30 for 30: day 8

Handsome just loves to be outside.
he loves to sit in the sunshine and roll in the grass.

I just love this wrinkley face and funky tongue.
SO.
MUCH.

We've been having some really lovely weather this fall (no snow yet!). I'm starting to see why everyone just loooooves fall. I'm not quite there. Yet...

But you know what I do love? That handsome white bulldog up there :)

See my list of 30 items here.

30 for 30: day 7

  

I used to think "black and brown make a frown." But, as you can see above, I'm coming around and mixing the two shades together quite freely. I kinda sorta really love how they look together.

See my list of 30 items here.

30 for 30: day 5 & day 6

day 5

I met my friend, Chelsea (her blog and Instagram here), for an early morning run, and then we went to breakfast. Of course I was excited to run with my friend, but I was also really excited for breakfast afterwards…she and I have started having breakfast together once every other week before work, and it has quickly become something I really look forward to. We try out the cute little breakfast places in town - good conversation over coffee and breakfast (and bacon!) makes getting up early before work totally worth it.

So after breakfast Sunday, I came home, took a nap, lounged around, did some chores, and never made it out of my running clothes…gross. I know. So, no cute outfit to share with you.  

day 6

 

Again with bare legs. I just REALLY want to wear dresses and skirts as much as I can before it’s too cold to go without tights! And on this day, the temperature reached the 70s! But the end of this week is supposed to be in the 50s…Boo. Knowing the weather this month would be all over the place, I chose my items for this challenge thinking of things I could wear by themselves when the weather was nice, and items I could layer when it got chilly, as typically happens in October. I’m glad I didn’t stick to one end of the spectrum more than the other, or I’d be in a world of hurt.

Without the sweater, this dress is very summery. With a sweater, it's more monochromatic and leans a bit more towards fall.


See my list of 30 items here.

30 for 30: day 3 & day 4

day 3

 

 

This look is something outside my “normal outfit equation” (I just made that up – I don’t really have a formula/equation/recipe/process). It’s not unheard of to layer something OVER a dress (like I did here), but it’s not something I typically do. However, it was relatively warm out and I wanted to wear a skirt/dress without tights while I still can! And this tunic was a fun find at Target with my friend – she picked it up in another color, and I decided to try it in blue (probably my favorite color to wear). In the fitting room, we both fell in love with our respective try-ons. However, she’s about my size but went with one in a larger size so it would be more “slouchy.” Mine is perfectly slouchy for me, and I just LURVE the peacock blue color. 

Also, you’ll have to believe me that this outfit was more flattering on my figure in person. These pictures are not doing my midsection any favors, but, just trust.

day 4

 

 

My sweet friend, Amanda, and I had a lovely day date when I sported this fall ensemble. She also ended up being my outfit photographer for the day - she did a lovely job, posing me and climbing all over to get a good shot with the bright sun and funky shadows and creepers walking around (thank you!!).

I really wanted to wear a skirt because the temperature was supposed to be in the 70s. But I also wanted a shirt that would keep me warm. So, this black lace/crochet skirt got paired with my red and black buffalo plaid button up. These two aren’t something I would have paired together normally, but when completing a 30 for 30 Challenge, one must make do with what’s available!

However, I don’t hate how it turned out, and temperature-wise, I was very comfortable all day. First, we had sushi for lunch (where I met and fell in love with the cutest 6 month old English Bulldog named Mac. His parents didn’t seem to want to let him come home with me, though...), then we got our nails done, grabbed an iced coffee, and headed to the ARC for some afternoon thrifting. I found some books, and sweaters for Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties this holiday season (planning ahead, my friends). Amanda found some great work-appropriate skirts, and we both ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the Halloween costumes.

Also also, Amanda is completing her own 30 for 30 Challenge on her Instagram (@amandajeanwellness). Be sure to check her out and feel free to be inspired :)


See my list of 30 items here.

