working formula

This layered navy look was perfect for a recent snowy day in Colorado. The only caveat - I wore my big SOREL snow boots to work, and slipped on these less cumbersome booties when I got to my desk (I'm definitely not going to wear these booties on ice).

You might think this looks eerily similar to another look I shared recently (check it out here), and you'd be right. When you've got a formula that works, you don't waiver too much. Especially when your closet is shrinking by the day as your belly grows.

Have a great Sunday - we're spending it around the house getting some things done, but also enjoying some much needed down time. Anyone else feel like they're going going going all the time lately? We sure do. Oof. Do adults get Spring Break?

red & navy striped shirt: thrifted

navy blue dress: thrifted

navy fleece-lined tights: GG Boutique

gold belt: thrifted

ankle booties: Old Navy

floral scarf: Target

...what you repeatedly wear

The best way to continue to wear a dress that you've already worn (several several times - like this navy blue dress above) is to change how you style it.

First, change up your jewelry - try a different metal, try a different length & style of necklace, or perhaps add a watch. Or a ring. Several rings?

Next, change up the accessories. Try a belt, or a scarf around your neck. Or a scarf AS a belt. Or, go without a belt, if you always wear a belt with said dress. Maybe you've got a hat that would look great with this dress. See how many different options you've got?

As for your shoes,  I'm more of a flats/flat sandals girl myself, but I have been trying to throw in some heels and wedges. You know, to "up my style game." whatever that means... So, if you always default to the same pair, dust off the neglected ones that could really make your look stand out. Or the ones that perhaps you're too afraid to wear (a la "In Her Shoes"?).

While you're at it, try something different with your hair. Maybe with your makeup. I tend to repeat the same hairstyles over and over (and over. and over.), but I have been trying to break up the monotony that is my hairstyling skillzzzz with some braids and different parts. However, that's tough to do when I repetedly hit the snooze button and am rushing out the door to work...*cough*

See? If I was good at math I could tell you how many outfit options we've created, just with the few above additions and swaps. Alas, I am not very good at math, but it would be something to the something-th power, and that would be a lot of options to change up a dress you repeatedly wear.

So, go forth, and have yourself a stylish weekend, my friends!

dress: thrifted

belt: Target

shoes: Rocketdog via DSW

necklace: Target

watch: Kohl's

Horsetoothin' around

A few weeks ago, some of my husband's family came up to visit us for an evening. My mother-in-law packed a lovely picnic lunch, and we all took a drive up to Horsetooth Reservoir, just west of Fort Collins.

Confession: I've lived in the area for several years, and this was the fifth time I've been to the reservoir...once was at night, twice on hikes that overlooked the water (no time to look, only concerned about breathing and getting back to the air-conditioning), and the other was a boating expedition, where I was more focused on tubing and drinks.

So, we went to Horsetooth, picnic-ed (is that a word?), and I was gently reminded how beautiful the view is. The view, the water, the mountains, and all of the green trees and bushes. It was warm, but not hot, and of course there was a breeze to keep everything moving.

In essence, a lovely summer evening.

I threw on these anchor print shorts after work, going for a monochromatic look with my navy blue shirt. The anchors also seemed a bit fitting because of the marina and boats at the res (in retrospect, of course I dressed for a nautical theme ;] ) At times, these shorts can look pajama-esque, but a navy button-up helps to elevate them a bit, and keep them looking more sharp & smart than lounge-y.

I'm trying to enjoy all of the summer things before fall gets here and we are inundated with Pumpkin Spice lattes and pictures of leaves and sweaters and boots (can you tell how I feel about fall taking over everything?).

On that note, I've got plans today to celebrate a new friend's wedding at a poolside reception, and then enjoy a free music festival with more friends (and great beer).

Here's to a few more weeks of gorgeous summer, Colorado!

button up: thrifted (J Crew)

shorts: J Crew Factory

sandals: Target

beautiful nature: c/o of Colorful Colorado

linking up:

DC in Style // Shopping My Closet // Sydney Fashion Hunter

The Red Closet Diary // A Pocketful of Polka Dots // Classy Yet Trendy

Tucker Up

most favorite

This is one of my favorite outfits of ALL TIME *Kanye at the 2009 VMAs*

Let’s examine the elements that make it MOST FAVORITE, shall we?

