Cobalt Crush

If you walked into my closet-of-old, you would have been confronted with four colors: black, white, gray and denim. Every shirt-in-awhile, you would have stumbled upon something yellow or red, but its presence would have felt entirely out of place. As a recent college graduate, my budget was limited, and I couldn't bare to spend my hard-earned teacher dollars {which didn't come easy} on something that {I thought} could only be worn once. I'm also nearly positive that I rotated five outfits through every five workdays for my first year as a working professional {classy}. My new-found appreciation for color-blocking, pattern-playing and monochrome-matching has led to a deep appreciation for anything not of the black-and-white family.

My husband and I enjoy playing random psyche games like "Would you rather...?" and "If you could only...?" to establish unrealistic parameters for our lives. Questions include: Would you rather be forced to eat your own toenails or have your eyebrows shaved off? If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what song would it be? Obviously {or hopefully}, we would never be forced to make these decisions, but the answers are so comically amusing - and most times, require such intense thought - that we get lost for hours in a sea of inquiry. I can recall one question, however, that required only a split second of decision: If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, what color would it be?

Blue. Boom. Done.

From cerulean to navy, I haven't met a blue I didn't like {which very much bodes in my favor as a Kentucky resident}, and I'm currently crushing hard on cobalt. There is a certain radiance and richness to it that screams neon without the eye-piercing dazzle {although I also love me a good neon every now and again}. This bright blue is my new black.

Cobalt Bottoms // Gap 1969 always skinny jeans + butterfly blouse {similar style here and color here}, J. Crew Cece flats {similar color here} & Michael Kors Jet Set watch

Cobalt Top // Target Xhilaration tank, Joe's black skinny jeans, Madewell skimmer flats {print also available here}, Coach handbag {same color here}, Tory Burch aviator sunglasses, Michael Kors Jet Set watch & Cara NY jewelry

Cobalt Details // J. Crew yellow lace dress {similar here} + Cece flats {similar color here}, Coach Madison Lindsay crossbody {similar color here} + sunglasses {similar style here}, Michael Kors Bradshaw watch & cobalt flower earrings

I'm a Sucker {for Chambray}.

I still remember my fourth grade yearbook picture. My hair was curled in tight tendrils {a product of the foam rollers my mom had used to cover my head the night before}. My tongue stuck out from a gaping hole on the side of my mouth where I had recently lost a tooth. More importantly, I was wearing a denim button-down tee with a bolo tie {yes, you read that correctly} strategically placed beneath my shirt collar. Little did I know that 20-some-odd years later my elementary look would be making a comeback. I spent hours scavenging for a replica of the photo {if not only to just prove my previous claim}, but when you've moved as many times as I have in the last ten years, these small things are no longer easily accessible {or, more likely, they no longer physically exist}. Fortunately for you, I was able to locate some oh-so-stylish, replica snapshots of the look.

Savage Bolo Tie

Susan Caplan Exclusive for ASOS Vintage 70s Bolo Bull Tie

I would probably swap the bolo for something a little {or a lot} more feminine {i.e. pearls}, but there is something about the denim shirt that makes my heart swoon {maybe because it pairs so perfectly with colored and printed bottoms}. I wear chambray {on average} 2-3 times a week, and I have absolutely no shame in admitting this stat. I have proudly organized an entire section of my closet in devotion to my growing chambray habit, and I have heard on more than one occasion from my husband, "I'm embarrassed to say this, but sometimes, I wish I could wear your clothes." Nothing to be embarrassed about, honey. The number of chambray button-downs and popovers grows exponentially in our household, so as of late, I had been jonesing for something a little different {enter the chambray dress}. While in London, I found exactly what I had in mind at a trendy chain called Uniqlo. It was love at first sight {and second and third}, and I could hardly wait to bring it home to explore all the possibilities. I recently decided to take it for a spin on a mid-week lunch date. I had six seniors on my basketball team last season, and all of them {minus one} are leaving for college in the next couple weeks. I treated them to a hearty {and not-so-healthy} throng of chicken wings and nachos. Apparently, during a "bathroom" break, they ran out to my car and covered my windows in obscure signage {including "Honk. It's my Birthday!" on the back windshield}. I spent my entire ride home feeling pleased with my chambray threads while waving thanks to those who honked so spiritedly.

