stretchy pants

Hello! and happy Sunday!

I put together this look almost a month ago (*wide eye emoji*) so just imagine it now with a larger belly. However, it was perfect for wearing to work (leggings with a stretchy/flowy top), so I'm planning to repeat it soon.

That being said, I'm working on sharing my capsule wardrobe with you, but even in the few weeks since I took pictures of my items, I've discarded a few items (too small for now) and added a few more (birthday gifts from my parents), so there will be some edits. Hope you don't mind that I'll be utilizing an ever-evolving capsule wardrobe - it's a bit tough to put finite limits on getting dressed when your belly is growing everyday and your body is changing to support it...look for that post this week! I'm excited to dip my toes into a capsule wardrobe with you!

short sleeve tunic? top?: Kohl's (maternity)

striped long sleeve top: Kohl's (non-maternity)

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

black flats: BCBG via TJ Maxx

GARTH BROOKS

warning: lots of pictures and talking ahead...

Two weeks ago, something magical happened.

Garth Brooks came to Denver. He hasn't been here since 1999. As soon as we heard he was coming to town, we made plans to buy tickets and go with a group of friends.

And we did - it was great. Such a great show, great company, and I think we all had a terrific time. As did the thousands of other people in the arena, and the thousands of other people who saw him perform that week.

We ended up going on a Tuesday (a school night! what?!), to one of his last shows. And then we stayed in Denver for the night, got breakfast, and took our time getting back to work the next day. If I could go to a great show every Tuesday evening and work a half day on Wednesdays after a leisurely breakfast, I'd be a very happy girl. 

from my Instagram, before the show

my friend and her husband, before the show

the girls

my friend Lyndsie - she's a wonderful photographer

obligatory mirrored elevator ceiling selfie

boots boots boots
from my Instagram

and another obligatory selfie: the bathroom mirror shot

the man himself

The Mr. is not a huge country fan like myself, but he does love Garth, and he's slowly but surely coming around to my way of thinking, almost a decade later...

And, here is what I wore to the concert. I know that's the main reason you're here.

Don't lie. Let's be real. We're all friends around these parts ;)

You might have already gathered that I like to NOT dress like everyone else. And my girlfriend, Chelsea, mentioned that almost every female at the show would be wearing some variation of either a floral print dress, white dress, jean skirt and cowgirl boots.

And she was right.

That was proven to be true before we ever entered the Pepsi Center.

So, I took a different route and opted for chambray, sequins(!!!), and my trusty Frye boots. And I didn't even see anyone wearing anything similar. I even got complimented on my ensemble a few times by complete strangers. 

Now, you might think that my boots look a lot like cowgirl boots. And you might be right. But, I was at a country concert. And, they're my favorite. And I wouldn't actually wear them to wrangle cattle or ride horses or anything.

And don't they look good?

I think this will be my country concert outfit formula in the future: sassy, fancy, shiny, sparkly, denim, boots, leather, and big hair.

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

sequin skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

bag: thrifted

in the 3rd person

A few weeks ago, some friends gathered, drank some beer, ate some food, and played some Cards Against Humanity to celebrate someone's birthday. And a great time was had by all.

The above is what one party-goer wore. She was concerned about being cold as the evening wore on, but didn't want to be too warm whilst patio drinking. And somehow, she was able to strike juuuust the right balance. A white v-neck tee, black skirt, boots to keep her feetsies warm, and a chambray to take on and off according to the temperature and her activities.

And those fancy, pretty jewels she's sporting?

From Rocksbox - read more about that here.

white v-neck: c/o Aéropostale

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

black skirt: from a friend

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

jewelry: rented from Rocksbox

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

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

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

olive & magenta

This is one of those outfits that came together in the early morning haze that exists before the sun is up, before the coffee has been drunk, and before I'm ready to make coherent sentences. Somehow it came together, and I simply love LOVE LOVE how the olive looks with the purple and magenta, and how the stripes look with the fair-isle print of my scarf. I think this is one of my best looks yet.

On another note, I'm on the lookout for another pair of olive green skinnies - these have been great, but after just a few minutes of wear, they become stretched out and saggy in the most unflattering of places. Any recommendations on where I should look?

purple striped shirt: Kohl's

olive skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

fair-isle scarf: WalMart

gray blazer: c/o Aéropostale

magenta wedges: ALDO

marching right on through

Since it's a Monday in March, here are two outfits for your viewing pleasure, and hopeful inspiration. They both feature a skirt, boots, stripes, and a cardigan. Crazy and out-of-the-mold, I know ;) But they're comprised of very different color schemes: the first, black, white, red and gold. The second, gray, pink, and purple. One a bit darker, the other more soft and feminine.

Which one would you wear?

That's all I got - Happy Monday, hope your week is off to a great start!

studded tank: Old Navy

black cardigan: Maurice's

striped pencil skirt: Target

black boots: c/o Aéropostale

statement necklace: Kohl's

purple v-neck: Target

gray/tan cardigan: local consignment shop

ombre scarf: gift

pink lace/crochet skirt: Nordstrom

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom