a perfect pencil skirt.

blouse (similar) // skirt // heels (similar budget friendly option)// necklace // watch

So I have been looking for the perfect pencil skirt for awhile now. I've owned more than a few that were either too short, too long, the waist was too big, or just didn't fit "right." However, at H&M last weekend, I found the one. That's right, the perfect pencil skirt is only $24.95!

Not only it it just the right length, but H&M sizes run small, so it fits where it should, right on my natural waist (I'm 5'2" and wearing a 4, which is a 0 at most other stores, btw). Fully lined, the fabric seems to be of decent quality (I find most of their office attire a pretty good quality), it also comes in grey, navy, and cream. H&M tends to run out of items quickly, so check it out while you still can!

xoxo,

casual friday uniform.

blazer: H&M // t-shirt: Target // scarf: street vendor //jeans: Forever 21
flats: Banana Republic // Watch: Michael Kors

Like many of you, my office does "casual Fridays"...which has kind of turned into "casual Thursdays" as well!  In turn, most Thursdays and Fridays you'll find me in jeans and flats. Here is a typical casual work outfit for me: a blazer layered over a simple tee (love the v-necks from Target!), jeans, ballet flats, and since the past few mornings are still a little chilly I threw on a scarf for fun!

What do you wear on casual Fridays?

xoxo,

shop my closet!

I've opened an Instagram shop this week to sell some of my lightly used clothing and thift finds. Check it out on Instagram at @shopandreaeveryday. You might even see a few items I've worn here on the blog!

Below are a few of the items I currently have listed in the shop. I'll update as regularly as I can so please click 'Follow' for updates. Be sure and check out my personal Instgram as well! To purchase an item, leave your Paypal email address as a comment and I'll send an invoice shortly. It's that easy!

Do any of you ladies have Instagram shops too? Happy insta-shopping!

yellow F21 lace blouse // coral high waisted shorts // red skinny jeans // J. Crew Etta cap toe heels

xoxo,

this vs. that: fresh florals

1. kate spade bracelet // kate spade earrings // J. Crew clutch // kate spade dress // J. Crew Factory heels
2. Forever 21 earrings // Forever 21 bracelet // DSW clutch // Forever 21 dress // Payless heels

It's been a long time (as in over nine months) since I've featured a "this vs. that" post! For those of you who may not remember, this is a regular feature where I put together two very similar outfits...one at a higher end price point, the other at a much more affordable price point. Just my little way of showing you ladies that it doesn't take a lot of money to look great!

Since florals are everywhere this season, I wanted to feature a popular kate spade dress alongside a much more affordable version! Which outfit do you prefer?

xoxo,

pearls + lace.

blouse: Forever 21 (old, similar) // cami: Forever 21 // jeans: H&M
flats: Target // necklace: Forever 21 (old, similar)
watch: Michael Kors // Nails: NYC in Water Street Blue

Is there a better combination than pearls and lace? Nope, didn't think so!

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

hello spring.

In honor of spring's official arrival yesterday, I created this iPhone wallpaper in the color that's literally everywhere this season, pink! Please feel free to download it  here!

With that, I'll leave you with a few "friday finds + faves"...I hope you all have a great weekend and get a chance to go outside and enjoy the sunshine!

• If you're a fan of Game of Thrones you'll enjoy this Buzzfeed...and fyi it's back for season four on Sunday April 6th!

• I think I need to add these sunglasses to my collection asap...only $12!

• Check out this DIY sequin phrase sweatshirt tutorial...I want to try this on a pillow!

• Last weekend I attended a screenprinting workshop at Oh Happy Day's studio in San Francisco...it was so much fun!

• I finally found the perfect lipgloss, e.l.f. Jumbo Lipgloss Stick in Movie Star. It's has the perfect hint of sheer color for everyday and it's only $2! Try it, I promise you'll love it!

xoxo,

spring stripes!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

I don't know about you but spring has officially arrived in California! The past couple of weeks have brought us some amazing weather...last weekend it reached 80 degrees! No complaints from me! :)

This spring I've been drawn to a lot of black and white bold prints, red, and cobalt blue. Here are some of my favorite items I've been coveting...and I may just have to do some shopping this weekend!

