30 for 30: day 8 + day 9

You guessed it - two outfits in today's post. That's what Mondays are for, right?

day 8

A cream sweater, pink infinity scarf, skinnies, and sandals. Nothin' too fancy, just somethin' pretty simple. But I WAS having a great hair day, so that ups the ante of this casual look, methinks.

cream-colored top: American Eagle

skinny jeans: c/o Aéropostale

pink scarf: gift

metallic sandals: Target

necklace: Old Navy

day 9

Unintentionally, most of the pieces in this look came from J. Crew Factory. I guess some pieces from the same store just go together really well. It's like they design the clothes that way or something ;)

sleeveless blouse: J. Crew Factory

polka dot cardigan: J. Crew Factory

wine colored pencil skirt: J. Crew Factory

black booties: Kohl's

30 for 30: day 7

This dress is a recent addition to my closet. It was picked out by someone other than myself (hint: in the picture below) for an occasion where someone may or may not have turned one year older. He likes to get me a Lilly Pulitzer dress for said occasion, and in years past, it's been something a bit fancier. However, I don't get tons of wear out of them, so this year he opted for something a bit more casual that I can wear to work.

And he did a pretty bang up job, don't you think?

It was a given that I would include it in my 30 for 30 this go-round.

And of course I styled it with some of my favorites - my Frye boots, crossbody bag, and faux leather jacket.

Oh oh, and fancy new sunglasses.

Those aviators make this girl pretty happy.

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

bag: thrifted

sunglasses: Smith Optics via The Eyes Have It

faux leather jacket: c/o Aéropostale

30 for 30: day 6

A few weeks ago, some girlfriends got together and brunched. Then they shopped. Then the out-of-towners headed home, and the local girls barbecued and created funny commentaries.

Before, during, and after dinner, I loved on my friend's sweet sweet dogs. One was even lucky enough to be featured in my blog pictures. His name is Marley. He is the biggest softy who just can't get enough loving and attention, much like my own pups. We are best friends.

And the above outfit is what I wore to brunch, shop, eat, love on sweeties, and crack myself up - it was a pretty great Saturday.

pink sleeveless blouse: H&M

black skirt: from a friend

black flats: Target

ikat print scarf: WalMart

statement necklace: WalMart

me & my local friend, Chelsea
if she looks familiar, it's because you saw her the other day


linking up for the Spotlight Weekly Link Up

2 years later

Today marks two years that I’ve been doing this blogging bit (here's 21 March 2013 and 21 March 2014). And with that, comes reflection. What this little blog should look like moving forward. What you’d like to see. Why I keep doing it. Why it’s easy to be discouraged. Laugh at old outfits. Laugh at how my photo editing hasn’t changed much.

So, what would you like to see more of (or less of) here on Sweet Bananie?

Yes, I do this blog for me as a fun hobby and creative outlet, but it does feel nice when I know people read it and hopefully are inspired by it.

So, tell me - what would you like to see?

Style challenges?

More ways to style an item?

More jokes?

More pictures of my bulldogs?

I would love to hear any suggestions you may have. Please let me know in the comments or email me at sweetbananie@gmail.com

And looking back a bit, here are my most viewed posts of all time,

this month, and this week.

Thanks for reading!!

eye-popping blue + sweater #6

This “skirt” is really a dress – I’m really trying to get more wear out of my (summer) dresses by layering and adding tights. I know I could always wear a black cardigan over a dress, but that feels a little too easy to do all the time, so I tried this dress on with most of the pullover sweaters in my closet. There just so happens to be teeny bits of blue in this floral print, so this eye-popping-blue v-neck was the clear winner.

And now, an explanation for featuring my sweater "collection" this month...

A few weeks ago, I counted how many sweaters I had, and I had about 26. Couple that with my attempt to come up with my own style/blog challenge, and I came up with the idea to wear a sweater every day in January. I purchased one more sweater, and have a few nicer sweatshirts, plus a few sweater dresses/skirts, bringing the total to 31.

And there's 31 days in January, soooo

I figured January is as good a month as any to wear sweaters - it'll obviously be too warm in the summer, and the fall and spring in Colorado can be hit or miss (60 degrees or -20). But January is pretty consistently cold, and so, a sweater a day in January was born!

dress: c/o Aéropostale

sweater: GAP

scarf: gift

tights: Old Navy

boots: c/o Aéropostale

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

30 for 30: October 2014

It’s been a while (almost a year!) since I did my last 30 for 30 Challenge, although I’m not sure why I've waited so long to do it again (check out June 2013 & November 2013). I do find the summer a bit more tricky to dress for – I love summer and being warm, but a lack of layering can be tough for this Colorado girl. Of course I eventually figure it out (usually by the end of August sometime), but sometimes I feel a bit more put together and creative, with layers, scarves, and figuring out how to keep warm without looking like a marshmallow. Maybe I just need more throw-and-go dresses in my summer wardrobe…

