working formula

This layered navy look was perfect for a recent snowy day in Colorado. The only caveat - I wore my big SOREL snow boots to work, and slipped on these less cumbersome booties when I got to my desk (I'm definitely not going to wear these booties on ice).

You might think this looks eerily similar to another look I shared recently (check it out here), and you'd be right. When you've got a formula that works, you don't waiver too much. Especially when your closet is shrinking by the day as your belly grows.

Have a great Sunday - we're spending it around the house getting some things done, but also enjoying some much needed down time. Anyone else feel like they're going going going all the time lately? We sure do. Oof. Do adults get Spring Break?

red & navy striped shirt: thrifted

navy blue dress: thrifted

navy fleece-lined tights: GG Boutique

gold belt: thrifted

ankle booties: Old Navy

floral scarf: Target

how do you poncho?

Ponchos. They either bring up memories of a rainy trip to Disneyworld (bright yellow with Mickey on the back), or fiestas in middle and high school Spanish.

This was my first venture into adult-like, real life poncho wearing. And I dig it. A sweet lady in my office gifted this to me, and I really like the black & blush combination - feminine, yet chic. This poncho is really a large scarf, with buttons in the front to make it into a poncho. I've worn it as a big heavy scarf, a poncho, and a small blanket (for when my office is freezing). It's quite versatile, really. And I'm sure it will be used a nursing cover and or impromptu baby blanket next fall and winter.

Tell me - do you poncho?

poncho: gift (I think Zulily?)

flared jeans: Kohl's, circa 2008

black shoes: Steve Madden, circa 2002 (not kidding)

pearl necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet

old faithful

I've worn this dress at a variety of sizes - even at my thinnest, I toyed (for 1 silly second) with the idea of getting rid of it, but decided to keep it. And I'm glad I did. This dress always looks good, and if it's a teeny bit too big, I just belt it and call it a day.

Currently, it's part of my small collection of dresses that fit my growing bump (I've officially "popped" in the last week and a half). The waistband is just high enough to comfortably (for now, anyways) fit over my belly. I've been layering shirts and tights under for this winter weather (I had a snow day today! most likely my first and last grown up snow day), because there are little ties/bows on the shoulders that don't slide easily under sweaters. This dress has pockets, is a flattering length, and wouldn't you know, I found it at the thrift store, in the wrong section, inside out. I took an inexpensive chance and it's one of my favorite thrift store finds EVER. I'm not sure I'll ever part with it.

Today's lesson in maternity dressing: try layers under your dress - up top and on bottom.

Breton striped top: Target (not maternity)

dress: thrifted (not maternity)

fleece lined tights: GG Boutique (not maternity)

ankle booties: Old Navy

scarf: Pendleton

what not to wear when shopping

So many layers. It's so weird to think of snow and cold when we've had beautiful weather the past few days. But, it won't last. Spring in the Rockies is a fickle little beast - 70 degrees one day, gross snow the next. And everything else in between the few days after. 

I wore this heavily-layered ensemble to do some shopping with my Mama, and it took me so long to try anything on - layers on, layers off, static-y hair, boots, snow, slush. You know how it is - shopping in the winter. It's quite the ordeal. Where do I put my coat? Is it worth trying on? It's going to take 20 minutes to de-robe before I can even try on this top...

Good news is, my Mama and I did make a few small purchases.

So we didn't totally let the retail gods down ;)

tank dress: American Apparel

buffalo plaid button up: Kohl's

fleece-lined tights: Target

sleeveless sweater: Eddie Bauer

boots: c/o Aéropostale

can't win 'em all

This outfit looked so much better in person. Like, 100 times better in person. Trust me. It (and I) photographed terribly. Is it all the black? All the dark colors? The stripes? The fleece-lined tights? The cold? Maybe it makes my face puffy?

I just don't know. But I do know this is clearly not a great outfit. I look a bit shapeless and that's not doing me any favors. But, in the interest of real style and transparency, here's what I wore! And as great as some looks were earlier this week (here and here, oh, and here), this one just isn't competing. 

