take two

Both of my parents read this here blog. And sometimes my Mama will email me about my outfit choices. Found out this past week that she only emails me about the ones she likes...so IF I don't get an email, that means she didn't like it. She thought the last time I wore this dress (here) was rather bland, so here I paired it with a brown necklace (!!!) and snakeprint shoes. How'd I do, Mama? ;)

dress: Old Navy

shoes: WalMart

necklace: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays: White Bulldog

Nothing super special here. Just a white graphic tee featuring a wrinkled sweetie that the Mr. picked out, and some jeans. I knew I'd be on-site this day, so pants were a must. As were close-toed shoes, which I ditched in favor of sandals as soon as I could :)

shirt: J. CREW Factory

jeans: Old Navy (thrifted)

sandals: WalMart

Creativity as a Muscle

The pieces for this outfit just came together, and I have to say, I really love the result. The more I wear this skirt, the more ideas I can come up with for it - creativity at its finest. Don't they say creativity is a muscle? And the more you use it, the better it gets? Truer words have never been spoken, my friends.

I picked up these shades before I went to Florida for the 4th of July. Festive, no? Needless to say, I love America - if you didn't already know...

shirt: Old Navy

skirt: J. Crew Factory

shoes: Old Navy

necklace: Old Navy

sunglasses: WalMart

Minted

I don’t know what it is about my mint jeans, but every time I wear them, without fail, I spill something on them.

Coffee.

Lunch.

Bug guts.

Margarita.

They’re almost as much of a magnet for spills and stains as white pants.

Or maybe I just notice stains more on these pastel pants than, say, dark wash jeans.

Whatever the case may be, I wore this outfit.

I wore it to work. I wore it to a jobsite.

I wore it to see a friend. Wore it all day long.

Have I mentioned before that I really like this top from Eddie Bauer? I have the same one in purple, and I can’t help but wish the store had had 18 more colors to choose from…probably would have bought them all…

shirt: Eddie Bauer

pants: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s

sandals: WalMart

Summer LBDs: Dress #1

I realized recently that I'd worn 4 black dresses, almost right in a row. For different occasions, of course (work, a rehearsal dinner, and a wedding), but different little black dresses, all right in a row, all in the span of a few days. So, I decided to post them all here, right in a row, and give you some ideas for different ways to wear LBDs in the summer.

You've heard that LBDs are versatile - and they are. But the truth is, you can never have enough. The day I came home with this dress, I came home with 2 other black dresses. All different. This one obviously is more of a looser fitting shift with a ruffle, the other is a cross between a shift dress and a t-shirt dress, and the other is this black maxi you've seen several times already. So, of course I needed them all. And I've worn them each several times already. So, when your shopping partner asks if you "REALLY NEED" all the black dresses, your response should always be "Of course I do!" ;)

dress: Old Navy

necklace: WalMart

shoes: Target

Flapper Girl

I wore this on a really great hair day. I washed my hair, blow dried it, and poof! All the blonde hairs on my head fell into place. This doesn't happen all too often...hardly ever, really...

So, I took this good hair day, combined it with a good outfit day, and took myself to get a beer after work with the Mr. and a few friends. Then headed home to love on the pups and watch the handsome one roll around in the grass.

Oh, and here's another lace/crochet skirt. It almost looks like a flapper's dress up close (almost), which is quite fitting ately - I've been listening to Flapper Girl by The Lumineers on repeat. 

Nice to listen to, ain't it? ;)

shirt: Old Navy

skirt: Nordstrom

sandals: WalMart

necklace: Target

1 Black Maxi. 2 Ways.

 

 

 

  

 

Here are two different ways to style a basic black maxi dress. Yes, they both include denim, but trust me, they’re different! 

One incorporates a denim jacket AND a scarf (a wild, leopard print scarf), and the other a chambray shirt. The chambray can be worn similarly to a jacket (open, unbuttoned), OR buttoned up like a shirt, letting the maxi shine as more of a skirt than a dress. Whatever you prefer! Great for when you need options...or when the weather’s being weird and you may or may not need layers...

maxi dress: Old Navy

on the left:

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

scarf: WalMart

Cleopatra sandals: Shoe Carnival

on the right:

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s

Cleopatra sandals: WalMart

Mr. Picks Mondays: So Chill

I scooped up this little dress when there was still snow on the ground. I liked it, didn't love it, but for only a few bucks, I figured I could wear it once or twice and call it good. I wasn't expecting to love it so. dang. much.

The Mr. picked it out, and I was a bit hesitant at first - not sure why, maybe it's the change in pattern right around my hips/thighs? But the length and wide shoulders make it perfect for work, it's got low-maintenance-wearability [<-- is that a thing?] (no ironing!), light and flowy, kept me cool, and, I hate to brag, but I think the color made my eyes POP! And not to mention, I received plenty of compliments on it during the course of the day. It transitioned easily from work to celebratory drinks and dinner with a friend who got a big kid job, and did I mention I was incredibly comfortable all day? 

Last summer I wore lots of pants and capris, and I was so uncomfortable most of the time.

it. was. so. hot. 

So far this spring/summer, I'm more interested in comfort, and as such, I've been wearing more skirts and dresses. And I've been significantly cooler (so far!) :)

dress: WalMart

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

sandals: Born via DSW

Spirit Animal

I know croakies don't really match my outfit, but I love those things. they keep your sunglasses RIGHT there. I'm expanding my collection - next up: monogrammed croakies

This outfit is an oldie, as well. I wore it on a day when we had a nice little taste of spring. The sun was out, it was warm, and the wind was delightfully absent. I met the Mr. and a friend for dinner and drinks after work, and we sat on a patio while we enjoyed our vittles.

I don't consider myself outdoors-y, or "one with nature," but there's something about being able to be outside and NOT freeze, when all winter you've been cooped up inside, trying to stay warm. I know some people hate the heat, but I would so much rather be hot than cold. Bring on the heat, the sunshine, the shorts and the sandals. 

Summer is my spirit animal ;)

top: American Eagle

skirt: thrifted

shoes: WalMart

necklace: Old Navy

bag: gift