Sweater Weather

It was nice and cool this morning so I broke out my first sweater of the season! It's a recent buy from LOFT and I adore it. It has three different textures and the back is a little longer which is a nice touch.

I paired it with slim pants and a long necklace. Just wanted to keep it simple today.

 sweater- LOFT  |  pants- banana republic  |  necklace- reginia pierallini, ?   |   shoes- nine west  |   bag- tory burch  |  watch- michael kors  |  bracelet- groopdealz.com, ?  |  earrings- babublebar

love these pearl 360 degree stud earrings!

Are y'all interested in me posting fitness updates again? Let me know in the comments. I went to bootcamp again tonight and it was rough (100 pushups too many). I know all of the hard work will pay off again as I get some muscle mass back onto my body, but I am sore, y'all. Have a great night!

Summer Dress + Flats

Summertime is all about lightweight dresses and flats for me. It's become a uniform of sorts, especially on those days where you leave an air conditioned space only to feel like you got slapped in the face as you feel the hot, hot humidity against your skin. 

I purchased this Gap dress a couple of months ago for 40% off and I love it. It's a comfortable, looser fit and the light blue color is nicely offset by the darker blue sides on the dress. You could also cinch it with a belt if you wanted to.

dress- gap (limited sizes left but I also love this one, this one, and this one all on sale!)  |  shoes- kate spade  (also here in another color option) |  necklace- regina pierallini  |  cardigan (not shown)-  j.crew

Gap is currently having a sale for up to 60% off of many styles--- you can check it out here!

Green Luncheon Dress

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon hosted by the Blue Bird Circle, a wonderful organization that supports the peidatric neurology clinic at Texas Children's. 

The luncheon featured Barbara Pierce Bush as a guest speaker. She shared with us the impact she and her fellows are making via her organization, Global Health Corps. It was a touching and inspirational speech and she was also very funny, sharing some memories of growing up and her family's time in the Whitehouse. Most of all, it was incredible to learn about all of these young adults (under 30) around the world who are passionate about global health and going to other countries to really make a difference for the people living there.

(on a side note, I loved her navy blue dress which she paired with nude open-toe heels)

The first (of many) GHC projects she shared with us was a project undetaken by two fellows in a village in Africa to prevent pregnant women who are HIV-poisitive from having HIV-positive babies. Barbara shared that of all 800 women who had babies in the village that year, all 800 babies were born HIV-negative because this team made sure they had the support and medical care they needed. Another project she talked about was a group of fellows that worked on an architecture/engeneering project to build a clinical space that controlled airflow in a different way so that tuberculosis would not spread throughout a clinic when there was a TB-positive patient. It's so inspiring to learn about a generation of young adults coming together to make a difference for children and families on a global level. I think it shows just how much young people today are committed to making an impact and real change not just in the country in which they live, but much further beyond that.

A few years ago I also got to see her father, George W. Bush, read from his book at an event at the Hobby Center called the "Celebration of Reading," that also featured several other authors. 

Switching gears, I wore one of my favorite J.Crew dresses to the luncheon. The bright bright green is perfect for spring. I also wore a charcoal blazer over it and was thankful for that since the event space at the Houston Country Club was freezing.

dress- j.crew (LOVE this one, another cute option, on sale with flattering ruching! beautiful emerald option for an evening event)  | shoes- nine west  | necklace- regina pierallini  | earrings- kendra scott  | bag- tory burch

Happy Friday!

Regina Pierallini Jewels & Giveaway, Plus a Discount Code!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then you'll know I've been a huge fan of jewelry designer Regina Pierallini for a long time.  I blogged about my collection of her gems in March (here) and today I'm delighted to share with you a few new items Regina sent to me.

I am in love with these earrings. I also have the pearl ones and they look incredible for special occasions (I've worn them to weddings) but they also work to dress up an outfit like a loose tee with flats and skinny jeans. I love that these are a bright turquoise color. I could see myself brining them on a tropical vacation.

I can't get enough of clover necklaces.  I absolutely adore this onyx one. It is so stunning and looks incredible worn with black (the pop of gold makes it stand out) and with tons of different colors.  One of my favorite pieces of jewelry of all time (I also own it in pearl and mint and love them all!) This one is super long, which I love. It's dramatic.

This rose gold wishbone necklace is the perfect accessory when you need luck to come your way! I love how dainty and sweet it is. The rose gold sets it apart.

Gold accessories are my go-to and this pretty, sparkly heart necklace with matching earrings is lovely.  I like how the heart has dimension to it instead of being flat because it makes it different than my other heart necklaces.

You probably recognize my clover earrings in pearl and turquoise---but the new gals in town are the onyx clover earrings. I wear them constantly! I actually wear all three pairs, rotating them throughout the week. I wear my clover earrings more often than any others I own.

This thick gold bangle with an embossed design is perfect on its own---or layered with other bracelets for an arm party no girl could resist!

This necklace instantly reminded me of sand dollars or lily pads.  I think it would look great with an all-black ensemble. 

I know MANY of my readers have been huge fans of Regina's designs for a long time, so I'm delighted to host a giveaway for several of her designs!  Here's what Regina has generously offered for this giveaway:

Black Enamel Clover Leaf Necklace AND Vintage Gold Bangle (1st Place)- Long cascading gold plated necklace with twelve fully reversible enamel flower stations and three large silhouette open clover flowers on a 39" chain with lobster clasp and extension chain.

Gold Sideways Cross Necklace - 14K Gold Vermeil (2nd Place)- Retail Price:  $65- Luminous 14K Gold Vermeil Sideways Cross Pendant Necklace with Solid .925 Sterling Silver. Adjustable: 15.5 - 18 inches with a 3" extension.

Please enter this giveaway via Rafflecopter, below.
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway    

PS- If you just can't wait to get your hands on these pretty jewels, use the code BLUSHING10 to get 10% off of your order at www.reginapierallini.com. This code will be valid for one week!

In Her Shoes

I'm very much a die-hard pencil skirt addict. But everyone once in awhile, I like to switch up my silhouette.

I think it's my new Zara shoes that inspired me to wear a fuller skirt this week.  I also had a luncheon to attend and wanted to look a little dressier, which I think a fuller skirt can sometimes accomplish.

Dress- Club Monaco (similar, love this version with sleeves!)

Necklace- Regina Pierallini

Blazer- Express (similar, similar)

Shoes- Zara (buy them here)

By the way---the Zara shoes---wore them ALL day and walked around A LOT and they passed the comfort test! I was expecting them to be quite uncomfortable and was pleasantly surprised. Yay for heels that can be worn for an entire day! (especially ones this cute!)

Watercolor for Polo

***Before I begin this post, I want to send my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the tragedies of 9/11.  Today is a day of remembrance.***

I attended a Polo match/fundraiser on Sunday and had no idea what to wear. A hat was a given, but what kind of dress?

Since it was so hot out, I opted for my watercolor print dress from Ann Taylor. I have worn this dress plenty of times since I got it so I would say it's been a pretty versatile piece for me.

 Dress- Ann Taylor (similar, similar, LOVE this)

Shoes- Ivanka Trump (buy them here)

Hat- Zingara (similar, similar for $25!) 

Necklace- Regina Pierallini (email her to custom order!)

Bag- Kate Spade (buy it here)

Have you ever attended a Polo match? It's definitely a really fun time!  I also got to meet one of my readers at the match---she spotted my pink bag and knew it was me :) I love meeting my readers! Here's a shot of Bella and I (she is on the right). She is the owner of Bella Body Fit here in Houston!

What I Wore: Dinner at Smith & Wollenskys

Friday night,  I met up with my blogging beauties, Bethany, Magen, Mishelle, Monica and Nina. We dined at Smith & Wollensky's (my first time ever) and since it was Houston Restaurant Week, I got an appetizer, entree and dessert for $35 (plus tip, of course). It was delish! 

I FINALLY started using Instagram and now I know why everyone is addicted.  It is the most addicting app ever. I'm sure I am going to annoy you all by posting random photos, food photos, etc. I love seeing that stuff though so I guess it'll be 50/50.

Because I didn't really know the "vibe" of S&W, I went with a classic black dress because really, you can absolutely never go wrong with a class black dress.  I also broke out my gorgeous-but-painful Zara heels because I knew walking would be minimal (basically to my car and back).

Dress- Ann Taylor (similar,  similar)

Necklace- Regina Pierallini (email her for this necklace)

Bag- Kate Spade

Shoes- Zara (similar, with STUDS!)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Stripe Addict

Sale alert! The J.Crew top I'm wearing in this photo is final sale plus 30% off!  Get yours here. I absolutely love stripes. They can really add fun dimension to an outfit and are totally office-appropriate.  This wider stripe is a fun change from my typical skinnier stripes.  When it comes to stripes, variety is key.  Otherwise, you just look like a weirdo with a stripe addiction.  At least when your striped tops have stripes of different widths, you're throwing people off a bit.

Top- J.Crew (buy it here, on sale!)

Skirt- J.Crew (buy it here; cute option for $21; kind of obsessed with this one)

Necklace- Regina Pieralini 

(please email Regina if you want a clover necklace, they are special order)

Bracelet- c/o Amour Couture

Shoes- Zara (similar)

Do you own too many striped clothing for your own good?  Stripe lovers unite in the comments below!

PS- sorry the photo quality is off in this post, I am still learning to use iPhoto.

Blood Orange for Summer & Fall

I absolutely LOVE the Hunter Dixon blouse I purchased at a trunk show held by my friend and fellow blogger Nina.  In fact, we are planning on hosting a trunk show together sometime soon :)

Now, it's not getting any cooler anytime soon here in Texas, but this blouse is the perfect example of a transition piece that can be styled for summer and fall.  Its rich, blood orange color looks great with a summer tan and will also look fab when paired with deeper fall colors.  Win.

 Blouse- Hunter Dixon (similar)
Skirt- J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt (buy it here)
Shoes- Nine West Martina (buy them here)
Necklace- Regina Pierallini
(please email the designer for clover necklaces, similar here) 

I have been SO incredibly busy at work lately that I'm looking forward to some post-work trainer sessions to decompress!  Have a great week everyone!

Neon for Brunch

The weather in Houston continues to be what can only be described as "scorching hot." It was so hot this past Sunday that I nearly couldn't drink my coffee while we were at brunch.  We went to Tiny Boxwoods because my H had never been.

My first experience there was excellent---the line was long but things moved quickly. This time around, it was a disaster.  We waited in line for about 45 minutes just to order and without caffeine in my system, every little thing was bothering me. Like that the coffee ran out just as I just as I was filling my cup and that people were putting their purses on chairs when the restaurant was packed.  If the food wasn't so incredible and the atmosphere wasn't so pretty, I don't think I'd go back.  I had the ham and cheese kolache and a banana and nutella muffin. It was delicious.

(clearly taken after I had some coffee, hence the smile)

Thankfully, my neon pink dress was a stark contrast to the mood I was in that morning (I get pretty cranky without some caffeine in my system).

Dress- H&M (similar; love this! super cute lace option)

Sandals- Steve Madden

Neckace- Regina Pierallini (similar, love this!)

Hat- Ann Taylor outlet (similar; similar)

Houston ladies--what are your favorite brunch places!?