transitioning the other way, part 5

More layering, more dark(er) colors, some studs, and leopard print.

Whenever the seasons shift, it takes me a few weeks to really get into my groove. This outfit is a perfect example – it was May. Yet I wore dark colors and layers like it was fall (technically it’s fall now, though…). Sometimes I want to wear sandals when it’s snowing, or sweaters with shorts when Spring is finally here! Whattt?

studded shirt: Old Navy

chambray: Kohl’s

scarf: WalMart

black skinnies: Aéropostale

sandals: Shoe Carnival

transitioning the other way, part 4

Can you believe I wore tights and booties and a scarf in May? I couldn’t either…but *sigh*, I did. Because it was cold. And very windy, as you can tell by my flyaway hair and scarf. The booties and tights and scarves are prepped and ready for their comeback this fall. My goal is to wear more dresses and skirts this fall & winter, because wearing pants all day, every day, can get old. Fast. That’s when I stand in front of my closet and say “I have nothing to wear!” and then go out and buy cheap stuff I don’t love, that I’ll wear once, that isn’t really ME.

I’m trying to “curate” my closet and my style – it’s a VERY slow process (for me, anyways), but I feel as though I’m really making progress! I’ve gotten rid of A LOT of items that I liked, but was never excited to wear. I’ve also boxed up some things that I love, but currently don’t fit (too big – and with how often my weight fluctuates, I’m very hesitant to get them tailored). I’ve sorted my closet by “colder weather” and “warmer weather” – some items are in both categories and that’s fine. This just forces me to be aware of what I’m keeping in front of me, and what gets put away until next summer/winter. Part of the reason for this “practice” is that I’ll be SO excited to wear my sandals next spring when I haven’t seen them all winter. I put them in a different room and closet for that reason, and also so that when I’m getting dressed and it’s -20 and snowing out, I’m not distracted by sandals and shorts, and end up convincing myself that I “have nothing to wear.”

Interested in hearing more about how I’m “curating” my closet and style? If so, let me know and I’ll come up with more to share :)

dress: Old Navy

jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

tights: Old Navy

booties: Old Navy

scarf: gift (but also from Old Navy…)

transitioning the other way, part 3

Here, again, with more sweaters and scarves. Are you getting a sense that the weather here in Colorado is screwy? I mean, really, I don’t think anyone ever REALLY puts away their snow boots or North Face jackets – they just simply hang behind the shorts and sundresses, still easily accessible should we get snow in June...

But anyways, here’s a cardigan and scarf over a tee, with jeans. Layers easily put on when it’s chilly, and then taken off again when it gets too warm.

shirt: Old Navy

sweater: Aéropostale

scarf: Walmart

jeans: Aéropostale

transitioning the other way, part 2

This outfit was an attempt at dressing for warmer weather, but with the colder weather clothes that were still front-and-center in my closet. So, a ¾ sleeve striped shirt, light-weight green jacket, skinnies, and flats with strawberries on them.

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this outfit and the next couple are from back in May – feels like so many things have changed, yet so many have stayed the same…

- I’m now a redhead (of sorts)

- these jeans (and several others) are big on me since I’ve been running

- we lost our sweet Cali girl

- I got a promotion at work

- the Mr.’s work has continued to be a rollercoaster

- one best friend had a baby, and is now a mother

- another best friend moved to my city, and we see each other a lot more regularly than we have in a long time

- I got to see another best friend and her son, and friends, and family in Florida for the 4^th of July

- I ran a 10k and another half marathon with my Dad (more to come on that soon)

- I gained more Instagram, Twitter & Bloglovin followers

- I deepened some existing friendships and relationships, and developed new ones

- I spent lots of time determining what makes me truly happy, and am trying to do/experience more of that

- I still curl my hair like this

- I still like to wear blue (makes my eyes POP!)

