all of the layers

If you've ever wanted to wear ALL OF THE LAYERS, you would look something similar to the above pictures. A striped tee, zip up sweatshirt, utility jacket, and a scarf up top, skinnies and flats on the bottom.

Not my best look, but certainly not my worst. I like to think the multitude of layers keeps you guessing:

"Does she look good? Does she look like a green, gray & black marshmallow? Why is she wearing so many layers? Maybe they layers are to distract me? Maybe the layers hide her true, funny, clever self? I think maybe the layers all look cohesive - wow, she must really have her life in order."

Or, ya know, whatever other thoughts popped into your head when this outfit filled with prints, dark colors, and neutrals appeared on your computer screen/phone screen/email inbox. Who knew a neutral & layered outfit could spark SO much discussion?

shirt: WalMart

sweatshirt: Target

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

skinnies: Target

flats: Target

stealing beanies

This beanie is stolen.

No, not from a store, or from a merchant. It's bought and paid for, with a receipt and everything

BUT

I did steal it from someone in my family. I had ski hair, I was cold, and I liked the new beanie:

it's navy blue (*swoon*), warm, doesn't make me look bald like most beanies, and has a Colorado flag on it. Not sure if it will ever get back to its rightful owner...

shirt: Kohl's

vest: Old Navy

beanie: Breckenridge Hat Store

pants: Aéropostale

snow boots: SOREL via JAX

sunny days + sweater #28

We've been experiencing some really great weather lately.

60 degrees, sunny, and in FEBRUARY. It's unreal.

And I LOVE it.

I can wear skirts and dresses without tights!

And less than 3 layers at a time!

And only a light jacket!

And I can patio drink...!

**linking up this outfit over here - check it out**

dress: WalMart

sweater: Ann Taylor

scarf: WalMart

boots: Nordstrom

the sweater saga, part 6 + sweater #21

previously, the sweater saga...

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

Picking up where I left off yesterday...

I'm finding it refreshing to have a few dresses that look great, no matter what, and are basic enough to be styled in an infinite number of ways, as opposed to 20+ dresses that are each "ho-hum" and don't do much for me. Or a closet full of pieces that are "meh," instead of a smaller collection (perhaps a capsule wardrobe?) of knock-out pieces that get worn every day.

I've become a lot more open and willing to wear my "special" and favorite pieces more often. There’s no point in having a great fitting skirt, if it only gets worn once or twice a year for special occasions.

Instead, shouldn't I make an effort to look nice and presentable and my best every day? Or at least most days of the week, instead of once or twice a quarter? I've gotten rid of lots of cheap jewelry (not all, but lots), and enjoy wearing my diamond studs from my parents day after day (they really go with e'er'thang).

At times, it's hard for me to choke down the cost of something nice - like my Frye boots, but, they'll last forever and I love them. They go with everything, and I find myself dressing them up, down, and casually. The only time I don't wear them is when the snow or precipitation stands a good chance of ruining them. 

still to be continued....

button up: from a friend (American Eagle)

sweatshirt: Old Navy

statement necklace: WalMart

skirt: J. Crew Factory

booties: Old Navy

the sweater saga, part 1 + gray all over #9

Let's talk sweaters (this whole "Sweater Saga" will have several parts, let's call this Part 1 - we'll talk numbers today). I mentioned recently that my total count of sweater + sweater-esque items is about 31. And sometimes my interpretation of a sweater is pretty loose. I know to some people, 31 seems like A LOT. And to other people, 31 seems pretty small. And some people have no idea how many sweaters they own, so 31 doesn't really mean anything to them. And for me, that number does not include fleeces, jackets, hoodies from high school or college, ski gear, running gear, or pajamas (of which I have many).

Here's the breakdown of my sweater collection:

14 cardigans

9 pullovers

1 cardigan type sweater, with no sleeves, so it's more of a vest. kind of.

4 nicer sweatshirts

1 sweater dress

1 sweatshirt dres

1 sweater knit maxi skirt

31 sweaters + sweater-esque items in Annie's closet

At times, 31 sweaters feels to me to be a bit much. Other times, I long for more - more textures, more colors, more chunky knits or drapey cardigans or longer pullovers to wear with leggings. In the last few years, I have gotten rid of many sweaters. And I've added a few in, as well. Some are nicer sweaters from J. Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and others came from a variety of places like Target, WalMart, or fast fashion chains. Consider me a high/low fashion mixologist...

The Sweater Saga is to be continued...

striped sweatshirt: Old Navy

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

pants: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

pea coat: Old Navy

sweater #7 + open to interpretation #8

Since it's Monday, and it's cold and snowing, here are two outfit posts in one to start your week off.

Enjoy!

I love the look of this sweater dress. The color, the pockets, the long sleeves. However, it's a bit sheer, and a bit itchy, so I have to wear something underneath it (like a button up shirt). and then whatever I wear under it bunches kinda funny. So, besides that little bitty feature, this sweater dress is perfect. And makes sweater #7.


shirt: Hollister via Plato's Closet
dress: from a friend (Target)
tights: ?
necklace: Old Navy
boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

This gray cardigan makes sweater #8. This is one of those "open to interpretation" sweaters I mentioned here. It's cut like a sweater, but it's really a cotton knit. But I say it counts. Especially since I wear and style it as a sweater.

Glad we can all agree on that.

tunic: Target

sweater: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

pants: c/o Aéropostale

boots: c/o Aéropostale

black, purple & gray

  

Again with the dark colors. It's just so easy to wear darks in the winter. Especially gray - one of my favorites. I added some color and texture with my tights, and a bit more with my necklace and boots. I tend to like to wear basic pieces, and then throw in a little something different - like purple patterned tights, or a bright necklace, or...both?

Merry Christmas Eve eve!

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

necklace: Kohl's

skirt: from a friend

tights: I don't remember...

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

30 for 30: day 29 & day 30

day 29

 

 

  

This top. I love. I’m in love. Is it green? Is it gray? It’s a sweater. It’s a shirt. It’s a shirt with a chiffon back. It’s dressy. It’s casual. It keep me guessing, and I’m a big fan. If I stumble across more tops with this look/feel/vibe, I’ll definitely be adding them to my closet.

day 30

 

 

  

Black&white&gray. I’d just about reached the end of my creativity with this one. And what better to wear on a Thursday at the end of October than something easy and almost-mindless? It’s not my best look, but it’s far from my worst.

And hallelujah, the weather tomorrow is supposed to be in the 30s! Can we say "balmy"??

See my list of 30 items here.