for the love of scarves

When it's warm outside, but your office/where you work/where you spend most of your day is freezing, what do you wear?

*not a trick question*

LAYERS.

Additionally, scarves, boots, and jackets. Extra points if you print mix, mix color palettes, try something monochromatic, and/or do something interesting.

Aaaand, that's what I did here. I've been getting some, *ahem* "feedback" on my wearing of scarves (how often, how many, how big they are, etc., etc.), and to that, I say:

"They help to keep me warm, transition my outfit for different events, and transition my outfit for different temperature extremes (from warm to freezing to hot and back again).

And, I like how they look and help to make my look 'complete'. For the love of scarves, people!"

;)

striped dress: WalMart

floral scarf: Target

navy cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet

teal faux leather jacket: local boutique

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

monday the 30th

Good morning! How was your weekend? As far as weekends go, mine was pretty good. Lots of friends, eating, and running - some of my favorite things. I'm looking forward to this next one, too - quality time with my Dad is the big thing on the agenda. And by quality time, I mean ice cream eating, war-movie watching, Reese's consuming, and general cracking of silly jokes.

We're a pretty funny duo (at least we think so).

*carriage return*

This outfit. These booties. Not sure how I feel about this whole thing together. Black on black on black with polka dots, topped off with a purple scarf? Let's consider it a questionable marriage of winter and spring. I think I've got the elements of something great, but my execution is not so great. *sigh* I could wear this without the scarf, BUT the cut of this dress is QUITE low, so not quite appropriate for work. However, low-cut tops only showcase my sternum and a freckle or two ;)

And these booties. I LOVE my taupe ankle booties from Old Navy and wear them all the time. I have high hopes for the black ones (hence how they came to be a part of my closet), but I think they might hit in just the wrong spot to make my legs look extra beefy.

Anyone else struggle with ankle booties?

What kind of socks do you wear?!

The struggle is real.

dress: thrifted (Target)

polka dot cardigan: J. Crew Factory

ankle booties: Kohl's

purple scarf: gift

sunny sunday blues

You guys, I've had a great Sunday. I slept in, went on a great run with my best friend (so many endorphins! I didn't want to die! we only walked for about half a minute! the sun was out! there was a breeze!), caught up with my bestie, had bacon and eggs and coffee, played with my pups outside. We might have a long-boarder among our canine companions - the verdict is still out. He drags it backwards, and also tries to bite it. Maybe he thinks it's alive? Either way, it's very entertaining. And he is now pooped. So, that's a win.

In other news, this outfit. This top is actually two tank tops. The top is a sheer blue button-up chiffon deal, and the bottom is a navy blue star print ribbed tank. I thought it might be a fun way to subtley (quietly? demurely?) add some print to this blue, green and gray ensemble. And it's since made me look for a few more sheer/chiffon items to style in the same way. So far I've got a green floral top... Aaaand, I think that's it. So, stay tuned and maybe I'll come up with something. If not, you'll see this combination again. And would that be so terrible?

Hope your Sunday is pretty great, just like mine has been :)

linking up these fancy shoes over here

star tank: WalMart

chiffon tank: from a friend

gray cardigan: c/o Aéropostale

dark skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

bejeweled flats: thrifted

purse: COACH Outlet

scarf: Pendleton (2 days in a row!!)

tough to spring

You guys, I'm finding it tough to transition into spring outfits. I'm hanging onto the dark colors and layers and sweaters.

What is the deal?! I LOVE sunshine and warmth and sandals. 

I think it's that I'm more comfortable creating outfits with layers - the layers allow for more visual interest. In the summer, when it's hot, it's a top and a bottom. And typically sandals. That's about it. Most of the time it even feels too hot to wear jewelry, let alone a light jacket or cardigan or scarf. It's not that I don't like summer clothes - please don't misunderstand me.

What I like about layering is that it allows me the opportunity to remix my closet and the items in it - I can create LOTS of outfits using the same piece. In the summer, it feels like I've got a lot more limited options, since I can't really put anything over it, or wear it with tights, or add a scarf, or a vest or jacket on top. It's less pieces to remix and put together. But maybe I should just use this as an opportunity to flex my styling muscles?

Is this making any sense? I'm looking forward to warmer weather, I just always have a tricky time with the transition of the seasons - it takes me a few weeks to wrap my clothing & styling brain around the changing temperatures. Anyone else experience the same thing? Or am I the only goon hanging onto sweaters and scarves?

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

pants: Target

scarf: Pendleton

flats: thrifted

sidewalkin'

Double denim, and a sweatshirt from high school. Who am I? Just throwing out old style rules, left and right. This sweatshirt was a gift from my Grandpa, I believe my senior year of high school. Y'all, that was...many many moons ago.

What do ya think? How'd it turn out? Pulling out an oldie and pairing it with 2 types of denim, stripes, and boots. Oh, and a pub in the background. Pair that with sunshine, and I gotta say, I don't hate it.

We're almost to Friday - hang in there, everybody.

chambray: thrifted

striped tank: Target

sweatshirt: gift (American Eagle)

skinny jeans: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

brown bag: COACH

twice Lieb-ed

Just a few days ago, Natasha, of Polished Avenue (Colorado blogger, hey girl heyyyyyy) nominated me for the Liebster Award. I was last nominated back in January of 2014 (read it here - that feels so long ago).

The purpose of the Liebster award is to recognize the hard work of new(ish) upcoming bloggers and to introduce you, the reader, to new blogs you might be interested in adding to your reading rotation. After someone is nominated, they are asked to answer eleven questions that reveal information about them that you may not find out in their daily posts. They are then asked to nominate 11 new bloggers, and you know, carry the whole thing forward ;)

1. How did you get into blogging?

I stumbled upon (literally. via StumbleUpon) A Pretty Penny in the fall of 2011 and was immediately intrigued. After discovering more and more fashion and style blogs, I kept thinking to myself "I could do that," and so, I published my first post just over two years ago (more about that here).

2. If you could have anyone’s closet, who’s would you have?

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. So classy.

3. Who is your celebrity crush?

Just one? Ryan Gosling. Channing Tatum. and Ryan Reynolds. 

4. First thing you would do if you won the lottery?

Try to figure out how much tax would come out of my earnings...

5. One song on your playlist you’re embarrassed by, but would never delete?

The version of "Beauty and the Beast" from the Disneymania album.

6. You’re going to a dinner party tonight. What are you cooking?

Wine.

7. All time favorite tv show?

Friends.

8. What is one beauty product you can’t live without?

For my hair, my hot rollers. For my face, mascara. Bare lashes are not my best look.

9. You’re at Starbucks. What do you order?

A soy latte, or an Americano - depends on if I'm feeling the need to indulge my sweet tooth or not.

10. What is your cure for a bad day?

Snuggling with my pups, Netflix, and ice cream

11. What’s a fashion trend from your childhood that you want to bring back?

White Keds. I got a new pair every year for school and I would try SO hard to keep them white and unscuffed as long as possible.

And now, here are some bloggers you might enjoy - some have been doing this for a while, so they're not quite new anymore, but I think you'll enjoy them just the same ;)

A Pretty Penny

The Caffeinated Closet

Classically Carissa

The Middle Closet

Galvanized Glamour

Jamie's Rabbits

Style Assisted

My Boring Closet

The Adored Life

The Denver Darling

Country Girl in Stilettos

lime green sweater: Old Navy // black leather skirt: thrifted

fleece-lined tights: Target // booties: Kohl's

scarf: Pendleton // red coat: Old Navy

rockin' the Rocksbox

Have you heard of Rocksbox yet? It's the newest way to try out jewelry before you buy it. For a small monthly fee ($19. just a few Starbucks trips, really), you can rent several pieces of designer jewelry, and then, once you discover how much you love your pieces (which will be a lot), you can purchase them - at a discount!

Designer jewelry you can test-drive and then get on sale?

Things I'm into.

Below are the first three items I got in my first month. I filled out a short style profile on their website, and a stylist put together my first package. They arrived a few days later in a little box, each in their own little jewelry pouch, with a card that listed the name of each item for reference.

You get 3 items at a time - in my first delivery: a beautiful & delicate cuff bracelet, statement necklace & matching earrings.

