OOTD's of Summer

Quick update before I start my first OOTD post. I am officially moved in and pretty settled. I've spent the past couple of days catching up with friends, struggling with a drying rack and relaxing alone. 

Here is my first outfit of the day post! I bought these two from L. Mae Boutique  and I love them! The dress I wore almost every week for work a couple different ways. The shirt has two of my favorite things purple & chevron!

Here are two of my OOTD's. Of course pearls are included in every outfit. 

Jean Jacket// Necklace// Sandals// Dress// Watch//

Shirt// Jeans// Sandals// Bracelet (Made by a friend)// Necklace (Old)

How did you like my first OOTD? a good idea or no? Be honest!

xoxo

aVe

First Day of School Oufit Inspiration

Sorry I've been MIA, I finished my internship, and I have attempted to start packing. Emphasis on the attempted. I have two fun surprises this week, so check back tomorrow and Thursday for sure!

Here are some first day of school outfit inspirations. I have some Pinterest inspiration and an outfit of my own. Even though my board is filled with fall inspired outfits, I know it is going to hot this next week for those who are starting this week!

(all of these pictures are via my Pinterest account)

 A cute pair of shorts and a chambray shirt with an adorable necklace is a perfect way to start off the school year. You don't want to be that annoying person who over dresses, but you want the professors to know you take their class seriously. The outfit below is perfect way to stay cool outside, and warm inside. Plus its just the perfect amount of summer!

Here is my first day of school outfit!

Shirt//

Shorts//

shoes (On Sale!)//

Necklace//

Don't forget your Pearls!//

xoxo

aVe

Good Luck!

My Tote: Be Prepared!

Back to school! I know some schools down South have already started, but here in the Midwest we don't normally start school until the week before or after labor day. (normally)

I am ready to go back to school, mainly because my internship is over on Friday and most of my friends have left. 

10 days until move in! 

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Here are some of my essentials when it comes to my tote

1// My tote is Longchamp in camel and I am in love with it. I have been using it since I returned from Germany (A very funny purchase story btw). It fits my Toshiba laptop, binders for class, agenda, iPad and food for the day!

2// An agenda. I use the Lilly Pulitzer Agenda , but last year I used the Vera Bradley Student Agenda, which was great too! My agenda is my life, and I have no idea what I would do without it!

3// Food. No joke, I need fuel during the day, so I tend to eat snacks through out the day instead of one big lunch. I usually have a salad with me too. (I am determined to eat healthy again this semester, this summer I've fallen off the wagon)

4// A "what if" bag. I have bobby pins, hair ties, gum, feminine  products, change, & headphones in here. I hope to get a Lilly iPhone charger so that I can charge my phone on the go!

5// iPad. It's basically a mini laptop, and I use it for various activities. Reading blogs, & checking on my own is easier to do on my iPad rather than my iPhone. I also have textbooks on my Kindle app, not all of them but enough for it to be useful!

6// A notebook: A little notebook is perfect for all of my thoughts, rather it be a todo list, blogging notes, or even something to ask MB next time we talk. (I have a lot of random ideas, and to remember to tell him all of them can be a challenge, but he's always a good sport) I was about to order one from May Designs that you can personalize, but I found one with a Jane Austen quote on it in a local boutique, so I had to go with that one! (PS Check out their journals, they have diet journals, address books, & budget journals!)

7// Pencil Bag, binders, & laptop. These are all basic school essentials, but I try to make them fun. I made Lilly print binder covers,( post later), and have a super cute pencil bag. My laptop is kind of boring, but I might be getting a monogrammed sticker or something for it. 

What do you carry with you at all times? Did I miss anything?

xoxo

aVe 

Fall Wishlist

I just said it, fall wish list! It is too chilly here in WI for me to event think about summer clothes, and fall is my favorite season!

1//I seriously need Hunter Boots. Between the rain and snow in Green Bay there would be perfect. I just have to convince myself to buy them!

2// New riding boots. Mine are worn, and I want these Steve Madden ones.

3// Sweaters, Sweaters & More Sweaters. (And some cardigans) I have a feeling I am going to have a staple look this fall, and it's going to involve sweaters and my chambray shirt. I'm hoping Gap has some cute sweaters for me to layer this season (ps HUGE sale going on right now, check it out!)
4//Anything Lilly Pulitzer Tusk in Sun is perfection. If only it was in purple, it would be my print for life!
5// I got this shoe in brown & black. I had the brown pair for a year & a half until they had holes in them. They are the perfect flat from Steve Madden

What is on your fall wish list? 

xoxo
aVe
PS. You can tell that I love shoes. 

Why You Should Read Lean In: Powerful Woman Series

I am an avid reader, but I don't post about it because I'm really into historical fiction, and most aren't! However I heard about Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg from Levo League, and I am encouraging all of your to read it, regardless of gender, age and position in life. In order to raise a generation of equals, everyone needs to take part. 

Sheryl Sandberg did this Ted Talk which put her on the stage for feminism. Here are reasons why I am glad I read Lean In, and why you should too. 

1. She encourages the idea that females and males are inherently different, but she explains why females in business is a good thing. Females can have a positive impact. 

2. She gets rid of the stereotype of feminism. It's no longer the bra burning movement it once was. Her definition makes me want to be a feminist. 

3. She wants everyone to work together. Not just woman helping woman. She wants men to realize the double standards, and she points out men who realize that and who have helped. 

4. She encourages women to support men in a new role, and to find men who are going to be equal partners. When you have an equal partner, both of you can have successful careers and personal lives. 

5. Women need to take more risks. In the book, Sandberg conveys a statistic that is a little sad. Men will apply for a promotion when they meet 60% of the criteria, while women will when they think they meek 100%. "Owning one's success is key to achieving more success" 

6. She redefines leadership for everybody. "Leadership is about making other better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence".  Honestly, this will be my new mantra this year as I step into new leadership roles. 

7. "I want to do that -- and I'll learn by doing it" She encourages everyone to embrace the ever-changing business culture and learn along the way. 

8. She gives real world business advice to everyone. "An all-business approach is not always good business". She encourages people to look at people as actual humans when they do business. It's bound to make the world a better place. 

9. She encourages everybody to help women. Their parents, grandparents, partners, girlfriends, guy friends, basically everyone needs to pitch in. Her dream, and my goal is that my daughter will have equal opportunities without workplace bias. 

Go get this book on Amazon. Read it. Loan it to your friends. Have them loan it to their friends. Spread the word about this new revolution in the workplace. 

Have you read Lean In? What do you think of it? After reading this will you read Lean In? 

xoxo

aEv

ps. I will be posting about other books I read, either by women or men to make us more powerful women!

Closet Series: Summer finds and wishlist

So I went on a small shopping spree two weeks ago, and I still haven't told you what I've bought for my internship!

I would give pictures, but there's a lot of clothes! I'll list and make sure I will add sites I got things on. 

Have: I got a lot of really cute things from Gap and Old Navy . The khakis I have in khaki, olive and navy. I wear them multiple times and various ways. At the end of the post I have some examples of what I've paired them with. The maxi dress is perfect for my office which is chilly.  The blue and white shorts are super cute, and my go to for summer nights. I also picked up some super cute shirts from the clearance at Loft and Gap. 

Want: This Marley Lilly Bracelet is perfect for summer. I am not really into arm candy, but since wearing a watch for work, I've got used to it!. This purple dress from Hope's is beyond perfect, and would look great with my pearls:) These Sperry's have been on my radar for awhile. I am going to buy them eventually! 

What have you added to your closet?
What's your favorite place to shop sales?

xoxo

AV