two New Year's Day outfit ideas (sweater #1 + #2)

If you're like me, and didn't go out or get gussied up to celebrate New Year's Eve, you might be more concerned about what you're wearing for the first day of the year. Lucky you, I've got not one, but TWO fancy pants (literally) ideas below.

Difficult to see, but I'm sporting my leggings with the faux leather stripe down the side. Let the leather tell you "edgy", or "daytime tuxedo pant," whichever you prefer. I paired them with an oversized button up (with my monogram!) from my sister-in-law (she gave them to her bridesmaids to get ready in the day of her wedding), and wore a bright red cardigan on top.

Additionally, I layered a shirt underneath, because, cold.
I wore my SOREL snowboots because, snow.
And I added a beanie because, dirty hair.

You could easily ditch my cold weather accessories for something a bit more fancy, and warm weather friendly, too. Sandals? Flats? Heels?


button up: gift from my sis-in-law
shirt underneath: GAP
leggings: c/o Aéropostale
snow boots: SOREL via Jax
cardigan: from a friend
hat: ?

  

These pants are new - they were a Christmas gift from my brother and sister-in-law. They're velvet (velvet = fancy).

They're warmer than most other pants I own.

They're skinnies.

They're black.

They're perfect. 

Paired with a slouchy sweater, a statement necklace, booties, and a messy-ish bun, it's the perfect outfit for starting off the New Year in style.

sweater: c/o Aéropostale

pants: J. Crew Factory (gift from my brother & sis-in-law)

booties: Old Navy

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

necklace: WalMart

peacoat: Old Navy

Happy 2015! Hope it's treating you right!

two New Year's Eve outfit ideas

In case you need some last minute ideas for what to wear tonight (and tomorrow will have some ideas for New Year's Day ON New Year's Day - mindblowing, I know), here are two a wee-bit-more-than-casual looks, incorporating skirts and tights.

This first look is a black sweater layered over a black dress, with some purple tights for a little pizzazz. I added a polka dot heart scarf, booties, and a purple headband to pull it all together. This would be a great look if you're not into wearing sequins - monochromatic, with a bit of fun color thrown in.

sweater: American Eagle

dress: thrifted (Target)

tights: ???

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

But if you ARE into wearing sequins...

And if you want to be festive in sequins, but tend to get cold like yours truly, try wearing a sweater with your sequins. It's a fun juxtaposition - snazzy party-ready sequins with a warm sweater and boots. And, as an added bonus, this look incorporates ALL OF THE textures: cable-knit sweater, sequins, tights, leather boots, peacoat, and curly strawberry-blonde hair (some of my favorite things!). 

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

coat: Old Navy

bag: TJ Maxx

when traveling to Minnesota

wearing at least 6 layers. plus a scarf. and snow boots.

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I went to Minnesota a few weeks ago during the really really cold weather that covered most of the US over/right after New Years. 

And it was cold. 

Bone chilling, make your nose hurt to breathe cold. 

So, what does a Colorado girl who's used to snow one day, and 50 degree temps the next do? 

Pack as many warm articles of clothing into her suitcase, and wear the rest on the airplane. 

I've got 3 more outfits from this trip (plus pics from my cousin's wedding!) to share with you 

over the next few days.

I wore my warmest pants: corduroys. And a Christmas present from my sweetie: SOREL snow boots. Get this, the name of this style is "Joan of Arctic."

Bahaha. 

Too clever. 

Anyways, they'll keep my tootsies warm up to -25 degree temps, and they've got fur on the top. 

Plus, they're black AND brown, so my black vs. brown dilemma won't be an issue.

*whew*

So, I wore the boots on the plane. Plus the outfit you see above. And carried my down coat and vest in the airport. The boots are crazy warm, but after wearing them all around the frigid Twin Cites for several days in a row, my feet were a wee bit tired. 

Having all that warm & fuzziness makes for heavy footwear (and tired feet & legs - guess I should start working out more).

My extended family got a kick out of teasing me for wearing so many layers. One uncle called me "Anne-ook of the North." Hey, when it's cold, I don't mess around. #layersplease

So, look for a few more extremely-cold weather outfits. Although I was thoroughly chilled in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I'm glad that I got to practice my layering "technique" and look of "snow bunny chic." And of course see my cousin marry his lovely bride, and the rest of my sweet fam, too!

t-shirt: WalMart sort of similar below

button-up shirt: thrifted (Old Navy) sort of similar below

cardigan: from a friend (Banana Republic) sort of similar below

corduroys: thrifted (Joe Fresh) sort of similar below

scarf: Aéropostale

down coat: Coldwater Creek sort of similar below

snow boots: SOREL

CHECK OUT SOME SIMILAR ITEMS BELOW

Onward

losing my balance. kinda sorta.

