Friday's five things.

So, I still need to post my spring break breakdown... but I have not been at home on my computer for more than 53 seconds straight in the last 2 weeks. I picked up a third class (1.5 credits for 7 weeks) for the second part of this semester which started after break, and I am so freaking busy now!

For now, here are 5 fun things that will hopefully help me make it through the next couple weeks until summer!

1. Cole Haan Air Tali Rain Ballet flat in Sunflower Patent, $138 from Colehaan.com. These bright and cheery goodies will be so perfect for the spring showers when it is too hot to wear my Hunters. I can't afford them at full price, but you can bet I'm counting down until they go on sale... something to look forward to!

2. Snapfish photo books are 50% with the code 11BOOKSBD - just in time for me to make a beautiful new photo book of my trip!

3. NYU is hosting a gala tonight for all Masters, law, medical, MBA, etc. graduate students. With free drinks and hors d'oeuvres. And law students. I'm going with a few friends and need to head home after work to decide what to wear! (Possibly green silk dress... possibly black New Year's Eve dress... unsure.)

4. Reese's peanut butter eggs are officially on the shelves. These are my favorite part of every holiday. They have about 2 times the amount of peanut butter as a normal Reese's cup. And are my biggest weakness right now. (Pssst! Mom! These are the ones I'm talking about!)

5. I plan on finishing Jane Eyre this weekend (the book) so that I can complete the Goodreads Jane Eyre Challenge and see Jane Eyre (the movie) before April 15th.

TGIF, everyone!

What I'm wearing New Year's Eve.

As I've been stranded here in Minnesota for an extra 3 days, I've been thrown into a little bit of a panic... I have friends coming to my apartment in Manhattan on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. for New Year's Eve... so hopefully I will make it back to NYC before then to clean, get my outfit ready for the night, pick up some groceries and generally be ready to be a good hostess when I haven't been home in 9 days!

Here's what I'm planning on wearing... some of which I may have to run out and still find on Friday morning... or here in Minnesota tomorrow before I head to the airport...

Little Black Dress: I bought a LBD on sale for $30 at Ann Taylor on Black Friday. Remember back in September when I posted this? Well, I think it's actually the same dress. I never bought it this fall, and I actually never tried it on in the store. So, here I have a dress at home in NYC, and I have NO idea if it fits or if it will look right with the shoes I want to wear... I'm crossing my fingers that it will work!

Gold Glitter "Caryssa" Pumps by Steve Madden. $89.99 from Piperlime. Note: I ordered these for myself for my birthday. When I got them last week, I realized that they are MUCH taller than I thought they were! They are 5 inch heels with a 1 inch platform... I'm not sure how well I'll be able to walk in them, but they are perfect for the occasion! I might have to carry them to the party and change when we get there!
Annnnd accessorize with gold jewelry, black clutch, black tights, and black blazer. Problem is, I'm not sure if the gold jewelry I have will work with the outfit. And I definitely don't have a black blazer that will work! I'll keep you posted as I scramble in the next 48 hours to pull it together!

Priorities.

Macy's has a great sale on right now for Veterans' Day. Free shipping with the code vetsday, and 10-50% basically anything you could need right now. So, naturally, I ordered this great MICHAEL by Michael Kors coat.

Okay, okay, I admit it: Michael Kors is my latest obsession. This man, this designer, can basically do no wrong in my eyes. I love his classic cuts, sleek designs, and timeless colors. I love the high-quality fabrics, supple leather, and impeccably detailed accessories.

However, I can really only afford Michael Kors on sale. Like this coat, currently $120 at Macy's, marked down from $225. And the great black patent peep-toe heels I got about a month ago for $62 at Macy's, marked down from God-knows-what.

With my current "working full-time on a barely liveable entry-level salary while paying for my Master's degree in the most expensive city in the U.S." situation, I have to really plan and prioritize my purchases. For example, right now I really need (1) a new winter coat (check) for the bitter cold New York winter that will be knocking on my door any second and (2) winter shoes/boots for work (check).

Next on the list: Flats for work, a Michael Kors watch, another pair of black pants for work, and an inexpensive biz-casual black blazer for work/play.

Also, Christmas gifts for all my friends & family on my list this year. I heart NY t-shirts are apparently unacceptable.

Booties.

I know it's been forever since I've posted, but I've been having such a busy fall! Lots to come, I swear!

For now, here are the new booties I just ordered from Bloomingdale's with my 20% Friends and Family coupon. What do you think?

I want to wear them with skinny black trousers and my new gray cowelneck sweater from Michael Kors (posted in my September crave-ables). Or with skinny jeans on the weekend. Or with basically everything. I love booties.. I think they're perfect for winter in New York on the days when it's not all slushy and nasty out. But I'll definitely still be waterproofing the heck out of these babies!

Fall Fashion Desires... Part 3.

The last of my fall shopping desires:

Black skinny trousers for work, $59.50 from Gap

Black leather booties to tuck those black pants into, $60 from Piperlime

Two-toned blousy-topped dress, $98 from Loft

Convertible crossbody bag, $98 by the Sac @ Piperlime

I'll let you all know how the shopping goes!

Fall Fashion Desires... Part 2.

More beautiful pieces I want for this fall . . .

Dove grey cowl-neck sweater, $89.50 from MICHAEL by Michael Kors

Croc-embossed skinny belt, $38 from Ann Taylor

This season's Little Black dress, $138 from Ann Taylor

A sparkly cardi, $98 from Madewell

Tune in Friday for my last picks!

Fall Fashion Desires... Part 1.

Fashion is such a huge part of New York City. If I had the time, money, and patience, I would love to totally revamp my style and dedicate myself to pulling off the trendiest, coolest looks. But alas . . . I do my best with what I've got. I still feel horribly Midwestern sometimes on the sidewalks of Manhattan though.

With fall fashion popping up in stores and magazines all over right now, I'm particularly feeling the drive to step it up a little. Here's what I'm craving, culled from the latest trends:

Leopard print cardigan, $78 from Ann Taylor

Chunky heels in a neutral color, $195 from KORS by Michael Kors

Purple silk top, $68 from Ann Taylor



Blazer in a comfy material, $168 from J.Crew



Pink floral top, $49.90 from Express



Ditto - something floral, $39.90 from Express





Of course, if I had the money for all these beautiful things . . . that would be another thing. Stay tuned this week for my other crave-ables.