Stripes. Seriously. They call my name. I don’t know what it is about these graphic marvels, but seriously. They call my name. When I saw this little dress I thought, “There’s no way that’s gonna work for me,” and yet I took it into the fitting room anyway. Lo and behold this dress just knocked my socks off. Well, I can’t say I was actually in socks, but you catch my drift.

These shots were taken over the weekend and now that it’s raining and windy I’m melancholy for my missing sunshine. I’m so thrilled that it’s finally April, though. It’s been a long March and I am ready for spring to keep rolling forward. It’s going to be a big week and next week is my spring break. Lots of changes are up in the air for me and I’m excited about new challenges and opportunities springing up in my life. I said in a post a couple of weeks ago that spring always feels like a bit of a transition, a new pathway, a new start. This spring certainly is for me and I’m excited to see where this new road takes me.

OUTFIT DETAILS  dress, Banana Republic | handbag, vintage Coach (from my mama’s closet, but buy it new at Coach) | shoes, ZARA (similar) | shades, GAP (summer 2011) | necklace, gift from my mama (similar)

The sun finally came out in Seattle and oh man are we enjoying it! I’ve been suffering through looking at outfit posts from across the country for weeks with girls showing off their bare legs and fun summery frocks only to wallow in our own cloudy darkness. I’ve been lost in winterized clothes for weeks, but today… Today the sun was out and man did I enjoy it. It was a great weekend for sitting in the sun, sitting on patios, generally basking in the glow of the stupendous Seattle sun. Honestly I think we appreciate it more since it eludes us for so many months of the year.

I’ve been loving this dress since I found it buried in the clearance section of Nordstrom Rack a few weeks ago and have worn it with tights and sweaters over top  waiting for the day it could come out in it’s full spring glory. This gorgeous yellow statement necklace was a gift from a truly amazing friend that has helped me survive the last month in ways I can’t fully express. I pulled out my favorite summer wedges and the outfit was made. It felt like those simple summer ensembles that feel done without tons of layers. I find myself dreaming of summer and all of the sun-soaked bliss that’s on the horizon. Hello summer! Come. Soon. Please.

OUTFIT DETAILS  dress, Nordstrom Rack | necklace, Banana Republic (gift) | shoes, Steve Madden (old) | sunnies, GAP (old)

Spring is a funny thing, especially in Seattle. I’ve never been a sun worshipper so Seattle suits me quite nicely. But after months of cloudy days and chilly chills, I start to long for a little heat, not to mention vitamin D. I bought this fun little dress on such a great deal in the hopes of starting off my spring wardrobe, but it ended up being way to chilly to wear it with bare legs and summer wedge sandals as originally planned. It will be fun to put up some then-now photos once I can wear it the way I really want to.

Today I’m sporting some more gorgeous Marrin Costello jewelry! I absolutely love each and every piece she sent my way and these bracelets are no exception. Although I appreciate arm candy on others, it generally has not been my bag. But these bracelets are slowly changing my opinion. I love the layers, this stunning shade of red, and the juxtaposition of the cross, Buddhas and skulls. Each piece is so high quality and luxurious, too! If you are looking for a gift, either for someone else or yourself, I would highly recommend these lovelies from Marrin’s collection. Simply gorgeous.

OUTFIT DETAILS  dress, Nordstrom Rack (similar) |  belt, Banana Republic (similar) | tights, Spanx | booties, Banana Republic (similar) | cross bracelet, Marrin Costello Designs | Buddha bracelets, Marrin Costello Designs 

Sometimes one randomly tries on a pair of pink pants. Sometimes said pants might look better with a neutral top. But then one gets a wild hair and decides, “Hey look, I’m going to pair these pink pants with a burgundy sweater.” It’ll be a real season bender, so to speak.

I bought these pink jeans with the intention of starting my spring wardrobe off with a bang, but it’s recently gotten so windy and cold in Seattle that sweaters and various other layering pieces are necessary. I’m so glad I bought this comfy one on clearance at BR awhile back because it’s quickly becoming my go-to no matter what pant color I’m working with.

This weekend honestly can’t come soon enough. I’ve been feeling so sleepy this week, but haven’t indulged in my inner sleep monster. Honestly I don’t know that I really have a sleep monster, but at times I feel propelled to test the theory. Oh! I also bought a slow cooker this week and want to try out a recipe this weekend. If you have a link to one you love, please leave it below in the comments. I’d really appreciate it. I do plan to entertain my inner yummy food finisher. xo

Windy in Seattle? Case in point….

OUTFIT DETAILS  pink jeans, J Brand | cozy sweater, Banana Republic | jean jacket, LOFT (similar) | shoes, Steve Madden | bag, Coach Molly

I love love love getting email from readers and feeling like Dear Abby for a hot second when you lovelies ask for advice. I got some great ones this week so I’ll be publishing two. The first is from reader Meghan L. from Philly who asks…

Hey Lindsay! I just stumbled on your blog while I was doing some last minute research for an upcoming trip to Seattle. I’m trying to figure out the perfect footwear solution for tromping around, keeping dry, keeping warm and still managing to look somewhat stylish, all while keeping stuff to one piece of carry-on luggage. Do you have any footwear tips? Can I get away with some nice comfortable flats or will they get ruined by rain and puddles? Thanks in advance!

This is a question I get a lot from readers who are planning a trip to Seattle and from visiting family and friends (along with requests for the perfect dinner date location, of course). Here are my go-to shoe styles for styling it up Seattle rain or shine.

Neutral metallic flats are great with jeans and kept neutral they will work with any top/sweater/coat/bag combo. The rain in Seattle is usually pretty light, and I may be a little more hardcore than most, but I only wear socks to the gym. At times the tops of my feet get a little chilly, but nothing I can’t handle. These are easy to pack and totally worth it.

Notice I am not recommending heeled boots? To each her own, of course, but low wedge heel boots or flat riding boots are a great choice. They will keep you stylin’ and pretty even in the cold and rain and will hold up well in case you get caught in the unexpected sun/rain combo weather (trust me, it happens.) I can walk all day and night in these and never get annoyed. If you’re worried about these boots taking up too much room in your carry-on, wear them on the plane. I always wear my boots while in transit to save room in my suitcase during traveling time.

Wedges are generally my go-to. They seriously go with everything. I wear mine with skirts, dresses, skinny jeans, wide leg jeans, trousers… the list goes on and on. I wear them so much I am wearing out this pair and am on the hunt for a replacement. These are quite tall (4 inches to be exact) but you can do a wedge in your heel height of choice. I have a pair of lower heeled wedges in a neutral beige and I wear them a ton, too. I usually go for cute details like a bow or buckle on the toe for some added style.

Fall, winter and for some of the spring I lived in my heeled ankle boots. I loved this pair so much I bought two colors. Again with the heel height (I definitely feel most like myself in heels) but you can totally rock a lower pair like a mid heel or a flatter Chelsea boot. I wear these with skinny jeans and with skirts and dresses, too. Versatility is key. The other key? Fit. I go for rounder toes in most shoes as they are generally more comfortable on my foot for long periods of time.

I always get asked if rain boots are a necessity in Seattle. I have a few pairs that I love (case in point above) but I have to admit usually when I wear them it’s more of a stylistic choice than a weather-related one. As previously stated, when it rains here it’s usually pretty light. Most of the time I don’t carry an umbrella and don’t use my perfectly good hood. Obviously that might have something to do with how long I’ve loved and lived in this city, but truly downpours are generally very few. And it’s spring so bring some sunglasses, just in case.

Well Meghan, I hope that helps! Of course I don’t expect that you’ll pack all of these options, but pick 2-3 based on the length of your trip that you know go with each of your outfits and events that you’ll be enjoying while in town. And above all else, enjoy your trip to Seattle in every way possible. And if you’re at all into vinyl, don’t miss Everyday Music on Capitol Hill. Who knows, we may bump into each other. Haha…

Hello friends! I’m so thrilled to be typing up this post right now! Seriously, you have no idea. So much has been going on lately that I literally have not had a scrap of energy to get photos taken let alone edit and type and all that jazz. But oh, how I’ve missed it so. Taking even just a little time away (albeit for totally legit reasons) really made me remember how much I love this blog and it’s role in my life. I appreciate it and all it’s become, and each of you that read it so very much. So, thanks.

Spring is a time of transition, in so many ways. We start seeing a little sun here in Seattle and get all excited and buy a lovely yellow floral dress and then panic when we realize that it will require tights for the current temp. Ugh. I can’t wait to wear this dress over the summer with bare legs and sandals when the days are long and wonderfully directionless and my only limitation is that other friends have to go to work. I’m toying with the idea of getting a summer job to keep myself busy and to earn a little more fun money, but we’ll see. For now I’m still wearing tights with my dresses and trying to find a decent pair of sunglasses. I’ll be sure to let you know when conditions improve.

