very delayed

You thought my post a few weeks ago was a flash-in-the-pan for me and that I'd disappear again, huh? Not the case! I'll spare you the details, but I've made the switch from my beloved MacBook (*tear*) back to a PC, and switching everything over has taken some...finesse (and help from a computer engineer friend), aaaaand, every evening at about 7 pm, our internet goes bad (we're told it's a volume thing and the equipment/infrastructure needs updating. I know, #firstworldproblem, but, when you pay for uber-fast internet, you'd like to be able to use it when you're at your home...) BUT! technological issues aside, we're back in business!

If you're at all observant, you'll notice that these pictures don't appear to have been taken recently, since it's still winter and the bottom of our driveway is still a sheet of solid ice and I'm not wearing 18 layers and tights. And, you would be right. These pictures (and this pink & navy outfit) happened this fall...in September...ages ago! The Mr. and I headed to the mountains for a quick weekend to celebrate our dating anniversary (5 internet gold stars if you can guess what milestone we were celebrating) and he suggested I bring some backlogged outfits to take photos of, because, you know, FALL IN COLORADO. ALL OF THE LEAVES AND ALL OF THE BOO-TIFUL COLORS. 

And, he was right. So smart, that one. Lots of beautiful colors, still some green grass, and you know, some blonde girl wearing a lacy dress & heeled booties out in nature. And also, this is before I knew I was pregnant, as are the next few looks I'll share with you. However, this dress is something I did wear a few times in my first trimester before it got too snug (and subsequently, short); it's currently boxed up until we can be reunited.

So, again, apologies for the delay and my absence, but I'm back! And I've got some maternity-esque looks to share with you (I'm not in FULL maternity gear yet, just lots of stretchy pants) - stay tuned!

navy lace overlay dress: Banana Republic outfit

pink ombre scarf: gift

taupe ankle booties: Old Navy

gold clutch: thrifted

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