Anonymous Announcement!

Ladies & Gents, Boys & Girls, may I have your attention, please?


There are about to be some changes happening around here!


One, I have made the decision to stop blogging anonymously.  Therefore, without further ado, I'd like to introduce myself: 

Photo by The Writer

My name is Rachael!

I've been thinking over the reasons that might be behind my blog not taking off like I'd hoped.  I've never been in love with all of the elements of "A Splash of Sass" together.  I liked the title, but didn't LOVE it. I felt like my sub-heading too broadly defined my blog, I was stretched too thin as far as what topics I felt I should be covering.  I didn't like being anonymous anymore, it made me feel isolated from the few readers I do have. So, here goes a new blogging experience as Rachael!

My second announcement is this: I'm Moving!

I don't want to totally cut ties with A Splash of Sass, but I need a fresh start.  Some of my posts will be coming with me, some will be staying here, so that occasional visitors will be able to find their way over to my new site, which I'm currently constructing.  I hope you will all join me over at Closet 12! 

Day to Night

With all the running around a day entails, it certainly helps to unwind with friends.  It also helps you feel less lame about sitting at home on evenings when you don't have to work, right?  I love being able to pick one outfit that works for everything on my day's agenda.  No, it doesn't always work, but its so nice when it does.

 Last week, I went shopping (again) with my friend Katie to prep my closet for Spring.  I may or may not have forgotten about all the brightly colored clothes I'd tucked away in the back of my closet and been paniced because I felt like everything in there was black or gray.  Needless to say, it isn't now.  This top was an H&M find.  I always gravitate towards buying bottoms, so I made Katie steer me towards the tops and get this one.  I really like that I'll be able to style it casually and more professionally.

What I'm Wearing:

Top: H&M

Bead Necklace: I forget...

Black Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Patent Heels: Colin Stuart for Victoria's Secret

Clutch: New York & Co.

I also found these black skinnies on our trip.  They were $10.50! You CANNOT walk away from that!  Katie and I both bought a pair and ended up wearing them out together at the same time.  It was seriously hard to resist going completely crazy on all of the sales, but I tried. A little.

Spring Trend: Peplum Tops

How I love feminine trends!  Peplum tops are popping up everywhere this spring.  They're so versatile as far as what body types they flatter as they define the waistline, which is universally slimming and flirty.  I'm alsovpretty sure they help give a little "oomph" to the rear end, to which I say, "Yes, please!"  

I really this top demands red lipstick, something every girl should have.  I have a small addiction to buying red lip products: lipstick, gloss, balm, stain, you name it.  The one I have on in these photos is one of Revlon's new Lip Butters in Candy Apple.  I'd definitely recommend to someone who was a little shy about lipstick or trying red for the first time.  Its sheer with a little bit of shine and forgiving if you accidentally color outside of the lines a little, no lip liner needed.  I wouldn't call it long-wearing, but I don't have to apply it any more than I would normal lip balm.  Its a great everyday lip color and I love it a little more every time I wear it.

What I'm Wearing:

Peplum Polka Dot Tee: H&M

Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Black Flats: American Eagle

I'm very excited for Spring weather and Spring trends.  Every few days, we get a clear blue sky that makes you want to go for a walk in the park.  Its still a bit chilly for that, though, unfortunately.  The Writer is in Florida visiting family and making me jealous of all the sunshine he's enjoying.  This year is the first time ever that I will be able to go on a paid vacation and I'm thinking that I may want to cash in on that soon.  I haven't been at my job a very long time, but it has been a busy few months that have made me very ready for the weather to thaw out and to enjoy some vacation time.  Sometimes it feels like I'm going a million miles an hour with no routine, since my work is open seven days a week.  Today is like my Sunday and I'm so thankful for some "me time"to catch up on magazines and get ahead on my laundry piles.

Weekend Wear

The weekends present a sort of conundrum when it comes to putting myself together.  I don't want to be known for a uniform of jeans, a tee shirt, and Converse or, heaven forbid, sweatpants. I also don't want to work too hard on an outfit, since it is the weekend and it's not necessary to overdress for errands.  This weekend outfit was easy and comfy, but not sloppy.  We're also getting to that point in Ohio weather where you never know what its going to be like outside and, therefore, never sure if you should bundle up or not bother and just walk quickly from your car to the store to avoid having to carry your coat while shopping.  Thank goodness for sweaters!

 What I'm Wearing:

Purple Banded Top: not sure, maybe TJMaxx

Chocolate Cardigan: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Plaid Flats: Kelly & Katie

Tote: Vera Bradley

I've also been trying to experiment with some new hairstyles for a few reasons. For one, straightening all the time is really damaging and I find it makes my hair look dirtier faster.  I try to shampoo every other day as much as possible to avoid drying out my strands and to keep my color from fading.  Curling keeps my hair looking fresh longer, but is time consuming.  Ponytails quickly induce boredom.  So, what to do?  I've never been one of those girls that could simply throw their hair up into a messy bun and walk out the door.  Its probably because I'm so meticulous and I hate for my hair to be a mess, even if, by chance, it were a cute mess.  Instead, I've been trying to master the topknot and gradually get used to letting it become a little messy.  I'm not disappointed in this particular attempt: 

Have a lovely weekend!

Orange You Glad?

Mixing my professional and casual wardrobes is sometimes a challenge for me.  I'm always afraid of looking too masculine if I wear a button-down shirt outside of work.  A while ago, I saw a picture of some editor of something dancing at a party with a button-down shirt knotted in the front.  Since it looked good on her, I decided to try it with a silky, over-sized blouse from Express.  I was pretty happy knotting my shirt like I used to do back in the 90's.  I never got away with it for long back then, my mother always told me to put my shirt down.  My five year old self probably wasn't smart enough to remember the tank underneath all the time, haha.

Speaking of, are the 90's making another go 'round? Neon is out in full force, that's for sure, and I've started noticing more tops with knotted features. I think these things are ok, as long as no one is gathering their baggy tee shirts to the side and holding them there with a scrunchy.  Really, as long as the scrunchy doesn't make a comeback, we'll survive.

Notice something different about my pictures today? They're outside! I asked the Writer to play photographer for me, so we went out side for some shots.  It was a little windy and brisk, but I'm sure we were all sick of seeing my pantry doors. I'm not yet comfortable taking my tripod outside with me as some of my male neighbors have been known to be fairly rude.

What I'm Wearing:

Tank: The Limited

White Button-Down: Express 

Jeans: Charlottle Russe (I think)

Ankle Boots: Blowfish

CIAO!