Mr. Picks Mondays: "Dweater"

You might recognize this dress from this past summer - I wore it to a sorority sister's wedding. Several other sisters came up and stayed with us, so my lucky Mr. got to be our DD, 

as well as our "chaperone."

The reason he chose this dress for the latest Mr. Picks Mondays was because I had just finished re-pretty-ify-ing my closet and re-hanging and re-folding (almost) everything. So, this dress was prominently displayed, and he chose it for me to wear. 

Since the back of the dress is open, I chose a warm sweater to make it work appropriate, and then kept the sweater on all day. My fleece-lined tights were a finishing touch - you know I love 'em (so warm & comfy!)

What do you think? Too summery? Or did the abundance of textures (lace, chunky sweater, cable-knit tights, and a polka dot scarf) make it winter appropriate? Personally, I'm a fan of how it turned out.

linking up with:

DC in Style for Monday Bloom

Fizz & Frosting for Mix it Monday

Still Being Molly for Funday Monday

Life's a Party Dress Like It for Stylish Tuesday

Style Elixir for Style Sessions Link Up and Friday's Fab Favorites

Simply Lulu Style for What I'm Loving Fridays

Two Thirty-Five Designs for Casual Friday

dress: Urban Outfitters [[similar below OR check out this similar dress in blue lace I just got from Aéro]]

sweater: Aéropostale [[<--exact in link]]

scarf: Aéropostale

belt: Target [[similar below]]

tights: local boutique [[similar below]]

boots: Rack Room Shoes [[similar below]]

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Mr. Picks Mondays: Blue Under Gray

When you wear a dress, tights and a blazer, what do you add so that you don't appear TOO dressed up for your pretty casual office?

A big chunky scarf that serves two purposes: 

1) to keep you warm; and 

2) dress down your tights, dress, and blazer combination.

Oh, and to pair with the cute outfit your husband picked out :)

dress & belt: Target sort of similar below

blazer: Aéropostale sort of similar below

boots: Rack Room Shoes sort of similar below

CHECK OUT SOMETHING SIMILAR

30 for 30: Day 29 & Day 30

Day 29

Aaaah, Day 28. Day 28 was filled with turning in the keys to our apartment (!!!), a(nother) stop at The Home Depot, a trip to Kohl's, and some celebratory/farewell-apartment TCBY. Busy busy days, I tell ya! 

I threw on my chambray & corduroys with my oxfords - I've hardly worn those shoes during this challenge so I wanted to make sure I got another wear in during my 30 for 30. 

Day 30

The weather this day (and really all of Thanksgiving weekend) was beautiful - high 50s at the end of November! Unheard of! 

So, to commemorate the last day of my 30 for 30 challenge and this occasion of warmth & sunshine, I wore a dress. Without tights. For the last time until March/maybe April/probably May. I'm glad I got in my last bit of sun & bare legs - we've been hit with well below freezing temperatures this past week. It's so cold it hurts to breathe! And a short walk to my car in the parking lot at work is enough to make my whole face numb - BRRRRR! Good news is, I've been pulling out a lot of my sweaters...!

linking up here today

[juxta]posing in October

I forget to mention in yesterday's post, but I'm more than halfway done with my 30 for 30 challenge! I'm excited to be almost done, although this has been a great exercise in wearing basics, and utilizing the basics & neutral colors I already have in my closet.

Veering away from what I said above, here's this bright/white/dark shirt/is it fall?/is it summer? outfit. I wore this on a very warm day at the end of October, proving that you CAN wear white after Labor Day. Just be sure to do it appropriately - intentionally, and with layers. 

This is the first time I've worn a scarf belted - ever tried it before? What did you think?

chambray: thrifted

scarf: gift

belt: thrifted

pants: Old Navy

sandals: Target

30 for 30: Lucky 13

I wore this on an unseasonably warm day this past week - no tights! I'm all for warmer weather, but it's so unexpected so far into November. However, I'm not complaining (remember how it snowed on May Day this past spring?). These warm temps are making me regret my decision to include 2 heavy sweaters in my 30 for 30 lineup - wishing I'd included more tops instead. Note to self for next time...

Hope your weekend is off to a great start - we lounged last night and are having early & late birthday dinner celebrations with my parents tonight. See ya later, gators!

linking up over here today

Makeshift Peplum & Skirting the Question

 

 

Let's talk about this skirt. I have had it FOREVER (by FOREVER, I mean since high school - and not just senior year, more like sophomore year...). Every time I go through my closet, I go back & forth about this skirt. I love the dusty rose color, the flower applique, the ruffled hem on the bottom, and it's a very light, very thin corduroy fabric, so I can wear it in warmer weather, or pair it with a sweater and emphasize off the corduroy/winter aspect. The only thing I don't love about it is the fit. 

In the above pictures on the left, the skirt is sitting on my hips. It fits there comfortably. If anything, it might be a little big. On the right, I pulled the skirt up to my belt under my shirt, so the skirt is a bit shorter. However, it didn't stay there all day. I can't help but think that the shorter version of this skirt (right) is more flattering on me - it shows more of my leg, doesn't cut off my legs or give me weird bagginess around my hips, like wearing it on my hips does. I'm short (5"4'), so if anything, I want to elongate my legs & torso, not shorten them.

So, here is my question: is it worth getting this skirt taken in, since I've had it forever and I love it? And my other question: Is it more flattering on me to wear a skirt that shows my knees?  

Onto my shirt - this polka dot chambray is a bit boxy fit, but I love it, and I keep challenging myself to come up with ways to wear it that don't show off the "box" shape. So, I belted it as a "makeshift peplum" that also coordinated with the ruffled hem on my skirt. 

How did I do? 

Did I hit it out of the park, or fail miserably?

I think maybe it wasn't my BEST look, but it wasn't TOO bad ;)

Hope you have had a great weekend so far! I've got some ice cream calling my name, so I've gotta scoot!

shirt: (Liz Claiborne) thrifted

skirt: American Eagle

belt: came with another dress

sandals: Born via DSW

Chambray Dress

Again, mirror pictures. Sorry, my friends! Tell my Mr. and his job that he's no longer allowed to work in the evenings - somebody needs to have pictures taken for their blog. I kid - I am very very thankful he has a job, it's something he enjoys, and that it provides a comfortable lifestyle for our little family of 2 people, and 2 (high maintenance) bulldogs that are the sweetest little nuggets you ever did see. And you thought it was only necessary to be thankful during Thanksgiving... ;)

Onto this dress. I scooped it up at Kohl's and couldn't wait to wear it. But then I got caught up with the belt issue:

Do I wear it with the belt it came with? 

Try a different belt? 

Use a scarf as a belt? 

Go without and miss an opportunity to define my waist? 

After much deliberation that ended with all my scarves & belts sprawled out across my room, I decided to go with the belt that came with the dress. Original, I know. I wish I'd taken pictures of the "process," but all the other options looked like I was trying too hard to punch up my dress. And who wants to try too hard to punch up a new dress when it's hot outside and you just want to be cool in a nice, light, chambray dress? Not I! Maybe I'll try a funky scarf as a belt this fall/winter with some tights and boots...

dress: Kohl's

sandals: Born via DSW