bully leopard

You guys. This might be one of my favorite outfits ever (EVER). Why have I never paired a favorite tee with a leopard print pencil skirt before??

This outfit struck the right balance of dressy and casual, fun and serious (like that line from Talladega Nights "I like to think of Jesus in a tuxedo t-shirt. It says I'm serious, but I like to party."), comfortable and not-so-comfortable. I'm already devising other graphic tees and pencil skirts to pair up together. Sadly, I think my sandals are goners until next summer. *sigh*

bulldog tee: J CREW Factory

leopard print pencil skirt: thrifted (Target)

beaded sandals: Kohl's

plain & fancy

Whenever I wear this jacket, I try to pair it with something very feminine. I do this simply so I can find the perfect balance between a utilitarian/"rugged" (but nor really) look and a more softer, more girly one. And this outfit does just that - lacy tee, fancy shorts, fancy jewels & an olive green field/utility jacket.

Ta da!

Oh oh, and, you guys, it's Fridayyy. Cheers to the weekend!

lace shirt: gift

shorts: Ann Taylor Outlet

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

sandals: WalMart

statement necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

(use the code sweetbananiexoxo for a free month of jewelry rental)

peony bush: my backyard

linking up:

Sydney Fashion Hunter

long time, no see

Hello, friends! I know - world's longest absence from my little blog. I can make all the excuses in the world and delve into where I've been and what I've been doing and why I've been neglecting you, but, I won't.

Instead, I'll just say "I'm sorry. I've been putting other things ahead of my outfit posts. The end."

We good?

Moving right along, I wore this pleated & polka dotted salmon number for a Zeta Alumni event several weeks ago. This is such a juxtaposition of looks, and I LOVE it (look at me growing up! wearing different styles all at once like a boss!).

The sweet pleats & polka dots, the salmon color and the feminine cut.

Paired with the taupe ankle booties and the sparkly statement necklace.

Topped off with my dark hairs (love. still.) and a suede clutch.

I know this look isn't for everyone, but I'm a big fan - I blended several different seasons and looks/feels/vibes into one, rather cohesive, look.

Ya like?

dress: LC Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

booties: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

(use the code sweetbananiexoxo for a free month of jewelry rental)

clutch: thrifted

linking up:

The Red Closet Diary

Zeta Day

me & Cat. love love love.

Chelsea. you know her!

I'm a bit behind on a few outfit posts, especially this one. My Zeta Tau Alpha alumni group recently hosted Zeta Day/State Day/ Colorado & Wyoming Zeta State Day (whatever you want to call it - I call it Zeta Day). All of the Zetas in the great state of Colorado + Wyoming get together for brunch/lunch and celebrate being zisters.

This year's theme was "Zeta Carnival." Unfortunately, I was a bit too busy manning corn hole to take pictures of the rest of the decor, but trust me when I say that my fellow alum did a bang-up job with the decor. We had a photo booth, carnival games, raffle tickets, popcorn buckets, oversized lollipops, and lots of Zeta, everywhere (no clowns, though).

This year's event was held where I live, so my commute was about 10 minutes, which is a nice change from driving to Denver and beyond. I know a few current collegiate members, so got to catch up with them, and reminisce about living in the house (triple room. 2 years in a row).

The attire for these types of events is always "pin attire" - business casual to professional to brunch to what you'd wear to see your classy grandmother. I chose a Lilly (after much discussion and trying on of outfits) and some shoes that don't get out much. They're a fun t-strap with tweed & faux-croc on the toes (I never know what to wear them with!).

My bestie helped me come up with the idea to wear my pretty white Lilly (that can lean a little Stepford, depending on the accessories and styling) with some darker shoes and a distressed fish tail braid. I'm often guilty of taking a look a little too far (tweed + pearls + kitten heels + nylons + Stepford wife/Martha Stewart extraordinarie/Suzy Homemaker). Not that that look is bad, but I tend to take it a little bit too far, so I am really trying to tone it down and go with more "mixed" looks: classy Lilly meet dark shoes and casual hair + accessories (or another look you'll see in a few weeks for another Zeta brunch - scholarly meets a young, fun, maybe a little funky, professional).  Or sometimes it's preppy meets studs, or casual meets business professional. Follow?

All of that to say, I think I hit the nail on the head with this look - appropriate, age-appropiate (I'm not 21 anymore *sigh*), comfortable, pretty, and the receiver of lots of compliments :) 

What's your best trick to styling, or juxtaposing looks in one outfit?

And, I'm still alive after yesterday's race. Look for an update in a hot minute...

white dress: Lilly Pulitzer

shoes: Mudd via DSW

linking up with A Touch of Tartan

two New Year's Eve outfit ideas

In case you need some last minute ideas for what to wear tonight (and tomorrow will have some ideas for New Year's Day ON New Year's Day - mindblowing, I know), here are two a wee-bit-more-than-casual looks, incorporating skirts and tights.

This first look is a black sweater layered over a black dress, with some purple tights for a little pizzazz. I added a polka dot heart scarf, booties, and a purple headband to pull it all together. This would be a great look if you're not into wearing sequins - monochromatic, with a bit of fun color thrown in.

sweater: American Eagle

dress: thrifted (Target)

tights: ???

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

But if you ARE into wearing sequins...

And if you want to be festive in sequins, but tend to get cold like yours truly, try wearing a sweater with your sequins. It's a fun juxtaposition - snazzy party-ready sequins with a warm sweater and boots. And, as an added bonus, this look incorporates ALL OF THE textures: cable-knit sweater, sequins, tights, leather boots, peacoat, and curly strawberry-blonde hair (some of my favorite things!). 

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

coat: Old Navy

bag: TJ Maxx

[juxta]posing in October

I forget to mention in yesterday's post, but I'm more than halfway done with my 30 for 30 challenge! I'm excited to be almost done, although this has been a great exercise in wearing basics, and utilizing the basics & neutral colors I already have in my closet.

Veering away from what I said above, here's this bright/white/dark shirt/is it fall?/is it summer? outfit. I wore this on a very warm day at the end of October, proving that you CAN wear white after Labor Day. Just be sure to do it appropriately - intentionally, and with layers. 

This is the first time I've worn a scarf belted - ever tried it before? What did you think?

chambray: thrifted

scarf: gift

belt: thrifted

pants: Old Navy

sandals: Target

30 for 30: Day 15

Looking at these pictures now, this outfit looks like I tried to be a little "tough" (black boots, black sweater, olive green pants), but then I veered the other direction wearing a scarf with hearts on it. 

Pass?

Fail?

There IS something to be said for "juxtaposing" looks/styles/seasons/textures/aesthetics. 

Right?? Right.

I wasn't thinking that when I put this outfit together - I really just wanted to wear my green pants (have I mentioned they're incredibly comfortable?) and my new scarf. I've found that lately (and by lately, I mean since the first day of this 30 for 30 challenge) I am really drawn to more neutral colors instead of brights & prints, like I have been in the past. 

It feels easier to pair black with black, or taupe, or green, and not worry about matching, but just know that everything will look OK when I pair them together. That said, I just don't think I can give up my love of brights and prints and sequins and twirly skirts and volume and layers and things that me warm & fuzzy (all of the above).