90 miles to Cuba, part 1

Over Thanksgiving week, my family got together in Key West. My parents had been before (and my Dad several times before my brother and I came along), but us kids hadn't.

Here's a summary of our trip: the creation of our own bike gang, Key Lime Pie (dipped in chocolate, on a stick), beer, lounging at the pool, my parents scuba diving, more beer, wine, snacks, running with my Dad, sleeping in, listening to the ocean, lounging IN the pool, golfing, shopping, exploring Duval Street, getting caught in the rain on our bikes, karaoke at Coyote Ugly, Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's, an Irish pub or 2, and a low-country boil for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

The humidity does crazy things to my hair (see above). I curled it one evening and it went flat in 5 minutes, so I abandoned that idea for the rest of the trip. I kept the makeup, hair, and outfits pretty simple all week - I was on vacation, after all...

tank: from a friend (Lauren Conrad via Kohl's)

shorts: Maurice's via Plato's Closet

sandals: WalMart

sunglasses: H&M

purse: thrifted

And this I wore one evening when us kids biked to Duval Street to check out the bar scene. On the way there, we got rained on, and looked like wet rats for the rest of the evening. No joke - it wasn't just sprinkling, it was POURING. I took these pictures after I'd dried out. And below is my sister-in-law just a few minutes before our rainy bike ride. Doesn't she look great in her jumpsuit and Jack Rogers? Girl has serious style.

shirt: Aéropostale

shorts: Maurice's via Plato's Closet

sandals: WalMart

running gear (and boots and earrings) from Aéropostale

Like I mentioned yesterday, my friend, Chelsea, and I did some shopping when it was gross and snowing. We went to several places, but one of the first places we stopped at was Aéropostale. I was looking for some new black boots, and their activewear line, Live Love Dream, is something I'm always drawn to. Below are the new goodies I picked up this trip!

First up, these cropped leggings: LLD Solid Crop Leggings. I've already got a few pairs of cropped leggings from Aéropostale, and I knew I wanted to size down this time - the current pairs I have don't like to stay up around my hips while I'm running...I sized down and these are snug and a perfect fit! I really don't like to have to tug or push&pull anything when I'm running - it makes me more likely to quit my run halfway through. ..

The bright pink shirt is from my latest half marathon, The Equinox Half Marathon (my post about that here). And the headband I'm wearing to keep my hair back is from Aéropostale last fall.

Next is this awesome LLD Solid Active Popover Hoodie. It's the same blueish/gray color as the cropped leggings. This sweatshirt is fleece-lined, so it's incredibly warm, and soft. It's also got moisture-wicking technology, so it wicks sweat away as I'm running (and sweating). Normally, I would have gone a size up, but this time I got an extra small, because of the fleece and the moisture-wicking properties. I figure with those two features, I should wear the sweatshirt as it's designed, instead of with several layers underneath. Hence, the smaller size and more fitted "fit."

Oh oh, and thumb holes!! Is there anything better? nah

My running shoes are from Mizuno - the Wave Inspire 10s (in a wide). I talked about them for my last half marathon here. So far, we're still pretty much in love, except for during my half marathon. I also wear SuperFeet inserts in them - I was having pain in my arches this past spring, and the SuperFeet really helped. Their website explains the science behind the inserts, as well as provides customer testimonials. They're great, but IF you do get them, give them at least a week - I hated them at first, but after two weeks of running in them, I wasn't able to go back to the flat soles that came with my shoes.

 

These are my new boots I was on the hunt for, the 50/50 Riding Boot. I can't find the exact ones, but here is a link to some similar styles. They're black, but they're distressed, so in the right light, they look like a dark dark charcoal gray. They zip up the inside shaft, and have nicely placed elastic that not only adds to the aesthetic of the boot, but also keeps them on my calves. They don't have a heel, and I sized down from a 7 to an 8, because the last few pairs of boots I've gotten have really stretched out, so I end up having to wear thick socks so my feet don't clop-clop around with every step.

I grabbed these two knit long-sleeved shirts, because WINTER. snow. COLD. layers.

I can't find the exact ones on Aéropostale.com, but here are some similar long sleeve shirts, and I previously wore the blue one here.

I also picked up these cute bicycle earrings, because (1) I have pierced ears, and (2) I really enjoy riding my bike. It's a pink beach cruiser - one speed, with back-pedal brakes, a big seat, and a basket. It's perfect. It's my favorite mode of transportation when it's warm out. So, bicycle earrings. These aren't the exact earrings, but here is a link to other pretty ear jewelry: earrings.

And, if you can believe it, the Mr. doesn't have as many clothes as I do. Shocking, I know. So I picked him up a Long Sleeve Solid Thermal Tee (also similar: Long Sleeve Solid Thermal Henley) in blue. And then I made him wear it under his Broncos jersey when there was snow.

breakfast, snow and shopping

A few weeks ago, it was gross and snowy out. So my friend, Chelsea, and I went out in the grossness and cold for breakfast, followed by shopping. We both indulged in biscuits and gravy, and the thickest bacon I've ever had. Plus lots of coffee. Of course.

We shopped&shopped&shopped all day - we were both pretty worn out by the end of it. I mean, not that it was extreme shopping by any means, but neither one of us had been on an all day shopping extravaganza in quite a long time. #thosewerethedays

freezing in the snow, after all the bacon breakfast
from my Instagram

turtleneck: GAP

cardigan: Aéropostale

blanket scarf: WalMart (more about that here)

coat: Coldwater Creek

jeans: thrifted (Old Navy)

snow boots: SOREL via Jax

beanie: from a friend

texture play

I put together ALL THE TEXTURES in this outfit. Stripes, chunky knit sweater, paisley print, lacey-ish/crochet-kinda skirt, herringbone tights, and leather boots. I figured I could get away with neutrals and light pink with a dusting of snow if I layered up and "texturized." And coffee, of course.

Always coffee.

and thanks to my sweet friend, Laura, for taking these pictures for me!

shirt: thrifted (Ann Taylor LOFT)

sweater: Macy's

scarf: gift from sis-in-law (with my monogram on it!)

skirt: Nordstrom

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

layered up

this is my "I'm cold out here" face

faux leather stripe on my leggings. fancy, huh?

What do you wear when the highest expected temperature is 9 degrees?

Answer: at least 4 layers up top, warm fuzzy boots, fancy pants, and a blanket scarf.

I hadn't originally planned on wearing the chambray, but added it at the last minute, and these pants are ponte knit leggings with a faux leather stripe up each side from Aéropostale (from last year). 

Let me tell ya about this scarf. I was inspired by the blanket scarf trend of last winter and this year. It sold out quickly everywhere, and I can't really justify spending more money on more scarves. So, I went to WalMart and checked out the fabric section. I found this houndstooth print, and a gray and red buffalo plaid (worn here), and purchased a yard of each. They're nice and big and square and warm and bulky - I fold them in half to a triangle shape, and loop them around. Sometimes they look more structured, and sometimes bulky or a bit lopsided. I have yet to master the art of tying/looping/wearing a blanket scarf, but just winging it seems to work for me.

teal shirt: Target

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

sweater: Eddie Bauer

scarf: WalMart

leggings: Aéropostale

boots: SOREL via Jax

brrrrr

I wore white pants in winter. Call it "winter whites" or whatever you'd like. I like how it looks, but my legs were definitely cold. White (summery) jeans leave a lot to be desired in the warmth department. However, this sweater is plenty warm, especially with a chambray underneath. So, my top half was plenty toasty, and the bottom half a wee bit chilly. 

chambray: thrifted

sweater: thrifted (GAP)

white pants: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

necklace: Ann Taylor

fedora: thrifted (Target)

versatile

I had no idea when I picked up this scarf over the summer that it would be so versatile. I've worn it for every American-pride day that has passed: Labor Day, Veteran's Day (the day I wore this), Election Day, probably going to wear it for Pearl Harbor Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, D-Day, the Air Force's founding date (September 18th - so proud, Dad??), y'know, any and every day I can get away with wearing an American flag-inspired scarf. 

I paired it with a striped tee for some print mixing, added the red cardigan and white down vest for warmth, but also so I'd be wearing red, white and blue for Veteran's Day :)

shirt: Old Navy

sweater: from a friend (Banana Republic)

vest: thrifted (Aéropostale)

scarf: Aéropostale

jeans: Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy