Get In My Closet: The Maxi Dress

I am absolutely in love with the maxi dress.  It's my go-to outfit during warm weather, allowing me to look put together and stay cool at the same time (quite a feat for a summertime in the south), not to mention the fact that it takes 5 seconds to get dressed.  Toss on a pair of wedges or pretty sandals and you are effortlessly chic.

  I'm dying over these three dresses -- so incredibly feminine, flattering, and a great print is icing on the cake.  I most definitely plan on expanding my collection this season.

*And then a little piece of my heart broke when I read this post on Sequins and Stripes that the first Tibi dress is an optical illusion.  Quite clever though -- mix and match pieces to maximize your maxi!

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Ribbons & Bows

I find myself returning to these images over and over and over again.  This trend is just so darn cute and makes the ponytail anything but basic. 

The only thing stopping me is that I am fairly certain positive that I would look like I'm 12-years old.  The key is definitely messy hair.  Yes, messy hair and a button down juxtaposed to the ultra feminine bow like this is lovely.


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Pillow Talk

 When it comes to home decor, I always tend to gravitate toward neutral colors (or non-colors as some would say, but I beg to differ).  White and cream with a pop of beige is sort of the theme of my life. Sometimes I'll throw in a little navy and charcoal when I'm really feeling daring.

Since moving into my new apartment, I'm determined to add color to my home one pillow at a time.

My couch collection is coming along nicely; however, it's still lacking a little something.  I'm currently searching for the perfect black & white patterned pillow.  Any suggestions?

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Easy Like Saturday Morning

Saturday is my favorite day of the week.  It's my chance to catch up on much needed sleep.  I typically enjoy my morning coffee and go to brunch with friends.  And it's the absolute best when I'm able to go back to sleep.  But the very best part about Saturday? I always know that I still have Sunday.

What are your favorite ways to spend the weekend?

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Saturday is also perfect for catching up on blogs.  Here are a few posts that struck my fancy.

Style here, travel here, and home here and here.  Enjoy!

TGIF

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 Happy Friday!  It has been a long and busy week and I am so glad to have a couple days of relaxation! It's Houston Rodeo Cook Off weekend!  This is definitely a big event in Houston -- live music, dancing and eating enough BBQ to last you the rest of the year!

Any exciting plans this weekend? 

Those of us in the south haven't had much of a winter.  I spent a week in Philadelphia last month and getting to wear sweaters (and sweaters on top of sweaters) and tights and boots was like playing dress up for me! 

I keep going back and forth between winter wear and springtime colors.

If I had my way, I'd be wearing this right now.

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And then take off the coat to reveal this...

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Completely normal, right?

Show Me The Money

I bought this little gem as an anniversary present to myself.  Six months at my first real, grown up job!  

Isn't it lovely?  I love it so much that I carry it around as a clutch when I'm running errands around town.  Selling point:  a tube of lip gloss fits perfectly inside.

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Too bad there's not a lot of money left inside after buying this baby!  

Billz, billz, billz.  #grownupproblems

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How about this for a new spin on Lent?  Give instead of give up something.  Sending a letter to let someone know how blessed you are to have them in your life.  Spending an hour a day exercising and appreciating the healthy body you were given.  Or something as simple as walking outside truly reveling in everything beautiful around you.

I know gratitude will make me much happier than giving up chocolate ... a Lenten resolution that I seem to break time and time again!

What changes do the next 40 days and 40 nights bring for you?

The Everygirl

Tomorrow is a big day in the blog world!   It is finally the long-awaited reveal of The Everygirl.  The Everygirl is a collaboration between Alaina and Danielle, the talented women behind two of my favorite blogs.  The Everygirl will feature career profiles of powerhouse female entrepreneurs, businesswomen and bloggers and how they got to where they are in life and advice they would like to give their 23-year-old my 24-year-old self. 

A little guidance and inspiration?  Seriously, they read my mind.  Perfect for every girl!

Apartment34, Brunch at Saks, Elements of Style, Peppermint Bliss, and Stripes & Sequins are offering sneak peeks of The Everygirl.   Be sure to add these to your blogroll and to subscribe to the Everygirl.

White Out

I know that this spring is about pops of color and bright denim, but I can't help but dream of timeless white, warm weather, and a sun kissed tan.

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Shorts, relaxed, flare ... I'll take one of each.

Calm & {un}Collected

Calm & {un}Collected is a lifestyle blog of a twenty-something inspired by fashion, food, music, art and everyday life.  I'm partial to stripes, ruffles, and over-sized sweatshirts, dancing and I eat dessert first any chance that I get.

This is what inspires me, where I want to go, what I need in my closet, what I like on my plate, what makes me happy.  

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The most important thing in life is to be happy. . . and to be sure you laugh along the way.