the opposite of snowy

See that snow on the ground? And the accompanying velvet pants, boots, turtleneck, and blanket scarf?

I'm NOT wearing anything like that today.

Instead, I'm wearing a lot less warm clothing, and soaking up as much sunshine as possible with friends while patio drinking and frolicking. We're also resurrecting old phrases and -isms from our youth, in celebration of my birthday nameday yesterday:

"Long hair, don't care."

"Let your freak flag fly."

"Leggooooo."

"YOLO"

turtleneck: GAP

blanket scarf: WalMart

velvet pants: J. Crew Factory

boots: c/o Aéropostale

all black. kinda.

One way to break up a lot of black is by adding in prints and textures. This black chambray leans gray in pictures, and the floral tank top still flows with the black pants, but adds visual interest. The scarf adds another texture up top, and hat caps everything off, without being so matchy-matchy - it doesn't match the floral print on my shirt, but still ties together the whole look. 

linking up over here

floral tanktop: WalMart

black chambray: Old Navy

black skinnies: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

hat: thrifted (Target)

plum. 2 ways.

If you have a deep purple/plum colored dress, and you want to wear it in more ways than one, fear not! Here are two ideas for your purple-wearing self.

The first, a bit fancier. Maybe for a date night or nice party. Deep purple dress, magenta wedges, statement necklace and a clutch. Keeping it pretty simple, yet something so simple and classy packs quite the punch, don't you think?

Also, maybe I should quit with the center part in my hair? I'm not sure it's doing me any favors.

Up for discussion...

And this second look is a bit more casual. Perfect for dinner at a bar, then a rousing evening of grocery shopping and the hardware store (like I did when I wore this). Jacket, scarf, belt & boots to add a bit of depth, and also keep you warm - in case you have to park REALLY far away in the parking lot and/or wait for a table. Or something.

linking up over here, at A Touch of Tartan

dress: thrifted (Banana Republic)

wedges: ALDO

statement necklace: WalMart

clutch: thrifted

jacket: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: thrifted (Lucky Brand)

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

belt: Target

all of the layers

If you've ever wanted to wear ALL OF THE LAYERS, you would look something similar to the above pictures. A striped tee, zip up sweatshirt, utility jacket, and a scarf up top, skinnies and flats on the bottom.

Not my best look, but certainly not my worst. I like to think the multitude of layers keeps you guessing:

"Does she look good? Does she look like a green, gray & black marshmallow? Why is she wearing so many layers? Maybe they layers are to distract me? Maybe the layers hide her true, funny, clever self? I think maybe the layers all look cohesive - wow, she must really have her life in order."

Or, ya know, whatever other thoughts popped into your head when this outfit filled with prints, dark colors, and neutrals appeared on your computer screen/phone screen/email inbox. Who knew a neutral & layered outfit could spark SO much discussion?

shirt: WalMart

sweatshirt: Target

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

skinnies: Target

flats: Target

fancy

When your best friend has a birthday, and invites you out for margaritas at your favorite margarita place, you might wear something like this. Or you might wear something like this for a fun party, or a nice date. Or your own birthday celebration at above-mentioned margarita place.

You might especially wear something like this if you hadn't taken your new skirt out for a test drive yet, and/or your new polka dot tights were burning a hole in your dresser drawer.

I kept it simple up top with a white v-neck tee, and fancy on the bottom, with a bow skirt, polka dot tights, and suede magenta wedges.

And we had a splendid time celebrating my friend.

So much fun, we didn't even get a picture of the two of us :/

shirt: WalMart

skirt: c/o Aéropostale

similar: Solid Pucker Skirt / Chevron Jacquard Pleated Skirt

tights: Target

wedges: ALDO

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!

90 miles to cuba, part 4

This was my “travel back to Colorado” outfit. Not pictured: a Colorado State University crewneck sweatshirt I put on when I got chilly.

In case you're wondering, ingredients for the perfect travel outfit include, but are not limited to:

- comfortable pants (stretchy skinnies)

- a comfy (mint v-neck) tee

- the option of a scarf

- a sweatshirt or sweater

- cozy socks in your carry on

- and I put close-toed shoes in my backpack, as well (I knew it wouldn’t be 70 and sunny when we landed in Denver…).

That purple backpack up there is a real trooper. I’ve had it since I started 5^th grade – I was REALLY into purple during that time, hence the bright grape color. Oh, and my name embroidered on there, too. My name is really Anne (with an E! always an E!), but most people call me Annie. It’s ALMOST vintage. So I should hang onto it until the big purple backpack trend comes back around?

Happy Monday!

shirt: Old Navy

scarf: WalMart

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

sandals: Target

backpack: L.L. Bean

fall two-fer, number 2

Two-fer number two today, folks. 

Apparently I like to wear green this fall. It’s normally not my best, or favorite, color to wear. However, I wore two different green tops in the same week, and ya know, here are some pictures to look at.

Outfit #1

The first, a light green chiffon blouse with burgundy and navy blue flowers. The only thing I don’t LOVE about this top is the elastic waistband - it makes a large horizontal line at the widest part of my hips, and doesn’t stay down very well.

However, I can’t part with it because of the color and the flowers. It’s great for spring/summer, but I’m thinking of layering it under a darker-hued cardigan to switch up my normal winter garb – normally button ups layered under sweaters, sweatshirts, and more sweaters.

Did I mention sweaters?

shirt: Maurice's

scarf: WalMart

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: Walmart

Outfit #2

And this neon green top is pretty fun. It’s a very lightweight knit “sweater", but because of the color, I usually group it with my summer wardrobe. But it tends to not get a lot of wear, because in the summer, it’s hot. Obvi. And I want to wear as little as possible, while still being put-together and covered.

But this year, I’m keeping it with my colder weather line-up. The sleeve length and weight will be great for creating layered looks, and this bright neon green will really add a punch of cheer and BRIGHT to those cold, dark, winter days that are headed our way…ugh.

I’m hanging on to warmer weather as long as possible.

Are you surprised?

top: Old Navy

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: Old Navy