well vested

If you read this post, you know that I've been looking for a utility vest. Ever since I accepted the fact that there was no hope of getting the Banana Republic one that I wanted, I've been searching for a suitable alternative. This has been going on for weeks. But yesterday I had a breakthrough -- I found not just one, but two vests that could potentially end the search.

option one: Twill Utility Vest by J.Crew

option two: Safari Utility Vest by Eddie Bauer

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards the J.Crew version. You can't tell from the photos I have here, but it has a removable hood, and I'm a total sucker for a hood. I'm just pissed that I didn't spot it before J.Crew's 30% off sale promotion ended on Thursday.

Of course, I also have this in my online shopping bag:

Trench Vest by J. Crew

Obviously I don't need it -- I mean, I literally just bought this sleeveless trenchcoat from UO -- but seriously, how cool is this vest? Hannah found it earlier this week and sent it me the link, and I truly wish that I could justify buying it. I'm just leaving it in my shopping bag to torture myself.

weekend wish list

Chevron Scarf by Matthew Williamson

Penny Pockets Print Dress by Kenny

Floral Print Flats by Jil Sander

Shopbop, you kill me. I can't afford 99.9% of the lovely things on your site, yet I continue to check back everyday to drool over the new arrivals. And I honestly believe that if there was any justice in the world, the three items above would all belong to me.

perfectly polished

I don't really wear any makeup -- which I'll elaborate on at a later date -- but I LOVE nail polish. I treat myself to pedicures in the spring and summer, but I almost never get my fingernails painted, because I am hopeless when it comes to screwing them up. If I don't ruin them on my way home from the nail salon, I chip them the next day at work, guaranteed. But these three nail trends are totally tempting me:

ORANGE POLISH

(Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Gamma -- available at Sephora)

COLORBLOCKING

(YSL nails spotted on The Beauty Department)

OMBRE

(spotted on The Beauty Department by Anna)

I really wish that I was better at painting my own nails, because I'm pretty sure that the manicurist is going to hate me if I ask her to ombre my nails or give me a multi-colored french manicure.

click, purchase, mine: sleeveless trenchcoat

Sleeveless Trenchcoat by Staring at Stars ---> available at UO

I've been lusting after this sleeveless trenchcoat at UO for a little over a month now. Unfortunately, no one that I've showed it to has responded very enthusiastically. I keep going back to it, though, checking every week to make sure that it's still in stock (and that it hasn't magically dropped in price). And after seeing it make an appearance in today's post on Atlantic-Pacific, I've decided that I must have it before Spring officially turns into Summer. Click, purchase, MINE.

weekend wish list

(all available at Free People)

top left: Havana Sandal

top right: Dacia Snake Sandal

bottom left: Dewey Thong Sandal

bottom right: Delphine Wedge Sandal

For the past three years, I have fruitlessly searched for the perfect pair of flat sandals. My low success rate is likely due to the fact that I typically wait until mid-July to begin my search, when -- as could be predicted -- everything cute is already sold out in my size. I end up with ill-fitting sandals in impractical colors and patterns that never get worn more than a handful of times. But this year I have vowed to start my search much earlier, because although I might like to pretend that I'm getting away with it, it is just not acceptable to wear Havaianas to work. 

in my closet / first edition

I love putting together my weekend wish lists, but I'd also like to start a new feature that gives you a glimpse of what's inside my actual closet. After all, this blog is called this is my so-called style, and since the majority of my wish list items never make it into my own closet -- generally because they are outside my price range or just totally and completely frivolous -- it only seems appropriate to start showing you some of the things that already live in my closet and manage to consistently bring a smile to my face. I'm not sure yet if this will be a weekly feature or one that is less frequent, but I had fun putting together this first edition, which features a few of my most favorite items. 

from the top: Yarnz scarf collection* (all via Gilt) / embellished shoulder sweater by LOFT /

bag by Cambridge Satchel Company / Sahara wedge sandals by Madewell**

* For the record, my scarf addiction is still way out of control.  To give you a bit of perspective: these scarves make up only a small fraction of my full scarf collection. Seriously -- I think I might own more than 50 scarves. I'm almost too scared to count.

** Warm weather, where are you?! I'm dying to wear these shoes with bare feet. And to put away my heavier coats. Please hurry.

Jewelmint / take one

I've been curious about Jewelmint ever since Kate Bosworth's most recent appearance on the cover of Lucky Magazine, but I wasn't curious enough to take the plunge until two or three weeks ago when I came across a great Groupon for first time Jewelmint customers. I had a little trouble deciding which pieces I liked best, but I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the first two baubles that I picked out. Take a look.

  

"the Bowie ring"

"the Blushing Stones ring"

I wasn't planning to make another purchase this month, but I'm now seriously coveting the necklace that Anna is wearing in this post.

Passover Granola with Almonds, Coconut, and Pecans

I may not have made enough.

Despite all of the preparations for Passover that I had made throughout the week, it somehow didn't occur to me until I was standing in the cereal aisle of our local Whole Foods this past Sunday that I wasn't going to be able to eat Uncle Sam's with my morning yogurt and fruit. This sent me into a slight panic. Fortunately, a quick online search on Sunday afternoon revealed tons of kosher-for-Passover granola recipes. I chose one this morning from the Washington Post website (see here for the original recipe as tested by Randy Richter) and I'm seriously impressed with the results. 

