sweater #25

If you thought I was joking about loving my dogs and wearing them on my shirt, you were wrong. Very wrong. And if smiling bulldogs don't put a smile on your face on a Monday morning, then do tell - what will?

tee: J. Crew Factory

cardigan: Eddie Bauer

jeans: local consignment shop

Converse One Star: Target

sweater #23 + sweater #24 + Olaf

new kicks from Target. they're cute, they were on sale, but they're a titch small and they cut up my heels. not sure if they'll be make the cut to stay in my closet...

This gray sweater makes 23. Gray, buffalo plaid, skinnies, and fun reptile print sneaks.

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

scarf: WalMart

skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

shoes: Target

And now, on Super Bowl Sunday, the cutest pup.

his face.
so perfect. and handsome.

such a lover. so many kisses. and nubbin tail wags.

A cream-ish lace tee under a white cardigan + an oatmeal scarf. Skinnies and my boots. And my handsome Olaf.

He's such a great pup - so happy, and jovial, and attention loving, and active. As much as Turbo loves to sleep, Olaf likes to play. And as much as Turbo likes to lay in front of the fire, Olaf does, too. They're too cute for words.

shirt: from a friend

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

scarf: knitted by me

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

boots: Nordstrom

bag: TJ Maxx

the sweater saga, part 7 + sweater #22

previously, the sweater saga...

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6

I'm not at all an expert, and I'm not saying you have to , or should do, the same. But I find myself leaning more and more towards less. I've accumulated a lot of stuff in my 20-some years, and have some sorting and tossing to do, as I always will. But my goal is to never be a "manager of stuff" - keeping things just because I MIGHT someday, in 30 years, need it. For one thing. One time.

But, instead, keeping around and actually using the things I use and wear and enjoy every day, as opposed to things that the maintenance of stresses me out - you know, a 90% piece of furniture, instead of a 10% piece. Or appliance. Or feature of my home.

And this argyle sweater is the perfect layer on top of my bulldog tee. I just love my little sweeties so much, I wear them on my shirt. They're so stinking cute, you guys. Olaf runs circles around me when I get home and can't wait for me to play tug of war with him. And a little update: we adopted him with several infections - ears, eyes, and skin (fungal & bacterial). He's got quite the pharmacy, but it seems to be helping!! Hoping we can get his skin issues sorted out soon, so he's not quite to itchy.

shirt: J. Crew Factory

sweater: from a friend (J. Crew)

pants: J. Crew Factory

flats: Target

in the mens' section + sweater #16

This sweater brought my total number of sweaters to 31. It was the last addition. And the greatest. I mean, a bulldog with his tongue out, just like my boys. And the one on my sweater is wearing a bowler hat. Is that not terrific.

It came from the men’s section at Target, and without sounding weird, I feel like the men’s section of any store is the place to shop. This sweater is so warm compared to most of the ones I already own. I didn't have to wear 18 layers underneath it to stay warm, like I do with some of my current sweaters, which makes me look like a wrinkley bulldog anyways...


sweater: Target
polka dot button up: Old Navy
skirt: Target
fleece-lined tights: Target
boots: c/o Aéropostale

a new addition + sweater #15

So, we got another dog. Ever since my sweet Cali girl passed away in September, Turbo has been an only dog child. I can't tell if he loves it, hates it, or really has no idea... (he can't really hear, see, or smell, so who knows if he even knows his old companion hasn't been around for months, or if he relates the extra attention he's been receiving to her absence).

Back to current events, the new addition is another white male bulldog. He's 2 years old, and the sweetest pup there ever was. The two of them together melt my sometimes-grumpy little heart, and then explode it into a thousand little warm fuzzy hearts. I'm not going to share his current name, since it's probably going to change, but just know that he's so active, and he runs, and he jumps, and he plays, and he brings so many smiles to my face every day. And his head is so big, and his little wrinkley face is so expressive.

