Mr. Picks Mondays: Memorial Day

 

A few things to share with you today:

1) Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all those who serve and have served. I love days like today (the 4th of July, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day more than most other holidays), because I make sure to profusely thank my favorite vets (Mom and Dad), and every other veteran I meet, for their selfless sacrifice of protecting our freedoms.

2) The next summer holiday, Independence Day, I'll be celebrating in my favorite place (the beach) with some of my favorite people - WEEEEEEEE!! In a really sweet American-flag print swimsuit. Heyooooo! I plan to spend the whole time on the beach, and when I'm not beaching it, on a boat.

3) My Mr. picked out this polka dot chambray for me to wear. And while I love it, remember my optical illusion trick when it comes to this boxy fit? This time, I layered a sweater over it. Which was totally necessary, because, hello, springtime in the Rockies.

My Dad reminded me yesterday that it snowed on Memorial Day weekend several years ago. Which is enough to make me question why I live here. I mean, I love Colorado - don't get me wrong. We have the beautiful mountains, I always know which direction I'm driving (the mountains are west. unless you are IN the mountains, and then, well, take a gander), our summers are great, winters are pretty, the skiing is spectacular, but every year, from March to May, I seriously consider moving somewhere where it DOESN'T SNOW IN MAY. Like, Florida. Or somewhere in the South. Or even California. This crazy weather is enough to drive a girl mad. Just ask my husband - every time the weather gets all wonky, I get cranky and start packing my swimsuits and flip flops, and threaten to forget how to drive in the snow.

*sigh*

But, then, the sun comes out and melts away all the snow, and I'm reminded that summertime in the Rockies is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

chambray: thrifted

sweater: Aéropostale

pants: Aéropostale

boots: Rack Room Shoes

Double the Animal Print, Double the Fun

Double the animal print, double the fun, amiright?? Leopard AND python - it works because they're both accessories, rather than a whole piece of clothing, so they don't compete.

In other news, this shirt (and it's navy blue twin) didn't wash so well. The sleeves have this cute little cuff, and my washing machine kinda tore that up/out/to pieces. So, any tips to make the cuff stay flat without having to iron or sew would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Memorial Day Eve! I'm at home, waiting for the rain to quit so I can go on a long run - training for my next half-marathon in September!

shirt: Eddie Bauer

sweater: Macy's

pants: Aéropostale

scarf: WalMart

flats: WalMart

Dots, Tweed, and...Python?

closeup of my print mixing madness

I wore this outfit several weeks ago when one of my best friends was in town. I took her for drinks with some work friends (after work, of course!), and really enjoyed getting to show her where I work and live and play.

I came up with this outfit several weeks before I wore it. I was trying to decide what to wear for something else (surprise), and somehow these 2 items ended up next to each other on my bed, due to my haphazard tossing and grabbing. When I looked closer, I realized they didn't look half bad together.  In fact, they were pretty interesting. And so, an outfit was born. However, this "ah-ha!" moment happened when there was still snow on the ground, so this wonderful combination had to wait for a warmer day. And I added the python print flats for kicks, since dots and tweed have the potential to be too cutesy ;)

shirt: Old Navy

jacket: Express

jeans: GAP Outlet

flats: WalMart

Florals. 2 Ways.

Here are two different ways I wore my floral pencil skirt from J. Crew Factory.

One with a chambray, the other with a navy blue top from Eddie Bauer. I wore these outfits a few weeks apart, and didn't realize until I was putting this post together that I wore the same shoes both times! I know heels would be more flattering on my short little legs, but I navigate much better in flats. And I tend to trip over my feet barefoot sometimes, so the less obstacles I put in my own way, the better.

 

 

 

 

skirt: J. CREW Factory

shoes: KMart

on the right

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

on the left

shirt: Eddie Bauer

Mr. Picks Mondays: Black and White

The Mr. chose the black and white flannel shirt. and I added the sweater (we're still experiencing some less-than-warm weather here in Colorado). Not a groundbreaking look, but something solid for a springtime-in-the-Rockies Monday.

found this necklace at Target with my pregnant bestie. and we both fell in love
I didn't take much convincing to bring it home with me

tank: WalMart

plaid shirt: Old Navy

cardigan: Hollister via Plato's Closet

jeans: Aéropostale

shoes: Payless

necklace: target

Failed Execution

This outfit had all the makings of something great, but I feel like the individual elements didn't come together well.

Plaid button up?

Check.

Embroidered cardigan?

Check.

Gray skinnies?

Check.

Whatever the reason (the fit of the cardigan? the combination of everything together?) I didn't love this outfit. And then it got me thinking that this style of cardigan is not very flattering on me. Which got me thinking about how long I've had it.

High school.

Freshman, maybe sophomore year.

So, a long time. And for how pretty it is, it's not something I wear often. Maybe once or twice a year. So, in an effort to be a grown up, we parted ways. That's happened to a lot of other pieces in my closet lately. I'm realized more and more that FIT is EVERYTHING.

Really.

Interested in hearing more about that? 

Maybe I'll share some more of my insight on fit, and well see if I've applied that to my style lately...

Shirt: from a friend

Sweater: Express

Jeans: Aéropostale

Shoes: thrifted

Old Friends

Several weeks ago, we had some special company - our good (married) friends from high school. They got married the summer before us, and we've remained good friends through their subsequent move across the country and back, and our putting down roots in Northern Colorado.

They came up to visit us and check out our new house, and we loved having them. They brought their sweet pup, Benni, and we ate delicious food and drank delightful beverages all weekend, and played several rounds of Cards Against Humanity. New favorite game. It's in my Amazon shopping cart, as we speak...!

there was much discussion over my rolled up pants and booties. L and I were on the same boat, but the boys disagreed
*sigh*

me with their pup, Benni. I even got to take him on a run with me - I've forgotten what it's like to have a dog that bounds and just can't get enough exercise...!

wearing my cupcake apron, preppin' dinner and dessert for our guests

button up: Akinz Boardwear
lace sweatshirt: rue21
apron: gift
jeans: GAP Outlet
booties: Old Navy