Uniqlo chambray dress {similar here and here}, navy tights {love these}, Target belt, Zara pearl necklace, J. Crew Cece ballet flats, Michael Kors Hamilton tote & Jet Set watch

Lunch Date with My Girls

I got punked.

Chambray Love Affair // [top right] Gap polka dot chambray {similar here} + [bottom left] BDG colorblock chambray {similar here and here} + [bottom right] J. Crew chambray popover

My niece Maebyn rocking baby chambray // Gap long sleeve {0-12 months}

Chambray + Printed Denim // Gap chambray shirt, Gap 1969 camo skinny jeans {sold out but similar colors here} + bracelet {loving this}, J. Crew Janey neon flats, Coach boyfriend watch & Rebecca Minkoff navy mini mac

Chambray + Colored Denim // J. Crew chambray popover, 7 for All Mankind yellow skinny jeans {similar here}, Marc by Marc Jacobs ankle boots {similar here}, Tory Burch Amanda logo clutch crossbody & Michael Kors Jet Set watch

Amazing Race: London

I have always had a secret fantasy of being on the game show Amazing Race. Couples race around the world performing physical and mental tasks in order to reach checkpoints first in hopes of winning $1 million at the completion of the event. I have always surmised that my husband and I could dominate such a game {pardon my lack of humility}. Jordan and I were both college athletes, and we are both fairly intelligent; more importantly, we are both two of the most competitive people I know {like can't-play-a-game-of-cards-without-rubbing-a-victory-into-the-other-person's-face competitive}. The problem with this competitiveness, however, is that it can work against us in a scenario where we must work together as a team to make progress {as witnessed in Amazing Race}. For those of you who have ever played shuffleboard with me and my husband, you will know how heated we can get with each other if one is "under-performing." We may or may not have gone home from a picnic or two on bad terms because we failed to win a game of cornhole {true story}.

We arrived in London on my Birthday, and my husband {bless his heart} wanted to make sure I had a wonderful day {after waking up at 4:30 AM to catch our flight from Paris International Airport}, so we rented a car thinking we could get to our hotel quicker; plus, we thought we'd want our own transportation to get around the city and countryside. Hindsight: Terrible idea. The English drive on the left side of the road. We should have known what we were getting ourselves into when we got in the car, and my husband {car keys in hand} opened the passenger door while I sat down {as the passenger} in front of the steering wheel. We were {at least} smart enough to rent a wifi hotspot that would allow us to use our iPhones while driving. My heart started palpitating at the first turn, the wifi hotspot wouldn't turn on, and my husband was asking me for directions in a city I had never been before {terrible combination}. After leaving the airport Enterprise, realizing we had a faulty wifi hotspot, and then returning to the airport Enterprise based on our own sense of direction {since we were GPS-less}, we were finally able to embark on our journey {some 40-odd minutes later}.

When we pulled our hotel up on Google Maps, we learned that the airport was on the far west end of London and our hotel was on the far east end; what we also learned was that central London is comprised almost entirely of toll roads, which meant that we needed to drive {literally} an entire circle around the city in order to avoid the tolls. Google gave us a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes {if only we had been so lucky}. London's interstate system is a joke. There is a round-a-bout every mile {or kilometer, or whatever they call it}, and I'm pretty sure Siri (1) was confused herself on how to give directions and (2) could not keep up with the fact that we were forcing her to "re-route" every five seconds because we'd miss the third exit on the five-outlet round-a-bout. I couldn't find a road sign to save my life {because I'm pretty sure they don't have them}, and I'd {attempt to} relay Siri's directions to Jordan in more detail, but I would inevitably fail.

We got to the hotel two hours later and after discovering how fabulous the public transportation system is, we decided to simply {or not so simply} return the car; however, this decision meant {once again} driving to a nearby Enterprise. At this point, we are reliving Just Married {you know, the  movie where Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy go on their honeymoon only to come back divorced because everything that could go wrong, does go wrong on their vacation}. I'm closing my eyes deep in prayer that we don't die {not because of my husband's driving - he did fabulous - but because of the other drivers who have zero cares for anything going on around them}, and I'm nearly on strike for giving anymore directions. We drive to one Enterprise and don't see it, only to drive to another one that doesn't actually exist, only to return to the location of the first Enterprise {which we'd missed by one street} where the staff stays 30 minutes after closing so we can actually get rid of the metal nightmare. I'm pretty sure that if hitting and hair pulling were legal marriage moves, we would have been doing both simultaneously at this point. It's his fault for not listening properly {so I say}; it's my fault for not speaking properly {so he says}. Hashtag: Amazing Race losers. Hastag: relationship drama. Hashtag: let this day be over!

