oh, the compliments

Somehow, this dress always garners me oodles of compliments when I wear it. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not fishing here, nor am I downplaying this dress.

It's black, cotton, nice floral print, and a skater-style fit.

I'm just not entirely sure what is so special about it.

Sure, it's comfortable, and I can easily dress it up or down - I'm just unable to put my finger on what exactly is so great about it. BUT, you better believe I'll keep wearing it and graciously accepting compliments until I do.

dress: c/o Aéropostale

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

adding interest through details

 

At first glance (the first few pictures), this looks like a basic black A-line dress. Nothing special, nothing fancy, just an average black dress that could lean "LBD", or could lean "plain black sundress."

But, on closer inspection, I've added a few details to make this dress a little more than a plain black dress. This dress has a basket-weave-esque texture, and contouring seams on the front.

And what else did I add to create a little more interest to this black dress? A fancy statement necklace, borrowed from Rocksbox, a black beaded cuff bracelet, black fringe-y sandals, and a rose-gold ring, also borrowed from Rocksbox.

Just a few additions and changes, and you can easily alter the look of a dress, or any outfit. Exhibit A: the last time I wore this dress on the blog - it was to a wedding. And this time, to work. 

Had any recent successes wearing and/or styling a piece in several different ways?

dress: Target

necklace & ring: Rocksbox

bracelet: Target

sandals: Kohl's

Rocksbox number three

Kendra Scott Tessa Stud Earrings in Chalcedony

Gorjana Vista Cuff in Gold

Perry Street Flora Crystal Necklace

This is third set of goodies I received from Rocksbox to borrow. I hung onto it for quite a while, because I LOVED this necklace. I have a similar statement necklace, but it’s rather cheap. And compared to this beauty, it pales. It looks cheap. And tacky.

But this. THIS necklace is my jewelry spirit animal. I can’t tell you how many compliments I received when I wore it – from coworkers, from girlfriends, from a lady at a wine bar. It looks great dressed up (see it with pleats and polka dots here), and just as great with a plain tee. It adds a bit of glam to an otherwise casual look, and also serves to elevate and even out a fancier (more fancy? fancy-er?) look. I liked the necklace and earrings, however, the necklace was by far my favorite – I’m still debating making it mine…

Use code sweetbananiexoxo for a free month of jewelry rental at Rocksbox.com!

Rocksbox, part two

Remember when I told you about my first set of pretties from Rocksbox a few weeks back?

If not, you can refresh your memory here. 

Got it?

Now that we're all caught up,  I received my second set of pretties from Rocksbox and

have been wearing them a lot.

Really often.

Almost every day.

Especially the earrings - they're like mini disco balls. And I love 'em.

earrings: Urban Gem Pavé Ball Studs in Gold

And the necklace straddles this perfect line between a delicate necklace, and a statement necklace. Difficult to do, and lovely to behold.

necklace: Gorjana Roya Collar Necklace

bracelet: Margaret Elizabeth Teardrop Bangle in Navy Quartz

I'm on the fence, but these earrings might become part of my permanent collection.

Methinks I need a present after my upcoming race in a few weeks...

Don't forget: use the code sweetbananiexoxo and get a FREE month

of jewelry delivered to your door, so that you too can be fancy ;)

rockin' the Rocksbox

Have you heard of Rocksbox yet? It's the newest way to try out jewelry before you buy it. For a small monthly fee ($19. just a few Starbucks trips, really), you can rent several pieces of designer jewelry, and then, once you discover how much you love your pieces (which will be a lot), you can purchase them - at a discount!

Designer jewelry you can test-drive and then get on sale?

Things I'm into.

Below are the first three items I got in my first month. I filled out a short style profile on their website, and a stylist put together my first package. They arrived a few days later in a little box, each in their own little jewelry pouch, with a card that listed the name of each item for reference.

You get 3 items at a time - in my first delivery: a beautiful & delicate cuff bracelet, statement necklace & matching earrings.

Gorjana Twist Cuff

Perry Street Charlotte earrings

Perry Street Whitney necklace


I recently wore the necklace for an outing with friends (see it on Instagram) and couldn't believe how many compliments I received (A LOT. I told everyone about Rocksbox).

And now, for the big news...

*drumroll please*
with this code sweetbananiexoxo, you (yes, YOU!) can get a free month of Rocksbox!
Designer jewelry hand-picked for you, delivered straight to your door.
This code is good for the next 30 days, so don't waste any time and be sure to get your fancy on.
Perhaps in time for Easter?
Or sorority brunches and luncheons you might be helping to plan?
Or upcoming spring garden parties? Maybe some crocquet?
And if you're not on top of your game, and enter the code AFTER the 30 days are up, you'll still get your first month for half off. Still pretty cool, amiright??

So, go, sign up, use my code, and let me know how much you love Rocksbox and your fancy new "pretties."

Paper Bags

A few things today:

1) This outfit was a great idea in my head.

2) I hope it looked better in person than it does in these here pictures. I was told it did.

3) What's not to love? Neon, stripes, a paperbag waist - these are the things perfect outfits are made of.

4) Whatever the reason this doesn't look great (too boxy? too heavy of a top?), I'm trying to come up with more ways to style this skirt. Any ideas to share?

5) Not sure how this skirt would look worn on my hips, as opposed to my waist - exponentially larger, or well executed with the right top?

6) Deep thoughts today...

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: J. CREW Factory

sandals: Sears (RIP, gold sandals)

bracelet & necklace: Target

New Schtuff from Aéropostale

Oh heyyyyy, there! I'm back with more goodies from Aéropostale - I'm loving the new stuff I got!

left to right: 

Ditsy Floral Scoop Neck Dress (exact)

This dress will be so fun for this summer. It's got a scooped back, and a really full skater skirt to swish around in.

similar to the shirt above

I couldn't find the exact one on Aero's website :/ but really excited to wear this lightweight button up this summer.

