wily wiley

2011-11-14T21:06:00.000-05:00

i'm signing off for awhile. i need to focus on 'real life' for a few and enjoy all of the moments without worrying that i'm forgetting to capture them on camera. i know that the blog will be back, in one form or another, but for now it feels right to say farewell for a time. thanks for reading. check out my new specs, why don't ya.

kert.

2011-10-03T21:40:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

sweatshirt: miss me

maxi dress: f21

boots: vintage

scarf: shepard fairey

i fell for this comfy cropped sweatshirt the first time i laid eyes on it. i love the relaxed way it falls, the stripes, and of course, the pockets. it has been an essential piece during these early rainy fall days. i've been wearing it a lot with jeans, shorts and pajama pants, but thought that i would try to dress it up. just a tiny little bit. over my black maxi dress it was the perfect addition. i still felt like i was in pajamas, but i like to think i looked suitable for the outside world.

fall is a season filled with all of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. i have been having such a great time pulling out my favorite flannels, cable knits and denim. i am really getting excited again for the fall and winter months and it has given me a fresh perspective on my wardrobe.

style scout: friday date night.

2011-09-29T21:45:00.000-04:00

1. cable knit mini dress, cheetah print belt and heels, leather clutch

2. vintage navy blazer, plaid top, skinny jeans, structured rucksack

3. red pleated skirt, white camisole, nude blazer, cheetah print loafers

4. structured mini, loose cotton tee, silver beaded necklace, ankle boots

5. leather bomber, white tee, neutral maxi skirt, vintage leather tote

fall is the one season that i think i love being in love the most. i adore both ends of the autumn spectrum; cozy nights indoors and exciting outdoor adventures. walking around the city on fall evenings is the absolute best, so i thought it only made sense to pick some outfits for my favorite fall activity. friday date nights. after a long week of work it feels great to throw on something a little extra special and hit up a local favorite spot for dinner and wine.

i wanted to pick looks that could easily transition from a day at the office to a night on the town. each of these outfits could evolve from day to night with the right shoes or accessories. i lean towards more feminine pieces for nights out with jeb, so skirts and dresses are a must. i will admit that the second look has me inspired to try some dressier looks with jeans.

wily wiley reads.

2011-09-28T15:38:00.000-04:00

how to buy a love of reading by tanya egan gibson ::: this novel tells the story of an awkward high school girl who's parents decide that as a show of wealth and privilege they will buy their daughter her very own work of fiction. carley's parents hire a young writer to figure out why carley doesn't like to read and make a book that conforms to her every interest and whim. gibson's novel goes on to describe, in great detail, the fabulous and troubled lives of society's elite, and how knowledge can be used as a tool of wealth.

i picked this book up at an office book swap a few months ago and was warned that it was being given away because it was a nearly impossible read. (the sentences are long, the characters quite unlikeable and the attempts at telling a fluid story are sometimes lacking.) i have to agree with most of these ascertains, but in the end i did find myself connecting to two of the main characters..although it did feel too late in the game to really change my mind after abhorring these same two characters for the most of the book.

the solitude of prime numbers by pablo giordano ::: another novel about teen angst and another book i was warned i may find depressing. in this novel's sadness was a great deal of beauty. the book begins with chapters describing the events that stunt mattia and alice's psychological growth and ability to connect with others. jumping ahead to their awkward teenage years, mattia and alice become close friends, forming an alliance over their childhood experiences. the novel follows the two from childhood to adulthood and explores the way the two characters can never escape their circumstances. giordano's background in mathematics shines through the novel, as mattia is a mathematical genius, but it never became too abstract for a 'words girl' like me. i really enjoyed this novel and though giordano did a wonderful job of fleshing out the two main characters so that the reader feels their shared pain.

what are you reading?

street fair.

2011-09-25T17:50:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: uo

bandeau: f21

scarf: vintage

sandals: madewell

today felt like my official last day of summer. there was a street fair in my neighborhood and for some reason each year feels like a personal farewell to the warm weather. we sat in an open-air cafe and drank beers while we listened to music and watched a pretty strange puppet show. now i'm taking the opportunity to stay in and bake some banana bread and cook an italian feast for dinner. fall is upon us and i am ready for the cooler weather coming this week.

i wanted to be comfortable today, but i also wanted to wear something that i knew would stay hanging in the closet until the warm days of spring next year. i thought this cotton and lace shift dress would be the perfect choice. i love this mauve shade and paired with a gray bandeau it was great for walking through the crowed street fair. in this muggy weather, vintage scarves have been my savior. they keep my hair dry and out of my face all day and make it easy to run out of the house on a lazy sunday. sunglasses and a tote completed the outfit for a day of grabbing freebies and sampling delicious foods.

style scout: bonfires.

2011-09-22T18:39:00.001-04:00

1. vintage pendleton sweater, black trousers, loafers, cross-body bag

2. breton striped tee, khaki trench coat, skinny jeans, oxfords

3. color-blocked sweater, jeans, biker boots, oversized purse

4. thin striped tee, worn ripped jeans, thick hiking socks, boots

5. cotton cardigan tee, and scarf, high-waisted khakis, sneakers

with the fall comes my favorite evening activity. bonfires. i have so many great memories of bonfires, both in the city and back at home, and i often find myself at a loss for what to wear. that mix of style and comfort is important for late night hangouts by the fire.

after scouting my favorite sites for inspiration i think i found that comfortable cotton tees and sweaters with a favorite pair of denim is the best combination. pendleton sweaters are such classic pieces and a breton striped tee will never go out of style. bonfire season is all about wearing the pieces that make you feel cozy and warm during those perfect crisp nights.

this search has left me craving some spiked apple cider!

wily wiley reads.

2011-09-21T20:52:00.002-04:00

the art of racing in the rain by garth stein ::: i would not describe myself as a 'dog person.' don't get me wrong, i love dogs, especially duncan and molly, but i typically don't pick up novels about dogs, and most definitely not novels told from the perspective of a dog. i absolutely loved this book. it was equal parts sweet and funny and equal parts sad and thoughtful. stein does an incredible job of writing through the eyes of enzo, the lovable pet of the swift family. i may never look at a dog the same way again. (i compare these feelings to those i felt after reading watership down.) i encourage anyone who is an animal lover to pick this book up. i don't want to give away a second of this sweet read.

everything changes by jonathan tropper ::: my obsession with jonathan tropper continues. by the end of fall i will have completed all of his novels and i can already see that i will be left craving more. i see that tropper is often compared to nick hornby, and i do agree with this to a certain extent, although i think that tropper is quite a bit more witty, and says the things that hornby never would. if you are a hornby fan, i would say give tropper a try. everything changes sticks to what tropper is great at; telling the story of a messed-up man in his early thirties. zack king's life is crumbling around him and hilarious hijinks ensue. zack's family and best friends are one hysterical cast of characters who keep the laughs coming, but still feel very relatable because they each face their own struggles. i fell in love with zack like i do with each of tropper's main characters. his struggles and triumphs are told through a voice that sounds so much like someone i've known my entire life. if you aren't on the tropper bandwagon yet, it's time.

jean jacket.

2011-09-20T20:11:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

blouse: vintage

jean jacket: gap

trousers: madewell

necklace: beach shop

flats: thom browne

a quick post before we head out for shabu shabu. i've been in love with this 'so-ugly-it's-pretty' blouse since the day i found it. i love the bright reds and magentas and thought, why not top it off with more pink and coral? i added this beaded necklace and used black pants and flats to ground the outfit. adding a jean jacket has been a go-to since this fall weather began. long live the jean jacket!

the truth about leggings.

2011-09-18T18:34:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

sweater: vivienne tam

vest: old navy

necklace: anthropologie

leggings: american apparel

purse: steve madden

flats: thom browne

this weekend provided the much-needed rest and relaxation i was longing for. all summer we were away almost every weekend, so the fall has been much looked forward to. i have a lot of weekends coming up in the city and i'm looking forward to spending time with my friends, finalizing the decor of our new place and sleeping in.

today i spent a few hours hanging art and photographs with caroline and then we headed out for a walk to do photos. i have to admit that leggings are still an integral part of my weekend wardrobe. as long as i have a top that goes mid-thigh, i think they work just as well as black skinny jeans. the cargo vest has become my early fall staple and my new bag will now be attached to my shoulder.

happy weekend.

2011-09-16T14:52:00.000-04:00

mostly because i couldn't resist showing you a few more photos from last weekend in new hampshire.

now we're off to spend the weekend with one of our very favorite people.

(okay, two, because we get to have brunch with nana tomorrow!)

happy weekend!

style scout: sunday brunch with girlfriends.

2011-09-15T20:51:00.000-04:00

1. blush tank, blush pleated maxi, neutral flats, feminine beige tote

2. bold floral mini dress, bright belt, matching leather bag, and aviators

3. color-blocking, peter pan collared tank, mini skirt, blazer and pointy flats

4. solid dress with full skirt, floral cardigan, ballet flats and carry-all

5. chambray top, olive cargo vest, sequined skirt and leopard wedges

sunday brunch has to be one of my all time favorite activities. i especially love getting a little dressed up, mostly now that my saturday nights have become quite a bit more mild. it's nice to utilize the whole day, and getting gussied up is a great way to start the day. above i have five looks that inspire me to put in the extra effort this coming weekend. i love that brunch is an occasion where anything goes, and the photos above show that there are no rules. c'mon, sequins, leopard and a cargo vest!? i think i'm in love.

what's your favorite brunch ensemble?

east coast corvettes.

