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

fun, not stuffy

my friend, Cat, in her new Lilly Pulitzer for Target dress from our shopping expedition

Chelsea, our distinguished alumni scholarship recipient (she's working on her Master's - woot woot)

with her scholarship award
not pictured: me standing up to cheer and make her smile for a picture as she received her award.
she called me her Stage Mom...#stagemom #stagemomforeva





Remember a minute ago when I mentioned styling a fun, young professional outfit?

Here it is. A classy dress, classic jacket, and solid pumps – yet together, they create something a little offbeat and unexpected. 

This is what I wore for a scholarship brunch (my friend was the alumni recipient!! #stagemom #smilesweetie). I wanted to be classy, age appropriate, scholarly (even though I, myself, was not a scholarship candidate), yet stay far away from stuffy.

So I decided on lace, suede, and tweed. All of those elements by themselves are classic, and even paired together they would create a very timeless look. What makes this look hit all the points I wanted to cover is the color pairings (navv blue with varying shades of pink), and the different textures (plus the fun printed clutch). Regarding color, these shoes go with everything, turns out. And you know I luuurvvvvve navy blue. This jacket was just begging to be worn after a long hiatus of sitting in a box in a spare bedroom.

And then the textures – lace, tweed, and suede. By now I’m sure you know I’m a huge fan of different textures – whether it’s actual texture, or the appearance of different textures by using different prints. I think I really hit the nail on the head with this look – it was perfect for a Saturday morning brunch at a country club to celebrate Panhellenic scholarships, and, the icing on the cake - it was pretty comfortable, too. No pulling at Spanx, or complaining when I overate, which of course, I did…I mean, we were served breakfast burritos, and those are my love language.

dress: GG Boutique

wedges: ALDO

jacket: consignment (Express)

clutch: Lilly Pulitzer for Target

Sadly, this is the last picture you’ll see of both dogs – our handsome Turbo passed away a few days after these were taken. He went very peacefully, in his sleep, but completely unexpected. We are missing his sweet & grumpy old self quite a bit. However, Olaf is reveling in the attention of being an only dog.

linking up with:

The Closet by Christie // I do deClaire

Sydney Fashion Hunter // For the Love of Leopard

Cassidy Lou // Dressing Dallas // Cappuccino and Fashion

marching right on through

Since it's a Monday in March, here are two outfits for your viewing pleasure, and hopeful inspiration. They both feature a skirt, boots, stripes, and a cardigan. Crazy and out-of-the-mold, I know ;) But they're comprised of very different color schemes: the first, black, white, red and gold. The second, gray, pink, and purple. One a bit darker, the other more soft and feminine.

Which one would you wear?

That's all I got - Happy Monday, hope your week is off to a great start!

studded tank: Old Navy

black cardigan: Maurice's

striped pencil skirt: Target

black boots: c/o Aéropostale

statement necklace: Kohl's

purple v-neck: Target

gray/tan cardigan: local consignment shop

ombre scarf: gift

pink lace/crochet skirt: Nordstrom

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

sweater #23 + sweater #24 + Olaf

new kicks from Target. they're cute, they were on sale, but they're a titch small and they cut up my heels. not sure if they'll be make the cut to stay in my closet...

This gray sweater makes 23. Gray, buffalo plaid, skinnies, and fun reptile print sneaks.

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

scarf: WalMart

skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

shoes: Target

And now, on Super Bowl Sunday, the cutest pup.

his face.
so perfect. and handsome.

such a lover. so many kisses. and nubbin tail wags.

A cream-ish lace tee under a white cardigan + an oatmeal scarf. Skinnies and my boots. And my handsome Olaf.

He's such a great pup - so happy, and jovial, and attention loving, and active. As much as Turbo loves to sleep, Olaf likes to play. And as much as Turbo likes to lay in front of the fire, Olaf does, too. They're too cute for words.

shirt: from a friend

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

scarf: knitted by me

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

boots: Nordstrom

bag: TJ Maxx

sweater #14

Check out these layers, textures & prints today. Leopard under gray & lace, velvet pants, and shiny patent pointy-toed flats. All things I never would have paired together a few years ago, but now I just love it, and can't wait to put together more outfits like this.

And that makes 14.

leopard button up: WalMart

lace sweatshirt: rue21

velvet pants: J. Crew Factory

flats: Target

blushing x2

 

 

 

 

 

Since picking up this blush blouse at H&M on my 4^th of July trip to Florida, I want to wear it almost every day (that was almost two whole months ago. WOW. I think my sun burn tan lines are fading). And now I want all of my clothes, accessories and shoes in shades of blush and nude, with the occasional piece of black, brown, or gray thrown in, to mix it up.

Can one ever have too many neutrals? I say no. To prove my point, here are two ways I’ve worn this blush blouse – once with skinnies & nude heels, and the other with a light pink skirt and brown wedges.

left: 

blouse: H&M

skinnies: Aéropostale

nude heels: Target

right:

blouse: H&M

skirt: Nordstrom

brown wedges: Rocketdog via DSW

me and kacey

For two (short) weekends in a row this summer, I went to a concert every weekend. First was Tim McGraw, and the most recent was Kacey Musgraves. We just missed her performance last summer at Sports Authority Field at Mile High before the Eli Young Band, Eric Church, and Kenny Chesney, and were reeeeeally bummed. So when I heard she was coming to Colorado (with shows in Aspen and Denver), I bought tickets right away. 

Kacey performed at the Ogden Theatre in Denver and put on a really great show. The venue was smaller(ish), we grabbed a spot up in the balcony (right by the bar), and swayed and clapped along all night. I was a fan before, but now I'd say I'm a HUGE fan. 

Girl can sing!

And play guitar!

And write songs!

She wrote "Mama's Broken Heart," made popular by the lovely Miranda Lambert. She played some songs off her new album and I can't wait for it to come out. 

I wore my new arrow print tank from Aéropostale as a subtle nod to one of Kacey's songs "Follow Your Arrow," and even got complimented on my whole ensemble a few times at the show - a little country, a little sweet, a little (teeny-weeny-tiny-bit) edgy. Kinda. Sorta.

Arrow Racerback Tank: Aéropostale

 Scalloped Crochet Skirt: Aéropostale

clutch: thrifted

boots: Steve Madden via DSW