Mr. Picks Mondays: Green Pants & Dots

My Mr. chose the bright green pants and had the hardest time choosing a top. I suggested several options: button ups, a sweater, a long sleeve shirt, a chambray and to that, he replied "What is that?" I reached into my closet and grabbed this polka dot one as an example - his eyes lit up and he said "That one!" He's always liked this thrifted number, so I wore it tucked in, and added my dotted & tasseled flats to add extra dimension to the color & pattern scheme.

These pants make me think of spring, since they're such a bright pretty green. And, since spring has sprung (except for the snow we had yesterday...), it's only fitting to break them out this time of year.

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

chambray: thrifted similar below

pants: from a friend (Urban Outfitters) similar below

belt: American Eagle similar below

shoes: Target similar below

How To: Get Dressed in the Dark

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I didn't REALLY get dressed in the dark when I wore the two above outfits. However, I've come up with a formula for getting dressed quickly in the morning. It's so easy, you COULD do it in the dark, if you knew your closet by location and feel (an important piece of knowledge to have!).

Ready?

step 1: Grab pants. Feel, or squint through the early-morning light, for some that are pretty simply, are a neutral, are comfortable, OR, if you've enjoyed delicious food all week/weekend, ones that are stretchy and you know will fit. Or better yet, ones that fit all four of the above criteria.

step 2: Reach for a button up shirt. I like them because they say "I'm here! I'm present! I put effort into my outfit!", but maintain the ability to be dressed up OR down, and of course, can help hide some overindulging (are you sensing a theme here?).

step 3: Put on a neutral sweater. I do like pull-overs layered over a button up, but sometimes a cardigan can add more "depth" to your ensemble by showing off the layer underneath your sweater layer. They're also easier to take off/put back on/take off again/and put on one last time than a pullover.

step 4: Add some jewelry, but not TOO much - you're not fully awake & aware just yet, remember?

step 5: Step into some fancy-ish shoes that you can stand to wear all day.

steps 6 & 7: If you're feeling productive, do your hair and makeup.

step 8: Grab coffee, breakfast, your purse, and head out the door, knowing you look fabulous (and did it all without being fully awake, natch)!

SHOP THE LOOKS...OR FIND SOMETHING SIMILAR

on the left:

polka dot button up: Kohl's similar below

cardigan: Maurice's similar below

pants: Aéropostale

flats: Kohl's similar below

earrings: Kohl's

on the right:

chambray: WalMart similar below

cardigan: thrifted (Kohl's) similar below

pants: Aéropostale

flats: Target similar below

scarf: WalMart similar below

Edgy...with a side of Warm & Fuzzy

 

 

  

 

This is me trying out "edgy." I know it doesn't look like it, but I assure you, it is. 

If you look REALLY closely at the outfit on the left, my red shirt under the chambray has little bitty gold studs. They're in a polka dot pattern, but that is besides the point!

And, for my outfit on the right, I'm wearing coated denim, which is #2 on the edgy pants scale (#1 being leather pants, obvi). And nothing says grunge like black and white flannel, except for ripped acid wash jeans... 

However, I am obviously more interested in unicorns and rainbows, than in being edgy, as evidenced by my heart print scarf, and bulldog tee (below)...

Better luck next time!

SHOP THE LOOKS, OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

on the left:

tank: Old Navy

chambray: thrifted similar below

scarf: Aéropostale exact

jeans: Aéropostale exact

shoes: KMart similar below

on the right:

bulldog T: J CREW Factory similar below

flannel: Old Navy similar below

coated denim: Kohl's similar below

shoes: Target similar below

Celebrations

Last week, I turned the big TWO FIVE. I'm 25. Solidly in my mid-twenties. Inching closer and closer to 30 (!!!). When I was in college, my friends and I would groan about getting older, and the younger girls in my sorority would tease us for "being old" and staying in for an evening, instead of heading "out."

While that used to be my view, I've recently adopted a more mature outlook on my yearly anniversary of being born - I'm going to enjoy it.

And relish it.

And look forward to everything this 25th year of life offers. 

I recently came across this quote:

"Do not regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many."

- Unknown

And it struck a chord with me. How powerful.

So, I plan to be thankful for being 25. After all, good things came out of my 24th year - we bought a home, I started a new job that I enjoy, we bought a new-to-us (fast!) car, I got better at skiing, I ran a half-marathon, the Mr. did the Tough Mudder, we made new friends, and strengthened old friendships, celebrated our marriage, loved on our pups, and, oh, I started this little blog exactly 1 year ago today :)

a new Lilly Pulitzer dress - this has become a birthday tradition. My Mr. picks one out for me, (all on his own!) and surprises me with it on my birthday. He's got good taste, no?

I love Lilly dresses because they're typically so bright and colorful (except the 2 white ones from my Mr.), and they're classy dresses - I love to wear mine to showers, parties, and I wore one to our wedding rehearsal dinner. I know they're all over at the Carolina Cup, the Kentucky Derby, and tea parties :)

As I mentioned above, I started this blog one year ago today, with this little post right here. I like to think I've grown leaps and bounds in terms of blogging and style. S

o, if you've stuck around since Day 1, or just got here, thanks for sticking with me, and here's to another year!

I got fancy schmancy cupcakes at a local cupcake place in celebration of Sweet Bananie's "blogiversary", Buttercream Cupcakery - check them out if you're in Northern Colorado!

SIMILAR LILLY DRESSES
(without the sleeves)

Mr. Picks Mondays: Dressed for Spring (oh, and Ireland)

I last wore this orange skirt over the summer (oh, summer! how I can't wait for your arrival!) for a Bachelorette Party in Las Vegas (here). It's been hanging in my closet screaming (literally screaming, because it's so bright) "WEAR ME! I'M FUN! WEAR ME! I can go with tights and boots or wedges or sandals!"

I've come close a few times but haven't been able to pull the trigger and actually do it. 

Enter my Mr. and Monday.

He chose this bright, lacy, funky skirt and pronounced "This."

So. Boom. I had to wear it! And wear it I did! I tried to tone down the neon-ness of the skirt by keeping the rest of the ensemble pretty neutral and covered up. It's a spring outfit if I ever saw one - bright skirt, jacket, scarf, tights & booties. But, when it's ALMOST spring in Colorado, you can only roll with it and mix & match your sweaters with shorts and sandals snow boots the best you can.

Oh, and, I'm not even Irish (the Mr. is, though), and look at me - wearing orange & green like the Irish flag! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

shirt: from a friend similar below

skirt: WalMart sort of similar below, they're along the same vein - bright! orange!

jacket: thrifted (Land's End) similar below

scarf: thrifted (Lucky Brand) sort of similar below

booties: Old Navy similar below

Black & White - Casual vs. Fancier

 

 

 

 

I didn't realize until I was looking at outfit pictures and putting posts together how much black I've been wearing lately. It's not the "color of my soul," or anything, it's easy to grab when I'm foggy in the mornings, and it goes with just about everything. So, since I've worn it pretty often lately. and some white to go with it, here are two different black and white looks for your viewing pleasure...and maybe some black & white outfit inspiration, to boot ;)

On the left: more casual - stripes, flannel & warm boots

On the right: fancier - peplum, blazer & bright flats

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

on the left:

striped top: Old Navy similar below

flannel: Old Navy similar & exact below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

boots: UGG similar & exact below

on the right:

 striped peplum: Ann Taylor Factory sort of similar below

blazer: thrifted (Target) similar below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

neonflats: Kohl's similar below

Another Two-fer

Another two outfits for you in today's post. They both include a button up under a sweater, colored skinnies and ankle boots. Not a new combination at all, but a tried and true favorite, especially this past winter. 

I've been so obsessed with wearing my button-ups this fall & winter that I gave them their own little section in my closet. That way, I don't have to dig through the rest of my tops to find the one I want. I just let my eyes run over all the button-ups (sorted by color, of course) in one little area and choose the one I want to wear that day. 

SHOP THE LOOKS...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

1st outfit

shirt: GUCCI (from a friend) similar below

sweater: GAP (thrifted) similar below

corduroys: Joe Fresh (thrifted) similar below

booties: Old Navy exact & similar below

2nd outfit

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's similar below

sweater: local consignment shop

pants: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's (thrifted)

booties: Old Navy exact & similar below