what they wore :: those little boots

You guys know the trend I'm talking about (well, I should say you girls). Little boots that go so well with jeans, tights, dresses. leather pants, whatever. I've been meaning to get some all season but I haven't found any I absolutely love yet! So here's a peek at some of the best ways to wear them.

all images via google

I'm still looking for my pair! If you've found any cute ones, sound off in the comments!

delayed music monday :: chvrches

image via google

Have you guys heard about Chvrches (pronounced "Churches") yet? They're an electro-pop group from Glasgow. I love the back story on the lead singer, Lauren Mayberry. She has a law degree and a master's in journalism, for crying out loud. That's pretty badass!

These three had all been involved in various projects of their own before coming together, but I'm so glad they did. I love their energy, their feel-good synthesizers, and Lauren's vocals mixed with the male backup vocals. It's a great blend, trust me on that one. If nothing else, they turn a bad day upside down! Who couldn't get on board with that?

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Enjoy & happy Tuesday!

2014 style :: paul fredrick

Happy Monday! Today's regularly scheduled post is pushed to tomorrow. Today I'm teaming up with Paul Fredrick, who is launching their Spring 2014 collection today! After looking over their pieces, I'm sharing my top three favorites that I would love to buy for my brother, dad, or future husband. ;)

This is my favorite combo out of the collection! I love blues, for one thing. I think any guy looks great in blue! The shark tie puts it over the edge. Who says dressing up has to be boring? I love the quirky touch this tie adds.

Every guy needs a crisp, white shirt. You can wear it to work, parties, weddings, and basically anything else you can think of. I love clean whites paired with jewel tones or bright ties. (I feel like ties are equivalent to scarves or tights in the women's world. A bright and fun accessory!)

Pastels and patterns: two things that men should never shy away from, in my opinion! This combo is light and fun, perfect for spring. I see a guy wearing this on Easter or to a spring wedding. 

Paul Fredrick has so much to choose from and offers way more than just dress shirts and ties (I'm a sucker for a guy in a nice sweater). They present great products and fun combinations, and are a good mix of affordable and quality. If you have a man in your life with a birthday coming up or someone who just needs a new wardrobe, head over to the website and check out the new spring collection as well as the other great products (and their awesome sale section)! Cheers to well-styled men in 2014 ;)

friday favorites :: how to smile in the dead of winter

Sometimes I just need a solid list of things that make me happy on days when I have to battle rain and ice too early in the morning. Right?! 

My friend's Victorian Bulldog puppy! Her husband surprised her for Christmas... Maggie is a feisty little thing but just look at that face. I can't even... my puppy fever is so bad right now, you guys.

Nick Miller is making my LIFE this week. If I feel even the least stressed out, I just Google him and all is well in the world again. (Don't watch New Girl? Shame on you.)

One of my favorite images that I posted on Instagram this week. No, not Instagram... POMSTAGRAM! (@sarahfisch)

via weheartit

I want to do this... except I'm scared of finding glitter in every nook and cranny of my body, house, and purse for all eternity. As they say, glitter is the herpes of the arts & crafts world; you can never get rid of it. Maybe outside, 1,000 feet away from any buildings with gloves and a hazmat suit?

via weheartit

My roommate and I have been talking about creating a fun reading/window sitting space in our third bedroom. I totally envision this... with records playing and stacks of books and twinkle lights!

And finally: my About Me section has been updated with some fun facts. Also, I love clementines, in case you couldn't tell. Have a good weekend!

sick day :: tea & literature

image via google

I woke up this morning with a terrible headache and not feeling well. I couldn't drag myself out of bed to go to work, so I proceeded to sleep for 10 hours and make Harrod's strawberry tea that my friend brought me from England. I also attempted to poach an egg for the first time and it went horribly and made me get an "I can't do anything right" attitude. 

MUST MOVE ON TO HAPPIER THINGS.

I've been reading through a couple of Meg Wolitzer's books before starting The Interestings. A Beautiful Mess is beginning their book club, and I definitely want to join in. I miss reading. The electronic world has taken over my life at times, and I would like to start avoiding that. It's even taken over the literary world, seeing as everyone is all about Kindles and Nooks and tablets. No thank you, I say. Give me a good old fashioned book with creased pages and margin notes and highlighter and a trip to the library. I will be very sad if libraries one day cease to exist.

