The March Dress

I'm late posting my dress from last month's take on the dress resolution, but better late than never, right? ("Better late than never" has been my motto ever since I learned how to tie my shoes.) And like both the January and February dresses, this one was way under budget at $19 from Forever XXI.

After evaluating my last three challenge purchases, goals for the April dress include: branching out and wearing a pattern or a print; taking advantage of being under budget and springing for a great quality dress... and posting in the same month I purchase the dress. Dreaming big.

What I'm Wearing

Rose-Colored Empire Dress (Forever XXI)

Black Leather Belt (J.Crew Factory)

Mossimo Patent Leather Ballet Flats (Target)

Gold Glasses Necklace (Forever XXI)

Blanc Bomb Ring (JewelMint)

Royal Ascot Ring (JewelMint)

Thin Gold Bangles (Forever XXI)

Gold Michael Kors Runway Watch (Macy's)

Monte Carlo Bracelet (JewelMint)

Pyramid Stretch in Island Coral Bracelet (J.Crew)

OPI Nail Polish in Panda-monium Pink

Last Week's Surprise Giveaway

Thanks to everyone for all your comments on which nude ballet flats I should purchase! I decided on the TOM'S and can't wait to show them off as soon as they arrive!

And congratulations to Laura, who won the surprise giveaway! Laura, e-mail me with your address, and I'll be sending a pair of Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats your way!

 Laura Mar 29, 2012 03:34 PM

the toms- aside from the awesome fact that they help those in need, they are by far the cutest and easiest to match with a lot of different outfits.

The Ballet Flat Ballot Giveaway

I need some help, lovely readers! I've found myself walking in circles inside my closet each morning looking for the perfect pair of shoes to complete my ensemble. Not only is this awkward because my closet is 20 square feet, but it really confuses Cooper, who likes to follow me around when I'm home. 

It was easy to figure out that I was missing some nude flats, but I'm having trouble deciding on which pair I should ultimately purchase:

Me Too "Patty" Flats 

(also seen here)

Price: $89

Why?: Great on-trend piece for this spring and summer

[Photo source: zappos.com]

TOM'S Rose "Natalia" Linen Ballet Flats

Price: $74

Why?: Helps a child in need

[Photo source: toms.com]

Tory Burch "Caroline" Ballet Flat

Price: $225

Why?: Great quality

[Photo source: jildor.com]

Which one should I choose? Leave a comment by Wednesday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m. CST. I'll pick one commenter afterward to receive a surprise giveaway!

The 122nd Most Important Day of My Life

In September, I got a new job at the same company I've worked for since I graduated college. From that point, I've been preparing for an event – or rather a summer's worth of work and events – that all came into fruition in late May.

There are super-special events in any gal's life – such as the day you get kissed for the first time, or the day of your senior prom – and days that you have little control over but ones that forever change your life – such as when a sibling is born – that matter so much. Then you grow up and get a job, and your important days now involve things that happen at work.

I took a guess and figured that the day when all my efforts at work came into play was the 122nd most important day of my life ... approximately. Lucky for me, my office is extremely casual. So I wore a sundress.

[I love the lace detail around the neck area,

because it means I don't have to wear a necklace.]

What I'm Wearing
Orange Floral Sweetheart Dress (Forever XXI)
Jackie Cardigan in Cerise (J.Crew)
Guess Tan Cork Wedges (DSW) 
Green Woven Belt (Forever XXI)
Gold Merona Boyfriend Watch (Target)

In other news, congratulations to LyddieGal of Chic on the Cheap, who won the Banana Republic tassel necklace giveaway!

LyddieGal, shoot me an e-mail at daisiesnchains@gmail.com to let me know where I can send your gift!

The Weird and Wonderful of Mad-Town

A week ago, I mentioned I was taking a trip to Madison, WI (P.S. don't forget to enter that giveaway!), and I finally have some photos from the long weekend I spent there with the fella. 

Oh, and fun fact: the locals refer to Madison as "Mad-Town," which made me feel kind of gangster when I said it and think of a bad block of property on a Monopoly board. (You know no one is ever psyched to buy Mediterranean Avenue.)

[The amazing squinting twins in front of the Capitol building.]

[The tortoise may have beaten the hare, but I'll never win a marathon

with my famous six-inch strides.]

[The fella (yellow hat) comes in strong as a 4:15 pacer!]

[Fella poses after the race at the start line. What a rebel!

And don't worry, kids. That's not beer he's drinking. It's apple juice.]

[Is it a polar bear? Is it Jenn? Hard to tell...]

What I'm Wearing (First Two Photos)

Denim Leggings (Express)

Striped Boatneck Shirt (J.Crew)

Green Anorak (J.Crew)

Floral Print Fringe Scarf (Madewell)

Black Xhiliration Flats (Target)

What I'm Wearing (Last Photo)

Wooden Polar Bear Cutout (Henry Vilas Zoo)

For pete's sake, enter to win a Banana Republic tassel necklace by 11:59 p.m. CST tonight! I'll announce the winner on Monday. Until then, have a great weekend, chickadees!

