casual + sweater #5

 A casual look today. This tee is from volunteering at a bike event, Tour de Fat, a few years ago (worn a few times previously: here and over here). I really love the color and the bike logo, so it has yet to be relegated to my old t-shirt drawer. Instead, it hangs in my closet, with the rest of my “more than t-shirts” tops. And of course, some of my favorite go-to items: skinnies and my new Frye boots I just can’t get enough of. And this cardigan makes sweater number 5.

One of my friends (below) was in town recently, so we got together with one of my besties and went to dinner.

Andy & I

Lara & Andy 

Lara & I

Lara and I, without planning, managed to look pretty similar before we even left the house: dark colored down coats, dark skinnies, the SAME style of boots (she's had hers several years longer than I), and bags carried the same exact way (not planned).
So of course we documented our best friend-i-ness & matchiness.


shirt: Tour de Fat
cardigan: local consignment shop
scarf: WalMart
jeans: c/o Aéropostale
boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom
coat: Coldwater Creek
bag: TJ Maxx

tights-less + sweater #4

Originally, this outfit was slated to be worn with bright red tights. But, when the forecast called for “sunny and in the 50s,” I ditched the tights and opted for bare legs. I've still got a wee bit of color from Thanksgiving in Key West, so I wasn’t afraid my legs would blind anyone. I didn't originally intend for this to be a black + white look (plus brown boots), but when tights were taken out of the equation, it just sort of happened that way. And I don’t hate it.

And count this black cardigan as sweater #4 for my "sweater a day in January" style change/style prompt - check back for more information tomorrow!

dress: Target

sweater: Maurice's

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

kindergarten and a sweater a day in January + sweater #3

 

After examining these pictures, I’ve come to the conclusion that I look a little bit like a kindergarten teacher in this outfit. Not knocking kindergarten teachers – they do an important job. It’s just that I am NOT a kindergarten teacher. Or educator of any sort. That being said, I really like this printed scarf paired with this polka-dot cardigan. Call me crazy? Or Mrs. Frazzle…

And also...I'm starting the year off with a style challenge. I don't have a fancy name for it (yet), and I have yet to hear of someone else trying it (but if I'm mistaken, please let me know!). My plan is to wear one of my sweaters each and every day during the month of January. According to my count, I've got about 26.

My interpretation of a sweater is pretty loose (i.e. it's a knit cotton, but it's a cardigan, so it's a sweater, and I'm also including a few nicer sweatshirt-y types in the mix), but, 26 gives me a few "off" weekend days where I won't migrate out of sweats, and a few days that I'll be skiing in long underwear and snow pants, so even if I do discover a few more that I've overlooked (because they're in the wash or hiding somewhere...), I can easily add them to my count and not have to double up one day.

There's a few reasons I'd like to do this, but look for those in a few days, as well as my official sweater tally, and maybe some rules guidelines.

If you're interested in joining, let me know and I can figure out a link-up deal type thing-ey, or just post your outfit(s) in the comments, too. Would love to see what you come up with! Is the number of sweaters I own excessive? Just right? *gulp* Too little?

Hope your 2015 is still off to a great start!

shirt: J. Crew Factory

cardigan: J. Crew Factory

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

flats: Kohl's

two New Year's Day outfit ideas (sweater #1 + #2)

If you're like me, and didn't go out or get gussied up to celebrate New Year's Eve, you might be more concerned about what you're wearing for the first day of the year. Lucky you, I've got not one, but TWO fancy pants (literally) ideas below.

Difficult to see, but I'm sporting my leggings with the faux leather stripe down the side. Let the leather tell you "edgy", or "daytime tuxedo pant," whichever you prefer. I paired them with an oversized button up (with my monogram!) from my sister-in-law (she gave them to her bridesmaids to get ready in the day of her wedding), and wore a bright red cardigan on top.

Additionally, I layered a shirt underneath, because, cold.
I wore my SOREL snowboots because, snow.
And I added a beanie because, dirty hair.

You could easily ditch my cold weather accessories for something a bit more fancy, and warm weather friendly, too. Sandals? Flats? Heels?


button up: gift from my sis-in-law
shirt underneath: GAP
leggings: c/o Aéropostale
snow boots: SOREL via Jax
cardigan: from a friend
hat: ?

  

These pants are new - they were a Christmas gift from my brother and sister-in-law. They're velvet (velvet = fancy).

They're warmer than most other pants I own.

They're skinnies.

They're black.

They're perfect. 

Paired with a slouchy sweater, a statement necklace, booties, and a messy-ish bun, it's the perfect outfit for starting off the New Year in style.

sweater: c/o Aéropostale

pants: J. Crew Factory (gift from my brother & sis-in-law)

booties: Old Navy

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

necklace: WalMart

peacoat: Old Navy

Happy 2015! Hope it's treating you right!

two New Year's Eve outfit ideas

In case you need some last minute ideas for what to wear tonight (and tomorrow will have some ideas for New Year's Day ON New Year's Day - mindblowing, I know), here are two a wee-bit-more-than-casual looks, incorporating skirts and tights.

This first look is a black sweater layered over a black dress, with some purple tights for a little pizzazz. I added a polka dot heart scarf, booties, and a purple headband to pull it all together. This would be a great look if you're not into wearing sequins - monochromatic, with a bit of fun color thrown in.

sweater: American Eagle

dress: thrifted (Target)

tights: ???

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

But if you ARE into wearing sequins...

And if you want to be festive in sequins, but tend to get cold like yours truly, try wearing a sweater with your sequins. It's a fun juxtaposition - snazzy party-ready sequins with a warm sweater and boots. And, as an added bonus, this look incorporates ALL OF THE textures: cable-knit sweater, sequins, tights, leather boots, peacoat, and curly strawberry-blonde hair (some of my favorite things!). 

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

coat: Old Navy

bag: TJ Maxx

jewel tones

All the shades of blue and green. I really like how this came together - I didn’t anticipate liking it so much, but, I did! The color of these pants seems more spring/summer to me (like grass green), but when paired with darker tones, the grassy-ness is toned down significantly. And normally I wouldn’t pair an open knit cardigan with a heavy knitted scarf, but

(1) emerald green just happened to look great with the blue of my shirt and the green of my pants,

and

(2) I needed a warmer scarf.

Ever pair solid jewel tones together? I might try it for New Year's Even, instead of opting for sequins...

shirt: Target

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

scarf: thrifted

pants: from a friend (Urban Outfitters)

flats: Target