stretchin'

Stretchin.' As in: stretchin' my tummy, my comfort, and this dress. This dress is not a maternity dress, but it is QUITE stretchy, so it was added to the rotation. I purchased it for our maternity photos (coming soon!) - I tried to only purchase a few things I knew we would get a lot of wear out of after our photos were complete. This dress for me, and two shirts for the Mr. (one is chambray! eek!)

When thinking about transitioning to postpartum clothes, I'm a wee bit overwhelmed/nervous - I have A LOT of clothes. And not being able to fit into that many has been kinda nice - it really limits my options, forces me to be creative and OK with repeating outfits, and has helped to keep a lid on my shopping adventures. Aaah, just another hurdle to deal with, right?

I'm told parenthood is full of those ;)

dress: Old Navy

everything else from my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

open-ended

The Mr. got me this lightweight silver/gray sweater for Valentine’s Day and it’s been a big hit – I’ve received lots of compliments every time I’ve worn it; it’s very comfortable, and easy to wash & take care of. And with such a neutral color, the styling possibilities are very open-ended: today, cobalt. Next time, maybe blush. After that, maybe black. After than, maybe some neon. WHO KNOWS?!

gray sweater: Kohl's (maternity)

leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

cobalt flats : Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

statement necklace: local consignment

casual fancy

What is the best way to remain comfortable in a pencil skirt? Wear a cotton t-shirt. And flats. ESSENTIAL. Don’t forget to wear a statement necklace to elevate your t-shirt to the level of your pencil skirt.

I find that lately, instead of wearing a really nice piece (or nice pieces), I find myself trying to dress up more casual pieces. For example: a t-shirt and a pencil skirt, instead of a button-up or blouse with the skirt. I do that when it comes to church, seeing my mama, work, or any occasion, really. What is it?? Why do I insist on dressing up casual pieces instead of just wearing nice and dressy pieces? Anybody know? Bueller?

striped shirt: GAP

black pencil skirt: Target

statement necklace: WalMart

leopard flats: c/o Aéropostale

if you were a lumberjack

When you wish to appear as a cute human traipsing through the woods during the fall, you should wear something like this: plaid, vest, olive green & boots.

Oh wait, if you’re ACTUALLY going traipsing through the woods, you are most likely: 1) hiking, 2) a lumberjack, or 3) a forest ranger. In any of those 3 cases, you would not wear something like this (cute, yes. practical, not quite).

However, if you want to look cute in a mountain town in the fall, you SHOULD definitely wear something like this. Which is exactly what I did. Be sure to pose in front of the scenery (trees, mountains, nature), or a really neat looking garage door, wear a fancy statement necklace, and be sure you’re having a great hair day like yours truly.

plaid shirt: American Eagle

white vest: Levi's (thrifted)

olive pants: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

statement necklace: WalMart

late bloomer

Do you remember all of the hype a few years ago over the Prabal Gurung for Target line? It was what alerted me to this "Target pairing up with designers" phenomenon that takes over fashion and style blogs whenever one occurs/is about to occur. I was too late to the Prabal Gurung party, as well as the Philip Lim purse soiree, but, in just a few short years, this multicolored  Prabal Gurung skirt found its way to me - I spotted it from several feet away (since this print is pretty memorable) at the thrift store with my girlfriend, Amanda (hi, friend!), and snagged it to try on.

It originally had 3 inches of black lace on the bottom that I took some scissors to once I got home, so you're seeing it in its altered and shortened state. I was pretty jazzedto end up with something that excited me from so long ago, and I've decided I'm going to try my hardest to pair it with tights and boots this fall and winter - won't it be such a nice pop of color on a cold winter day?

I'm easily envisioning it with black and/or gray, but with so many colors in the skirt, I'm sure I'll end up pairing it with something pretty bright, kind of like how I pulled in purple, coral, and red above. It felt a bit loud, but there's no way to tone down such a fun and swishy skirt - you've really got to live it up and pair it with as many colors as possible.

denim jacket: c/o Aéropostale

purple v-neck: Target

multicolored skirt: thrifted (Prabal Gurung for Target)

red wedges: thrifted

coral necklace: consignment

linking up:

The Pleated Poppy // Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Color and Grace // Cappuccino & Fashion

Shopping My Closet // I do DeClaire

busy busy in my booties

Ever have one of those crazy days

weeks

months

extended periods of time?

