a bulldog to match my pants

Hi hi! I'm back! Back again after a lovely vacation with great friends. I'm happy to be home, but not looking forward to re-entering the real world. But, blogging and watching NetFlix is a good first step, right?

Anyways - that handsome pup up there matches my white pants. No, I didn't wear them to play in the grass with him, but I did throw his tennis ball quite a few times.

And also, I'm on the look out for new white pants. These work for now, but just know that I'm hoping to replace them sometime in the near future.

purple button-up: from a friend, who got it from American Eagle

white pants: Old Navy

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

linking up:

DC in Style // Sydney Fashion Hunter

Shopping My Closet // The Red Closet Diary

rompin' with the peonies

I'll keep it short and bulleted today, since my last post was quite the behemoth (sorry, and thanks if you made it all the way to the end!)

1) this romper was a gift for my birthday (in March), and this was my first opportunity to wear it. Thanks, Ed & KB. #corpvsmgmt

2) above is the pink peony bush that lives in my backyard. love it.

and to think, I almost let D pull it up when we moved in...

2.5) I know, I know - peonies are SUCH a blogger cliche. In my defense, they're purdy, they smell nice, these ones lives at my house, and they were in my wedding bouquet before I even knew what Instagram was.

3) Happy 4th of July! Happy Birthday, America! Happy Independence Day! We're off to celebrate with dear friends - hope you get to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in our great nation, because of the brave men and women who fight for it. 

3.5) no, this outfit is not very patriotic, nor "themed", but if you need some ideas for what to wear on this festive day, look no further than here, here, and oh, here, too.

Ta ta!

romper: gift

sandals: Kohl's

plain & fancy

Whenever I wear this jacket, I try to pair it with something very feminine. I do this simply so I can find the perfect balance between a utilitarian/"rugged" (but nor really) look and a more softer, more girly one. And this outfit does just that - lacy tee, fancy shorts, fancy jewels & an olive green field/utility jacket.

Ta da!

Oh oh, and, you guys, it's Fridayyy. Cheers to the weekend!

lace shirt: gift

shorts: Ann Taylor Outlet

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

sandals: WalMart

statement necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

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

peony bush: my backyard

linking up:

Sydney Fashion Hunter

not a bruise

the moody teenager

Although this outfit is comprised of the colors that make up a bruise (black, purple, and mint counts as blue, right?), I did not intend to actually dress AS a bruise. So, sorry to disappoint if you thought that's where this was headed.

I can't say enough how much I love this black chambray, and these black pants, and, oh, those python print flats. What will I ever do when they've had their last wear and must retire? T'will be a sad day, indeed.

Anyways, I like this outfit. I like all the black, all the purple, all the stripes, the good hair day (few and far between, lately - chronic oversleeping syndrome, ya know), and the handsome (although moody & easily annoyed) bully pictured above.

I know this seems a bit dark for June and almost-but-not-quite-summer, but, the high today was only in the 60s-ish, and it was rainy and gloomy, so totally appropriate.

Me says yes.

purple striped v-neck: Target

black chambray: Old Navy

black skinnies: Target

python print flats: WalMart

linking up:

Fizz & Frosting // Fashionably Employed // Cha Cha // Rhea et Cetera

Style Nudge // Garay Treasures // The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So

Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles // Sydney Fashion Hunter // Shopping My Closet

I do Declaire // Sincerely Jennie // Middle of Somewhere // Cappuccino and Fashion

Cassidy Lou

still here

Hi! Yes, I'm still here, just been a bit swamped lately (I know, I hate how that sounds, but it's true), with: painting houses (x2), running, puppy loving, friends, family, and other beginning-of-summer festivities. 

In the meantime, that's me and my Dad in the picture above - aren't we cute?

mint and floral

I already know my Mama isn't going to email me about how much she likes this outfit. I know this because she already told me she didn't like this pencil skirt paired with a boring tee. And while this isn't my best outfit ever, sometimes I have to try something new and decide for myself whether or not it works.

Still not sure about it...

shirt: Old Navy

skirt: J. Crew Factory

sandals: WalMart

white & gray

Gray and white (with blue stripes) for work and a sushi dinner after.

Gosh, it was hot wearing pants. I won't say I'm excited for fall or winter (ever), but I am having a hard time keeping cool...

shirt: thrifted (Hollister)

pants: Aéropostale

sandals: Target

bragging rights

I don't mean to brag, but I think my legs look pretty good in this skirt and these wedges. I've been training for my half marathon and I like to think it shows. But maybe that's all in my head...

This skirt is shorter than what I'd wear to work, so don't worry, Mom - this skirt didn't go to work. I wore pants on the job site, but changed into this when I got home. Something about pants in the summer heat makes me so uncomfortable. Blegh.

shirt: Aéropostale

skirt: from a friend

wedges: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays: Purple Plaid

The Mr. chose this purple plaid shirt, and I paired it with dark wash bermuda shorts to beat the heat. I love summer, but this heat lately is draining me - this girl is exhausted by the time she gets home from work, and ready for bed super early. Call me an old lady, but I sure do love my sleep ;)

shirt: from a friend (American Eagle)

shorts: thrifted (Citizens of Humanity)

sandals: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays - Maxi Dress (on a short girl)

Here’s that black maxi dress again – are you sick of seeing it yet? I’m not - I really like wearing it. And I plan to wear it.

All.

Summer.

Long.

It’s a wee bit long on my 5’4” self, however. The straps are a bit long on my shoulders (common for me), so it makes deciding on a bra a bit more tricky. Not impossible -  just requires a bit more forethought.

I went with a larger size when I purchased this maxi dress – the smaller size fit perfectly in the 

Old Navy dressing room, but I was concerned that:

1) The dress would shrink when I washed it, and I didn’t want to be wearing the maxi dress equivalent of high-waters. However, the opposite has happened – I think the skirt of the dress gets longer every time I wear it…

and

2) The larger size allows me to eat a few more donuts (and burritos. and ice cream. and guacamole. and peanut butter. and popcorn. and wine. and New Belgium Snapshots.) than a dress that fits and drapes just so.

maxi dress: Old Navy

striped cardigan: rue21

sandals: Shoe Carnival

Mr. Picks Mondays: So Chill

I scooped up this little dress when there was still snow on the ground. I liked it, didn't love it, but for only a few bucks, I figured I could wear it once or twice and call it good. I wasn't expecting to love it so. dang. much.

The Mr. picked it out, and I was a bit hesitant at first - not sure why, maybe it's the change in pattern right around my hips/thighs? But the length and wide shoulders make it perfect for work, it's got low-maintenance-wearability [<-- is that a thing?] (no ironing!), light and flowy, kept me cool, and, I hate to brag, but I think the color made my eyes POP! And not to mention, I received plenty of compliments on it during the course of the day. It transitioned easily from work to celebratory drinks and dinner with a friend who got a big kid job, and did I mention I was incredibly comfortable all day? 

Last summer I wore lots of pants and capris, and I was so uncomfortable most of the time.

it. was. so. hot. 

So far this spring/summer, I'm more interested in comfort, and as such, I've been wearing more skirts and dresses. And I've been significantly cooler (so far!) :)

dress: WalMart

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

sandals: Born via DSW