challenge accepted

Recently, a friend of mine was over while I was going through my closet for the umpteenth time this year. I was getting rid of some things, and starting to swap summer items for fall/winter items. I grabbed all of my white dresses in one handful and started to put them away with the summer clothes. And my friend said "Wait, that lace one. Keep it out. You can wear it in when it's colder."

And I said

"Are you challenging me to find a way to wear it this fall?"

And she deviously smiled and said

"YES."

So, here it is. Attempt number one. Not sure if she'll give me points for this, since we've had weather in the 80s and 90s, but I've got plans to try it again, don't you worry your pretty little head. I wore a light jacket and a scarf since I knew we'd be out and about in Denver this day - we ended up going in and out of museum exhibits (air conditioning & temperature controls, warm lobby, air conditioning & temperature controls, warm lobby, lots of warm bodies, even warmer lobby, you get the idea...). I was even a bit warm in this, but the layers did allow for more versatility than the dress by itself would have given me.

I chose the jacket because I feel like this jacket needs more wear, and because it adds a nice masculine/utilitarian element to this lacey & feminine dress. The scarf was an addition because it ALSO needs more wear, but the sequins and girlie print lend themselves to be worn with anything. And I think we all know the best to get me to wear anything is by adding lots of texture. And this outfit has several: lace, khaki/olive green cotton, ocean-inspired gauzy print, sequins, and plaid shoes. Let's not forget the braided headband.

Stay tuned for this dress's next appearance, most likely to be seen with tights, a sweater, and a scarf. Maybe a heavy jacket and snow pants. I really can't say...

dress: Kohl's

scarf: Lilly Pulitzer for Target

jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

shoes: COACH via DSW

linking up:

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Shopping My Closet // Cappuccino & Fashion

 The Pleated Poppy // Book of Leisure // Tucker Up

Home of Malones // East Coast Nat // A Liz Adventures

Two Thirty Five Designs // Lizzie in Lace // The Sits Girls

shades of pink

We made it to (almost) the weekend - huzzah! And what is more perfect for a late summer weekend outfit than a fun party dress and shoes? A fun party dress and shoes with a denim jacket, is what.

I used to be so concerned about all of my accessories matching perfectly, but one of the things I love most about this look is that my shoes are a different shade of bright pink than my dress. And that my denim jacket dresses down my fancy Lilly dress and wedges, making it more wearable for even more occasions.

All of that being said, enjoy your weekend - I'm not going anywhere where I'll wear this fun striped dress, but you know I'll document what I wear, and share it.

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

jacket: c/o Aéropostale

wedges: ALDO

statement necklace: Old Navy

 

 

linking up:

A Pocketful of Polka Dots // Living in Color Style and Styling in St. Louis

late bloomer

Do you remember all of the hype a few years ago over the Prabal Gurung for Target line? It was what alerted me to this "Target pairing up with designers" phenomenon that takes over fashion and style blogs whenever one occurs/is about to occur. I was too late to the Prabal Gurung party, as well as the Philip Lim purse soiree, but, in just a few short years, this multicolored  Prabal Gurung skirt found its way to me - I spotted it from several feet away (since this print is pretty memorable) at the thrift store with my girlfriend, Amanda (hi, friend!), and snagged it to try on.

It originally had 3 inches of black lace on the bottom that I took some scissors to once I got home, so you're seeing it in its altered and shortened state. I was pretty jazzedto end up with something that excited me from so long ago, and I've decided I'm going to try my hardest to pair it with tights and boots this fall and winter - won't it be such a nice pop of color on a cold winter day?

I'm easily envisioning it with black and/or gray, but with so many colors in the skirt, I'm sure I'll end up pairing it with something pretty bright, kind of like how I pulled in purple, coral, and red above. It felt a bit loud, but there's no way to tone down such a fun and swishy skirt - you've really got to live it up and pair it with as many colors as possible.

denim jacket: c/o Aéropostale

purple v-neck: Target

multicolored skirt: thrifted (Prabal Gurung for Target)

red wedges: thrifted

coral necklace: consignment

linking up:

The Pleated Poppy // Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Color and Grace // Cappuccino & Fashion

Shopping My Closet // I do DeClaire

Labor Day

Hope you all had a great Labor Day Weekend - ours was quite the adventure. There was lots of food, beer, bikes, cars, friends, and dogs. It was really fun, but I'm wiped, and feeling like I "labored" pretty hard in all my play.

