Print Mixing With Global Flavor: Dries Van Noten Spring 2010 RTW

via Style.com

I'm really feeling the print mixing and 'global' feel of the Dries Van Noten spring collection. I's have one of each piece above if my budget allowed.

Still on my grey kick...

For some reason, I keep going for my grey clothing and accessories lately. The bag I carry just about everyday is grey, I have a few pairs of grey tights, a few grey shirts, and I'm counting my silver jewelry as grey for the purposes of this post. There is something simple yet refreshing about the color to me. It goes with just about everything and easily transitions from winter to spring.

Do any other DC area folk plan to fight the crowds to see the National Cherry Blossom Festival kick-off this weekend? I'm still debating...

Top/Jacket: NY&Co. an Target (Girls section)
Skirt: Mod Cloth
Belt: Nordstrom (Junior's section)
Tights: Hue via Madewell
Shoes: Nine West via Zappos
Earrings: H&M
Bag: Anne Klein via Beacon's Closet

Song Currently on Repeat: Closer By Corinne Bailey Rae

Shen's Wish List: Neutrals with a pop of print

Top Left: Coclico Shoes

Top Right: Athena Necklace

Bottom Left: Jerome Dreyfuss Max Convertible Tote

Bottom Right: Strapless Big Circle Print in Turquoise and Gold

If I was not a girl living on a budget, I'd purchase all of the items above...

Pastels

I've come to a few conclusions recently:

• I seem to be a bit of a Francophile lately: I just finished reading the book, My Life in France by Julia Child (good read by the way), discovered movies with French actor Romain Duris through Netflix, started saving up to purchase the French edition of Rosetta Stone and plan to use my tax refund to finance a trip to Paris later this year if all goes according to plan.
• I only have two semesters left of graduate school after the Spring semester is finished (Summer and Fall)!
• I think I want to become a vegetarian (again). I was raised vegetarian and semi-vegetarian for most of my childhood. I want to eat healthier in general and I really think I can do without meat in my diet. Though you can have a healthy diet that includes meat, I just don't feel the need to eat it.
• I get the strong urge to sketch people when I sit in meetings, but don't give in because how embarrassing (and unprofessional) would it be to be caught 'doodling' in a business meeting? I blame the beginners drawing class I've been taking as my new 'hobby.'
• Grey is currently my favorite neutral followed closely by peachy nude shades hence the inspiration for the outfit above.

Shirt: H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Cardigan: Old Navy
TIghts: Hue via Madewell
Shoes: Gojane.com
Necklace: Forever 21

Song Currently on Repeat: 'You Got Me' by The Roots featuring Jill Scott

Comforts of a Sunny Saturday

Any Saturday is a good day in my book, but a sunny one is the best of all!

P.S. Are any other iPhone users loving the Hipstamatic application?

Spring is Here (Officially)

Does anyone else get a little happier at the prospect of rotating your closet at the begining of a new season? It gives you the opportunity to (re)discover clothing you may have forgotten about because you hadn't worn certain items in a while. It also brings a new dimension to clothing you may have been remixing for the past season. Take this shirt for instance, because its short sleeved, I haven't worn it in quite some time, it's almost like having a brand new shirt because I forget about it until I set eyes on it in the closet. This skirt is actually new, purchased with a birthday gift card to Urban Outfitters (Thanks Dad!).

I still miss the hour lost due to day light savings, but the extra hours of sunlight is a fair trade-off in my book...

Shirt: Tulle

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Tights: Madewell

Shoes: Steve Madden via Zappos

Glasses: Urban Outfitters

Dove earrings: Mod Cloth

Song Currently on Repeat: 'Day 'n' By Kid Cudi

Random Style Thought of the Day: Clogs Aren't For Me

via

originally from

I think that clogs can be pulled off in a fashionable way, but I've decided that I won't be partaking in the 'clog' trend that seemed to originate from the Chanel Spring 2010 RTW collection. The Steve Madden version of the clog trend are cute, but they won't be joining my shoe collection. My wallet and desire not to look like a walking billboard forces me to choose what trends to partake in. I also thought that some of the fur vests that were popular last fall and this winter were cute. But I can't substantiate purchasing something that really is meant for casual purposes when I have full time job and can only push the limits of dressing 'creatively' so far at my day job. If the prices drop considerably and I feel like clogs (or fur vests for that matter) are something I'll want to wear for several seasons I'll reconsider, but for now, I'll just look at blogs and magazines to see how other fashionable girls pull them off this Spring/Summer.

It's Friday!

There's nothing like the anticipation of the weekend stretching out ahead of you that Friday brings! We've been having a few consecutive days of sunny weather in D.C. and I'm going to enjoy it! Hope you have an excellent weekend!

Shirt: Gap
Skirt: Target
Cardigan: Old NAvy
Tights: Target
Shoes: some store in Philly

Song Currently on Repeat: Settlin' By: Sugarland

Ready for Spring: Prints and Color From Duro Olowu

via

I've seen a few pieces from designer London-based designer, Duro Olowu's spring 2010 RTW collection on a few other blogs, but I thought I'd post a few of my favorites. Colorful prints saturated with vibrant colors never go out of style for me, but it is nice to see them in recent collections from designers.