BTW, take a look at the cobalt skirt from F21 (#7) in comparison to the red skirt from J. Crew Factory (#9)...nearly identical, right?!?! Sometimes it pays to shop around!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

xoxo,

emerald isle style.

blouse: Old Navy // pants: Banana Republic // heels: Target (old, similar) // necklace: Forever 21 (similar) // watch: Michael Kors // bracelet: Urban Peach Boutique // bracelet: J. Crew Factory

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Rather than decking myself head-to-toe in shades of green, I decided to go with a more subtle green outfit in honor of the Irish holiday. These Sloan pants are a staple in my closet (I also have them in navy), though they are a bit pricey. However, both Gap and Old Navy now have similar options available!

Whatever your St. Patrick's Day plans are (I'll be at work then heading out for a run...no green beer for me this year), please be safe! Slainte!

xoxo,

red + navy striped dress.

dress: Gap (sold out, similar) // necklace: Forever 21 (similar) // tights: Target
heels: Anne Klein via eBay (similar)

I did something I very rarely do. I bought at dress...At. Full. Price. I couldn't help myself...I saw this dress at Gap and fell in love...and they had petite sizes in store! How could I pass that up!?! So, now I have a new favorite dress and I've gotten so many compliments when I've worn it to work. Unfortunately Gap sold out of this version pretty quickly online, but they have it in solid black and navy/blue stripes now...I highly recommend this style for a versatile spring work dress!

xoxo,

spring is here.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

Thanks to yesterday's time change, spring is finally here..even though it's not official for another couple of weeks. Minor details!

Naturally, warmer weather calls for spring dresses. Yay for no more tights and boots! ModCloth has always been one of my favorites for spring dresses. I love their retro pieces, especially the fit and flare dresses which have been so popular the past few seasons. The Shoreline Memories Dress is featured above...I'm really loving the grey and yellow color combo! I threw in some turquoise accessories for fun, and of course, cat eyes to complete the retro vibe.

Some of my other favorite dresses include another great yellow pick...the Air of Affordable Dress, the Strawberry Sweetie Dress (so cute!), the Stitch in Clementine Dress, and my absolute fave...the Port Story Dress (love!).

How are you styling your spring dresses?

xoxo,

nautical looks for spring.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13

Nautical fashion has always been one of my go-to looks. From anchors, to stripes, to red and navy...I have multiples of each in my closet. Here are some of my favorite picks for this season. I'm especially loving the red espadrille wedges from Target, the sailor shorts from J. Crew factory, and the red anchor one piece from Old Navy. Time to stock up for spring!

xoxo,

friday finds + faves.

As you can probably tell, I'm trying to get back to blogging on a regular semi-regular schedule. Outfit posts will return soon...all depending on my remote control/self photography skills!

I'll leave you with a few "friday finds + faves"...have a great weekend!

• She's been all over the internet the past week, but if you haven't seen her paper dresses, check out this article on Fashion by Mayhem, then go follow her on Instagram. You won't be sorry!
• My favorite race of the year is coming up on April 13th in Santa Cruz. If you live in the Bay Area I highly recommend this race...beautiful views and weather. Hope to see some of you there!
• Check out these inspiring costumes this mother created for her daughter...love!
• I plan on trying out this gin + tonic recipe over the weekend, thanks to Katy over at my new favorite blog...she's adorable!
• Lastly, here's a photo of my gallery wall that I put together in my dining room with photos I've taken over the last couple of years. I'm pretty proud of it and I couldn't be happier with the finished wall :)

xoxo,

diy: dry shampoo for dark hair

Dry shampoo is something I discovered within past year and it's been a life saver! Not only does washing your every few days save time, but it's also less drying for your hair, and you're saving your hair from the trauma of heat styling every single day. The biggest bonus for me though is getting to sleep in a little longer :)

I've tried a couple of different brands of dry shampoo, and while they work fine they also leave a not-so-cute powdery sheen on my dark brown hair. So while my hair is oil-free, it's also grey. Not cute.

When I mentioned this problem to a co-worker of mine, she suggested making my own, and adding cocoa powder to the recipe to help blend into the color of my hair. Genius!

After a quick Google search I found that the ingredients for dry shampoo were already in my kitchen:

• corn starch
• cocoa powder 

Seriously, that's it! I mixed together three tablespoons of each into a small bowl and carefully poured the mixture into a clean glass shaker (Target, $2.99). I added a label, and voila, DONE!

To use, simply sprinkle the dry shampoo mixture onto your roots (I generally focus on my hairline and part). Gently rub the powder into your hair, then brush out, and finish off with a quick blast from your blow dryer and style as normal.

There you go, super simple! Have any of you tried a diy dry shampoo? Leave your comments below!

xoxo,