Stylish White Female...

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[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... ta daaaa!

Some things change and some things stay the same. I missed blogging and its community. So, I’ve started a new project. If you liked what happened with SWF, I’m hoping you may enjoy this venture as well.

Jump over to lovenothingmore.com and take a look! Here’s a clip from the most recent post. Take care!

[stylishwhitefemale]

This blog has been a real blessing. For the last four years, I've documented a bit of my life and my love for style, Pittsburgh, my family and friends, and things I find interesting. This blog has afforded me the opportunity to do things I never would have done otherwise. But most importantly, I've met some of the most incredible people. It's been a real trip and I am so thankful for the chance to connect with all of you in such an intimate way.

You haven't seen me here for a bit. That's due in large part to a few big changes in my life. The biggest is a professional move to a new company. I've been focused on making that transition a smooth one for my former employer, my new employer, and myself. I'm moving into an industry that is highly regulated. And so the time has come to bid this project farewell. It's the right time and while I will miss so much about this experience, I'm looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for me.

Thank you for supporting me. I do not have the words to express how humbling it has been.

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... the Perfect PGH Bye Week.

Sundays in Pittsburgh by autumn are dominated by watching and cheering on our Steelers. This usually equates to a day full of fun, but special circumstances such as bye weeks {and truly horrendous seasons} call for other activities to keep us all from going mad. Here is my perfect Sunday bye week + some links to other PGH bloggers who have an opinion on the subject.

Since moving to the suburbs nearly a year ago, I have learned to embrace what is happening outside of the city almost as much as I love Pittsburgh proper. Stella loves to go for walks and play outside, and we have ample space to accommodate her. But what she really loves, is to go to the park.

Our weekend days are broken up into B.L. and A.N. {Before Lunch and After Nap}. My perfect Sunday looks a little like this.

It's treat time. So I'll whip up some easy vegan pancakes and tea {Stella is a freak for tea} while we watch Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. <3

A trip to South Park. It's not far (a few quick miles from home) and it has the most incredible park for a wide range of kids. On a couple of occasions, we've gone to South Park so that Stella could play on the playground and then we strapped her into her stroller and took her on a 2 mile run. If she's in a good mood afterward, we get a few more minutes on the playground and then head back home. On our most recent trip, we got to see a couple of park police patrolling on their horses. 

HORSES!

Get back to the homestead for lunch {B.L. has officially ended}.

Nap time gives me a chance to write a grocery list. When Stella gets up, she comes with me to Trader Joe's, where she draws on said grocery list, holds bags of pretzels, and bats her eyes for stickers from the cashiers. Once we get home and unpack, it's time for a neighborhood walk.

As much as my heart is in the city, there's nothing quite like a quiet neighborhood with beautiful, mature trees for a family walk. Mt. Lebanon is one of the best Pittsburgh has to offer out in the 'burbs. We're lucky in that Stella's eventual elementary school is just around the corner {and up an impossible hill} from our house. So most of our neighborhood walks lead to the park behind her school. You can find me there, usually A.N., on any given Saturday or Sunday.

Back home, we prepare for dinner. CJ is usually grilling some ridiculous amount of meat to make up for my vegan fare.

Details details... get to 9 pm and it's time for our Sunday night show. This is usually when I also do my manicure. If it's a mani/pedi week, I start at 8 while we watch 60 Minutes. Right now I suppose our Sunday evening show is either Homeland or Boardwalk Empire. Lots of folks have abandoned B.E. That's too bad. I think Steve Buscemi is exceptional. And for Homeland, nothing beats Claire Danes' cry face.

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... Baby.

This is Baby. He's never in the corner. For whatever reason, Stella named this Lego man "Baby." She calls him Baby consistently and without prompting. He was in heavy rotation for a while. But then he faded into the background for a while. Such are the whims of a 2 year-old.

Stella recently rediscovered Baby. This morning, she insisted he should come with us downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast, he needed to come with us to school.

Whatever you want Stella. We have 19 minutes until launch so, yeah. Bring Baby if that means you will leave your room.

I was juggling several bags {including hers} + her surprisingly enormous body {when did that happen?} when she said, "In your bag, Mommy?"

She wanted to make sure

ABSOLUTELY sure

that Baby made the journey out of the house. So... here he is. Dressed in head-to-toe Lego. I haven't quite figured out why his button down is fully unbuttoned down to his waistband. At least he has an undershirt on, am I right? I keep seeing FASHUNistas in leather ball caps but I'm not buying it. Baby is enamored with the trend, except he's vegan so... plastic hat.

Is it Friday yet?

Fall is usually painted in oranges, browns, blood reds and yellows. But I love when a purple-maroon combo pops up.

Blazer: Zara; Pants: Blank NYC; Shoes: Macy's; Tank: super duper old Express; Cardigan + collar: c/o Jupe Boutique; Sunglasses: H&M; Wrist: sweet & spark,  c/o BCBG; Bag: c/o Stella & Dot

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... BUCtober.

Trying to concentrate here. But it's BUCtober! So here are the highlights from today's outfit, which I really loved.

A new silky, cobalt blouse with the most adorable teeny hearts.

Some spark from the Jules + sweet & spark trunk show. Love the jumbo chain link bracelet.

Double leopard. It's okay to mix animal prints as long as they're from the same species, right?

It's simple but I feel like there are a couple special elements that elevate this basic ensemble just a hair.

