Black & White - Casual vs. Fancier

 

 

 

 

I didn't realize until I was looking at outfit pictures and putting posts together how much black I've been wearing lately. It's not the "color of my soul," or anything, it's easy to grab when I'm foggy in the mornings, and it goes with just about everything. So, since I've worn it pretty often lately. and some white to go with it, here are two different black and white looks for your viewing pleasure...and maybe some black & white outfit inspiration, to boot ;)

On the left: more casual - stripes, flannel & warm boots

On the right: fancier - peplum, blazer & bright flats

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

on the left:

striped top: Old Navy similar below

flannel: Old Navy similar & exact below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

boots: UGG similar & exact below

on the right:

 striped peplum: Ann Taylor Factory sort of similar below

blazer: thrifted (Target) similar below

jeans: Aéropostale exact

neonflats: Kohl's similar below

Mr. Picks Mondays: Fancy Pants

This week, the Mr. chose the polka dot pants AND the white button up - normally he chooses one (typically tricky) item and it's up to me to style around it, or in the words of Tim Gunn, "Make it work!" But this time around, he chose the main parts of the ensemble and I statement necklace-d and glitzy shoe-d myself.

How'd I do?

Better yet, how'd HE do?

Hope your week is off to great start headed towards a great hump day!

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

shirt: Gucci (from a friend, can you believe it?!) [similar below]

pants: Ann Taylor LOFT [similar below]

shoes: KMart [similar below]

statement necklace: local consignment store [sort of similar below]

when traveling home from Minnesota

Here is what I wore home from Minnesota. Layers, layers, layers.

I had never before thought to pair my black skinnies with my long dark chambray, but paired them together by chance this fall while I was cleaning out my closet (yet again), and was really excited about this simple look. I put the gray tee underneath simply for comfort and to wear more layers. In the future I'll probably wear the chambray buttoned up, and maybe topped off with a colorful scarf.

brrrrr! are you cold yet?

These boots are getting a lot of wear this winter. As I'm writing this, it's snowing outside. And we've got skiing on our agenda this weekend. Snow, snow, snow! The worst part of having really great & fashionable furry snow boots? Having to actually shovel the snow. Blegh.

linking up:

Run Style Run for What She Wears

ColorBlind for Thrifters Anonymous

t-shirt: from a clothes swap with friends similar below

chambray: thrifted similar below

pants: Aéropostale

scarf: thrifted similar below

vest: thrifted (Aéropostale) similar below

boots: SOREL exact below

SHOP SOMETHING SIMILAR BELOW

[juxta]posing in October

I forget to mention in yesterday's post, but I'm more than halfway done with my 30 for 30 challenge! I'm excited to be almost done, although this has been a great exercise in wearing basics, and utilizing the basics & neutral colors I already have in my closet.

Veering away from what I said above, here's this bright/white/dark shirt/is it fall?/is it summer? outfit. I wore this on a very warm day at the end of October, proving that you CAN wear white after Labor Day. Just be sure to do it appropriately - intentionally, and with layers. 

This is the first time I've worn a scarf belted - ever tried it before? What did you think?

chambray: thrifted

scarf: gift

belt: thrifted

pants: Old Navy

sandals: Target

Green Pants and Furry Treats

turtles for good luck!

A few weeks ago, my best friend had a HUGE bag of clothes she was ready to part with, and she gave them to me. I pawed through them and pulled out my faves. Among them, these green pants. 

Can I say I'm in love? 

The color, the fit, even the length - we are a true match made in heaven. Why hadn't she given them to me sooner?! I guess she was wearing them? I digress.

Anyway, I was thrilled, and I have a few other goodies I snagged that I'm going to share with you soon - I have to think up new and creative ways to wear them, first! She gets a kick out of the different ways I wear her old stuff (this is definitely not the first time she's shared her closet with me).

I realize today is Halloween, and I'm not wearing a costume. So un-festive, I know. It's not that I dislike Halloween - the opposite, actually! I especially love seeing the creative & thoughtful costumes that people put together - I get the biggest kick out of people watching, and I consider Halloween to be the championship. However, we don't get trick-or-treaters where we currently live, so, it's a little tough to get into the "holiday spirit" when you know that cute little kids in costume won't be coming by for some candy! But, I'm not a total party-pooper - my work is having a little Halloween potluck, and I'm bringing...

