taking advantage

You might remember a few days ago I mentioned that spring is NOT here.

Yet.

But I said I had a few spring-ish outfits to share. This is the first one. Bare legs AND sandals. You guys, that's unheard of for late February.

But, it happened.

I was a wee bit chilly, but I was bound and determined to take advantage of the sunshine, so I did.

And had goosebumps when I wasn't in direct sunlight.

Aaah, the price to pay for a little Vitamin D in the middle of winter.

linking up over here, since this vest and skirt are black and white :)

shirt: c/o Aéropostale

vest: thrifted (Levi's)

skirt: c/o Aéropostale

sandals: Target

fancy

When your best friend has a birthday, and invites you out for margaritas at your favorite margarita place, you might wear something like this. Or you might wear something like this for a fun party, or a nice date. Or your own birthday celebration at above-mentioned margarita place.

You might especially wear something like this if you hadn't taken your new skirt out for a test drive yet, and/or your new polka dot tights were burning a hole in your dresser drawer.

I kept it simple up top with a white v-neck tee, and fancy on the bottom, with a bow skirt, polka dot tights, and suede magenta wedges.

And we had a splendid time celebrating my friend.

So much fun, we didn't even get a picture of the two of us :/

shirt: WalMart

skirt: c/o Aéropostale

similar: Solid Pucker Skirt / Chevron Jacquard Pleated Skirt

tights: Target

wedges: ALDO

Aéro - plaid, leather, leopard & bows

I did some shopping recently at Aéropostale, and got some new goodies - a few that I've had on my list for quite some time. Keep reading to see what I found, and why I love it.

The first is this plaid button-up. You know me - I love me a good button-up shirt. And in a color scheme I don't already have. Online I can't find this blue/red plaid, but here is the shirt's twin, in blue:

Long Sleeve Double Cloth Plaid Woven Shirt.

Next is this cute black skirt from Aéro's Bethany Mota line. It's a full skirt, with a cute, yet understated bow at the waist. I wear it at my actual waist - right around my belly button, and it hits a few inches above my knees (look for an outfit post featuring this skirt soon!).

some similar skirts:

Solid Pucker Skirt / Chevron Jacquard Pleated Skirt

Solid Diamond Lace Skirt / Pleated Uniform Skirt

I also found leopard print flats - the ones I've been wearing since my days of working retail were looking pretty rough. We're talking holes in the soles and torn leopard... so, needless to say, I've been on the hunt for new leopard print flats. And I found some! AND, they're very light and incredibly comfortable on my tender, prone-to-blister feet.

similar: Pointed Flat / DV8 By Dolce Vita Scrunchie Ballet Flat 

And this jacket. This jacket is what faux leather jacket dreams are made of. I purchased a black faux leather jacket this summer from Target and got TONS of wear out of it this fall, so I added a brown one to my closet wish-list. This jacket was the first thing I saw when I walked into Aéropostale a few weeks back, and I knew immediately that'd found THE ONE (I opted for one size larger than I normally would, so that I could comfortably wear a sweater or long sleeves underneath it, to maximize all the ways I could wear it).

exact: Classic Faux Leather Jacket

Here's everything. I've gotten the most wear (so far) out of the jacket - it's been on repeat on the sunny days we've had the past few weeks. But don't you worry - we're back to snow and freezing temperatures, though...

in the mens' section + sweater #16

This sweater brought my total number of sweaters to 31. It was the last addition. And the greatest. I mean, a bulldog with his tongue out, just like my boys. And the one on my sweater is wearing a bowler hat. Is that not terrific.