- I’m trying to adopt the idea of simplicity into many areas of my life, with the hope that it will spill over into everything

Needless to say, this past summer, and past year, has been a season of growth and change.
What about for you?

shirt: thrifted (French Connection)

jacket: thrifted (Land’s End)

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: Keds

transitioning the other way, part 1

I’ve got 6 outfits from this past spring I never shared here. They’re “transitional” outfits (worn during icky rain-y spring weather), and by the time I would have posted them, we were well into the warmer days of June, so I decided to save them for fall. Because who wants to look at jeans&sweaters and tights&booties when it’s 90 degrees and sunny? Now that we’re slipping into 80 and 70 degree territory, I think it’s safe…

This first one is nothing special: jeans, v-neck, cardigan and sandals. But I remember being so excited to wear finally wear sandals! And not having to wear my cardigan the whole day! Here in Colorado, it feels like winter lasts from October to May (we got snow on Mother’s Day this past year), so breaking out sandals and shorts and light layers is such a treat.

shirt: Old Navy

cardigan: Hollister via Plato’s Closet

jeans: thrifted (True Religion)

sandals: Target

game day: part 1

A few weeks ago, my friend, Chelsea (her blog here) gave me an idea for a blog post. She told me she struggles to look cute at sporting events, without looking like a hot mess express student wearing a t-shirt turned strapless dress. Not that a t-shirt turned strapless dress is a bad look, but if you're trying to look a bit more mature and classy while watching your favorite team, you're probably looking for some other ideas. 

Here are five warmer-weather looks you could wear to your favorite team's football game this fall.

Look for game day: part 2 later this fall, as the temperatures drop (it will include A LOT more layers).

A graphic tee of your favorite team and white pants. Or try white shorts. I'd wear this to watch the game at a friend's house - I'd probably stay away from tailgates and bleachers in these pants...

A graphic tee, a skirt and some boots. Boots of any kind would do well for tailgating, especially if the parking around the stadium is in fields, rather than on blacktop.

Another skirt, but this one a solid. It also has pockets. 

 

Don't be afraid to layer over your shirt - sometimes it gets cold watching games, and your chambray can act as a light jacket. I probably wouldn't wear flats to tailgate or attend the game in person, but definitely to watch the game with friends at someone's house, or a restaurant.

And if you don't have a graphic tee for your team, fear not! Just wear something that incorporates your team's colors (the Denver Broncos are orange and blue) - that way you're still showing team spirit.

I found my "Broncos Pride" tee at Victoria's Secret - they've got a whole line of apparel for NFL & college teams, as well as stuff for your favorite MLB team (I've got Colorado Rockies yoga pants). 

However, there are plenty of other places to find an outfit for your favorite team. WalMart, Target, the thrift store (sometimes they have the best stuff - I got a t-shirt from the Rockies inaugural season there, 1994, baby!), JCPenney, the team's official website, or make something yourself. In high school, we used to take tees & tanks and paint on names and numbers of the guys on the football and basketball teams.

I'd love to see how you show your team spirit - do you go all out? When my brother played high school football and baseball, I wore lots of too-big sweatshirts and windbreakers in navy blue and forest green (our school colors) with our school logo & mascot emblazoned on them. I'm sure I still have a few of them around...

that being said, I like to think I've matured a bit when it comes to what I wear to sporting events.

Broncos Pride tee: Victoria's Secret 

orange striped tank top: Target

chambray: WalMart

white pants: Old Navy

striped skirt: J. Crew Factory

black skirt: from a friend

gray skirt: from a friend

tassel flats: Target

boots: Steve Madden via DSW

python flats: WalMart

plaid tennis shoes: Coach via DSW

blue scarf: WalMart

how to: mix prints

By now I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of people mixing prints (me: here). You might even be a pro at it yourself. But for those of you that aren’t just yet, here are two (easy) examples of print mixing, just to help you get your toes wet. However, if you’re ready to jump in and rock a head-to-toe print mixed ensemble, please do! And then send me pictures or the link so I can check it out and be impressed with your mad print-mixing skills.

 

 

 

 

 

But for the newbies, a few simple steps…

Step 1

Wear a striped shirt. Or maybe plaid. Or polka dots. Or just a printed shirt.

Step 2

Add a printed scarf in a similar color family (blue floral on blue stripes). Black and white stripes can really go with any floral. A similar color family keeps the prints looking cohesive, not like you got dressed in the dark.

Step 3

Put on pants. Or a skirt. Or some type of bottoms.

Step 4

Maybe add a jacket. Or not.

Step 5

Add accessories and shoes. Or not. Shoes would be another great place to add in some unexpected print mixing – think polka dots, stripes, leopard, plaid, etc. (stick with the same color family, though!)

Step 6 (the most important)

Love on your dogs.

left:

 striped shirt: Old Navy

 floral scarf: Target

jeans: Aéropostale

flats: WalMart

belt: American Eagle

right:

striped cardigan: rue21

floral scarf: thrifted

crochet skirt: Aéropostale

jacket: thrifted

sandals: Shoe Carnival