2011-09-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: vintage

shorts: f21

panama hat: uo

going along with the chill vibe of the weekend, this was probably my favorite outfit. i wore this for our day at the seafood festival and later to frolick and do gymnastics with my sister on the beach. jeb found this shirt while thrifting, and lucky for me, it was too small and perfectly my size. this is my shout out to jeb's dad, john, since he's our resident corvette man. i like to tuck my tees into these higher waisted shorts to pull the look together a little more. the day really didn't call for much more than a panama hat, sunnies and barefeet.

thanks paige and nathan for taking such fun photos. you two are my favorite photographers!

wily wiley reads.

2011-09-12T20:29:00.002-04:00

one day by david nicholls ::: the novel that everyone has been talking about. i read this after lin texted me over and over again as she read, completely in love with the book. i have to say that i really did love this novel, and especially the way nicholls writes about the same date each day for twenty years. it gives a great perspective on emma and dexter, the book's protagonists. i'll admit that for the first few chapters i felt as though i had a lot in common with emma. (i later came to realize she is a much better person than i am. ha.) the way the conversation between these two very different individuals evolves over two decades is beautiful and well thought out. i think nicholls did a great job of writing from dual perspectives while showing the changes of one's personality as they move through their lives. this is a love story, a comedy, and mostly, a type of tragic tale. i would liken this to 'when harry met sally,' but with more heart and a little less curly hair.

who will run the frog hospital? by lorrie moore ::: do i admit when i really didn't enjoy a book? i think since this is my personal forum, i can be honest. i didn't love this book. i didn't stop reading it either, but my feelings are still up in the air. i found moore's writing to be a bit to descriptive and i left the book without either having any real feelings about either of the main characters. perhaps if i had similar experiences to the two teenage girls the novel focuses on, my feelings may be different. in general i found the storyline to be disconnected: a grown woman in paris realizes her marriage is a failure and remembers the days she spent with her wild bestfriend in her teens. i don't think i quite understood how one brought up the other. i will say that i loved the references to a place called storyland, which sounds a heck of a lot like storyland in new hampshire.

what have you read lately?

fishing at sunset.

2011-09-11T18:25:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: thrifted

vest: old navy

scarf: vintage

shorts: borrowed from paige

toms: borrowed from paige

this week will begin my regularly scheduled postings. back to 'wiley wears' posts, and after doing a few shots this weekend, i realized how much i missed doing them. having a push to put that extra little 'something' into an outfit makes all the difference. this weekend was all about casual dress. my sister and her boyfriend came to new hampshire to celebrate nate's 30th birthday and we did a lot of relaxing and celebrating.

the highlight of the weekend was probably the seafood festival where we consumed absurd amounts of lobster and fried oreos. other highlights were a giant cookout, a walk on the beach with my sister and one giant peanut butter chocolate torte. i opted to throw a few things in my bag on my way out the door on friday. needless to say, when we arrived i realized i had very little to make into outfits. yesterday i decided to borrow paige's rolled denim shorts and toms and threw on a loose striped tee and vest. add a vintage scarf and sunnies and i was ready to watch the boys fish as the sun set.

style scout: rainy autumn days.

2011-09-07T19:07:00.000-04:00

1. olive anorak, floral dress, bright leather bag, statement heels

2. classic trench, knit beanie, button-up, cropped jeans, loafers

3. red trench, nautical striped top, skinny jeans, hunter wellies

4. black trench, tights and booties, ruffled top, olive a-line skirt

5. anorak, chunky knit cardigan, light scarf, cuffed jeans, oxfords

for this week's 'style scout' it seemed only appropriate to scour the internet for some great rainy day inspiration. i, like most, i imagine, have an incredibly time finding the perfect mix of fashion and functionality on dreary wet days. as fall quickly heads our way, i know that new england will be seeing it's fair share of cool misty weather, and i couldn't help myself but to find a few ladies who get dreary day form and function perfectly.

while wellies, trenches and umbrellas are quite essential, the above photos show a few unique ideas for preparing for the soggy streets. i especially love the mix of classic outerwear. a trench and an anorak are the perfect staple jackets....one wonderful for more casual looks and the other which pulls almost any outfit together.

{side note ::: all images are linked on the description line. the last photo comes from my absolute favorite street style blog, urban weeds. if you haven't seen lisa warninger's amazing photographs of truly stylish and real people, head there now. for all those men constantly saying there is no great inspiration for men's style online, this is your fix.}

moving on up.

2011-09-06T20:29:00.000-04:00

i finally have internet again and i'm so thrilled to be back to blogging. i am still getting our new apartment organized and decorated, but here are a few peeks. i'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of our curtains and headboard, and after that i think we're almost there. i should be back to regular postings this week, but for now, here are a couple of photos from our new home.

rolling stone.

2011-08-28T22:41:00.000-04:00

moving stinks. mostly when you've accidentally packed away your camera cords and don't remember which box they are in. so this week you'll all have to bear with me while i dig through boxes, pack boxes, unpack boxes, and lug boxes from point a to point b. tomorrow i'll have a new 'wily wiley reads,' but beyond that i can't make any promises until we are in our new place on thursday.

wishing all my fellow moving bostonians the best this week!

{image via here.}

style scout: labor day party.

2011-08-25T17:58:00.000-04:00

1. blousy striped top, thick belt and loosefitting trouser jeans

2. gingham button-up, red mini, khaki vest and oxfords

3. soft striped tee, a-line skirt, canvas tote and wedges

4. gingham button-up, khaki skirt and leopard accessories

5. funky striped tank, highwaisted red trousers and sunnies

since labor day is right around the corner i thought what better time to do a new 'style scout' with some inspiration for celebration. i love patriotic holidays like labor day, the fourth of july and memorial day. any chance to wear my red, white and blue, and i am a very happy girl. what better way to celebrate an all-american holiday than by wearing some of the most timeless and 'patriotic' looks above.

beyond a patriotic color palette, try incorporating stripes or gingham into your labor day attire. i also love classic fabrics like denim and linen for weekend festivities. i hope the above looks give you a few ideas. and ladies, labor day is a perfect time to experiment with a little pattern mixing. (i love the combination of leopard and gingham in #4.)

how will you be celebrating labor day?

and what will you be wearing?

the final piece.

2011-08-24T22:12:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

vest: old navy

maxi dress: f21

necklace: f21

gladiators: jeffrey campbell

i have seen vests like this everywhere and i finally found one i loved when i was home and shopping with my mom. she didn't quite understand how much i had been longing for this piece. it's the final* piece i will need to create my complete fall wardrobe. i love the way it perfectly layers over my summer maxi dresses and i have so many ideas for the fall.

what's that 'final' piece you need for your fall wardrobe?

*there will probably be a new final piece needed about a week down the road

wily wiley reads.

2011-08-23T18:24:00.000-04:00

i've decided to do a 'wily wiley reads' post once a week and focus on two books, rather than four. i think this will give me an opportunity to do what i love a little more often. i always look forward to all of the recommendations you all give me, so i think getting those more often will be excellent as well.

the disappeared by kim echlin ::: i think this is one of the best love stories i have read in a long time. also one of the saddest and most difficult to read. set during the cambodian genocide, echlin tells the story of a young canadian girl and a cambodian musician. when the cambodian border opens up again serey decides to return and find out what has become of his family. anne stays behind and for eleven years hears nothing from the man she loves. eventually anne realizes that she cannot live without serey and travels to cambodia to search for him and reclaim the love she has lost. this novel was incredibly moving and it made we want to do some further reading on what happened in cambodia in the 1970s. highly recommend.

my name is memory by ann brashares ::: another love story of sorts. this one is a bit confusing, and it took me a little while to wrap my head around the plot. in my name is memory, the concept is that every person has lived multiple lives. the catch; only a few remember these past lives. daniel remembers his past lives and in each one he has been in love with sophia. set in modern day, sophia is now a teenage girl named lucy. daniel's goal is to remind lucy of her past lives and make her fall in love with him again. the story travels through the many lives of daniel and lucy and i really enjoyed the constant changes of scenery. this is apparently the first novel in a trilogy and i will definitely be reading the second and thrid novel.

now it's your turn. what have you read lately?

fiesta dress.

2011-08-21T21:51:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: thrifted

belt: uo

gladiators: jeffrey campbell

i had been pining over an embroidered dress from anthropologie for the last few weeks, that even on sale was beyond my budget. yesterday we headed to our favorite thrift shop and i came across this amazing embroidered dress. i imagine a wealthy tourist somewhere in south america purchasing this hand-embroidered dress, and cannot help to think that i just hit the jackpot. i plan on chopping off the bottom of the dress right below the last piece of embroidery. what are your thoughts? do you like the current midi length, or will it look better as a mini?

style scout: fall weekends.

2011-08-18T20:09:00.000-04:00

1. pleated skirt, blazer, slouchy blue button-down, boots and turban

2. sheer black top, denim bell bottoms and an oversized leather tote

3. oversized button-down, lace mini, envelope clutch and gold jewelry

4. olive cargo vest, boyfriend jeans, heather gray top and nude shoes

5. leather bomber, skinny jeans, striped top and brown lace-up boots

6. striped pencil skirt, gray sweatshirt, camel leather belt and gold cuff

i wanted to compile a few of my favorite looks for fall into a new series called 'style scout'. i have been missing a weekly feature and all the fabulous inspiration it brings. after all the time i've spent sending inspiration to friends and family for different occasions, i thought i would bring some of that fun to my blog. each week i will pick an event or trip and focus on a few pieces of inspiration to show you the things that i would wear. i'd love to hear if you have any sartorial conundrums.
above are six looks that incorporate pieces that are easy to come by, many that i already own, and a few new pieces that need to make their way into my wardrobe a.s.a.p! (i'm talking about those gorgeous bell bottoms!) i picked looks that would be perfect for those upcoming autumn weekends spent in the city. if you've been struggling to find transitional pieces for fall, follow the lists above and you'll be outfitted like a pro in no time.

summer breeze.

