cheap thrill: NM x Target x PS sweatshirt

sweatshirt by Proenza Schouler ($29.99 $14.99 + free shipping)

from the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection

the perfect party clutch?

faceted gold clutch from Kate Spade – $46

other contenders:

metallic leather pouch from Baggu – $40

glitter clutch from J.Crew – $69.99 (and take 25% off with code HOLIDAY)

sequin clutch from Anthropologie – $48

love/want/need: stone fox ring from Anthropologie

stone fox ring from Anthropologie ($298)

#getinmyjewelryboxplease

this is genius: camera phone lens set from Photojojo

camera phone lens set from Photojojo ($49)

includes fish-eye, telephoto, and wide/macro

I wouldn't mind if someone bought me this hand strap for my DSLR, either.

leather hand strap from Photojojo ($40)

love/want/need: Topshop Chelsea boots

Topshop Chelsea boots ($124)

#getinmycloset

cheap thrill: animal sweaters from Old Navy

animal sweaters from Old Navy ($29.94)

PS – take 20% off with code "ONGIFT"

friday links

words cannot express how much I love this clip from last week's episode of Parks and Rec
another dress that has my name all over it
did you see these little artists costumes from Oh Happy Day? (found via Because I'm Addicted)
my cat would be all kinds of adorable in this egg-shaped pod
and speaking of eggs, I'm a huge proponent of breakfast for dinner

on the hunt for: new sneakers

Nike Free Run+ 3 ($100)

I've been told that sneakers should be replaced every 500 miles. If that's true, I'm about 1,000 miles overdue. So tell me: do you have a pair that you swear by? If so, I want to know. I'm currently debating between customizing a pair of Reebok Crossfit Nanos or just buying the Nike Free Runs pictured above.

cheap thrill: double skull bangle from UO

double skull bangle from UO ($12)

available in silver, gold, and rose gold

– for those of us who can't rationalize spending $350 on one of these –

obsessed: canvas tote bags from Society6

HEY. No one told me that Society6 now sells tote bags.

(a few of my favorites)

one / two / three

four / five / six

seven / eight / nine

cheap thrill: ASOS jeweled spike necklace

ASOS jeweled spike necklace ($17.59)

click, purchase, mine: Gap wide-brim wool fedora

wide-brim wool fedora from the Gap ($29.95)

available in navy, camel, olive, and heather gray

friday links

this paisley dress has my name all over it
how incredible is this flower installation?!
I've become slightly obsessed with this simple roasted butternut squash recipe from Jenna
I'm also bookmarking this Asian cauliflower rice recipe from Nom Nom Paleo for the weekend
PS – these canvas clutches from Samudra are finally back in stock

click, purchase, mine: faux leather skirt from The Limited

pleated faux leather skirt from The Limited

(normally $69.90, currently on sale for $41.94)

Remember when I ordered this skirt in the wrong size and then it sold out before I could get my hands on one in the right size? Be thankful that you don't live with me. I sulked for days. DAYS, I tell you. I even debated ordering this much pricier one from Zara, but I'm only 5'2" and I'm scared of midi skirts. Fortunately, after spending a little quality time with my laptop this past weekend, I managed to hunt down another faux leather skirt that fit all of my requirements: not too short, not too long, and not above $50. I celebrated with the last of my dark chocolate peanut butter cup stash.

PS -- Forever 21 also just added two more faux leather skirts to their website that look promising. I'm guessing that they'll both sell out fairly quickly and that these links will soon be obsolete, but at a mere $22.80 each, I can't resist sharing:

option A

option B

obsessed: Coach 'Casey' sunglasses

Coach 'Casey' sunglasses ($148)

How amazing are these sunglasses?! I DIE.

love/want/need: Pendleton tote

Pendleton Canyonville tote ($348)

I'm a total sucker for anything by Pendleton, but this tote is currently at the top of my wish list.

click, purchase, mine: The Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling ($20.90)

saturday/sunday snapshots

a few glasses of red wine

procrastinating on Saturday afternoon

running errands on Sunday morning

not pictured: dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe's, fresh bagels, several episodes of Gossip Girl, two ugly blisters from breaking in my new loafers

saturday/sunday snapshots

mixed greens with strawberries, sliced almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette

a fresh pint of wild blueberry ice cream

neon flowers that I couldn't resist bringing home

not pictured: red wine, roast duck, quality time with my textbooks, sulking because I ordered this skirt in the wrong size

