Wanted: Dresses with Sleeves

I don't think I'm alone when I say that few things are worse than seeing a photo where your normal-sized upper arm looks as big as your face... or bigger.  It's also annoying to hunt for the elusive cardigan or blazer to pair with a dress without the degree of coverage that you want.  I won't even start on the challenges faced by those ladies with modesty preferences that don't include bare arms.

The solution to all of these issues is simple: sleeves.  Unfortunately, locating stylish dresses with sleeves on them is quite a challenge.  I've been on the the lookout for a while, and have finally compiled a group of great options at all price points - I hope you find it helpful!

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  I hope all of you had a lovely week.  This was my first full week of work in a long time, and it's been rough.  I already miss summer Fridays!  N and I are heading to Austin for a quick trip to see friends, and I am excited to spend a little time in one of my favorite cities.

Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. I am in love with this studio that Emily Henderson designed for Joy Cho (of Oh Joy!).  I love that the space itself is light and airy, and all the personality and color is achieved through the styling.

2. Don't you hate it shopping when you know exactly what you want and nothing meets the perfection in your head?  That's me and the elusive long, low bookcase that I need for my living room.  I was thrilled to see this baby on Pinterest (via Fab.com a long time ago) but I need it to be about 7 feet long and for sale.  I'm toying with the idea of contacting carpenters in hopes of having something similar made with mid-century legs that I provide.  Does anyone have any idea what this will run in the Dallas area? 

3. If you buy anything new this fall, my vote is a shrunken black blazer.  Wearing it with jeans and a tee shirt makes an otherwise casual look totally fashionable and not at all outlandish.

 I'm too old and uncool to even know who this is, so I 

can't properly credit the photo. Any ideas?

 4. I've been out of the country or stressed out for the past month, so I know this is old news, but can I just say that Miley Cyrus makes me so sad?  It just seems like she's so desperate for attention that she will do anything to make headlines.  Even riding naked on a wrecking ball.  Wtf, mate?  

Being 20 is hard, and it's probably even worse when you've been placed on a pedestal since you were 13 and making mistakes on camera.  I hope she finds her way and doesn't end up like Amanda Bynes.

remember this girl?

5. While on vacation, I discovered yet another brand of dry shampoo that has become my favorite.  It's a little pricier than the Dove version I've been using, but worth every penny.  If you haven't already, get yourself to Ulta (or your drugstore of choice, but it costs more at Walgreens) and try some Batiste dry shampoo.  It makes my 2nd day dirty hair look like I just washed it, which is no easy feat considering that I have literally twice as much as the average person!  

I haven't tried the tinted versions, but I hear they also help blend roots that are growing out.

 And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Going Places? My Travel Tips

As you know (if you scroll down), I've just returned from a week in Europe and every time I go, I think I get a little better at packing.  Although I'm no jet setter, I've learned a lot from past mistakes and wanted to share some tips that you can totally ignore, but I hope they'll be helpful.

On blending in...
The way I see it, the person spending 10 hours on her feet going to museums and exploring a city with a map and camera can only blend in so much.  Locals go to and from work, meet up with friends at cafes, and run errands - their outfits and footwear are serving a different purpose.  I think a lot of people get so caught up in looking like a local that they wear something they'd never consider for an active day stateside.  I've had to make the shameful trip back to the hotel for different shoes and clothes, and now I follow a few guidelines:

• Consider how casual the local culture is, and let it be a guide but not a mandate.  By avoiding uber American styles like khaki pants, athletic clothes, and t-shirts with college or sports team logos, you'll automatically look less obvious than most of the other tourists.  So wear your comfortable shoes with some cropped slim pants or jeans and a fashionable tee, and enjoy your day!  Then, if you need to dress up a little, swap out the tennis shoes for some foldable ballet flats when you go to dinner.

sightseeing sensibly by cardiganjunkie featuring michael kors handbags

On luggage...

Judging from the way my bag is manhandled by airports, I will never spend big money on luggage.  However, I highly recommend a visit to your local Ross or TJ Maxx, where I spent $32 on a Samsonite suitcase with 4 spinning wheels that's currently selling for about $150 at Macy's.  The ability to roll your suitcase through the airport without supporting the weight is totally worth it.  

On packing light...
Furthermore, you should do everything you can to avoid bringing more than one bag in addition to your suitcase.  Walking through train stations and airports trying to juggle a tote, carry-on, and suitcase is just crazy, and it gets worse when you encounter the spiral stairs to your fourth floor walk-up in Amsterdam.  Pack light!!

