Friday's Fancies: Stripe My Fancy

I've been totally absent as of late - but not without reason. I started a new job last week and let's just say that between the longer commute, super fast-paced ramp up, and the boy's entire family coming to town (& our apartment for the first time) this weekend, I have been beyond overwhelmed with things to be done - and even more on my mind - but not the blog.

That said, as a self-diagnosed stripe addict, I couldn't miss this week's Friday's Fancies, featuring my all-time favorite pattern.

Marc by Marc Jacobs stripe dress / J Brand fringe vest / Satchel bag / Kate Spade bracelet / Banana Republic gem necklace / BaubleBar coral bracelet / C.Wonder neon studs / J.Crew wayfarer sunglasses / Pour La Victoire Veronica heels

Linking up with {long distance loving}, per usual! So much stripe-y goodness going on over there.

Nearly Nautical

Not to say that my teabag (har har) is really what kicked me in the arse to come back to my blog - but it almost is, in more ways that one. I have been pseudo sick for the last few weeks (thanks, Philly) and haven't had the energy to get out of bed in the morning, let alone put together a post of any value - so I copped out and opted for the silence route.

I am finally feeling better (admittedly dragging my lazy bum to gthe gym helped immensely), and it was time to get back to my ever-growing list of boards to put together. I have ALWAYS been a sucker for nautical touches (note: stripe addiction) from navy and red to straight up anchors, but I can very easily go too far with it and can end up looking more like a sailor costume than straight out of a Sperry ad.

There are plenty of ways to add a nautical nod to an outfit this season without taking it too far. If you're going to do something as literal as an anchor, it's really important to keep the rest of your pieces in the nautical vein (ie a stripe, red OR navy, etc.) so that everything you're wearing isn't themed. Here are a few of my faves (and I had to cut about 15 that wouldn't fit - sad!):

1. F21 Striped Nautical Short | 2. Kate Spade Sailor's Knot Bangle | 3. J.Crew Tillary Tote | 4. J.Crew Factory Enamel Bracelet | 5. Port Winsor Longwood Tunic | 6. Kate Spade Sailor's Knot Studs | 7. Pink Pineapple Cape Knot Dock Belt | 8. Dorothy Parker Navy Knot Waist Belt | 9. J. McLaughlin Monogrammed Sailcloth Duffle | 10. Tory Burch Penny Loafer | 11. Kate Spade Nera Coat | 12. F21 Two-Tone Braided Headwrap | 13. James Jeans Sailor Trouser Jean | 14. LOFT Vintage Stripe Shift Dress | 15. Milly for Sperry Laceless Sneaker | 16. J.Crew Garment Dyed Toothpick Jean in Festival Green | 17. Kate Spade Anchors Away Bracelet | 18. Anchor Rope Necklace

Stripes. And more...stripes.

Being that essentially everyone I ever hang out with was out of town this weekend, and that I found out on Thursday that I need new brakes, I spent the weekend at home in the 'burbs. 

$1016 later, I had new brakes (and an inspection, oil change and new wipers...but who's counting?) and was feeling QUITE dejected. So of course, the logical cure was to go spend more money. Not ideal, but it did make me feel a little bit better. 

   

I (sadly) refrained from the black glitter loafers (SO adorable but SO impractical) but I went with the double-bow pointy toed flats from Nordstrom Rack.  I need to start frequenting the Rack closer to the city because it is a GOLDMINE for shoes (more scores from the weekend coming later!).

Then I went to the mall, mostly with intentions of trying out Bobbi Brown's new neon lipshades (abso-freakin-lutely HORRENDOUS on me - it is literally like applying a melted Crayola crayon to your lips), but of course I made some pit stops along the way (couldn't resist the neons everywhere else!). After this weekend, I think chartreuse is going my be my ultimate spring color - I really can't get enough (especially in a stripe!). Expect a full-on chartreuse board soon...

On a scale of 1-10, how obvious is it that I have a (very) serious addiction to stripes?

LOFT had a big 30% off sale going on, and though I pretty much knew I wouldn't be buying anything because anyone who has the (mis)fortune of being on their email list knows that all of this will go on sale for 40-50% off within the next month, I had to try everything on to find out what I liked, and get my sizes right - like any "smart" shopper.

And then I added my new H&M fauxs for fun...but was intimidated at Zara so I lost them. And speaking of, I am HUGELY regretting not buying that black-tipped white blouse on sale for $30...

More to come on my scores of this weekend (WAY too many nail polishes, adorable critter rings, glitter headbands, etc.), but for now, I need to finish off this stee-RONG marg so I can get some rest before trying to survive my first 5-day work week in approximately a month...