Embroidered Obsessed

I know....you're all sick of seeing embroidery. But I LOVE IT. I might have an embarrassing amount of embroidery in my closet at the moment, but I can't help myself. I've gotten so many compliments on this sweater. It makes a statement while still being casual which I love. It's a little oversized and just slightly cropped. I styled it with jeans and my Keds - but this could easily be dressed up with a skirt and some boots. And I'm pleased to say that this is one of those sweaters that is even prettier in person. Sometimes a website will say "embroidered" when really, it's printed on. But this one is actual embroidery and the detailing is so intricate and pretty! Check it out below!

xoxo

sweater

keds

Comfy Cute Work Shoes

So for those of you who don't know, several summers ago I was the social media intern at Keds HQ in Boston. I loved Keds before my internship, but my love for these pretty little shoes has only grown since then! I legitimately wear these shoes to work daily - no joke. They're super comfortable, so I can run around all day with no irritation or pain. And, obviously an important factor for me, they're the still super fashion forward.

I always get compliments on my Keds. I had an old pair of Keds x Kate Spade gold polka dot shoes, but sadly after 4 years of nonstop wear, they look pretty worn out! So as soon as I saw these this black and white pair, I knew I needed them! They're so versatile - I wear mine with dresses, rompers, shorts and jeans. I love using my Keds to add a pop of color or print to every outfit. Every year I end up adding a few more pairs to my collection because I'm a firm believe you can never have too much of a good thing. 

And, a little tip to all you other canvas shoe wearers out there - always spray your shoes with Scotch Guard. They'll stay clean so much longer! Shop this look below!

keds

romper

earrings

purse (similar)

Happy Monday!

Hey friends! Why is it that the weekend always goes by so fast? I'm convinced that whoever decided the work week was going to be 5 out of the 7 days was crazy. I vote we change it to 4. But alas, I digress. I'm here to tell you about two amazing things your closet needs!

Everyone needs a comfy pair of go-to flats. Something that goes with everything and are easy to throw on and go. I wore my last pair of flats for 3 summers straight and finally wore the soles out. Needless to say, it was high time to get a new pair. So after some searching - I found my new best friends! This pair of gladiators from Hush Puppies are soooo comfy. The soles are made of memory foam which feel like you're walking on pillows and they have a handy little zipper in the back for easy on and offs. And I've always had a weak spot for the gladiator style - it's one of those timeless trends that you can wear with anything. Literally. No matter the outfit, I can grab these and know they'll look perfect.

Okay, enough shoe raving. I also wanted to tell y'all about one of my new favorite companies. Y'all know I love when I can find a product that gives back. The Starfish Project is an organization that supports women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in Asia. They provide holistic care by supplying vocational training, healthcare, shelter, counseling and education grants. Some of the women they support create incredible jewelry - like the choker I'm wearing in these photos. And each purchase goes to support their work in Asia. My necklace is equal to the cost of 2 weeks of counseling. So shop without guilt, because you know you're supporting an incredible cause.

Shop this look below!

xoxo

shoes

necklace

top

jeans (similar)

Outline the Sky / Boston

If you've been following me on Instagram for the past few years, you'll know that Boston has a special place in my heart. A few summers ago, I worked at Keds as their social media intern. Keds is one of Wolverine Worldwide's brands (some of their other brands include Sperry, Chaco, Hush Puppies and more). Keds is where my entire blogging journey began. I was a Keds ambassador during college, and was then given the opportunity to head to Boston for the summer and become one of their interns! Needless to say, it was an INCREDIBLE experience and not only did I fall in love with social media/marketing - but Keds and Boston as well. 

I was extremely nervous when I first got there. It was all very outside of my comfort zone. I was in a brand new city, 25 hours away from family, where I knew absolutely no one. I couldn't find an apartment to rent that was fully furnished, so I ended up living in a (slightly sketchy) extended stay hotel. I didn't have much (really any) social media or marketing experience and was anxious that I would have no idea what to do. What if I was a horrible at my job? What if I didn't meet new friends? What if I hated living in the city? But all of those fears were quickly put to rest. I soon learned that I am totally a city girl. I LOVED living in Boston. And the Keds family quickly welcomed me in and I felt right at home! I became good friends with several of the other interns and had the time of my life!

Obviously headquarters was beautiful, and (as is expected with Keds) there was inspiration around every corner. For the first time in my life, I genuinely enjoyed going to work everyday - I actually looked forward to it! Part of my job responsibilities included helping with social media sites (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest etc.), participating in brainstorm sessions, and also blogging my Keds journey on their Tumblr. My love for social media/marketing began to grow and I was able to gain incredibly valuable experience. Everyone who works at Keds is insanely talented and I was lucky to be a part of such an awesome team! 

I spent each weekend exploring Boston - the Public Gardens, Public Library, Mike's Pastry (the best cannoli I've ever eaten) and Fenway Park, because let's be honest, you have to go to a Red Sox game to be a true Bostonian. 

This internship was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I have nothing but positive things to say about Keds and Wolverine.  If you're a college student looking for an incredible internship experience, I highly suggest you check out the Wolverine Worldwide Internship Program! I made lasting bonds with incredible people and loved every minute of it. 

This Boston Skyline sweatshirt from Outline The Sky is a constant reminder for me to step outside of my comfort zone. Taking a new job in a new city was something I never thought I'd do. But I can't tell you how glad I am that I did! I discovered a new passion and met some wonderful people along the way. I was able to explore a brand new city (filled with incredible history) and work at a job that I absolutely loved. Even though I'm currently in graduate school for speech pathology - I still find myself daydreaming about a job in the marketing world, and hopefully one day I'll be able to pursue that dream. But for now the memories of my time spent with Keds in Boston are enough.

AND I have a special discount code for you! Use code "EMILYB20" at checkout for 20% off at outlinethesky.com! So you too can get great gear to rep the city that holds your heart.

xoxo