monogrammed converse

It's no secret that Etsy has some of the cutest jewelry, accessories, art, home goodies (you name it!) on the web. I love finding hidden gems on there that no one else likely has, and in turn support local, independent designers. 
Which is why I was so excited when I was recently introduced to 9th and Elm - a flash sale site that cherry-picks the best  fashionable, handmade designs, allll in one place. 
I had so much fun discovering new designers and shopping through their goodies, that I almost fainted when I found these monogrammed chucks. They became my very first pair of converse, and a brand new shoe OBSESSION that's all my own.
H&M sweater | FOREVER 21 dress (old) | BAGGU tote | ROBYN BOBBIN monogrammed converse c/o 9TH & ELM

4 dates for valentine's day

Although my guy and I will say we won't get anything for each other for V-Day, we will anyways without fail. With that said, I thought it would be more us if I showed a few date night ideas instead of a full blown gift guide. Here are four dates that we have either planned before, or are on our wishlist.
1: Recreate your first date.
On our first date (ever), my guy and I went out to dinner on Beacon Hill. It has been years since we've been back there together. But it would be a perfect way to celebrate by recreating that night, don't you think? I still remember exactly what I wore (it wasn't this look), and what we ordered. For 2014, I'd keep it classic, with some hearts thrown in for good measure.
1/HM trench 2/PIXIE MARKET dress 3/JCREW bag 4/CATBIRD card 5/CATBIRD earrings 6/ZARA booties 2. Plan a spontaneous getaway.
I love being spontaneous, my guy....not so much. How fun would it be to write some weekend getaway sites on slips of paper (think skiing, snow cabin, cute town you've always wanted to visit but never have etc.), and throw them in a hat. Set your alarm super early on V-day and pick one slip that will tell you where you are going. Then run and have a weekend you probably won't forget (even if it ends up being a day trip road trip. Any time spend together is a good one, amiright?).
1/HERSHEL SUPPLY CO bag 2/STILA lipstain 3/SHE INSIDE tee 4/ZARA jeans 5/PAPER SOURCE card 6/STEVE MADDEN booties

3. Dinner at home
Obvious? Yes. But, possibly a date you will have the most fun with. Wear something cute, crank the tunes and get cooking. We love making tacos, but something a little more challenging might be fun here. Don't forget to finish it off with a bottle of wine (or a case of beer) and a good movie.
1/SHEINSIDE top 2/ZARA jeans 3/KINFOLK cookbook 4/CANOE card 5/TORY BURCH flats 4. Romantic hike
I'm dating a little bit of a mountain man. Between him, my brother and my dad, I've reconnected with my love for nature. We've been getting snow storms like crazy up here in MA, and I can't think of anything better than walking through a winter wonderland with my best friend. Throw on some warm boots, (and bring a cute nature-themed card) and explore. Memorable, and I promise you, your guy will appreciate you getting in touch with your inner woodsman.
1/HM scarf 2/MADEWELL top 3/CHAMPION leggings 4/KATE'S PAPERIE card 5/LL BEAN boots
How will you spend your Heart Day? Hope it's happy!

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gone to the dark side

Sooo, I'm a brunette! Some of you might have seen my instagram right after I made the plunge, but here fun little before and after shoot. It feels really (really) good to be back -- both to my natural hair color and to blogging.

1 {CLUB MONACO jacket (similar, similar); JCREW FACTORY dress; BP booties; KATE SPADE scarf; MICHAEL KORS bag}

2 {THEORY blazer (similar); H&M top + jeans; KATE SPADE shoes + watch; CATBIRD rings}

photos by Allie + Kristen 

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falling into fall

We're pretty spoiled with fall-ness here in New England. I usually flip flop from being super into it, to doing the minimum from year to year. This time? I haven't even gone apple picking, and missed leaf peeping by a week. But I've got cozy layers covered. These boots just make everything feel that way, and look startlingly, wonderfully similar to the 5050 (but for a million dollars less).

{TJ MAXX sweater (last seen here); FOREVER 21 skirt (similar); ZARA boots; MICHAEL KORS bag; HM scarf}

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weekend in: moto chic

Spent my entire Sunday riding around with the BF on his Harley, and let me tell you I had the best time. Of course while he was more interested in safety -- thick leather jacket, hardcore boots, and sunglasses that covered my entire face -- I was dreaming up that perfect motorcycle chic look. A metallic gold skirt for the next run? Maybe not. But it's fun to pretend.

Madewell tee

H&M jacket

Zara skirt

Madewell boots

Tory Burch bag

YSL lipstain #2

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summer's sunsets

The end of summer is one of my favorite and least favorite times of years -- the quick crispness in the air, promise of new and exciting fall fashions, that heavy feeling of change. 

But mostly I love those bright pink sunsets that fall over Boston's skyline, turning the entire city crazy beautiful colors for a minute. I think that is what attracted me so much to this dress. A color pallet so summery yet bittersweet, I had to make a second look from it.

1 {Kate Spade dress; Swedish Hasbeens for H&M (old but love these); Michael Kors bag; Juicy Couture watch}

2 {Ann Taylor cardigan (old); Anthropologie top (old); JCrew shorts; Gap sandals (on sale!); Kate Spade bag; Juicy Couture watch}

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easy classic

For me, finding great basics feels like hitting the jackpot. Those wardrobe staples that I reach for season after season with my newest additions. No matter what the hottest trends are of the moment, I always seem to throw on a blazer with something striped, and something red. Especially for those nothing-to-wear days. Easy, classic, no-brainer.

{Zara blazer; H&M top (similar); Madewell jeans; Sam Eldman shoes (similar $, similar $$); Coach Legacy duffle; Karen Walker sunnies; JCrew necklace; JCrew + Kate Spade bracelets; YSL lipstain #9}

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LBD

A casual day in great basics and seriously comfortable espadrilles. These pineapple earrings were a great find from H&M ($12) and I've been living in them -- definitely great conversation starters especially when paired with a simple LBD.

{Jacket from TJ Maxx; Loft dress (on sale! love this color); Espadrilles from TJ Maxx (great match + on sale!, love these); Coach 'Willis' bag; Karen Walker sunnies; H&M pineapple earrings (recent); bracelets -- JCrew, Kate Spade, Catbird; Maybelline Vivid lipstick in 'Hot Plum' *really great bright pink that lasts all day for under $6!} 

::photos by Laura::

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weekend in lucite

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I've got a major crush on lucite heels. Had my eye on a slightly higher version, but these perfectly shaped/ideal heeled sandals stole my heart. If I won the lottery (and had a time machine to travel to June) this is what I would wear this weekend. Sometimes it's fun to pretend the internet is your closet, and ignore those annoying three digit price tags. All I know is this: lucite sandals will probably become my first purchase for spring.

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