Scalloped Crochet Skirt (exact)

This will complement the rest of my lace skirt collection quite nicely.

I've got pink and orange, and now black!

left to right:

LLD Mixed Stripe Racerback Tank

You know how I feel about neon when it comes to my workout gear. I'm training for another half, so this should help.

similar in link

I can't find this exact reversible bandeau, but it's black on one side and white on the other. Perfect for when you need some sort of coverage, but a regular bra just won't do.

Picture Perfect Purple

I got this nail polish, because, well, I like nail polish.

And I don't have this color.

I can't find these exact bracelets, but here's a link to the rest of the bracelets on Aero's website: bracelets. I played with the idea of buying a studded bracelet ages ago, and the fox is just too. perfect. One of my best friend's last names is Fox, so, really, how could I not bring this cute little guy home with me??

I'll be sure to post pictures of me in my clothes soon - stay tuned!

Mr. Picks Mondays: Pink over Blue

this necklace has such pretty shades of blue & turquoise - found it at Old Navy

The Mr. chose the pink sweater, and I layered with the pink & blue striped button up underneath (the sweater is a bit itchy on bare skin). I wore my new gray pants from Aéropostale, and sadly, the snow boots were a necessity. Again. Blegh.

I'd be really ok if it were summer tomorrow. Or yesterday. Whenever, really.

sweater: Eddie Bauer similar below

shirt: boys' section of Target sort of similar below

gray pants: Aéropostale <-- exact

snow boots: SOREL exact below

necklace: Old Navy similar below

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

The Liebster

You saw this outfit in a picture on Boxing Day - a lunch date with one of my best friends. We stopped on our way home to take these pictures just before the sun went down. It's easy for me to get annoyed at our crazy, ever-changing weather in Colorado, but beautiful 60 degree days in December (and January. and February.) and really pretty sunsets & drives remind me that this is a beautiful place to live.

************************

Last week, I was nominated by Paige over at Life's a Party - Dress Like it for The Liebster Award, which is given by bloggers to new blogs with smaller followings but lots of potential. Thanks so much, Paige!

The rules of The Liebster Award:

- Mention the person who nominated you with a link to their blog (check!)

- Answer the 11 questions they asked (below)

- Nominate 11 other bloggers with a smaller following, but a lot of potential (I would, but to be completely honest, I don't know know 11 other bloggers with a smaller following than myself - I follow plenty of other bloggers, but I don't know 5, let alone 11, that are smaller than myself. We all have to start somewhere!)

- Create 11 of your own questions for them to answer (see above)

- Notify your nominees (and again, see above)

Here are Paige's questions for me to answer:

1. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Hmm, definitely spelling & grammatical errors

2. Where is your dream vacation?

Somewhere on a beach

3. Statement necklace or arm candy?

Statement necklace - I just got several more this past week at Old Navy!

4. Where's your favorite place to shop?

Hmm, anywhere with pieces I love [that I can afford!]

5. What is one thing in your closet you could not live without?

Any of my skinnies

6. Why did you start blogging?

Several reasons: 

1) to help to develop my personal style

2) I love reading other blogs, so I thought "Why not?"

3) to make me dress up a bit every day, rather than jeans and a plan t-shirt

4) I have a lot of clothes, so what better way to wear them and then share them? 

7. What's your favorite phone and/or tablet app?

Instagram - lovelovelove

8. What's something your readers probably don't know about you?

I'm driving a new (to me) car, and I just love that it's a sports-meets-luxury car...it goes fast...and it's awesome

9. Favorite fashion trend?

Print mixing

10. What's your biggest blog goal for 2014?

To grow. growgrowgrow.

11. Favorite TV Show?

We don't have cable right now, so I'm watching re-watching all of Ugly Betty on Netflix

sweater: Aéropostale

leggings: Target

boots: Rack Room Shoes (sort of similar below)

SHOP THE BOOTS (sort of)

Mr. Picks Mondays: Pink & Navy

pockets, my friends, pockets

I'm working on my posing #help

I'm really obsessed with these two - they're just so lovable & squeezable!

 My Mr. picked out this navy dress for me to wear today. It's a little funny - I have FOUR (count: 1, 2, 3, 4) navy dresses in my closet, but they're all VERY different! Trust me! 

Anyway, this is my first time wearing this cute printed number. I picked it up at ARC back in January or February with the plan to wear it when the temperature heats up. And today, it did just that! Still had to wear a sweater in my office, but overall, a dress keeps me so much cooler than pants. And if I get really hot, I can just flap my dress a bit to get a breeze ;)

I went on my first run since my half marathon today on my lunch break. The sun was out, there was a bit of a breeze, or I just run SO fast there's always a breeze...bahaha, I kid! I was really glad to be running again, but then my right knee started hurting. It hurt during my race, and a few days after, so I iced it and took plenty of ibuprofen. I thought I was good to go, but it hurt a bit today. Not unbearably so, but I definitely don't want to injure myself. So, I'll be taking it nice and slow for the next few days - run when I can, and walk when it hurts. With some ice and ice cream thrown in, too :) It's not surprising that my knee hurts - I didn't really train for my half, so, that was dumb on my part. Never again will I do something like that without preparing - I'm so lucky I didn't get seriously hurt. #thatwasdumb

Dress: Old Navy

Sweater: Old Navy

Sandals: Born

Earrings & matching bracelets: Claire's

All other jewelry: gifts from my Godmother