Fiesta Outfit

{Cardigan: Vera Wang, Button-Up: Old Navy, Jeans: Old Navy, Heels: Nine West}

I broke out my red jeans again to celebrate my best pal Justine's 25th birthday.  She was having a fiesta party, so I thought they were highly appropriate.  Also, Rianna and I wore similar outfits completely by accident - I think we both have similar philosophies on leopard - that you can wear it with anything!

Trend Watch :: Polka Dots

{Pinterest}

{Shopbop}

{This Time Tomorrow}

{Pinterest}

I've already declared my love of stripes several times on my blog, and I want to tell you another favorite of mine - polka dots.  Lately I've been seeing them pop up all over the place, and I've gathered some of my favorite interpretations of the look.

Fill in the Blank Friday

{The Little Things We Do}

It's been awhile since I've participated in Fill in the Blanks so I thought I'd play along today.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

1.   My favorite place i've ever traveled to is  Germany.  It was my first vacation away from my family, and my longest vacation I've ever taken.  Also the country is absolutely beautiful and I recommend anyone to go there if they can!

2.    Greece is somewhere I'd love to go someday.

3.  I pass the time on a plane (or bus, or car ride or train) by reading magazines, listening to my iPod, or chatting with anyone I'm traveling with.

4.  My three must-haves when I travel are an iPod, magazines and an eye mask (if it's a long flight).

5.  My favorite travel companion is my boyfriend.

6.  The craziest thing that ever happened to me while traveling was when I was flying home from Spain where I was visiting my friend Justine.  She put her purse (which had ID, cash, etc. in it) in a piece of luggage that I was bringing back to the U.S. for her, and we forgot the purse was in there.  I heard my name over the loud speaker and then something in Spanish.  I had no idea what was happening, and couldn't speak Spanish to ask anyone.  She ended up convincing someone at the airport to open the luggage and retrieve her purse!  So weird!

7.  The most exotic food I've ever tried while traveling is weisswurst in Germany.

8.  If I could live anywhere else, I'd live in I'm not sure, I'm not a fan of sales tax so that would probably narrow down my options.

9.  I have been to not really sure how many, maybe 10?  

states in the U.S.

Recent Purchases

It's no secret among my friends and family that I hoard any gift cards that I receive, but it pays to wait for a good deal.  Today I decided to put a gift card that I've had for over two years and some DSW rewards points to good use.  I snagged these awesome leopard flats and these gorgeous cognac Ralph Lauren heels on super clearance.  Also, a couple weeks ago I bought these Nine West leopard heels with another gift card that I had.  Can you tell that leopard and cognac are two of my favorite things?

Outfit Crush

{Kenzie Faith}

I recently stumbled upon the Kenzie Faith blog, and immediately pinned this casual, belted vest look.  I have had a similar vest for several years, and have never found a way to wear it without looking like the Michelin Man.  Other people look so cute in their puffy vests, and hopefully belting my red vest will make me feel less "puffy."

Shop Ban.Do

{Crystal Bowtie Shoe Clips}

{Pop Flower}

{Metallic Lace Headwrap}

{Sequin Scarf}

{All Images from Ban.Do}

It's been awhile since I was first introduced to the adorable accessory shop called Ban.Do.  Have you heard of them? All of the pieces are so eye catching, but a lot of them can be worn for many occasions.  Although I haven't gotten my hands on any of them yet, these are a few of my favorites.

Trend Watch: Color Blocking

colorblock by quartknee42 featuring flap handbags

The weather that we have had this past week has made me long for the warmer days of spring and summer.  I couldn't help day dreaming of a time when I can start wearing my high heels and flats again.  Also, I'm excited to wear bright color blocking, in addition to tangerine.  I haven't stopped color blocking this fall/winter but it will be nice to add in some brighter items!

Outfit Crush

{Kendi Everyday}

Kendi's outfit is perfect for a winter date night.  With a few different variations, I'm sure that any of us can replicate it using items we already have in our closet.  Also, maybe wearing some fleece lined tights would help make it more winter appropriate.

Get Fit

Nike purple by quartknee42 featuring black shoes

Nike Blue by quartknee42 featuring nike activewear

Congrats, we've made it to week three of 2012!  Did you make a resolution to work out more this year? I wanted to share some of my favorite workout clothes and some that I just think are cute with you all.  My favorite clothing brands are Nike and Champion from Target.  Also, since I'm not much of a gym person, my favorite workouts are Zumba for the Wii, resistance bands, and walks with intermittent bursts of running.

Tomato Legs

{Button-Up: Gap, Sweater: Gap, Jeans: Old Navy, Boots: Guess}

I mentioned in my first outfit crush of the year how excited I was to finally buy some red skinny jeans.  Since buying my jeans I have to tell myself not to wear them everyday because they are more versatile that you would think.  I wore them on my birthday, another time before this, and then today with khaki striped shirts.  (If you look closely you can see that my button-up shirt has vertical khaki stripes, and then the sweater over it has horizontal stripes.)

Outfit Crush

{The Daybook}

Sydney's outfit is combining three of my favorite things right now: black skinny jeans, boots, and an oatmeal colored sweater.  These are three items in my closet that I've been living in since colder temperatures appeared a couple weeks ago.  They are all so versatile too, and with the addition of a little lipstick can make your outfit look put together without trying too hard!

Everybody Everywear :: Black & White

{Cardigan: Forever 21, Shirt: Kenneth Cole, Jeans: Old Navy, Boots: Macy's, Watch: Fossil}

Although today's EBEW was black and white, which some may associate with a waiter's outfit.  I prefer to think of black and white as a classic starting point for an outfit that you can make your own.  If you take a look at the EBEW website you'll see many different variations of this two color combination.  I chose to mix patterns and otherwise keep the rest of my outfit simple.  I'm wearing my Old Navy skinny jeans that I can't seem to stop wearing these days, they're just so comfortable!

Two-Five

 {Jenna & I at Grand Lodge}

 {Rianna & I}

 {My pals and their boys}

{My BFF Justine}

Last Tuesday was my, gulp, 25th birthday.  It's no secret to those close to me that my 25th birthday was my "scary birthday" meaning I was having a bit of a quarter century life crisis.  I'm not sure what is making me anxious about it, but I am so happy that my birthday-day was one of the best, and I'm hopeful that it will continue for the rest of the year!

To start the day, it was absolutely warm, sunny, and gorgeous which is rare in Oregon, then I drove to Eugene to hang out with my pal and her baby, and my mom took me to lunch.  To top it off, my boyfriend took me out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Portland, which I also went to again last Saturday.  It was just the party I needed to start the second quarter of my life out on the right foot!

Color of the year: Tangerine

tangerine by quartknee42 featuring michael kors flats

According to Pantone, the color authority, Tangerine Tango is the 2012 color of the year.  It has taken me a long time to embrace colors in the orange family, probably because I thought it clashed with my hair color.  However, I now have a new appreciation for it, and done right, it can make your skin tone look amazing! These are some of my favorite tangerine items.

NYE 2012

{Honey Badger Drink}

{My love & I}

{Justine & I}

{Apples to Apples}

I hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve!  My pal Justine and I co-hosted a game night/cocktail party/New Year's Eve celebration at her place which was complete with Apples to Apples, Cranium, Honey Badgers cocktails, champagne, and other fun things!  It was just the kick-off to 2012 that I needed, and I'm so glad that I was surrounded by such wonderful people and can't wait to see what 2012 has in store!