C. Wonder on Sale

I haven't bought clothes in a really long time (ok, I spent $2.00 on a shirt at the Banana outlet on Saturday, but I'm pretending that doesn't count). I didn't shop a lot during the school year since I (1) didn't have a job half the year, and (2) didn't have a car to get to a mall.

I'm itching to do some shopping, and what better way to start than with the C. Wonder summer sale! 

There's so many adorable pieces, and the prices are incredible. There are decor items, jewelry, clothing and bags. Act fast, though, because sizes are selling out quickly.

The sale is happening both online and in stores, so if you have a C. Wonder store nearby (if you do, I envy you) hurry over!

I'm having a hard time narrowing down what I want, but here are a few of my favorites:

Anchor Belt

I just seem to have a thing for anchors, and I don't even live near the water (Well, does the Missouri River count?) This belt would be the perfect addition to shorts, skirts, and slacks.

Navy Lace Dress

I'm a sucker for anything navy, so naturally this navy dress caught my eye. Perfect for a bridal or baby shower, or a dressier outdoor event. Add wedges and you're golden.

Green Suede Driving Mocs

These shoes are so much fun! Pair with jeans, a shirt dress, or chino shorts and a button down.

Camel Trinket Tray

I'm getting ready to move into my first apartment in the fall, so I've been on the lookout for cute decor items. This tray would function great as a catchall for keys near the back door, or look equally as great displayed in the kitchen.

Monogrammed Coasters

You can't go wrong with anything monogrammed. These coasters would make the perfect hostess gifts for the summer gatherings you attend.

Monogrammed Earrings

Simple yet fun, these neutral earrings will add personality to any outfit.

Monogrammed Bracelet

More monogram fun! This gold bracelet is sure to become a staple in your everyday jewelry wardrobe.

Striped Canvas Bag

I love the summery stripes on this cheery canvas bag. It's a great option for the beach, or everyday use if you don't carry your whole life with you. (#guilty)

Green and Navy Blouse

I got this blouse in pink for my birthday, and it has quickly become one of my new favorites. It's perfect with jeans and loafers for a casual Saturday, with navy slacks for work, or paired with your favorite navy chino shorts. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on this one. You know what they say about buying it in every color.....

What do you have your eye on? Happy shopping!

Stay Stylish, Stay Classy, Be Creative

Emily

Monday Motivation

Hello, readers! Another week has begun, which means it's time for another round of Monday Motivation!

1.  She Wore What to the Prom?

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A teen in British Columbia wore a dress made of burlap to her high school prom, and raised $10,000 for a charity to help orphans. 

2. New Arrivals at J.Crew Factory

It's always the best getting e-mails from J.Crew Factory, but it's even better when those e-mails announce new arrivals and 30% off those new arrivals. Hurry over now to stock up on some adorable pieces. I can't get over this striped dress with leather pockets!

3. The Best Commercial EVER

Hopefully you've had the pleasure of watching this hilarious commercial about periods that I'm sure every woman can relate to. If you haven't, it's a must watch and it's sure to give you some laughs. And the product, Hello Flo? Brilliant! Can someone sign me up, because I want chocolate delivered to my house during that time of the month.

Have a great Monday and wonderful rest of the week!

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

Blast Summer Boredom

I have always loved the start of summer. Knowing that you have two months ahead of you free of books, homework, and studying (well, unless you take summer classes) is such a great feeling. It's nice to be able to sleep in and take things easy. However, if you're like me, you may find yourself getting bored after the initial "rush" of summer has worn off. Hopefully you have a summer job to keep you busy, but it's likely you still have a little (or a lot) of free time on your hands. Personally, I struggle with what to do on the weekends and evenings. I work all day, but then come home and make dinner and then struggle to find ways to occupy the rest of my time. Only a few of my friends stayed in Columbia this summer, so sometimes it's hard to find things to do. Whether you're spending your summer in a deserted college town, or simply looking for things to do on your days off from your summer job, look no further. I've compiled a few fun (and relatively cheap) ideas to blast boredom this summer. Pause your Netflix for a bit and try out one of these ideas:

NUMBER ONE \ BIKE RIDE

Chances are you probably have a bike in your garage, even if it is covered with a few months worth of dust. Pump the tires full of air, and then get a friend or two together for a ride. Most towns have trails that are specifically designated for biking, so you don't have to worry about competing with traffic. Biking is great exercise, and if you go with a friend it's also a great way to socialize as well. Last weekend, a friend and I rode our bikes along the MKT trail here in Columbia, and riding alongside each other was a great way to chat and catch up while getting some exercise in. If you're feeling extra ambitious, packing a picnic lunch is always fun!

NUMBER TWO \ LIBRARY

I love to read, but during the school year it's next to impossible. Actually, I should rephrase that. It's next to impossible to read for pleasure. After reading a 40 page chapter in a geology book, the last thing I wanted to do was read some more. Summer is a great time to devour all those novels that everyone has been talking about. If you don't already have a library card at your local library, get one!   Pick out a few good books and park yourself by the pool, on your screened porch (my personal favorite), or in your bed in the comfort of the air conditioning! (Watch for a post with book recommendations soon!)

NUMBER THREE \ RECIPE

How many recipes on your "food" pin board have you actually tried your hand at? For me, it's close to one or two. Look through your pins and find a yummy recipe that you've wanted to try but just haven't had time for. Whip up a batch of blondies for your friends, or impress your family by making dinner (practice now, you'll have to do it on your own soon enough. Trust me, it's a struggle.) 

NUMBER FOUR \ GO THRIFT SHOPPING

So, you put half of your paycheck from your summer job in savings, and the other half is just waiting to be spent. Make your spending money last by thrifting. It's definitely more about the hunt, and you can't exactly go in having something specific in mind, but finding something perfectly unexpected will be rewarding. Find some thrift shops or flea markets in your town, and get a friend or two to accompany you on your treasure hunt. Thrifting is a great way to find pieces for your home or wardrobe, and no one else will have the same thing. You never know what you may find! Some people get rid of some really nice brands. I got this Lilly Pulitzer dress for $25 at a thrift store!

NUMBER FIVE \ LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Since you aren't occupied with mountains of homework, and aren't struggling through that required math class that you absolutely hate, take time to learn something that you've always been interested. Take an art class, pick up a book on knitting, or try your hand at HTML coding at Codeacademy. There's no pressure to get a good grade, so even if you try something out and end up not liking it, it's not the end of the world.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer so far, and I hope you can blast your boredom with some of these ideas. Is there anything you would add to the list?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

Transition Outfits

As you may know, I'm interning this summer in Creative Services at State Farm Insurance. Having a "real" 9-5 job has definitely been an adjustment, but so far the internship has been an amazing experience. I'm learning a lot, connecting with so many knowledgeable people, and getting valuable real world experience. 

Working in a corporate environment meant a few additions to my wardrobe. (I used the internship as an excuse to buy several new pieces!) I try to wear comfortable, easy pieces that still have personality. One challenge that I have been met with is what to wear when I get off work, if I have errands to run or get-togethers with friends. I don't necessarily want to wear what I wore to work, but I don't want to have to throw on an entirely different outfit, either.

I've put together a few outfits that are perfect for the workplace, but transition easily for after-work events and commitments. 

A polo and cropped black slacks (I swear by this pair from Target) make for a comfortable yet professional outfit, especially if your office environment is more relaxed. Add a roomy tote bag, like this Longchamp, to stow work documents or a laptop, as well as a change of clothes for a casual dinner with friends in the evening. Bright shorts make the polo a little less formal, and nautical flip flops are comfy after wearing flats all day. 

A crisp button down is a staple of any working woman's wardrobe. Luckily, it's a very versatile piece and can be dressed up or down. At the office, pair it with a bright flowy skirt, and metallic loafers are comfy but dressy. After work, swap out the skirt for a pair of cute patterned shorts and slip on some tasseled sandals, and you're ready for a casual date night. Pearls and a classic brown leather satchel complete each ensemble. 