I suppose that's all it takes, right?

Blouse: Marshall's {Juicy Couture}; Skirt: Banana Republic; Shoes: Macy's; Belt: J.Crew Factory; Sunglasses: H&M; Watch: c/o BCBG; Necklace: c/o Stella & Dot; Link bracelet: sweet & spark

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... a beautiful fall weekend.

Nothing special, and completely perfect.

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... a knock off.

Today was a knock off my colleague sort of day. Hi Barb! This is what happens when you leave me for vacation. I try to channel you through clothes.

You guys should meet Barb. I'm going to try to convince her to let me photograph her sometime. She's super cool in that "I used to work in NYC PR but it didn't get to my head" sort of way. She's a treat to work with on every level.

Reminder! I'll be at the Jules + sweet & spark party tomorrow. I hope to see you there!I mean, come on! Help me celebrate mommy's night out. ;)

Button down: J Crew Factory; Trousers: Zara; Sunglasses: H&M; Shoes: Marshall's; Necklace: c/o Stella & Dot

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... a little Sweet & Spark.

Jules + a sweet & sparkparty this Friday. I'll be there. I hope to see you too! Be the first person {edit: at the party} to say, "Hi T! Cheers to a little spark!" and you can have a sweet little gift toward some vintage jewelry. Cheers! xo

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... a serious shred.

Roughly 30 days ago, I started the Jillian Michaels Shred. I decided I had to really commit to an intense regimen if I wanted to see change. If this didn't work, well then...nip & tuck?

My trainer who kicked my ass into shape eight years ago met with me in August. She gave me some goals and a few recommendations. It was just the structure I needed. Even though I had been running and doing a few workouts each week, I needed to feel accountable to somebody until I could be accountable to myself again. Carla was always so good for that. I wanted to make progress because I knew she would be impressed.

So with a renewed vigor, I started Jillian. 30 days later, I'm finally accepting my body again. But more importantly, I've found my self-accountability and a good balance again.

I've lost 2 inches on my waist, an inch on my hips and an inch on my thighs. What a motivator. Some nights, I have to dig really deep. Some nights, I just relax. But most nights, I remember how it feels to feel good.

Thank god. Surgeons are so expensive, right?

Jacket: Madewell (purchased with gift card won from); Sweater: H&M; Trousers: Marshall's; Shoes: ASOS; Necklaces: c/o Stella & Dot; Bag: Zara; Scarf: c/o Jupe Boutique; Ring: BCBG

[stylishwhitefemale]

You keep sending, and I'll keep posting. You ladies are beautiful.

No makeup. No filters. Learn more about how the #barenaked campaign came to be. Submit your own photo!

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... something that shines.

A few Sundays ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jeffrey Smith. A mutual friend of ours insisted we should connect because she just knew we'd enjoy each other and that I'd adore his jewelry. Thankfully that mutual friend has great intuition because she was right on. Jeffrey has built a mini empire around his talents as a hair stylist. But while his talent is what lures clients in, it's his genuine kindness that makes them loyal. It's rare to meet such a talented and humble person.

A few years ago, Jeffrey became interested in designing jewelry. He decided that if it was something he really wanted to do that he should work with an instructor/mentor to really understand what he should be looking for. It didn't take long for his mentor to see his innate talent. She encouraged him to focus some real energy on his craft. So while Jeffrey maintains a successful business through his salon, he also creates some incredible jewelry. You know, "on the side."

Jeffrey put everything on display for me to play with and photograph. Take a peek after the jump!

I adore chunky pieces with some weight to them. Jeffrey caters to that aesthetic perfectly. The necklace I'm wearing today feels like a strand of icicles wrapped around my neck {without the chills}.

The workshop:

Of course I'm a sucker for a dog lover! This particular pup has energy that just won't quit! She is the yin to Jeffrey's yang.

If you're looking for a unique gift or a super special piece for your own jewelry box, you simply must pay Jeffrey a visit. I'll be sure to let you know when I get dates for his next trunk show too!

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... an invisibility corner.

Somebody was walking up the sidewalk. So I leaped onto my invisibility corner.

NAILED IT.

Blazer: Zara; Blouse: Hip'tique; Pants & sunglasses: Pavement; Boots: Nine West; Earrings: Clothing swap

[stylishwhitefemale]

More beautiful women!

No makeup. No filters. Learn more about how the #barenaked campaign came to be. Submit your own photo!

[stylishwhitefemale]

More beautiful women!

No makeup. No filters. Learn more about how the #barenaked campaign came to be. Submit your own photo!

[stylishwhitefemale]

Run to the things that make you happy.

[stylishwhitefemale]

SWF seeks... my favorite corner.

One of my favorite corners in Pittsburgh, particularly in Downtown, is the corner of First Avenue and Market Street. The architecture is tastefully ornate. It's a relatively quiet area during the day, which is perfect for when you need to stand in the street.

I wasn't so sure about this dress at first. I was wrestling with whether it was the right kind of over sized or if I needed it taken in a bit for my petite frame. Today I decided I really like it like this. I feel like it's exaggerated enough to seem purposeful, rather than a mistake. Leandra makes me want to wear everything over sized. 

Dress: c/o Jupe Boutique; Shoes: ASOS; Sunglasses: H&M; Necklace & bag: c/o Stella & Dot

[stylishwhitefemale]

No makeup. No filters. Learn more about how the #barenaked campaign came to be.