Mr. Picks Mondays: Navy & Plum

The Mr. chose the blue sweater dress, and I chose the purple plaid for underneath and the plum patterned tights. Looks like for the past two MPM he's got me in a dress or a skirt...I'm sure my mom is loving that! Side story: when I was really little, I would only wear dresses or skirts. Every day. 

Then, from fifth grade through high school, I hated wearing them. I think it has something to do with the fact that I have a love/hate relationship with tights/stockings/pantyhose/whatever you want to call them - yes, I have many pairs, but no, I don't find them very comfortable.

I'm coming around to them though. I'm seeing lots of value (and excitement!) in being able to wear skirts & dresses in the winter (I'm late to this game, I know!). And seems like whenever I wear them to work with boots lately, I tend to stay a bit warmer than I do in pants. Odd? Yes. Or maybe it has something to do with the outside temperature...and consequently the temperature in my drafty, exterior-walls-only, drafty office?

Either way, a sweater dress is one way to make sure you're adding variety to your winter outfits. In winters past I've just done pants & sweaters, with the occasional vest or blazer. But THIS year, I feel like I'm really mixing it up, and staying warm AND fashionable AT THE SAME TIME!

linking up:

Still Being Molly for Funday Monday

Fizz & Frosting for Mix it Monday

Style Elixir for Style Sessions Fashion Link Up

Vodka Infused Lemonade for Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday Link Up

sweater dress: from a clothes swap (Target) sort of similar below

shirt: from a clothes swap (American Eagle) sort of similar below

tights: WalMart sort of similar below

boots: Rack Room Shoes sort of similar below

SHOP MY LOOK (or something sort of similar)

Photo Bombed

Sometimes I can wear kids clothes. Like this vest. It's blue, it has glitter, and it's from GAP Kids. A friend of mine purchased this several years ago, and once upon a time, this friend gave me several bags of clothes she was getting rid of. In one of those bags was this sparkly blue vest. From GAP Kids. 

And now, you see it here, on sweetbananie.blogspot.com

:)

I realize that everything (except my tanktop) in this post was thrifted, bought secondhand, or a hand-me-down. Would anyone be interested in hearing my thrifting tips? I just love a good thrift store - I've found some really great things! Let me know in the comments!

photobombing. she can't stand to not be included. even in blog pictures!

linking up: 

Style Elixir for Style Sessions Fashion Link Up

Colorblind for Thrifters Anonymous

shirt: thrifted (Ann Taylor LOFT)

jeans: Trends (consignment shop)

shoes: thrifted

vest: hand-me-down from a friend

Layered Schweater

If you want the truth, I wore this outfit several weeks ago, during the cold snap I already told you about. And since it was cold, you guessed it - I layered up! I put a chambray under the sweater, and am wearing AT LEAST two pairs of socks beneath those (worn) UGG boots you see. And then, when we were running errands that day (and "exposed" to the elements), I added a heavy black scarf, down vest, down coat (with the fux fur-trimmed hood UP OVER my head), and my earmuffs and gloves on. Fashionable? More like marshmallow-ey. But quite warm & cocooned!

I really like this sweater, especially with my faux leather-stripe leggings. I'm wearing them above, but didn't get any detail shots, so you'll just have to take my word for it, my friends. The sweater is just slouchy enough for the weekend, but chic enough to look put together, dontcha think? I've worn it once or twice since (without a collared shirt underneath), but with the same leggings...! I need to come up with a new way to wear it...any suggestions?? I got some great ideas the last time I asked for help - so, haaaaaalp!

sweater: Aéropostale

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

leggings: Aéropostale

boots: UGG (gift from my sweetie, SEVERAL years ago)

Cold Snap

Recently in Colorado we had a cold snap. By cold snap, I mean the temperature didn't get out of the single digits, or even teens. For DAYSSSS. Denver set record-breaking temps (so many days in a row of a really cold temp; coldest temps for so many hours; temps for this early in the season - I used to work with climatologists, so I'm in "the know").

And I know it's winter, and it's almost Christmas, and why am I whining about cold weather when I live in a mountain state (that's a can of worms I don't think you want to open #beachloverforlife #everytimeitsnowsiwanttomovetothebeach)? However, 40 degree days are a whole lot different than barely freezing temps, which are a whole other ballgame compared to temperatures that stay in the single digits for days on end. When it's that cold, it hurts to breathe, and your nose hurts after being outside for 2 seconds. Forget about dashing outside for a quick second without your coat - you'll be a popsicle before too you can get back inside.

So, what's a girl to do when she experiences temperatures that usually wait until January or February to show their ugly faces? Several things:

1) sweaters
2) multiple sweaters
3) scarves
4) down vests over sweaters
5) sweaters UNDER down vests UNDER down coats
6) start the car a good 10 minutes before she needs to leave
7) lots of coffee/hot chocolate/warm drinks & blankets
8) not venture outside. for any reason.
9) make sure the puppies go in & out really quickly, so they don't freeze their little wrinkled selves
10) whine a little bit and dream about moving to Florida, specifically the Gulf Coast

while I DID all of the above, I've also decided that by having the appropriate "gear," I can save myself a lot of coldness. i.e. coats, sweaters, scarves, and new snow boots (an early Christmas gift from the Mr. - they're essential so I don't complain to him about how my toes are cold, even though I'm wearing 3 pairs of socks).

Interested in seeing my cold weather gear? I'll be honest, cold weather clothes make up way more than half of my closet, and our coat closet is quite full of coats for all different temperatures. 

Any other good strategies for dealing with the cold? And I mean REALLY cold, like "Since when do we live in Siberia?" cold?

sweater: J Crew (thrifted)

scarf: WalMart

jeans: GAP

boots: Rack Room Shoes

Mr. Picks Mondays: Lady. In Boots. (like Puss. In Boots.)

This double-sweater action was from October, but I didn't have a chance to share it before I started my 30 for 30 challenge. Better late than never, right? Right! As I remember, the 2 sweaters my Mr. picked out were perfect for this chilly day. My parents got me this sleeveless sweater from Eddie Bauer a few years ago for Christmas, and I love to pull it out when it gets cold. It's nice and toasty, without being TOO warm, and it's something a bit different than the chunky sweaters I see on everyone else. 

I've had this raspberry colored v-neck sweater from Hollister for ages. I even wore it in my senior pictures - I'll have to ask my mom if she can send me one. Man, I looked goooood. 

Ever double up on sweaters for extra warmth? It's best to do it with one that is really light/thin under a heavier one, to avoid looking like a marshmallow. 

Unless, of course, that's the look you're going for, then just keep piling on heavy layers! ;)

raspberry v-neck sweater: Hollister

sleeveless sweater: Eddie Bauer

pants: thrifted (Lauren Conrad)

boots: Rack Room shoes

Green & Neutrals-ish

I wore this layered look several weeks ago, before I started my 30 for 30 for the month of November. It's an emerald green 3/4 sleeve top, a down vest, a pretty ombre-esque scarf, that goes from light green/mint to peach and back, skinnies, and my tassled loafer-y flats. I love the color of this shirt, but needed a bit of warmth, so I'm really glad I had a plain white down vest to throw on for some extra warmth. The scarf added another dimension of being monochromatic (check out how many trends I've got going on!) I've had it in my queue for several days now, but remembered I need to share it with you so I can link up with Walking in Memphis High Heels, The Fashion Canvas, and Style Cusp, for their weekly Trend Spin Link Up - this past week was "jewel tones," so I thought this pretty green shirt fit the bill pretty well - dontcha think?

shirt: Old Navy

vest: thrifted (Aeropostale)

scarf: from my best friend's springtime trip to Europe

skinnies: GAP Outlet

shoes: Target