Have a formal event or fancy date night right after work and won't have time to change? No problem!  Throw on a comfy but chic knit dress, and make it office appropriate with a classic black blazer. Black and metallic sandals are fine for the office, and transition nicely to a nighttime shoe. Throw a pair of statement earrings in a fun clutch, and tuck it into your tote. Take off the blazer after work, and put on your earrings, and you are all ready for evening! 

Do you sometimes have trouble transitioning outfits from day to night? Any suggestions?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

Monday Motivation

I hope all of you had a fantastic weekend! I spent mine outside: hiking, biking, and catching up on some reading by the pool. It's back to work today, but I already have plans for next weekend to look forward to.

Cure the Monday blues with these links I've found. They inspired me, and I hope they do the same for you. 

Have a great week, S.C.C. readers!

1. Tavi Grows Up

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Tavi Gevinson, the style blogger behind Style Rookie, just turned 18 this month. Tavi is one of the first bloggers I followed, and I was always amazed at how sophisticated she was at such a young age. Ms. Gevinson has quite the resume, and she is only adding to that. She is taking a gap year before college to go to New York and perform on Broadway. The New York Times put together a feature about the style blogger turned actress, chronicling how she has changed and matured over the years. A good read, especially if you've been following Tavi since the beginning.

2. Land's End is Crushing It

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I remember looking through Land's End catalogs with my mom when I was in elementary school. I would always circle what I liked, and occasionally my mom would let me pick out an item or two. Well, Land's End is back at it, and better than ever. Refinery 29 reports that the brand's stock is on the rise. The company has been rolling out some really cute designs at some really great prices. Have you seen there swimwear? Adorable! Take some time in the near future to fill that virtual shopping bag at landsend.com. 

3.  This Ad and STEM Careers

I'm not a big TV watcher, as I didn't have a TV in my dorm room, so I don't always see the latest and greatest commercials. I do love a good commercial though, and I appreciate commercials even more now that I am interning in the advertising industry. This Verizon commercial is very well done and thought provoking, and will definitely make you think twice about how you treat girls. 

4. Little Swimmers

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When it came to learning to swim, I was very stubborn. I would throw a tantrum at the side of the pool every time my mother tried to get me to participate in swim practice. At swimming lessons, I was always two levels behind my sisters. Perhaps I would have fared better in the aquatic realm if my mother had enrolled me in a Harvey Bennett swim class. This method involves dropping infants into swimming pools (under careful supervision of course) so they learn to breathe underwater, kick their feet, and flip over, so they would have better chance of survival should they fall into a pool. The New York Times did a story about the method, and it featured the most adorable photos of babies learning to swim. I can't say I would enroll my own child in one of these classes, but I sure did enjoy looking at the pictures.

5. Letters from Dad

Time Magazine and Sheryl Sandberg's Lean in collaborated for Father's Day to compile letters that noteworthy fathers wrote to their daughters. The fathers and daughters were a variety of ages, and it was interesting to read the stories and advice each dad shared. I couldn't be with my dad this Father's Day, but reading these letters helped me reflect on some of the life lessons my dad has taught me, and the many memories we have shared.

What's inspiring and motivating you on this Monday morning? Please share!

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily

Snaps from STL

After work on Friday, I hopped in my car and made the two hour trip from Columbia to St. Louis to visit my sister, Hannah, who is spending her summer working as an admissions ambassador at Saint Louis University.

After a week interning (which I absolutely love!) it was a nice getaway. St. Louis really is a great city and it is so nice that it is close to Columbia. My sister lives in an apartment right off of SLU's campus, so she is super close to everything the city has to offer.

When I got in on Friday, we made dinner at her apartment, and then drove to get Ted Drewe's for dessert. If you're not familiar with STL, Ted Drewe's is a huge deal. It's a frozen custard place, and it's very old school. It sits along old Route 66 and has been a fixture for decades. It's an unmistakable place, with a neon sign, and a facade that looks like it is dripping with icicles.