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DEAD MICE!

EUUUUW! 

GROSS! 

Except for not! 

Except for the part where they're delicious!

They're jalapeno peppers hollowed out and filled with cream cheese, then wrapped in bacon and baked (I know some people call them "jalapeno poppers", but "dead mice" is SO much more appropriate for All Hallow's Eve). I leave the stems on, so when they're all done, they really do look like little dead mice. They're pretty time consuming (I made them for FOUR hours straight last year), but SO. YUMMY. And they're always a hit, so the appreciation (and praise! and thanks!) is well worth the effort. If you're interested in the recipe, let me know and I'll be sure to post it and share. 

it begins with hollowing out the peppers, which takes FOREVER.
wear gloves. DO NOT touch your face. eyes. anything.

see the little "tails"?

there they go...

Hope you have a great Halloween today! Any great costume ideas?

shirt: Express via Marshall's

pants: my friend

scarf: Aeropostale

flats: KMart

linked up over here

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!

White After Labor Day

I wore this outfit last weekend to check out some open houses. We'd like to buy a home, and soon, but we've got to discover what we like first. We checked out 2 open houses, weren't impressed, and then drove around town, checking out neighborhoods and areas we thought we might like. We ended the night with dinner, then headed home to love on the pups, and work on the computer, or blog, in my case. Pretty exciting Saturday, huh?

And speaking of Saturday activities, we're going sky diving today! Indoor sky diving, actually (don't worry, Mom!). We received a gift certificate from my in-laws for our wedding anniversary in June, and are finally going to use it today to celebrate my husband's birthday, and our dating anniversary (8 years!). Nothing like combining several occasions into one, right? I'll be sure to report back and post pictures of our indoor sky diving adventure. We've both never been, and can't wait to experience the thrill, with a fraction of the risk of actually jumping out of a plane.

I wore this outfit to prove that you CAN wear white after Labor Day. I originally had planned to wear these pants with a chunky sweater and booties, but the day proved too warm for that. So, I leaned a bit more on the summer-y side and wore sandals and short sleeves, which was fine, since this was the last day of summer ;)

What do you think about wearing white after Labor Day? I'm hoping to pair these pants with boots and a big sweater this winter to stretch their wear-ability.

shirt: WalMart

pants: Old Navy

sandals: Maurice's

ring: Trends

Mr. Picks Mondays - Neutral. like Switzerland.

The Mr. picked out the lace top, and I decided to take neutrals for a spin. I'll be honest - I kinda like it. It's not something I would have worn before I had this here little blog. Look at me, steppin' outta my getting-dressed-box! (it's pretty small, and is filled with matching items & a wee bit of adventure)

I realize the pants look REALLY long & REALLY flared, but, boho is back, right?

Either way, enjoy the rest of your week! I've got more headed your way :)

lace shirt: gift

pants: Hollister Outlet (2008)

Sandals: Mi Amore (Sears, 2009)

linking up over here, with Coffee Beans & Bobby Pins and FACE IT Catalog

30 for 30: Day 9

  

photobomb

This is what I wore Sunday. It was SO. HOT. 

I waited all day for it to cool down so I could go running, but it never did! So, as soon as we took these pictures, I threw on my running shoes and new running skirt (from Marshall's!) and headed out. I had planned to do 4 miles, but since I didn't even get going til 8:20, I ended at 2. It was still warm out, but I didn't want to be running by myself in the dark. 

I'm trying to get up early and go running before work before it gets too hot, but my bed and I have this really great relationship where we like to spend as much time together as possible. Any tips to becoming an early-riser so I can be a morning runner?

I hit up Old Navy & Marshall's this past weekend - Old Navy  had a great deal on running shorts for the whole family. They had 2 pairs left in my size, so I scooped up 1 pair, and then headed to the men's section and grabbed 2 pairs for my Mr. He's doing the Tough Mudder this weekend and wanted some lighter shorts for the big event. And at Marshall's I picked up a running skirt for $15 and a running bra in mint - pretty exciting things! I think my skirt makes me run faster...maybe not. Either way, I FEEL really fast & cool, so, that counts for something.

As for the Black Forest Fire, I've been following the news here. They just released a list of homes lost to the fire - some of my good friends have lost their family homes. My heart is breaking for them.360 homes lost to this fire, 14 partially affected.