Newsflash: Not All Redheads Look Like Each Other

{Dress: Zara; Necklace: Spike the Punch; Heels: Antonio Melani--similar; Sunglasses: Thierry Lasry; Lipstick: Nars Schiap topped with Chanel Jalousie}

I wore this amazing Gwyneth Paltrow-wearing-Tom-Ford-at-the-2012-Oscars-esque dress to a friend's wedding this weekend. I snatched it up after seeing Jenna mention it for a similar occasion a couple months ago. Little did I know when I threw it on with a bouffant hair-do and a hot pink lip that I'd be compared to everyone from Joan Holloway on Mad Men (which I can understand given the retro-ness of the whole look) to the Red Witch on Game of Thrones!

Look--I GET it! I'm "classically" beautiful, yaddi yadda yadda. And while I think Christina Hendricks is a beautiful woman, who I might even remind people of, I can't pretend to not be annoyed by a comparison to whomever this is...not because she isn't attractive, but because I don't look anything like her.

For some reason, people look at redheads as though we're just one DNA strand away from each other. As if sharing a tinge of coloring automatically renders us each other's dopplegangers. I've gotten all kinds of random comparisons through the years, from Julianne Moore to Kate Winslet, but that Red Witch thing just made me snap! Again, not because the actress that plays her is unattractive, but because at the end of the day, my face looks nothing like ANY of these women. For what it's worth, I never drew those comparisons before I started coloring my hair (Spoiler Alert: this isn't my natural color!).

So next time you meet a redhead, don't tell her she looks like Lucille Ball or Debra Messing or Florence Welch (all amazing and gorgeous woman) or some other random Ginger who comes to mind, because the fact of the matter is she probably doesn't and you're just being unoriginal. 

 Oh, and I wore this dress with pink lipstick to avoid feeling too vintage-y. I guess it didn't work...?

 I mean, shit. It could be worse, right? I could be compared to this guy.

Some Wear Over the Rainbow

{Dress: ASOS (on sale!); Shoes: Sam Edelman; Necklace: SHY by Sydney Evan ; Jewelry: Michael Kors, David Yurman, catbird}

When I visited Megan last weekend in Roanoke, we had lofty plans for blog post material we'd collect across the next 48 hours, including paleo bacon pancakes, cocktail tasting, and an outfit post. You see, unlike a lot of bloggers, Megan and I don't pay anyone to take our pictures (yes, this is apparently a THING!), which means we rely on our fiances/husbands to fumble around with the camera and try and capture a moment where we simultaneously look gorgeous and aren't yelling at them to do a better job/checking each picture after they take it. 

Of course, the day we planned to take our outfit pictures was the only day of my visit that it rained in Roanoke. And while I was all "um, I'm sorry--rainbow dress...rain...could it BE more apropos?" I was still a bit concerned we wouldn't get our pictures. That is, until I spotted this colorful display of plastic flowers at the Dollar Store. You heard me. The Dollar Store.

So it ended up being the perfect place to show off my new ASOS rainbow dress, which is also the perfect dress for a rainy, summer day.

The crisscross back keeps it from being too reminiscent of something you'd sleep in on a camping trip (hint: it's a tent), except that it still kinda looks like a tent. But that's kinda what I like about it. 'Cus you know, "it's a great color, it's a great length, it's fun, you can move in it, you can twirl in it, you can spread your legs apart, and it's a great price."

Here I am holding fake flowers.

And now, I'm doing the obligatory hair tuck.

Megan had an adorable outfit she'll be sharing with you soon--and I thought it was worth noting that I did her make up here, too. I'm officially taking clients. Call me!

The Dollar Store: providing picturesque backdrops for blog posts since 1991.

**This post was not sponsored by The Dollar Store. But if you hear they're looking...**

Greek Honeymoon Part III: Outfits (and People)

You're not a straight woman or a very, very fabulous and effeminate man (i.e., my new best friend) if the idea of vacationing in Greece doesn't immediately conjure up images of Amanda Seyfried traipsing along the Grecian coast in her flowy white dresses, golden tan, and wavy hair from the cinematic glory of Mamma Mia! So, of course, I curated an entire collection of outfits I would wear for our honeymoon that would both keep me cool in the Greek sun, but also make me LOOK cool in the Greek sun. See what I did there?? Huh??

