Friday's Fancies: Polka Dotted

I had actually been ignoring the polka dot trend (unintentionally) since the fall when I purchased at least 4 items (all from J.Crew) that sported this fun pattern in a variety of different colorways.

For me, spring has always been about stripes (not that I don't wear them year round) but I can't get this dainty jacquard polka dotted peplum from Club Monaco's newest bunch of arrivals out of my head. It's so adorable and sunny that it was begging to be paired with a fun summer short (can't take away my stripes!

Club Monaco Jane Peplum Top / J.Crew high waisted sailor shorts / Kate Spade ankle tie wedge / MICHAEL Michael Kors leather satchel / Kate Spade bracelet / Michael Kors watch / J by Jasper Conran knot earrings / BaubleBar Necklace / Jules Smith gold plate bracelet / Deborah Lippmann nail lacquer / Celine Audrey Sunnies

Can you tell I'm willing the temp to push 60 degrees today? (come on, Boston, you can do it!).

Friday's Fancies: Pastel Easter Brunch

Pastels always bring me back to Gap Kids circa 3rd grade (1994ish? - good Lord, I'm old) in the absolute best way possible. I still distinctly remember that spring line full of pastels and the hours my sisters and I spent in the dressing room, fighting over who got which items (we absolutely could NOT have matching clothes).

For me, this is my first memory of truly caring about "fashion" and became focused on putting outfits together, rather than having my mom pick things for me and trying them on just to make sure they fit.  In this case, it was a pair of pastel yellow overalls (yes, you read that right) and a long sleeved white tee with four butterflies across the chest, all a different mix of pastel hues.

The row of butterflies peeked our perfectly over the bib of the overalls (in my 8-year-old mind, anyway) and the flecks of yellow in their wings was picked up but the yellow of the overalls. I wore that outfit to DEATH, also alternating with a much-loved v-neck pastel-striped sweater (strikingly similar to this new RL one).

In recent years I have found myself less drawn to pastels - they are a perpetual spring trend but my closet has become dominated by saturated orange-reds, kelly greens, cobalt blues and of course, neons. I think it's time to incorporate some softer, more feminine pieces into my spring wardrobe. Pastel yellow has been an all-time favorite (I'm fortunate to have the darker brown hair to set it off) - as long as I can stay away from a pastel overall, I think I'll be right on-trend.

Equipment Blouse / Topshop Jacket / J.Crew Snood

Mango Skirt / J.Crew Necklace / C.Wonder Studs / Rebecca Minkoff Bag

J.Crew Bracelet / Zara Heels

This outfit would absolutely put a spring in my step on Easter morning (har har) - and I wouldn't blend in with the Gap Kids-decked kiddies.

More pastel prettiness going on over at {long distance loving}!

Eating Clean: Day One

Today is exactly two months before we leave for Hawaii. I have never really been one to diet for vacations, but over the last month or so, I have started to have extreme sugar cravings that have only gotten more insatiable as time went on. And of course, this has contributed to some unwanted LBS.

So all that is to say, the timing is right. I have never followed a real diet, but my mom started eating clean and following a loose plan last week to help with digestion issues - and not only are her problems almost entirely solved, but she lost 3 pounds. CRAZY.

The biggest reason I am eating clean is to stabilize my blood sugar levels. I constantly try to deprive myself of things I know are bad for me (mostly carbs) and I end up cutting out a lot of nutrients I actually need to feel satisfied. At the end of the day, I end up bingeing - whether it be on blueberries or Cinnamon Toast Crunch...or gum (I easily go through a pack a night, judge me). I am praying that this eating plan will help me to not only to make sure I get the nutrition I need, but also keep my blood sugar from spiking and causing insatiable cravings.

That said, I am NOT being strict about this. I know, especially living with a boy, that I can't eat perfectly. We go out (a lot), we drink (sometimes a lot...) and I know myself well enough to know that if I completely deprive myself of these things I enjoy, this whole plan will backfire tenfold. I am definitely planning to be more sensitive to my drinking, especially during the week (a vodka soda counts as a carb below if I want to replace one), and am doing my best to avoid processed foods - especially sugars.

These are the overall guidelines I'm following: