trouser two-fer

I've got a two-fer for ya before this long weekend (don't worry - I've got posts coming 'atcha through the long weekend, though). This two-fer features the same pair of pants, but with different shirts each time. One shirt has polka dots, the other is a lace-detail chambray, but they're both button-ups. Points for me anyways?

Up first, polka dots on top, and light & subtle pinstripes on the bottom (tough to see in these pictures, I know). These pants are oldies, but they're the prettiest shade of light olive green with the most perfect little pinstripes. I'm so glad I've hung on to them since high school - aren't trousers making a comeback? Or something?

Secondly is something really similar to the first, but the shirt is different! It's chambray! *swoon* And no polka dots! And it has pretty lace detailing on the shoulders and back. Totally different look, right? RIGHT?

What's your favorite way to wear some trousers? Button ups? Blouses? Casual tees?

Spill.

polka dot button up: Old Navy

metallic sandals: Target

green trousers: GAP

lace detail chambray: c/o Aéropostale

beaded sandals: Kohl's

and again

Here it is again - another chambray over another dress (see the last time I did that here). I'm softly kicking myself for not having tried this sooner. But, better late than never, right? RIGHT??

This dress is a hand-me-down from my bestie, and I'm trying to come up with an occasion to wear it on its own, but so far, I got nothin'. And I had nothing on the books when she first gave it to me. So, I put on my thinking cap and decided to pair it with a chambray so I could wear it THAT much sooner and not have to wait (and wait. and wait. and wait) to wear my pretty new dress.

That's crinoline sticking out of the bottom, so the skirt is pretty full - meaning, I could fluff it out quite a bit, if I so chose. Obviously, I did not on this day ('twould be silly to wear a very poofy skirt to work), but the option is there, ready to be utilized.

Now that you've seen me try it a few times, have you knotted a chambray over a dress?? Or, any shirt for that matter? Oh, do tell.

dress: from a friend

chambray: thrifted

sandals: DSW

linking up:

I do DeClaire // Style Elixir

 Bless Her Heart, Y'all // Two Peas in a Blog

tricky technique

Oh oh, I just love how this outfit turned out. I'd been playing with the idea of trying to wear more of my dresses in a more casual way, and happened upon a chambray knotted over a dress somewhere on the internets. I've since worn several fancier dresses this way and am loving the result (the Mr. is not a fan, but he also doesn't like skinny jeans AND ankle booties. so, please discuss fashion and style with myself).

The only thing I don't love about this layering technique is that tying up my chambray causes it to sit just above my natural waist, and sometimes a dress can be a little shapeless right at that point (not always); and instead of looking like a skirt, it looks like I wore a chambray over a dress. Which is a truth fact, BUT the idea is to make something I already own look like something else. That's called "mileage," or decreasing your "cost per wear," or something.

But, in conclusion (so that you may go about continuing to enjoy your weekend), I like this little trick. And I intend to keep repeating it. And I hope you like seeing it on my blog.

And isn't my Olaf handsome?

dress (er, I mean skirt): Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

chambray: thrifted

metallic wedges: thrifted

linking up:

Garay Treasures // High Altitude Style // Claire Justine

The Red Closet Diary // Charming Lucy // A Pocketful of Polka Dots

fallen behind

How is it that I've fallen so behind on posting my outfit pictures? This denim on denim look with a neon accent was worn the day of my last book club get together. And last night was our most recent meeting (we meet once a month)...

Yikes! So far behind!

I'd hate to be sharing outfits with sandals and shorts in the middle of winter, but, at this rate, that's entirely possible. A busy spring has led to a busy summer, and it's looking to be a busy fall.

Anyone else amazed that's mid-August, already? Yeah, me too.

chambray: Aéropostale

bermuda shorts: Aéropostale

neon flats: Kohl's

linking up:

Cappuccino and Fashion // Book of Leisure

switching it up

This chambray dress is such a wardrobe staple that it gets worn pretty often. And I keep trying to think up different ways to style it. The latest I've come up with: this tan and brown belt with brown wedges. I added a headband and some jewelry to add a little more dimension.

When you wear the same pieces over and over, do you wear them the exact same every time, or try and switch it up?

chambray dress: Kohl's

belt: Target

brown wedges: DSW

linking up:

The Red Closet Diary

lace chambray

This chambray is a new favorite of mine. The lace detail is really what sold me on adding yet another chambray to my closet. It's subtle, yet makes a huge impact - those details can make or break any outfit.

I realize in these pictures that it's tough to distinguish between the light wash chambray and my white shorts, but there is a significant difference in color - trust. I wore my nude thin strap flip flops for two reasons: 1) I wore this to get a pedicure before our recent vacation, and 2: they're nude and simple, and this outfit lightly plays with monochrome and simplicity, so loud shoes weren't my best option.

Sometimes I'm really into wearing louder and more striking ensembles, but sometimes, something simple like shorts and a chambray are where it's at.

chambray: Aéropostale

shorts: Old Navy

sandals: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

summer swag from Aéropostale

What feels like ages ago (but was really only a few weeks ago), I stopped by my closest Aéropostale store and picked up some new items for this summer. I found a new denim jacket to replace the one currently in my closet, a new sports bra (!!!), a chambray with lace detail, a fringe-y vest, and a lightweight open-knit hoodie.

All fun (new!) things that you'll see on the blog in the next few days, so keep your eyes open ;)

chambray: Long Sleeve Battenburg Lace Woven Shirt (exact) // similar chambray 

blue sports bra: Sports Bra (similar)

denim jacket: Medium Wash Denim Jacket (similar)

long fringe vest: Tokyo Darling Fringed Slub-Knit Vest

hoodie: Sheer V-Neck Popover Hoodie

Be sure to check out some of the fun summer items Aéropostale has before fall hits.

summertime monochrome

All black might seem a little too dark for the summer, but, done correctly, it can be very chic, methinks. A lightweight black sun dress, a light black/dark gray chambray (to make it work appropriate), and black fringe-y sandals are all it took to create this layered summer look. I'll probably recreate it again, and soon - maybe in a slightly different color scheme?

What is it about monochrome that I just luuuurvvvvve?

black dress: thrifted (Target)

dark chambray: Old Navy

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

linking up:

Work Clothes, I Suppose // The Red Closet Diary

not a bruise

the moody teenager

Although this outfit is comprised of the colors that make up a bruise (black, purple, and mint counts as blue, right?), I did not intend to actually dress AS a bruise. So, sorry to disappoint if you thought that's where this was headed.

I can't say enough how much I love this black chambray, and these black pants, and, oh, those python print flats. What will I ever do when they've had their last wear and must retire? T'will be a sad day, indeed.

Anyways, I like this outfit. I like all the black, all the purple, all the stripes, the good hair day (few and far between, lately - chronic oversleeping syndrome, ya know), and the handsome (although moody & easily annoyed) bully pictured above.

I know this seems a bit dark for June and almost-but-not-quite-summer, but, the high today was only in the 60s-ish, and it was rainy and gloomy, so totally appropriate.

Me says yes.

purple striped v-neck: Target

black chambray: Old Navy

black skinnies: Target

python print flats: WalMart

linking up:

Fizz & Frosting // Fashionably Employed // Cha Cha // Rhea et Cetera

Style Nudge // Garay Treasures // The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So

Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles // Sydney Fashion Hunter // Shopping My Closet

I do Declaire // Sincerely Jennie // Middle of Somewhere // Cappuccino and Fashion

Cassidy Lou