Smiling on the Inside

I have decided to make a concerted effort to have a more positive attitude in 2010 because I really think your thoughts are powerful and good things are more likely to come to you if you have a positive attitude and are open to receiving them. I stumbled across a book called 'Happy for No Reason' in the library a few weeks ago and after thumbing through it, decided to borrow it. It's a great reminder that being happy may sometimes take a concerted effort, but is well worth it. Oh and writing this post reminded me that I have to return the book to the library to avoid incurring fees and just purchase it since I think I'll likely want to reread it again in the future.

I know I'm not actually smiling in this photo, but I'm smiling on the inside. So go forth and be happy!

Dress: Urban Outfitters
Cardigan: H&M
Tights: ?
Boots: ? some store in Philly
Necklace: Claire's
Earrings: Mod Cloth (my current favorites)

Song Currently on Repeat: Feelin' Good By Nina Simone

"Breathe and Stop"

I feel a major sense of relief because Term 1 of my Spring semester ended. I've been in the midst of completing final papers and projects for the past week. So now I have a few days of no looming assignment or project deadlines to worry about before the next term begins. Now I have to focus on completing other types of deadlines like finishing my taxes and doing my FAFSA for the next semester...sigh. Despite my personal task list that does not seem to have an end, I'm feeling pretty good! And the sun looks like it might make an appearance today after a very rainy couple of days!

Blazer: Macy's (boy's section)
Dress: Target
Boots: Target
Tights: Target
Earrings: Modcloth
Sunnies: Marshalls

Album Currently on Repeat: 'The Love and War Masterpiece' By Raheem Devaughn

Is Spring Really Here to Stay?

Worn on March 8, 2010 (My Birthday), originally uploaded by ShenDove.

It was a perfectly sunny, crisp day yesterday when I wore this outfit and I was able to leave my winter coat in my closet and wear a trench coat instead. I was so busy, I couldn't actually get a photo of myself in said trench coat, but it will make an appearance on this blog very soon. I sure hope this nice springy weather is here to stay...

Yesterday also happened to be my birthday...I am officially in the age 26-54 age bracket, sigh.

On a random note, I got a letter in the mail today inviting me to become a member of AARP...I know I do indeed act like an old lady sometimes, but I turned 26 yesterday, not 62...

Shirt: The Loft
Skirt: Thrifted
Boots: some store in Philly
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Earrings: Gift

Song Currently on Repeat: 'Strong Will Continue' By Damian Marley and Nas

Photos From My Birthday Weekend: NYC

Photos From My Weekend: NYC, originally uploaded by ShenDove.

I spent my weekend in one of my favorite cities, New York. During the course of the weekend I ate some good food, saw some moderately depressing but innovative slam poetry, bought some clothes, thrifted some clothes, took an emergency trip to the Apple Store to replace my laptop charger and took the 'scenic' route to Brooklyn (aka got lost)...overall, it was a great birthday weekend. The weather was gorgeous and I wish I had taken more photos, but I was too busy taking in all of the sights.

A Touch of Red

A Touch of Red, originally uploaded by ShenDove.

I love these red tights but am always a little self conscious about wearing them because they are so bright. But it is Friday and that’s technically dress-down day in my office, so I decided to wear them to work anyway. The one thing I miss about the winter when it’s gone is the opportunity to bring color into my outfit with tights! I’ve built up quite a collection over the past two seasons. I’d wear colored tights next season whether they were ‘trendy’ or not, but tights don’t seem to be going anywhere for a while. I saw some designers used colored and textured tights in the fall 2010 collections I’ve seen on style.com.

On another note, I’m so happy the weekend is here! HAPPY FRIDAY!

Dress: Down East Basics
Cardigan: Down East Basics
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: Target
Necklace: Forever 21

Song Currently on Repeat: "Where Are You?" By Zap Mama

26 things to do in my 26th year

I turn 26 next week and I've always been a goal oriented person and enjoy making lists of goals (and actually accomplishing them!), so I decided to make a list of 26 things I'd like to do in my 26th year:

1. Write a short story.
2. Travel to a place outside of the U.S.
3. Travel to a U.S. state I’ve never been to before.
4. Learn how to proficiently use Photoshop.
5. Create a piece of artwork, frame it and hang it in my home.
6. Do several random, anonymous acts of kindness for other people.
7. Join a church.
8. Decide on a signature baked good and perfect it.
9. File 501c3 paperwork for the non-profit I’m starting with a friend.
10. Wake up to see the sun rise.
11. Sew a piece of clothing.
12. Start learning French (via Rosetta Stone).
13. Start meditating.
14. Start doing yoga.
15. Take some ballet and African dance classes.
16. Make new friends.
17. Spend time quality time with current friends.
18. Obtain a mentor, and cultivate that relationship.
19. Mentor someone.
20. Watch less TV.
21. Smile more. Stress less.
22. Master highway driving (sounds weird, but I haven’t driven since I got my license a few years ago…)
23. Go to a concert and see a musical artist I’ve never seen before.
24. Spend quality time with my grandparents.
25. Pay off credit card.
26. Create a vision board for my more defined short term goals.

It's my intention that 26 will be a positive, memorable year!