Gorjana Twist Cuff

Perry Street Charlotte earrings

Perry Street Whitney necklace


I recently wore the necklace for an outing with friends (see it on Instagram) and couldn't believe how many compliments I received (A LOT. I told everyone about Rocksbox).

And now, for the big news...

*drumroll please*
with this code sweetbananiexoxo, you (yes, YOU!) can get a free month of Rocksbox!
Designer jewelry hand-picked for you, delivered straight to your door.
This code is good for the next 30 days, so don't waste any time and be sure to get your fancy on.
Perhaps in time for Easter?
Or sorority brunches and luncheons you might be helping to plan?
Or upcoming spring garden parties? Maybe some crocquet?
And if you're not on top of your game, and enter the code AFTER the 30 days are up, you'll still get your first month for half off. Still pretty cool, amiright??

So, go, sign up, use my code, and let me know how much you love Rocksbox and your fancy new "pretties."

what not to wear when shopping

So many layers. It's so weird to think of snow and cold when we've had beautiful weather the past few days. But, it won't last. Spring in the Rockies is a fickle little beast - 70 degrees one day, gross snow the next. And everything else in between the few days after. 

I wore this heavily-layered ensemble to do some shopping with my Mama, and it took me so long to try anything on - layers on, layers off, static-y hair, boots, snow, slush. You know how it is - shopping in the winter. It's quite the ordeal. Where do I put my coat? Is it worth trying on? It's going to take 20 minutes to de-robe before I can even try on this top...

Good news is, my Mama and I did make a few small purchases.

So we didn't totally let the retail gods down ;)

tank dress: American Apparel

buffalo plaid button up: Kohl's

fleece-lined tights: Target

sleeveless sweater: Eddie Bauer

boots: c/o Aéropostale

2 years later

Today marks two years that I’ve been doing this blogging bit (here's 21 March 2013 and 21 March 2014). And with that, comes reflection. What this little blog should look like moving forward. What you’d like to see. Why I keep doing it. Why it’s easy to be discouraged. Laugh at old outfits. Laugh at how my photo editing hasn’t changed much.

So, what would you like to see more of (or less of) here on Sweet Bananie?

Yes, I do this blog for me as a fun hobby and creative outlet, but it does feel nice when I know people read it and hopefully are inspired by it.

So, tell me - what would you like to see?

Style challenges?

More ways to style an item?

More jokes?

More pictures of my bulldogs?

I would love to hear any suggestions you may have. Please let me know in the comments or email me at sweetbananie@gmail.com

And looking back a bit, here are my most viewed posts of all time,

this month, and this week.

Thanks for reading!!

can't win 'em all

This outfit looked so much better in person. Like, 100 times better in person. Trust me. It (and I) photographed terribly. Is it all the black? All the dark colors? The stripes? The fleece-lined tights? The cold? Maybe it makes my face puffy?

I just don't know. But I do know this is clearly not a great outfit. I look a bit shapeless and that's not doing me any favors. But, in the interest of real style and transparency, here's what I wore! And as great as some looks were earlier this week (here and here, oh, and here), this one just isn't competing. 

But, I'm a real person, with real style, and a real life, and a real job, and real wrinkley dogs, and sometimes, my real outfits aren't so great. *sigh*

linking up with:

Style Elixir

dress: Target

cardigan: Ann Taylor

fleece-lined tights: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

taupe & gray

All of the taupes and grays.

All of the knits.

And all of the scarves.

This day was frigid cold, which called for a warm sweater and not one, but TWO scarves. I had a surprise coffee date with my best friend, and she kept gushing over my taupe and gray ensemble. And to be honest, it's something I didn't put much thought into, but I knew I liked both colors, and thought "They look decent in home decor, so why not on a person?"

And, ya know what? I like how it turned out.

However, I'm hoping I don't have to wear this heavy of a sweater (or two scarves) until next winter. Fingers crossed!

oh oh, and linking up all over the place:

Jersey Girl, Texan Heart

Cappuccino and Fashion

A Touch of Tartan

Stylin in St. Louis, Living in Color Style, and Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins

I do deClaire and Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

sweater: thrifted (GAP)

gray skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

striped scarf: thrifted

oatmeal scarf: handmade

ankle booties: Old Navy