2011-08-17T21:57:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: old navy

sandals: madewell

wow, this post made me realize that i am partly sad for the summer to come to an end. it has become so easy to throw on a pretty floral dress and sandals with a bright coral lipstick and be done with it. once fall comes, although i'm very excited for it, i am sad to let go of the easy days of summer where two pieces make an outfit. for today i decided on this ruffled navy floral dress and my beloved saltwater sandals. a few weeks left of the breezy days of summer and i'm very much looking forward to planning my fall wardrobe. until then, i will go with the simplicity of the warm summer air.

nostalgia.

2011-08-16T20:19:00.000-04:00

i realized i hadn't shared any photos from our trip to new hampshire. i gathered a few of my favorites to try and highlight some of the very best moments. hard to choose when every day was wonderful. each morning i wake up i wish i was back there waking up to the gorgeous mountains or the tranquil lake. new hampshire is such a special place to jeb and i and we love spending every second we can in the mountains, on the coast, and especially at lake winnipesaukee.

photos: by the dock/view from our b&b of the white mountains/cloudy visit to the top of mount cannon/best vanity plate ever/sunset over the green mountains/sunset on the lake/jumping off the party boat

do you have a special vacation spot?

before the fall.

2011-08-15T21:24:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: michael stars

cardigan : f21

maxi skirt: old navy

sandals: madewell

necklaces: borrowed from caroline

back home last week i did a bit of shopping with my mom. we found this great heathered olive maxi skirt and i knew it would be perfect for the fall. i think it's definitely more of a fall piece, but i love it too much to wait until october. i thought pairing it with a thin white tee would keep the outfit cool for summer. it turned out to be the perfect way to keep warm on this cold and rainy day.

wily wiley reads.

2011-08-14T22:07:00.001-04:00

the book of joe by jonathan tropper ::: joe is a writer. joe writes a bestseller about his small hometown and then tries to avoid said hometown for life. unfortunately for joe, his father gets sick and he has to return to a town who's secrets he turned into millions. jonathan tropper is quickly becoming my favorite author. this was the second book of his that i have gotten the chance to read and i cannot say enough good things about his writing style, humor and character development. this book made me laugh out loud and cry even more loudly. please go read this. i'm already waiting for another of his books to arrive in the mail this week.

drowning ruth by christina schwarz ::: if you like stories of messy family tragedies with a bit of a pyschological thriller thrown in, then this book may be for you. schwarz does a wonderful job of creating characters who, while often mysterious, are also likable. the novel describes the mystery behind the death of amanda's younger sister, mathilde. with twists and turns i promise you won't figure out what is going to happen next.

the happiness project by gretchen rubin ::: wow, i loved this book. beyond just reading rubin's own story on her year working towards personal happiness, i found so my great bits of information and happiness-inducing ideas. her own journey made me recognize some of the traits i see in myself, that might be changed for a more peaceful existence. reading this book made me want to be a better daughter, friend, partner and sister. if you're having a week where you're feeling down, pick this up.

the tipping point by malcolm gladwell ::: here's another that's been on the shelves and bestseller lists for years. i, of course, only got to read it last week. i had a lot of ideas about what this book would look like and i had heard a lot of things, both good and bad. gladwell's book is built around case studies. from airwalks, to hushpuppies, or teenage suicide in micronesia to teenage cigarette smoking in the u.s. gladwell offers a great deal of information on all these topics and describes the exact moment when something becomes a trend or fad as "the tipping point." for those of you interested in psychology, i think you'll find gladwell's theories fascinating.

i thought i'd start the week out with some book reviews and do an outfit post tomorrow. hopefully that rain will stop long enough for me to get in a few good shots. i also have two more wily wiley reads posts coming up, but i think i'll stick to just one a week. i'd love to hear your thoughts on what you like best of the blog. i am going to be changing content just a bit, and would love your input.

swift river.

2011-08-08T19:20:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: michael stars

vest: uo

shorts: f21

necklace: anthropologie

sandals: madewell

jeb and i took a lovely trip down the kancamagus highway and we stopped to wade around in the swift river. of course i fell in. it was pretty hysterical considering there were dozens of people around and i, of course, was wearing the thinnest tee i own. for a day of dropping by scenic outlooks and checking out franconia notch, a white tee and jean shorts with a flowy vest and sparkly necklace were the absolute perfect choice. oh yeah, and these sandals from madewell...they rock.

return.

2011-08-07T19:45:00.000-04:00

just a little taste of what my last week and a half have looked like.

we had an incredible vacation and i think ten days away from the internet is absolutely what the doctor ordered. i'll be back tomorrow with a new outfit post and have quite a few book reviews to start writing up.

wishing you all a lovely week.

lake time thoughts.

2011-07-29T08:26:00.000-04:00

as of late i haven't been sure i enjoy blogging as much as i once did. this morning jeb and i head to new hampshire for ten days of rest and relaxation and i think it will give me some time to wrap my head around where i might want to head with this blog. i know that i love writing about the books i read, and sometimes think that might be the route i want to take. i've met a lot of great people and made some terrific friends through blogging, but i think the downsides have felt stronger in the past couple of months. i hope you'll all bear with me as i figure out my next steps.

i'm signing off until i return to the city.

until then, i hope you all have a wonderful weekend/week and enjoy this gorgeous summer.

p.s. buy this awesome sign here.

date a girl who reads.

2011-07-25T18:19:00.001-04:00

Date a Girl Who Reads

by Rosemarie Urquico

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by God, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

i found this and fell in love.

i hope it brings you the same warm heart and happy tears as it did me.

found here.

image found here.

short story.

2011-07-24T19:35:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: michael stars

shorts: gap

sandals: madewell

necklace: gift

today jeb and i headed out to his hometown for brunch with his nana and then ran a bunch of sunday errands. i got an amazing deal on these shorts on friday night and thought today would be a perfect test run. i am very much in love. i have already changed and thrown them into my suitcase for our vacation next week. i think they will be perfect for sitting on the dock with a great book and a delicious drink.

four days of work and friday we head to the white mountains for a few days before spending a blissful week on the lake. the end of this week cannot come soon enough!

heat wave.

2011-07-21T19:19:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: j.crew

belt: uo

necklace: on loan from caroline

sandals: madewell

a boston heat wave and i'm back to the basics. this navy shift dress has gotten me through many summer days and it was perfect for my retreat at work today. i wanted a pop of color and am always drawn to the combination of this necklace with navy.

i have the day off tomorrow and plan to stay inside in the a/c and watch some movies with ernst. the perfect personal day.

stay cool!

wily wiley reads: non-fiction addition.

2011-07-19T20:44:00.000-04:00

mountains beyond mountains: the quest of dr. paul farmer, a man who would cure the world by tracy kidder ::: living in boston, i think it's nearly impossible that one hasn't heard of the work of dr. paul farmer and partners in health. this book, which gives a biographical take on dr. farmer, immerses you in his day-to-day life and takes you from haiti, to russia, to peru, and back again. the humanitarian work which kidder describes from it's very roots, is incredible. i believe there is a wealth of knowledge for any individual to gain from this book. kidder explains the role of poverty in the fight to cure infectious disease and the role that dr. farmer is playing in a mission to cure diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. a really fabulous and thought-provoking read.

my lobotomy by howard dully and charles fleming ::: i love finding i book on a topic that i have absolutely no knowledge, opinion or ideas about. jill leant this book to me a few weeks ago and i could not put it down. howard dully's memoir is a cathartic exploration of his past. when dully was twelve he was given a lobotomy and his life changed forever. in his fifties, dully decides to go back and answer the question he struggled with his entire life: why was this horrific procedure performed on him? the book does a wonderful job of giving the history of the lobotomy, the doctor who started it all in the united states, and the ways in which this procedure changed the lives of many. i cannot recommend this book enough. a short read, my lobotomy is a truly heart wrenching memoir.

the gardner heist: the true story of the world's largest unsolved art heist by ulrich boser ::: another incredible non-fiction find. this is another that jill leant to me and it made my month of non-fiction one to be rivaled. if you live in boston than you've heard of this art heist time and time again, but ulrich boser gives you the inside track on the event which changed the art world forever. with great attention to the history of the museum, biographical information on isabella stewart gardner, and a play by play of the events that unfolded on march 18th, 1990, this book is a total page turner. i especially loved the rundown of the boston crime world, which of course features the one and only, whitey bulger. boser tells of interesting pieces of evidence, theories and the cast of characters that surround one of art's greatest mysteries. a great mash-up of art history and crime drama.

in the sanctuary of outcasts by neil white ::: neil white's memoir starts as he heads to prison for an eighteen month sentence after being found guilty of fraud. as white arrives at the prison in louisiana he quickly finds himself out of his comfort zone. housed on the same grounds as the prison is the united state's last mainland leper colony. while i'm typically not very interested in reading prison stories, learning more about the history of leperosy and meeting a wonderful cast of patients, nuns and prisoners made this a worthwhile read. white can be egocentric and unsympathetic at times, but the heart of the memoir has a lot of soul. i read most of the book on our trip back to boston from pennsylvania and put up with a pounding headache because i just could not put this book down.

after a month of non-fiction reading, i quickly grabbed the first piece of fiction i saw. while i love non-fiction, my heart belongs to the novel. i am now back to my fiction, non-fiction, fiction, non-fiction pattern of reading, but am glad i took the time to learn a great deal these last few weeks.

as always, i would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations on what you've read recently and what i need to add to my ever-growing reading pile.

stay cool.

2011-07-18T20:31:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: calvin klein

belt: f21

t-straps: uo

just a few silly pictures jeb and i took on the way home from work. i cannot say enough how difficult it has become to dress for the office when it is so hot and humid. i thought this red calvin klein dress would be perfect for hot weather, but it turns out we can't all be right all the time. the double lining in the dress ended up making for a very hot commute and i think i will be saving this dress for the early fall. i'm already brainstorming ways to keep cool at the end of the week as boston will near triple digit temperatures.

the rules of summer.

2011-07-17T21:52:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: target

bandeau: f21

shorts: miss me (borrowed from jill)

sandals: jeffrey campbell

panama hat: uo

i've been a terrible blogger of late and promise to try my best to be better this coming week. i have a great 'wily wiley reads' coming up with all non-fiction reads and a few outfit posts scheduled throughout the week. as the summer keeps quickly rolling by, i've been finding myself more focused on running off for the weekends and spending the weeks playing catch-up, than i have been at documenting each day. i hope you'll all forgive me.

it was 95 today in new hampshire so i went for cool and comfortable. these silk shorts, from jill, may catch in the breeze, but they are perfect for a sticky day. as for my beatles tank, i found this at target a few weeks ago and thought it would be great for days exactly like today. comfort is key in the heat and i can't pretend that i adhere to any strict fashion codes as the tempertaure nears 100 degrees.

gone fishing.

2011-07-11T20:54:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: modcloth

shorts: f21

sunnies: rayban

look at me! i'm fishing! not really, more like jeb baits the hook, casts the line and lets me hold it. i might think i have a fish every time the weight drags across the ocean floor. so pretty much i'm an amazing fisherwoman. i also make sure to look cute and feminine and won't go in past the hem of my jean shorts. beyond that, i won't touch the bait or fish and i definitely won't cook said fish up for dinner. so again, pretty much an amazing fisherwoman. i do love new hampshire though, and my boyfriend because he loves me so much that he lets me interupt mantime and fish for him for a few minutes.

jumpin' around.

2011-07-10T20:42:00.000-04:00

these are a few snapshots into my amazing weekend in new hampshire. i have more posts coming up, but thought this montage of our trampoline fun would be great to hold you all over. if you're interested i'm wearing an old navy maxi dress, l.a. made tank and necklace from nomad. let me tell you, jumping on a trampoline for about seven hours is the best workout ever! i am sore in places i never knew existed.

warm tones.

2011-07-07T21:20:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

skirt: gap

top/sandals: borrowed from jill

i love lacey things, but have never had the guts to commit and buy a lace top. jill has had this top for a bit now and i've been envious from the very beginning. before i headed back to pa jill let me take a little shop in her closet and this was one of the first pieces i grabbed. i wanted to keep the outfit feminine, but i thought the dark olive color of the skirt would tone down the overall girly factor of the ensemble. i really like how they paired together and the silhouette is always my very favorite.

real deal.

2011-07-05T17:14:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: f21

tank: l.a. made

shorts: f21

sandals: madewell

this is a more honest portrayal of the type of outfit i wore while i was home. it was hot hot hot down in pennsylvania and the humidity was about 100%. i wore this outfit for a day of good old pa fun: chik-fil-a, vintage shopping and hanging out with my family. three of my most favorite things.

these high-waisted jean shorts are perfect for running around and my cropped aerosmith tee is incredibly lightweight and airy. i wore my brand new sandals from madewell that i have an intense obsession with. pretty sure i need these in every color of the rainbow!

home sweet home.

2011-07-04T21:08:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: f21

panama hat: uo

belt: uo

sandals: jeffrey campbell

i don't have a whole lot to say tonight because i'm fighting some serious homesickness. we had such a wonderful weekend with my family and it was really hard to come back today. our weekend consisted of partaking in lots of my favorite local foods, barbecues and quality time with my mom and sisters. i miss them so much when we're apart. most of the weekend was spent in airy sundresses and jean shorts because it was just so darn hot.

i hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!

happy fourth.

2011-07-01T15:49:00.000-04:00

happy fourth of july, my friends!

jeb and i are heading to pennsylvania to celebrate the holiday weekend with my family and childhood best friends. i cannot wait to give my mom a gigantic bear hug!

what are your plans?

{image via here. beth hoeckel is amazing!}

wily wiley reads.

2011-06-29T20:05:00.000-04:00

life of pi by yann martel :: i put off reading this novel for years, convinced it wasn't my taste. boy was i wrong. life of pi has a little something for everyone. it tells the story of a young boy, pi, who is stricken by unending tragedy and adventure. alone on a lifeboat with a bengal tiger, pi turns to his immense faith to get him through the difficulties of survival at sea. martel has so much information to cover, mostly philosophical, from the animal world, to zoos, to religion. his critique of religion was perhaps my favorite part of the novel. i really am glad i gave this book a chance.

girlfriend in a coma by douglas coupland :: this may be one of the best books i have read in a long time. the book asks a lot of questions about life that have stuck with me for the days since i've finished. the story begins with six high school friends and takes the reader through the journey of their lives after one of them falls into a 17 year coma. karen's awakening is followed by omens of a new world and the six friends are forced to look at their lives in new and different ways. i can do no justice to this book with mere words, but i highly recommend you give it a read if you love anything philosophical, modernist, satirical or apocalyptic. this book has it all.

the story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski :: wroblewski retold hamlet, but through a more modern lens. the sawtelle family breeds dogs and edgar, born mute, quickly bonds with his family's breed of dogs. there is a plethora of interesting information on dog breeding, training and that was something i found very enlightening. while i felt a connection to edgar, i found it difficult to keep interest in some of the more winded sections of the novel. i think for those who love dogs or hamlet, this is a real must read.

tinkers by paul harding :: i kept seeing tinkers on the front shelf of every bookstore i walked into and finally gave in and decided to read it. it is a quick read, and also a deep one. tinkers describes the dying days of an elderly man and i think the way harding illustrates death is both beautiful and disturbing. the man's last days are spent reliving his childhood and his realtionship with his father. i was touched by hardings imaginings of what goes through someone's head in their final moments and think this is one that you need to read to fully grasp.

so here we go again my friends...

what should wiley read next?

in the clouds.

2011-06-28T19:16:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: uo (borrowed from jill)

skirt: american apparel

sandals: lf

a quick post before a quiet night in. i love this cloud top and i thought i would try it with my blue maxi skirt. i love the relaxed feel of the outfit even though it's mixing two dressier pieces. a great casual outfit that keeps me looking put-together and stylish.

double-sided.

2011-06-27T18:31:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: uo (borrowed from jill)

skirt: american apparel

necklace: f21

sandals: jeffrey campbell

i have been obsessed with this top since jill first got it, but knew i had to let her wear it once or twice before i stole it from her. i wanted to keep the focus on the amazing blue stripes, so i stuck with a slim black skirt and touches of gold. it's so great when you can throw together two easy and pieces and it creates a cohesive outfit.

also, check out the blogger profile that the super sweet katy did on me today on her blog.

thanks, katy!

flo.

2011-06-26T21:02:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

skirt: f21

tee: michael stars

sweater: thrifted

jacket: lacoste (borrowed from jeb)

wellies: hunters

i wore this to the florence and the machine concert on thursday night. we had a total blast. i needed something to keep me warm and dry, but wanted to look cute at the same time. jeb has this amazing green lacoste rain coat and i thought it would be a great way of adding a pop of color for a rainy night. i layered it over a classic white tee, navy cardigan with white piping and my beloved striped skirt. wellies were an obvious must and this outfit was perfect for dancing the night away with a huge group of my favorite people.

thrift dreams.

2011-06-22T21:40:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: j.crew

cardigan: j.crew (thrifted)

belt: anthropologie

flats: gap

i think this outfit perfectly displays my style. i love mixing neutral shades with navy and red and a belt and flats are always my go-to pieces. i found this cashmere cardigan while thrifting a few weeks back and almost did a dance in the store. it was seven dollars and retails for $168! insanity! the best part of living in a college city is that you often find name brand pieces discarded and priced at next to nothing at local thrift shops. and the combination of navy blue and cashmere are like visions from my dreams.

what's your best thrifting score?

summer solstice.

2011-06-21T19:40:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

top: thrifted

shorts: old navy

scarf: vintage

sunnies: rayban

sneakers: keds

i thought for the first day of summer i would post one of my very favorite summer outfits. i love pairing classic pieces together for weekend errands and this striped top and chambray shorts combination is as classic as it gets. red lips, raybans and a pair of white keds keep this look summer-friendly and comfortable. as i walked out the door i decided to add a vintage silk scarf to my ponytail because i have trouble not adding a little bit more color to every outfit.

do you have a favorite outfit for summer?

enjoy the first day of summer...

and the longest day of the year.

the givers.

2011-06-20T19:43:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: vintage

jeans: bdg

t-straps: uo

purse: f21

last night i had the insane opportunity to see the givers at the middle east. i had heard a bit of their music before, but since they are one of caroline's absolute favorite bands i knew i had to check them out live. the show was amazing. the band seems so young and so filled with energy. i honestly felt like my mind was somewhere else throughout most of the show. i was mindlessly bopping around and taking in the crazy tunes. definitely check them out!

i knew i wanted to wear flats since i would be on my feet throughout the show and thought this would be a great chance to wear my new floral top. i like to say that this top is so ugly that it's cute. i love the vibrant pattern and i'm looking forward to wearing it again this week with a more office-friendly outfit.

into the woods.

2011-06-17T01:20:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: gap

sweatshirt: madewell

necklace: anthropologie

moccasins: minnetonka

here's an example of a very very laid back outfit. i wore this at the lake on a dreary sunday morning and needed something that could transition from morning activities to an afternoon car ride. i layered on the soft cotton pieces and added a chunky beaded necklace for a bit of sparkle. my minnetonkas were the obvious choice, as they are a favorite pair of weekend shoes and perfect out in the woods of new hampshire.

chihuly.

2011-06-15T22:07:00.000-04:00

tonight i had the chance to visit the 'chihuly: through the looking glass's exhibit at the museum of fine arts. chihuly's sculptures and installations, made from glass and natural materials, were breathtaking. i was completely taken with his 'persian ceiling' installation. i also liked the artist's admission that he chose the word 'persian' because he thought it sounded fancy. all of the photos above show the beautiful blown glass that took over the ceiling of one of the exhibit's rooms. the colors were incredible and the amount of detail and precision is wild. the room glowed in soothing shades of red, blue and green. all i needed was a glass of wine and a beanbag chair and i could have stayed there all evening. i strongly encourage all of my boston friends to check this out before it ends in august.

contrast.

2011-06-13T19:09:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: split

blazer: uo

scarf: f21

wedges: uo

pairing a flowy dress with a more structured blazer tends to be an invariably easy way to mix comfortable sundresses into my work attire. i found this sundress at a surf shop in delaware a few years back and it has been a favorite in the warmest months of summer of past years. i thought that pairing the deep navy shade with a stark white blazer would make for good contrast both in color and shape. all in all i think it worked out pretty well and my beloved new scarf was a great way to amp up the color and give the outfit a burst of vibrancy.

panamania.

2011-06-12T16:50:00.003-04:00

wiley wears:

maxi dress: f21

crop top: borrowed from jill (uo)

panama hat: uo

sandals: jeffrey campbell

i really love the way this easy weekend outfit came together. i borrowed this striped crop top from jill last weekend and had envisioned pairing it with this black maxi, but realized that together the two pieces created a rather boxy shape. i thought i'd give the 80s style knot tie a try, and i really like the results. it gave shape to an otherwise unflattering silhouette. for accessories, i like to keep it simple and easy on the weekends. my panama hat and gladiator sandals will be staples all summer long. this panama hat is the perfect excuse to not use a hairbrush all weekend long.

off again...

2011-06-10T14:42:00.002-04:00

we are off to new hampshire for a lazy weekend of fishing, reading and indulging in wine and cheese.

i hope everyone has a wonderful rainy weekend.

see you next week.

{image found here.}

wily wiley reads.

2011-06-08T21:40:00.000-04:00

born standing up by steve martin :: did you know steve martin started out as a magician? yeah, neither did i. i have always loved steve martin. from the jerk to father of the bride, he has always seemed like a person i'd love in real life and this book only made me more certain. he describes how he started in show business with a job at disney world and how he created his acts over the years. i loved his honesty about all his downfalls and bloopers along the way and am very depressed that he has retired from standup...since now i've had an inside peek at how he created his own style of making people laugh.

mockingjay by suzanne collins :: if you still aren't with me on the hunger games series, than stop reading here. for those of you who have read hunger games and catching fire, i can promise you a stellar finale. these books make perfect beach reads. or in my case, lay inside on a rainy day and read the entire book in one sitting. choose your poison.

room by emma donoghue :: told from the perspective of a five year old boy, room tells the story of a boy and his mother living life in a single tiny room. the only other person jack has ever seen, other than his mother, is old nick, the man who brings them food and clothing every few days. dark and disturbing, you would think beautiful things could not be seen in these pages, but there are moments of joy and the realtionship between jack and his mother is inspiring. she refuses to let jack suffer the feelings of imprisonment she faces and tries her hardest to create a childhood for jack.

the host by stephenie meyer :: you'll have to bear with me during the summer months, as this is when i get the chance to read some of the trashiest young adult fiction. the host is by the authour of twilight, but is an incredibly different book. no vampires this time around, now we have aliens. i'm not usually one for science-fiction, but i quickly became hooked on this storyline. a super race of aliens take over the souls of humans on earth, and only a few real humans remain. this is another great beach read...and a real page-turner.

so once again, i'd love to hear what books i absolutely must read. with lots of beach weekends and lake vacations coming up, i need a lot of literature to get me through the summer. do you have a recommendation for me?

welcome to the jungle.

2011-06-07T20:46:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: modcloth

romper worn as pants: f21

wedges: uo

necklace: beach shop

i love love love this outfit. bright floral, big necklace and my flowy cotton pants. all of these things are key for me during this summer season. now to find something that works for the 100 degree weather coming our way...

okay, now back to my wine/crab cake/gossip party with caroline.

moody monday.

2011-06-06T19:17:00.002-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: uo

cardigan: j.crew

belt: vintage

wedges: uo

in my neverending goal to keep my monday wardrobe bright and sunny, i decided to pair two of my most vibrant pieces. this red floral dress will forever be a favorite. it is soft, flowy and a piece i know i will always have in my wardrobe. the yellow sweater on top kept me covered and warm in the chilly office and a muted pair of wedges grounded the outfit.

now off to stock up on some dinner party supplies and spend the rest of the evening relaxing.

i'm on a mountain.

2011-06-05T20:43:00.001-04:00

tonight's post is a little different...but don't you worry, that first shot is the ultimate 'wiley wears' pose. wiley wears workout gear at the top of a mountain. but don't you worry, i also wore a big bow in my hair, otherwise i would have looked like one of those sporty girls. and no, my friends, i am far from being a sporty girl. so bow, it was.

these are just a few of my favorite photos from our hike today to the top of mount monadnock, in new hampshire. the hike was exhilarating and so rewarding. caroline and i had an awesome time sliding down rock faces, hiding in trees and trotting hand-in-hand on the easier parts of the hike. we are already planning our next hike, and i am looking forward to waking up tomorrow with lots of well-earned soreness in muscles i didn't know existed.

i hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

and the winner is...

2011-06-02T13:08:00.001-04:00

and the winner of the shabby apple giveaway is...

erica fern! (#33)

congrats, erica! please email me your shipping address at

brookewiley(at)gmail(dot)com

for the rest of you lucky ladies...

head to shabby apple and use the code "wiley10off" for 10% off your purchase til june 24th.

thanks for entering!

{image found here.}

glowing.

2011-06-01T20:02:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

top: f21

romper as pants: f21

sandals: jeffrey campbell

sunnies: uo

short post tonight as jeb and i are keeping an eye on the storms. i hope all our friends out in western mass are safe and sound. a crazy night of new england weather.

lin took these photos of me and as you can see i'm literally glowing in the sun. i'm similar to a vampire in this way. just how i roll. this is another of my new beloved tanks from f21 and it was perfect for the 90 degree weather. my romper, worn as pants, will be a full time summer staple. it makes it easy to wear crop tops and the fabric is so billowy and cool.

and don't forget...

my shabby apple giveaway ends tomorrow at 1pm.

enter here.

the cove.

2011-05-31T19:27:00.002-04:00

wiley wears:

top: f21

skirt: american apparel

hat: uo

sandals: jeffrey campbell

over the weekend jeb and i headed to manchester-by-the-sea for a graduation party turned engagement party. we love heading to the cove and had a great day out in the sunshine. the day started out quite cool, but warmed up just as we got to the party. i went for casual comfort with a black cotton skirt and printed tank. my panama hat has been a staple so far this spring and summer, and it was perfect to keep the sun off of my face and shoulders.
only one day left to enter my shabby apple dress giveaway! head here and leave a comment!

happy memorial day.

2011-05-30T21:03:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: h&m

sunnies: uo

i hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend. jeb and i had one for the books. on friday night we drove to new hampshire, saturday we headed to manchester for the engagement of two of our dear friends, and then back to new hampshire for the rest of the weekend. we spent the entire three days relaxing with people we love. i have to admit, i'm looking forward to a weekend at home coming up. it feels like forever since i've been here for more than a few days at a time.

while i'm not a big fan of the heat, it does make getting dressed easy. at the beach this means throwing on an easy dress and calling it a day. this red, white and blue polka dotted number was perfect to get me into the patriotic spirit.

happy memorial day!!

if you haven't yet...enter my shabby apple giveaway here!

shabby apple giveaway.

2011-05-26T13:00:00.002-04:00

want to win the beautiful spanish steps dress from shabby apple?

head on over to their site and check out all the pretty vintage-inspired frocks and leave a comment on this post before thursday, june 2nd at 1:00 pm (est).

a winner will be randomly selected.

(sorry, no international entries this time.)

for those that don't win...

use the code 'wiley10off' until june 24th for 10% off your entire purchase,

and like shabby apple on facebook for extra special promotions and deals.

jeez um, i love this dress!