Fortunately for me, I have a thoughtful husband, so when I childishly stomped off to the bus stop with my it's-my-party-and-I'll-cry-if-I-want-to face, he quickly grabbed me and gave me a big hug. We moved from bus to light rail and found an amazing pizza joint with a live band playing in the basement. We chowed down on an exorbitant amount of food {including the best macaroni and cheese I have EVER tasted}, and I was lucky enough to get a little Birthday delight at the end of the meal. More importantly, my husband and I honed our teamwork skills, which we will most definitely need when we are asked to be the next set of contestants on Amazing Race {fingers crossed}.

Driving on the "right" side of the road

On the double-decker bus {finally!}

Restaurant: Pizza East {London, England}

Wood-fired Pizza Man

Birthday Dinner // Marguerite Pizza, Sausage + Broccoli Pizza, Mac + Cheese & Butter Leaf Lettuce + Avocado Salad

Birthday Dessert {go, Hubby!}

Bar: Concrete {underneath the restaurant} // Band: New Build

The Life of a SMedium

Inevitably, I am NEVER a small or a medium. I incessantly fall into that awkward SMedium category. The small jacket will flatter my torso, but I will not be able to move from the full-attention position {for fear of ripping off either sleeve}; the medium jacket will allow me the mobility I need as a human being, but I will look like I'm wearing my husband's jacket in the mid-section. The small skirt will fit me in the waist, but I will look like a 13-year-old girl trying to show off far too much thigh under the belt line; the medium will make my hips look more age-appropriate, but it will be falling off my waist, exposing the not-so-cute plumber's crack {think Britney Spears circa 2003}. Disclaimer: I am at peace with my body {as much as any girl can be}. I am just not at peace with the SMedium size that does not exist. Here is a visual for anyone who is still not mackin' what I'm stackin' {seriously, try not to sing}:

All you tweeners know exactly what Chris Farley {and I} are talking about, and, frankly, I consider this a major life issue {yes, m-a-j-o-r}. One, I never know what size to suggest when people are buying me gifts {not to mention the fact that I wear an XS in J. Crew while managing to also fit into an L at Zara}. Two, I spend FOREVER in changing rooms {with far too many clothes than those stupid little placards allow}. I go back and forth and back and forth. I walk out with frizzy hair, the same amount of clothes, and the stench of indecision {this is a big reason my husband hates shopping with me}. Do I buy the small? Do I buy the medium? What if I'm having an infamous female "fat" day? What if I gain a little bit of weight? What if I want to wear this when I'm pregnant {I AM a newlywed!}? It's like buying sunglasses every single time I go shopping: this pair or that pair or this pair, wait, no, that pair {as the sunglass man rolls his eyes and silently prays for you to just make a decision!}. Well, if you haven't guessed this about me yet, I take my clothes very seriously. I mean, money does not grow on trees {at least that's what my husband tells me}. So, I have resorted to online shopping {when free shipping and free returns are involved} - I buy two of everything and return the unwanted size with a 30-day money back guarantee {thank you, Piperlime, Zara, Nordstrom, Zappos, and Amazon}. This way, I can get frizzy hair in the luxury of my own home.

A day in the life of me trying on clothes from a recent Piperlime haul {sizes appear in parentheses}:

{Piperlime, Nordstrom & Zappos} Pim & Larkin blazer (S), J. Crew Blythe blouse (2/XS) {old, but loving this here}, Kate Spade Barry skirt (4/S) & Nine West Wedges (8.5) {old, but loving these}

{Piperlime & Sole Society} Pim & Larkin tee (S), Kensie lace shorts (6/M) & Sole Society Elisa pumps (8.5)

{Amazon & Zara} Schutz rhinestone sandals (9) {sold out, but loving these} &
Zara cobalt ankle strap flats (8) {sold out, but loving these}

Jordan and I leave for our belated honeymoon tomorrow {woohoo!}, so strap yourselves in for some random traveling rants over the next couple weeks. Peace.