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

game day, revisited

You might remember that about this time last year, I published a few posts about what to wear to a sporting event. In this case, the event is football (but they're easily adapted for almost any sport).

I thought I'd share them again, because, in case you missed the memo, it's football season.

It's also FALL!

LEAVES!

AND EVERYTHING-PUMPKIN-SEASON!

(it's also college game day today, and pro football tomorrow. and Monday. for the rest of the season.)

Here are some of my favorite looks to wear on game day:

game day, part 1 (featuring some warmer weather ideas)

game day, part 2 (featuring some warmish/cooler outfit ideas)

game day, part 3 (featuring some colder weather ideas)

Currently, there are no plans to make our way to watch the Broncos play in person this season, but, should the need arise, I've got some ideas up my sleeve. However, those ideas are the same if a friend invites me over to watch the game on their cable...


linking up:
Rachel the Hat // Style Elixir // The Closet by Christie
Jaymie Ashcraft // The Fashionista Momma // I Do deClaire