As you read this post, know that I'm in super chilly Minnesota for my cousin's wedding. I don't know that the temperature has gotten above zero all day. Or even this week, for that matter. So, I'm layering and staying inside, on the couch, under plenty of blankets. Pretty groundbreaking game plan, huh?

At least I'll be toasty warm!

If you read a lot of fashion/style-based blogs, you'll see that many other bloggers have rounded up their favorite (or least favorite) outfits of the year, and/or are blogging about their New Year's resolutions. While I'm not going to round up the past year in outfit posts (you can search them by month to the right, or by label down on the bottom of this page), I AM going to state that for 2014, I really want to grow my blog. Grow my readership, grow as a blogger, grow as a "writer," and force myself to grow when it comes to styling outfits, putting myself together, and grow up when it comes to my closet. I'm trying to put my foot down when it comes to buying cheap clothes that don't wash or wear well, and stock up on quality basics - pieces that I'll have for a long time and are timeless. 

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm really going to try to focus on quality over quantity. Now, know that that phrase means something different to everyone, and it's not going to happen overnight, but I am RESOLVING to give it my best effort! I'm not perfect, and I won't be able to kick my habit (finding clothes on sale gives me such a rush) right away, but I really want to fill (ok, first empty/get rid of/pare down, and then not completely refill, but somewhat fill up) my closet with nice (possibly luxurious!) pieces that I love, and am truly excited to wear*. 

So, that's my blog resolution for 2014 - GROW.

GROW. GROW. GROW.

Wish me luck!

this is my red peacoat. you know, for when it's cold out

When I was packing for this trip, I had the hardest time deciding what to bring. I wanted to bring really warm clothes (below zero temps, my friends), but in looking at a lot of my sweaters, I wasn't excited about wearing them. In fact, I was, not disgusted, but a bit annoyed with myself. I kept asking myself "Why do you still have this if you don't ever want to wear it? Or it's so itchy that you can only wear it for a few hours? Or only fits when you're feeling really skinny?" It motivated me to want to go through my sweaters (again), but as I still needed to pack, get ready for bed, and get a good night's sleep before a day of travel, that will have to wait until I am home again. I'm going to have to ask myself the tough questions, be honest with myself, and get rid of some oldies. But, I think I'm ready!

Baby steps, my friends. Getting rid of some sweaters = baby steps. And getting rid of more stuff = more and more baby steps that combine to make several larger steps (right? I'm no math expert, but I think that's how it works).

Baby steps for a New Year :)

polka dot blouse: Kohl's

sweater: American Eagle

jeans: Kohl's

shoes: KMart

peacoat: gift (Old Navy)

linking up:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels, The Fashion Canvas, and The Parlor Girl for Trend Spin Link Up

Not A New Year's Eve Outfit Post

posing. you don't take pictures of your clothes in your basement?

As the title of this post suggests, this is not a New Year's Eve Outfit Post.

Why?

I do not have a New Year's Eve outfit planned. 

I do not have a NYE outfit because I made a big girl, executive decision to be responsible and not party til the wee hours of New Year's morning. It could have something to do with the fact that I have to leave my house before 8 am the 1st day of 2014, or that my Mr. has to leave the house even earlier, or that I really dislike New Year's Eve. You'll have to guess which "excuse" is the real reason for my lack of festive-ness (hint: it's not the last one).

Why am I leaving my house before 8 on the 1st day of 2014? Why, I'm flying to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you see! One of my cousins is getting married to a swell girl and I'm looking forward to witnessing their vows, dancing the night away at their reception, seeing my extended family & family friends, freezing my toes off in snow-covered Minnesota, and stuffing my face with wedding cake.

Here's to hoping my snow boots & parka match my fancy party dress!

Happy New Year! 

Here's to the end of 2013, and looking forward to 2014!

Cheers!

dress: Nordstrom

blazer: thrifted

scarf: thrifted (Target)

belt: Target

tights (FLEECE-LINED! you know I love 'em): GG Boutique (local)

boots: Rack Room Shoes

linking up:

Style Elixir for Style Sessions