the sweater saga, part 5 + sweater #20

previously, the sweater saga...

part 1 / part 2

part 3 / part 4

So, I have all of these things and stuff and luxuries that are very nice to have, BUT, moving forward, I'm trying to not contribute to them. Instead, I'm trying to focus on making the most of what I already have, without adding more. I don't like having 18 hair products to choose from, or several types of shampoo. This winter, I've been wearing the same 3 pairs of shoes over and over + my snow boots, when it's gross. I rotate the same few coats, and I lean towards my favorite scarves over and over.

Having some options (less, but still some) seems to make me a happier person. Currently, I've got several books on my nightstand I'm working through - and I’m trying to power through them so I can have only one book I'm in the middle of. And reading for speed to get through an enjoyable book isn't great.

It's the dilemma of too much/too many/too many choices, eating away at my being able to really enjoy one book at a time. Or one bottle of lovely perfume. 

still to be continued...

dress: J. Crew Factory

button up shirt: c/o Aéropostale

patterned tights: WalMart

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

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!

still classic

One of my best friends gave me this cardigan over the summer. I was so excited to have a classic argyle cardigan, but I wasn't sure what to wear with it. I was a little stumped, until I decided to think beyond solid black, white or gray. Somehow this striped button-up got put next to the argyle, and a slightly print-mixed outfit was born.

The shirt and the cardigan are both classic pieces on their own, and paired together, they're still classic, but a bit more modern, and slightly cheeky. And instead of defaulting to skinny jeans, I chose mint jeans to brighten this up a bit. And my new black boots were a no-brainer.

shirt: GAP

cardigan: from a friend (J. Crew)

mint jeans: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

boots: c/o Aéropostale

brunching & accessorizing

This outfit was just about perfect for brunching. The button-up shirt and stretchy skinnies allowed for maximum food intake, with minimal discomfort. And the plaid on the shirt helped to camouflage any food or beverage spills that might have happened...

The oxfords are borrowed from a friend (I've been trying to steal this pair from her for over a year, but she just. won't. hand them over). I added a sparkly statement necklace to glam up the plaid, and threw an old seashell clip in my hair. I belted my pants and half-tucked my shirt - it's a completely different look untucked, try it sometime. And the little teal clutch matched my shirt just perfectly.

Until I started this blog, I would have never:

1) worn these shoes and this belt together (they don't match)

2) worn this clip with this jewelry (they're different vibes)

3) mixed a sparkly statement necklace with dainty gold bracelets (they don't match)

4) worn pants other than jeans or dress pants (jeans were truly my comfort zone)

5) worn a sparkly statement necklace to dress up plaid (shouldn't your whole outfit just be the same aesthetic - dressy? casual? sporty? etc.?)

Look how far I've come! All with a little courage, time, guts, inspiration, and accessories :)


shirt & pants & clutch: Aéropostale
necklace: WalMart
belt: American Eagle
shoes: Frye (borrowed from a friend

dots & leopard spots

This was a "first day of school" outfit. Not MY first day, but for plenty of people where I work. It drizzled for most of the day, and I ended up hoofing it across campus a few times - probably should have worn some better shoes, like, galoshes...?

shirt: Old Navy

pants: from a friend via Urban Outfitters

shoes: Kohl's

mild costume change

I wore this recently on a Friday. Nothing too fancy - just a button up and a chambray skirt.

And after work, I did a quick costume change to meet up with a friend for one of these.

Bright pink shorts in place of the skirt. A bit more appropriate for a casual Friday afternoon beer with an old friend. Thinking I need to do that again - and soon!

shirt: J. CREW (thrifted)

skirt: thrifted

shorts: Old Navy

sandals: DSW

bragging rights

I don't mean to brag, but I think my legs look pretty good in this skirt and these wedges. I've been training for my half marathon and I like to think it shows. But maybe that's all in my head...

This skirt is shorter than what I'd wear to work, so don't worry, Mom - this skirt didn't go to work. I wore pants on the job site, but changed into this when I got home. Something about pants in the summer heat makes me so uncomfortable. Blegh.

shirt: Aéropostale

skirt: from a friend

wedges: Target

Mint & Navy. Again...

Apparently I'm really into mint and navy together lately (here and here).

They just look really good together, mmk?

Happy Friday!

chambray: WalMart

mint jeans: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

sandals: WalMart

AERO NOW and Minty-Teal Plaid

This plaid shirt from Aéropostale has quickly become a new favorite in my closet – it makes me wonder “How often is too often to wear this?” It’s not like jeans or shoes that you can wear repeatedly without fear of getting called out for wearing the same thing over and over. It’s bright minty-teal, with fun lace-detailing on the back, so it stands out. I’ve got a lot of clothes, so I guess I feel silly when I wear the same thing twice (or more!) in quick succession. Not sure why – if I like it, I should wear it, and everyone can…a-hem, get over it...and stop making Western jokes...

Right? 

We’ll go with that…

Be sure to check out Aéro’s new collection, AERO NOW, which launched just a few days ago.

shirt: Long Sleeve Lace-Back Woven Shirt

shorts: Cuffed Dark Wash Denim Bermuda Shorts

similar: Curvy Dark Wash Denim Bermuda Shorts

sandals: Target