What I Wore: On a Lazy Sunday

Now that I'm supposedly a grownup, I appreciate Sundays more than ever. Halfway through each week, I start longing for my Sunday afternoon nap. By Friday and Saturday, I forget I'm tired and need to rest because the weekend fun draws me in. However, by Sunday morning after church and brunch, exhaustion catches up with me once again, and it's time to pull the covers over my head, shut the curtains, forget about my cares, and sleep it all off.

This long weekend (thank you, President's Day!) has provided a double dose of relaxation, and I have taken full advantage. I needed time to truly relax and catch up with life, give myself a chance to ponder everything that has transpired.

While I've always enjoyed the quick pace out here, I think it's important for one to stop and just think--appreciate or re-evaluate life's events. Too often, we let things come and go without the smallest care, or we don't make time for pursuit of our dreams. Maybe I'm just sentimental or don't want to miss out on an important lesson. Who knows?  

I guess I keep going back to the theme I named for this year: What will you make of yourself? For some reason, it's been coming up constantly, and I know there's a reason for it. All I know is I want to be ready for whatever God is doing in my life and not miss out on it, so that must be why I find myself appreciating and pondering in times of solitude.

On a different topic, I wish I could've snapped a few of these photos outside, as it was so bright and sunny! However, that sun was just a tease because the cold air was too much to bear, so I stayed in the warmth of my cute kitchen. 

Speaking of my house, my friends say that I live in a cottage. It's quaint, cozy, and eclectic--complete with a spiral staircase. More photos to come later on. Since I just moved in about three months ago, I still have some decorating and organizing to do.

Hope you enjoy what is left of this glorious weekend!

What I Wore:
Fringed Cowlneck Sweater - Anthropologie
Jeans by Cult of Individuality - Blue Seven (Oklahoma City boutique!)
Riding Boots by Arturo Chiang - Shoe Gallery (best kept secret in OKC?)
Earrings - Forever 21

xoxo,
Sarah

What I Wore: Inauguration Weekend

Inauguration has come and gone, and it was a full weekend of fancy events and fabulous memories. I wanted to share some of fun here. Enjoy!

State Society Gala - Saturday night
There's nothing like the bond with friends from your own state when you no longer live there. In transient DC, state societies are a great way to make fast, lasting friends. Some of my dearest friends in Washington, DC, have been from my home state. I guess we're just drawn to each other.

Our State Society was my favorite event in the getting ready department. I was absolutely in love with my dress, and everything else end up coming together perfectly. I had my hair blown out by Drybar in Georgetown and will forever be a customer. They were pretty behind on all their appointments that day (no surprises since it was Inauguration weekend), and it took quite a while to get me in even with an appointment. When my blowout was complete and beautiful, I went to pay, and they told me it was on them because of my wait. I wasn't expecting it at all, but I do love good customer service. They've got it down.

What I Wore:
Cinderella blue cocktail dress - Adrianna Papell
Sequin clutch - Marshall's
Silver heels - DSW
Floral drop earrings - Forever21

What Katie Wore:
Black cocktail dress - Nicole Miller
Statement necklace - Stella & Dot

What Chelsea Wore: 
Black floor length dress - David's Bridal
Chandelier earrings - her mom's store

The Ceremony - Monday morning
I had a really wonderful seat for the ceremony and could see the President as he gave his Inaugural address! Having the opportunity to observe this historic occasion was worth the cold weather and early morning wake-up call. 
 

Agriculture Inaugural Grand Ball - Monday night
This was the last of Inaugural events that I attended, and I had a great time dressing up. I was a little tired after the long morning watching the actual ceremony, but after a quick nap and sleeping too long, I was ready to get fancy again--complete with fake eyelashes and bright red lipstick. Chelsea Girl (aka, best friend) and I snapped a few fun photos! 

What I Wore:

Black floor length dress - Jil Sander

Statement necklace - Accessorize

What Chelsea Wore:

Blue Grecian-like dress - borrowed from a friend

Necklace - her mom's store

Doesn't Chels look like Marilyn Monroe in the second to last photo? Usually, I'm told that I channel  Zooey Deschanel, so I guess we both just look like movie stars. Fine with me.

It's certainly been an unforgettable past few days, more memories made that I'll treasure forever!

xoxo,

Sarah

Matchy Match

Our outfit choices were decided independently this morning. As we were walking out the door to church, I looked at Mary and said, "Wow, we look completely alike today. Even our bags match." The weather thankfully cooled down this weekend, so we were both eager to throw on the skinny jeans and longer sleeves for a day out before the heat strikes again this week.

We've always had this "freaky sister thing" where we will be thinking the exact same thing about anything and everything, and today it happened with our outfits. That's just what happens when your best friend is your sister.

Mary made brunch for us today, and we played vinyls in my living room.

You can't go wrong with Peter, Paul & Mary; Melanie; and Cat Stevens.

Mary's internship is wrapping up in a couple weeks, which is crazy to me. Time has certainly flown by this summer.  I've really enjoyed having her here, and I love our sister outfit posts. I won't have anyone to take my pictures anymore. A tripod just isn't the same.

