kindergarten and a sweater a day in January + sweater #3

 

After examining these pictures, I’ve come to the conclusion that I look a little bit like a kindergarten teacher in this outfit. Not knocking kindergarten teachers – they do an important job. It’s just that I am NOT a kindergarten teacher. Or educator of any sort. That being said, I really like this printed scarf paired with this polka-dot cardigan. Call me crazy? Or Mrs. Frazzle…

And also...I'm starting the year off with a style challenge. I don't have a fancy name for it (yet), and I have yet to hear of someone else trying it (but if I'm mistaken, please let me know!). My plan is to wear one of my sweaters each and every day during the month of January. According to my count, I've got about 26.

My interpretation of a sweater is pretty loose (i.e. it's a knit cotton, but it's a cardigan, so it's a sweater, and I'm also including a few nicer sweatshirt-y types in the mix), but, 26 gives me a few "off" weekend days where I won't migrate out of sweats, and a few days that I'll be skiing in long underwear and snow pants, so even if I do discover a few more that I've overlooked (because they're in the wash or hiding somewhere...), I can easily add them to my count and not have to double up one day.

There's a few reasons I'd like to do this, but look for those in a few days, as well as my official sweater tally, and maybe some rules guidelines.

If you're interested in joining, let me know and I can figure out a link-up deal type thing-ey, or just post your outfit(s) in the comments, too. Would love to see what you come up with! Is the number of sweaters I own excessive? Just right? *gulp* Too little?

Hope your 2015 is still off to a great start!

shirt: J. Crew Factory

cardigan: J. Crew Factory

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

flats: Kohl's

neon and houndstooth

I've had this skirt for ages, but it hasn't gotten tons of wear for having had it for so long. I used to only wear certain things with certain things - this tank with that shirt, this top with that skirt. Close-minded, I know, but I thought if I did the leg-work of thinking about my outfit beforehand, I'd save time when I was getting dressed in the morning. 

However, I've since abandoned that train of thought (hallelujah!) and now mix and match to my heart's content. Exhibit A - neon and houndstooth + gray tights + cognac boots + teal-ish jewelry. How's that for mixing and matching and accessorizing?

top: Old Navy

skirt: GAP

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

fall two-fer, number 2

Two-fer number two today, folks. 

Apparently I like to wear green this fall. It’s normally not my best, or favorite, color to wear. However, I wore two different green tops in the same week, and ya know, here are some pictures to look at.

Outfit #1

The first, a light green chiffon blouse with burgundy and navy blue flowers. The only thing I don’t LOVE about this top is the elastic waistband - it makes a large horizontal line at the widest part of my hips, and doesn’t stay down very well.

However, I can’t part with it because of the color and the flowers. It’s great for spring/summer, but I’m thinking of layering it under a darker-hued cardigan to switch up my normal winter garb – normally button ups layered under sweaters, sweatshirts, and more sweaters.

Did I mention sweaters?

shirt: Maurice's

scarf: WalMart

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: Walmart

Outfit #2

And this neon green top is pretty fun. It’s a very lightweight knit “sweater", but because of the color, I usually group it with my summer wardrobe. But it tends to not get a lot of wear, because in the summer, it’s hot. Obvi. And I want to wear as little as possible, while still being put-together and covered.

But this year, I’m keeping it with my colder weather line-up. The sleeve length and weight will be great for creating layered looks, and this bright neon green will really add a punch of cheer and BRIGHT to those cold, dark, winter days that are headed our way…ugh.

I’m hanging on to warmer weather as long as possible.

Are you surprised?

top: Old Navy

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: Old Navy

Neon = Fast

I got some new stuff from Aéropostale. Not just regular clothes (I did get some of those, too), but more running stuff! Which is perfect, because my Dad and I are doing a 10k early this Saturday morning...

Oh, and I've actually been training for my half this time around!

All of this new activewear is from the Live Love Dream collection at Aéropostale (previously here). I'm a big fan of this stuff - fun prints and colors, quality sportswear (nothing worse than a bad sports bra, amiright?), all for very reasonable prices, just like everything else at Aéropostale.

I have a theory that neon makes me run faster. So I opt for bright and loud neon when I run. Bright shirt. Bright shoes (you can see me coming from a long ways off). Bright sports bras. Bright e'er'thang. It's tough to find neon running shorts, but don't worry - I'll keep looking.

 neon tank: LLD Mesh Back Performance Tank

sports bra: LLD Seamless Sports Bra

shorts: LLD #BESTBOOTYEVER Volleyball Shorts <-- the name of these cracks me up.

They say volleyball shorts, but I've worn them running a few times. While there is less coverage, I've added them to my running bottoms rotation. Sometimes it's nice to switch things up, y'know?

