I've had this dress for almost 8 years and it remains a favorite. The obvious reason is because it's purple, but I also love the "dancing lights" pattern. It's is just so much fun.  It also matches perfectly with my Marc Jacobs bag and Sseko sandals! I couldn't redo the same sandal tie I did in the original outfit (you can tie these any way you want with different color fabric strips!) so I had the photographer/fiance try his hand at it. I think he did a pretty darn good job!

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Natural Selection Mini Messenger Bag' (Saks Fifth Avenue), Sandals c/o Sseko Designs, Necklace: SPARKLEFARM (etsy), Sunglasses: Gucci

 
The original:

I'm not usually one for lace, but I was drawn to this Winter Kate top last year and it has become something I fall back on when there is a slight breeze in the air and I want some ventilation. The only problem is it wrinkles really easily at the bottom, but I've learned to live with it.  I've worn it a bunch of times on the blog, but never with shorts, oddly enough. I always try to bring out the blue of the print, so I styled it with my teal Sseko sandals and my trusty Marc Jacobs bag (Luna is her name.)

Top: Winter Kate (Hautelook), Shorts: Rag & Bone c/o Marshalls, Sandals c/o Sseko, Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Friends & Family Sale), Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) 

Happy Friday! Is everyone ready for the weekend? I sure am! Tomorrow I'm going to the P&G Gymnastics Championship Finals with my best friends and some old gymnastics buddies which should be great fun!  I will also hopefully go grocery shopping with one of them to get our supplies for camping next weekend! And that's all I have planned, a nice easy weekend.  What are your plans?

Monday: Jeans: Target, Tee: Everlane, Sweater: abercrombie (Coco's $5 sale), Sandals: Target, Necklace: Francesca's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs (gift), Sandals c/o Sseko Designs, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Dress: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Lord & Taylor), Tee: Everlane, Sandals: Steve Madden (Marshalls), Necklace: Marc Jacobs, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Dress: Rebecca Taylor (Roundabout Resale), Sandals: Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

What a heat wave we've been having!  Even in these barely there outfits I was super hot walking to and from the train this week.  Other than that everything was good.  A nice, non-stressful week. I definitely need those every once in a while.  Last night was my company's 5 year anniversary so there was a big party. It was supposed to go until 2, but I obviously couldn't stay that long because I had to take a train home.  I am probably still sleeping as this goes live, thank goodness for working from home on Fridays. I can get up at 9 and just start working.

Monday: Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs - similar (borrowed), Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Dress: McQ Alexander McQueen (C21, gift), Heels: Dolce & Gabbana (Uptown Consignments), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Skirt: Made by Mom, Tee:  Everlane, Sandals c/o Sseko Designs, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs (gift), Heels: Michael Kors (DSW), Necklace: Fracnesca's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, vintage & Mom's

Chocolate and flowers only last a few days, so today I'm highlighting some Valentine’s Day gifts that will leave a lasting impression all year long. Whether it’s jewelry helping employ marginalized women in Ethiopia and India, to shoes providing education to women in Uganda, these eco-friendly, fair-trade and humanitarian brands offer great gifts perfect for that special someone in your life.

Raven + Lily is a socially and environmentally responsible accessories company that uses 100% of their profits from sales to achieve their social cause, which is empowering women through design. This means employing marginalized women with fair trade, sustainable income, launching new partnerships, and funding healthcare and educational needs in their partnership communities.

Zuriash Scarf, Neary T-Shirt, Uzma Travel Journal, Tiffany Kunz Necklace

Sseko Designs (who I have featured on the blog before) uses fashion to provide employment and scholarship opportunities to women pursuing their dreams and overcoming poverty in Uganda. Sseko Designs began as a line of sandals, which consists of a leather sandal base and a wide range of interchangeable straps that can be tied hundreds of ways. They now offer a sandal line, wedding line, clutches and sandal accessories.

Allya Sandal, Saddle Clutch, Accent Tote, Classic Strap Collection

31 Bits (another brand I have featured before) also benefits women in Uganda by helping them rise above poverty.  They offer handmade bracelets and necklaces made from recycled paper.  More recently they have begun to offer a handbag and headbands adorned with the beads.

Westerly Clutch, Sweetheart Bracelet, Razzle Dazzle Necklace, Daphne Bracelets (I wear these ALL the time, old colors though)

I wasn't planning on leaving my house yesterday but after lunch I decided to call my dentist to make an appointment since I haven't been in a year (oops...) and they happened to have an opening at 4:30! Gotta love when things work out nicely like that, I got it all over with in a day. It was hot out but I knew that the office would be a bit chilly (as most offices are) so I wanted to wear something that would keep me cool outside but not freeze inside. Solution: this Splendid top (which is actually part of a tank dress/top combo!) It's breezy but has sleeves...

Top: Splendid (net-a-porter sale) $48, Skirt: made from old dress, Sandals c/o Sseko Designs, Bangles: old, Rings: Mom's, Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Watch: Michael Kors


But, as nature would have it, a short while after I took the above photos thunderstorms decided to roll in making it impractical to be wearing a skirt that could be blown in the wind.  I do wear shorts under skirts/dresses but I would still prefer to not give people a show. ;)  So I switched the skirt for some American Eagle boyfriend jeans and off I went!

I have a lovely surprise for everyone today, my first video!!! While I was taking photos of my outfit on Sunday I decided to shoot some video as well and I think it came out pretty good!  I used to make movies all the time when I was younger and I originally wanted to go into filmography, then I decided on graphic design. Hopefully I'll be able to do more videos in the future. What do you think?!

I wore my new-to-me thrifted dress and decided to go for a bohemian look.  Even though this dress is really old I feel like it totally works with the current bohemian/tribal/wild print trend. I used the song Norwegian Wood by The Beatles because I think the vibe of the song goes with my outfit (at least the background music).

Dress: Thrifted $6, Denim Jacket: Mudd $8, Sandals c/o Sseko, Bracelet: 31 Bits, Sunglasses:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) gift card, Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: LAUREN Ralph Lauren gift

UPDATE: Something got messed up with the video.

And here are some stills of the outfit:

Today I am featuring some pretty AMAZING sandals. They are amazing for two reasons; 1 because of the mission of the company, and 2, you can wear them in a ton of different ways!  I was approached by Sseko Designs, a company based in Uganda, and asked if I would like to feature their product.

Sseko Designs was started in 2008 by a young woman named Liz after she graduated from college. She was volunteering in Uganda and started Sseko to provide employment for young women who needed money to pay for their university education. [read her full story here] Liz and these young women are such an inspiration! I wish all the girls who work at Sseko the best of luck with their university studies and future careers!
The sandals are mostly $47 each, some are more expensive depending on the design of the strap you choose.  You can also buy as many different straps as you like from $8-$13.  If you decide to purchase something make sure to enter "Closet Fashionista" in the "How'd you hear about us?" section. :)

So here I am in my sandals, I got the brown ones and some teal straps but I may have to buy some more straps and maybe another base because I have a feeling I will be living in these this summer and many more to come. Click the photos to enlarge them.
Below is a video that explains the company a bit more:
As per the FTC's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising", I must inform you all that I received some of these products free for the purpose of reviewing or advertising the products.  I was not, however, paid to write a positive review.