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

all the dark colors

When we were doing laundry the other week, the Mr. asked me "So, since it's cold out, do you only wear dark colors?" I started to protest, but then I looked at the large pile of darks compared to the smaller piles of whites and colors. So, I guess I wear "all the dark colors!" in the winter.

Whoops...

shirt: Old Navy

sweater: Maurice's

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

pants: c/o Aéropostale

shoes: Kohl's

Dots & Poppies

I came up with the idea for this ensemble ages ago. Then had to wait WEEKS for the weather to cooperate (it's currently cooler than 50 degrees right now. and dark. and rainy. which is FINE. however, I was hoping to spend all day today and tomorrow laying in the sun at a friend's pool. so, there's that).

And then, I waited WEEKS to post it here.

I know, I know!

Worst blogger EVER. 

To be honest with you, I haven't felt inspired/motivated lately. To blog, to play in my closet, to write anything, to impress you with my witty self. Part of it is I've been a wee bit busy - training for another half, booking flights to the Sunshine State, patio drinking, drinking Snapshots at New Belgium Brewery, and taking video of my handsome Turb rolling in the grass.

But part of it is I feel like I'm out of sorts, and this poor little blog gets neglected as a side effect.

Bear with me, if you will - that'd be great!

with my denim jacket. and my sweeties, of course

shirt: WalMart
sweater: J. CREW Factory
denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)
skirt: J. CREW Factory
shoes: Kohl's
neclace: Ann Taylor

2 Basic Ingredients

 

 

  

 

 

These two outfits each contain two similar ingredients: a chambray, and polka dot pants. Yet, very different outcomes! It's like when you make banana bread, but instead of adding bananas, you add zucchini, or pumpkin. Similar inputs, change up a thing or two, and voila! A different, yet equally delicious outcome.

Have I mentioned that my chambray collection has really grown? We're talking upwards of 5 shirts...not to mention a dress...and a skirt. Don't judge - they go with everything!! So, I find myself reaching for them all the time . And if I'm shopping and see a wash or fit that I don't have, it doesn't take much for it to come home with me. Sorry not sorry?

on the left:

chambray: thrifted

pants: Ann Taylor LOFT

scarf: thrifted

sandals: Target

on the right:

chambray: Kohl's

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

pants: Old Navy via Plato's Closet

flats: thrifted

Mr. Picks Mondays: Memorial Day

 

A few things to share with you today:

1) Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all those who serve and have served. I love days like today (the 4th of July, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day more than most other holidays), because I make sure to profusely thank my favorite vets (Mom and Dad), and every other veteran I meet, for their selfless sacrifice of protecting our freedoms.

2) The next summer holiday, Independence Day, I'll be celebrating in my favorite place (the beach) with some of my favorite people - WEEEEEEEE!! In a really sweet American-flag print swimsuit. Heyooooo! I plan to spend the whole time on the beach, and when I'm not beaching it, on a boat.

3) My Mr. picked out this polka dot chambray for me to wear. And while I love it, remember my optical illusion trick when it comes to this boxy fit? This time, I layered a sweater over it. Which was totally necessary, because, hello, springtime in the Rockies.

My Dad reminded me yesterday that it snowed on Memorial Day weekend several years ago. Which is enough to make me question why I live here. I mean, I love Colorado - don't get me wrong. We have the beautiful mountains, I always know which direction I'm driving (the mountains are west. unless you are IN the mountains, and then, well, take a gander), our summers are great, winters are pretty, the skiing is spectacular, but every year, from March to May, I seriously consider moving somewhere where it DOESN'T SNOW IN MAY. Like, Florida. Or somewhere in the South. Or even California. This crazy weather is enough to drive a girl mad. Just ask my husband - every time the weather gets all wonky, I get cranky and start packing my swimsuits and flip flops, and threaten to forget how to drive in the snow.

*sigh*

But, then, the sun comes out and melts away all the snow, and I'm reminded that summertime in the Rockies is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

chambray: thrifted

sweater: Aéropostale

pants: Aéropostale

boots: Rack Room Shoes

Dots, Tweed, and...Python?

closeup of my print mixing madness

I wore this outfit several weeks ago when one of my best friends was in town. I took her for drinks with some work friends (after work, of course!), and really enjoyed getting to show her where I work and live and play.

I came up with this outfit several weeks before I wore it. I was trying to decide what to wear for something else (surprise), and somehow these 2 items ended up next to each other on my bed, due to my haphazard tossing and grabbing. When I looked closer, I realized they didn't look half bad together.  In fact, they were pretty interesting. And so, an outfit was born. However, this "ah-ha!" moment happened when there was still snow on the ground, so this wonderful combination had to wait for a warmer day. And I added the python print flats for kicks, since dots and tweed have the potential to be too cutesy ;)

shirt: Old Navy

jacket: Express

jeans: GAP Outlet

flats: WalMart

Black&White Stripes&Dots

In looking at these pictures, I noticed two things:

1) this sweater is not as long as I always think it is. Instead of hanging past my hips and covering my rear end, it hits AT my hips, and does NOT cover my rear. Not that this is a bad thing, it's just different than how I always picture this cardigan in my head.

2) I look really tired in these pictures. And I know why. It's because...I've been really tired lately. We're talking exhausted. Can't-get-enough-sleep-even-though-I-go-to-bed-early-exhausted. The Mr. says I'm oversleeping, but to that I say "No way, Jose." So, here they are: tired eyes. Correction: tired face.

shirt: Old Navy [[similar below]]

cardigan: Ann Taylot [[similar below]]

scarf: Aéropostale

pants: Aéropostale

boots: SOREL [[exact below]]

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