#29 - Almost Done

Well, the 30x30 is coming to an end.  I had to get this shirt in one more time, since it inspired the whole challenge in the first place.   

In even more exciting news, as you read this, I'm probably driving across the Midwest on my way to visit my family for the long weekend.  Yeah, I was just there in July, but I'm defenseless against the requests of my nieces, and they thought I should come to celebrate their birthday.  I kept checking flights (which were in the $600 range - what happened to cheap flights?), and had pretty much given up, when I thought "hey, I can just drive it!" So I've got a few audiobooks to make the trip more interesting, and I'm sure I will be completely exhausted when I get back from having way too much fun.  

I hope you all have a lovely long weekend! 


Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Top: Gap (option)
Skirt: Loft (similar maxi, similar mini, similar knee length)
Shoes: BCBGeneration (similar)

#11 - Navy Week - Floral Skirt

So many things going on today!  First off, it's NAVY WEEK, so be sure to link up (after the jump) with your looks featuring one of my favorite neutrals.  But more thoughts about navy later this week.  (I know, the suspense must be killing you!). 

Second, if you have been paying attention to the 30X30, you are probably like "flag on the play!" because 75% of this outfit is not in my official 30 items post.  Well, here's what happened.  It's Danielle's fault.  Her floral skirt inspiration post reminded me that I wanted a multi-colored floral skirt.  And then she went and linked to this one at Macy's, which is pretty much exactly what I had in mind.  And it was on sale, and they were having an additional 30% off.  So I ordered it with the full intent that it would be my 30th item.  

Then, I just haven't worn either my white jeans or my anchor print tee.  I think they are too similar to other items.  I mean, the white jeans pretty much make the same outfit as the white shorts and the white skirt.  Which makes it easy, but not really interesting.  And the anchor print tee is white with navy/blue on it.  Just like my floral oxford and striped tee.  Again, great idea for easy remixing, but kind of boring.  So I was planning on dumping those items.  Which meant I had 2 open spots.  I thought about not filling them.  28X30 would have been fine.  

When this skirt arrived, I wanted to wear it the next day.  And most of my 30 items were in the laundry.  This space-dyed tank was hanging right at the front of my closet and it caught my eye.  I was going to wear my navy flats, but I felt like the length of this skirt needed heels, so I grabbed my trusty nude pumps (which have been so neglected recently).  I think they will play nicely enough with the rest of the items.  

Cardigan: Gap (option, option)

Tank: Gap (exact)

Skirt: Macy's (exact)

Shoes: BCBGeneration (similar)

Leopard plus Sequins and a Link-up!

It's Leopard Link-Up Day, y'all!  I'm so excited that I'm typing in a southern accent!  Link up info is at the bottom of the post.

I saved my leopard print sequined tank top for the grand finale, because OBVIOUSLY!  The white jeans are a recent purchase from The Limited.  They've been on my wishlist for at least a year, but I'm happy that I waited, because these are perfect, and they were on end of summer clearance.  Limited is my new default jeans store.  I've been searching Pinterest for "white jeans in winter", so I can make sure to wear them as much as possible.

Week Two of Take One, Pass It On is complete!  I'm kind of excited that all 5 of my outfits have different locations.  

Cardigan: Old Navy
Top: Chaus
Jeans: Limited

Leopard Scarf Again

Yes, I'm wearing my leopard scarf again with a striped dress, but I just really love the way leopard and stripes look together.  Plus I think it's fun to show the versatility of this scarf, and how little things can change the feel of an outfit.  Switching out my cardigan for a denim jacket and changing my boots for pumps makes a big difference.

After feeling pretty terrible all weekend and most of Monday, I think I'm finally back to almost normal.  I can breathe through my nose again and don't have a constant headache, so I'm counting that as a win! 

Just 48 hours until the Leopard Link-Up party happens!  Are you getting your posts ready to join in?  Make sure you keep up with Brynn to see what she is wearing this week.