{this giveaway is now closed.}

the polka dot.

2011-05-25T19:25:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

top: f21

necklace: anthropologie

trousers: madewell

flats: thom browne

i do love my polka dots and when i saw this top i could not say no to giant black polka dots. black and white with a bit of red lipstick is probably one of my very favorite combinations. with classic color combinations you can have more fun with patterns, prints and textures. i layered on a black statement necklace that seemed to perfectly match my polka dots.

stay tuned because tomorrow, starting at 1:00pm (eastern standard), i have an absolutely awesome giveaway coming up from the lovely folks over at shabby apple. i'm jealous of the winner already!

bright spot.

2011-05-24T22:51:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: j.crew

scarf: f21

cardigan: j.crew

belt: vintage

wedges: uo

today's outfit turned out perfectly for the bright spot of weather that came through boston. sunny skies and eighty degrees made it feel like summer is actually arriving. just on time, considering it's almost june. i found this spring scarf at f21 this weekend and loved the bright tribal pattern. i've been drawn to patterns like this lately, and this seemed like a great addition to my spring wardrobe. accessories are the easiest way to make changes to your wardrobe from one season to the next. i prove this fact here, where i've paired two staple pieces in my wardrobe, my navy dress and yellow cardigan, with the scarf to make the outfit look brand new. i've worn scarves this way a few times in the past, but this scarf seems absolutely perfect for layering over a dress and under a belt. the scarf is so thin and extra long. i highly recommend you check out the spring scarves at f21. good stuff.

the man cardigan.

2011-05-23T19:29:00.002-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: target

cardigan: target

necklace: anthropologie

jeans: levis

flats: jeffrey campbell

this is an after work outfit. jeb and i headed to the north shore to see our friend's senior art show. after a day spent in a pencil skirt and button up, nothing seemed more appropriate than an oversized tee, sweatshirt cardigan and comfy jeans. i wanted to make my outfit look a little more put-together, so i added my silver beaded anthropologie necklace, suede eyelet flats and pale pink lipstick.

the cardigan is kind of a funny story. i love a man in a fitted cardigan, but jeb doesn't quite get my obsession with these so-called 'man cardigans.' through the fall and winter i constantly picked them up on shopping trips trying to persuade him to just give one a try. time and time again i was turned down. flashback to a few weeks ago when i found myself in the men's section at target to grab some white tees and i happen to see a whole slew of man cardigans on the super clearance rack. i thought jeb would love it...it's one of his favorite colors, made of sweatshirt material, and only five dollars. i made an impulse purchase, vowing that i, myself, would wear it if jeb didn't like it. he tried it on, said it wasn't his thing and i quickly added it to my own wardrobe, because it's really comfortable and i love myself a cardigan. (this weekend at the lake jeb was cold. he quickly asked for the cardigan because it was right there. and he looked damn good in it.)

lakeside.

2011-05-22T21:08:00.002-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: f21

top: old navy

jacket: j.crew

flower: on loan from caroline

belt: uo

shoes: sperry topsiders

we had the most wonderful weekend away. the lake is such a peaceful place and we had a blast just sitting on the dock, grilling out and possibly playing a heated dvd version of the newlywed game. on saturday morning we drove from the beach to the lake, so i wanted to wear something comfortable and wrinkle-free. this black maxi dress made for the perfect traveling piece and turned out to be a great dock-sitting outift as well.

the last weekend?

2011-05-20T16:39:00.001-04:00

jeb and i are off to spend our weekend on the water in new hampshire. tonight we'll spend the evening at the beach with jeb's family and early tomorrow head to lake winnipesaukee to spend the rest of the weekend with two of our dearest friends. if the world really ends tomorrow, i'll be glad that the last thing i see is the gorgeous lake. one of my favorite places in the world.

wily wiley reads.

2011-05-18T22:24:00.001-04:00

the hunger games by suzanne collins :: oh my, how do i start here? do i maybe have an affinity towards young adult fiction? the answer is yes. if it's meant for an eighth grader than i will most likely fall deeply in love with it. after harry potter and twilight i knew i needed a new fix. the hunger games were the answer to my prayers. thrown into a futuristic world, the hunger games introduces you to an amazing cast of characters. katniss, peeta and gale will be the new bella, edward and jacob in no time. i am warning you that you will need to buy all three at once and you won't be able to put any of them down. the hunger games gives you a perfect opportunity to get to know the storyline and characters...which you will need throughout your journey through this series.

chasing fire by suzanne collins :: this is a continuation of my above pseudo-review. really i just want you all to go out and buy these books so we can all go see the movies together next year. i don't want to give anything away, so i have to stop typing about this...before i start blabbing.

the help by kathryn stockett :: this book deserves every ounce of credit it has been given. i could not put this book down. the characters are so deeply written and having skeeter as the story's protagonist only helped me in forging my connection to the book. skeeter is such an honest woman who is dealing with all of the things girls of that time, and today, have to face. the novel discusses some of the most difficult parts of segregation, but by giving the characters around the dilemma voices and ideas, the reader is able to gauge his or her own feelings on right and wrong. i thought it was a beautiful story of love, growing up and standing up for what you believe in. please go pick this one up. i'll bet you a dollar you'll love it!

another bullshit night in suck city by nick flynn :: another recommendation from lin. this one was such a winner. nick flynn is so honest, like someone you met in college. he tells the story of his life and the current disconnect he feels from his father. with a lot of information on homelessness and homeless shelters, i found it to be informative. it is only through the combination of this information and a son's story of his homeless father that the book begins to make sense. i feel so jumbled in my feelings on this book. the struggles that nick feels often brought up a pain that hit close to home, but i loved the book. nick flynn is a genious. read this...mostly if you live in boston.

now that i've given you an update on what i've been reading, i would love to hear what you've been reading. summer is coming and i will need at least a book a week, so there is some pressure here, my friends. i'm currently reading steve martin's born standing up, but don't have anything else on the bookshelf for the next read. please please please give me your recommendations.

thanks, loves!

adele.

2011-05-17T20:26:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: uo

leggings: american apparel

scarf: vintage (great grandmother's)

flats: dolce vita

on sunday night caroline and i went to see adele and the civil wars at the house of blues. it was one of the best lives shows i have ever seen. the civil wars were incredible and definitely a major highlight of the show for me. adele was just beyond. she makes such a powerful voice seem so effortless. we had a fantastic time and i'm already looking forward to the next time she makes her way through boston.

i wanted to wear something that was cool and breathable since i knew the house of blues would be packed. this lightweight cotton shirt was perfect i thought it looked great with leggings and flats. i added one of my great grandmother's silk scarves to put some color into the outfit.

she's back.

2011-05-15T17:49:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

sweater: thrifted

chambray top: old navy

skirt: vintage

shoes: vintage dexters

we spent another weekend in new hampshire and i feel refreshed after spending all of my time reading, relaxing and eating delicious food. my little break from blogging seemed perfectly timed after all of the issues blogger was having last week. from now on i am going to stress less when a day goes by without a post. today, i am happy to be back posting. here are a few photos from our walk on the beach this saturday. it was quite a chilly and wet weekend so lots of layers were a must. this oversized l.l.bean sweater was perfectly cozy and warm paired with my chambray top and a pleated skirt.

i am off to see adele and the civil wars with a few of my friends and will be back tomorrow with more from the weekend.

a holiday.

2011-05-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

i've decided to take a few days off from blogging.

sometimes i start to give in to the pressure i feel to get up a daily post and i want to make sure i keep a fresh and happy perspective on my blogging hobby.

i'll be back this weekend with lots of daily wear posts and a new 'wily wiley reads.'

i hope you'll stay tuned.

{image found here.}

sowa open market.

2011-05-08T20:07:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

top: j.crew

jacket: j.crew (borrowed from jeb)

scarf: free people

sunnies: rayban

jeans: paige denim

belt: h&m

shoes: vintage dexters

i spent today with my very best friend at my very favorite market. sowa is such a fun market with an awesome mix of vintage, antiques and handmade goods. oh yeah, and awesome food. i left with one of my beloved chocolate croissants, a loaf of amazing potato onion garlic bread, and a bouquet of giant white lilies. i wanted to wear something that was easy for walking around the city and was springy while still being warm enough for the breezy day. i'm having a hard time not wearing jeb's jacket and thought i could brighten it up with this jewel-toned top and a floral scarf. he probably won't be pleased when he puts it on and it smells like perfume. all in all, a really great sunday. (even though i couldn't spend it with my mom.)

on that note, i love you mimzy. thanks for being the absolute best mom ever and being super cute and funny to boot.

online shopping.

2011-05-07T16:09:00.000-04:00

i've spent most of my saturday afternoon doing a big closet cleaning. it's time to purge some of favorite items and make room for new ones. i've been listing some of these pieces on my smashion marketplace site. stop by and check it out!

{image from here.}

wily wiley reads.