But, I'm a real person, with real style, and a real life, and a real job, and real wrinkley dogs, and sometimes, my real outfits aren't so great. *sigh*

linking up with:

Style Elixir

dress: Target

cardigan: Ann Taylor

fleece-lined tights: Target

boots: c/o Aéropostale

taupe & gray

All of the taupes and grays.

All of the knits.

And all of the scarves.

This day was frigid cold, which called for a warm sweater and not one, but TWO scarves. I had a surprise coffee date with my best friend, and she kept gushing over my taupe and gray ensemble. And to be honest, it's something I didn't put much thought into, but I knew I liked both colors, and thought "They look decent in home decor, so why not on a person?"

And, ya know what? I like how it turned out.

However, I'm hoping I don't have to wear this heavy of a sweater (or two scarves) until next winter. Fingers crossed!

oh oh, and linking up all over the place:

Jersey Girl, Texan Heart

Cappuccino and Fashion

A Touch of Tartan

Stylin in St. Louis, Living in Color Style, and Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins

I do deClaire and Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

sweater: thrifted (GAP)

gray skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

striped scarf: thrifted

oatmeal scarf: handmade

ankle booties: Old Navy

the opposite of snowy

See that snow on the ground? And the accompanying velvet pants, boots, turtleneck, and blanket scarf?

I'm NOT wearing anything like that today.

Instead, I'm wearing a lot less warm clothing, and soaking up as much sunshine as possible with friends while patio drinking and frolicking. We're also resurrecting old phrases and -isms from our youth, in celebration of my birthday nameday yesterday:

"Long hair, don't care."

"Let your freak flag fly."

"Leggooooo."

"YOLO"

turtleneck: GAP

blanket scarf: WalMart

velvet pants: J. Crew Factory

boots: c/o Aéropostale

you guys, it's still winter

If you read any other style blogs, you might have noticed (as I have) that everyone is saying that spring is here.

Let's be real here, my friends. I'm not going to pronounce that spring is here, nor will I dress like it, nor will I bore you with pictures of the peonies that grow in my backyard, because it's not quite spring (that is snow in the above pictures. yes, real snow).

Yet.

It's coming.

BUT

There are at least 2 more weeks until spring officially starts. And, if you've ever wished for spring and warmer weather like yours truly, you'll know that sometimes the harder you wish for it and will it to finally be spring, the more snow you get (see above pictures), and, if you live along the Front Range, you'll remember that we had snow last Mother's Day.

In May.

That was...cool?

So, to end this little rant, you will eventually see some spring outfits here. And you might even see some outfits that could be interpreted as warmer weather ensembles. But, I assure you, spring is NOT here in the Rockies juuuuuuust yet. And as such, I will (un)happily still be wearing my snow boots and sweaters and scarves and coats and hats and gloves and shoveling snow.

Probably until May...or June...or whatever...

shirt: Hollister

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: WalMart

boots: c/o Aéropostale

B to C

More ideas for ways to go from place to place, or you might say since we already covered A to B, this is B to C.

Exhibit B: frolicking in the mountains, and then driving back through the mountains and a few mountain passes to a lower elevation to run errands and get settled at home after a weekend of play. Exhibit B is comprised of: a bulldog sweater, leggings, a scarf, a down vest, and snow boots.

And lots and lots of snow.

Exhibit C: perfect for running errands and enjoying the winter sunshine in Colorado (the temperature this day reached 70! in the middle of winter! I rolled down my car windows and turned up the tunes. Y'all, it was great). Exhibit C was comprised of: the same (wonderfully awesome) bulldog sweater, skinny jeans cuffed a few times, fancy pointy-toed flats, a faux leather jacket, a pearl explosion necklace, and shades. Shades for the above mentioned sunshine.

This was an easy transitional look - I kept the sweater the same and changed my bottoms and outer layers. And accessories, too. And the entire vibe of my ensemble.

But, you gotta do what you gotta do when you swing from one weather extreme to another, and you need to look good and feel good while you're doing it.

sweater: Target

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

vest: Old Navy

leggings: c/o Aéropostale

boots: SOREL via JAX

sweater: Target

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

jacket: c/o Aéropostale

flats: Target