stretchin'

Stretchin.' As in: stretchin' my tummy, my comfort, and this dress. This dress is not a maternity dress, but it is QUITE stretchy, so it was added to the rotation. I purchased it for our maternity photos (coming soon!) - I tried to only purchase a few things I knew we would get a lot of wear out of after our photos were complete. This dress for me, and two shirts for the Mr. (one is chambray! eek!)

When thinking about transitioning to postpartum clothes, I'm a wee bit overwhelmed/nervous - I have A LOT of clothes. And not being able to fit into that many has been kinda nice - it really limits my options, forces me to be creative and OK with repeating outfits, and has helped to keep a lid on my shopping adventures. Aaah, just another hurdle to deal with, right?

I'm told parenthood is full of those ;)

dress: Old Navy

everything else from my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

May showers

About three weeks ago, three of my sweet sweet girlfriends hosted a baby shower for me and our new Bebe. It was a truly lovely afternoon - lots of delicious food, lots of fun books for Bebe to read (or, us to read to Bebe, let's be real), and lots of lovely gifts (thank you cards are being worked on, pinky promise).

My parents came to visit for the occasion, and while Mom and I attended the shower, the Mr., my Dad and some boyfriends/husbands of the girls attending my shower played lawn games and enjoyed beer at our house. My bestie with a new baby came and even brought her little one to my house before the shower so I could love on the wee one. Friends came from all over Colorado to celebrate and I only wish I could had more time to see everyone.

Mama (soon-to-be- Gramma) & I

friends from high school - thanks for making the trip!

ZTA friends - thanks for making the trip!

Above is the dress I wore for the shower - not included in my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe, as this was a birthday gift from my parents that arrived after I'd taken pictures and posted my capsule on this here blog.

It's from a Pea in the Pod Maternity, and while I do like it a lot (built-in print mixing, huzzah!), I had planned to wear an apricot midi skirt with a lace top for my shower, but this Colorado spring weather had other ideas (gray. cold. rain. mud.). So, a warm dress with tights and booties was the next best option. Luckily these fleece-lined tights matched the red/maroon in the dress perfectly - phew!

Thank you to my hostesses for a lovely party, and thank you to everyone who made the trip or sent lovely gifts - you guys are the best. We can't wait for you to meet our new addition!

black & gray

We've had some less than desirable weather the last few weeks - I'm talking cold and rainy (and some snow/slush, as well). So, as much as I'm dying to break out clothes for warmer weather (dresses & sandals), I'm holding off in favor of not freezing every time I walk outside. And, apparently, wearing lots of dark colors (cause I love 'em).

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

checkered & versatile

This is my last look featuring bare legs & sunshine, as well as clothes that don't have some room for an expanding midsection. That being said, I've worn this dress with booties (above), with sandals, as a tunic over leggings, and as a button-up shirt with jeans. How's that for versatile?

red & white checkered dress: The Screamin' Peach

booties: Old Navy

belt: thrifted

vested chambray

Oh look! All the pretty fall colors! Fitting, since these pictures are from this fall...and just now making an appearance...I digress...

Beautiful aspen trees in the mountains are the perfect backdrop for just about anything. Truly. They add an element of "nature" to everything, and somehow, magically, seem to complement anything they're paired with.

Enough with my love song to aspens - let's talk about my outfit. That's why you're here, yes? This is a simple, layered, fall look. Chambray dress, white vest + booties (not easily seen: aspen leaf earrings - they're a real thing, trust). When you need a little more warmth than just a thin dress, a vest is the perfect option - it adds dimension without overwhelming the entire look. And of course, booties - perfect for bare legs with skirts or dresses. However, this look could be easily adapted for the colder weather we're experiencing right now - add tights and a scarf, and voila! Colorado winter chic!

chambray dress: Kohl's

white denim vest: thrifted

ankle booties: Old Navy

very delayed

You thought my post a few weeks ago was a flash-in-the-pan for me and that I'd disappear again, huh? Not the case! I'll spare you the details, but I've made the switch from my beloved MacBook (*tear*) back to a PC, and switching everything over has taken some...finesse (and help from a computer engineer friend), aaaaand, every evening at about 7 pm, our internet goes bad (we're told it's a volume thing and the equipment/infrastructure needs updating. I know, #firstworldproblem, but, when you pay for uber-fast internet, you'd like to be able to use it when you're at your home...) BUT! technological issues aside, we're back in business!

If you're at all observant, you'll notice that these pictures don't appear to have been taken recently, since it's still winter and the bottom of our driveway is still a sheet of solid ice and I'm not wearing 18 layers and tights. And, you would be right. These pictures (and this pink & navy outfit) happened this fall...in September...ages ago! The Mr. and I headed to the mountains for a quick weekend to celebrate our dating anniversary (5 internet gold stars if you can guess what milestone we were celebrating) and he suggested I bring some backlogged outfits to take photos of, because, you know, FALL IN COLORADO. ALL OF THE LEAVES AND ALL OF THE BOO-TIFUL COLORS. 

And, he was right. So smart, that one. Lots of beautiful colors, still some green grass, and you know, some blonde girl wearing a lacy dress & heeled booties out in nature. And also, this is before I knew I was pregnant, as are the next few looks I'll share with you. However, this dress is something I did wear a few times in my first trimester before it got too snug (and subsequently, short); it's currently boxed up until we can be reunited.

So, again, apologies for the delay and my absence, but I'm back! And I've got some maternity-esque looks to share with you (I'm not in FULL maternity gear yet, just lots of stretchy pants) - stay tuned!

navy lace overlay dress: Banana Republic outfit

pink ombre scarf: gift

taupe ankle booties: Old Navy

gold clutch: thrifted

busy busy in my booties

Ever have one of those crazy days

weeks

months

extended periods of time?

While my personal life has had some down time this week (only until Friday, then company! BBQ! festival! pool!), my work life has been crazy busy. While I do love when the days go by quickly, I can't stand when I'm unable to really accomplish anything. That "I've been busy all day, but have nothing actually completed to show for it" feeling. Enter frustrated Annie.

But cute outfits help to easy my frustration. So, even if I'm swamped and slowly wading my way through work stuff, at least I'm wearing some cute booties to do it. Perhaps these should be called my "ass-kicking booties"?

Happy Wednesday evening ;)

shirt: Target // 

skirt: Nordstrom

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

necklace: WalMart

booties: Kohl's

linking up:

Life Styled by Tiffany // I do deClaire // Sydney Fashion Hunter

Cappuccino and Fashion // Tucker Up // The Pleated Poppy

Classy Yet Trendy // Pampers & Pearls // Book of Leisure 

long time, no see

Hello, friends! I know - world's longest absence from my little blog. I can make all the excuses in the world and delve into where I've been and what I've been doing and why I've been neglecting you, but, I won't.

Instead, I'll just say "I'm sorry. I've been putting other things ahead of my outfit posts. The end."

We good?

Moving right along, I wore this pleated & polka dotted salmon number for a Zeta Alumni event several weeks ago. This is such a juxtaposition of looks, and I LOVE it (look at me growing up! wearing different styles all at once like a boss!).

The sweet pleats & polka dots, the salmon color and the feminine cut.

Paired with the taupe ankle booties and the sparkly statement necklace.

Topped off with my dark hairs (love. still.) and a suede clutch.

I know this look isn't for everyone, but I'm a big fan - I blended several different seasons and looks/feels/vibes into one, rather cohesive, look.

Ya like?

dress: LC Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

booties: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

(use the code sweetbananiexoxo for a free month of jewelry rental)

clutch: thrifted

linking up:

The Red Closet Diary

saturday

Layers. Chambray. Plaid. Booties. Gold, and a side braid. 

Oofta. Saturday, you're here at least.

plaid button up: c/o Aéropostale

chambray dress: Kohl's 

gold belt: thrifted (Target)

ankle booties: Kohl's