The best way to do that is to plan to wear your clothes more than once (admit it, you do it anyway) and rely on fun scarves and necklaces to add style to basic dark jeans, black pants, and tees.  I swear, it works!  You will get no funny looks, and if your tops get smelly you can hand wash them in the tub.

On saving money...

Even if you stay in a hotel, you don't need to eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Upon arrival, make a trip to a grocery store for some granola bars, fruit, nuts, and other snacks that you can enjoy for breakfast and keep in your purse during the day.  

This past trip, we rented apartments in both cities, and were able to pick up some steam and serve meals for dinner and limit pricey restaurant meals where a glass of water is 2 Euro.  Had we been in Paris, it would have been fresh baguettes and cheese!  In addition to the amenities, we saved lots of money compared to local hotels without scary reviews. 

our flat in London (courtesy of Google)

Do you have any travel tips to share?  How do you navigate a different city/country without going overboard on packing  and spending?

I'm back! Here are some pictures...

As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been MIA lately due to a pretty wonderful vacation to London and Amsterdam.  I had a couple of great bloggers holding down the fort in my absence (thanks Erin and Jaime!) but I'm not quite ready to jump all the way back into my internet obligations yet.

So, in case you're interested, here are some of the highlights of my week.  I'll be following up with some recommendations, and packing/travel tips later this week.  Cheers!


We spent Thursday through Saturday in London, my favorite city.

 The courtyard of the V&A

 Buckingham Palace

 Painting to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

 The most iconic views are in Westminster

 Westminster Abbey is one of my favorite places in the world - the history is overwhelming and you can literally touch it.

  

Big Ben is a bell, not a clock tower.

 Trafalgar Square

 Tower Bridge from a boat

Then, on Sunday, we took a day tour to Stonehenge and Bath...

 So impressive!

 Bath Abbey

 The Roman Baths - part ancient, part Edwardian

 The Bath parade gardens

Then, we spent Monday night until Thursday morning in Amsterdam.  

 

I've been to a lot of museums in a lot of cities in the US and Europe - believe me when I say that the Rijskmuseum is in the top three.  Go to there!

Dollhouses were en vogue for rich 17th century Dutch housewives

 To see a Vermeer in person is a treat...

 Canal side views

 Dam Square

The Rembrandtplein

Dressing for Fall... when it's still 90 degrees! (With Erin from Fleur de Lis and Football)

Hey y'all! I'm Erin from Fleur de lis and Football and I'm so happy to fill in for Haley while she's off in Europe. {By happy, what I really mean is that I'm ridiculously jealous that she's galavanting around some of my favorite places and I'm grading papers...} 

Fall is hands down, my absolute favorite season. What's not to love about crisp leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, cool mornings, and absolutely perfect weather? The only drawback to my love of fall is my location. I love living in Alabama, but sweating it out with 85 degree temps while stores are stocking scarves tends to get a girl down sometimes. 

Over a lifetime of whining about the temperature in flip flops when everyone else is skipping in their riding boots, I've found a few tricks for 'faking fall' while not melting when you walk outside.

Here's how I do it:

1. Add a (lightweight) cardigan
I'm a big fan of dresses and skirts, and by adding a lightweight cardigan in a pretty fall color, I can double my closet without sweating. 

Fall cardigans by eeb314 featuring loft tops

2. Substitute tees or blouses for sweaters
I want to wear a super warm sweater as much as the next girl, but I would die of heatstroke. These long-sleeve fitted tshirts fit the bill nicely, while still looking seasonally-appropriate. They'd be cute with jeggings or skirts, too.

Fall blouses by eeb314 featuring Kate Spade

tshirts by eeb314 featuring a boat neck striped tee

3. Change your color palette.
Sometimes you can still wear short sleeved items, just in a more 'fall' color scheme. See? Totally works.

Fall dresses by eeb314 featuring a short sleeve cocktail dress

4. Two words: shirt dresses.
Looks like fall, feels like summer. Done and done.

Shirt dresses by eeb314 featuring long dresses

Lastly, I'm a huge fan of wearing my riding boots sans tights and (very sheer) scarves when I'm craving a little more fall in my life.

Alright Southern girls, how do you inject a little fall into the sweltering temperatures where you live?