Take One, Pass It On - Week 2 Day 3

Jacket: Izod
Dress: Old Navy
Belt: Gap
Scarf: H&M
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Circular Inspiration

By the lack of leaves on the ground, you may guess that this is from a few weeks ago.  You'd be right.  This was an outfit I had in mind to use for Stripes Week, but then I had too many striped outfits.  And now it's a couple weeks later.

This outfit was inspired by this pin, because I really liked the green jeans with the navy stripes.  Then I felt like I had worn it before, and searched through my archives.  It's really similar to this outfit that I wore back in March.  Inspiration is a strange thing.  I think I came up with the first outfit on my own.  Then did I like the Pinterest outfit because I remembered liking that combination when I wore it myself?  I don't know.  And when I clicked through to the original source, I'm pretty sure she's not wearing navy at all, but black.  So, my interpretation wasn't even true.  The internet is so weird.

I'm linking up with Pinned It & Did It, What I Wore and What I Wore to Work.

Cardigan & Top: Gap
Skirt: Target
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Dress Shirt

 

This polka dot blouse is a dress.  Or at least, that's what they want you to believe.  It might be an appropriate length of dress on some people, but it is not a dress on me.  I'm trying it out as a shirt today, and I think it works okay.  The biggest problem is that the back of the dress is longer than the front, so if I wasn't careful, a little bit showed out of the slit in the back of my skirt.  Awkward!

Anyway, I felt very ladylike in this outfit, and also kind of edgy with the moto jacket.  Also, when did we stop saying "pleather" and start calling it "vegan leather"?  By "we," I don't mean me.  I will keep saying pleather.  I should really dig up a picture of my 1997 pleather jacket.  It was awesome until it started peeling. Then it was not so awesome.  Maybe I'll have to bring back Throwback Thursday!  

Top: Old Navy (dress)
Jacket: Relativity
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Acai

I didn't mean to skip yesterday, but I was pretty busy being as lazy as possible all day, and I wasn't super excited about my "carafe" outfit.  Maybe I'll post it next week some time as an example of a not so awesome outfit.  I'm jumping back in for Acai, which I was pronouncing wrong for a couple years, but apparently it is purplish, so I'm wearing my color blocked purple dress in the hope that one of them is the appropriate hue.  Go check out the rest of the Pantone Inspired Challenge with  Marissa  and Heidi.

In other news, I'm 29 now!  For the first time.  The problem with turning 29 is that older people always joke on their birthday that they are turning 29.  So I have to explain that I'm REALLY turning 29.   I'll be celebrating my birthday as much as possible over the weekend, so I'll probably do a summary post next week some time.  For now, I'll just say I had a really nice day.  I took off work, got a manicure/pedicure, and went out to dinner at my favorite restaurant with my favorite guy.  Then I went to the mall for a bit and felt kind of old at Forever 21, and took refuge at The Limited where I found 2 items from my Wardrobe Wish List.    Pretty great day! 


Dress: Limited
Scarf: H&M
Jacket: Izod
Shoes: BCBGeneration

All the Birthdays!

October is birthday month!  John's birthday was last week, and mine is next week, so I usually try to make as many excuses for celebrating as possible.  We should really just take the whole month off work and go on an epic vacation or something.  Maybe next year...

Anyway, I wore this to work on John's birthday and then we went out to dinner.  I took advantage of the brick wall of the restaurant, because that's what fashion bloggers do.

This also marks the first time I've worn this blazer with the sleeves unrolled, but I didn't count on the neon lining still showing.  Oh well, it kind of goes with the skirt, right?

Blazer & Tee: Gap
Necklace: Bass Outlet
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Stripe Week - Blazer

This blazer.  It's ridiculous.  I knew it was ridiculous when I bought it, but it was only $7, and I'd had a rough week, so some emotional shopping was inevitable.  And I thought a coral striped blazer would be a pretty good addition to my closet.  And then it hung in my closet for a month, because I didn't really know what to wear with it. 

Pinterest was almost no help.  I guess a white and coral striped blazer just isn't that common.  But I wasn't going to give up.  Then I saw this pin, and decided to flip the colors around to suit my ridiculous blazer.  I really like how it turned out!

I've since thought up several other outfits for this blazer.  I just had to get over the initial block.  Now I'll probably try to wear it a lot before winter officially arrives.

Remember to link up with Kate and me tomorrow with your striped outfits!      

Today I'm linking up with Pinned It & Did It, What I Wore to Work, Look What I Got, and Tres-Chic.

Blazer: Jones New York
Tank: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Stripe Week - Tank Top

Day 2 of Stripes Week continues with lots of blue!  

I really liked this outfit.  It felt very me.  I continued my pattern of wearing a cardigan of the same color over a striped top.  Pretty soon I'll have covered all the colors of the spectrum and then I'll have to come up with a new idea!

The striped top is actually a tank, but I try to stretch my summer clothes into fall and winter with layers.  Sure, I have a navy and white striped top with sleeves, but it doesn't have the lighter blue borders and it isn't as long, so I am glad I have options!

Make sure you stop by A Journey in Style to see Kate's look for today.  I'm also pretty excited that Inge has decided to play along all week!  Go check out her striped outfits! 

Top & Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Limited
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Polka Dot Week - Skirt

Polka Dot Week continues with my Barbie skirt!  As I mentioned the last time I wore it, I'm having trouble knowing what to wear with this skirt.  I don't know why, but I just have "outfit block" or something.  What do fashion bloggers call it?

Anyway, I looked at Pinterest, but it wasn't very helpful.  Then I was reading blogs the other day and saw Laura rocking her pink and white patterned shorts!  I love how she paired the navy/mint with the pink/white shorts and thought it would be a perfect copycat with my skirt. 

I really loved this outfit!  It was comfortable and cool for the crazy hot weather, but I still felt pretty fancy.  And I got to wear my new Limited necklace!  I've been looking for a mint necklace for several months, and this one was on clearance for $6, so I snagged it.  It's not exactly what I had in mind, so I may keep looking, but it is pretty cute.

Don't forget to link up with me tomorrow and show off how you have been wearing polka dots!  I'm excited to see more inspiration! 

I'm linking up for Pinned it & Did it, What I Wore to Work, Look What I Got, and Tres-Chic!

Top: Gap
Necklace: Limited
Skirt: Chaus via Dillard's
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Books!

It's time for the Literary Junkies Link-up again.  Before I get to the questions, just a quick comment about my outfit.  I've determined that this blazer makes every outfit my favorite outfit.  I'm excited to unroll the sleeves when it gets cooler, and then I can wear it with even more colors!

Anyway, books! Here are this month's questions and my answers: 

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!

I just finished The White Princess by Philippa Gregory.  It is the final book in her Cousins' War series, which I really enjoyed.  I'll probably end up posting a review about the series soon.  Up next is Delirium by Lauren Oliver.  I've heard it is really good, so I hope that is true! 

2. What is one book you think every person should read at least once in their life? Why?

I'm sticking to fiction here.  I think everyone should read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.  It's just such a beautiful story.  Also, the Chronicles of Narnia books are at the top of my list.     

3. Do you think you could ever write a book? If so what genre would it be?

I don't know.  In theory, I think it would be fun to be an author, but I don't think I have the creativity for it.  If I wrote a book, it would probably need to be a memoir (which I don't know if I'm quite interesting enough for anyone to read), or some kind of non-fiction. 

4. Do you listen to audiobooks? Do you look for the same things in an audiobook that you do in one you'll read?

I really like Audiobooks for long car rides.  Generally I am in the car with someone else (usually my husband), so I try to find books that we will both be interested in.  I also try to find a book that is a reasonable length for the amount of time that we will be in the car, so we will be able to finish it, but still have time for listening to music and talking to each other.   

