Double-y Plaid

if this picture doesn't perfectly encompass autumn, I don't know what does

I thought this was the perfect fall outfit for the perfect fall day. It incorporated some very fall-esque items: plaid, flannel, olive, booties & a down vest. Oh, and the requisite pictures with leaves (above & below). 

The weather this day was perfect, and it made me fall more in like (we're not at love. yet.) with fall. Normally I hang on to summer with every fiber of my being, but this year I've embraced autumn with halfway-open arms. Maybe it's the beautiful colors, or the slight chill in the air. Or that this summer was SO. HOT. Whatever it is, I don't hate it!

don't worry, we were stopped at a red light :)
I really dig the double plaid we had going on

This day was also amazing because this is the day we made an offer on our house, and it was accepted! I can't help but think that both of us in plaid is good luck. Don't be surprised if you see a lot more plaid over the next few weeks!

shirt: Old Navy

vest: (Aéropostale) thrifted

pants: Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

sunglasses: Kohl's

his shirt: Kohl's

linked up over here with my layers

Orange-ish & A Tutorial (of sorts)

I don't own much orange (it's not a good color on me), so this coral-y/orange-y sweater is the closest to orange that I own (I know - these pictures make it look pink-ish, just trust me!). But I wanted to share so I could participate in this link up with Walking in Memphis in Heels, The Fashion Canvas, and Vodka Infused Lemonade for their weekly Trend Spin Link Up. The theme this week is black and orange (for Halloween, obvi). So, please excuse my dark and grainy pictures - the sun goes down so early (curse you, shorter days!)! But please appreciate my enthusiasm for blogging/Halloween/link-ups :) 

A for effort?

.......................................

Let's switch gears. Majorly.

If you have a scarf that you think would be just divine as an infinity scarf, look below for a few simple (REALLY simple) steps to make that happen. 

Place a rubber band around both ends of the scarf, so you have a large loop, and a little "tuft" for the ends.

Place looped scarf around your neck. I put the "tuft" at the nape of my neck.

Now make a figure-eight with your scarf, by crossing one side over the other.

Flip up the bottom of the eight, and place it around your neck. 

You should have 2 loops of scarf around your neck.

Fluff your hair. 

Adjust your scarf. 

Give yourself a pat on the back. Or a thumbs-up.

You have now made an infinite scarf a (temporary) infinity scarf! Ta da! 

I've found that the "tuft" is smaller (and thus, more manageable) when you use a thinner scarf. However, it's not impossible with a thick scarf - I would recommend wearing your hair down so you can cover up the "tuft." Or, become an expert at scarf arranging so you can cover it up with the 2nd loop :)

Ever tried this? I do it all the time! It's just a different way of tying a scarf. Tell me how you stretch your existing closet and wear things in a new way.

sweater: Target

shirt: WalMart

 (temporary infinity) scarf: thrifted

jeans: Trends

Boots: Kmart

Mr. Picks Mondays: Zeta Colors

sorority girl pose - we call it the "chicken wing," or the "skinny arm"

wearing a lot of turtles lately - they're considered good luck in Japan

This sweater was a gift from my Grampa the Christmas before he passed away. However, instead of trying to guess my size & what I would like (although the man had great taste and always did a great job), he took me shopping for my Christmas present. I had just joined Zeta (this was several years ago), and had all things sorority on the brain. The official colors of ZTA are turquoise blue & steel gray, so I picked out a sweater that would allow me to show my Zeta pride, even if I wasn't wearing letters.

Imagine my surprise when my Mr. picked out turquoise & gray for me to wear! I added some warmth with a chambray under the sweater and a scarf, but really, staying pretty true to my ZTA roots :)

Looking at these pictures, I don't think I'd pair this chambray with this sweater again - the chambray is too casual for this cashmere sweater. In some light, the chambray looks almost white, and that could possible match this look a bit better. Anyway, this is what I wore!

that's the Zeta hand symbol: a 5 pointed crown. ya dig? Turb would try it, but he doesn't have thumbs...

chambray: Kohl's

sweater: gift from my Grampa via Kohl's

scarf: thrifted

pants: Target

shoes: Kohl's

linked up over here today

Purple & Gray, Purple & Mint

 

This was one of those outfits that just came to me when I was standing in my closet in the morning before heading to work. It was like a lightbulb went off, and I grabbed purple, purple & gray. Like I mentioned before, I do better when I pick out my clothes the night before - there's less of a hurried scramble in the morning to get dressed & ready, and out the door (my brain seems to work in slow motion before my first cup of coffee has been digested). However, this must have just been one of those lucky days, I guess ;) 

It was lucky in that we went house-hunting with our realtor, and fell in love with the second house we looked at! We did check out other ones just to make sure, but, this house is 

THE HOUSE. 

