30 for 30: day 8 + day 9

You guessed it - two outfits in today's post. That's what Mondays are for, right?

day 8

A cream sweater, pink infinity scarf, skinnies, and sandals. Nothin' too fancy, just somethin' pretty simple. But I WAS having a great hair day, so that ups the ante of this casual look, methinks.

cream-colored top: American Eagle

skinny jeans: c/o Aéropostale

pink scarf: gift

metallic sandals: Target

necklace: Old Navy

day 9

Unintentionally, most of the pieces in this look came from J. Crew Factory. I guess some pieces from the same store just go together really well. It's like they design the clothes that way or something ;)

sleeveless blouse: J. Crew Factory

polka dot cardigan: J. Crew Factory

wine colored pencil skirt: J. Crew Factory

black booties: Kohl's

the sweater saga, part 6 + sweater #21

previously, the sweater saga...

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5

Picking up where I left off yesterday...

I'm finding it refreshing to have a few dresses that look great, no matter what, and are basic enough to be styled in an infinite number of ways, as opposed to 20+ dresses that are each "ho-hum" and don't do much for me. Or a closet full of pieces that are "meh," instead of a smaller collection (perhaps a capsule wardrobe?) of knock-out pieces that get worn every day.

I've become a lot more open and willing to wear my "special" and favorite pieces more often. There’s no point in having a great fitting skirt, if it only gets worn once or twice a year for special occasions.

Instead, shouldn't I make an effort to look nice and presentable and my best every day? Or at least most days of the week, instead of once or twice a quarter? I've gotten rid of lots of cheap jewelry (not all, but lots), and enjoy wearing my diamond studs from my parents day after day (they really go with e'er'thang).

At times, it's hard for me to choke down the cost of something nice - like my Frye boots, but, they'll last forever and I love them. They go with everything, and I find myself dressing them up, down, and casually. The only time I don't wear them is when the snow or precipitation stands a good chance of ruining them. 

still to be continued....

button up: from a friend (American Eagle)

sweatshirt: Old Navy

statement necklace: WalMart

skirt: J. Crew Factory

booties: Old Navy

two New Year's Eve outfit ideas

In case you need some last minute ideas for what to wear tonight (and tomorrow will have some ideas for New Year's Day ON New Year's Day - mindblowing, I know), here are two a wee-bit-more-than-casual looks, incorporating skirts and tights.

This first look is a black sweater layered over a black dress, with some purple tights for a little pizzazz. I added a polka dot heart scarf, booties, and a purple headband to pull it all together. This would be a great look if you're not into wearing sequins - monochromatic, with a bit of fun color thrown in.

sweater: American Eagle

dress: thrifted (Target)

tights: ???

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

But if you ARE into wearing sequins...

And if you want to be festive in sequins, but tend to get cold like yours truly, try wearing a sweater with your sequins. It's a fun juxtaposition - snazzy party-ready sequins with a warm sweater and boots. And, as an added bonus, this look incorporates ALL OF THE textures: cable-knit sweater, sequins, tights, leather boots, peacoat, and curly strawberry-blonde hair (some of my favorite things!). 

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

coat: Old Navy

bag: TJ Maxx

classy in leather

I don't ride a motorcycle (but I DO ride a beach cruiser), and I’m not one to wear lots of leather (besides a jacket, shoes, or bag). However, I found this skirt at a thrift store and have silently been plotting ways for my sunshine-y/fuzzy/warm self to wear it.

Enter winter.

And tights.

And sweaters.

I added a cream sweater (with a wide v-neck collar - very feminine) to soften it up, and take the look from “lady of the night” to “fashion forward young strawberry blonde on a date with her husband.”

Did I nail it? I mean, if anything, the sweater helps, and the black herringbone print tights also contribute. The booties help a teeny bit, but maybe the low bun in the hair is really what takes it from edgy to modern classy…?

And cool.

Definitely cool.

sweater: American Eagle

skirt: thrifted

tights: I don't remember...

booties: Old Navy

tights & dresses

By now you might have noticed I'm wearing more tights and skirts/dresses than I have in the past. 

There's a few reasons for that:

1) in an effort to stave off the inevitable mid-winter "I hate everything in my closet because I only wear skinny jeans and sweaters," I'm trying to keep things interesting.

2) I'm taking advantage of the cold, but not yet frigid, temperatures we are bound to experience in January and February.

3) my new Frye boots are great, yet a wee bit snug in the calves, so I'm trying to get them to relax a bit before I pair them with pants.

4) I've started viewing tights as accessories. Sure, they're technically "clothes," and my legs would freeze without them, but wearing different tights with the same dress or skirt changes up my look, just like switching out shoes or jewelry.

So, here's to more tights&skirts&dresses this winter. Until it's WAY too cold outside...

dress: Nordstrom

tank: Kohl's

cardigan: Eddie Bauer

scarf: I made it!

tights: GG Boutique

booties: Old Navy

versatile

I had no idea when I picked up this scarf over the summer that it would be so versatile. I've worn it for every American-pride day that has passed: Labor Day, Veteran's Day (the day I wore this), Election Day, probably going to wear it for Pearl Harbor Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, D-Day, the Air Force's founding date (September 18th - so proud, Dad??), y'know, any and every day I can get away with wearing an American flag-inspired scarf. 

I paired it with a striped tee for some print mixing, added the red cardigan and white down vest for warmth, but also so I'd be wearing red, white and blue for Veteran's Day :)

shirt: Old Navy

sweater: from a friend (Banana Republic)

vest: thrifted (Aéropostale)

scarf: Aéropostale

jeans: Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

not what I wore for Thanksgiving

This is not what I wore for Thanksgiving.

But if I'd had a more "traditional" Thanksgiving with a turkey and stuffing, I'd have warn something like this - stretchy skinnies, and a roomy button up. And see how I accessorized with my scarf, jacket, and purse??

Instead, I wore my bathing suit and lounged by the pool in the sunshine.

Instead of turkey, my brother and sis-in-law made a delicious low-country boil.

Instead of stuffing or sweet potatoes, we had a delicious conch ceviche. 

Instead of falling leaves or snow, we had lots of sunshine and a delightful sea breeze.

I've spent the past few days at the beach with my family, and heading home is going to be rough...however, I'm very thankful for the time I got to spend with them.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for reading!

buffalo plaid: Kohl's

scarf: from a friend

skinnies: Aéropostale

jacket: Target

booties: Old Navy

purse: T.J. Maxx

30 for 30: day 29 & day 30

day 29

 

 

  

This top. I love. I’m in love. Is it green? Is it gray? It’s a sweater. It’s a shirt. It’s a shirt with a chiffon back. It’s dressy. It’s casual. It keep me guessing, and I’m a big fan. If I stumble across more tops with this look/feel/vibe, I’ll definitely be adding them to my closet.

day 30

 

 

  

Black&white&gray. I’d just about reached the end of my creativity with this one. And what better to wear on a Thursday at the end of October than something easy and almost-mindless? It’s not my best look, but it’s far from my worst.

And hallelujah, the weather tomorrow is supposed to be in the 30s! Can we say "balmy"??

See my list of 30 items here.