I really like these shorts - the paint splatter print is so fun, and a fun change from my stash of black and navy shorts. They're a bit shorter inseam than I'm used to, but that's not a big deal - I have shorts in all different sizes, fits, and inseam lengths. However, I do think I'm between sizes - the tush and legs of the shorts fit great, but the waistband is a wee bit big. Story of my life lately - clothes fitting in one area, and not another!

shorts: LLD Spray Paint Running Shorts

shoes: Mizuno

Painting Pups

If you've ever wanted to know what my dogs would look like as a painting, here they are:

We went to a local painting place, Pinot's Palette, and painted pictures of our sweetymcsweeties. We sent in pictures of the pups beforehand, and the studio converted them to a black & white gradient, then glued them to the canvas. With some beer and wine and lots of instruction, we slowly but surely painted our pets. I really enjoy doing this type of thing, but lack any artistic skill, so about twenty minutes in, when I've botched up my painting more than a few times, and lost all patience, I'm donnnnnne. And start creeping on everyone else's projects. And drinking more wine. 

And questioning my purpose on this earth if I can't paint a decent picture of my really sweet and handsome Turbo...

But anyways, here are our finished projects. We hung them up in our living room. While they DO resemble our sweeties, I prefer the real live ones to love on :)

Oh, and here's what I wore to paint. Of course I wore an apron over this ensemble. I also wore this to have breakfast with a friend that morning, which was splendid.

And then I ran a 10k that evening

and

LIVED TO TELL THE TALE!!!

We'll call that a success. Who cares about time or pace? I didn't stop and I didn't die, and I didn't feel like dying right after, or the day after. #winning

chambray: Kohl's

shorts: Old Navy

sandals: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays: Chambray Away

The chambray shirtdress makes another appearance. This was the day after we drove* back from a wedding in Missouri (most of the day was spent crossing Kansas - I cheered when my beautiful mountains came into view), so a one-stop-shop to get dressed was pretty great.

Dress and bright shoes – done.

Count it.

And I just got back from another trip yesterday, so a short post it is (I spent the 4th in Florida with my family and good friends - got the sunburn to prove it).

dress: Kohl’s

sandals: Target

*btw, I finished 3 books on the way to and from the wedding – thank you, Dramamine II!

Paper Bags

A few things today:

1) This outfit was a great idea in my head.

2) I hope it looked better in person than it does in these here pictures. I was told it did.

3) What's not to love? Neon, stripes, a paperbag waist - these are the things perfect outfits are made of.

4) Whatever the reason this doesn't look great (too boxy? too heavy of a top?), I'm trying to come up with more ways to style this skirt. Any ideas to share?

5) Not sure how this skirt would look worn on my hips, as opposed to my waist - exponentially larger, or well executed with the right top?

6) Deep thoughts today...

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: J. CREW Factory

sandals: Sears (RIP, gold sandals)

bracelet & necklace: Target

Print Mixing, Neon, and...snow...

So sorry for the radio silence - the days are completely getting away from me!

That being said, it snowed. Today. May 11th, 2014. There was snow.

On the ground. In the sky. In my hair. Everywhere.

So, there's that.

Here's to (a snowy) Monday...

striped shirt: thrifted (Target)

plaid shirt: Old Navy

cardigan: from a friend

jeans: Aéropostale

shoes: Kohl's

New Schtuff from Aéropostale

Oh heyyyyy, there! I'm back with more goodies from Aéropostale - I'm loving the new stuff I got!

left to right: 

Ditsy Floral Scoop Neck Dress (exact)

This dress will be so fun for this summer. It's got a scooped back, and a really full skater skirt to swish around in.

similar to the shirt above

I couldn't find the exact one on Aero's website :/ but really excited to wear this lightweight button up this summer.

Scalloped Crochet Skirt (exact)

This will complement the rest of my lace skirt collection quite nicely.

I've got pink and orange, and now black!

left to right:

LLD Mixed Stripe Racerback Tank

You know how I feel about neon when it comes to my workout gear. I'm training for another half, so this should help.

similar in link

I can't find this exact reversible bandeau, but it's black on one side and white on the other. Perfect for when you need some sort of coverage, but a regular bra just won't do.

Picture Perfect Purple

I got this nail polish, because, well, I like nail polish.

And I don't have this color.

I can't find these exact bracelets, but here's a link to the rest of the bracelets on Aero's website: bracelets. I played with the idea of buying a studded bracelet ages ago, and the fox is just too. perfect. One of my best friend's last names is Fox, so, really, how could I not bring this cute little guy home with me??

I'll be sure to post pictures of me in my clothes soon - stay tuned!