Ingredients:

3 cups matzoh farfel
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon salt
1+1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/3 cup honey

Instructions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2.  In a large bowl, combine the farfel, almonds, coconut, pecans, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3.  In a pan over low heat, heat the butter and honey until the butter melts.  Stir this mixture into the farfel mixture, coating all the pieces as evenly as possible.

4.  Spread the mixture evenly into a jelly-roll pan or 9-by-13-inch baking pan and bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through (if you're not lazy) to ensure even browning.  It should be lightly golden.
5.  Remove from the oven, transfer to a large sheet of wax paper and set aside to cool.  Store in an airtight container.

Side-note: Did you know that quinoa is actually kosher for Passover? Anna recently introduced me to yet another insanely delicious looking quinoa breakfast recipe, and I can't wait to try it out. Thankfully I won't have to. Take a look at this amazing-ness and tell me that your mouth isn't already watering:

Breakfast Quinoa with Toasted Coconut, Almonds, and Fresh Mango

weekend wish list

What Color Is It? Watch ---> available at Modcloth

DV by Dolce Vita Jaquie Platform Sandal ---> available at Endless

Cambridge Satchel Company 14" Satchel ---> available at ASOS

currently obsessing over: Banana Republic's Heritage Vest

This vest from Banana Republic's Heritage Collection has been all over my blog reader for the past few months.  I've seen it on Kelly of The Glamourai, Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller, Beth of B. Jones Style, Christine of My Style Pill, and Jules of Sincerely, Jules.

( top left: Sincerely, Jules / top right: My Style Pill / bottom: The Glamourai )

I'm officially obsessed with it.  Unfortunately, it's impossible to get my hands on one.  It's not available online, although it may have been at one point, and the one Banana Republic in my local area that sells the Heritage Collection is completely sold out of this particular style.  After forcing myself to accept that it just wasn't meant to be, I've been trying to hunt down something similar, but I'm not having much luck.  If you've seen any look-alike vests out there, please, fill me in.

should I have bought this bag?

Mossimo Messenger Bag: $34.99 at Target

Obviously this is a total Proenza Schouler PS1 rip-off, but since I can’t in any conceivable way afford the real thing, I’m thinking that I probably should have picked one of these up for myself during my most recent Tar-jay trip.  I carried one around the store for literally 45 minutes before putting it back on the shelf and buying everything else in my little red basket.  Unfortunately, they're now sold out online in every color, and I'm kicking myself.  Should I go back tomorrow?

weekend wish list

 

from top to bottom:

     Karim Rashid and Move Collective's Bobble Filtering Water Bottle

     iPod Shuffle   

     Nike 'Pro' Racerback Bra

     Gap Pure Body Foldover Drawstring Pant

My fitness gear needs a serious update.  I'm on the hunt for bright colors, flattering shapes, vibrant accessories, and the perfect pair of post workout lounge pants.  I've already found quite a few items that I'd like to add to my closet, but I'm still looking for a tee that won't hang all over the place during downward dog.  Any recommendations?

what would you wear with these shoes?

shoes: Rachel Antonoff for Bass

Do you remember this post from February?  Well, they're here.  And I'm in love.  And even though I was running late for work today and feeling kind of uncreative, I just could not wait to wear them, so I ended up with a really simple outfit that consisted of a basic navy tee, a charcoal gray grandpa-esque cardigan, skinny jeans in a dark wash, and a thick knit cream scarf.  To be honest though, I'm not sure if more time would have helped me come up with anything better.  I'm having trouble figuring out what to wear with these shoes, and nothing I have in my closet seems quite right.  Assuming that you're like me and think that floral saddle shoes are totally appropriate footwear for someone in their 20s, what would you pair with these shoes?  I'd love to hear your suggestions.

weekend wish list

from left to right:

     (from EmmaKissTina's etsy shop)

     Four Eyes print

     Seven Reds print

     Rococo Pink print

from left to right:

     (from Madewell)

     Safari Vest

     Perfect Chambray Shirt

     Liverpool Cropped Trench

from left to right:

     (from Bloomingdale's)

     Elizabeth and James Deco White Sapphire Double Ring

     House of Harlow 1960 Crystal and Leather Bangle

     House of Harlow 1960 Leather Drop Necklace

what to eat when you should have been out the door 15 minutes ago

I've had trouble waking up on time for the past few weeks, and the problem is that it's a vicious cycle: the later I get up in the morning, the later I get to work; the later I get to work, the later I get out of work; the later I get out of work, the later I go to bed; and the later I go to bed, the later I get up the next morning.  See what I mean?  And unfortunately, unlike my precious job, it's not really an option for me to eat breakfast at work.  Luckily, I've recently discovered the perfect breakfast for those mornings when I should have been out the door 15 minutes ago and haven't even gotten out of my pajamas yet.  It's super quick, but it's also delicious and relatively healthy.  (With the exception of the sugar in the Greek yogurt, that is.  Oh well.  I'm just not a plain yogurt kind of girl, all right?)

     1 container Fage 0% Blueberry/Acai Greek Yogurt (5.3 oz)

     1 serving Uncle Sam's Cereal (3/4 cup)

     1 T. toasted sliced almonds

     1/2 cup fresh blueberries