Mr. Picks Mondays: "Dweater"

You might recognize this dress from this past summer - I wore it to a sorority sister's wedding. Several other sisters came up and stayed with us, so my lucky Mr. got to be our DD, 

as well as our "chaperone."

The reason he chose this dress for the latest Mr. Picks Mondays was because I had just finished re-pretty-ify-ing my closet and re-hanging and re-folding (almost) everything. So, this dress was prominently displayed, and he chose it for me to wear. 

Since the back of the dress is open, I chose a warm sweater to make it work appropriate, and then kept the sweater on all day. My fleece-lined tights were a finishing touch - you know I love 'em (so warm & comfy!)

What do you think? Too summery? Or did the abundance of textures (lace, chunky sweater, cable-knit tights, and a polka dot scarf) make it winter appropriate? Personally, I'm a fan of how it turned out.

linking up with:

DC in Style for Monday Bloom

Fizz & Frosting for Mix it Monday

Still Being Molly for Funday Monday

Life's a Party Dress Like It for Stylish Tuesday

Style Elixir for Style Sessions Link Up and Friday's Fab Favorites

Simply Lulu Style for What I'm Loving Fridays

Two Thirty-Five Designs for Casual Friday

dress: Urban Outfitters [[similar below OR check out this similar dress in blue lace I just got from Aéro]]

sweater: Aéropostale [[<--exact in link]]

scarf: Aéropostale

belt: Target [[similar below]]

tights: local boutique [[similar below]]

boots: Rack Room Shoes [[similar below]]

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Florals Made Cold Weather Appropriate by...(you guessed it!) Navy!!!

This sweater is something I found at Old Navy a few weeks ago, when I found a lot of other things I didn't "need" didn't know my closet was missing! Two of them being this navy blue sweater & peacoat. And a navy blue down vest.

I feel like you're judging me for buying so much navy.

*crickets*

Haven't you heard navy is the new black??

Affirming my love of the dark hue of blue is my sweet godmother. She texted me a few days after this post and told me that we must be related, since she's always loved navy! She's got great style and we love to talk fashion and shopping, especially our fave, Lilly Pulitzer. She's also who I have to thank for introducing me to the magical land that is Nordstrom.

*sighs & dreams*

So, thanks for always talking clothes with me, Auntie!

the newest addition to my modest coat collection - it's love

On a different note, I REALLY liked this outfit. I really want to repeat it, or recreate something similar with some of these pieces (and soon!), and then wear the heck out of this skirt in the spring and summer. I mean, are florals better suited for any other season(s)? 

Except for when you pair them with a warm sweater in a darker shade, tights and boots, that is ;)

sweater: Old Navy sort of similar below

skirt: J CREW Factory similar below

boots: Rack Room Shoes similar below

scarf: gift similar below

coat: Old Navy similar below

SHOP SOMETHING SIMILAR

"Why Would You Wear Shoes that Make You Not Know How to Wear Your Pants?"

I really like the color of this sweater, and it's perfect to pair with this flannel button up. However, the sweater is very lightweight & not-quite-almost sheer, and would look funny with a dark button up shirt underneath it. So, I pulled the ole' switch-a-roo and wore the sweater UNDER my flannel shirt (kind of like a regular long sleeve shirt), and VOILA! I packed a punch with neon while keeping the rest of my outfit pretty simple (and warm).

I didn't get the chance to take pictures of this outfit when I was in Minnesota, but I did recreate it for  blog pictures just for you! 

As I was putting my booties on, I asked my Mr.

"How should I wear my pants? Tucked in? Rolled up? Or just however they end up?"

He replied with:

"Why would you wear shoes that make you not know how to wear your pants?"

I cracked up at this and could hardly get out my answer to him:

"Because. I like them. And, and, *giggle* they. are. fashionable."

So then, a few minutes later, I put on my snow boots (since they are what I wore when I wore this outfit in Minnesota) and asked him:

"Do these pants look ok? Do they look ok with these boots?"

I got the same response.

But what I really meant was "Do these pants fit me funny?"

The point is, sometimes you have to question how to wear your pants when you wear some funky little booties. Because getting things right and feeling comfortable in your own skin when it comes to fashion & trends takes time. and lots of experimenting. 

 

shirt: Old Navy similar below

sweater: Old Navy similar below

pants: thrifted (Joe Fresh) similar below

booties: Old Navy exact & similar below

snow boots: SOREL exact below

scarf: Aéropostale

SHOP SOMETHING SIMILAR

30 for 30: Day 29 & Day 30

Day 29

Aaaah, Day 28. Day 28 was filled with turning in the keys to our apartment (!!!), a(nother) stop at The Home Depot, a trip to Kohl's, and some celebratory/farewell-apartment TCBY. Busy busy days, I tell ya! 

