a bachelorette party

When you are expecting, things that were previously a part of your social life are not quite the same.

Say, for example, a bachelorette party. A friend of mine is getting married Memorial Day weekend in Texas, and we won't be able to attend. Her bachelorette party, however, was being held in town where I live, so I was able to go. And this is what I wore.

You might be thinking "That doesn't look like typical bachelorette party attire, Annie." And you would be quite right, my friends. Normally, I'd wear something a bit different (most likely a party dress and heels), but I attended this party during the day, right after a snowstorm. Hence, the layers and the boots.

Additionally, the bride and other party-attendees had ordered matching tank tops in dark purple and lilac, but I declined, as nobody wants to see this girl squeeze into a party tank top at the moment. So, I wore a basic black tank dress, black fleece-lined tights, rain boots, a dark purple cardigan and a lilac scarf, so I wouldn't be TOO out of place.

While I didn't attend the entire party (a Friday to Sunday event, with one evening in Denver, one in Northern Colorado, hotel rooms, and lots of champagne), I did attend Saturday day for a scavenger hunt around town in a party bus and a stop for delicious local lunch. Then we showered the bride with gifts, and while everyone else took a power nap, I went on home to lay low and watch some Netflix in my pajamas. It was a win-win in my book - I celebrated the bride, got to be comfortable, and got home at a reasonable hour, 3 of my favorite things!

black tank dress: American Apparel via sorority recruitment (non-maternity)

purple cardigan: Ann Taylor (non-maternity)

lilac scarf: gift

black fleece-lined tights: Kansas City Kitty (non-maternity)

rain boots: gift

Americana

I had high hopes to be able to wear this dress for a bit longer, but after today, it was retired to a box labeled something along the lines of "after baby." I might pick up a maternity chambray dress, in the meantime, but I'm not sure yet.

However, before this dress was temporarily retired, I paired it with  maroon fleece-lined tights, a leopard-print infinity scarf, and cowboy boots. I don't wear these boots that often, but on this particular day, we were in the midst of our closet renovation (more on that later) and they were the first boots I could easily get my hands on. And I figured I couldn't go wrong with denim & cowboy boots, right? Americana, at its finest.

Happy Saturday - we're supposed to get tons of snow tonight/tomorrow/tomorrow night, so maybe we'll get cozily snowed in?

chambray dress: Kohl's

fleece-lined tights: GG Boutique

cowboy boots: Steve Madden via DSW

leopard-print infinity scarf: WalMart

twice Lieb-ed

Just a few days ago, Natasha, of Polished Avenue (Colorado blogger, hey girl heyyyyyy) nominated me for the Liebster Award. I was last nominated back in January of 2014 (read it here - that feels so long ago).

The purpose of the Liebster award is to recognize the hard work of new(ish) upcoming bloggers and to introduce you, the reader, to new blogs you might be interested in adding to your reading rotation. After someone is nominated, they are asked to answer eleven questions that reveal information about them that you may not find out in their daily posts. They are then asked to nominate 11 new bloggers, and you know, carry the whole thing forward ;)

1. How did you get into blogging?

I stumbled upon (literally. via StumbleUpon) A Pretty Penny in the fall of 2011 and was immediately intrigued. After discovering more and more fashion and style blogs, I kept thinking to myself "I could do that," and so, I published my first post just over two years ago (more about that here).

2. If you could have anyone’s closet, who’s would you have?

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. So classy.

3. Who is your celebrity crush?

Just one? Ryan Gosling. Channing Tatum. and Ryan Reynolds. 

4. First thing you would do if you won the lottery?

Try to figure out how much tax would come out of my earnings...

5. One song on your playlist you’re embarrassed by, but would never delete?

The version of "Beauty and the Beast" from the Disneymania album.

6. You’re going to a dinner party tonight. What are you cooking?

Wine.

7. All time favorite tv show?

Friends.

8. What is one beauty product you can’t live without?

For my hair, my hot rollers. For my face, mascara. Bare lashes are not my best look.

9. You’re at Starbucks. What do you order?

A soy latte, or an Americano - depends on if I'm feeling the need to indulge my sweet tooth or not.

10. What is your cure for a bad day?

Snuggling with my pups, Netflix, and ice cream

11. What’s a fashion trend from your childhood that you want to bring back?

White Keds. I got a new pair every year for school and I would try SO hard to keep them white and unscuffed as long as possible.

And now, here are some bloggers you might enjoy - some have been doing this for a while, so they're not quite new anymore, but I think you'll enjoy them just the same ;)

A Pretty Penny

The Caffeinated Closet

Classically Carissa

The Middle Closet

Galvanized Glamour

Jamie's Rabbits

Style Assisted

My Boring Closet

The Adored Life

The Denver Darling

Country Girl in Stilettos

lime green sweater: Old Navy // black leather skirt: thrifted

fleece-lined tights: Target // booties: Kohl's

scarf: Pendleton // red coat: Old Navy

what not to wear when shopping

So many layers. It's so weird to think of snow and cold when we've had beautiful weather the past few days. But, it won't last. Spring in the Rockies is a fickle little beast - 70 degrees one day, gross snow the next. And everything else in between the few days after. 

I wore this heavily-layered ensemble to do some shopping with my Mama, and it took me so long to try anything on - layers on, layers off, static-y hair, boots, snow, slush. You know how it is - shopping in the winter. It's quite the ordeal. Where do I put my coat? Is it worth trying on? It's going to take 20 minutes to de-robe before I can even try on this top...

Good news is, my Mama and I did make a few small purchases.

So we didn't totally let the retail gods down ;)

tank dress: American Apparel

buffalo plaid button up: Kohl's

fleece-lined tights: Target

sleeveless sweater: Eddie Bauer

boots: c/o Aéropostale

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

Not A New Year's Eve Outfit Post

posing. you don't take pictures of your clothes in your basement?

As the title of this post suggests, this is not a New Year's Eve Outfit Post.

Why?

I do not have a New Year's Eve outfit planned. 

I do not have a NYE outfit because I made a big girl, executive decision to be responsible and not party til the wee hours of New Year's morning. It could have something to do with the fact that I have to leave my house before 8 am the 1st day of 2014, or that my Mr. has to leave the house even earlier, or that I really dislike New Year's Eve. You'll have to guess which "excuse" is the real reason for my lack of festive-ness (hint: it's not the last one).

Why am I leaving my house before 8 on the 1st day of 2014? Why, I'm flying to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you see! One of my cousins is getting married to a swell girl and I'm looking forward to witnessing their vows, dancing the night away at their reception, seeing my extended family & family friends, freezing my toes off in snow-covered Minnesota, and stuffing my face with wedding cake.

Here's to hoping my snow boots & parka match my fancy party dress!

Happy New Year! 

Here's to the end of 2013, and looking forward to 2014!

Cheers!

dress: Nordstrom

blazer: thrifted

scarf: thrifted (Target)

belt: Target

tights (FLEECE-LINED! you know I love 'em): GG Boutique (local)

boots: Rack Room Shoes

linking up:

Style Elixir for Style Sessions

30 for 30: (No Day 24) Day 25 & Day 26

Day 24 

was another sweatpants day, simply because we were packing boxes/moving boxes/moving furniture/unloading boxes/unloading furniture/unpacking boxes all day. 

Aaah, the life of a fashion blogger - not always so glamorous ;)

Day 25

Sequins, polka dots, boots, a sweater, and my sweet Cali girl in our new home.

My idea of perfection.

Day 26

You'll have to trust me that in person, this dress does NOT make me look an inmate like the picture seems to do. Maybe it's the braid in my hair...? I really like this dress, but it just doesn't photograph well, which is a HUGE bummer, since, y'know, I like to take pictures of my clothes and post them on the interwebs. 

In other news, that dark square up above is my newest pair of tights. My new fleece-lined tights that I'm obsessed with. Everyone should own a pair of these. 

Fleece-lined tights for EVERYONE! 

They are the key to world peace, solving world hunger, and global warming, I just know it. 

Because, really, you can't wear these and not be cozy, 

and warm, 

and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

#trustme