These Are My (Fashion) Confessions

Usher started it, and I'll keep it going. We have all confessions, people! Here are my confessions ... fashion-related, that is.

[Confession: I take my own photos. I know, it's shocking news.]

1) Save for a jacket I bought for my fella (from columbia.com), I have never made an online purchase to buy clothes.

2) I once bought a Liz Lange shirt at Target before I realized it was maternity clothing.

3) Even after I realized the Liz Lange brand was a maternity line (see #2), I still went back to Target to buy the same shirt in a different color.

4) The striped boatneck shirt I included in my 30 for 30 challenge – and still wear at least a few times a month – has a HUGE hole in the armpit area ... on both sleeves.

5) I always wear my denim leggings to race expos. When surrounded by 95-lb professional marathoners, I'll do whatever it takes to appear as thin as possible. It's like I'm a magician!

6) I can't say "jeggings." It's just too weird a word. That's why I always refer to them as denim leggings (see #5).

7) I work at a J.Crew store in Austin. It's a simple part-time job, but now you may better understand how and why I wear their clothes so often.

8) I have never spent more than $75 on shoes. Shoes have very rarely sent my heart a-flutter the way a dress or skirt does. Plus, my feet and I have a love-hate relationship, where I hate them and they hate me, but we both love socks.

Writing all these out has given me a few ideas on blog posts to come later! In the meantime, what are your confessions?

Don't forget to enter the Banana Republic tassel necklace giveaway! There's still time!

Weekend Style for $29

As much as I wanted to recap my weekend in Madison, WI, before I posted about anything else, the photos are being held hostage on the fella's camera – which he's still using for his blog (check it out here!) – so that summary will come later this week.

What I will say is that Madison was great, despite the weather being nearly as hot as Austin's. On days like that, I reach for easy, breezy (literally, ha!), thin cotton dresses and rompers. When I put this ensemble together, I once again realized the total outfit was worth less than $30. I hit the jackpot (figuratively, ha!). I'm here all night, folks!

[After the race, it was difficult to walk in anything but flats.]

What I'm Wearing

Black Floral Jumper (Forever XXI) – $7.80

Purple Patent Leather Skinny Belt (J.Crew) – $10
Mossimo Purple Suede Loafers (Target) – $9
Tortoise Shell Glasses (Forever XXI) – $2
Total – $28.80

In other news, don't forget to enter to win a tassel necklace from Banana Republic by Friday night!

My First Giveaway

Hey chickadees, as I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I scouted out an amazing accessory for my first giveaway, and the day has finally arrived!

I've been a huge fan of tassel necklaces for quite some time, because I feel like it's the perfect mix of masculine and feminine styles. And I was THIS close to making my own version when I spotted a beautiful purple and silver one at Banana Republic last weekend. I was so jazzed about finding one at such an unbeatable price, I bought one for a lucky reader! 

[The first outfit I put together incorporated the skirt

I challenged myself to wear 10 times this summer.]

[I'm usually a fan of gold jewelry,

but I couldn't resist the purple and silver combination.]

To enter to win my necklace, simply leave a comment and become a follower of Daisies and Chains (if you're not already)! The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on June 3, and I'll announce the winner on Monday, June 6.

What I'm Wearing
Chambray Oxford Shirt (J.Crew)
Silky Pleated Skirt (Luxe Apothetique)
Mossimo Purple Suede Loafers (Target)
Purple Patent Leather Skinny Belt (J.Crew)
Purple and Silver Tassel Necklace (Banana Republic)

In the meantime, I'm heading to Madison, WI, to run a half marathon. The fella is running the full marathon, and then we'll be spending the long weekend bumming around town. Anyone have any recommendations on stuff to do? We like eating breakfast for dinner.

The Big D

It's been awhile since I've been to Dallas, and it's been even longer since I last posted about it (here)! One of my favorite gal pals resides in The Big D, so I took a little road trip up this weekend to play.

[Afsan's iPhone takes better photos than my actual camera.]

[I'm rocking some J.Crew attire, and Afsan is sporting a Zara top.]

Highlights of the Weekend

• Drinking margaritas before five? Yes, please.
• Picking up a fabulous accessory during an afternoon shopping trip to Banana Republic. I was so in love with it, I bought one to give to a lucky reader, so stay tuned for my first giveaway on Friday!
• Seeing Something Borrowed. John Krasinski ... swoon! Ginnifer Goodwin ... bigger swoon! (Hey, Big Pun said it best: I'm not a player, I just crush a lot.)
• Watching a Gilmore Girls marathon. And by "marathon," I mean "two episodes." And by "two episodes," I mean I fell asleep ten minutes into the second one.
• Getting TO and FROM Dallas on one just one tank of gas, which equals more money for my shopping budget. Thank you, Honda.

What I'm Wearing
Grey 3/4-Length-Sleeve Tee (J.Crew)
White Lace Dobby Skirt (J.Crew)
Minnetonka for J.Crew Moccasins (J.Crew)
Green Leather Belt (J.Crew)
Floral Print Fringe Scarf (Madewell)
Gold and Silver Stackable Rings (Stella & Dot)