Not Your Mom's Levi's

The way it usually works is this: I see a clothing item I like on a Instagram, I decide I need it. I contemplate buying the original ($$$$) or a more affordable knockoff option ($$), I decide that I hate it, I convince myself I don't need it, I can't stop thinking about it, I buy it.  Sometimes this whole process can all go down in a period of 2 days or sometimes it takes several years (mansur gavriel bucket bag, I'm talking to you!). 

When I was in college, I took a marketing class and I remember learning about the various states of the innovation adoption lifecycle (look it up): early adopters, late majority, laggards, etc. With fashion trends, I think I might actually be in the laggard category. When a new trend comes out, I usually hate it. For example, chambray, ankle booties, lace up flats... you get the picture. It took me a long time to start liking these things and even longer to actually go out and purchase them. But now I'm obsessed. I think I now own at least 4 pairs of ankle booties and chambray shirts. Who needs 4 chambray shirts?  

I should really do a post about becoming a minimalist and curating my closet but that's for another day. I recently read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and LOVED IT! Anyway.  I have been on the search for a pair of ripped black jeans for about a month now. I've endured countless trips to the mall, tried ordering online and scoured target. I was about to give up when I spotted these beauties at Nordstrom. I thought twice because I really can't remember the last time I purchased a pair of levis. Turns out they fit the best out of all the denim I tried on and were at a good price point (under $100). So, I was pretty happy with that result. I've been wearing them nonstop, especially on our trip to Chicago last month.  More on that later.     

One of my favorite blogs to read is Kendi Everyday and she actually inspired me to purchase this old navy flannel top. I was telling a friend that I only buy clothes that I see on Instagram now, and I actually think it's true, ha!  

Also, these booties are circa Old Navy from last Fall and I still love them to death! They are still in great shape which is nice for a pair of shoes under $25. I think I also saw these on Kendi Everyday. She is seriously my style icon. Some people want to meet Justin Timberlake, I want to meet Kendi!

Can we talk about these earrings? Ear crawlers are my new thing. I guess this was another thing I originally hated when I first saw it and LOVE now. Funny how that works!

I decided that Fall is my favorite fashion season. I say this every season but I think it's really true this time.

| The Deets |

Denim | Levi's 711 Skinny in Black Tide Deconstructed
Flannel | Old Navy Boyfriend Windowpane Flannel Shirt 
Sunglasses | Rayban New Wayfarer Polarized
Boots | Old Navy (last season)
Earrings | Shopbop Shashi Noa Ear Climbers
Nails | OPI Cajun Shrimp

xoxo,

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Friday Five | Vol. 5

Happy Friday, Folks! Can you believe it's the first week of November?! Holy crap, this year is absolutely flying by! November is my birthday month so I always enjoy it a little more than any other month. Of course everything Christmas is now in full swing since Halloween is over. I'm not mad at that.    

I have been on the hunt for a military/utility jacket for months now. Finally pulled the trigger on this one from jcrew. Ok, Fall... you may resume. 

A few days ago, I whipped up some super simple 3-ingredient nutella croissants using wewalka croissant dough. I will be sharing more wewalka dough recipes on the blog soon!   

I've been meaning to blog about how this texturing spray changed my life. 

A bunch of new restaurants are opening in Charlotte. I cannot keep up, and that's a good thing. 

Tiny tattoos are having a moment. I've been considering getting another one. I love looking at these for inso.

Happy Weekending!

Weekending: Wynwood Arts District + Little Havana, Miami

We spent our last day in Miami in the Wynwood Arts District. This was one of my favorite things we did! I'm pretty sure we could have spent an entire weekend just in this neighborhood, but we only had a few hours. We stopped by Wynwood Walls and had tacos at Coyo Taco. Of course, we also did a mini photo shoot. 

Love street art.

Wynwood had the most colorful, fun walls I've ever seen, for blocks and blocks. I'm pretty sure we only saw a fraction of it. 

Obsessed (I know I say this a lot!) with this. Be What You Dream. 

He let me take a photo of him (for a change!)

Had some delicious tacos for lunch at our last meal in MIA! They do not skimp on the guac in Miami. Every single time we ordered some, we always ran out of chips.  I'm pretty sure this is how it's supposed to be, folks. 

After lunch, we spent some time walking on the beachfront path for what seemed like several miles, and we had fun looking at all the different oceanfront hotels. We even saw some old folks playing dominoes. Now I understand why all the retirees come here. It's not a bad place to spend your days. 

We also checked out Little Havana which was pretty gritty but authentic. I'm glad we ventured outside of the Miami Beach area to explore these other cultural gems. 

... and no, we didn't see Pit Bull. I thought I saw 50 Cent but Jake quickly countered my claim and explained that he was not, in fact, 50 Cent. Another trip without a celebrity sighting... oh well... maybe next time? 

Travel Fully,

Weekending: Thompson Miami Beach

Miami has always been on my list of cities to visit and living in Charlotte, it's less than an hour and a half flight away.  This summer, I found out we were having a company meeting in Miami in October and immediately decided this was the time to take a weekend trip. I arrived Wednesday afternoon, did my work thang on Thursday and Friday and then Jake arrived on Friday evening and we started exploring.   

I spent a few hours on Tripadvisor researching restaurants and Top Things to Do (one of my favorite features on TA!). This was probably the least amount of planning that I've done for a trip, which is good and bad.  It's good practice since we are going to the Caribbean in a few weeks and Jake's orders are that we are not to leave the resort.  We'll see how that goes (it's not all inclusive).  

We got a great deal on Travelzoo for Thompson Miami Beach. Looking at the photos online, I was super excited to see this place in person.  We had paid for a city view room, but upon checking in I decided to inquire if there were any upgrades available and I ended up scoring a partial ocean view room for only $25 more a night. Score! 

I worked from the hotel room on Friday and ordered room service for breakfast. It was glorious... and $48. Oh well. Since I didn't leave for lunch, I didn't feel as bad.   For dinner, we went to Visa 01 which is the #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor in Miami. Best pizza of my life outside of Italy. 

I am obsessed with the bathroom details of our room. I think I am going to use this as an inspiration photo if we ever buy a house and remodel the bathroom. Love the wall color and speckled sink! 

I need this red, white and blue 'sketch style' print. I actually tried to take it off the wall and just figured they would charge me for it -- that's how bad I wanted it, but sadly, it was bolted to the wall. I inquired with the front desk and they have yet to get back to me on the source. 

This is probably my favorite nook in our room.  Can't you just envision cozying up here and readying a book? 

Said partial oceanfront view from our balcony. 

View at the end of the hallway. 

Besides our room, the pool area was my other favorite part of the hotel. So fun and colorful. I really love the color scheme - aqua, blue, red and yellow. 

On Saturday, we spent most of the day at the pool and you would be proud of me. I left my iPhone in the room and actually didn't even know what time it was for most of the day. I count that as a win for relaxation in my book. and the watermelon margaritas helped too. 

Have you been to Miami? Do you want to visit?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section! 

Happy Travels,