What I Wore:
Peter Pan Collar Blouse - Love by Forever21
Skinny Jeans - Urban Outfitters
Ballet Flats - Urban Outifitters
Purse - Kate Spade

What Mary Wore:
Tie Front Blouse - thrift store
Skinny Jeans - Pacific Sunwear
Ballet Flat - Gap
Purse - The Icing

xoxo,
Sarah

Highs-and-Lows

I grabbed this little dress off the clearance rack at Nordstrom Rack about a year ago, and what do you know...high-low skirts are everywhere now! I remember something similar happening when I found my favorite accordion pleated skirt (before the trend hit hard) off the clearance rack at Urban thinking, "Hmmm, that's new, haven't seen it on anyone lately. I like it. I will try it."

It's a great dress, definitely worth the $10 (I think) that it cost me. I love the way the fabric flows when the wind catches because it feels like a cape flying behind me.

In other news, I was noticing how "monstrous" my calves have gotten since I moved out here. Since I opted out of having a car for the first few years, I knew walking would become a huge part of my life. I would say that I easily achieve between 22-25 miles on foot each week simply commuting places. Needless to say, I have muscular legs.

My hair has also lightened up quite a bit on its own here. This is probably due to so much sun exposure (back to the fact that I walk EVERYWHERE) and the quality of water (sometimes I feel like it smells of chlorine). Either way, my hair is turning to a pretty color, and I have a natural ombre since long hair fades.

I love my city. There are always places to go, people to meet, and new memories to be made. I have enjoyed it thoroughly, making the MOST of every opportunity. These are years that I will remember for the rest of my life. Of course, I still have my share of sad, indifferent, and "life-is-not-fair" moments, but those times have made me stronger and equipped me for the future. Life is a constant learning experience if you allow it to be.

It's been especially fun having my little sister here with me this summer. She is truly one of my best friends, and it is going to be weird having a room to myself again when she heads back to the homeland.

The girls with the bangs. Some people think we're twins.

What I Wore:
Dress with High-Low Skirt - Nordstrom Rack
Vintage Belt - my grandma's closet (where I get all my best accessories)
Necklace - gift from Daddy
Wedges - TJ Maxx
Purse - Kate Spade

What Mary Wore:
Floral Dress - Nordstrom Rack (I have the same dress in gray)
Sandals - H&M
Red Purse - The Icing

xoxo,
Sarah

A Lovely Sunday

Sunday is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week, especially since I have my sister here with me. We start the day with church, followed by brunch and a quick adventure somewhere around the city (farmer's market, cute shops, or touristy stuff--hey, I'm still new-ish here, so no shame). After our runnings-around, we come back to relax, and I nap. It really gets me charged up for the week ahead.

Here are some pictures from this week's edition of Sunday.

Brunch. They had already cleared the table at this point, but it was AMAZING.

As my mentor told me, this is me looking "city-fied."

I love my new Kate Spade!

The hairstyle that keeps me cool. Plus, it's super easy to do. Tutorial coming in the near future.

Walking down the street.

Mary laughing with the Capitol.

We found orchids.

Botanic Garden.

About to call it a day at this point. The summer heat was getting to us!

What I Wore:

Floral Dress - Nordstrom Rack

Earrings - H&M Germany (when I visited there 6 years ago!)

Snakeskin Flats - Steve Madden (c/o TJ Maxx)

Purse - Kate Spade (my NEW one!)

Sunglasses - Kate Spade (c/o Nordstrom Rack)

What Mary Wore:

Geometric Print Dress - Hurley (I gave it to her!)

Sandals - H&M

Red Purse - The Icing

Sunglasses - Burlington Coat Factory

xoxo,

Sarah

Chevrons & Accordion Pleats

Time for another outfit post! I absolutely love this outfit; it just came together so well. I found this dress at a local boutique back home while I was visiting during Christmas. The minute I spotted it, I knew it was for me. Why? Well, I adore accordion pleats and chevrons, and blue really makes my eyes pop (*insert winky face here*). Perfect fit, right?

I noticed the other day that I hadn't worn it yet, and that was just wrong. Lately, I've been realizing that it's important to wear everything in your closet before buying new clothes. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I have too many lovely items hanging in my closet that still have tags.

Other things happening lately, I have a summer roommate, and she is none other than my sweet and stylish little sister! Okay, let me correct myself and say "younger sister," as she hates being called little. I really don't get why, but I'm not the little (uh younger) sister in this equation. We've always been really close, so I love showing her my new life in this amazing city.

In addition, I feel like she's getting me out of my usual routine (in a good way) by discovering all kinds of new, fun things to do. I'm always hanging out with people, but sometimes we get stuck doing the same types of things and don't really experience everything our city holds.

Last weekend, my sister and I went to a record fair. There were vendors from all over selling vinyls, vintage clothing, and original artwork. Back home, we used to do stuff like this all the time, but I guess I just don't know as many hipsters now.

All that to say, we're enjoying ourselves. It's cool having another girl with bangs around.

What I Wore
Dress - Lucca Clothing
Ballet Flats with Ribbon - Urban Outfitters
Earrings - H&M London (little sister got them for me years ago!)
Sunglasses - Kate Spade (c/o Nordstrom Rack)
Red Vintage Purse - thrift store back home


What Mary Wore
Teal Button Up - Old Navy
Polka Dot Pencil Skirt - Forever 21
Strappy Sandals - H&M
Sunglasses - Burlington Coat Factory
Red Purse - The Icing

Stay tuned for more fabulous-ness from us!

xoxo,
Sarah