you do not

I know yesterday I talked about being cold and wearing a beanie for warmth + several other layers + furry boots + a down vest. But today, it's all about a chambray dress, light scarf, bare legs, and boots.

When the temperature reaches the 60s in the middle of winter, and the sun is shining,

you do not question.

You do not wear 18 layers.

You do not pass GO.

You do not stop to collect $200.

You wear a dress, ditch the tights, and ditch the heavy jackets.

At least for a few days.

dress: Kohl's

henley: Express

cardigan: Banana Republic

scarf: WalMart

boots: Nordstrom

favorite neutrals + sweater #18

Neutrals and favorites today, for a quick little post.

See you soon(ish), friends.

sweater: Old Navy

scarf: Target

pants: c/o Aéropostale 

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

casual + sweater #5

 A casual look today. This tee is from volunteering at a bike event, Tour de Fat, a few years ago (worn a few times previously: here and over here). I really love the color and the bike logo, so it has yet to be relegated to my old t-shirt drawer. Instead, it hangs in my closet, with the rest of my “more than t-shirts” tops. And of course, some of my favorite go-to items: skinnies and my new Frye boots I just can’t get enough of. And this cardigan makes sweater number 5.

One of my friends (below) was in town recently, so we got together with one of my besties and went to dinner.

Andy & I

Lara & Andy 

Lara & I

Lara and I, without planning, managed to look pretty similar before we even left the house: dark colored down coats, dark skinnies, the SAME style of boots (she's had hers several years longer than I), and bags carried the same exact way (not planned).
So of course we documented our best friend-i-ness & matchiness.


shirt: Tour de Fat
cardigan: local consignment shop
scarf: WalMart
jeans: c/o Aéropostale
boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom
coat: Coldwater Creek
bag: TJ Maxx

tights-less + sweater #4

Originally, this outfit was slated to be worn with bright red tights. But, when the forecast called for “sunny and in the 50s,” I ditched the tights and opted for bare legs. I've still got a wee bit of color from Thanksgiving in Key West, so I wasn’t afraid my legs would blind anyone. I didn't originally intend for this to be a black + white look (plus brown boots), but when tights were taken out of the equation, it just sort of happened that way. And I don’t hate it.

And count this black cardigan as sweater #4 for my "sweater a day in January" style change/style prompt - check back for more information tomorrow!

dress: Target

sweater: Maurice's

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

all my favorite neutrals

At first I had the idea to wear this blush blouse under my navy cardigan. I knew I wanted to wear something other than jeans or a skirt, so I decided on olive skinnies. And I really LOVE how these colors look together. I chose boots on this day, but also considered brown dotted flats.

I actually wore the brown pashmina scarf, but I also like how the blue plaid scarf looks. This look can be easily adapted for different seasons by changing the shoes, subtracting or changing the scarf, and changing up the jewelry (a statement necklace in place of a scarf, or statement earrings).

Would you ever pair these colors together? I hadn't before, but I sure do LOVE how it turned out.

blouse: H&M

cardigan: Banana Republic

brown pashmina: from my sis-in-law

blue scarf: thrifted (Target)

olive skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

black, purple & gray

  

Again with the dark colors. It's just so easy to wear darks in the winter. Especially gray - one of my favorites. I added some color and texture with my tights, and a bit more with my necklace and boots. I tend to like to wear basic pieces, and then throw in a little something different - like purple patterned tights, or a bright necklace, or...both?

Merry Christmas Eve eve!

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

necklace: Kohl's

skirt: from a friend

tights: I don't remember...

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

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

ah-sessoreez (accessories)

 

This evening, the Mr. and I went out to frolick with my bestie and her boyfriend, who was in town. I knew I wanted to wear my new Frye boots, so I (kind of) built my entire outfit around it. My bestie had also told me that when I wear this jacket, I should pair it with something very feminine – the epitome of juxtaposing. Since the jacket is so dark and utilitarian, she thought it would look great with a flirty or twirly skirt or dress underneath. So, I paired it with a lace/crochet skirt and a soft cream sweater.

Sweet and girly, topped off with a utility jacket.

AND NEW BOOTS.

Additionally, another good friend of mine, Lyndsie (she took some of our wedding photos - check out her website here) mentioned to me several months ago that she doesn’t know how to wear accessories, and could use some help and ideas. So, I’ve decided to do my best to focus on accessories for the month of November – how to wear them, how to pair them, how to use them to complete, or enhance, an outfit (thanks for the idea, Lynds!). 

I tend to view accessories as "finishing pieces," or "completer pieces." Without them, you're fully clothed, but your look might be a bit "blah," or "basic." I tend to be running late in the mornings when I'm getting dressed and forget to ah-sessorize, but have lately tried to make an effort to complete my looks by being thoughtful with my jewelry& scarves&hats&tights&newglasses.

In the above look, I added some jewelry, switched to a fun clutch, and added herringbone-print nude tights. And the jacket counts, too, I would say (and I guess the croakies and sunglasses, too...). Without all of those items, I'm still dressed, but it's not too exciting - accessories help to add depth and dimension.


sweater: American Eagle
skirt: Aéropostale
scarf: gift from a friend
tights: Old Navy
boots: Frye via Nordstrom
jacket: thrifted (Land's End)
clutch: thrifted