So while we're on the subject, here are a few of my all-time favorite books:

1. Anything by Adriana Trigiani. I love the way this woman writes... her Italian flair shines through in all of her novels. She likes to include recipes as some part of the story, which is fun. Her characters all sort of reflect each other in a way, even if they are totally different books. Start with her Big Stone Gap series... it made me fall in love with her. I don't often buy books anymore, but I own all the ones she's written.

2. Where the Red Fern Grows. The book of my childhood. I had to read this in sixth grade English, I think... and never stopped. I will forever read this book. I've been meaning to replace my lost copy for a while now. 

3. The Shack. It makes you question things and consider different angles of God and His plans. A good read whether you're a Christian or not.

4. C.S. Lewis. What a man of insight. It can be hard for me to work through his writings sometimes, but I always come out on the other side having learned something. There aren't many authors who I can say that about.

What are some of your favorite reads, current or past? 

what they wore :: burgers and fancy dresses

First things first. One, the Polar Vortex did not conquer me again this morning! Except for my square inch of face that was exposed and frozen. My friend texted me last night to say their pipes froze, burst, and flooded their basement. We left the faucet dripping overnight to avoid something like that... Polar Vortex, you are getting way too intense for me. I can't even handle you. (This article does a good job of explaining how pipes freeze and the necessary prevention methods. Don't take a chance, people!)

Two, remember how I said I was going to The Burger Joint? I did, and it was delicious. Expensive, but worth the money if you're craving a burger! I don't eat a lot of red meat, so I got the turkey burger. Reasons why I loooooove this burger: it has gorgonzola and mushrooms stuffed into the meat. No need to add cheese! I like my burgers fairly plain anyway. And the fries! We got the garlic parmesan fries, and they were amazing. Here's proof:

Now that I've made you sufficiently hungry, on to WTW! Since I just dressed up for New Year's and I have a fancy dinner coming up soon (a post on that later), I have been looking at nice dresses all over the place. 

image via thelimited.com

This is my black and gold sparkled NYE dress, which was originally $98, but I paid $37 in the store. I can't resist an amazing sale! The Limited has a whole bunch of their fancy dresses on sale right now. H&M has a fun mix of everyday and nicer dresses to choose from, and their prices are always right. And then, of course, there's Modcloth. They have the sweetest dresses for so many special occasions. My friend even had us all buy our bridesmaid's dresses from there! They were only $50, too. Some of Modcloth's styles can be on the expensive side, but their sales are usually great. And when they sell out of something, you can sign up to get an email alert when it returns to the site. That's actually how we got all our dresses for the wedding on time! Love it.

I think I'll be re-wearing my NYE dress to my upcoming dinner, but I always love browsing for sales. Check out those sites if you need a new dress for a night out soon! And even if you don't... 

* this is not a sponsored post. all opinions expressed are my own.

POLAR VORTEX!

Oh, hey, Polar Vortex. You know what I think of you? I think you HATE ME. Because I got up at 6 AM to go to work like a good girl, only to be greeted with 3 degree weather. No problem, I say, because I can just layer up like this:

First step conquered. Then I start my car. She sounds a little resistant because she's frozen solid, but old Sangria never fails. I get to my parking lot where I usually pay $6 to park and then walk about five minutes to my building (cheapskate). Today, however, I see my coworker. He tells me the machine is not printing out any slips. Never one to take anyone's word for it, I try it myself. True. The machine will not give me that little piece of paper so  I don't get towed, and now I've charged an unnecessary $6 on my card. I check the other three cars in the parking lot. They have the paper. (How did they do it?!)

Second step failed. On to the third. I decide that because it's freezing (understatement) I will park my car directly in front of my building on the street and pay the machine an extreme amount of money to stay there all day. A splurge is sometimes necessary and fun. Then I realize the machine says "3 hour parking only." FACE PALM.

Step FOUR! Go to the trusty old parking garage adjacent to my building and park there. At least it's super early so I can park right as I pull in. Why didn't I do that in the first place, you ask? They usually don't have an early bird special. However, as I pull up, I see they have a new sign! $10 in before 9 AM and out after 4 PM! Guess what. I leave at 3 PM. UGH. I just know they are going to try to charge me a full amount... but I can be pretty convincing.

And it's only 7:30 AM. Happy Polar Vortex to me! :) Stay warm, my friends.