2016

Hello? Anyone there? *crickets*

Sorry (again) for my extended absence this fall/winter/holiday season (said sheepishly). Disappearing from the internets was never my intent, but at the risk of sounding like a cliche, time keeps running away from me, or maybe I should say "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin', into the future..." However, in my defense, I've been in a bit of a stylish/blogging funk, and here's why:

I'm pregnant. 

Yes, it's true. I'm gestating a tiny human (as a friend of mine said), and to be frank with you, I feel like nothing fits my body, nor suits my evolving style at the moment (evolving in that I'm in my 20s - youth! but I'm on my way to becoming a mother - I can't look like I'm 12 anymore!). I'm not in maternity clothes yet (17 weeks), but my regular clothes are a wee bit snug. Thankfully, my sweet mama came to the rescue and gifted me several of her cozier sweaters and some new ones to wear in this awkward "Is she pregnant? Or has she just eaten A LOT of burritos lately?" phase I'm currently residing in.

Anyways, growing a tiny human can be is exhausting. Couple that with not feeling so great for weeks on end, and feeling bloated and your skin breaking out (not sure if that's Bebe, or the terrible acne I've had since middle school rearing its ugly head...), and you have a recipe for this girl not feeling motivated or inspired to blog.

Womp womp.

Oh, and add lots of social, family, work, house, and life commitments and engagements, throw in a dash of Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's, people visiting, and lots & lots of cold weather and snow, and this blonde/redhead/"what color is THAT?" has been crawling into bed earlier and earlier every day, with nary a concern for her wardrobe.

However, it's a new year (heyyyyy, 2016!), and I picked an easy resolution: have a baby. I mean, I'm almost halfway there, so, this one should be pretty simple to stick to. And along that vein, maybe I can inspire another newly-pregnant young mom-to-be to drop the leggings, and put together something that makes her feel great. Because, really, if we don't feel great when we're growing the next generation of humans (maybe your child will be the Next Great Fashion Blogger), when should we? This will sound sappy, but growing a tiny human is pretty neat, especially when you think of all of the amazing things your body (and theirs) are doing, to shield and grow this little Bebe (just don't think of all of the other uncomfortable and less glamorous things).

I'm off my soapbox now, and am done with my apology. Don't you worry - this isn't going to turn into a strictly "mommy" blog, or pregnancy/nursing/newborn blog - I'm still me, and I'll still be me after Bebe arrives (albeit most likely very sleep deprived, and perhaps a bit dazed & confused). However, you'll see more "bump style," and maybe some other tidbits about babies. But, my excellent sense of humor is still the same ;)

In preparing for our new arrival, we've done some projects around our house that I'm excited to share with you. *disclaimer: these are all DIY, budget-friendly, mostly use-what-we-have types of projects, and neither of us have a background in design - you've been warned...

Here's a picture of my dog - isn't he sweet? He's been battling aspiration pneumonia for the past few days, but appears to be on the mend, as evidenced by a lower temperature, and the ability to scarf down wet dog food (so gross) this morning.

casual fancy

What is the best way to remain comfortable in a pencil skirt? Wear a cotton t-shirt. And flats. ESSENTIAL. Don’t forget to wear a statement necklace to elevate your t-shirt to the level of your pencil skirt.

I find that lately, instead of wearing a really nice piece (or nice pieces), I find myself trying to dress up more casual pieces. For example: a t-shirt and a pencil skirt, instead of a button-up or blouse with the skirt. I do that when it comes to church, seeing my mama, work, or any occasion, really. What is it?? Why do I insist on dressing up casual pieces instead of just wearing nice and dressy pieces? Anybody know? Bueller?

striped shirt: GAP

black pencil skirt: Target

statement necklace: WalMart

leopard flats: c/o Aéropostale

if you were a lumberjack

When you wish to appear as a cute human traipsing through the woods during the fall, you should wear something like this: plaid, vest, olive green & boots.

Oh wait, if you’re ACTUALLY going traipsing through the woods, you are most likely: 1) hiking, 2) a lumberjack, or 3) a forest ranger. In any of those 3 cases, you would not wear something like this (cute, yes. practical, not quite).

However, if you want to look cute in a mountain town in the fall, you SHOULD definitely wear something like this. Which is exactly what I did. Be sure to pose in front of the scenery (trees, mountains, nature), or a really neat looking garage door, wear a fancy statement necklace, and be sure you’re having a great hair day like yours truly.

plaid shirt: American Eagle

white vest: Levi's (thrifted)

olive pants: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

statement necklace: WalMart

hello, it's me

Oof, October was truly not my month for blogging. Chalk it up to still sharing a car (that’s now resolved – hallelujah!), something different after work most nights of the week for most of the weeks, being out of town for at least part of the weekend almost every weekend, a very slow laptop and a very ill desktop computer, and, most likely the real culprit, a lack of motivation.

