just one more fold and tuck

I have had this white button-up shirt for ages (we're talking high school). When it comes to closet clean-outs, it almost always makes its way to the "get rid of" pile - visions of choir and band concerts, and DECA presentations invade my memories...

But, before I officially bid the pile "adieu," I snatch the shirt back, sigh, and hang it back up in my closet. This shirt gets saved because of necessity. A white button-up shirt is essential, no matter what your dress code, style, or thoughts on uniforms. Really. It's a classic. And it's an easy default for a cleaned up look.

So, why does it teeter on the brink of existence in my closet and the donation pile? The fit. I've had it since my youth (so long, youth), and the sleeves are a tricky 3/4 sleeve length. The hemline is tricky - longer in the back, shorter in the front, is it even the right length?

HOWEVER...

DID YOU KNOW??

That rolling your sleeves just one more time than normal can give an old classic a new look?

A more refined, grown up, professional, "I know what I'm doing" look?

And that tucking your shirt in (or at least a half tuck), says

"I know how to wear my clothes? Looky here, I'm even wearing a belt, check out my waist."?

Because, those two small tricks have the power to transform an old classic into a new and refreshed basic. Trust - I'm so excited to wear this shirt after discovering those two tiny improvements, that it's already been washed, ironed, and paired with another outfit for this coming week.

All after this shirt has seen little-to-no wear in the past several years.

How's that for starting the week off with a bang?

white button-up shirt: GAP

green pants: from a friend via Urban Outfitters

brown wedges: Rocketdog via DSW

brown belt: American Eagle

brown necklace: Target

linking up:

Sequins & Strawberries and Garay Treasures // DC in Style

Style Elixir // Elegantly Dressed & Stylish // Sydney Fashion Blogger

Shopping My Closet // Curly Crafty Mom // The Closet by Christie

Forage Fashion // Mix and Match Fashion // Living in Color Style

Happiness at Mid Life // The Red Closet Diary // High Latitude Style

A Pocketful of Polka Dots

hello, again

I'm trying to squeeze this post in without anyone noticing that it's been at least 10 days since my last post...but I just pointed it out to you, and drew attention to that little face...

*le sigh*

This dress my husband picked out for me before our wedding for a birthday - I wore it to our wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at my in-laws'.

And for this outing, I wore it to see "Singin' in the Rain" at our local dinner theater, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. I can't recommend this place enough - the show was great, the drinks were great, I can't vouch for the food since we just saw the show, but it smelled delicious and the menu looked like dishes I'd be interesting in trying.

So, let's summarize this post, shall we?

1. hello

2. Lilly Pulitzer dress

3. dinner theater - go check out your local one

4. I love musicals

Happy Saturday!

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

shoes: thrifted

clutch: gift

sweater #23 + sweater #24 + Olaf

new kicks from Target. they're cute, they were on sale, but they're a titch small and they cut up my heels. not sure if they'll be make the cut to stay in my closet...

This gray sweater makes 23. Gray, buffalo plaid, skinnies, and fun reptile print sneaks.

sweater: thrifted (J. Crew)

scarf: WalMart

skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

shoes: Target

And now, on Super Bowl Sunday, the cutest pup.

his face.
so perfect. and handsome.

such a lover. so many kisses. and nubbin tail wags.

A cream-ish lace tee under a white cardigan + an oatmeal scarf. Skinnies and my boots. And my handsome Olaf.

He's such a great pup - so happy, and jovial, and attention loving, and active. As much as Turbo loves to sleep, Olaf likes to play. And as much as Turbo likes to lay in front of the fire, Olaf does, too. They're too cute for words.

shirt: from a friend

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

scarf: knitted by me

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

boots: Nordstrom

bag: TJ Maxx

brrrrr

I wore white pants in winter. Call it "winter whites" or whatever you'd like. I like how it looks, but my legs were definitely cold. White (summery) jeans leave a lot to be desired in the warmth department. However, this sweater is plenty warm, especially with a chambray underneath. So, my top half was plenty toasty, and the bottom half a wee bit chilly. 

chambray: thrifted

sweater: thrifted (GAP)

white pants: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

necklace: Ann Taylor

fedora: thrifted (Target)

30 for 30: day 29 & day 30

day 29

 

 

  

This top. I love. I’m in love. Is it green? Is it gray? It’s a sweater. It’s a shirt. It’s a shirt with a chiffon back. It’s dressy. It’s casual. It keep me guessing, and I’m a big fan. If I stumble across more tops with this look/feel/vibe, I’ll definitely be adding them to my closet.

day 30

 

 

  

Black&white&gray. I’d just about reached the end of my creativity with this one. And what better to wear on a Thursday at the end of October than something easy and almost-mindless? It’s not my best look, but it’s far from my worst.

And hallelujah, the weather tomorrow is supposed to be in the 30s! Can we say "balmy"??

See my list of 30 items here.

chambray and white jeans x2

 

 

 

 

 

Without realizing it, I wore a chambray and white jeans twice, exactly one week apart. The first with a lighter chambray, the second with a darker chambray and new floral scarf. I mean…if you love chambray like I do, then you should pair it with everything. And often.

left:

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

white jeans: Old Navy

sandals: Target

right:

chambray: thrifted

scarf: Target

white jeans: Old Navy

red wedges: thrifted

what I'm not saying

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not saying you SHOULDN’T wear white after Labor Day. I’m just saying you should style it differently than I did here. I’ve got plans to wear my white jeans with chunky sweaters and boots this fall and winter. However, it was still summer when I wore these two outfits (which is til September 23^rd, so don’t go wishing fall upon us just yet), and it was also Labor Day or earlier. With both of these, I took a monochromatic approach – I’ve been dying to wear white on white all summer.

left:

shirt: Old Navy

scarf: WalMart

shorts: Old Navy

sandals: Born via DSW

right:

shirt: Aéropostale

shorts: Old Navy

shoes: Rocketdog via DSW