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 11 + day 12

Happy Thursday - we're slowly heading towards the weekend. It's sure been a doozy.

I've got big plans to check out the Lilly for Target Line with some girlfriends first thing on Sunday morning, so the weekend can't get here quickly enough.

day 11

striped sweatshirt: Old Navy

leopard print scarf: WalMart

dark skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

metallic sandals: Target

day 12

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

ombre scarf: gift

faux leather jacket: c/o Aéropostale

tassel flats: Target

linking up this dress for the Trend Spin Linkup

and over at High Latitude Style

and at The Red Closet Diary

30 for 30: day 2 + day 3

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend - mine was very low key. I didn't get out of my pajamas until after 3 yesterday. My Dad had surgery last week, so I kept him company and doled out pain meds while my Mom worked (kept company/hung out, NOT babysit or took care of). We watched a lot of Prison Break (a favorite from high school/college) on NetFlix, ate lots of ice cream, and nerded out. It was great. And he is on the mend - I think my company over the weekend helped to speed up his recovery. That, and my jokes ;)

That being said, here are 2 looks for this post-Easter-candy hangover Monday - days 2 and 3 of my 30 for 30 style challenge.

After my wordy posts this weekend, I'm going to keep it short today.

Unintentionally, both looks feature a bright top/light sweater, printed scarf, dark skinnies and flats.

Wasn't even planned, just seemed to work out so well the first time that I though I'd try it again for the next day.

day 2

green top: Old Navy

floral scarf: thrifted

statement necklace: local consignment shop

skinny jeans: c/o Aéropostale

tassled flats: Target

day 3

blue sweater: GAP Outlet

ikat scarf: WalMart

faux leather jacket: Target

black skinnies: Target

black flats: Target

for the love of scarves

When it's warm outside, but your office/where you work/where you spend most of your day is freezing, what do you wear?

*not a trick question*

LAYERS.

Additionally, scarves, boots, and jackets. Extra points if you print mix, mix color palettes, try something monochromatic, and/or do something interesting.

Aaaand, that's what I did here. I've been getting some, *ahem* "feedback" on my wearing of scarves (how often, how many, how big they are, etc., etc.), and to that, I say:

"They help to keep me warm, transition my outfit for different events, and transition my outfit for different temperature extremes (from warm to freezing to hot and back again).

And, I like how they look and help to make my look 'complete'. For the love of scarves, people!"

;)

striped dress: WalMart

floral scarf: Target

navy cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet

teal faux leather jacket: local boutique

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

monday the 30th

Good morning! How was your weekend? As far as weekends go, mine was pretty good. Lots of friends, eating, and running - some of my favorite things. I'm looking forward to this next one, too - quality time with my Dad is the big thing on the agenda. And by quality time, I mean ice cream eating, war-movie watching, Reese's consuming, and general cracking of silly jokes.

We're a pretty funny duo (at least we think so).

*carriage return*

This outfit. These booties. Not sure how I feel about this whole thing together. Black on black on black with polka dots, topped off with a purple scarf? Let's consider it a questionable marriage of winter and spring. I think I've got the elements of something great, but my execution is not so great. *sigh* I could wear this without the scarf, BUT the cut of this dress is QUITE low, so not quite appropriate for work. However, low-cut tops only showcase my sternum and a freckle or two ;)

And these booties. I LOVE my taupe ankle booties from Old Navy and wear them all the time. I have high hopes for the black ones (hence how they came to be a part of my closet), but I think they might hit in just the wrong spot to make my legs look extra beefy.

Anyone else struggle with ankle booties?

What kind of socks do you wear?!

The struggle is real.

dress: thrifted (Target)

polka dot cardigan: J. Crew Factory

ankle booties: Kohl's

purple scarf: gift

sunny sunday blues

You guys, I've had a great Sunday. I slept in, went on a great run with my best friend (so many endorphins! I didn't want to die! we only walked for about half a minute! the sun was out! there was a breeze!), caught up with my bestie, had bacon and eggs and coffee, played with my pups outside. We might have a long-boarder among our canine companions - the verdict is still out. He drags it backwards, and also tries to bite it. Maybe he thinks it's alive? Either way, it's very entertaining. And he is now pooped. So, that's a win.

In other news, this outfit. This top is actually two tank tops. The top is a sheer blue button-up chiffon deal, and the bottom is a navy blue star print ribbed tank. I thought it might be a fun way to subtley (quietly? demurely?) add some print to this blue, green and gray ensemble. And it's since made me look for a few more sheer/chiffon items to style in the same way. So far I've got a green floral top... Aaaand, I think that's it. So, stay tuned and maybe I'll come up with something. If not, you'll see this combination again. And would that be so terrible?

Hope your Sunday is pretty great, just like mine has been :)

linking up these fancy shoes over here

star tank: WalMart

chiffon tank: from a friend

gray cardigan: c/o Aéropostale

dark skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

bejeweled flats: thrifted

purse: COACH Outlet

scarf: Pendleton (2 days in a row!!)

tough to spring

You guys, I'm finding it tough to transition into spring outfits. I'm hanging onto the dark colors and layers and sweaters.

What is the deal?! I LOVE sunshine and warmth and sandals. 

I think it's that I'm more comfortable creating outfits with layers - the layers allow for more visual interest. In the summer, when it's hot, it's a top and a bottom. And typically sandals. That's about it. Most of the time it even feels too hot to wear jewelry, let alone a light jacket or cardigan or scarf. It's not that I don't like summer clothes - please don't misunderstand me.

What I like about layering is that it allows me the opportunity to remix my closet and the items in it - I can create LOTS of outfits using the same piece. In the summer, it feels like I've got a lot more limited options, since I can't really put anything over it, or wear it with tights, or add a scarf, or a vest or jacket on top. It's less pieces to remix and put together. But maybe I should just use this as an opportunity to flex my styling muscles?

Is this making any sense? I'm looking forward to warmer weather, I just always have a tricky time with the transition of the seasons - it takes me a few weeks to wrap my clothing & styling brain around the changing temperatures. Anyone else experience the same thing? Or am I the only goon hanging onto sweaters and scarves?

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

pants: Target

scarf: Pendleton

flats: thrifted