game day, revisited

You might remember that about this time last year, I published a few posts about what to wear to a sporting event. In this case, the event is football (but they're easily adapted for almost any sport).

I thought I'd share them again, because, in case you missed the memo, it's football season.

It's also FALL!

LEAVES!

AND EVERYTHING-PUMPKIN-SEASON!

(it's also college game day today, and pro football tomorrow. and Monday. for the rest of the season.)

Here are some of my favorite looks to wear on game day:

game day, part 1 (featuring some warmer weather ideas)

game day, part 2 (featuring some warmish/cooler outfit ideas)

game day, part 3 (featuring some colder weather ideas)

Currently, there are no plans to make our way to watch the Broncos play in person this season, but, should the need arise, I've got some ideas up my sleeve. However, those ideas are the same if a friend invites me over to watch the game on their cable...


linking up:
Rachel the Hat // Style Elixir // The Closet by Christie
Jaymie Ashcraft // The Fashionista Momma // I Do deClaire

Dressing for America's Birthday, Part I

Since this Friday is the 4^th of July / America’s Birthday / Independence Day / one of the best days of the year, I thought I’d share at least TWO patriotic / festive outfit ideas with y’all (one today, and anothertomorrow). And I thought I’d share them early for two reasons:

1) So you have time to go shopping for your festive gear if you are lacking in that department.

2) I plan to be on a boat or on the beach (or both!) for the 4^th in a festive bikini with one of my best friends and family, so, there won’t really be much of an outfit to share…Of course, I’ll be Instagramming & Tweeting pics of boating, day drinking, floating, beaching, frolicking, celebrating, and general debauchery.

Up first, a layered look. White pants, a festive burnout tank with stars (so. much. glitter. everywhere), and a chambray thrown over the top. I went with metallic sandals to tie in the stars in my shirt, but I was this close to wearing red wedges. Obviously, comfort won out – as it typically does for me...

Check out last year’s festive 4^th of July get-ups: here and here

star tank: WalMart

chambray: thrifted

pants: Old Navy

Cleopatra sandals: Target

30 for 30: Day 17

I know what you're thinking.

"WHAT WAS SHE thinking with this outfit? Tweed blazer, black, black, scarf? WHAT???"

However, I can explain. I typed

"pink tweed blazer"

into Pinterest (my Pinterest boards leave a lot to be desired, I know - I try to limit my time on there, as it's SO. ADDICTING.) And saw several images, specifically this pin that led me to theglamandglitter.com. Instead of dressing up the tweed blazer (like I had thought about), she dressed it down with distressed denim. I always saw other images that paired blacks & grays with the blazer, allowing the pink tweed to take center stage. So, that was my inspiration.

My execution might have been a little off, but the thought was there! I did need a scarf though, because 1) it was cold outside

2) I was wearing just a plain white tank under the blazer, so I needed to cover up a bit (did I mention that I'm wearing basic tanks under items that are need a little extra during this challenge? cause I am) 

So, fashion forward? Or fashion fail?

And for reference, here is the last time I wore this blazer on the blog...in May...when it snowed...grrr

Curating My Closet

As I mentioned yesterday, I cleaned out my closet (again). I started this process several weeks ago, and finally finished up this past Sunday - it is not a task for the faint of heart, nor those short on time or patience. As I've said several times before, I've got A LOT of clothes. A LOT.

However, I am getting rid of a lot. 

132 items is a lot (I think, anyways).
These items range from: purses to boots, to pants to jackets, tops to jewelry, and scarves to sweaters.

I tried (almost) everything on, assessed the fit, how it made me feel, and how it fit into my closet. I also asked myself "Why are you hanging onto this?" if it was something I hadn't worn in ages, or was a gift I didn't particularly care for. When I had questions (which was often), I asked my husband his opinion, or texted my best friend a picture. With their help, I was able to part with some oldies, and came up with a huge pile several piles of clothes, shoes & accessories to get rid of - HALLELUJAH! 

I don't know why, but cleaning out my closet can be so liberating - anyone else feel the same way? I can't figure out why I hang onto things for so long, or why I get such a thrill finding things on the clearance rack. I realized a lot of things I got on super-sale don't reflect ME, or make me feel like a million bucks (or a thousand, or even a hundred). It's more like, I see something inexpensive and wearable, and all common sense goes out the window and my brain screams at me 

"BUY ALL THE CHEAP THINGS!" 

So, my closet was full of lots of inexpensive, but cute and fun, items that don't necessarily reflect that 20-something, fun loving, young professional, wife, bulldog mom, and personal style blogger that I've become. 

So, I sorted through the get-rid-of piles. I put some things straight into the DONATE pile, some into a box for a friend who lives far away (dropped it in the mail yesterday!), some into the rag bag (yeah, I know...), and the rest I'm going to try and sell on eBay and Instagram. Once I get pictures taken and posted with descriptions & prices, I'll share the link here and on my Instagram (SweetBananie), so you can literally "shop my closet." 

My best friend and I had plenty of time to talk and catch up when I met The Pioneer Woman last week. A recurring topic of conversation is clothes. Specifically "curating our closets." 

My friend, L, has done a great job of getting rid of pieces she doesn't LOVE, keeping those that she does, and focusing on quality over quantity. I, on the other hand, like I mentioned above, seem to have an appetite for lots and lots and lots of cheap items. She sent me this picture (below) this weekend. This is her entire winter wardrobe. Not just for the month of November. or December. ALL WINTER.

Can we say impressed?? And those are pieces that she LOVES, and will wear OFTEN (we're talking weekly, not monthly, or once per season, like me). 

I told her this was my inspiration, then got right to work in my own closet. 

We talk about clothes a lot. A lot more than normal people do (I'm sure), but it's great to have someone to bounce outfits & ideas off of. And someone to gently ask me:

"How does this outfit make you feel?" 

"Is this a reflection of who you want to be?"

and also to remind me that spending more than $20 on a sweater is OK, in fact, it's really OK, it's perfectly acceptable. Or to remind me that yes, that pair of shoes is more than I would normally consider spending on a pair of shoes, but that if I really love them, I should get them. And then WEAR them. And determine that my cost per wear (over several years for a well made pair) will be less than pennies. And that that is a very worthy investment - I should spend my hard earned money on less (in quantity) quality pieces that I love, instead of spending it on more (in quantity) cheaper pieces that I kinda-sorta like, will wear once or twice, and then keep in the back of my closet for ages. 

I've got a lot more thoughts on this topic (where to begin?!), specifically how to attempt this task while not spending beyond my means, dressing "Parisian chic", "curating my closet" (like a museum!), and making the switch to quality over quantity, but I'll save those for some other day(s).

Ever feel the need to completely overhaul your closet? What about just clean it out and freshen it up?

linking up over here today, at Because Shanna Said So, and here with My Fash Avenue

Print Mixing (before it was cool)

I wore this a few weeks back, and have been scrambling to make sure I got it up in time to link up with Bri for Third Thursday Threads over at Work Clothes, I Suppose. Is it just me, or is this time of year so much busier?? I can't keep up! Especially on this little blog here :(

So, I've been dying to wearing this sweater vest again. You won't believe how long I've had it...

High school. 

And not just right before I graduated...more like sophomore year-ish for DECA competitions. Interested in hearing more about DECA? I've got a whole schpeal I'd love to share! Basically it's a marketing club. I was the President my senior year, and went all the way to Nationals in Orlando once, and to the State competition all 3 years. It's fun playing grown-ups for a few days and getting to dress up. Oh, and traveling to cool places with your friends. And winning at competitions.

I must give credit for this sweater vest and the striped button-up underneath it to my sweet Mama. I remember she found both items on the clearance rack at GAP. I would have never thought to put a striped shirt under a striped sweater vest! (to be honest, I would have never thought to look twice at a sweater vest) My mom was print-mixing before it was cool, you guys. Oh, and she helped me pick out these loafer/oxford style shoes, too (again, they were purchased in the same "time period"). The layered necklaces above were wholly my idea, but all 3 belonged to my grandmothers before me. You could say inspiration and style run in the family ;)

shirt: GAP
vest: GAP

jeans: Kohl's

shoes: DSW?

necklaces: 2 Grandmas with good taste