I threw on my chambray & corduroys with my oxfords - I've hardly worn those shoes during this challenge so I wanted to make sure I got another wear in during my 30 for 30. 

Day 30

The weather this day (and really all of Thanksgiving weekend) was beautiful - high 50s at the end of November! Unheard of! 

So, to commemorate the last day of my 30 for 30 challenge and this occasion of warmth & sunshine, I wore a dress. Without tights. For the last time until March/maybe April/probably May. I'm glad I got in my last bit of sun & bare legs - we've been hit with well below freezing temperatures this past week. It's so cold it hurts to breathe! And a short walk to my car in the parking lot at work is enough to make my whole face numb - BRRRRR! Good news is, I've been pulling out a lot of my sweaters...!

linking up here today

30 for 30: Day 18 & Day 19

Day 18

this two-toned coat is from Aéropostale, I wore it earlier here

snapped this at work

Chambray and a pencil skirt. Not two items I would normally pair together, but on a wild hair, I did. And I'm thinking it turned it pretty darn well. From a distance, I look like I'm wearing a nice dress shirt with my skirt. But, as you get closer, I appear more casual and, possibly (hopefully!), fashion-savvy? ;)

Sorry for my extended (and completely unintended!) absence. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll see that I've been pretty busy the past few weeks (we bought a house! and moved! and are settling in!). 

So, I'm back! Just in time for the holidays :)

Day 19

tough to tell in these pictures, but those pants are navy corduroys

my Mr. told me to "act cold!" so, I did.
normally, when I'm cold, I'm frowning and grump-ing and generally unpleasant.
#truestory
anything for fashion, right? ;)

It was at this point in this challenge I started having a tougher time putting together outfits with my 30 items. I originally felt like I was reaching a bit with this outfit, but looking at the pictures, 

it doesn't appear that way (at least to MY eyes). 

Ever feel uneasy about the outfit you put together? But then think about it later and realize you looked FABULOUS?!?!

linking up here, here and here today

30 for 30: Day 11

No, your eyes are not deceiving you - I did jump straight from Day 9 to Day 11 in my 30 for 30 challenge. However, Day 10 was a throw-on-an-old-t-shirt-and-sweats-and-do-chores-and-pack kind of day. I only made it out of the house to take the trash out and walk the pups, so I didn't think it necessary to get all dolled up and do brush my hair. I'm thinking this busy outfit more than makes up for missing Day 10, though.

If you remember from this post, the navy blue top I'm wearing here is actually a dress. 

STOP.

HOLD ON.

I DID WHAT?

I wore a dress as a shirt.

This is (I think) the first time in my life I've done that (unless my parents can come up with something from my toddler or awkward preteen years?). However, the idea has been there for a while. Obviously it depends on the skirt and the dress, but it seems like the type of dress that would work best is one without a lot of volume in the skirt. Unless you're wearing a full skirt, and want a little more fluff underneath it (have I mentioned before that I like full skirts? The skirt of my wedding dress was 4 feet wide. On purpose. And I LOOOOOVED it.).

Scratch what I just said about the type of skirt and dress work best - this is a very case-by-case basis sort of thing. 

And in this case, I like it. I like it alot.

I really like this skirt, but always have a hard time deciding what top to pair with it. Until, one day, I remembered this navy dress with cream trim. And voila! A genius (and loud!) outfit was born! 

Ever have those clarity/lightbulb/genius moments? With your clothes, I mean ;)

linking up this schwanky outfit over here :)

30 for 30: Days 3 & 4

Day 3

I did some necklace layering, and wore a fancy new bracelet from my mom / from Lia Sophia

This ensemble spent the day at my in-laws house, watching football reading and taking naps. Did I mention the naps? The naps were great - the bulldogs agree, too. Hard to see in the pics above, but I was wearing my olive green skinnies. They are so. comfortable. Perfect for lounging, napping, and reading books instead of watching football...

Day 4

this whole getting-dark-before-5-thing is really cramping my style. BIG TIME. so, a goofy pose to brighten up these dark & orangey photos in our entryway...

Again, hard to see my pants in these pictures, but these are my navy corduroys - never would have thought to wear them with this sweater before (aaah, before, when I had full use of my closet). Now, I have to look at things differently, squint a leetle bit, and take a creative license and assure my husband that my clothes DO actually go together :)