and again

Here it is again - another chambray over another dress (see the last time I did that here). I'm softly kicking myself for not having tried this sooner. But, better late than never, right? RIGHT??

This dress is a hand-me-down from my bestie, and I'm trying to come up with an occasion to wear it on its own, but so far, I got nothin'. And I had nothing on the books when she first gave it to me. So, I put on my thinking cap and decided to pair it with a chambray so I could wear it THAT much sooner and not have to wait (and wait. and wait. and wait) to wear my pretty new dress.

That's crinoline sticking out of the bottom, so the skirt is pretty full - meaning, I could fluff it out quite a bit, if I so chose. Obviously, I did not on this day ('twould be silly to wear a very poofy skirt to work), but the option is there, ready to be utilized.

Now that you've seen me try it a few times, have you knotted a chambray over a dress?? Or, any shirt for that matter? Oh, do tell.

dress: from a friend

chambray: thrifted

sandals: DSW

linking up:

I do DeClaire // Style Elixir

 Bless Her Heart, Y'all // Two Peas in a Blog

tricky technique

Oh oh, I just love how this outfit turned out. I'd been playing with the idea of trying to wear more of my dresses in a more casual way, and happened upon a chambray knotted over a dress somewhere on the internets. I've since worn several fancier dresses this way and am loving the result (the Mr. is not a fan, but he also doesn't like skinny jeans AND ankle booties. so, please discuss fashion and style with myself).

The only thing I don't love about this layering technique is that tying up my chambray causes it to sit just above my natural waist, and sometimes a dress can be a little shapeless right at that point (not always); and instead of looking like a skirt, it looks like I wore a chambray over a dress. Which is a truth fact, BUT the idea is to make something I already own look like something else. That's called "mileage," or decreasing your "cost per wear," or something.

But, in conclusion (so that you may go about continuing to enjoy your weekend), I like this little trick. And I intend to keep repeating it. And I hope you like seeing it on my blog.

And isn't my Olaf handsome?

dress (er, I mean skirt): Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

chambray: thrifted

metallic wedges: thrifted

linking up:

Garay Treasures // High Altitude Style // Claire Justine

The Red Closet Diary // Charming Lucy // A Pocketful of Polka Dots

texture play

I put together ALL THE TEXTURES in this outfit. Stripes, chunky knit sweater, paisley print, lacey-ish/crochet-kinda skirt, herringbone tights, and leather boots. I figured I could get away with neutrals and light pink with a dusting of snow if I layered up and "texturized." And coffee, of course.

Always coffee.

and thanks to my sweet friend, Laura, for taking these pictures for me!

shirt: thrifted (Ann Taylor LOFT)

sweater: Macy's

scarf: gift from sis-in-law (with my monogram on it!)

skirt: Nordstrom

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

Blizzard-ing

Sunny Sunday errands call for Dairy Queen Blizzards. Can you believe I got away with bare legs in November?? It was really short lived though - we had snow the following evening.

This look is composed of a few layers. First, a black American Apparel tank dress with Zeta Tau Alpha running down it in neon pink, layered under a slouchy pink striped sweater from Aéropostale. Secondly, a gray statement necklace paired with gray faux pearls. I'm all about adding dimension and texture, especially when it's the same color, or within the same color family - gives it a little something extra.

Accessories here include: jewelry, sunglasses, bag, and my fave - the Blizzard.

dress: ZTA Recruitment via American Apparel

sweater: Aéropostale

shoes: Payless

purse: T.J. Maxx

gray faux pearls: Kohl's

gray statement necklace: WalMart

Blizzard: Dairy Queen

1 Black Maxi. 2 Ways.

 

 

 

  

 

Here are two different ways to style a basic black maxi dress. Yes, they both include denim, but trust me, they’re different! 

One incorporates a denim jacket AND a scarf (a wild, leopard print scarf), and the other a chambray shirt. The chambray can be worn similarly to a jacket (open, unbuttoned), OR buttoned up like a shirt, letting the maxi shine as more of a skirt than a dress. Whatever you prefer! Great for when you need options...or when the weather’s being weird and you may or may not need layers...

maxi dress: Old Navy

on the left:

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

scarf: WalMart

Cleopatra sandals: Shoe Carnival

on the right:

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s

Cleopatra sandals: WalMart

Dots, Tweed, and...Python?

closeup of my print mixing madness

I wore this outfit several weeks ago when one of my best friends was in town. I took her for drinks with some work friends (after work, of course!), and really enjoyed getting to show her where I work and live and play.

I came up with this outfit several weeks before I wore it. I was trying to decide what to wear for something else (surprise), and somehow these 2 items ended up next to each other on my bed, due to my haphazard tossing and grabbing. When I looked closer, I realized they didn't look half bad together.  In fact, they were pretty interesting. And so, an outfit was born. However, this "ah-ha!" moment happened when there was still snow on the ground, so this wonderful combination had to wait for a warmer day. And I added the python print flats for kicks, since dots and tweed have the potential to be too cutesy ;)

shirt: Old Navy

jacket: Express

jeans: GAP Outlet

flats: WalMart

Old Friends

Several weeks ago, we had some special company - our good (married) friends from high school. They got married the summer before us, and we've remained good friends through their subsequent move across the country and back, and our putting down roots in Northern Colorado.

They came up to visit us and check out our new house, and we loved having them. They brought their sweet pup, Benni, and we ate delicious food and drank delightful beverages all weekend, and played several rounds of Cards Against Humanity. New favorite game. It's in my Amazon shopping cart, as we speak...!

there was much discussion over my rolled up pants and booties. L and I were on the same boat, but the boys disagreed
*sigh*

me with their pup, Benni. I even got to take him on a run with me - I've forgotten what it's like to have a dog that bounds and just can't get enough exercise...!

wearing my cupcake apron, preppin' dinner and dessert for our guests

button up: Akinz Boardwear
lace sweatshirt: rue21
apron: gift
jeans: GAP Outlet
booties: Old Navy

Mr. Picks Mondays: Pink. And Shiny!

The Mr. chose the sequined top (confession: a new find. from WalMart. for just under $4!!!), and I added the velour blazer & scarf. I really like the monochromatic look of the blazer and scarf, as well the texture play with the top, blazer & scarf. I find that lately I'm trying to create layers of texture while it's still a wee bit chilly outside - not so easy to do when it's sweltering outside, which is where the weather is headed, YIPPEE!!!!! I luuuurrrrrve summer!

Think you'll pull out your sequins and recreate something similar?

Sure hope you do! And let me know about it!

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

tank: WalMart similar below

blazer: thrifted similar below

scarf: gift similar below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

boots: Rack Room Shoes similar below

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