It came from the men’s section at Target, and without sounding weird, I feel like the men’s section of any store is the place to shop. This sweater is so warm compared to most of the ones I already own. I didn't have to wear 18 layers underneath it to stay warm, like I do with some of my current sweaters, which makes me look like a wrinkley bulldog anyways...


sweater: Target
polka dot button up: Old Navy
skirt: Target
fleece-lined tights: Target
boots: c/o Aéropostale

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

30 for 30: day 11

This plum-hued outfit had friends over for drinks & some Cards Against Humanity. The husband and the friends (two friends from high school/college) made it out that evening, but I made it into my bed by 11 (!!!). Cards Against Humanity, wine, and some shots of Rumchata really did me in quite early...oh, and I ran a 5K that morning with some girl friends - I mean, I can't be expected to be an ATHLETE and a late-night party animal, can I?

I'm currently spending time with one of my cousins, and we made plans to go out one night...stay tuned to hear how it went ;)

See my list of 30 items here.

game day: part 1

A few weeks ago, my friend, Chelsea (her blog here) gave me an idea for a blog post. She told me she struggles to look cute at sporting events, without looking like a hot mess express student wearing a t-shirt turned strapless dress. Not that a t-shirt turned strapless dress is a bad look, but if you're trying to look a bit more mature and classy while watching your favorite team, you're probably looking for some other ideas. 

Here are five warmer-weather looks you could wear to your favorite team's football game this fall.

Look for game day: part 2 later this fall, as the temperatures drop (it will include A LOT more layers).

A graphic tee of your favorite team and white pants. Or try white shorts. I'd wear this to watch the game at a friend's house - I'd probably stay away from tailgates and bleachers in these pants...

A graphic tee, a skirt and some boots. Boots of any kind would do well for tailgating, especially if the parking around the stadium is in fields, rather than on blacktop.

Another skirt, but this one a solid. It also has pockets. 

 

Don't be afraid to layer over your shirt - sometimes it gets cold watching games, and your chambray can act as a light jacket. I probably wouldn't wear flats to tailgate or attend the game in person, but definitely to watch the game with friends at someone's house, or a restaurant.

And if you don't have a graphic tee for your team, fear not! Just wear something that incorporates your team's colors (the Denver Broncos are orange and blue) - that way you're still showing team spirit.

I found my "Broncos Pride" tee at Victoria's Secret - they've got a whole line of apparel for NFL & college teams, as well as stuff for your favorite MLB team (I've got Colorado Rockies yoga pants). 

However, there are plenty of other places to find an outfit for your favorite team. WalMart, Target, the thrift store (sometimes they have the best stuff - I got a t-shirt from the Rockies inaugural season there, 1994, baby!), JCPenney, the team's official website, or make something yourself. In high school, we used to take tees & tanks and paint on names and numbers of the guys on the football and basketball teams.

I'd love to see how you show your team spirit - do you go all out? When my brother played high school football and baseball, I wore lots of too-big sweatshirts and windbreakers in navy blue and forest green (our school colors) with our school logo & mascot emblazoned on them. I'm sure I still have a few of them around...

that being said, I like to think I've matured a bit when it comes to what I wear to sporting events.

Broncos Pride tee: Victoria's Secret 

orange striped tank top: Target

chambray: WalMart

white pants: Old Navy

striped skirt: J. Crew Factory

black skirt: from a friend

gray skirt: from a friend

tassel flats: Target

boots: Steve Madden via DSW

python flats: WalMart

plaid tennis shoes: Coach via DSW

blue scarf: WalMart

blushing x2

 

 

 

 

 

Since picking up this blush blouse at H&M on my 4^th of July trip to Florida, I want to wear it almost every day (that was almost two whole months ago. WOW. I think my sun burn tan lines are fading). And now I want all of my clothes, accessories and shoes in shades of blush and nude, with the occasional piece of black, brown, or gray thrown in, to mix it up.

Can one ever have too many neutrals? I say no. To prove my point, here are two ways I’ve worn this blush blouse – once with skinnies & nude heels, and the other with a light pink skirt and brown wedges.

left: 

blouse: H&M

skinnies: Aéropostale

nude heels: Target

right:

blouse: H&M

skirt: Nordstrom

brown wedges: Rocketdog via DSW