Anna has my faux leather back

Kirna Zabete for Target faux leather skirt $39.99

I've been so swamped with work/school/holidays/life that I completely forgot to check out Kirna Zabete's new collection for Target.  Thank God for Anna.  Seriously, it's like she's a mind reader or something.  She spotted this faux leather skirt and knew that it belonged in my closet.

love/want/need: polka dot blazer from Madewell

'artdot' blazer from Madewell $138

Love. Want. NEED.

saturday/sunday snapshots

homemade granola from Kevin's mom

a neutral manicure

weekend reading/procrastinating

not pictured: wild blueberry ice cream, a slightly overwhelming to-do list, numerous neon post-its, an impromptu Dawson's Creek marathon (season 1)

click, purchase, mine: ASOS knit top with contrast sleeves

ASOS knit top with contrast sleeves $43.12

tough love

BaubleBar's entire Spike It Rich collection is right up my alley, but I'm particularly smitten with the gold cone ring pictured above. At under $50 apiece, I'm also seriously considering this necklace as well as this cuff. Thoughts?

saturday/sunday/monday snapshots

long overdue closet cleaning

kale for lunch

bright colors for rainy days

not pictured: homemade berry cobbler (recipe details to come), four episodes of Dexter (season six), fresh tomatoes from my father's garden, clean sheets, new textbooks, searching for recipes for the High Holidays

click, purchase, mine: white lace dress by Pim + Larkin

 white lace dress by Pim + Larkin ($79)

PS – get 2o% off with code "SPLURGE"

Ever since this post on Vanessa Jackman's blog, I've been on the hunt for a white lace dress. And after searching practically everywhere, I finally found one that works for me. My favorite outfits are always a mix of masculine and feminine elements, and I'm itching for a chance to wear this dress with my camo military jacket. Until temperatures drop, though, I'm planning to balance out the sweetness of the lace with edgy sandals and a bold red lip. 

saturday/sunday snapshots

found on sale at J.Crew (because everyone needs a ridiculously bright plaid shirt, right?)

playing around at home with new makeup (still not convinced that I know what I'm doing)

fresh vegetables from the neighborhood co-op (assembled for this recipe)

yep – I bought this sweater in two colors

(don't even act like you're the least bit surprised)

not pictured: fried eggs on sourdough toast, masala chai, too many ginger + cardamom cookies, the three attempts it took CVS to correctly fill my new prescription

friday links

• just added two new books to my reading list: Running with Scissors + Me Talk Pretty One Day
• debating whether this sequin skirt is too short for me
• followed this paleo shepherd's pie recipe on Wednesday night and was seriously impressed with the results
• currently drooling over these avocado brownies and this brown sugar/fig/gorgonzola crisp
• this is my favorite desktop wallpaper from Design Love Fest yet
• Baggu, you're killing me with these new fall colors

cheap thrill: polka dot sweater from Old Navy

polka dot sweater from Old Navy ($24.94)

PS – Take 25% off with code "ONTAKE25"

obsessed: Madewell songbird dress

stucco stripe ($138) / black spotshadow (on sale for $99.99) / chambray ($138)

It's outside my normal price range, but trust me when I say that this dress is a WORKHORSE.

saturday/sunday snapshots

a birthday gift to myself – NARS 'Funny Face'

the perfect bag for an afternoon of shopping

a movie choice inspired by Shark Week

not pictured: homemade pound cake and fresh strawberries, a new dress from Madewell, getting caught in the rain

obsessed: J.Crew shirts

oxford boy shirt in polka dot ($78)

boy shirt in red plaid ($78)

perfect shirt in chambray polka dot ($88)

Please get in my closet.

saturday/sunday snapshots

fresh asparagus for homemade panang curry

lazy weekend wear: stripes and cut-offs

Sunday afternoon reading: It Starts With Food

not pictured: one very noisy cat, two scoops of salted caramel ice cream, three loads of laundry, four songs added to my workout playlist, five episodes of The Killing – Season 1