2011-05-05T20:34:00.001-04:00

it's been a few weeks since a 'wily wiley reads' post on the blog. once the weather gets warmer i tend to read a whole lot more. i actually finished these four books almost a month ago, but haven't gotten around to writing them all up. since finishing the four books above, i've devoured two more wonderful reads, which will come in the next installment of this series. writing these reviews is one of my favorite parts of my blog and i'd love to find out whether this is something others enjoy. i'm also up for any ideas on how i could do it a bit differently. i'd love to hear your feedback.

her last death by susanna sonnenberg :: this may be one of the most compelling memoirs i have ever read. it was only after about 150 pages that i realized the book was a work of non-fiction and i found it hard to believe the tales i was reading could be true. the story of a woman trying to live outside of her mother's shadow, sonnenberg's account of her childhood is both fascinating and appalling. her mother is a charasmatic and beautiful woman who is as lovely as she is troubled and sonnenberg tells the stories of drug abuse, seduction and a mother-daughter relationship filled with complications. i would absolute recommend this memoir.

bossy pants by tina fey :: i will try my hardest not to go on and on about how much i love tina fey. she might be the most perfect woman ever. this book is hysterical! her self-deprecation and bizarre sarcasm fall perfectly in line with my own. the book starts with with tina fey recalling the awkward days of her youth and continues into her television days. if you're a 30 rock, saturday night live, or just plain old comedy fan, this is the book for you.

vanishing and other stories by deborah willis :: i have to admit that i rarely enjoy modern books of short stories. my friend lin encouraged me to give this one a try and promised that it would exceed my expectations. it did. willis tells stories in a way that made me feel like she understood things i had never heard another person verbalize. her writing is raw and honest. many of the stories talk about loss, death and disconnection. i reread a number of the passages because they mirrored emotions and feelings that brought back memories from some of my own experiences. a great read for quick stories before bedtime or on the way to work.

the memory keeper's daughter by kim edwards :: this is another great example of a bestseller that i'm years behind on reading. edwards tells the story of a doctor who is forced to deliver his own baby on the night of a blizzard. it is only during the delivery that he realizes he is delivering twins and that one of the twins was born with down syndrome. the doctor sends the baby away and tells his wife that she died at birth. little does he know that the nurse he gives the task of transporting the baby to an institution actually takes the baby and raises it as her own. the book goes on to explain how the lives of all of those involved in this stormy night are changed forever. i found the story slow at some points and didn't find myself truly engaged by some of the major characters. overall, i did think it was a great story and i loved the descriptive nature of the writing and the way the story moved through the decades.

as always, i would love to hear your recommendations for good reads. next on my list are the help and the hunger games. what have you read lately? what do i need to read?

mayfair.

2011-05-02T20:13:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

jacket: j.crew (borrowed from jeb)

tee: j.crew

black jeans: bdg

belt: h&m

panama hat: uo

shoes: vintage dexters

yesterday i went to mayfair with a bunch of my friends. it's one of my favorite events in harvard square each year. we ate 'the world's best pulled pork sandwiches,' people watched and drank beers in the charlie's beer garden. such a wonderful way to spend a sunday afternoon.

i've been on the look out for a great vintage army coat, and realized yesterday that jeb's beloved j.crew jacket would work perfectly for the look i was going for. since it is a men's jacket, i belted it to give it a bit more shape. sunnies and a panama hat were the perfect accessories for a warm(ish) spring day.

weekend away.

2011-05-01T19:39:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: target

denim jacket: gap

necklace: on loan from caroline

skirt: vintage l.l.bean

belt: uo

sunnies: uo

sneakers: keds

jeb and i had a wonderful weekend away. we read a lot, ate copious amounts of delicious food and just spent quiet time together. on saturday afternoon we took a walk along the sea wall and jeb snapped a few photos. i wanted an outfit that would be comfortable for an afternoon out. walkable shoes were a must, mostly for climbing around on the rocks. my keds were the perfect choice for the afternoon. i rewore the same striped tee, but changed it up quite a bit with a high-waisted skirt and denim jacket.

happy weekend.

2011-04-29T18:38:00.000-04:00

monday marks the anniversary of jeb and my first date. we are spending the weekend in new hampshire to celebrate. (thanks john and ginnie!) i'm looking forward to walks on the beach, dinner in portsmouth and quiet afternoons reading, doing puzzles and drinking wine.
this is a photo lin took of jeb and i at the end of last year. i am smitten. ernst is such a ragdoll. i am the luckiest girl in the world. okay, so maybe kate is the luckiest girl in the world. i'll take second place in this round.

my problem with stripes.

2011-04-28T20:44:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

top: target

pants: limited

necklace: on loan from caroline

belt: h&m

shoes: vintage dexters

today's combination of comfort and loose fitting pieces proved perfect for the dreary humid weather. once the humidity reaches a certain point in boston, i'm always drawn to flowy items that don't cling. this top is the perfect for the upcoming summer humidity. i cannot seem to stop with my stripe obsession. this week i think i've worn a striped item at least four times and i have plans to take a few other striped pieces on a weekend trip. my love of all things nautical may be getting a bit out of control, but who can keep a girl from her navy blue and white?

style spotlight: keds.

2011-04-28T12:56:00.000-04:00

i think keds might be the best spring basic out there. i've been wearing these babies since i was a little girl and i find myself drawn to their new styles and patterns every year when it starts to get warmer. the perfect shoe for picnics, road trips and walks on the boardwalk.

have you seen their super cute styles?

*also, who can forget what shoes baby was wearing in this epic dirty dancing scene?!

the crop top

2011-04-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: f21

top: uo

wedges: uo

with crop tops coming back into style, i've been having fun trying out new ways to wear them. i'm not one to bare my stomach, so they usually call for high-waisted pants or skirts, but i thought a maxi dress would make for a perfect layering piece this time. i love the combination of crop tops and maxi skirts so it only makes sense to try it with a dress. the loose fit of crop tops make them perfect layering pieces since there are the static that comes with other layered pieces.

seventies child.

2011-04-26T20:50:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: gap

skirt: ben sherman

necklace: from beach shop

flats: gap

another bright and springy outfit, or more a springy top. this shirt is from almost a decade ago, but i love the pattern too much to let it go. the 70s pattern and fit goes perfectly with the trends in the fashion world right now. isn't it always nice when something you love and hoarded for so long comes back in style? i find it easiest to wear with earthy colors, since the mixture of neon green, magenta and a floral pattern is pretty in your face. today i decided to add a bit more flare with a bright pink beaded necklace. a simple ponytale, tiered skirt and flats finished off the outfit for a simple, yet put together look.

blending in.

2011-04-25T19:55:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

cardigan: j.crew

dress: vintage

belt: uo

wedges: uo

i think it may be impossible to not find yourself inspired by the bright colors of spring. i find myself drawn to the bright colors in my closet at this time of year. in april, the rainy days make colorful outfits an even better idea. waking up to a dreary monday morning and having to say goodbye to my mom for a couple of months called for an outfit to get me out of my intense miserable mood. i thought topping one vibrant piece on another would be the perfect excuse. this vintage pleated dress might be the best vintage deal i've ever found and it fit me perfectly without needing to be tailored. because of how bright the dress and cardigan combination are, i wanted to pick accessories in neutral shades. i hope that everyone is enjoying their spring. days like sunday will soon become the norm!

happy easter.

2011-04-24T21:14:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: uo

cardigan: gap

belt: f21

wedges: uo

this easter weekend was one for the books. my mom and i had such a great time doing lots of girly activities and eating tons of delicious food. last night we went to see water for elephants which we thought was incredible. this morning we got dressed up for easter brunch and headed to towne on boylston street. our brunch was beyond delicious and i'm excited to make it a point to head to towne more often.

i think a new easter dress is a great tradition. we found this beauty at urban outfitters last week and i fell in love with the color, pattern and shape. i look forward to wearing this a lot in the coming months and think it will be perfect for balmy summer days in the office. while it was quite warm this afternoon, i wasn't quite ready to bare my arms and head out in a tank top, so i chose this loose boyfriend cardigan to top off the dress.

i hope everyone had a lovely weekend filled with family and food! and thanks, mom, for making this weekend such a wonderful one. love you!

happy easter!

happy easter weekend.

2011-04-21T17:11:00.000-04:00

i'm taking a few days off from blogging to spend time with my mom and celebrate easter weekend. here's to a lovely weekend filled with peanut butter eggs, mimosas and easter baskets.

{image via pinterest. no original source.}

retro.

2011-04-20T20:25:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: thrifted

trousers: madewell

necklace: anthropologie

flats: target

another perfect outfit for the office. and another silk top. these babies were made for the work week. red top, black trousers, leopard flats and bright red lips. a classic combination that always has a bit of a retro edge. the look felt so crisp and clean...mostly with a slick tight bun. just goes to show that it doesn't take much to create an ensemble that can be repeated over and over again.

spring thrifting.

2011-04-19T21:05:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: old navy

pin: borrowed from caroline

jacket: borrowed from caroline

skirt: thrifted, vintage

wedges: uo

today i wore this very springy ensemble. i found this awesome pleated silk skirt while thrifting this weekend and knew i had to have it. after some hand washing and steaming it was the perfect way to start my work week. short post tonight as i have lots of cleaning and prepping to do for my mom's arrival tomorrow evening!

marathon monday.

2011-04-18T20:14:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: splendid

denim jacket: gap

pants: f21

scarf: american apparel

panama hat: uo

t-straps: uo

marathon monday is my official first day of spring in boston each year. today was no exception. the weather was beautiful and the energy in the city is unparalleled. the daylong outdoor festivities called for something comfortable and layered. a jacket, cardigan and scarf were essential for the breezy afternoon. i took my beloved long-pant romper and folded the top over to create high-waisted pants. they worked out to be the perfect lightweight alternative to jeans. i, of course, had to rock my brand new panama hat. can we say true love? i can't wait to wear this hat for trips to the sunday market, bike rides and with my bikini at the lake and the beach. such a perfect summer hat.

happy marathon monday!

the fairytale skirt.

