30 for 30: day 17 + day 18

Aaaaah, Sunday. And also the day the Lilly for Target line is released...!!

So, please enjoy these two looks I've put together, and excuse me while I try to snag some Lilly goodies at my local Target store (or the one in the next town over. or the next one).

day 17

I tried to tie in some metallic elements with this all black and white ensemble for a little visual interest - my headband, scarf, jewelry, and the zippers on my booties. Sometime's it's nice to throw in a little metal with a simple outfit to spice it up.

black shirt: Eddie Bauer

black cardigan: Maurice;s

striped skirt: Target

scarf: WalMart

black ankle booties: Kohl's

day 18

lime green top: Old Navy

black skinnies: Target

black flats: Target

monogrammed green clutch: gift

jewelry (except for the pave style bracelet on my right hand): c/o Rocksbox

(use the code "sweetbananiexoxo" for a free month of jewelry rental at Rocksbox)

30 for 30: day 11 + day 12

Happy Thursday - we're slowly heading towards the weekend. It's sure been a doozy.

I've got big plans to check out the Lilly for Target Line with some girlfriends first thing on Sunday morning, so the weekend can't get here quickly enough.

day 11

striped sweatshirt: Old Navy

leopard print scarf: WalMart

dark skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

metallic sandals: Target

day 12

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

ombre scarf: gift

faux leather jacket: c/o Aéropostale

tassel flats: Target

linking up this dress for the Trend Spin Linkup

and over at High Latitude Style

and at The Red Closet Diary

Rocksbox, part two

Remember when I told you about my first set of pretties from Rocksbox a few weeks back?

If not, you can refresh your memory here. 

Got it?

Now that we're all caught up,  I received my second set of pretties from Rocksbox and

have been wearing them a lot.

Really often.

Almost every day.

Especially the earrings - they're like mini disco balls. And I love 'em.

earrings: Urban Gem Pavé Ball Studs in Gold

And the necklace straddles this perfect line between a delicate necklace, and a statement necklace. Difficult to do, and lovely to behold.

necklace: Gorjana Roya Collar Necklace

bracelet: Margaret Elizabeth Teardrop Bangle in Navy Quartz

I'm on the fence, but these earrings might become part of my permanent collection.

Methinks I need a present after my upcoming race in a few weeks...

Don't forget: use the code sweetbananiexoxo and get a FREE month

of jewelry delivered to your door, so that you too can be fancy ;)

30 for 30: day 7

This dress is a recent addition to my closet. It was picked out by someone other than myself (hint: in the picture below) for an occasion where someone may or may not have turned one year older. He likes to get me a Lilly Pulitzer dress for said occasion, and in years past, it's been something a bit fancier. However, I don't get tons of wear out of them, so this year he opted for something a bit more casual that I can wear to work.

And he did a pretty bang up job, don't you think?

It was a given that I would include it in my 30 for 30 this go-round.

And of course I styled it with some of my favorites - my Frye boots, crossbody bag, and faux leather jacket.

Oh oh, and fancy new sunglasses.

Those aviators make this girl pretty happy.

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

bag: thrifted

sunglasses: Smith Optics via The Eyes Have It

faux leather jacket: c/o Aéropostale

wine and a pretty dress + sweater #27

Sir Olaf.
love love love.

This ensemble (sweater 27) went to a friend's house for wine and tasty little morsels. So, wine, a new Lilly Pulitzer dress, and my sweet new pup. Oh oh, and a statement necklace + ankle booties.

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

cardigan: Banana Republic

booties: Old Navy

Celebrations

Last week, I turned the big TWO FIVE. I'm 25. Solidly in my mid-twenties. Inching closer and closer to 30 (!!!). When I was in college, my friends and I would groan about getting older, and the younger girls in my sorority would tease us for "being old" and staying in for an evening, instead of heading "out."

While that used to be my view, I've recently adopted a more mature outlook on my yearly anniversary of being born - I'm going to enjoy it.

And relish it.

And look forward to everything this 25th year of life offers. 

I recently came across this quote:

"Do not regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many."

- Unknown

And it struck a chord with me. How powerful.

So, I plan to be thankful for being 25. After all, good things came out of my 24th year - we bought a home, I started a new job that I enjoy, we bought a new-to-us (fast!) car, I got better at skiing, I ran a half-marathon, the Mr. did the Tough Mudder, we made new friends, and strengthened old friendships, celebrated our marriage, loved on our pups, and, oh, I started this little blog exactly 1 year ago today :)

a new Lilly Pulitzer dress - this has become a birthday tradition. My Mr. picks one out for me, (all on his own!) and surprises me with it on my birthday. He's got good taste, no?

I love Lilly dresses because they're typically so bright and colorful (except the 2 white ones from my Mr.), and they're classy dresses - I love to wear mine to showers, parties, and I wore one to our wedding rehearsal dinner. I know they're all over at the Carolina Cup, the Kentucky Derby, and tea parties :)

As I mentioned above, I started this blog one year ago today, with this little post right here. I like to think I've grown leaps and bounds in terms of blogging and style. S

o, if you've stuck around since Day 1, or just got here, thanks for sticking with me, and here's to another year!

I got fancy schmancy cupcakes at a local cupcake place in celebration of Sweet Bananie's "blogiversary", Buttercream Cupcakery - check them out if you're in Northern Colorado!

SIMILAR LILLY DRESSES
(without the sleeves)

30 for 30: Day 13 & Day 14

You'll have to trust me that this (above) is what I wore on Day 13 of my 30 for 30 Challenge. Nothing fancy, just another "gimme outfit." Which was fine, because this day was less than stellar. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, spilled coffee all over myself on my way out the door, work was crazy busy, and the fire was still burning all over my beautiful hometown. I have since recovered from that day, and washed my coffee covered clothes. The fire is on its way to being contained, and we're on our way to the weekend!

And this (above) was Day 14. I wore my tan short-sleeved "safari" sweater (I think it looks like I'm headed on a safari when I wear it, so "safari" sweater it is) over the tank top for work - I covered those shoulders, don't you worry! I worked a half day, then packed up the car and headed to Denver for a friend's wedding. These pictures were snapped right before I tore apart our hotel room to get ready for the nuptials (Friday afternoon traffic is not conducive to making it to events in a timely & peaceful fashion). I covered my bases for my 30 for 30 in my monochromatic number, and still got to wear a dress I love for the wedding (pictures below).

real men wear pink. and purple. any pastel, really

if you're wondering, yes, we did coordinate our outfits! I think it looks so nice when a man & a woman coordinate for a special event - prom, a wedding, a ball. What do YOU think?

   

trying to be a good fashion blogger and show you my accessories - those are my new seahorse earrings, and my creepy eye

hamming it up in the photo booth

sparklers - the best kind of send off

I have several pictures of us with the bride & groom and other friends, but don't feel comfortable sharing without their permission.The wedding was beautiful & we're glad we were able to see one of our oldest friends tie the knot. We caught up with several other friends from high school and danced the night away.

We both received several compliments on our ensembles - doesn't he look dapper in his vest? We got his suit, tie, and shirt from Men's Wearhouse last summer. My dress is a Lilly Pulitzer that my parents picked out for me last year. I don't have a full length shot of the dress to show you from this evening, but it's the same festive stripe design all over the dress, and the dress ends just above my knees. I wore wedges that have copper, pewter & gold straps. They'll make another appearance on here, I promise!

Fun (and comfortable) dresses are my favorite thing to wear for weddings. They're a one-stop-shop-outfit, and are a lot cooler than wearing layers. This ceremony was outside, but luckily we sat in the shade, and there was a nice breeze to keep us cool during the I-do's & the I-will's.

We'll be attending two more weddings this summer - 1 in July, and 1 in August (that we're both in!). How many weddings are on your agenda this summer?

Derby Derby

I attended a friend's bridal shower this past Saturday that was Derby-themed. We all wore fancy sundresses and hats, and the bride had the cutest fascinator she'd ordered from Etsy. She's a friend of mine from my sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha) and invited a few other Zetas to the shower, and it was so great to catch up with them. It's tough to get everyone together now, especially since we're all spread out over the state & the country.When you go from living in the same house and seeing each other multiple times a day, to living in different cities with different work hours, throw significant others & family into the mix, it's tough to adjust & make time for everyone. It's so nice when there's an event like this that brings us together.

I know this outfit seems very Americana/4th of July-ish, and to that I say, I love America!

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (my sweet Mr. picked it out for my birthday)

Hat: Target

Flower clipped on hat: WalMart

Belt: thrifted via ARC

Shoes: ELLE via ARC

Clutch: gift from my brother & sis-in-law

Earrings & Bracelet: gift from my parents