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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Shoosh Shoosh

Several weeks ago, I got to go skiing TWO weekends in a row. The first weekend, one of my best friends, Lara, came up with me, and her new beau joined us on Sunday - my Mr. stayed home with a sick pup (he's a gem, that one).

The second weekend, my Mr. and I were heading up to the mountains and invited some of our dear friends from high school. And they made it! We had a great weekend catching up, and sharing powder skiing stories (the powder that weekend was UN. REAL.). It's nice to get to see old friends and spend some time together, especially since we don't get to see them as much as we'd like.

obligatory foot ski picture
Lara with her beau, M - he's a pretty great skiier. trying to  keep up was TOUGH!
consider this an outfit picture: ski jacket, snow pants, helmet, goggles, and a bunch of other warm weather accessories/layers :)
#skiingselfie

My parents stayed in the mountains the whole week between the two weekends I was up there. My dad kept sending me pictures of the snow (he skiied everyday) - the mountains got TONS of snow that week, and into the next weekend. I can't decide if the pics he sent were more of a "wish you were here," or a "you're stuck at work, look at what I'm doing" - care to elaborate, Dad?

see? SO. MUCH. SNOW.
it just kept coming down
and coming down. and coming down.
another selfie - from my second weekend skiing
on the way to the lift

on the lift 
my and my handsome skiier
#smooch
Both weekends were great, filled with great skiing, great friends, great family (thanks for the invite, Mom & Dad!), great food, and great drinks (Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, wine, and Butterscotch Hot Chocolate - oh my!). 

To quote my husband and his friends "We went gnar gnar in the pow pow (we did some gnarly skiing in the powder)."

Ever been skiing? Are you a pro? My dad's a part-time (weekend) ski instructor, and my husband's a really good skiier, so they help me out :)

Friday, February 21, 2014

Simple Favorites




layering my necklaces isn't something I've done a lot of in the past, however, I think it's something I'll start doing more of. the little clover is for my sweetie - he's a wee bit Irish ;)
my Mr.'s cousin got me these black bow earrings for Christmas, and I can honestly say I love them! some of my new favorite earrings. they're sweet because they're bows, but they're also the teensiest bit edgy because they're black. and if you know me, you know I have a hard time doing edgy, so these are perfect!

This outfit includes so many simple favorite pieces. It's a new favorite outfit, simply because it's comprised of so many favorite separates:

- chambray: do I even have to explain this one? If you don't have a chambray, I suggest you get one (or 4), and you'll quickly see they're it's so great.
- striped sweatshirt: it's a sweatshirt, it has stripes, and it's fabulously comfortable.
- down vest: it's warm. and it's navy. need I say more?
- olive skinnies: I just love these pants. they're comfy, they're green, and amazingly, they seem to go with just about everything. however, I've lost a little bit of weight since I got them this fall, so by the end of the day, they're a bit baggy on my behind. however, pulling up my britches is a small price to pay for really great looking pants, that are also a closet staple!

I'm glad this outfit came together so easily - sometimes I put together favorite separates and they don't make a great outfit. The outfit seems to scream: "STAAAAAHHHPPPP it! You can like all of us, just stop trying to make us play nice together." To which I slowly peel off all the pieces and start from scratch. Sometimes, you just have to go back to the drawing board :)



chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's [[similar below]]
sweatshirt: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]
vest: Old Navy [[similar below]]
shoes: Target [[similar below]]


SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Thursday, February 20, 2014

An Evening Out





if you look closely, there's a little bitty Cali-pup photo bomber...
Several weeks ago, the Mr. and I went "out" on a Friday evening. We met up with friends for drinks and a light dinner, then wandered the streets of downtown and made stops at several old favorite watering holes. 

As we left the house, I said to D: 
"Who AM I? 
Going out on a Friday? 
We haven't done this in ages
At LEAST since I was in college!" 

But, it was nice to spice things up and get out, although we were back at home,
enjoying Netflix the following evening :)


linking up with:



SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR:
shirt: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]
jacket: thrifted (Plato's Closet - Miley Cyrus + Max Azria) [[similar below]]
pants: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's [[similar below]]
clutch: thrifted [[similar below]]
booties: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]



Wednesday, February 19, 2014

1 pair of pants. 2 scarves.

 

 

 


The brown paisley scarf (on the right) is the one I actually wore with this outfit. But right before we started taking outfit pictures, I realized my blue plaid scarf would look just as good with this ensemble - it has stripes of bright pink, which match the polka dots on these pants perfectly.

sweater: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]
pans: Ann Taylor LOFT [[similar below]]
shoes: thrifted [[similar below]]
brown scarf: gift from my sis-in-law [[similar below]]
blue plaid scarf: thrifted (Target) [[similar below]]

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Mr. Picks Mondays: "Dweater"








You might recognize this dress from this past summer - I wore it to a sorority sister's wedding. Several other sisters came up and stayed with us, so my lucky Mr. got to be our DD, 
as well as our "chaperone."

The reason he chose this dress for the latest Mr. Picks Mondays was because I had just finished re-pretty-ify-ing my closet and re-hanging and re-folding (almost) everything. So, this dress was prominently displayed, and he chose it for me to wear. 

Since the back of the dress is open, I chose a warm sweater to make it work appropriate, and then kept the sweater on all day. My fleece-lined tights were a finishing touch - you know I love 'em (so warm & comfy!)

What do you think? Too summery? Or did the abundance of textures (lace, chunky sweater, cable-knit tights, and a polka dot scarf) make it winter appropriate? Personally, I'm a fan of how it turned out.

linking up with:


dress: Urban Outfitters [[similar below OR check out this similar dress in blue lace I just got from AƩro]]
sweater: AĆ©ropostale [[<--exact in link]]
scarf: AƩropostale
belt: Target [[similar below]]
tights: local boutique [[similar below]]
boots: Rack Room Shoes [[similar below]]

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Mr. Picks Mondays: Pink over Blue





this necklace has such pretty shades of blue & turquoise - found it at Old Navy

The Mr. chose the pink sweater, and I layered with the pink & blue striped button up underneath (the sweater is a bit itchy on bare skin). I wore my new gray pants from AĆ©ropostale, and sadly, the snow boots were a necessity. Again. Blegh.

I'd be really ok if it were summer tomorrow. Or yesterday. Whenever, really.



sweater: Eddie Bauer similar below
shirt: boys' section of Target sort of similar below
gray pants: AĆ©ropostale <-- exact
snow boots: SOREL exact below
necklace: Old Navy similar below


SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Monday, February 10, 2014

Pretty Little Liars and Teens for Jeans

If you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I'm an AĆ©ropostale VIP, and as such, I get early access to their newest lines & products (previously: AugustLive Love Dream, and November). They're really pulling out all the stops lately - have you heard of their new Pretty Little Liars collection?

No?

Let me tell you!

AĆ©ro paired up with Mandi Line, the costume designer from the show, Pretty Little Liars, to create looks like you'll see on the show, but to be sold in the store, so, pretty easily obtainable! Each character has at least 1, if not 2, different looks devoted to their style. The girls on the show have some pretty great looks, and I know I tend to think "That looks great on her. Wonder if I could pull off XYZ?" 

Below is the first part of the line that landed in stores earlier this month. 


 

Unfortunately, I couldn't pull the trigger on anything from the PLL collection - nothing was left in my size! Although I did come home with a blue dress similar to the one in the bottom left, perfect for some weddings this summer.

Below is a preview of the styles that are going to be in stores on March 16th - which is your fave?

Are you more of an Aria, Hanna, Emily or a Spencer?

I love these hi-low hems!


I'm thinking a dress or skirt with a hi-low hem has my name all over it. Or maybe a denim jacket - the one I currently have has seen MUCH better days...

So, not only does AĆ©ro have some really cute stuff in stores now, but they're also into giving. They've launched their 7th annual Teens For Jeans campaign in partnership with DoSomething.org. The campaign encourages folks to donate their gently used jeans in the store so they can be given to someone that is in need. One of the most requested items by teens in need are jeans. So, in exchange for donating your gently used jeans in your local store, AĆ©ro will give you 25% off a new pair of jeans. What better way to replace a pair (or 2! or 8!) of jeans that don't fit quite right, or have been hiding in the back of your closet for the last 6 months to a year, than by giving them to someone in need and replacing them with a newer style and/or wash that will get a lot more wear?

Confession: I donated 4 pairs of jeans that I liked (but hadn't worn in ages) and got 25% off 4 different pairs of new jeans. I've been rotating these 4 new pairs nonstop - it's love. For whatever reason, I like to hang on to clothes from high school and college that don't reflect me and the person I've become. So, after hearing about this great deal, I told myself I could get some new jeans, but ONLY if I was willing to part with several pairs. It's a lot easier to part with old favorites knowing that (1) they're going to someone who will wear them a lot more than I will, and (2) I'm filling my closet with some new pairs that are more "me." It's a win-win for everyone, really. 

So, do a quick inventory of your jeans and donate some oldies (but goodies) so you can save 25% on a new pair (or several new pairs)!

For more information, check out this PSA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbVhfuM4Rgs.
as well as: www.teensforjeans.org


Below are some really great things that are now (happily) living in my closet.

L to R:
Lola Grey Wash JeggingBayla Skinny Core Dark Wash Jean;
similar: Bayla Skinny Dark Wash JeanLola Core Dark Wash Jegging
These are the 4 (!!!) pairs of pants I came home with after I donated 4 (!!!) pairs

similar: PLL Hanna Lace Dresssolid full-zip cardigan
This dress is not from the PLL line (the one from the line is linked above), but looks pretty similar, don't ya think? And this sweater - worn it twice already. You know I like to fill holes in my closet, and I didn't even know how big the hole of a cream cardigan was, but now that it's filled, I can sleep at night am pretty excited about it.

capris: similar - LLD inset capris; sports bra: similar - LLD Contrast Racerback Sports Bra
Another pair of workout capris in bright teal (remember, brights/neon make you run faster!) and a new sports bra (essentials, my friends).

similar: earring 3-pack
New earrings. I love fun little studs. You can never have enough pairs of bow earrings.
or wishbones.
or rose gold hearts.

Any favorites??

Hope you had a great weekend!