Celebrations

Last week, I turned the big TWO FIVE. I'm 25. Solidly in my mid-twenties. Inching closer and closer to 30 (!!!). When I was in college, my friends and I would groan about getting older, and the younger girls in my sorority would tease us for "being old" and staying in for an evening, instead of heading "out."

While that used to be my view, I've recently adopted a more mature outlook on my yearly anniversary of being born - I'm going to enjoy it.

And relish it.

And look forward to everything this 25th year of life offers. 

I recently came across this quote:

"Do not regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many."

- Unknown

And it struck a chord with me. How powerful.

So, I plan to be thankful for being 25. After all, good things came out of my 24th year - we bought a home, I started a new job that I enjoy, we bought a new-to-us (fast!) car, I got better at skiing, I ran a half-marathon, the Mr. did the Tough Mudder, we made new friends, and strengthened old friendships, celebrated our marriage, loved on our pups, and, oh, I started this little blog exactly 1 year ago today :)

a new Lilly Pulitzer dress - this has become a birthday tradition. My Mr. picks one out for me, (all on his own!) and surprises me with it on my birthday. He's got good taste, no?

I love Lilly dresses because they're typically so bright and colorful (except the 2 white ones from my Mr.), and they're classy dresses - I love to wear mine to showers, parties, and I wore one to our wedding rehearsal dinner. I know they're all over at the Carolina Cup, the Kentucky Derby, and tea parties :)

As I mentioned above, I started this blog one year ago today, with this little post right here. I like to think I've grown leaps and bounds in terms of blogging and style. S

o, if you've stuck around since Day 1, or just got here, thanks for sticking with me, and here's to another year!

I got fancy schmancy cupcakes at a local cupcake place in celebration of Sweet Bananie's "blogiversary", Buttercream Cupcakery - check them out if you're in Northern Colorado!

SIMILAR LILLY DRESSES
(without the sleeves)

Mr. Picks Mondays: "Dweater"

You might recognize this dress from this past summer - I wore it to a sorority sister's wedding. Several other sisters came up and stayed with us, so my lucky Mr. got to be our DD, 

as well as our "chaperone."

The reason he chose this dress for the latest Mr. Picks Mondays was because I had just finished re-pretty-ify-ing my closet and re-hanging and re-folding (almost) everything. So, this dress was prominently displayed, and he chose it for me to wear. 

Since the back of the dress is open, I chose a warm sweater to make it work appropriate, and then kept the sweater on all day. My fleece-lined tights were a finishing touch - you know I love 'em (so warm & comfy!)

What do you think? Too summery? Or did the abundance of textures (lace, chunky sweater, cable-knit tights, and a polka dot scarf) make it winter appropriate? Personally, I'm a fan of how it turned out.

linking up with:

DC in Style for Monday Bloom

Fizz & Frosting for Mix it Monday

Still Being Molly for Funday Monday

Life's a Party Dress Like It for Stylish Tuesday

Style Elixir for Style Sessions Link Up and Friday's Fab Favorites

Simply Lulu Style for What I'm Loving Fridays

Two Thirty-Five Designs for Casual Friday

dress: Urban Outfitters [[similar below OR check out this similar dress in blue lace I just got from Aéro]]

sweater: Aéropostale [[<--exact in link]]

scarf: Aéropostale

belt: Target [[similar below]]

tights: local boutique [[similar below]]

boots: Rack Room Shoes [[similar below]]

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Pretty Little Liars and Teens for Jeans

If you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I'm an Aéropostale VIP, and as such, I get early access to their newest lines & products (previously: August, Live Love Dream, and November). They're really pulling out all the stops lately - have you heard of their new Pretty Little Liars collection?

No?

Let me tell you!

Aéro paired up with Mandi Line, the costume designer from the show, Pretty Little Liars, to create looks like you'll see on the show, but to be sold in the store, so, pretty easily obtainable! Each character has at least 1, if not 2, different looks devoted to their style. The girls on the show have some pretty great looks, and I know I tend to think "That looks great on her. Wonder if I could pull off XYZ?" 

Below is the first part of the line that landed in stores earlier this month. 

 

Unfortunately, I couldn't pull the trigger on anything from the PLL collection - nothing was left in my size! Although I did come home with a blue dress similar to the one in the bottom left, perfect for some weddings this summer.

Below is a preview of the styles that are going to be in stores on March 16th - which is your fave?

Are you more of an Aria, Hanna, Emily or a Spencer?

I love these hi-low hems!

I'm thinking a dress or skirt with a hi-low hem has my name all over it. Or maybe a denim jacket - the one I currently have has seen MUCH better days...

So, not only does Aéro have some really cute stuff in stores now, but they're also into giving. They've launched their 7th annual Teens For Jeans campaign in partnership with DoSomething.org. The campaign encourages folks to donate their gently used jeans in the store so they can be given to someone that is in need. One of the most requested items by teens in need are jeans. So, in exchange for donating your gently used jeans in your local store, Aéro will give you 25% off a new pair of jeans. What better way to replace a pair (or 2! or 8!) of jeans that don't fit quite right, or have been hiding in the back of your closet for the last 6 months to a year, than by giving them to someone in need and replacing them with a newer style and/or wash that will get a lot more wear?

