a little bit of fit

This top is a recent addition to my maternity wardrobe – I’ve also got it in black & gray. I like the feel of these tops, but mostly I was looking at what I could comfortably wear as a tunic now, and as a shirt later, when my bump prevents any other top from meeting my pants. They’re nice and flowy, but I’m learning they need to be paired with some structure so I don’t look and feel like a blob. Something structured or more fitted somewhere in my outfit, is helping me to feel a lot more put together and human lately. While leggings and loose tops are great, something to define my legs or bump go a long way.

I added the vest so I wouldn’t be wearing leggings as pants, but instead as pants under a tunic-type layer. This scarf is a gift from my sister-in-law many Christmases ago and I’m always impressed that it manages to go with almost everything, especially since the gray can lean purple and the dots can lean highlighter yellow in the wrong light.

Happy Spring!!

cobalt v neck: Kohl's (maternity)

fringe vest: Aéropostale, 

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

vested chambray

Oh look! All the pretty fall colors! Fitting, since these pictures are from this fall...and just now making an appearance...I digress...

Beautiful aspen trees in the mountains are the perfect backdrop for just about anything. Truly. They add an element of "nature" to everything, and somehow, magically, seem to complement anything they're paired with.

Enough with my love song to aspens - let's talk about my outfit. That's why you're here, yes? This is a simple, layered, fall look. Chambray dress, white vest + booties (not easily seen: aspen leaf earrings - they're a real thing, trust). When you need a little more warmth than just a thin dress, a vest is the perfect option - it adds dimension without overwhelming the entire look. And of course, booties - perfect for bare legs with skirts or dresses. However, this look could be easily adapted for the colder weather we're experiencing right now - add tights and a scarf, and voila! Colorado winter chic!

chambray dress: Kohl's

white denim vest: thrifted

ankle booties: Old Navy

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

it rocks

You guys. This vest-y thing - want to wear it ALL THE TIME. And it's so unlike me (the vest, not the wanting-to-wear-something-all-the-time). I never gravitate towards these types of things (fringe. longer than my shorts. not very structured or tailored.), but, the love is real.

And it was perfect for traipsing around a rock quarry-turned site-to-see rock garden just before the heavens opened up and covered everything in some nice (COLD) summer rain.

Truly, though, this look is nothing fancy - ribbed tank top, denim shorts, sandals. But, add a nice completer piece (like this vest - ta da!) and BAM. You have a fun summer outfit, quintessential for brunching with good friends and rock-gardening.

tank: WalMart

shorts: Plato's Closet via Maurice's

sandals: Kohl's

vest: c/o Aéropostale

linking up:

Posh Classy Mom

girl crush

Ta da! Here is what I wore to see Miranda Lambert perform at Cheyenne Frontier Days ("the Daddy of 'em all"). We saw Tim McGraw last summer, (read that about here) and even before he came on stage, the rodeo announced the headliners for this coming year. Miranda was one of them, so we decided then and there that we had to come. The Mr. is a big Miranda fan (he likes "angry chick country," as he calls it. So of course we'll try to see Carrie Underwood sometime, too).

But this year, we were smarter, and we purchased seats in the stands, away from the drunken hot mess that is the "Party Zone," which is closer to the stage. So we were able to sit, enjoy one of our favorite musicians, and not spill our overpriced beers.

As for my outfit, I tried to lean a little towards rock n' roll (I know. really? me?), but Miranda is known for her bad-ass looks & bandanas & leather & studs & gun-baring shirts, and I wanted to dress appropriately for my girl crush. Enter my red studded tank (the only studded item I own). The vest was more of a completer piece but added some nice dimension (and warmth!), denim skirt and boots, because, obvi. A headband and braid because I ran out of time to my hair, per usual. And black earrings for a teeny bit more edge.

We had a great time at the show, and getting to and from Cheyenne, Wyoming, is SO much easier than Denver. There's less traffic, it's a shorter drive (for us), and the rodeo really has their shuttles and mass parking system worked out.

So, count on us going to Cheyenne Frontier Days every year.

Especially if they keep bringing in great performers, like they have been for a long time.

Maybe we'll even check out the actual rodeo.

See ya next year, CFD!

red studded tank: Old Navy

white vest: thrifted (Levi's)

denim skirt: Old Navy

boots: Steve Madden via DSW

crossbody bag: thrifted

fringe-y vest

This fringe-y vest is a recent acquisition (read about it here). It's just outside my normal style of things I wear comfortable and easily. As such, I'm still trying to figure out ways to wear it. First up, a black tank dress. Next up - maybe over some shorts and a tank?

Maybe you already knew this, but let me enlighten you - it's a little tricky to find ways to wear festival-inspired style when shorts and other summer clothes (tank tops and short, flowy dresses) aren't something you can wear to work everyday. And turns out, I spend a decent amount of time at work (ya know, 40ish hours in a week).

So, I'm open to suggestions for making this vest appropriate for work. Any ideas for me??

dress: American Apparel

vest: c/o Aéropostale

striped tank: Target

black sandals: Kohl's

summer swag from Aéropostale

What feels like ages ago (but was really only a few weeks ago), I stopped by my closest Aéropostale store and picked up some new items for this summer. I found a new denim jacket to replace the one currently in my closet, a new sports bra (!!!), a chambray with lace detail, a fringe-y vest, and a lightweight open-knit hoodie.

All fun (new!) things that you'll see on the blog in the next few days, so keep your eyes open ;)

chambray: Long Sleeve Battenburg Lace Woven Shirt (exact) // similar chambray 

blue sports bra: Sports Bra (similar)

denim jacket: Medium Wash Denim Jacket (similar)

long fringe vest: Tokyo Darling Fringed Slub-Knit Vest

hoodie: Sheer V-Neck Popover Hoodie

Be sure to check out some of the fun summer items Aéropostale has before fall hits.

monday does it again

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, or a tugboat tooting my own horn, or Kanye singing his own praises, this outfit is another one that just came another in the early morning (yesterday did, as well). This look has a few different elements that, when combined, form a cohesive (and dare I say, classy?) look.

First up is the colorblocking with the navy top half, and the wine-colored pencil skirt. Colorblocking works best when the 2 colors are of the same saturation, or level, of color. So, a deep wine color, and a rich navy blue work here. Or a deep emerald with another equally deep and rich jewel-tones (see some of my past not-so-great colorblocking looks over here...).

Next is the monochromatic layers up top - the navy blue button-up under the navy blue vest.

The third is tying together the boots with the necklace and scarf. Cognac meets brown paisley and brown + gold - not matchy-matchy, yet coordinating and pulled together. And lastly, I wore a necklace under the scarf so that if/when I took off the scarf and vest (which I did), my outfit would still look complete, and not like it was missing some element.

button-up shirt: thrifted (J. Crew)

vest: Old Navy

scarf: gift

necklace: Target

pencil skirt: J. Crew Factory

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

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

fall two-fer, number 1

A two-fer outfit post for ya today, and another one tomorrow. Need to get these bad boys posted so I can start sharing my 30 for 30 outfits - we ARE halfway through October already...

Outfit #1

This ensemble went to work, and lunch at a yummy Mexican place for something smothered in creamy habanero sauce...

chambray: Kohl's

green jeans: from a friend

bag: thrifted

sandals: Walmart

Outfit #2

This outfit is what I wore to spend time with one of my best friend's new babies. My husband met him for the first time that day and the man is obsessed. This little guy has cheeks for days and he wants nothing more than to be bounced or rocked while he's held. Such a cutie.

dress: Aéropostale

vest: thrifted

shoes: Target