But my Turbo is still my handsome boy and grumpy old man and snuggle buddy, don't you worry.

cardigan: rue21

tank: c/o Aéropostale

belt: thrifted

scarf: from a friend

pants: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

30 for 30: day 17

Happy Halloween!! We're really looking forward to trick-or-treaters at our house for the first time! We never got them at our apartment, so this is a "first" for us!

The Mr. brought the pup to my office on a Friday afternoon and he (Turbo) made the rounds to say hello - most people heard him before they saw him... We were planning to go watch a parade with the pup and were even on our way there on this lovely fall day when I got the wild idea that we should instead head to a patio for a beer.

Or five.

Whatever.

So, instead of watching a parade, we did some patio drinking and eating. We met up with friends, ate some fried food, drank some beers, and were really entertained by all the people passing by who wanted to love on The Turbs.

He lapped it all up - when people would leave after petting him, he'd bark after them as if to say "Wait, what? You've leaving? Have you SEEN how adorable I am with my tongue sticking out?! I mean, look at me." 

I'd thrown the sweater and jeans in my car that morning before heading to work, knowing that I'm always cold and that the sun would set while we were still out. I'm so glad I had the extra layers and pants - sitting on the patio got pretty chilly, but I was bundled up (a jacket AND another scarf on top of this leopard one). But I wasn't too cold, and wound up with another outfit to share on this here blog. Another two-fer, right there.

See my list of 30 items here.

30 for 30: day 8

Handsome just loves to be outside.
he loves to sit in the sunshine and roll in the grass.

I just love this wrinkley face and funky tongue.
SO.
MUCH.

We've been having some really lovely weather this fall (no snow yet!). I'm starting to see why everyone just loooooves fall. I'm not quite there. Yet...

But you know what I do love? That handsome white bulldog up there :)

See my list of 30 items here.

number 3 of 7

from the Mr:

"I wasn’t sure if I could recall her ever wearing this belt, so I thought it might be fun to pick an outfit based on a belt rather, than the larger pieces. "

The focal point here is the belt. It came with a plaid patchwork mini skirt I got ages ago (still have it…), and it wraps around my hips twice – don’t think I’m super skinny, the belt is SUPER long. So, I put it on “backwards” and looped it enough so that the plaid patchwork showed, once I half-tucked my merlot v-neck in.

This was a tough day– our sweet Cali girl passed. Now every time I wear something pictured here, I think of her even more than I already do – it's very odd to come home to only one wrinkley pup, when you're used to two.

Do you remember what you wore on important/special occasions or specific days?

I definitely do.

shirt: Target

scarf: gift

belt: American Eagle

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: WalMart

how to: mix prints

By now I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of people mixing prints (me: here). You might even be a pro at it yourself. But for those of you that aren’t just yet, here are two (easy) examples of print mixing, just to help you get your toes wet. However, if you’re ready to jump in and rock a head-to-toe print mixed ensemble, please do! And then send me pictures or the link so I can check it out and be impressed with your mad print-mixing skills.

 

 

 

 

 

But for the newbies, a few simple steps…

Step 1

Wear a striped shirt. Or maybe plaid. Or polka dots. Or just a printed shirt.

Step 2

Add a printed scarf in a similar color family (blue floral on blue stripes). Black and white stripes can really go with any floral. A similar color family keeps the prints looking cohesive, not like you got dressed in the dark.

Step 3

Put on pants. Or a skirt. Or some type of bottoms.

Step 4

Maybe add a jacket. Or not.

Step 5

Add accessories and shoes. Or not. Shoes would be another great place to add in some unexpected print mixing – think polka dots, stripes, leopard, plaid, etc. (stick with the same color family, though!)

Step 6 (the most important)

Love on your dogs.

left:

 striped shirt: Old Navy

 floral scarf: Target

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: WalMart

belt: American Eagle

right:

striped cardigan: rue21

floral scarf: thrifted

crochet skirt: Aéropostale

jacket: thrifted

sandals: Shoe Carnival