After finding a parking spot (which was not easy, considering TD's was swarming with locals) we took our place in line. Despite the mass amount of people, the service was surprisingly quick. I ordered a micro strawberry and it was delicious. It tasted like summer!

We couldn't stop at just one dessert. Friday was National Donut Day, so we figured it was only appropriate that we indulge. We stopped at the Donut Drive-in, just down the street from Ted Drewe's. It was another very old school establishment, and although the shop is very small, the donuts were great. Hannah and I shared a glazed blueberry donut, but everything else looked great at well!

After enjoying our donuts, we drove back to Midtown and SLU's campus. My friend Amanda (who is also staying in Columbia this summer) happened to be in town visiting our friend Abby who lives in West County. (an STL suburb) They ended up coming over to my sister's apartment for an hour or so. It was so great to catch up! 

On Saturday, Hannah and I slept in, and then we started the day with a walk in Forest Park. I didn't know this, but Forest Park is the biggest residential park in the nation, and it is actually bigger than Central Park! It's a beautiful place, with running paths and bike paths, a golf course, playground equipment, and is home to several museums and the St. Louis Zoo. The houses that line the park are absolutely gorgeous. Hannah and I parked at Washington University and took a stroll for about an hour. The park was buzzing with cyclists, runners, and parents and children.

Beautiful home on Lindell, right across from the park

After our walk, we drove to Soulard, a neighborhood in the Southeast part of the city. It's best known for hosting the annual Mardi Gras parade. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the whimsical Soulard Coffee Garden on Geyer Avenue. I ordered Huevos Rancheros, which was stellar.

Huevos Rancheros at Soulard Coffee Garden

After breakfast, we walked a few blocks North to the Soulard Market. The Soulard Market is the oldest farmer's market west of the Mississippi. It's definitely a scene, with many stalls packed close together, vendors yelling their prices, and tons of people perusing the produce. The prices are great, and the produce looked very fresh. The market has a lot of character, and is also a great place for people watching. I suggest going on a Saturday morning to get the full experience. It might be crowded, but definitely worth it!

Produce at Soulard Market

Posing with one of the 250th Birthday cakes in Soulard (Also reaping Miz in STL)

We really lucked out, because the moment we got in our car to drive back to my sister's apartment, a monsoon overcame STL. We are talking pouring rain and insane wind. We hurried back and holed up in the apartment for most of the afternoon. I took a nap, while Hannah caught up on Scandal on Netflix. A very lazy Saturday afternoon it was!

By 4:00, the rain had mostly subsided, and even if it hadn't, it wasn't going to stop us from going to catch a matinee of The Fault in Our Stars. Hannah and I had both read the book, so I'm so glad we got to see the movie together. We bought tickets ahead of time to ensure our seats, and took in the show at the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas in the Central West End. 

Perfection

There were definitely a lot of tears in the theater. I thought the movie was very well done, and I think Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort were perfect to portray Hazel and Gus. (Did I mention that Ansel Elgort is really attractive?!)

After the movie got out (and Hannah had fixed her running mascara) we walked around the corner to Maryland Avenue, where many of the restaurants and shops are located. The CWE is actually the cutest neighborhood. The houses are so charming, and there are so many amazing shops and restaurants. We decided to grab dinner at Bar Louie. It was great!

After dinner, we walked a street over to enjoy dessert at The Cup. I can't make a trip to St. Louis without a visit to The Cup. It is the cutest little cupcake shop. Their cupcakes are moist and delicious, and the buttercream frosting is to die for. I ordered my usual Gold Rush: yellow cake with chocolate buttercream. 

After our cupcake treat, I headed back to Columbia. It was a quick trip to St. Louis, but it was a nice little getaway and it was great to see my sister. I feel like a lot of people underestimate STL in comparison to other large cities, but it really does have a lot to offer!

Have you taken any weekend getaways this summer? What are your favorite places in STL?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily