how do you poncho?

Ponchos. They either bring up memories of a rainy trip to Disneyworld (bright yellow with Mickey on the back), or fiestas in middle and high school Spanish.

This was my first venture into adult-like, real life poncho wearing. And I dig it. A sweet lady in my office gifted this to me, and I really like the black & blush combination - feminine, yet chic. This poncho is really a large scarf, with buttons in the front to make it into a poncho. I've worn it as a big heavy scarf, a poncho, and a small blanket (for when my office is freezing). It's quite versatile, really. And I'm sure it will be used a nursing cover and or impromptu baby blanket next fall and winter.

Tell me - do you poncho?

poncho: gift (I think Zulily?)

flared jeans: Kohl's, circa 2008

black shoes: Steve Madden, circa 2002 (not kidding)

pearl necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet

two scarves + sweater #19

I wore sweater 19 to a winter farmer's market with my friend, Chelsea (below). The weather was nice-ish, but I still needed a little something extra, so I wore two scarves. I tried to loop them together so it would look intentional, rather than "I forgot I was wearing the first one and threw another one on top." Cause trust me, these two scarves were on purpose.

my friend, Chelsea - isn't she cute?

shirt: Eddie Bauer
cardigan: c/o Aéropostale
striped scarf: thrifted
knit scarf: made by me
jeans: c/o Aéropostale
shoes: COACH via DSW

Ooo, scarves and wind

 

 

 

 

Here are two more simple spring transitional looks. A sweater (or sweatshirt) with a coordinating scarf.  It's frigid and windy here lately - not a fan. Hence, the sweaters and scarves. 

Oofta.

I'm ready for the warmer temps - bring on the sunshine!!

Now, to recreate my hair (and make up) from the day with the blue sweater...*sigh*

 on the left

sweatshirt: American Eagle

scarf: gift

jeans: thrifted (Old Navy)

bootes: Old Navy

on the right

sweater: GAP

scarf: thrifted

jeans: GAP

flats: WalMart

Mr. Picks Mondays: Pythonnnn

The Mr. picked out this python print top for me today, which I find funny. Simply because I thought he didn't like this top. Apparently, I was wrong (one of the only times that has been the case).

Confession: for a split second, I considered wearing my python print flats with this shirt. As you can see, I did not. I did, however, wear them this weekend and my Dad seemed really confused as to why I would wear shoes with a snake print on them. To him, I say "Dad. They're in. Unlike wearing socks with Keens. That will NEVER be in. Let it go. Let it goooooo." (<-- I FINALLY saw Frozen! aaaaand, I loved it!)

Also, if anyone has any tips for strengthening and/or stretching the arches of your feet, please share! I'm dying on my runs lately... :/

shirt: Old Navy

jeans: thrifted, but originally from Old Navy

sandals: SEARS

It's Still Winter. And I'm Still Layering.

 

 

 

 

Even though it was sunny and in the 50s today, I know there are still several more snow storms headed my way. So, even though the calendar says it's spring, I know that Mother Nature says it's still winter (instead of "Winter is coming" think of it as "Winter is still here. Foreverrrrr."). So, two more layered sweater looks. Aaaand, my wrinkled pups. Or, their backsides, anyways :)

I've got to scoot to bed (this girl is tired since she's been RUNNING again!), so I'll link up my outfits later, since I KNOW you're just dying to know where I got everything so you can go out and buy out the EXACT same things and we can be twinsies & besties.

Tootles!

later...

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

on the left:

pea coat: Old Navy similar below

shirt: Old Navy similar below

sweater: Old Navy similar below

jeans: from a friend (Abercrombie)

booties: Old Navy similar below

on the right:

shirt: Akinz Boardwear similar below

sweater: thrifted (J CREW) similar below

jeans: Aéropostale exact in link

flats: WalMart similar below

Hemingway-ed

I don't know if you know this, but I really love my local library. They've saved me tons of money when it comes to reading - I can just check a book out, read it, and turn it back in, rather than purchasing a book I might not really like or want to keep. I also check out audiobooks on the regular, and listen to them on my drive to & from work. I'm finishing up Jane Eyre, and this time last year listened to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, among several others. The Mr. listened to all 5 books of A Song of Ice & Fire, sparking our interest in the TV show "Game of Thrones," and subsequent Halloween costumes. 

So, anyways, I love the library. A few weeks ago I finished The Paris Wife. It's a novel about Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley Richardson, and their life in Paris as he was working on some of his first works.

Finishing The Paris Wife piqued my interest in Hemingway, so, on this fine (read: not freezing) day, I went to the library and headed to the H section of the fiction area. I checked out two books by Hemingway, and am halfway through the first one, To Have and Have Not.

Now, my knowledge of this great American author is limited to The Paris Wife, the novel I'm currently reading, and what I read on Wikipedia (I never read The Old Man and The Sea in high school). Based on this small bit of information, I don't think Ernest Hemingway is someone I would have gotten along with. Seems to me he was a bit of a womanizer (he left his first wife for her best friend), and kind of selfish. That being said, I AM enjoying reading To Have and Have Not, although I wish it provided more background & detail for each character.

So, since I knew I was headed for a literary center, I wore a hat. I don't know why a hat makes me feel more cultured and traveled, but it does a little bit. Maybe it's the fact I don't normally wear them? Or that a fedora seems a wee bit old school? Either way, I wore a hat. And checked out some books by Hemingway. And took some pictures of my outfit.

linking up with:

Vodka Infused Lemonade for Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday

Color Blind for Thrifters Anonymous

shirt: GAP similar below

sweater: thrifted

jeans: thrifted (True Religion) similar below

shoes: thrifted similar below

hat: thrifted (Target) similar below

Onward

losing my balance. kinda sorta.

As you read this post, know that I'm in super chilly Minnesota for my cousin's wedding. I don't know that the temperature has gotten above zero all day. Or even this week, for that matter. So, I'm layering and staying inside, on the couch, under plenty of blankets. Pretty groundbreaking game plan, huh?

At least I'll be toasty warm!

If you read a lot of fashion/style-based blogs, you'll see that many other bloggers have rounded up their favorite (or least favorite) outfits of the year, and/or are blogging about their New Year's resolutions. While I'm not going to round up the past year in outfit posts (you can search them by month to the right, or by label down on the bottom of this page), I AM going to state that for 2014, I really want to grow my blog. Grow my readership, grow as a blogger, grow as a "writer," and force myself to grow when it comes to styling outfits, putting myself together, and grow up when it comes to my closet. I'm trying to put my foot down when it comes to buying cheap clothes that don't wash or wear well, and stock up on quality basics - pieces that I'll have for a long time and are timeless. 

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm really going to try to focus on quality over quantity. Now, know that that phrase means something different to everyone, and it's not going to happen overnight, but I am RESOLVING to give it my best effort! I'm not perfect, and I won't be able to kick my habit (finding clothes on sale gives me such a rush) right away, but I really want to fill (ok, first empty/get rid of/pare down, and then not completely refill, but somewhat fill up) my closet with nice (possibly luxurious!) pieces that I love, and am truly excited to wear*. 

So, that's my blog resolution for 2014 - GROW.

GROW. GROW. GROW.

Wish me luck!

this is my red peacoat. you know, for when it's cold out

When I was packing for this trip, I had the hardest time deciding what to bring. I wanted to bring really warm clothes (below zero temps, my friends), but in looking at a lot of my sweaters, I wasn't excited about wearing them. In fact, I was, not disgusted, but a bit annoyed with myself. I kept asking myself "Why do you still have this if you don't ever want to wear it? Or it's so itchy that you can only wear it for a few hours? Or only fits when you're feeling really skinny?" It motivated me to want to go through my sweaters (again), but as I still needed to pack, get ready for bed, and get a good night's sleep before a day of travel, that will have to wait until I am home again. I'm going to have to ask myself the tough questions, be honest with myself, and get rid of some oldies. But, I think I'm ready!

Baby steps, my friends. Getting rid of some sweaters = baby steps. And getting rid of more stuff = more and more baby steps that combine to make several larger steps (right? I'm no math expert, but I think that's how it works).

Baby steps for a New Year :)

polka dot blouse: Kohl's

sweater: American Eagle

jeans: Kohl's

shoes: KMart

peacoat: gift (Old Navy)

linking up:

Walking in Memphis in High Heels, The Fashion Canvas, and The Parlor Girl for Trend Spin Link Up