I view a 30 for 30 Challenge as a little peak/test run of a capsule wardrobe. I’m incredibly inspired and intrigued by the idea of a capsule wardrobe, but am not ready to take that plunge, juuuuust yet. I love the idea of having less to choose from when getting dressed – and done right, any and every piece can, and will go, with any other piece in your wardrobe. However, I am taking little bitty baby steps and paring down/editing/curating my wardrobe. I don’t know that I could ever do a Project 333 wardrobe, or the 10 Item Wardrobe, but something more along the lines of “Less than what you have now” Wardrobe. Pretty clever, huh?

I switched out my cold and warm weather clothes, and was surprised at how much space my cold weather items take up! I mean, I’ve gotten rid of TONS! Really, lots and lots of clothing has been sold, donated, and/or given to friends, but it’s still a struggle to fit everything. And no, I’m not purchasing as much as I’m getting rid of – trust. If anything, I’m trying very hard to make sure nothing comes into my closet that:

(1) I don’t LOVE

(2) doesn’t jive with what's already there and/or my evolving style

(3) is really not needed.

Anyways…this 30 for 30 go-around I think I have a better “direction,” if you will – more darker colors and basics that can easily crossover from one item to the next. I even played around with the skirts and dresses one night, and paired them with different tops/sweaters/layers to see how many I could come up with – if I’m adventurous, at least 20, if not more. However, some of those options are weather dependent – obviously I’m not going to wear a heavy sweater when it’s warm outside, or layer like it’s my job when it’s warm out, as well.

And, without further ado, here are the 30 items I have chosen to wear for the month of October:

  

tops (9)

- dark wash chambray: WalMart

- light wash chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s

- gray lace sweatshirt: rue21

- buffalo plaid button up: Akinz Boardwear
*this flannel was really snug, so I replaced  it with another buffalo plaid button up from Kohl's

- blue long sleeve tunic: Target

- olive & black split-side long sleeve: GG Boutique

- striped ¾ sleeve shirt: Target

- black v-neck tee: Target

- gray v-neck tee: Target

sweaters (3) 

- white cable knit: Old Navy

- blue v-neck: Old Navy

- black cardigan: Ann Taylor

jackets/blazers (3) 

- black faux leather jacket: Target

- teal faux leather jacket: The Screamin’ Peach

- gray blazer: Aéropostale

dresses (3)

-  black dress: thrifted (Target)

- gray & white striped t-shirt dress: WalMart

- black floral: Aéropostale

skirts (5)

- pink crochet/lace skirt: Nordstrom

- floral pencil skirt: J. Crew Factory

- short gray skirt: from a friend

- black crochet skirt: Aéropostale

- striped pencil: Target

pants (3)

- black skinnies: Aéropostale

- white corduroys: GAP

- skinny jeans: local consignment shop

shoes (4)

- taupe booties: Old Navy

- brown flats: WalMart

- python flats: WalMart

- metallic sandals: Target 

Rules/caveats/tweaks:

1) I'm planning to purchase a pair of Frye boots this month. However, I have yet to pull the trigger on a pair. But when I do, that pair will become part of my 30 for 30 (31 for 31, if you will, since October has 31 days). A nice balance to some of my other shoe choices (the sandals), which  will be great for the days in the 60s & 70s, but sometimes we do get snow and cold in October in Colorado.

2) If we have crazy weather (i.e. snow, ice, etc.) I am allowed to dig out my snow boots and/or rain boots and wear those at least to and from work. And same goes for a warmer heavy jacket/coat.

3) If it’s CRAZY cold, I am allowed to throw on another jacket or down vest.

4) These 30 items of course don’t include my running gear. And if there’s a day I don’t get out of my pajamas/sweatpants/running clothes, I’m not going to share that look on the internet for all to see. So, there could be less than 31 outfits shared this month. However, I do promise to try my hardest to put on real clothes and take pictures and share them here.

5) Currently, I don’t have any special occasions coming up that would require me to wear something fancy. BUT, should that need arise, I can choose something that is NOT part of my 30 items – most likely this eShakti dress, because I LUUUURVE it.

6) These 30 items also don’t include a Halloween costume – IF I dress up...

7) These 30 items also do not include accessories, such as bags, jewelry, hats, and/or scarves.

8) We don't have cable at our house, so if we go somewhere to watch the Broncos or another football game, I can wear a shirt for the game, but I have to complete the rest of my outfit using items from my 30.

Also, I realize this post is SEVERAL days after the 1^st of the month (we're halfway through October already! YIKES!), but please believe me when I say that I really have been wearing my 30 items and taking pictures and writing, I've just been backlogged with other outfits to post.

