bold black and white.

OMG YOU GUYS. Guess what?! I passed my thesis defense! This means that I will be graduating with honors (and get some extra graduation bling)! I'm so excited, pleased, happy, and relieved. This defense has been hanging over my head for about a year now, and even though I have a few small revisions to make, it's just so nice knowing that it's finally done.

What was great was that I had a huge support network: my parents, my boyfriend, two of my good friends, and one of my favorite professors came to my presentation! It was also nice to have my advisor help me out and defend me when a couple tough questions arose. Afterward the whole process (which was about an hour), my parents took my boyfriend and I out to our favorite local diner where we all had breakfast foods for an early dinner. And I've spent the past three hours doing nothing but relaxing! It's a weird, but awesome, feeling. Now time to get back to work!

I was planning on taking outfit photos today, but between all the stress before the defense and all the relief after, it just didn't happen. But here's a similar outfit that I wore to my internship the other day.

I'm wearing:

Dress: was my mom's

Shirt: Old Navy

Boots: DSW

Necklace: made by me

I recently rediscovered this dress in my closet and decided "hey, maybe I should wear that again soon." And I've actually ended up liking it a lot more now than I did originally. I love the bold graphic floral print combined with the mod/60s-ish silhouette. Yay for stealing clothes from my mom!

These boots might look new but I actually bought them a few years ago (I think they were in the clearance section at DSW) and for some reason decided they weren't for me and gave them to my mom. Right before I went to New York for Spring Break I was looking for comfortable boots and my mom reminded me about these—and lo and behold, they're perfect! 

Now I'm off to do some freelance work and history reading; have a great end of the week!

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leaves and lace.

I almost titled this post "twas the night before thesis..." but decided against that; it's a little nutty, even for me. But omg. I have everything done, I just need to rehearse my presentation! And I promise I'll stop talking about my thesis after tomorrow. I can't believe I'm almost done; I'm so excited. I kind of want to post some of my work (the designs) on here, but I'm not sure. Maybe just the infographic I did (that I'm super proud of). We'll see. Anyways, here was my rather half-assed "I'm just doing thesis work all day" outfit.

I'm wearing:

Dress: made by me

Tights: don't remember

Boots: Spotted Moth

Belt: eBay

Necklace: Annie Creamcheese

Purse: vintage Coach, snagged from my mom

This dress is basically a potato sack, but it is a very comfy and versatile potato sack! And I made it (hand sewed, too) which makes it kind of special to me. I bought this leaves necklace close to four years ago and I'm pretty sure this is maybe the second time I've worn it. Oh, my poor neglected jewelry, I do apologize...it's not you, it's me and my jewelry addiction. 

Did I mention my brain is kind of fried because of thesis stuff? Speaking of thesis, thank you to all of you who have tweeted/commented/given me support! I really appreciate it. Cross your fingers for me!

I'll also be blogging my super professional defense outfit tomorrow evening once the craziness is over. 

Have a great day!

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work appropriate brights.

You know how I warned you guys about sporadic posting? Well, this is it. I defend my senior honors thesis on Thursday (yes, two days from now) so I'm a leeeetle bit stressed this week. But my internship supervisor gave me tomorrow off so I have more time to do last minute work! So awesome.

Now, outfit time. I'm obsessed with neon. And wearing pink in springtime.

I'm wearing:

Blouse: Old Navy

Skirt (top): American Apparel

Skirt (under): Forever 21

Socks: Forever 21

Shoes: Rachel Antonoff for Bass / DSW

Necklace: Pretty People

The skirt layering in this outfit was a spur of the moment decision, and I'm really glad I did it. It turned out to be a nice spring-y outfit for a warm (80 degrees! In March!) day in D.C. Also, I love these shoes, so much. I do not love that they are a little big on me, but that will not stop me from wearing them. 

Also, it kind of weirds me out how different I look with my hair up—and I know it's not just me because my boyfriend mentioned it too! Funny how hair can do that. 

Now, back to being super productive—which is a trend I'm trying to keep going for the next 48 hours. 

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coral, cats, and charms.

You know what's scary? I graduate from college in 60 days. Into the real world. Which is just a tidbit intimidating. Yesterday I bought my cap & gown, and today I had my graduation portraits taken (am I the only one that looks silly in the graduation cap or is that everyone?). And soon I will be done with the majority of my thesis project! Exciting times.

Also exciting? How pretty it is around here lately! Although I am kind of lamenting the fact that the weather skipped the "cute tights every day" phase of spring, I do like seeing everything blooming and not having to wear a minimum of three layers. This is probably one of my favorite spring outfits.

Photos by my friend Katie.