For today's installment of "You Basically Went on Our Honeymoon With Us," I bring you some of my Grecian outfits (and some of the people we met and saw too).

I started off our trip in a Santorini blue-inspired cami.  

 {Cami: Tibi; Shorts: J.Crew; Necklace: SHY by Sydney Evan;
Bag: South Moon Under; Sandals: Sam Edelman}

 Kyle also went for blue, in stripe form!

I'm not a big believe in fashion "DON'Ts" (other than DON'T look awful), but these women wearing heels to do their sightseeing around the Parthenon are just ridiculous. So much so that I had to take a picture of it. I mean, I love heels, but seriously, it's like an 8 mile hike to get to Acropolis from city center...just don't.

 I bought my first crop top ever for this trip thanks to some newfound confidence from
my pre-wedding diet. The fact that I probably put on 10 pounds by the midpoint of our trip
didn't even deter me from squeezing into the skirt I got to go with it!

 {Top: South Moon Under; Skirt: South Moon Under--similar; Sunglasses: Thierry Lasry}

Kyle and I saw a million people get pictures with this donkey statue so we figured we were supposed to, too.

The hi-lo hem on my skirt was perfect for our trip to the Kissing Fish--a combination of an aquarium and a nail salon. Teethless fish nibble on the dead skin of your feet to leave them soft and smooth. You can get 20 minutes for about 15 Euro, and it's money well spent!

 There's that door to nowhere again!

 On our last night in Santorini, I sported a new dress I bought there on the island. I loved it because it was airy and a soft pink color and made by a Greek designer, but it basically looked like a muumuu in all the pictures we took, so you'll just have to settle for this picture from the waist up.

While we were watching the sunset, I saw this couple and couldn't help but play paparazzi -I really love this picture.

On July 4th, we headed to dinner after some wine tasting at our hotel, where we met another newlywed couple on their honeymoon--the wife was Irish and the husband was British.

 {Jumpsuit: Zara--similar}

We ran into them again at the restaurant we went to for dinner and ended up pushing our tables together and drinking the night away! They even sang some of the National Anthem with us to. Pretty, pretty cool. 

They were supposed to friend us on Facebook but they STILL haven't, so if anyone knows these people, please tell them I'm waiting!!

And finally, Angelina Jolie's autograph. Because she stayed out our hotel, that's why!

Come back tomorrow for the last installment of our Greek honeymoon and a tour of the hotels we stayed in!

Knock Offs and Blow Outs

{Pants: ASOS, Cami: Tibi, Jacket: BCBG, Heels: Shoedazzle,
Necklace: Alex+Ani, Jewelry: YSL, Michael Kors, David Yurman, J.Crew}

In 7th grade, I owned a collection of statement pants I procured from pre-teen mall heaven, Rampage. I had two pairs of iridescent silk pants, an investment I was particularly proud of since they rang up for a hefty $69.50 (as a 12-year-old spending my own money, this was incredibly indulgent. Who am I kidding? It still is!), but there was one pair in particular that I think put the nail in the proverbial coffin of my abilities to be "understated." 

They were entirely black lace, lined with only a nude fabric. So yeah, I probably looked naked wearing them. Oh, and I wore them to school. JUNIOR. HIGH. Somehow my mom let me out of the house. People asked me if I was naked underneath. Technically I was, but I told them no.

I tell you this awkward childhood story only to provide context around my obsession with these purple pants. I spotted a similar pair by Phillip Lim on Pinterest, but since I'm not trying to spend $300+ on pants (did you SEE my wedding shoes?!), this pair from ASOS warmed my heart. And thank god for that because this cold front has been brutal, man!!

Oh, and I've been meaning to share these AMAZEballsUSA Valentino knockoffs for a while, but since I only post like one outfit every solar eclipse, I'm only now able to. But not only are they really REALLY good copy cats, they're also super duper comfy. I wear them almost daily at work and always get compliments, which is good for feeding my metaphorically obese self-esteem.