5. Can you suggest a book of each type for others to try:
Fantasy - Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Nonfiction - Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Fiction - The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Romance - eh, I can't really get into romance novels.  I guess I liked Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Classics - East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Young Adult - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Have you read anything good lately? 

outfit details:
Blazer: Gap
Top: H&M
Skirt: Bass
Shoes: BCBGeneration

VBS Week

Vacation Bible School is happening this week at my church.  John and I are teaching the "Pre-K" class which is mostly 4 and 5 year old kids.  We have a pretty good group of kids, but they sure keep us busy!  After taking last week off work to hang out with my family, I'm trying to get caught up at work during the day, and then spending the evenings at church.  It's a lot of fun, but I wish I'd had a few days to catch my breath between the visitors and the VBS.  I'll probably sleep all day on Saturday!

Top: Target
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Today I am linking up with What I Wore Wednesday, Fashion and Beauty Finds, Summer Style, and Tres-Chic.

Yellow Cardigan Remix

It's Friday, which means the weekend is almost here.  More importantly, it means my sister and nieces are on their way to my house for a whole week of shenanigans.  You may remember them from last summer and Thanksgiving.  I am WAY TOO EXCITED to see them!

I'll be honest, I don't actually plan ahead for my Friday remix post.  I usually just pick a random outfit that is in my draft list and go find previous outfits, make the collage, and call it good.  This week, I was busy wearing my new items from Loft, so most of my un-blogged outfits don't include frequently worn items.  Good thing I wore my trusty yellow cardigan on Thursday!

Recently, I've been really drawn to both pink and yellow, so pairing them together just made sense.  I probably shouldn't say "recently," because when I was a kid, my favorite swimsuit was pink with yellow polka dots.  I remember my friends telling me it didn't match, but I thought it was awesome.  Some things never change...

I've actually already done a remix collage on this cardigan, back on my one year blog-iversary.  So, I have 4 looks from spring/summer 2012 here:

1, 2, 3, 4

And here are 4 looks from spring/summer 2013:

5,6,7,8

With the exception of #4 (because pants are the worst), I really like all of these outfits.  Which one is your favorite?

Linking up today with Friday Favorites, Casual Friday and Favorite Fashion Friday!  ! 

Dress: Gap
Cardigan: Old Navy (dyed by me)
Belt: Chinese Laundry via TJ Maxx
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Confetti Shirt

When I saw Whitney and Kate wearing confetti shirts, I added it to my "want" list, so I was pretty excited when I found this one at Gap for $10.  Yes, it's exactly the same one Whitney has.  I have a feeling I will be wearing it a lot this summer.  You may remember it from my Orlando recap post.

The early evening light was not working out at all to show the fun colorful dots, so I had to go inside for a few close-up shots.

Also, I hate to beg for followers, but since Google Reader is going away, here's your friendly reminder to keep up with me on Bloglovin.   I migrated everything over a few months ago, and I actually prefer it to Google Reader, so I'm not as sad as I was at first.

Linking up today with Agi's Tres Chic, Look What I Got, and Summer Style.

Top and Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Limited
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Necklace: Macy's
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Neon Accents and Mixing Prints

Third Thursday Threads is here and the theme of the month is NEON!

This blazer - I want to wear it every day!  The neon lining is my favorite, but it does make styling a little bit tricky.  After playing around in my closet, I put this together.  I really love this outfit.  The mixed prints are a little bit crazy, but since the colors are the same (and fairly neutral), I think/hope it stays on the classy side of the line.  The neon pink belt and neon coral-ish lining add some fun to the look.

I do think that this blazer will be more versatile if/when I unroll the sleeves, but right now I am trying to think of all the options with the lining showing!  How would you style this blazer?  I really want to wear it with white pants, but haven't found any that I love yet.

I'm also linking up with What I Wore to Work and Tres Chic Fashion Thursday and Favorite Fashion Friday! 

Dress & Blazer: Gap
Belt: Chinese Laundry via TJ Maxx
Shoes: BCBGeneration