neon and houndstooth

I've had this skirt for ages, but it hasn't gotten tons of wear for having had it for so long. I used to only wear certain things with certain things - this tank with that shirt, this top with that skirt. Close-minded, I know, but I thought if I did the leg-work of thinking about my outfit beforehand, I'd save time when I was getting dressed in the morning. 

However, I've since abandoned that train of thought (hallelujah!) and now mix and match to my heart's content. Exhibit A - neon and houndstooth + gray tights + cognac boots + teal-ish jewelry. How's that for mixing and matching and accessorizing?

top: Old Navy

skirt: GAP

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

different vibes

Here are two (slightly) different looks, using the same pieces of clothing. One with a bit more sass, the other more casual. Both are made up of black & white plaid, leather, and pearls - say what?

I like to think the fedora and the booties add a teeny bit of an air of mystery, or perhaps, intrigue...?

It's fun to play with different accessories to see how they can easily change up a look.

And then the Chucks dress down my look.

I've got several different vibes going on:

plaid (casual)

+

leather (tough-ish?)

+

pearls (sweet & classy)

+

glasses (super smart)

+

swapping out the shoes (trendy vs. casual)

+

the oxblood fedora (mysterious-ish?)

Not something I used to do a lot of, but now, I'm a big fan of combining different looks

(sassy + sweet, or edgy + warm&fuzzy) into a single outfit.

And, somehow, this worked (I think).

See how I did this just a few days ago here.

black and white plaid: Old Navy

leather skirt: thrifted

pearl necklace: Ann Taylor

bracelet: Target

glasses: America's Best

fedora: thrifted (Target)

booties: Old Navy

Chucks: actually, they're Converse One Star via Target...

Blizzard-ing

Sunny Sunday errands call for Dairy Queen Blizzards. Can you believe I got away with bare legs in November?? It was really short lived though - we had snow the following evening.

This look is composed of a few layers. First, a black American Apparel tank dress with Zeta Tau Alpha running down it in neon pink, layered under a slouchy pink striped sweater from Aéropostale. Secondly, a gray statement necklace paired with gray faux pearls. I'm all about adding dimension and texture, especially when it's the same color, or within the same color family - gives it a little something extra.

Accessories here include: jewelry, sunglasses, bag, and my fave - the Blizzard.

dress: ZTA Recruitment via American Apparel

sweater: Aéropostale

shoes: Payless

purse: T.J. Maxx

gray faux pearls: Kohl's

gray statement necklace: WalMart

Blizzard: Dairy Queen

not what I wore for Thanksgiving

This is not what I wore for Thanksgiving.

But if I'd had a more "traditional" Thanksgiving with a turkey and stuffing, I'd have warn something like this - stretchy skinnies, and a roomy button up. And see how I accessorized with my scarf, jacket, and purse??

Instead, I wore my bathing suit and lounged by the pool in the sunshine.

Instead of turkey, my brother and sis-in-law made a delicious low-country boil.

Instead of stuffing or sweet potatoes, we had a delicious conch ceviche. 

Instead of falling leaves or snow, we had lots of sunshine and a delightful sea breeze.

I've spent the past few days at the beach with my family, and heading home is going to be rough...however, I'm very thankful for the time I got to spend with them.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for reading!

buffalo plaid: Kohl's

scarf: from a friend

skinnies: Aéropostale

jacket: Target

booties: Old Navy

purse: T.J. Maxx

blues & greens

I found out yesterday that my high school football team is playing in the state championship (again!). And what do you know? Our school colors were navy blue & forest green. Above I'm wearing navy blue & neon green - close enough, right?

I also did some print mixing with the polka-dot scarf and plaid. Can't believe I haven't worn this combination before. Taking off the scarf and vest create a different look - so consider this vest an "accessory." At least today...

plaid: Old Navy

scarf: Aéropostale

vest: Old Navy

jeans: Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

back to accessorizing

Back to accessorizing - scarves, bags, glasses, tights and jewelry. One of my favorite things about this dress is the myriad of ways it can be dressed up or down - simple with nude sandals, a little more funky with neon shoes, or a bit more complex with shades of blue and red and new boots (above). It's also roomy enough that I can layer underneath it, instead of just on top. I'm not saying I'm a layering expert, but I find it a bit more challenging to layer in unexpected ways - UNDER a dress, as opposed to piling layers over the top of what I'm wearing. 

dress: Kohl's

shirt: thirfted (French Connection)

scarf: WalMart

tights: Old Navy

boots: Frye

bag: thrifted

game day: part 3

More game day outfits, geared towards those of us who live where it's more often than not freezing&snowing during a game, instead of nice&sunny. Watching my brother play high school football, there were 2, MAYBE 3, games at the beginning of the season we could get away with wearing only a light sweatshirt. By the end of the season, I was wearing snow pants and a ski jacket. And the reverse was true for baseball season in the spring - it ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS snowed on the day of the first game.

*sigh*

...memories ;)

First up, striped tee layered under a logo tee, under a cardigan, under a down vest.

Add and subtract layers as you feel appropriate.

No sweaters this time, but the down vest definitely makes a huge difference in the level of warmth. I have a Colorado flag headband I would have added if I wasn't having such a good hair day, but it's in the outfit below.

 

This layered look was really practical to head to a friend's house to watch the Broncos play. She and her husband whipped up a great nacho bar, and we sat inside and watched the game, while loving on her pups. And there's that Colorado flag headband I love so much. #statepride

This last look doesn't appear to have much Broncos pride at first glance. But hear me out. Orange striped tank, under a navy sweater, add or delete or change (ikat print vs. navy plaid vs. no scarf) scarves as you deem appropriate, and mint jeans + taupe booties. I would wear this ensemble if we were going to say, someone's boss's house to watch the game, or perhaps a more dressy shindig where a t-shirt just might not be enough. Comfortable, a step above a t-shirt and jeans, and nice enough for church or work. 

Broncos Pride tee: Victoria's Secret

striped tee: thrifted (Target)

jeans: Aéropostale

navy blue cardigan: Banana Republic

navy blue down vest: Old Navy

booties: Old Navy

navy blue flannel: Old Navy

long-sleeved blue top: Aéropostale (similar)

white down vest: thrifted (Aéropostale)

Colorado flag headband:Akinz Boardwear

SOREL boots: JAX

ikat scarf: WalMart

navy blue sweater: Old Navy

striped tank: Target

mint jeans: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

navy blue plaid scarf: thrifted (Target)

game day: part 2

Since Thanksgiving (and Thanksgiving football) is this week , and football season is well underway, here are some more game day outfit ideas. They consist mostly of layering your clothes, all in the colors of your team. Part 3 will be geared towards more and more layers! (check out part 1 here)

A striped (or maybe solid) shirt under a logo tee.

  

Flannel, my favorite, over your logo tee.

Bonus points if it's in your team's colors.

 

Chambray, chambray, chambray. Always. 

This is a little departure from the Denver Broncos blue and orange, but it still works. Black and white plaid over a logo tee, with mint jeans. This would be appropriate if you're more of an under-stated fan, like myself.

Broncos Pride tee: Victoria's Secret

striped tee: thrifted (Target)

jeans: Aéropostale

blue flannel: Old Navy

chambray: thrifted

scarf: WalMart

mint jeans: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

black and white plaid: Old Navy

booties: Old Navy