Confession: I donated 4 pairs of jeans that I liked (but hadn't worn in ages) and got 25% off 4 different pairs of new jeans. I've been rotating these 4 new pairs nonstop - it's love. For whatever reason, I like to hang on to clothes from high school and college that don't reflect me and the person I've become. So, after hearing about this great deal, I told myself I could get some new jeans, but ONLY if I was willing to part with several pairs. It's a lot easier to part with old favorites knowing that (1) they're going to someone who will wear them a lot more than I will, and (2) I'm filling my closet with some new pairs that are more "me." It's a win-win for everyone, really. 

So, do a quick inventory of your jeans and donate some oldies (but goodies) so you can save 25% on a new pair (or several new pairs)!

For more information, check out this PSA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbVhfuM4Rgs.

as well as: www.teensforjeans.org

and: DoSomething.org

Below are some really great things that are now (happily) living in my closet.

L to R:
Lola Grey Wash Jegging; Bayla Skinny Core Dark Wash Jean;
similar: Bayla Skinny Dark Wash Jean; Lola Core Dark Wash Jegging

These are the 4 (!!!) pairs of pants I came home with after I donated 4 (!!!) pairs

similar: PLL Hanna Lace Dress; solid full-zip cardigan

This dress is not from the PLL line (the one from the line is linked above), but looks pretty similar, don't ya think? And this sweater - worn it twice already. You know I like to fill holes in my closet, and I didn't even know how big the hole of a cream cardigan was, but now that it's filled, I can sleep at night am pretty excited about it.

capris: similar - LLD inset capris; sports bra: similar - LLD Contrast Racerback Sports Bra

Another pair of workout capris in bright teal (remember, brights/neon make you run faster!) and a new sports bra (essentials, my friends).

similar: earring 3-pack

New earrings. I love fun little studs. You can never have enough pairs of bow earrings.

or wishbones.

or rose gold hearts.

Any favorites??

Hope you had a great weekend!

Mr. Picks Mondays: Blue Under Gray

When you wear a dress, tights and a blazer, what do you add so that you don't appear TOO dressed up for your pretty casual office?

A big chunky scarf that serves two purposes: 

1) to keep you warm; and 

2) dress down your tights, dress, and blazer combination.

Oh, and to pair with the cute outfit your husband picked out :)

dress & belt: Target sort of similar below

blazer: Aéropostale sort of similar below

boots: Rack Room Shoes sort of similar below

CHECK OUT SOMETHING SIMILAR

A Dress as a Skirt

This skirt is not really a skirt...

it's a dress! 

Didn't fool you, did I? When I did my November 30 for 30, I wore a dress as a shirt. This time, I wore a dress as a skirt. That's all my creativity in those two outfits, so I'm calling it good and ending this year (2014) on a high note. See ya.

I kid - again!

I'm just wondering why I haven't worn this dress as a skirt before - what have I been doing?! Living under a style rock, obvi. You're going to be seeing this look A LOT. Oh, and I have another black dress that looks perfect as a skirt, so, seriously, get ready to see this look doubly often. 

the herringbone pattern on my tights - lovelovelove

sweater: gift (Coldwater Creek)

dress as a skirt: thrifted (Target)

tights: ??? - had them since high school...

boots: Rack Room Shoes

linking up with:

Two Thirty-Five Designs for Casual Friday Link Up

Simply Lulu Style for What I'm Loving Fridays

Style Elixir for Friday's Fab Favorites

30 for 30: Day 29 & Day 30

Day 29

Aaaah, Day 28. Day 28 was filled with turning in the keys to our apartment (!!!), a(nother) stop at The Home Depot, a trip to Kohl's, and some celebratory/farewell-apartment TCBY. Busy busy days, I tell ya! 

I threw on my chambray & corduroys with my oxfords - I've hardly worn those shoes during this challenge so I wanted to make sure I got another wear in during my 30 for 30. 

Day 30

The weather this day (and really all of Thanksgiving weekend) was beautiful - high 50s at the end of November! Unheard of! 

So, to commemorate the last day of my 30 for 30 challenge and this occasion of warmth & sunshine, I wore a dress. Without tights. For the last time until March/maybe April/probably May. I'm glad I got in my last bit of sun & bare legs - we've been hit with well below freezing temperatures this past week. It's so cold it hurts to breathe! And a short walk to my car in the parking lot at work is enough to make my whole face numb - BRRRRR! Good news is, I've been pulling out a lot of my sweaters...!

linking up here today

30 for 30: Lucky 13

I wore this on an unseasonably warm day this past week - no tights! I'm all for warmer weather, but it's so unexpected so far into November. However, I'm not complaining (remember how it snowed on May Day this past spring?). These warm temps are making me regret my decision to include 2 heavy sweaters in my 30 for 30 lineup - wishing I'd included more tops instead. Note to self for next time...

Hope your weekend is off to a great start - we lounged last night and are having early & late birthday dinner celebrations with my parents tonight. See ya later, gators!

linking up over here today