While my personal life has had some down time this week (only until Friday, then company! BBQ! festival! pool!), my work life has been crazy busy. While I do love when the days go by quickly, I can't stand when I'm unable to really accomplish anything. That "I've been busy all day, but have nothing actually completed to show for it" feeling. Enter frustrated Annie.

But cute outfits help to easy my frustration. So, even if I'm swamped and slowly wading my way through work stuff, at least I'm wearing some cute booties to do it. Perhaps these should be called my "ass-kicking booties"?

Happy Wednesday evening ;)

shirt: Target // 

skirt: Nordstrom

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

necklace: WalMart

booties: Kohl's

linking up:

Life Styled by Tiffany // I do deClaire // Sydney Fashion Hunter

Cappuccino and Fashion // Tucker Up // The Pleated Poppy

Classy Yet Trendy // Pampers & Pearls // Book of Leisure 

oh, the compliments

Somehow, this dress always garners me oodles of compliments when I wear it. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not fishing here, nor am I downplaying this dress.

It's black, cotton, nice floral print, and a skater-style fit.

I'm just not entirely sure what is so special about it.

Sure, it's comfortable, and I can easily dress it up or down - I'm just unable to put my finger on what exactly is so great about it. BUT, you better believe I'll keep wearing it and graciously accepting compliments until I do.

dress: c/o Aéropostale

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

teal teal teal

This bodycon-ish, midi length dress is a new thing for me. I tend to lean more towards A-line or shift dresses (my wedding dress was four feet wide. true story), so this curve-hugging style is…new

However, I think it packs a lot of punch. So, when wanting to stand out and make an impression, wear a bodycon(ish) dress.

As for the length, I tend to shy away from this length, as it usually makes me and my legs look much shorter and thicker than we (collectively) really are. However, I think it works with this dress – perhaps because the snugness of the dress is a bit lengthening? And nude wedges are always a win.

dress: WalMart

nude wedges: DSW

statement necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

(use the code: sweetbananiexoxo for a free month of jewelry rental)

linking up:

A Touch of Tartan // I Do deClaire

Style Sprinter // DC in Style

long time, no see

Hello, friends! I know - world's longest absence from my little blog. I can make all the excuses in the world and delve into where I've been and what I've been doing and why I've been neglecting you, but, I won't.

Instead, I'll just say "I'm sorry. I've been putting other things ahead of my outfit posts. The end."

We good?

Moving right along, I wore this pleated & polka dotted salmon number for a Zeta Alumni event several weeks ago. This is such a juxtaposition of looks, and I LOVE it (look at me growing up! wearing different styles all at once like a boss!).

The sweet pleats & polka dots, the salmon color and the feminine cut.

Paired with the taupe ankle booties and the sparkly statement necklace.

Topped off with my dark hairs (love. still.) and a suede clutch.

I know this look isn't for everyone, but I'm a big fan - I blended several different seasons and looks/feels/vibes into one, rather cohesive, look.

Ya like?

dress: LC Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

booties: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

(use the code sweetbananiexoxo for a free month of jewelry rental)

clutch: thrifted

linking up:

The Red Closet Diary

gaming in comfort

This outfit was perfect for a game night, which just so happens to be what I wore it for. We had friends over, and they brought lots of delicious food (tapas and desserts, only). We supplied the beverages and the gathering space, and some of the games. The Mr. is really into games, but me, not so much – I’m more into the socializing that goes along with the games, although I play a mean game of Catchphrase.

But a Game Night did occur, and this is what I wore to participate and host. A mint v-neck tee (knotted – it’s what all the fashion bloggers on Pinterest are doing…tres chic, non?), pants (harem pants? parachute pants? MC Hammer pants? joggers? athleisure wear? I don’t know. I DO know that they are very comfortable, and I’ve been told they make my rear look nice. So, continue to wear them, I shall.), and my trusty python print flats, which might be headed to the dumpster soon – they’re not holding up so well, but I can’t expect much more from my sweet $10 shoes. I added the gray statement necklace for some visual interest, and clipped my hair half-up/half-down, a small switch from my usual curls or ponytail.

Have you ever tried these type of pants? All my girlfriends shower me with compliments when I wear them, but the Mr. is not a fan...

maybe I need to add a few more pairs to really show him how versatile they are...

mint V-neck: Old Navy

harem pants? parachute pants? MC Hammer pants? joggers? athleisure wear?: WalMart

statement necklace: WalMart

python print flats: WalMart