So, instead of laying low today, tomorrow, or this week, I'm headed into another very busy week, with another busy weekend following it - and to start off this next round of madness, a pretty simple look: a striped dress under a light jacket + fun wedges before they get packed away until next spring.

Oh, and layered necklaces to add some dimension to an otherwise simple look.

dress: WalMart

red wedges: thrifted

green utility jacket: thrifted (Land's End)

layered necklaces: Kohl's & WalMart

linking up:

Two Peas in a Blog

not a Tour de Fat outfit

I'm so excited to share this look with my beach cruiser today, becaussssssse

It's Tour de Fat!! We're dressed up all crazy, parading our bikes around town with several thousand other people. The drinks are flowing, the costumes are crazy, and the people watching is aaaaamazing.

This outfit is wayyy too tame for Tour de Fat, but I promise I've got something a little kooky on (follow me on Instagram to see us in real time).

I did, however, actually wear the above peplum top and black skinnies to dinner, and we rode our bikes. Mine has a sweet little basket on the front where I like to put my phone so it can play some tunes. I really love riding my bike - it's got one speed and back-pedal brakes, and a nifty little bell. The seat is wide and comfy, and I travel at about one speed (slow-ish). But I love it.

There's something so satisfying to me about riding my bike, and if I can wear a great ensemble comprised of favorites that are comfortable AND stylish, then I'm a huge fan. Bonus points for hanging with friends on their bikes, too.

peplum top: Ann Taylor Loft

black skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

black fringe sandals: Kohl's

necklace: WalMart

linking up:

Fashionista Momma // Jaymie Ashcraft

Rachel the Hat // The Red Closet Diary

trouser two-fer

I've got a two-fer for ya before this long weekend (don't worry - I've got posts coming 'atcha through the long weekend, though). This two-fer features the same pair of pants, but with different shirts each time. One shirt has polka dots, the other is a lace-detail chambray, but they're both button-ups. Points for me anyways?

Up first, polka dots on top, and light & subtle pinstripes on the bottom (tough to see in these pictures, I know). These pants are oldies, but they're the prettiest shade of light olive green with the most perfect little pinstripes. I'm so glad I've hung on to them since high school - aren't trousers making a comeback? Or something?

Secondly is something really similar to the first, but the shirt is different! It's chambray! *swoon* And no polka dots! And it has pretty lace detailing on the shoulders and back. Totally different look, right? RIGHT?

What's your favorite way to wear some trousers? Button ups? Blouses? Casual tees?

Spill.

polka dot button up: Old Navy

metallic sandals: Target

green trousers: GAP

lace detail chambray: c/o Aéropostale

beaded sandals: Kohl's

blushing leopard

When you don't know what to wear to a friend's wedding celebration, you pull out a statement piece and pair it with some (favorite!) neutrals.

Exhibit A (above):

statement piece - leopard print pencil skirt

neutrals - blush top, nude wedges + gold jewelry

(you might also wear your hair up, because, summer)

The really good news is, if you pick out favorites to wear, they're most likely rather comfortable. And they can probably take you from place to place. In my case, the wedding celebration to a free concert downtown. At both locations, I was not overdressed, nor underdressed -  I was like Goldilocks, and it was "juuuuust right." And feeling like a million bucks while still being comfortable in my own skin makes those summer evenings even that much more enjoyable.

And I'm featured over on Sydney Fashion Hunter for one of my posts last week - be sure to stop by and check it out.

blush blouse: H&M

leopard pencil skirt: thrifted (Target)

nude wedges: DSW

linking up:

Shopping My Closet // Tucker Up

Book of Leisure, Chic Street Style & Gracefullee Made

Pampers & Pearls // Classy Yet Trendy // The Pleated Poppy

Cappuccino and Fashion // Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Color and Grace