Also also, if you’re interested in doing the rest of the challenge with me, or adapting it a bit (say 7 items for 7 days, or something similar) please do, and send me a link or some pictures so I can share here! I’m not thinking a “link-up,” but if you feel so inspired,

please send your looks and items my way to:

sweetbananie@gmail.com

number 7 of 7. or, I ran 13.1 miles

me & Dad before the race, from my Instagram

from the Mr:

"These were a gimme. I knew she would be running her half marathon, so I guess I just wanted to give her an easy item out of the 7 I chose."

My nice, white, clean Mizuno Wave Inspire 10s (TENS, not TEN ESS). This post is mostly about my most recent half marathon, so, if hearing how I BARELY survived and it took lots of beer and bacon to keep me going me does not appeal to you, and you choose to skip over this post, that won’t hurt my feelings. Too much.

I got these shoes back in August, because I was previously wearing Mizuno Wave Inspire 9s, in bright orange (proof here and here), and it was time for an upgrade. The rule of thumb (I’ve heard) is new shoes every 300-500 miles. But that’s not a hard and fast rule, and some people wear their shoes until they actually fall apart in some race, or lonely running route. My rule of thumb was based on mileage, but also that I had stepped in mud in my orange ones…you think I’m joking. And I am. Just a little bit. New running shoes were on my horizon, but after stepping in mud, the horizon got a leeeeetle closer. I liked running in my orange Mizunos, and the newer model is even lighter than the previous ones. However, I have lots of issues with blisters when I run, and I won’t bore you with the details, but decided that wide shoes would help alleviate those blisters in at least one  spot on both feet. So, I got online and ordered wide shoes. White was the ONLY color I knew I didn’t want. But, what do you know? Wides are only available in white. I shed a dramatic tear (or two) and bought the white running shoes – getting them dirty is a big fear of mine. Needless to say, trail running is NOT in my future - because of the shoes, and because I’m clumsy anyways, and the thought of roots and leaves and NATURE potentially tripping me in addition to me tripping over my own feet keeps me running on the road.

So, I have white running shoes and I wore them for my second half marathon (ready about my 1st half marathon here), the Equinox Half Marathon. I’ve completed both halfs (or is it halves?) with my Dad, and this time we matched our outfits like we did at our 10k (here). I trained A LOT more for this race than my first half, and I was excited to beat our previous time. However, that was not meant to be. The Mr. shared his nasty cold with me, and I spent the first 4 miles trying to breathe – funny enough, those first 4 miles were my fastest (what???). I was inhaling cough drops and using tons of tissues at every aid station. The bones in the tops of my foot started hurting at mile 2 – I think maybe my feet were swelling? The race was mostly downhill, and I hadn’t run TONS in the few weeks before my race – see husband sharing his cold with me. And then, at mile 8, my knees started to ache. Both of them. My right IT band tends to get tight when I run, so I foam roll. And often. But this was different – my knees were tight, and achey, and I knew if I truly stopped (for anything longer than a potty break) I wouldn’t finish the race. So the last few miles were rough. Really, the entire race didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, and I was even more prepared – physically, mentally, fuel-wise, and gear-wise.

And while we missed beating our previous time by just a few minutes, my Dad and I completed a gorgeous fall run down a canyon on a beautiful September Sunday morning. I’m not a competitive person (unless we are playing charades or Pictionary, then I’m ruthless), but missing my time by such a small margin has really lit a fire within me to beat my time from my first half – even if it’s just barely! I’m so slow that there’s PLENTY of room for improvement. The Mr. keeps reminding me that I RAN THIRTEEN miles without stopping, while I WAS SICK, with achey feet and knees. And he’s right – I AM proud of myself for that, but I’ll be even more proud of myself when I complete my next one. And blow my previous times out of the water.

tank: WalMart

shorts: Soark.com

visor: Margaritaville

shoes: Mizuno

number 6 of 7

from the Mr:

"I liked the style when I looked at these shoes in the closet and couldn’t remember if I had ever seen her wear them. I think she’s had them for a long time, so I thought it was time they saw the light of day again."

These heeled loafers. These have been around for a long time, as well – freshman or sophomore year of high school? I’m never brave enough to get rid of them, and clunky stacked heels are coming back, right? RIGHT?!

And they’re brown leather.

And almost perfectly (genuinely) distressed.

And they make me a wee bit taller.

I just never know what to wear them with…so I tried out bootcut jeans and gingham. Not a complete miss. But not a complete hit – I didn’t sink the Battleship…any ideas for next time?

shirt: Kohl's

jeans: thrifted (Old Navy)

belt: American Eagle

shoes: MIA