I'm wearing:

Dress: Forever 21 (secondhand)

Scarf: shop in Oxford

Socks: Forever 21

Shoes: Chelsea Crew

Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Bag: Cath Kidston, gift

Earrings: Betsey Johnson

I am thrilled with how these photos turned out. I can't decide which one of the three closeups I like best. Which one do you guys think is best?

And I got a photo of me swishing (yes, that's totally a verb) that doesn't look completely silly! Major props to Katie for that. 

Also, I scored this dress at a (new-ish) consignment shop I found by my house for all of $11! It's coral, chiffon, has cute pleats & buttons, and has cap sleeves! It's perfect! It's one of two dresses I got there; I'm planning on wearing the other one tomorrow. And how cute are my cat earrings? They were the one thing I bought while in NYC, and I love them! Cats on everything, plz.

Also, apologies for the lag in posting, these past two weeks have been crazy busy and then some. Things will be more consistent in April, I promise!

Have a great rest of the week!

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florals for spring? ground breaking.

Happy Monday! I'm exhausted after having a super productive day and taking my one and only midterm, so this will be a quick post!

I'm wearing:

Top: Debenhams

Skirt: American Apparel

Belt: Oasis

Shoes: Cooperative

Necklace: Crumpetcake on Etsy

Just a simple work appropriate outfit with florals for the warm weather. I will forever love this top because floral + peter pan collar = awesomeness!

Oh, and thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Have a great week!

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And the winner is...

Hello everyone! It is time to announce the winner of the Tulle & Combat Boots One Year Birthday Giveaway!

The winner was chosen using the random.org number generator. 

And the winner is Crissy!

Congratulations!

I'll be contacting you shortly!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

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remembering Oxford in an outfit

First, let me just say: school is nuts right now. (And by 'school' I mean my last semester of college.) My thesis is killing me. But come the end of March, I shall be free (free as a bird)! Obviously, I'm excited. But first I have to trudge through the next two and a half weeks and get everything done. So there's that. Also, my car wouldn't start yesterday (turns out I accidentally killed the battery), so $120 later and I have a new battery! My car is a bit on the older side, so I was worried until I realized I had left the overhead light on...for three days. Moral of the story: don't leave the overhead light on. It will kill your battery. (In case you didn't already know that.)

Now that we're past random personal happenings and lots of parenthetical statements, here's an outfit I wore the other day!

Jacket: Primark

T-shirt: Nordstrom, collar added by me

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Knee high socks: ModCloth (old)

Shoes: thrifted

Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Rings: festival, gift

Nail Polish: Butter

I was looking through photos from Oxford (oh, how I miss it) the other day and came across one of me where I was wearing a very similar outfit so I decided to recreate it! I really like how it came out (although I wish I had gotten better pictures). I've also determined that I need more knee high socks in my life. 

And you may have noticed I'm wearing nail polish, which I hardly ever do. I discovered a huge display of Butter nail polishes last weekend and gave in and got this and another one (well okay, my mom did, and we decided to keep one each—I kept this one). 

Don't forget to enter the one year birthday giveaway to win a Baskerville ampersand necklace! The contest is open until Saturday at 11:59PM and I will be announcing the winner on Sunday!

Have a great rest of the week!

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Guest posting!

Hey lovelies! Sorry for the quiet around here lately, school has been crazy busy. Today I'm guest posting on Tereza's lovely blog Drastic Plastic, check it out!

Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway!

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One year! & a giveaway!

A year ago today, I did my first outfit post on the blog (my first first post was a sort of DIY review, but I think my first outfit post was really the start of my blogging adventure). And to celebrate this one year, and all the photos and outfits and wonderful people I've met, I am going to do my first ever giveaway!

The lovely Kim from Cupcakes & Mace is joining me in this endevour by giving away one of her Baskerville italic ampersand necklaces, one of which I featured in this outfit. Just fill out the form below, and you will be entered to win this lovely necklace in black or white (your choice!).

heavy metal collars.

Happy Monday! As you are reading this, I am either sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to New York to see my family for spring break, or on the plane! I'm really excited to visit because the last time I was up there was this past summer (see this post). And one of my best friends & I are going to NYC on Thursday! If you have any suggestions of cool places to check out, let me know!

And without further ado, outfit post! Photos taken by my friend Katie.

This is my "O rly?" face.

I'm wearing:

Blouse: J.Crew, thrifted

Skirt: American Apparel

Boots: shop in Oxford

Necklace: Pretty People

Sunglasses: H&M

Last Sunday Hannah & I finally went back to Pretty People since they were having a sale on jewelry & vintage, and I scored this lovely necklace! It's such a perfect necklace to wear over a collar. I think if I switched the shoes, I could totally wear this outfit to work. 

Anyways, time to pack! I'll try to update while I'm away, but apologies in advance if posts are sporadic! Have a great week!

Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a little surprise at the end of the week ;)

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