So, what did I get all dolled up in purple pants and work shoes on a Saturday for, you might be wondering? To get my hair styled, OBVIOUSLY! 

If you remember the last time Megan and I tried to go to Dry Bar, you'll remember NEVER TO BRING IT UP AGAIN EVER!!!! We did, however, finally cash in the free blowouts they gave us at the Georgetown location, where we were early because they have a parking lot. Anyway, I used it as an opportunity to try out what I think is going to be my wedding hairstyle. 

I showed the stylist a few pictures of Lana del Rey, emphasizing a deep side part and loose waves, and was thrilled with the results. Even Kyle gave me his seal of approval, and not that I think straight men are in any position to have an opinion about a woman's hair, but this time, I think he was right.

After all, Kyle did have the good taste to get this necklace for me for Christmas.

Oh, and that ring on my finger. NBD.

Surprise! I'm freezing!!!

So Cupcult, do y'all like the hair? What about the pants? Any good naked pants stories of your own?! And who the hell else is ready for summer?? Damn.

Welp, I Got The Tory Boots...On Sale!

{Blouse: Equipment; Cami: Tibi; Leggings: H&M; Boots: Tory Burch; Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim;
Shades: Thierry Lasry; Bracelets: J.Crew, David Yurman; Ring: YSL}

'Member when I was lusting over these Tory Burch boots? Yeah, well, they went on MEGA sale, so I bought them. Merry Christmas to me and noone else, because I spent all my Christmas money on them.

I decided to wear them a couple weekends ago to celebrate the trying on of the first wedding gowns at Hitched in Georgetown with my MoH, Ashlee! We weren't cray about any of the dresses, but it sure was fun getting nekkid in front of a stranger in the dressing room. Haha, jk, that was one of life's most painful moments. Afterward, we celebrated absolutely nothing over brunch with the rest of the ladies from book club, where I enjoyed that fried chicken benedict I told you about yesterday.

HAHAHAHA, Hair, you're so funny!

*Big thanks to my bridesmaid Laura for playing photographer!
**And also shoutout to my other bridesmaid Jenna because she felt left out! Now you know the whole bridal party!!

Fake Leather, Real Weather

{Cardigan: AllSaints, Faux Leather Leggings: Blank Denim, Tank: F21, Clutch: GiGi New York, Shoes: Sam Edelman, Ring: YSL, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelets: David Yurman, J.Crew, Sunglasses: Thierry Lasry}

This past weekend, Kyle and I headed up to the beachy town of Newport, Rhode Island. For those of you unfamiliar with New England, no that's not sarcasm. Newport is actually known for its gorgeous beaches and mega mansion summer homes once belonging to the Vanderbilts and other very rich, very tiny (as their furniture would suggest) white people.

And now, it's known for my incredibly chic faux leather leggings and grey twist cardigan, thankyouverymuch.

A couple months ago, I decided my fall wardrobe would be sorely incomplete without a pair of leather leggings, although when I realized the real thing would cost me an arm AND a leg (ZING!), I quickly switched my hunt to the faux variety. These Blank Denim leggings come in under $100, are sickeningly comfortable, and have ankle zippers so, ya know, your ankles can breathe...? 

Because Rhode Island, unlike D.C., was not built on a swamp, it's actually quite cool there right now. You might even say it's "fall," and so it was the perfect excuse to break out my favorite surprise back cardigan.

Less weather appropriate were my shoes, but as I only bought them at the end of the season, I have to get my fill of exposed toes while I still can. So what if I got a mild case of frostbite? So. What.

 I topped the whole thing off with my REAL leather GiGi New York All in One clutch and called it "macaroni!"

That was a Yankee Doodle reference, did you get it?? I dunno what it has to do with anything, although we did have pasta the night before and it was f'awesome, you guys. Uggggggghhh, pasta why are you so delicious???, she said as she brushed her hair out of her face:

Woooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone else bought a pair of (faux) leather leggings this fall? Is it actually even weather appropriate to wear them where you live yet? How are you wearing them??