2011-04-17T19:53:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: american apparel-diy'd tie dye

denim jacket: gap

maxi skirt: swapped with kate

wedges: jeffrey campbell

necklace: anthropologie

when i opened my package from kate, this skirt literally took my breath away. it screamed my name. it combines my love of maxi skirts and tutus. who knew such a thing even existed? unfortunately i didn't have any dressy events coming up, but i thought i could work in some very casual pieces to dress this fairytale skirt down. i decided on a tie-dyed tee i made a while back and a denim jacket.

did i make it work, kate?

matchy mix.

2011-04-14T20:34:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tunic: borrowed from jill

skirt: american apparel

jean jacket: gap

scarf: american apparel

flats: thom browne

pattern mixing can make any day a little more fun. i loved this tunic that i borrowed from jill and thought, hey, why not wear it one last time before i have to return it. today was that day. for work, i paired it with my cotton american apparel pencil skirt for reasons of length. i was so excited to break out my denim jacket and it will be back in action for the rest of the spring and summer. i think it brightens up this otherwise basic black and white outfit. the dotted floral pattern of the tunic and my striped circle scarf made a perfect matchy mix of patterns which brought a smile to face.

a piece of advice.

2011-04-13T19:31:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: gap

top: thrifted

belt: walmart

earrings: vintage

slingbacks: nine west

my friends, i have a great piece of thrifting advice. i often get questions on how i shop at the thrift stores and what pieces i look for. well, for first-timers, i say focus on the blouses. these short sleeved beauties are so easy to find, usually cost only a couple of dollars, and thanks to those glorious decades of the 80s and 90s, there are crazy bright colors galore. i have a collection of these suckers that takes up a quarter of my closet, but they really are a truly versatile piece. for work, i often pair them with a pencil skirt or pair of fitted trousers. they also make a great alternative to a tshirt for weekend errands and lazy days.

today i layered my blouse over a button up polka dotted dress. i love the combination of bright pink and navy and i thought black accessories brought the whole look together.

my favorite tee.

2011-04-13T08:45:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

tee: vintage (nana's)

blazer: vintage donna karan

belt: h&m

jeans: paige denim

shoes: vintage dexters

a simple outfit for running errands and family visits. i wore this outfit over the weekend and i really like the way it casually came together. i knew that i wanted to wear this 1982 us navy tee. it belonged to my nana and it has my uncle's graduation year on it. it's the perfect fit and one of my very favorite tshirts. my nana was a tiny woman, so her little fitted tees are some of my most prized pieces of clothing. i'm not really a tshirt and jeans kind of girl, so i dressed it up a bit with a fitted black blazer and camel accessories. overall, a perfect outfit for a beautiful sunday out of the city.

treasure hunter.

2011-04-11T20:47:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: old navy

skirt: vintage/thrifted

belt: anthropologie

heels: banana republic

isn't this skirt a beauty? it was exactly what i was searching for when jeb and i embarked on a shopping trip on saturday afternoon. luckily sunday was laundry day so i took advantage of having a warm day to break out my pasty white legs and this awesome a-line skirt. new england is the perfect place to find l.l.bean from the 60s and 70s. i'd have to say it's one of the brands i come across most in vintage and thrift stores i frequent. i thought the khaki green color would be perfect for the spring and pairing it with a wilder top really worked. i wore the red beaded belt again to bring out some more color in my very safari looking color scheme. love this outfit.

while i'm on the topic of loving outfits. i blogged a few days ago about a contest i was entering on makeunder my life. well, folks, the voting began today. i would love if you could click the banner below, head to jess's blog and comment with "brooke w. from wily wiley." it would mean a lot!

thanks loves!

last date.

2011-04-10T21:47:00.002-04:00

wiley wears:

tunic: borrowed from jill

jeans: bdg

belt: anthropologie

bomber: target

bag: longchamp

t-straps: uo

i feel so at peace right about now. i'm snuggled on the sofa, between our sleepy fluffy cat and the man i love. no better way to end a sunday. i've picked out a killer outfit for every day this week and have them all orgainzed for the week ahead. this, my friends, is a feeling that cannot be beat. i encourage you to set aside a half hour on sunday night to pick out your outifts for the week ahead. it really is an incredible feeling.

i wore the above outfit on a date with jeb last night. jeb leaves on an eight day trip to san francisco at the end of the week, so we wanted to get one big date in before he left...in case the week becomes too busy. i wanted to wear something perfectly casual and something comfortable enough to support a belly full of delicious barbeque. this outfit did the trick. i pulled my red beaded belt from the back of the closet and thought it would be perfect way to bring some color into the outfit.

i hope everyone had a peaceful and lovely weekend.

springtime in the city.

2011-04-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

this weekend jeb and i have lots of date time planned. tomorrow we are looking forward to the warm sunny weather to head to a local sculpture park and perhaps indulge in some picnic lunch. springtime in new england is like none other. enjoy it!

the picture above is one of my very favorite from one of the most beautiful engagement sessions i've ever seen. check out all the photos here.

have a lovely weekend!

{image via here.}

juxtaposed.

2011-04-07T22:11:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: target

dress: uo

ribbon belt: gap

tights: h&m

flats: dolce vita

i love the way these pictures came out. the bright purple dress looks even more vibrant juxtaposed against the brown, gray and black background. caroline came over for dinner tonight and it is so fun to have her take my photos! clearly she has a real photographer's eye.

if you are ever struggling to figure out how to rewear a dress you bought for a wedding, have i got an idea for you. make it a jumper! it's so easy to throw a turtle neck or tee under a lower cut dress and make it completely work appropriate. in this case, the length of the dress was also a bit short. i went with some very thick black ribbed tights to take away from the length and i think it worked very well. i chose a ribbon belt to accentuate my waist and give the dress more shape.

design your look: spring edition.

2011-04-07T13:59:00.001-04:00

over at makeunder my life, a favorite blog of mine, jess is hosting an awesome contest called 'design your look.' designing an outfit that features her jewelry was a no-brainer for me, as i've been crazy about her pieces for quite awhile. the above outfit is what i would consider to be my perfect spring ensemble. bright colors, funky flats and lots of feminine details. if you're a bostonian like me, than you realize springtime doesn't exactly mean warmth. i decided this coral dvf cardigan would be the perfect way to stay warm in the cool boston breezes. and don't even get me started on those shorts. ugh, true love.
voting begins on april 11th!

{click the image above for info about each piece.}

windy city.

2011-04-06T18:57:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

top: old navy

skirt: gap

belt: f21

t-straps: uo

it's windy out there, my friends. the perfect day for a long skirt with multiple layers of fabric. i cannot tell you enough how important below-the-knee skirts and dresses are when you live in a windy city like boston. i have really been trying to incorporate brighter colors and spring shades into my day to day wear and this skirt immediately stood out when i opened my closet this morning. this skirt is proof that some pieces are just plain classic. i bought this skirt when i was a freshman in college and would wear it to my hostessing job. back then i wore it low on my hips, but now, not only does it fit better, but my style has lent itself to a more retro silhouette. a classic pattern and shape can really make a piece go the distance for you. exactly the reason i tend to buy my trendy pieces at stores like h&m and f21 and save my bigger bucks for pieces that will last for years. sometimes you get lucky with a piece like this skirt, that didn't break the bank, and has gotten a ton of wear.

all in.

2011-04-05T22:05:00.001-04:00

wiley wears:

button up: gap

cardigan: j.crew

trousers: limited

necklace: anthropologie

shoes: vintage dexters

i'm clearly inspired by the impending easter holiday. it should also be clear that i don't pay attention to weather reports, because i decided on layers on a muggy spring day. i think the color combination makes up for my lack of forethought. i really like this peach cardigan against the light blue pinstriped top. with a casual pair of loose fit trousers i felt very new england prep. not pictured are my awesome navy, pink and peach argyle socks that jeb's mom got me for christmas. hey, if you're playing the part, you might as well go all in.

a spring wedding.

2011-04-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

dress: anthropologie (c/o kate)

earrings: vintage

purse: haberdash vintage

heels: banana republic

yesterday jeb and i drove to conneticut for our friends' wedding and i wore this little ensemble. (clearly i was in a joan holloway frame of mind.) kate sent this dress in our cross country swap and she knew it would be perfect for the occasion. i find it difficult dressing for weddings that fall on the cusp of a new season, but this teal burnt velvet number was absolute perfection for a chilly spring day. i played around with different accessories, but found myself drawn to these vintage black floral studs. i thought they'd complement that black sash at the back of the dress and make it easy to pick shoes and a purse. once i had the earrings on the whole outfit quickly fell together. my leather peep-toes and patent leather purse were the perfect pieces to finish off my early sixties look.

as for hair and makeup, i've been playing around a lot with my signature high bun, and this braided updo is one i'll be repeating over and over again. with bright red lips and nails, black eyeliner and mascara i was ready to take on the world.

a-line.

2011-03-31T19:03:00.000-04:00

wiley wears:

cardigan: j.crew

top: michael stars

flower pin: on loan from poppy and leo

skirt: j.crew (thrifted)

tights: walmart

brogues: miss me

today i went with a ladylike ensemble. i knew i wanted to wear this springy striped skirt and i thought anchoring the outfit with navy would keep it warm and winter weather ready. i thought adding the pink flower pin would give me that perfect punch of color and it went along with the girly look i was going for. my skirt was one of the best thrift finds i had last year. only three dollars and it fits like a dream. i love the almost a-line shape. super feminine and sweet.