I'm hesitant to share too much until we actually close, but please keep your fingers, toes, and all other appendages crossed for us! We're very excited to be taking this big kid step and purchasing our own home - we're definitely ready! (and tired of paying someone else our rent)

Hope you've had a great weekend - our Saturday was spent being so lazy and enjoying each other's company. It. Was. Perfect. Now, to be productive today...

shirt: Target

blazer: Aeropostale

scarf: gift

jeans: GAP Outlet

booties: Old Navy

Saving 2nd Base

As many of you know, October is a BIG month for breast cancer education, awareness, research, and fundraising. What you might not know, is that my sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha)'s national philanthropy is breast cancer education & awareness. What you also might not know, is that several NFL teams have paired up with ZTA for a "pink-out game." Depending on the organization, some teams keep it low-key, while other teams go all out and sports pink jerseys & cleats. The Broncos allowed us to hand out ribbons, magnets & programs at every gate of the stadium hours before the game, and for at least an hour after kick-off. There was a large number of active collegiate members, and a good group of us local alumni.

Zeta's philanthropy is one of the main reasons I chose ZTA over any other house during recruitment. Breast cancer is something that has affected several women in my family, and several women in friends' families, so the cause is near and dear to my heart. And pink is my most favorite color, so the match was really meant to be ;)

Luckily, I got paired at a gate with some of my good friends from the house, so it was really quite the fun little reunion. We handed out countless pink ribbons that say "Think Pink! Think Zeta!" which is trademarked by ZTA, so that's pretty cool. Another corporate sponsor of the event was USBank, and they were with us, handing out pink ribbon magnets - mine is proudly displayed on my car (one on my husband's car, too). 

The downfall to the day was that inside our gate to the stadium, we were completely in the shade. So, within 20 minutes we had chattering teeth and numb fingers - not conducive to handing out little safety-pinned ribbons. However, we took shifts warming up in the sunshine, and handed out pins, magnets & programs with smiles on our faces. It was really fun seeing some people get so excited to wear pink for a great cause, and even more fun seeing some dear friends I don't get to see too often.

the whole group before going into the stadium

the alumni group, with some active collegiate members in the background

this girl is one of my oldest friends from Zeta - we lived in the house together and spent many nights sneaking snacks from the kitchen, staying up late studying & writing papers, and early mornings going to an aerobics class :)

back at home, after the game. glad to have some downtime with my pups

the shirts we all wore

I made sure to layer up, because I knew it'd be really really warm, or really really cold (like always in Colorado!). I got stuck at a chillier gate and was still a little chilly, but at least I had some layers & a scarf to help ward off the chill!

I didn't stay for the game - my friends and I went to get a bite to eat at a sportsbar, then I headed out before the end of the game to avoid that awful post-game traffic. All in all, it was a good day, but I was pooped and slept like a baby that night :)

t-shirt: local ZTA alumni group with the Denver Broncos

chambray: thrifted

scarf: gift from my sis-in-law

pants: Old Navy

shoes: Nike via Finish Line

linking up over here today!

Neon & Polka Dots (these are a few of my favorite things!)

Yes, this sweater is just as bright as you think it is. 

And I LOVE it (I love bright colors - couldn't you tell?). 

It's very lightweight, so pretty much perfect this time of year. However, I've got plans to wear it this fall. and winter. and into spring - a sweater, is a sweater, is a sweater. And with crazy fall/winter/spring weather, you can never have enough ways to wear a favorite sweater. 

Completely unrelated, I'm thinking of doing another 30 for 30 in November (June's start here, and recap here). I have two major reasons: 

1) I have a lot of clothes and really need to appreciate (and WEAR) what I currently have, without purchasing more (and more. and more). My. Goodness. 

2) The husband, pups, and I will be moving at the end of November - HOORAY! However, I really don't enjoy moving (I did it enough when I was in school). But, based on reason #1: having a lot of clothes means having to move a lot of clothes out of our current place, and into a new one. So, by completing another 30 for 30 in November (the month of THE MOVE), I can pack up the majority of my clothes before we ever have to move! Genius, right?? Packing AND moving AND getting dressed made easier, all in one fell swoop! Ta da!

Now, you might say "But Annie, just get rid of some clothes you already have, so you have less to move." And I agree, my friends, that is a wonderful idea! And I intend to do just that. And also to be selective about what gets to live in my NEW closet in our NEW place, as I unpack. 

However, 30 for 30 is kinda fun, not to mention challenging. AND it will allow me to pick out the items I'll wear in November before the month starts, so I can purge, get rid of & pack everything remaining well before our move out date (I typically am a haphazard packer, most likely adding to why I dislike moving so much), in turn avoiding a lot of stress, and being able to devote more time to organizing & carefully packing other important things, like my grandmother's china, and antique furniture. 

This is one of my top 10 best ideas ever (top 5 include: dating my husband, marrying him, adopting 1 bulldog, and then the other, and taking a cruise over Christmas). Are you a teensy bit impressed? If you're not, or even if you are, care to join me on my November 30 for 30? It'll be fun, I promise!

sweater: Old Navy

scarf: Aeropostale

jeans: GAP Outlet

flats: KMart  

P.S. Since I just announced I'll be completing 30 for 30 in November, I guess I have to follow through now! ;)

linking up over here today!

Black and White (and Red...All Over?)

double black & white polka dots, for the win!

If you didn't know, I love polka dots. Lovelovelove. Large, small, medium, doesn't matter - I dig 'em. If I see something in a store with polka dots, I'm highly likely to leave with it (how's that for a statistic?). I was picking out my outfit the night before (which I should ALWAYS do, but don't always ACTUALLY do), and had a thought "What about DOUBLE polka dots??" 

Obviously, I thought it was a great idea. And I'm thinking you do, too...right?? 

Hope you had a great day today, friends!

shirt: WalMart

tank: Kohl's 

sweater: Banana Republic (via a clothes swap)

pants: Aeropostale

shoes: Kohl's

inspiration for this outfit: that brain of mine - sometimes I dream up great things in my sleep! 

linking up over here and here, since my beautiful red sweater is 100% merino wool!

Stripes, Plaid & Running for ME

digging this zipper detail on this shirt

showing off my purple mani, with a pink "party nail"

I wore the above to drive an hour to stay the night with my bestie before our race the next morning. I wore my ankle booties under my jeans, and deliberately mixed the stripes on my shirt with the plaid on my scarf. You like? I sure did. I'm debating wear this whole thing together again, but maybe this time to work, so that more people besides my husband and my best friend see it, and can appreciate my print-mixing & fall tones ;)

before the race, from my Instagram 

hot chocolate (hence the name) & treats after the race. marshmallows & pretzels never tasted so. good.

My best friend and I did the Hot Chocolate 15k several weeks ago (15k = 9.3 miles). She is currently training for a marathon (!!!), which is 26.2 miles, and although the race was more mileage than she was up to on her long run that week, she really blew the race out of the water! For the first 4 or 5 miles, we stayed together and consistently jogged for 3 minutes, then power walked for 2 minutes. Eventually, I was dyin'. I couldn't catch my breath, my feet were hurting & starting to develop blisters, and my legs. My legs got so tight & sore, even though we had stretched out before the race (it's awesome when your bestie is taking classes to become a certified yoga instructor - she tells you HOW to stretch, how to increase the stretch, and tells you what you SHOULD be feeling). So, I sent her on ahead - she was doing so great, and I could tell she was loving this run (the HUGE smile on her face was a giveaway). She really was doing so great, and I was holding her back. So, she finished significantly before me, since I walked (almost) the rest of the race and listened to my booktape :) The pain & frustration I felt with this race are due to my lack of training - it's no one's fault but my own. 

I mentioned that my Dad and I were planning to do another half-marathon together, but that race was postponed due to the major flooding we experienced in Colorado in September. Once it was postponed, I completely stopped training and thinking about training (I assumed the race would be postponed until the spring, due to the major destruction of the course). Imagine my surprise when the race was rescheduled for a weekend that my Dad & I already had plans, and I had stopped training. I sold my entry for a fraction of what I paid for it, which was a bummer. 

But, after the Hot Chocolate race, and after talking with another friend, I had this "epiphany" about running: I like LOVE it when I'm not training for anything, when I'm doing it just for me, when I'm not trying to get in mileage, when there's no pressure, when I run to clear my head, and get a quick (and cheap!) shot of endorphins. 

Maybe signing up for a race causes me to put undue pressure on myself, and coincidentally tear up my feet with bad blisters. Maybe I should just keep running for fun, for me, for whenever I WANT to do it. Because, if I do go run, and I don't want to, it's hard to snap out of that funk - I spend the entire run wishing it were done already, or that I hadn't even started. So, I'm going to run for me, and for me only. It's not worth it to pay for a race, stress out about it, and not enjoy training for it - it's so much more enjoyable (for me), to run WHEN and IF I want to,  and not because I should.

That being said, I am so proud of one of my oldest friends for doing so well in this race (kicking my butt, really!) and training for a marathon - you are going to be SO great! So proud of you, sweets! Namaste ;)

striped shirt: Ann Taylor LOFT via Clothes Mentor

tank: Abercrombie & Fitch

scarf: thrifted (Target)

jeans: thrifted (True Religion)

booties: Old Navy

running gear: a combination of my stuff, hand-me-downs from my mom, 

and layers borrowed from my friend