An update

Top: Banana Republic Factory Store

Skirt: Sanctuary (thrifted)

Belt: Thrifted

Shoes: Steve Madden

Bracelets: H&M

Ring: Forever 21

Hey guys! Just wanted to give a little update. I've been really sick the last few days (or weeks?!) and I haven't really had energy to blog. I'm one of those people who tends to dress like how I feel... which means I've been dressing like crap and haven't taken any outfit pictures for almost two weeks.

These pictures were actually from the first week of September when Seattle had a week of sunshine. I think it may have even reached the 80s! A nice end for a uncharacteristically cold summer.

PS. You know what I like about being sick? I haven't even shopped since August. My clothing budget is happy.

My son hates this shirt

Top: Banana Republic Factory Store

Skirt: Old Navy

Shoes: Hive & Honey Beatriz

This outfit was the cause of a tantrum. I was getting dressed in the morning when my 2-year-old came over to see what I was doing. Having no idea what to wear, I asked him to pick a shirt for mommy.

P: [Pointing to my green cardigan] Mama wear deen one! (he can't pronounce the "g" sound)

Me: No, it's too hot to wear the green one.

P: deen one too hot hot!

Me: Yeah, it's too hot. How about this blue shirt?

P: Mama wear boo shir!

Me: Okay. [tries it on] Ugh. I don't like it. I'm going to wear this other shirt instead.

P: NO! MAMA WEAR BOO SHIR!

Me: No, sweetie. Mommy is wearing this other shirt today.

P: NOOOOOOO DAT SHIR!!! MAMA WEAR BOO SHIRRRRR!!!! NOOOO!!! WAAAAH!!!!!

He was kicking and screaming, and when I tried to pick him up to calm him down, he just tried to rip my shirt off because he hated it that much. Life is so hard for a two-year-old.

In other news, I guess you pay for what you get. The rubber padding things on the bottom of these $20 shoes are falling off BOTH shoes already. After wearing them only twice. Nothing a little superglue can't fix, but annoying nonetheless. Especially because they kept catching on the carpet, and would make weird smacking noises when I was walking around the office. Not cool.

Window Shopping: By Malene Birger

With NYFW coming to a close, I'll admit I'm not that big of a high fashion follower, but I do love learning about new designers and runway trends. It's fun to see wacky get-ups and scoff that no normal person could pull off something so outrageous, but then a few months later, that particular trend is all the place, and... hey, it actually looks kind of good!

My knowledge of high-end designers usually consists of what the latest celebs are wearing on the red carpet and the occasional flip through fashion magazines, so in other words, I'm not very knowledgeable AT ALL. But, I was recently introduced to the brand By Malene Birger, and am in love with the simple and classic shapes that they create. A lot of the pieces can be worn year after year in designs that never go out of style. A high quality line of clothes that is totally wearable!

For the fall season, By Malene Birger has a ton of soft angora sweaters, drapey knit capes and classy leather. Here are a few of my favorites picks:

Alphia Leather patch granddad cardigan

Sarin Herringbone double breasted coat

Niloga leather shift dress

Sabina corduroy jacket

Gilsan sheepskin trimmed double buckle boot

Edita silk blouse

This post was brought to you by My Wardrobe.

First Clutch

Top: Nordstrom BP
Skirt: J.Crew
Shoes: Tribeca via Nordstrom
Clutch: c/o Handbag Heaven
Ring: InPink (from Adored Austin giveaway)

I mentioned before that I have a very, very lame handbag collection. I own one everyday purse that's falling apart, and a small black Coach purse that I got years ago and rarely use (is Coach even cool anymore?! I have no idea). I have a separate bag from Target that fits my laptop and I use that everyday for work, and a diaper bag that I use the rest of the time.

I've always liked the look of clutches, even though I've never owned one nor understood how you're supposed to function if one of your arms or hands has to keep holding it. Where do you put it when you eat at restaurants if you can't hang it on your chair? the table? your lap? What do you do with it when you need to use the restroom if you can't hang it from those handy little purse hooks on the back of the door? What do you do when you have to carry a ton of shopping bags? What do you do when you have a drink in your hand and the hors d'oeuvres tray comes around?!! So many questions.

When Handbag Heaven generously offered to send me a new handbag from their vast selection of affordable and chic bags, I had thought to get a new everyday bag to replace my old one, but decided last minute that I should just try out a clutch! I picked the Studio 54 Clutch which has a convenient chain inside for when I want to turn it into a shoulder bag (and use my hands). I love the colors and the piping, and it couldn't be more perfect for my very first clutch.

PS. I did end up getting a new everyday purse as an anniversary gift from my husband a few weeks later, so that void is filled, whew! I can finally retire my old purse.

Giveaway: Sealife necklace and bracelet - CLOSED

I ordered this necklace and bracelet set last week from InPink.com, and when it arrived, I realized that it was not very "me." They were just a bit too sparkly and blingy for my taste. Instead of sending them back, I thought maybe one of you lovely readers would like to have it?

 [click on images to see original listing on the InPink website]

Just a warning, the necklace is actually a choker, as trying to wear it lower will make the necklace "flip" from the weight of the seashell pieces.

For anyone interested in purchasing from InPink, they have AMAZING customer service. They have a live chat where you can chat with a stylist or get help with your order, and I found them super helpful. I placed the order at 2:16 in the afternoon on Wednesday, and by 2:48, I received a shipment notification with a tracking number. It arrived on my doorstep on Friday!

If you like InPink on Facebook, you can get a coupon code for 20% off your purchase of $25 or more.


To enter to win this necklace and bracelet set, all you have to do is be a follower via Google Friend Connect, and leave a comment below to let me know.

You can tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry (remember to leave me an additional comment!):

Enter to win a sparkly sea life necklace and bracelet set from @blue_lanterns - http://bit.ly/nUv0KX

Giveaway will end one week from today at 12pm PST on Friday, September 9th. I will pick a winner via random.org and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email before a new winner is picked.

UPDATE: Winner of the giveaway is Kayla from Internal Sequin Issues! :) CONGRATS!

PS. You may notice on the website that the collection also includes a ring, but I really like it and am keeping it for myself. SO SELFISH.

Disclaimer: I purchased these with a gift card from an Adored Austin giveaway and my own money. InPink did not sponsor this giveaway.

There's a sock in my hair

Top: NY&Co (thrifted)
Dress as a skirt: Target (thrifted)
Blazer: Banana Republic
Belt: Target
Shoes: Tribeca via Nordstrom

This polka-dot dress is a little too short to be worn on its own without tights, so I decided to wear it as a skirt by folding down the top (the back is shirred elastic) and put a belt over it. It still kind of looked funny so I tried to keep my blazer on for the majority of the day. When I get my sewing machine back from my mom, I think I'm going to convert it into a skirt because I'd get way more use out of a skirt than a strapless and too-short dress.

It's annoying when I have my sewing machine sitting on the floor of my room collecting dust for 6 months, then once my mom borrows it, all the sudden I have so many things that need to be sewn.

Also, I followed The Other Emily's sock-bun tutorial. Not really used to wearing my hair in a bun (too ballerina, especially working so close to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and seeing professional ballerinas in their buns all the time, I feel like a fraud) but it was nice change, though I was not really a big fan of it. At least I tried something different!