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

She a Gold Digger

Once upon a time {in a land far, far away}, I hated gold jewelry. It distinctly reminded me of something that my grandmother {or any grandmother} would wear, and I couldn't help but stare at it in disgust. When I hit my mid-twenties, I started singing a {much different} tune. Now, if it's gold, I'm probably wearing it {or at least wishing that I was wearing it}. Something about gold pieces just screams sexy-chic, and they have the ability to make any outfit go from drab to fab. Gold. Bam. Insta-droolworthiness. I have five staple gold goodies that I rotate {rather religiously} through my wardrobe:

1. Gemvara Twine Wedding Band :: I am absolutely in love with my vintage, 100-year-old solitaire diamond engagement ring. When I started shopping for my wedding band, I knew that I wanted something simple that would take nothing away from the diamond's sheer wow-ness. Since the setting was platinum, I also knew that I wanted something gold. Yes, some people naysayed my optimism in mixing metals, but I could not be happier with the selection. The simplicity of the gold twine band next to the power of my stunning solitaire {truly} never gets old.

Gold + Navy + Nude // Francesca's striped dress {similar here}, J. Crew schoolboy blazer, Jessica Simpson Calie pumps, Target belt, Solitaire + Gemvara twine wedding band, Inga Creations earrings, Michael Kors Hamilton tote & Jet Set watch

Michael Kors Jet Set watch + Gemvara twine wedding band

2. Michael Kors Jet Set Watch :: This watch is the staple piece of my jewelry collection. You are hard-pressed to find me wearing anything else. My favorite part about it is, once again, its sheer simplicity. There are no numbers. There are no diamonds. It is just a perfect shade and finish of gold that compliments every possible outfit combination.

Monochrome Blue + Gold // BDG colorblock Chambray {similar here and here}, J. Crew Tippi sweater + Cece flats, Gap velvet skinny jeans & Michael Kors Jet Set watch

3. Inga Creations Tusk Necklace :: Aspen-designer Emily Gustafson loves gold just as much as I do, which means that I keep her jewelry line on heavy repeat. My newest favorite piece is an antler strung on a gold chain wrapped perfectly in gold wire {totally Colorado, right?}. Enter code "PUPSANDPUMPS" at checkout, and she'll treat you to 20% off your order {woohoo!}.

My recent haul from Inga Creations

Dressed Up.

{or} Dressed Down.

4. MIA Limited Edition Elana Flats :: I am semi-embarrassed to admit that I had to trade in my Tory Burch Reva flats a few months ago. The elastic backs were digging into my heels so badly that, by the end of the day, I was sporting them as clogs. Plus, I over-pronate ridiculously far {running lingo for "my ankles roll in"}, and anything with an elastic back just doesn't bode in my favor. I started a mad hunt for a pair of black flats with gold detail, and I found these gems. Love them. Plus, super comfortable {in 1/2 size up}.

Gap corduroy skinny jeans, J. Crew Factory herringbone tank, Zara pearl necklace, MIA Limited Edition Elana Flats, Michael Kors Hamilton tote & Jet Set watch

5. Madewell Skimmer Flats {similar here} :: Finally, my Dorothy shoes. While clicking these suckers together won't get me home after a long night out, the gold glitter stays perfectly in tact, and they are sure to garner plenty of compliments {trust}.

Jason Aldean Concert // Blank NYC coated denim + Tory Burch Amanda logo clutch + Madewell skimmer flats {similar here}

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