Oh! Check out the amazingly gorgeous tassel necklace I have on. It’s part of a beautiful collection of jewelry from Marrin Costello Designs. If you haven’t checked out her jewelry before you seriously should. Each piece is more gorgeous than the last and this is the first of a few posts where I’ll be sharing some pieces I selected from her current line. I love this long tassel because it’s a beautiful neutral gold and goes with just about every outfit. It’s a great way of adding a little sparkle without going seriously overboard.

OUTFIT DETAILS  cardigan, Banana Republic (borrowed from friend C.; similar) | dress, Kiup via Aprie | tights, Spanx | shoes, BC Footwear via Aprie | tassel necklace c/o Merrin Costello Designs | short necklace, gift from my mama

In the midst of unpacking zillions of boxes, I snuck away to a coffee shop to share some of the photos of the new place I’ve taken so far. (You can see lots more in real time by following me on Instagram.) I’ve never been in love with a place I’ve lived in like this before. Everything about it just feels like me. Like the person I want to be. You know? It’s hard to explain, really. My mind has been so flooded lately, and my life is swimming in change, so right now this place is the one thing that’s almost keeping me centered.

I’ve spent the last two days listening to my record collection, unpacking boxes, and thinking about all of the people that have lived in this apartment in the last 91 years. It’s endlessly fascinating living in such an old building with so much history I’ll never truly know about. That’s one of the best things about this city, or Capitol Hill more specifically. I know I’ve waxed poetic about my childhood fascination with these streets in past posts, but I have to say I don’t think I ever want to leave. I went through some stuff with wanting a house and all that awhile ago, but really, when I think about what I really want out of life I have to be honest with myself and admit it’s all right here.

Hey friends! Husband and I are in the process of moving to our new apartment, so things may be a little slow in the outfit department this week. I am excited to share some fun details of the new place, though. We hired movers and it has made the process SO MUCH MORE manageable than when we moved into this place. We’re in a third floor apartment with an elevator and it’s quite complex getting things in and out. It nearly killed us when we moved in. The new place is a quaint little one bedroom built in 1922 with the original hardwood floors, coved ceilings and glass doorknobs. If you follow me on Instagram or Vine (I’m lindsayliving in both places, FYI)  you may have seen some sneak peaks. Wish us luck and I’ll try to share more soon if I can sneak away to coffee shop.

As you might remember from previous posts, I’m a second grade teacher. I don’t often post about my job, as I view this blog as a place for fashion and lifestyle, but this was just too cute not to share. Each year, about two weeks before Valentine’s Day, I assign my students the task of creating their own, one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day mailbox to use to collect treats and special notes at our Valentine’s celebration. I have them bring them all in to school on the 13th and conduct a vote for prizes in the Valentine’s contest.

Usually we just hold the vote within our own classroom, but this year’s entries were by far the best I’ve ever seen. I was so thrilled and as a class we decided to open the vote to the whole school. I had the custodians bring down tables to our hallway and I covered them with red paper and posted a sign, ballots and pencils and a ballot box. Tons of teachers and classes came down to vote and we got so many wonderful compliments on the idea along with pleas that I do it again next year. Of course I will! All in all it was a huge success and every kid walked away with a certificate and five lucky kids got a special certificate and free ice cream passes for the cafeteria. There are so many amazing things about teaching and I sincerely thank my lucky stars everyday that I have the honor of doing something I love so dearly, but it’s days like these that are truly the feather in my cap.

A little Valentine’s day flashback for ya today… these photos are from Valentine’s Day 2006. Husband and I had just bought our first condo in Lynnwood, I was merchandising for Banana Republic and he was managing a movie theater in Bellevue. We didn’t really know what we wanted to do with our lives and life was not always easy, but we made it work. We celebrated that year with a cheap and charming dinner at a local Chinese restaurant and I got real dressed up in my sweatshirt and ponytail. Valentine’s Day has never really been about gifts and fancy dinners with us. We just love to spend an evening together reminiscing and thinking about our life together and where we want to go in life. We got married so young and have really grown up together. It’s been so thrilling watching Matthew discover his passion and grow into a real adult. I’m lucky to have someone who supports me through everything and puts up with me through everything, too.

I love you, husband. Happy Valentine’s Day. xo