1 Black Maxi. 2 Ways.

 

 

 

  

 

Here are two different ways to style a basic black maxi dress. Yes, they both include denim, but trust me, they’re different! 

One incorporates a denim jacket AND a scarf (a wild, leopard print scarf), and the other a chambray shirt. The chambray can be worn similarly to a jacket (open, unbuttoned), OR buttoned up like a shirt, letting the maxi shine as more of a skirt than a dress. Whatever you prefer! Great for when you need options...or when the weather’s being weird and you may or may not need layers...

maxi dress: Old Navy

on the left:

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

scarf: WalMart

Cleopatra sandals: Shoe Carnival

on the right:

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl’s

Cleopatra sandals: WalMart

Mr. Picks Mondays: Peppy in Peplum

The Mr. selected this striped blue peplum dress for me to wear (apparently he prefers that I wear blue striped dresses). This dress came with a skinny yellow belt, but in an effort to be more creative and not wear it EXACTLY as prescribed, I went with a brown belt and sandals, and mint jewelry. 

Peplum is great for many things - it’s sweet, a wee bit flirty, and expertly hides the evidence of a few too many breakfast burritos that one may or may not consume...

dress: Target

belt: thrifted

Cleopatra sandals: consignment shop (Candie’s via Kohl’s)

1 Pink Blouse. 2 Ways.

  

  

 

  

 

Here are two ways I’ve recently worn this floral sleeveless button-up. I really like how the olive pants worked with this top and denim jacket - never would have thought to pair them together before I started taking pictures of my outfit and posting them on the internet...

Next time you can’t think of what bottoms to pair with a floral top, why not give your olive green skinnies/shorts/capris/skirt a go? I like the white skinnies, as well, but the green bottoms are a little less expected ;)

I picked up this top back in March while shopping with my cousins. Funny enough, I have a phone case with the same print on it (got that back on Black Friday). Didn’t think to swap out my phone case when I wore this top, and received some teasing about how I matched my phone to my shirt. 

Not true, buttttt, it DID look like I’d done it on purpose...

sleeveless button up: J. CREW Factory

on the left:

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

olive pants: Aéropostale

sandals: (one of my friends has started calling them "Cleopatra sandals") Target

on the right:

white pants: Old Navy

Cleopatra sandals: Target

New Favorite Skirt

This skirt is a new addition to my closet, directly from Aéropostale. When I found it in the store, I easily fell in love. And there was only one of my size left.

#meanttobe 

The only thing I'd change about it would be that I could have also snagged it in cream (it was sold out online and in store - boo). Oh, and maybe a few more inches to the bottom, so I could wear my new favorite skirt to work :)

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

scalloped crochet skirt: Aéropostale

sandals: Target

A Smidge Different

I got this new button-up from Aéropostale. It's so lightweight, and it's a button-up (we all know I LOVE a good button-up), but it's just a smidge different from the other ones residing in my closet - the collar is less pronounced. I think this gives the whole shirt a bit of a boho vibe. And while I intend to wear it all summer, I'm sure you'll see me carry it into fall/winter, as well!

shirt: Aéropostale

jeans: GAP Outlet

flats: thrifted

Paper Bags

A few things today:

1) This outfit was a great idea in my head.

2) I hope it looked better in person than it does in these here pictures. I was told it did.

3) What's not to love? Neon, stripes, a paperbag waist - these are the things perfect outfits are made of.

4) Whatever the reason this doesn't look great (too boxy? too heavy of a top?), I'm trying to come up with more ways to style this skirt. Any ideas to share?

5) Not sure how this skirt would look worn on my hips, as opposed to my waist - exponentially larger, or well executed with the right top?

6) Deep thoughts today...

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: J. CREW Factory

sandals: Sears (RIP, gold sandals)

bracelet & necklace: Target

Mr. Picks Mondays: So Chill

I scooped up this little dress when there was still snow on the ground. I liked it, didn't love it, but for only a few bucks, I figured I could wear it once or twice and call it good. I wasn't expecting to love it so. dang. much.

The Mr. picked it out, and I was a bit hesitant at first - not sure why, maybe it's the change in pattern right around my hips/thighs? But the length and wide shoulders make it perfect for work, it's got low-maintenance-wearability [<-- is that a thing?] (no ironing!), light and flowy, kept me cool, and, I hate to brag, but I think the color made my eyes POP! And not to mention, I received plenty of compliments on it during the course of the day. It transitioned easily from work to celebratory drinks and dinner with a friend who got a big kid job, and did I mention I was incredibly comfortable all day? 

Last summer I wore lots of pants and capris, and I was so uncomfortable most of the time.

it. was. so. hot. 

So far this spring/summer, I'm more interested in comfort, and as such, I've been wearing more skirts and dresses. And I've been significantly cooler (so far!) :)

dress: WalMart

denim jacket: from a friend (Old Navy Outlet)

sandals: Born via DSW