach, my mom and I went to a salon in Warwick. There was a muffin place next door that I could not resist when I started aching for a snack. I stood at the counter for at least ten minutes looking at the muffins before deciding to buy a box of a dozen mini muffins.

For the record, I plan on doing a more serious workout tomorrow morning.

We went to Wakefield in the afternoon to get some groceries at the Alternative Food Co-Op, but then I figured we could stop by the bookstore at the mall to pick up the long sought-after September Issue beforehand.

When I get to the bookstore, formerly a Waldenbooks, I did not see any magazines by the register. The sales associate almost looked insulted when I asked whether they carried magazines. She said, "Shaws next door is the nearest place nearby that has magazines." 

So off to Shaws I went.

Though I would normally look forward to Marion Cotillard's radiant French charm, I do not want to read the August issue of Vogue. To my surprise (and I may also admit, horror), Lady Gaga was not staring back at from the newsstands with the Vogue title and "September" an inch away from her gown and outrageous wig. 

Another day without the September Issue, but HRH Duchess of Cambridge on the cover of Vanity Fair is more than a sufficient consolation prize. 

When we headed to the Co-Op, I parked a little farther from the store than I meant to (whoops), but in doing so, we stopped into a cute consignment shop called Chameleons.

Chameleons has advertisements in many South County publications alongside other consignment shops in the area. I meant to go there when I was looking for a prom dress years ago, but I was fortunate enough to find a BCBG Max Azria gown at The French Bulldog in East Greenwich. I got a cute pair of navy, high waist silk pants.

A hot cup of green tea, Vanity Fair, and a new episode of What Not to Wear finished up a busy day.

Just realized the irony of a box of muffins on top of a Women's Health magazine--temptation won today

Dress, American Eagle