Black&White Stripes&Dots

In looking at these pictures, I noticed two things:

1) this sweater is not as long as I always think it is. Instead of hanging past my hips and covering my rear end, it hits AT my hips, and does NOT cover my rear. Not that this is a bad thing, it's just different than how I always picture this cardigan in my head.

2) I look really tired in these pictures. And I know why. It's because...I've been really tired lately. We're talking exhausted. Can't-get-enough-sleep-even-though-I-go-to-bed-early-exhausted. The Mr. says I'm oversleeping, but to that I say "No way, Jose." So, here they are: tired eyes. Correction: tired face.

shirt: Old Navy [[similar below]]

cardigan: Ann Taylot [[similar below]]

scarf: Aéropostale

pants: Aéropostale

boots: SOREL [[exact below]]

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Shoosh Shoosh

Several weeks ago, I got to go skiing TWO weekends in a row. The first weekend, one of my best friends, Lara, came up with me, and her new beau joined us on Sunday - my Mr. stayed home with a sick pup (he's a gem, that one).

The second weekend, my Mr. and I were heading up to the mountains and invited some of our dear friends from high school. And they made it! We had a great weekend catching up, and sharing powder skiing stories (the powder that weekend was UN. REAL.). It's nice to get to see old friends and spend some time together, especially since we don't get to see them as much as we'd like.

obligatory foot ski picture

Lara with her beau, M - he's a pretty great skiier. trying to  keep up was TOUGH!

consider this an outfit picture: ski jacket, snow pants, helmet, goggles, and a bunch of other warm weather accessories/layers :)

#skiingselfie

My parents stayed in the mountains the whole week between the two weekends I was up there. My dad kept sending me pictures of the snow (he skiied everyday) - the mountains got TONS of snow that week, and into the next weekend. I can't decide if the pics he sent were more of a "wish you were here," or a "you're stuck at work, look at what I'm doing" - care to elaborate, Dad?

see? SO. MUCH. SNOW.

it just kept coming down

and coming down. and coming down.

another selfie - from my second weekend skiing

on the way to the lift

on the lift 

my and my handsome skiier
#smooch

Both weekends were great, filled with great skiing, great friends, great family (thanks for the invite, Mom & Dad!), great food, and great drinks (Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, wine, and Butterscotch Hot Chocolate - oh my!). 

To quote my husband and his friends "We went gnar gnar in the pow pow (we did some gnarly skiing in the powder)."

Ever been skiing? Are you a pro? My dad's a part-time (weekend) ski instructor, and my husband's a really good skiier, so they help me out :)

Simple Favorites

layering my necklaces isn't something I've done a lot of in the past, however, I think it's something I'll start doing more of. the little clover is for my sweetie - he's a wee bit Irish ;)

my Mr.'s cousin got me these black bow earrings for Christmas, and I can honestly say I love them! some of my new favorite earrings. they're sweet because they're bows, but they're also the teensiest bit edgy because they're black. and if you know me, you know I have a hard time doing edgy, so these are perfect!

This outfit includes so many simple favorite pieces. It's a new favorite outfit, simply because it's comprised of so many favorite separates:

- chambray: do I even have to explain this one? If you don't have a chambray, I suggest you get one (or 4), and you'll quickly see they're it's so great.

- striped sweatshirt: it's a sweatshirt, it has stripes, and it's fabulously comfortable.

- down vest: it's warm. and it's navy. need I say more?

- olive skinnies: I just love these pants. they're comfy, they're green, and amazingly, they seem to go with just about everything. however, I've lost a little bit of weight since I got them this fall, so by the end of the day, they're a bit baggy on my behind. however, pulling up my britches is a small price to pay for really great looking pants, that are also a closet staple!

I'm glad this outfit came together so easily - sometimes I put together favorite separates and they don't make a great outfit. The outfit seems to scream: "STAAAAAHHHPPPP it! You can like all of us, just stop trying to make us play nice together." To which I slowly peel off all the pieces and start from scratch. Sometimes, you just have to go back to the drawing board :)

chambray: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's [[similar below]]

sweatshirt: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]

pants: Aéropostale

vest: Old Navy [[similar below]]

shoes: Target [[similar below]]

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An Evening Out

if you look closely, there's a little bitty Cali-pup photo bomber...

Several weeks ago, the Mr. and I went "out" on a Friday evening. We met up with friends for drinks and a light dinner, then wandered the streets of downtown and made stops at several old favorite watering holes. 

As we left the house, I said to D: 

"Who AM I? 

Going out on a Friday? 

We haven't done this in ages! 

At LEAST since I was in college!" 

But, it was nice to spice things up and get out, although we were back at home,

enjoying Netflix the following evening :)

linking up with:

Vodka Infused Lemonade for Tres-Chic Fashion Thursday

Everyday Fashion and Finance and Perfectly Coutured for Three-fer Thursday

The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday

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shirt: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]

jacket: thrifted (Plato's Closet - Miley Cyrus + Max Azria) [[similar below]]

pants: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's [[similar below]]

clutch: thrifted [[similar below]]

booties: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]

1 pair of pants. 2 scarves.

 

 

 

The brown paisley scarf (on the right) is the one I actually wore with this outfit. But right before we started taking outfit pictures, I realized my blue plaid scarf would look just as good with this ensemble - it has stripes of bright pink, which match the polka dots on these pants perfectly.

sweater: Old Navy [[exact and similar below]]

pans: Ann Taylor LOFT [[similar below]]

shoes: thrifted [[similar below]]

brown scarf: gift from my sis-in-law [[similar below]]

blue plaid scarf: thrifted (Target) [[similar below]]

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Mr. Picks Mondays: "Dweater"

You might recognize this dress from this past summer - I wore it to a sorority sister's wedding. Several other sisters came up and stayed with us, so my lucky Mr. got to be our DD, 

as well as our "chaperone."

The reason he chose this dress for the latest Mr. Picks Mondays was because I had just finished re-pretty-ify-ing my closet and re-hanging and re-folding (almost) everything. So, this dress was prominently displayed, and he chose it for me to wear. 

Since the back of the dress is open, I chose a warm sweater to make it work appropriate, and then kept the sweater on all day. My fleece-lined tights were a finishing touch - you know I love 'em (so warm & comfy!)

What do you think? Too summery? Or did the abundance of textures (lace, chunky sweater, cable-knit tights, and a polka dot scarf) make it winter appropriate? Personally, I'm a fan of how it turned out.

linking up with:

DC in Style for Monday Bloom

Fizz & Frosting for Mix it Monday

Still Being Molly for Funday Monday

Life's a Party Dress Like It for Stylish Tuesday

Style Elixir for Style Sessions Link Up and Friday's Fab Favorites

Simply Lulu Style for What I'm Loving Fridays

Two Thirty-Five Designs for Casual Friday

dress: Urban Outfitters [[similar below OR check out this similar dress in blue lace I just got from Aéro]]

sweater: Aéropostale [[<--exact in link]]

scarf: Aéropostale

belt: Target [[similar below]]

tights: local boutique [[similar below]]

boots: Rack Room Shoes [[similar below]]

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Mr. Picks Mondays: Pink over Blue

this necklace has such pretty shades of blue & turquoise - found it at Old Navy

The Mr. chose the pink sweater, and I layered with the pink & blue striped button up underneath (the sweater is a bit itchy on bare skin). I wore my new gray pants from Aéropostale, and sadly, the snow boots were a necessity. Again. Blegh.

I'd be really ok if it were summer tomorrow. Or yesterday. Whenever, really.

sweater: Eddie Bauer similar below

shirt: boys' section of Target sort of similar below

gray pants: Aéropostale <-- exact

snow boots: SOREL exact below

necklace: Old Navy similar below

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