30 for 30: Day 12 (and some new schtuff)

yes, that is Turbo's tongue in the lower right - it's a very long dog tongue

Here is the new coat I mentioned the other day. Fancy, huh? I'm a HUGE fan. I was really drawn to it initially, then "hem-ed" and "haw-ed"over it while I perused the rest of the store. 

"Is it ME?"

"Is it too trendy?"

"White? In the winter?" 

(It comes in navy, too. So that added another 30 minutes to the decision making process)

But as you can see, I overcame all of those objections and got the coat. I've been on the hunt for a new, shorter coat. I've got a red peacoat, which I love, but it's very dressy and comes to my knees; a knee-length purple down coat, and several fleece jackets from The North Face/Columbia. I was looking for something nicer than my fleece jackets, but shorter, more casual, and not quite as heavy as my other coats (that's a lot of criteria!).

I love this coat for many reasons:

1) it fits my above criteria

2) it's got (faux) leather sleeves, which is SO on trend for this year. AND, who doesn't love (faux) leather?

3) it's two-toned - do YOU know anyone with a two-toned coat? I don't.

4) it dresses up jeans, but not TOO much

5) it was provided to me courtesy of Aéropostale, as one of their VIPs for this season

Needless to say, I'll be wearing it a lot this winter, until we hit below freezing temps for weeks at a time.

YUCK.

this pink peplum top really doesn't photograph well, does it?

I matched the pink polka dots in my pants to my top

 

Yes, that is a bulldog. On a pair of socks. They are my (2nd pair of) bulldog socks. I love them.

I can't find this sweater online (boo), but it's much prettier in person - the pink is not as blinding, I promise. I'm envisioning it with leggings (most likely these, also from Aéropostale), boots over my new bulldog socks, a large cup of coffee, and a good book (currently I'm in the middle of 2 books, and 1 audiobook)...

For something similar to this sweater, imagine:

this Sheer Striped Knit Sweater, mixed with this Marled Slub-Knit Sweater, topped off with this Sheer Ribbon Yarn Sweater.

A scarf with hearts, that masquerade as black polka dots. Could this scarf be any more darling? I think not. Can't wait to wrap myself up in it - it's nice, and big, and square-ish-ly shaped, without being too heavy, although it does have a nice weight & bulk to it. Good job, heart/polka dot scarf.

And the gray infinity scarf I wore the other day, that my husband said I didn't "NEED", is here.

Aéropostale keeps hitting it out of the park - keep it up! Can't wait to see what else they've got in store!

Hooray for the weekend! Any fun plans in store?

linking up this BRIGHT top [that looks neon in these pictures] over here

30 for 30: Day 11

No, your eyes are not deceiving you - I did jump straight from Day 9 to Day 11 in my 30 for 30 challenge. However, Day 10 was a throw-on-an-old-t-shirt-and-sweats-and-do-chores-and-pack kind of day. I only made it out of the house to take the trash out and walk the pups, so I didn't think it necessary to get all dolled up and do brush my hair. I'm thinking this busy outfit more than makes up for missing Day 10, though.

If you remember from this post, the navy blue top I'm wearing here is actually a dress. 

STOP.

HOLD ON.

I DID WHAT?

I wore a dress as a shirt.

This is (I think) the first time in my life I've done that (unless my parents can come up with something from my toddler or awkward preteen years?). However, the idea has been there for a while. Obviously it depends on the skirt and the dress, but it seems like the type of dress that would work best is one without a lot of volume in the skirt. Unless you're wearing a full skirt, and want a little more fluff underneath it (have I mentioned before that I like full skirts? The skirt of my wedding dress was 4 feet wide. On purpose. And I LOOOOOVED it.).

Scratch what I just said about the type of skirt and dress work best - this is a very case-by-case basis sort of thing. 

And in this case, I like it. I like it alot.

I really like this skirt, but always have a hard time deciding what top to pair with it. Until, one day, I remembered this navy dress with cream trim. And voila! A genius (and loud!) outfit was born! 

Ever have those clarity/lightbulb/genius moments? With your clothes, I mean ;)

linking up this schwanky outfit over here :)

30 for 30: Day 9

I wore this easy ensemble for a brunch this past weekend with some local alum from Zeta. Some of my old roomies were there, and several other friends from when I lived in the house (did that for 2 and a half years - I like to think I can live anywhere now). 

We had brunch, then some of us headed over to the local J. CREW Factory store, where I proceeded to fall in love with 1 of everything. Specifically these really great houndstooth cropped pants, which I can't find online anymore (just simply imagine cropped houndstooth print trousers)...after I wore my houndstooth skirt last week, I fell in love with the print all over again, and would love to add more of it to my closet.

Let me amend the above statement.

I would love to add a few, selective & tasteful houndstooth pieces that I LOVE to my closet, and they must be pieces I would wear often. So, while those pants were DARLING (you'll have to trust me, since I can't find them), they might not get as much wear, as say, a pair of gloves, or a scarf. 

That being said, if those pants did show up in my closet, or under the Christmas tree, I wouldn't hate it :) 

30 for 30: Day 8

my lovely moustache earrings

Before I started this blog, the above outfit is something I would have worn on a very regular basis. Jeans and an uncomplicated top. However, since I started my blog this past March, I like to think I've "stepped up my game." I wear less gimme outfits, and try to put more effort & thought into the outfits I put together, and subsequently post here on Sweet Bananie. 

But sometimes it's nice to revisit the basics :) 

Have I mentioned before how much I love this plaid flannel shirt? As much as I love my ankle booties.

My lovely scarf is new - it's from Aéropostale. I was asked to be a VIP for them again this season, and I happily accepted. I came home with this scarf, and my Mr. said:

"Really? Do you REALLY need another scarf?" 

and I replied:

"But this one is plain gray - I have a striped one, and a printed one, but not a plain one, so this one I needed. AND, it's an infinity scarf. So, I guess I did NEED it. Oh, and I got another scarf, too..."

I'll be showing off my new stuff from Aéropostale over the next few weeks - they include: a coat (!!!), a pink sweater, that other scarf I mentioned, and some sweet socks. 

Today I'm linking up with:

and at Two Thirty-Five Designs

Curating My Closet

As I mentioned yesterday, I cleaned out my closet (again). I started this process several weeks ago, and finally finished up this past Sunday - it is not a task for the faint of heart, nor those short on time or patience. As I've said several times before, I've got A LOT of clothes. A LOT.

However, I am getting rid of a lot. 

132 items is a lot (I think, anyways).
These items range from: purses to boots, to pants to jackets, tops to jewelry, and scarves to sweaters.

I tried (almost) everything on, assessed the fit, how it made me feel, and how it fit into my closet. I also asked myself "Why are you hanging onto this?" if it was something I hadn't worn in ages, or was a gift I didn't particularly care for. When I had questions (which was often), I asked my husband his opinion, or texted my best friend a picture. With their help, I was able to part with some oldies, and came up with a huge pile several piles of clothes, shoes & accessories to get rid of - HALLELUJAH! 

I don't know why, but cleaning out my closet can be so liberating - anyone else feel the same way? I can't figure out why I hang onto things for so long, or why I get such a thrill finding things on the clearance rack. I realized a lot of things I got on super-sale don't reflect ME, or make me feel like a million bucks (or a thousand, or even a hundred). It's more like, I see something inexpensive and wearable, and all common sense goes out the window and my brain screams at me 

"BUY ALL THE CHEAP THINGS!" 

So, my closet was full of lots of inexpensive, but cute and fun, items that don't necessarily reflect that 20-something, fun loving, young professional, wife, bulldog mom, and personal style blogger that I've become. 

So, I sorted through the get-rid-of piles. I put some things straight into the DONATE pile, some into a box for a friend who lives far away (dropped it in the mail yesterday!), some into the rag bag (yeah, I know...), and the rest I'm going to try and sell on eBay and Instagram. Once I get pictures taken and posted with descriptions & prices, I'll share the link here and on my Instagram (SweetBananie), so you can literally "shop my closet." 

My best friend and I had plenty of time to talk and catch up when I met The Pioneer Woman last week. A recurring topic of conversation is clothes. Specifically "curating our closets." 

My friend, L, has done a great job of getting rid of pieces she doesn't LOVE, keeping those that she does, and focusing on quality over quantity. I, on the other hand, like I mentioned above, seem to have an appetite for lots and lots and lots of cheap items. She sent me this picture (below) this weekend. This is her entire winter wardrobe. Not just for the month of November. or December. ALL WINTER.

Can we say impressed?? And those are pieces that she LOVES, and will wear OFTEN (we're talking weekly, not monthly, or once per season, like me). 

I told her this was my inspiration, then got right to work in my own closet. 

We talk about clothes a lot. A lot more than normal people do (I'm sure), but it's great to have someone to bounce outfits & ideas off of. And someone to gently ask me:

"How does this outfit make you feel?" 

"Is this a reflection of who you want to be?"

and also to remind me that spending more than $20 on a sweater is OK, in fact, it's really OK, it's perfectly acceptable. Or to remind me that yes, that pair of shoes is more than I would normally consider spending on a pair of shoes, but that if I really love them, I should get them. And then WEAR them. And determine that my cost per wear (over several years for a well made pair) will be less than pennies. And that that is a very worthy investment - I should spend my hard earned money on less (in quantity) quality pieces that I love, instead of spending it on more (in quantity) cheaper pieces that I kinda-sorta like, will wear once or twice, and then keep in the back of my closet for ages. 

I've got a lot more thoughts on this topic (where to begin?!), specifically how to attempt this task while not spending beyond my means, dressing "Parisian chic", "curating my closet" (like a museum!), and making the switch to quality over quantity, but I'll save those for some other day(s).

Ever feel the need to completely overhaul your closet? What about just clean it out and freshen it up?

linking up over here today, at Because Shanna Said So, and here with My Fash Avenue

30 for 30: Day 7

Day 7 - one week down. I typically have a hard time putting black and brown together, but I guess this worked for me because it's more cream/tan with black :)

With these booties, I can't decide if I should tuck my pants INTO them, or show a wee bit of ankle skin OR show off some of my fancy socks...any bootie experts out there?

I completely forget to mention this in my blog post on Monday, but happy (belated) Veteran's Day! I've got several veterans in my family, and am thankful for each and every one's service & sacrifice for our great nation. My two favorite vets are my Mom & Dad - thanks for everything, you two are the best. Love ya.

30 for 30: 30 items (finally!)

Here they are, as promised. 

My 30 items I will be have been wearing for my 30 for 30 challenge for the month of November.

Ta da!

7 tops 

(left to right)

1) pink peplum top (looks neon orange here, but I assure you, it's a nice, pretty pink) [Kohl's]

2) blue plaid flannel [Old Navy]

3) light chambray [Kohl's]

4) cream 3/4 length sleeve top with light brown stripes [GAP Outlet]

5) short sleeve cream lace shirt [gift]

6) long sleeve cream sequined top [Kohl's]

7) black & white striped top, 3/4 length sleeve [Old Navy]

5 pairs of pants

(left to right)

1) olive skinnies [Aeropostale]

2) navy cords [thrifted - Joe Fresh]

3) bootcut jeans [thrifted - Old Navy]

4) pink & maroon polka dot pants [Ann Taylor LOFT]

5) black skinnies [Aeropostale]

2 dresses & 3 skirts

(left to right)

1) navy blue dress [clothing swap]

2) chambray dress [Kohl's]

3) leopard print pencil skirt [thrifted - Target]

4) black pencil skirt [Target]

5) houndstooth skirt [GAP]

3 jackets/blazers

(left to right)

1) pink tweed blazer [thrifted - Express]

2) vegan leather jacket [thrifted - Miley Cyrus / Max Azria]

3) velvet blazer [gift from my brother - Eddie Bauer]

4 sweaters

(left to right)

1) green fair isle sweater [American Eagle]

2) taupe single cable knit sweater [thrifted - GAP]

3) oatmeal cardigan [thrifted - Kohl's]

4) long black cardigan [Maurice's]

6 pairs of shoes

(left to right)

1) brown boots [Rack Room Shoes]

2) black boots [KMart]

3) booties[Old Navy]

4) black flats [Kohl's]

5) oxfords [thrifted - Not Rated]

6) leopard print flats [Kohl's]

Look how little space my 30 items take up in my closet! It's amazing!

We are currently packing up, tossing out, and sorting our things to pack up and move to our new house - one of the biggest challenges I have with moving is my closet (there's JUST. SO. MUCH). I've got a whole blog post on this tomorrow, but just giving you a heads up that I'm getting rid of 132 items! Which makes me feel great! But a bit defeated at the same time, since my closet is still PACKED. However, the above picture gives me some ease...

1) I can completely pack up and move the rest of my closet

 2) look how little stuff there is! and how little space they take up! 

3) not having full use of my whole closet is making me thing of different ways to wear the things I CAN wear, and 

4) it's making me think of ways to wear the other items in my closet when I can wear them again

Here are the items I chose for my last 30 for 30 challenge in June - how do they compare?