I’m trying here, but I’m feeling quite uninspired lately: by my wardrobe, and to write. I’m not sure why – I’m purposely cutting back in some areas of my life, and perhaps that has translated its way to the screen/keyboard? Whatever the reason, even though my outfits have not been that great for the past month (months, let’s be real), I do have a few to share here. Perhaps I just need to ease off, throw away any “schedule” and let this be a place to come hang out when I’m inspired, instead of forcing it. That sounds quite deep, yes? We’ll see how that pans out for this schedule junkie...

And now, a monochromatic look to share with you, made interesting with the use of different textures, and a belt. Obviously, this picture is not TOO recent (late September, methinks) - it’s too cold for open toesies now. In an effort to not look like a black blob of clothing, I wrapped my sweater around me and belted it, almost creating a karate-style-type jacket, but not quite (the wrapping of the sweater was essential, because I tried it hanging open and belted, and be glad I’m sparing you those terrible scars on your eyeballs).

Bear with me, as it’s now dark at noon (exaggerating), and my pictures will be relegated to a quick weekend outfit shoot (not my favorite), if they happen at all. Still friends?

black sweater: Ann Taylor

black belt: thrifted

black pants: c/o Aéropostale

black sandals: Kohl's

bully leopard

You guys. This might be one of my favorite outfits ever (EVER). Why have I never paired a favorite tee with a leopard print pencil skirt before??

This outfit struck the right balance of dressy and casual, fun and serious (like that line from Talladega Nights "I like to think of Jesus in a tuxedo t-shirt. It says I'm serious, but I like to party."), comfortable and not-so-comfortable. I'm already devising other graphic tees and pencil skirts to pair up together. Sadly, I think my sandals are goners until next summer. *sigh*

bulldog tee: J CREW Factory

leopard print pencil skirt: thrifted (Target)

beaded sandals: Kohl's

stripes on stripes

Hi. Long time no blog, huh? Sorry, friends. But I've got good news - you can wear different sizes of black and white stripes for some "stripe mixing" (instead of the usual print mixing), like I did here. Call it geometric, or artsy, or something you'd do to make it appear as if you're wearing a dress instead of two pieces. I just call it "my friends were coming over for a wine night and I didn't know what to wear, so I went for stripes all over."

Do you ever double up on stripes? It's a fun and bit different take on print mixing. I'm a fan.

peplum top: Ann Taylor LOFT

pencil skirt: Target

black wedges: Target

Oktoberfest and High Latitude Style

Hi friends! Good morning!

I'm co-hosting a linkup with Nicole of High Latitude Style. And I thought this layered fall look that I wore to Oktoberfest in the mountains would be perfect to share today.

I layered a dark chambray (knotted, of course - my jam lately), over a teal midi length dress. I added a teal & blue plaid infinity scarf and comfortable flats for traipsing all over Breckenridge. Wearing so many layers gave me the ability to shed my layers to keep cool in the sun while we enjoyed Bavarian pretzels and streusel, but it was nice to have the option to add back my chambray and scarf when the temperatures cooled down and the steins were empty.

The print of the lace on my dress, the plaid in the scarf and the print on my shoes allowed for subtle, yet cohesive print mixing. A must for looking put together while waiting in lines at a festival. And did I mention this dress is stretchy? That's really the whole reason I wore it - schnitzel, bratwursts, pretzels, streusel, and German beer - to camouflage a day of indulging.

Switching gears, this is Nicole, and I love reading her blog (based in Alaska) for cold weather outfit ideas - another blogger to glean inspiration from when the snow flies! This red on red look she's got going on is just perfect for fall. Without further ado, here's a bit more about Nicole and the link up:

Nicole Mölders is married, has one cat, no kids, and is a fashion, and science enthusiast from Fairbanks, Alaska. She is the blogger of High Latitude Style – an Alaska fashion blog with science bits for the stylish 40+ woman. She shares how to dress stylishly on trend over 40 without looking like a fashion victim.  

Now let's get the party going. Everyone of any age and gender is welcome to share their fashion and style posts.

1. Please follow your Host via wordpress, twitter, facebook, google+, bloglovin and your co-host via her blog, bloglovin, twitter, instagram
2. Linkup any of your fashion/style posts by simply adding your link below
3. Please stop by your linkup-fellows' blogs, introduce yourself to them, and make new friends
4. Please spread the word and invite your friends to this party Invite your friends on twitter