Mr. Picks Mondays: Dressed for Spring (oh, and Ireland)

I last wore this orange skirt over the summer (oh, summer! how I can't wait for your arrival!) for a Bachelorette Party in Las Vegas (here). It's been hanging in my closet screaming (literally screaming, because it's so bright) "WEAR ME! I'M FUN! WEAR ME! I can go with tights and boots or wedges or sandals!"

I've come close a few times but haven't been able to pull the trigger and actually do it. 

Enter my Mr. and Monday.

He chose this bright, lacy, funky skirt and pronounced "This."

So. Boom. I had to wear it! And wear it I did! I tried to tone down the neon-ness of the skirt by keeping the rest of the ensemble pretty neutral and covered up. It's a spring outfit if I ever saw one - bright skirt, jacket, scarf, tights & booties. But, when it's ALMOST spring in Colorado, you can only roll with it and mix & match your sweaters with shorts and sandals snow boots the best you can.

Oh, and, I'm not even Irish (the Mr. is, though), and look at me - wearing orange & green like the Irish flag! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

shirt: from a friend similar below

skirt: WalMart sort of similar below, they're along the same vein - bright! orange!

jacket: thrifted (Land's End) similar below

scarf: thrifted (Lucky Brand) sort of similar below

booties: Old Navy similar below

Black & White - Casual vs. Fancier

 

 

 

 

I didn't realize until I was looking at outfit pictures and putting posts together how much black I've been wearing lately. It's not the "color of my soul," or anything, it's easy to grab when I'm foggy in the mornings, and it goes with just about everything. So, since I've worn it pretty often lately. and some white to go with it, here are two different black and white looks for your viewing pleasure...and maybe some black & white outfit inspiration, to boot ;)

On the left: more casual - stripes, flannel & warm boots

On the right: fancier - peplum, blazer & bright flats

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

on the left:

striped top: Old Navy similar below

flannel: Old Navy similar & exact below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

boots: UGG similar & exact below

on the right:

 striped peplum: Ann Taylor Factory sort of similar below

blazer: thrifted (Target) similar below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

neonflats: Kohl's similar below

Sweaters.that.are.Bright

I've got two (yes, you read that right - TWO!) looks for you today. They both include a bright sweater, printed neutral scarf, skinnies from Aero, and black boots. I didn't realize how similar they were until I was scrolling through some outfit pictures. Which made me realize that this is a sort of "uniform" I've been wearing this winter. And also that I have a thing for bright colors. And sweaters. And scarves. And skinnies. And maybe boots...

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

pink sweater: Aéropostale

gray striped scarf: thrifted [similar below]

jeans: Aéropostale

neon sweater: Old Navy [similar below]

polka dot scarf: Aéropostale

gray pants: Aéropostale

boots: KMart [similar below]

"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

Neon & Stripes

I saw these NEON shoes at Kohl's several weeks ago. They were the only pair left, and they were in my size. Aaaand, they were marked down to $8. So, they came home with me, along with the dress shoes for the Mr. that were my original reason to venture to Kohl's. Imagine my surprise when my shoes rang up at not $8, but $4! 

Oh, and I had a coupon. 

So, for less than the price of a Peppermint Mocha, I got a new pair of shoes. I know this doesn't necessarily jive with my resolutions from last week, but in my defense, the shoes were purchased well before the New Year. And let's be real - who doesn't want neon shoes?

shirt: Old Navy

sweater: rue21

jeans: Trends

shoes: Kohl's

scarf: gift

linking up:

Run Style Run for What She Wears

Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesday
The Fashion Canvas & Walking in Memphis in High Heels  for Trend Spin Link Up

Neon & Polka Dots (these are a few of my favorite things!)

Yes, this sweater is just as bright as you think it is. 

And I LOVE it (I love bright colors - couldn't you tell?). 

It's very lightweight, so pretty much perfect this time of year. However, I've got plans to wear it this fall. and winter. and into spring - a sweater, is a sweater, is a sweater. And with crazy fall/winter/spring weather, you can never have enough ways to wear a favorite sweater. 

Completely unrelated, I'm thinking of doing another 30 for 30 in November (June's start here, and recap here). I have two major reasons: 

1) I have a lot of clothes and really need to appreciate (and WEAR) what I currently have, without purchasing more (and more. and more). My. Goodness. 

2) The husband, pups, and I will be moving at the end of November - HOORAY! However, I really don't enjoy moving (I did it enough when I was in school). But, based on reason #1: having a lot of clothes means having to move a lot of clothes out of our current place, and into a new one. So, by completing another 30 for 30 in November (the month of THE MOVE), I can pack up the majority of my clothes before we ever have to move! Genius, right?? Packing AND moving AND getting dressed made easier, all in one fell swoop! Ta da!

Now, you might say "But Annie, just get rid of some clothes you already have, so you have less to move." And I agree, my friends, that is a wonderful idea! And I intend to do just that. And also to be selective about what gets to live in my NEW closet in our NEW place, as I unpack. 

However, 30 for 30 is kinda fun, not to mention challenging. AND it will allow me to pick out the items I'll wear in November before the month starts, so I can purge, get rid of & pack everything remaining well before our move out date (I typically am a haphazard packer, most likely adding to why I dislike moving so much), in turn avoiding a lot of stress, and being able to devote more time to organizing & carefully packing other important things, like my grandmother's china, and antique furniture. 

This is one of my top 10 best ideas ever (top 5 include: dating my husband, marrying him, adopting 1 bulldog, and then the other, and taking a cruise over Christmas). Are you a teensy bit impressed? If you're not, or even if you are, care to join me on my November 30 for 30? It'll be fun, I promise!

sweater: Old Navy

scarf: Aeropostale

jeans: GAP Outlet

flats: KMart  

P.S. Since I just announced I'll be completing 30 for 30 in November, I guess I have to follow through now! ;)

linking up over here today!

Two-fer

I wore the above combination to work, and then the below to run some errands in the evening, so I thought I'd share them both with you. I'm still hanging onto summer with my shorts & neon sandals, but stepping into fall with the flannel. I'm really digging the print and fit of this shirt - it's a feminine take on a masculine classic. 

And the colors! 

Navy blue! Bright green! Neon!

*be still my heart*

It was starting to get a bit chilly in the evening, so pants and close-toed shoes it was. The 

nude & "rose-gold" flats are from Target, and the purse is from Kohl's. Do you remember the brand 

Mudd®? Those were the only brand of jeans I wanted to wear in middle school, and into high school. However, I grew out of them, and went in search of other (more expensive) jeans. So, imagine my surprise when I saw this brown & neon pink purse (ON THE CLEARANCE RACK!) 

and it was by Mudd®. Obviously, it came home with me. 

And I've been receiving compliments left & right, ever since. 

Do former favorite brands ever jump out & surprise you? This seems to be happening to me a lot lately, and in the best way possible!

shirt: Old Navy

shorts: Old Navy

sandals: Target

jeans: Trends

flats: Target

purse: Mudd® via Kohl's

linking up over here today :)

On the Patio

pretending to be tall

Nothing too fancy today, but sometimes simple is truly the way to go. That's why I love dresses - they don't require too much thought. I did choose my neon sandals because (1) I love them, (2) they're comfortable, and (3) I thought I'd spice up my simple dress with some color.

 Also, this is our little patio off our apartment - the pups love to lay out here in the sun and work on their tans. Or nap. They do a lot of napping...

dress: thrifted (Old Navy)

sandals: Target

they're my faves - always starved for attention