30 for 30: October 2014

It’s been a while (almost a year!) since I did my last 30 for 30 Challenge, although I’m not sure why I've waited so long to do it again (check out June 2013 & November 2013). I do find the summer a bit more tricky to dress for – I love summer and being warm, but a lack of layering can be tough for this Colorado girl. Of course I eventually figure it out (usually by the end of August sometime), but sometimes I feel a bit more put together and creative, with layers, scarves, and figuring out how to keep warm without looking like a marshmallow. Maybe I just need more throw-and-go dresses in my summer wardrobe…

I view a 30 for 30 Challenge as a little peak/test run of a capsule wardrobe. I’m incredibly inspired and intrigued by the idea of a capsule wardrobe, but am not ready to take that plunge, juuuuust yet. I love the idea of having less to choose from when getting dressed – and done right, any and every piece can, and will go, with any other piece in your wardrobe. However, I am taking little bitty baby steps and paring down/editing/curating my wardrobe. I don’t know that I could ever do a Project 333 wardrobe, or the 10 Item Wardrobe, but something more along the lines of “Less than what you have now” Wardrobe. Pretty clever, huh?

I switched out my cold and warm weather clothes, and was surprised at how much space my cold weather items take up! I mean, I’ve gotten rid of TONS! Really, lots and lots of clothing has been sold, donated, and/or given to friends, but it’s still a struggle to fit everything. And no, I’m not purchasing as much as I’m getting rid of – trust. If anything, I’m trying very hard to make sure nothing comes into my closet that:

(1) I don’t LOVE

(2) doesn’t jive with what's already there and/or my evolving style

(3) is really not needed.

Anyways…this 30 for 30 go-around I think I have a better “direction,” if you will – more darker colors and basics that can easily crossover from one item to the next. I even played around with the skirts and dresses one night, and paired them with different tops/sweaters/layers to see how many I could come up with – if I’m adventurous, at least 20, if not more. However, some of those options are weather dependent – obviously I’m not going to wear a heavy sweater when it’s warm outside, or layer like it’s my job when it’s warm out, as well.

And, without further ado, here are the 30 items I have chosen to wear for the month of October:

  

tops (9)

- dark wash chambray: WalMart

- light wash chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s

- gray lace sweatshirt: rue21

- buffalo plaid button up: Akinz Boardwear
*this flannel was really snug, so I replaced  it with another buffalo plaid button up from Kohl's

- blue long sleeve tunic: Target

- olive & black split-side long sleeve: GG Boutique

- striped ¾ sleeve shirt: Target

- black v-neck tee: Target

- gray v-neck tee: Target

sweaters (3) 

- white cable knit: Old Navy

- blue v-neck: Old Navy

- black cardigan: Ann Taylor

jackets/blazers (3) 

- black faux leather jacket: Target

- teal faux leather jacket: The Screamin’ Peach

- gray blazer: Aéropostale

dresses (3)

-  black dress: thrifted (Target)

- gray & white striped t-shirt dress: WalMart

- black floral: Aéropostale

skirts (5)

- pink crochet/lace skirt: Nordstrom

- floral pencil skirt: J. Crew Factory

- short gray skirt: from a friend

- black crochet skirt: Aéropostale

- striped pencil: Target

pants (3)

- black skinnies: Aéropostale

- white corduroys: GAP

- skinny jeans: local consignment shop

shoes (4)

- taupe booties: Old Navy

- brown flats: WalMart

- python flats: WalMart

- metallic sandals: Target 

Rules/caveats/tweaks:

1) I'm planning to purchase a pair of Frye boots this month. However, I have yet to pull the trigger on a pair. But when I do, that pair will become part of my 30 for 30 (31 for 31, if you will, since October has 31 days). A nice balance to some of my other shoe choices (the sandals), which  will be great for the days in the 60s & 70s, but sometimes we do get snow and cold in October in Colorado.

2) If we have crazy weather (i.e. snow, ice, etc.) I am allowed to dig out my snow boots and/or rain boots and wear those at least to and from work. And same goes for a warmer heavy jacket/coat.

3) If it’s CRAZY cold, I am allowed to throw on another jacket or down vest.

4) These 30 items of course don’t include my running gear. And if there’s a day I don’t get out of my pajamas/sweatpants/running clothes, I’m not going to share that look on the internet for all to see. So, there could be less than 31 outfits shared this month. However, I do promise to try my hardest to put on real clothes and take pictures and share them here.

5) Currently, I don’t have any special occasions coming up that would require me to wear something fancy. BUT, should that need arise, I can choose something that is NOT part of my 30 items – most likely this eShakti dress, because I LUUUURVE it.

6) These 30 items also don’t include a Halloween costume – IF I dress up...

7) These 30 items also do not include accessories, such as bags, jewelry, hats, and/or scarves.

8) We don't have cable at our house, so if we go somewhere to watch the Broncos or another football game, I can wear a shirt for the game, but I have to complete the rest of my outfit using items from my 30.

Also, I realize this post is SEVERAL days after the 1^st of the month (we're halfway through October already! YIKES!), but please believe me when I say that I really have been wearing my 30 items and taking pictures and writing, I've just been backlogged with other outfits to post.

Also also, if you’re interested in doing the rest of the challenge with me, or adapting it a bit (say 7 items for 7 days, or something similar) please do, and send me a link or some pictures so I can share here! I’m not thinking a “link-up,” but if you feel so inspired,

please send your looks and items my way to:

sweetbananie@gmail.com

Saving 2nd Base

As many of you know, October is a BIG month for breast cancer education, awareness, research, and fundraising. What you might not know, is that my sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha)'s national philanthropy is breast cancer education & awareness. What you also might not know, is that several NFL teams have paired up with ZTA for a "pink-out game." Depending on the organization, some teams keep it low-key, while other teams go all out and sports pink jerseys & cleats. The Broncos allowed us to hand out ribbons, magnets & programs at every gate of the stadium hours before the game, and for at least an hour after kick-off. There was a large number of active collegiate members, and a good group of us local alumni.

Zeta's philanthropy is one of the main reasons I chose ZTA over any other house during recruitment. Breast cancer is something that has affected several women in my family, and several women in friends' families, so the cause is near and dear to my heart. And pink is my most favorite color, so the match was really meant to be ;)

Luckily, I got paired at a gate with some of my good friends from the house, so it was really quite the fun little reunion. We handed out countless pink ribbons that say "Think Pink! Think Zeta!" which is trademarked by ZTA, so that's pretty cool. Another corporate sponsor of the event was USBank, and they were with us, handing out pink ribbon magnets - mine is proudly displayed on my car (one on my husband's car, too). 

The downfall to the day was that inside our gate to the stadium, we were completely in the shade. So, within 20 minutes we had chattering teeth and numb fingers - not conducive to handing out little safety-pinned ribbons. However, we took shifts warming up in the sunshine, and handed out pins, magnets & programs with smiles on our faces. It was really fun seeing some people get so excited to wear pink for a great cause, and even more fun seeing some dear friends I don't get to see too often.

the whole group before going into the stadium

the alumni group, with some active collegiate members in the background

this girl is one of my oldest friends from Zeta - we lived in the house together and spent many nights sneaking snacks from the kitchen, staying up late studying & writing papers, and early mornings going to an aerobics class :)

back at home, after the game. glad to have some downtime with my pups

the shirts we all wore

I made sure to layer up, because I knew it'd be really really warm, or really really cold (like always in Colorado!). I got stuck at a chillier gate and was still a little chilly, but at least I had some layers & a scarf to help ward off the chill!

I didn't stay for the game - my friends and I went to get a bite to eat at a sportsbar, then I headed out before the end of the game to avoid that awful post-game traffic. All in all, it was a good day, but I was pooped and slept like a baby that night :)

t-shirt: local ZTA alumni group with the Denver Broncos

chambray: thrifted

scarf: gift from my sis-in-law

pants: Old Navy

shoes: Nike via Finish Line

linking up over here today!