1) the dress

It's feminine, fun, bright, and pink + navy = love

I got it last fall, and have only worn it once. I tend to not wear Lilly dresses for every day activities (work), because they are too fancy. But adding a shirt underneath disguised the dress as more of a jumper, instead of a fun party dress (which it is, in its real life).

And also, this dress is a heavier fabric, making it perfect to wear each and every season – the lack of sleeves make it ideal for summer, but the weight is heavier than a cotton sundress, so it won’t look out of place with tights, sweaters, and boots when the cold comes around again.

2) the layering of a classic button-up shirt underneath the dress

By now, I hope you know that I LOVE button-ups. However, this navy blue one always stumps me on how to wear it, because it’s so basic. And depending on the day, it feels too big and, yet, too small, sometimes. Weird, I know.

3) the shoes (the shoes are two-fold)

a) adding leopard print in the form of my shoes = print mixing (that, and they were more comfortable to walk to my lunch date in)

b) the bedazzled blue flats create a more cohesive look with the dress and button-up (I switched to these after work to run an errand to look more like a grown up)

4) good hair day

I have since gotten a trim and *dun dun dun* gone to the dark side (proof on Instagram), but sometimes my hair is long and flowy enough that I feel like a mermaid (you know what I mean).

5) the handsome pup in the last picture

O has been such a great addition to our little family, first as a companion to Turbo, and now as an only dog. He is full of personality, love, and silly little antics. #obsessed

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

button up: thrifted (J. Crew)

blue flats: thrifted

leopard flats: c/o Aero

linking up:

Classy Yet Trendy // The Red Closet Diary

Rachel the Hat

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

30 for 30: day 19 + day 20

day 19

Cobalt & ikat.

And gray.

And dots.

And tassels.

So we have a bit of print-mixing going on here, but from a distance. And lots of neutrals, broken up by a fair amount of cobalt. Not my favorite look from this collection of 30 outfits (“collection.” sounds so fancy.), but not bad, either. Perfect for work, then seeing a girlfriend and playing closet. Then rolling on in to my parent’s house well after midnight…YOLO?

cobalt sweater: GAP Outlet

gray skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

ikat scarf: WalMart

flats: Target

day 20

This sweatshirt dress is such a favorite of mine (maybe most favorite?). The color, the fit, the warmth, the fact that I can easily dress it up or down, wear it with tights or leggings and boots, or bare legs and sandals.

However, as with all dresses, I find it difficult to style it differently (almost) every time I wear it. It’s not that I’m opposed to wearing the same outfit over and over again, but I do like to challenge myself to find new ways to wear my clothes. Then I can really maximize the use/wearing of items in my closet. I do this by changing out my shoes, accessories, jewelry, layers, and bags.

Sometimes I’m more successful than others.

All of that to say, I’m about stumped on ways to wear this dress differently than I already have – I’ve done sandals, tights and boots, and almost every scarf that would look decent with this all navy dress. Any more ideas?

sweatshirt dress: J. Crew Factory

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

sandals: Target

crossbody bag: thrifted

linking up at Elegantly Dressed & Stylish

30 for 30: day 4

All day in this outfit I felt unprepared and a wee bit confused. At one point, I was afraid I’d underdressed and kept thinking that I should have worn pants and a sweater (and another scarf and a jacket and a parka...) because it was so chilly out. Cut to a few hours later, and I was questioning WHY I’d worn tights – the sun was out, and the wind had died down. This cycle then proceeded to repeat itself for the entire day.

However, by the end of it (hot, cold, hot, and then cold again), I think I hit the nail on the head, making me sure of a few things:

1) I'm dressing appropriately for my climate

2) I'm dressing appropriately for my lifestyle

(mine happens to be a casual office environment, with a lunch date thrown in for good measure)

3) I'm a true Colorado fashionista – layers, boots, sandals, shorts, snow, dresses, sweaters, scarves, and 90 degree temps, all in the span of a day.

Welcome to spring in the Rockies!