Neglected Basic Black Sweater

I didn't realize this sweater was neglected until I wore it, and then I noticed I hadn't worn it in forever.  It's just a basic black v-neck sweater, so you'd think it would be a staple item, but apparently not.  I wore it in February, but prior to that, it had been over a year!  Granted, some of those months were summer, but still.  That's kind of crazy.  Anyway, I wanted to wear this skirt, and it was freezing out, so I layered on the leggings/sweater/scarf/boots combo to make it work.  Of course, this was like 2 weeks ago, and then this past week was basically summer (seriously, I had to turn the AC on in my car), so I'm at that awkward part of the year where being behind on blogging outfits actually matters.

So here's a Saturday post, to catch up a bit.  If you need me, I'll probably be outside enjoying the weather, or inside doing some kind of baby preparations.

Sweater & Scarf: Gap
Skirt & Leggings: Old Navy
Boots: Madden

Currently February

A couple weeks ago, I had the idea of wearing my new black pixie pants with this green blouse and my gray sweater.  I put it on and the proportions were just not looking right.  But I had in my head that this blouse needed to be paired with black and gray.  And then I happened upon this skirt at the Gap and it all came together.  Just pretend I ironed the skirt before wearing it, okay?  And hey, none of these are maternity clothes, so that's kind of exciting!

Oh, and it's the first Wednesday of the month, so I'm linking up with the Currently ladies (Anne and Jenna)!

Reading - Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman.  I've never been into collections of short stories, but I've liked a few recently, and I have to read anything by Neil Gaiman.  I've only read the first few stories, but I like them (no big surprise there)

Pinning - ALL THE BABY THINGS!

Eating - whatever sounds good at that very moment.  I'm not one of those pregnant ladies who wants to overshare about all my symptoms, but I think I am done with the"feeling pretty good" portion of pregnancy.  I'm now in the awkward part where I will be starving, and then 10 minutes later feel completely stuffed, even though I didn't eat anything.  I think it has a lot to do with where the baby is deciding to hang out compared to my internal organs.  So weird.

Anticipating - May 4th is exactly 3 months away, so I'm anticipating having a tiny human arrive soon!  And sort of panicking about all the things I want to get done before then.

Sweater: Gap
Blouse: Old Navy
Necklace: InPink
Skirt: Gap
Tights:Old Navy
Boots: Madden

#24 - Winter Must Haves

Today, I'm linking up with Laura and Ada for their Winter Must Haves!  They've been showing different way to style winter staples over the last few weeks, and I've enjoyed seeing their take on all the important winter pieces!  I've got several in today's outfit!

Sweater - I have 2 very full drawers full of sweaters.  It's important when you live in the 5th coldest city in the US! 
Bold Coat - I'm using this blazer as an example.  I mean, I still wore my big puffer coat over it, but I think it counts as a fun layer! 
Long Necklace - I kind of went a little "WEAR ALL THE NECKLACES" on this day.  I usually wear my 2 short gold necklaces together, but I think the long one adds some interest, too.
Fun tights - these tights are gray, but they kind of look black in the pictures.  I wear black tights or leggings a lot in the winter, but I like having other color/pattern options, to keep things interesting. 
Boots - Did I mention I live in a very cold city?  And we generally get quite a bit of snow, but so far, this year has been pretty dry.  Either way, I wear boots almost every day from about December-March.  I love my boots, but I'm always extra excited when there is warmer day and I can get away with flats or pumps.

Anyway, what are your winter essentials?  Go check out the linkup to see everyone's looks!

I'm also linking up for Tres Chic Thursday, What I Wore to Work, and What I Wore.

Blazer, Sweater, Skirt: Gap
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden
Short Necklaces: gifts
Long necklace: F21

#22 - Social Media

I'm not as good at social media as I probably should be.  Most of my tweets and Facebook posts are just Instagrams.  Half the time I don't even #hashtag anything.  I do spend more time than I should scanning through everyone else's posts on the various sites.  The other day, John was looking over my shoulder as I checked Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  His perspective made me laugh.  A few highlights:

• Why is there an old picture on Instagram?  It's "INSTA" gram.  Like Instant!  
• Why do people use hashtags on Instagram?  Isn't that a Twitter thing?  
• WHOA, that's a long Facebook status!  Shouldn't she just have a blog for stuff like that?  
• Wait, wasn't that on Instagram?  Why is it on Facebook, too?
• What is a picture doing on Twitter?!  Isn't that why people have Instagram?
• That's the same picture we saw on Instagram and Facebook!  Why is it on all three?

I was trying to explain the logic, but he has a point.  This is all ridiculous!  I mean, I'm still going to do it, but it is kind of strange!  

Also, I like this outfit.  I'll probably Instagram and Tweet about it.  

Shirt & Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Sweater: Gap
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

#5 - Sweaters on Sweaters

Here's a tip for surviving the POLAR VORTEX this winter.  Wear a sweater over a sweater!  I think wearing 2 thin sweaters is even warmer than wearing one bulky sweater.  Plus, you get very staticky and can see sparks when you remove your cardigan at the end of the day.  It's like FIREWORKS!  Or you may want to try rubbing a dryer sheet over both sweaters before you attempt to layer them. Use your best judgement.

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Scarf: H&M
Sweater & Belt: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Tights: TJ Maxx
Boots: Steve Madden

Elephants on Parade

This is my new elephant scarf that my sister-in-law gave me for my birthday.  I like how from far away it just looks like a generic print, but then when you get closer the elephants are more obvious!  Plus it has a lot of different colors going on, so I can wear it with several color schemes.  Here's a closeup shot: 

Speaking of animal print....  Remember that next week, I'm rocking leopard print every single day!  It's going to be tricky because I'm going to keep TOPIO going, as well.  And then Friday will be a link-up, where you can share your looks with me and Brynn.  I'm pretty excited! 

One week of TOPIO down, 3 to go!  

Scarf: gift
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Target
Boots:  Steve Madden

Fall Floral

The jacket was passed along!  It's that time of year when I can get away with wearing some of my lighter coats, so I'm trying to make the most of it.  It's also the time of year when I have fewer days that I can wear non-boots, so I try to take advantage of those, too.  I'm hoping to avoid tights as long as possible.  My unofficial goal is to make it through November, but I don't know if that is going to happen.  Rumor has it that some snow made an appearance yesterday around 2am.  I was asleep, so I'm going to pretend it's not true.

Oh, and another reminder that next week is all about the leopard print!  I'm excited to announce that Brynn will be co-hosting the theme week, and you can link up with us on Friday!

My TOPIO collage is growing....  Be sure to stop by Sarah's Real Life to find other participating bloggers.

Jacket: Relativity
Scarf: H&M
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Born

P as in Phone

Take One, Pass It On Item: black sweater from Wednesday's post

You know how when you are on the phone, and you are spelling a name or something, how a lot of letters can sound the same.  B could be D, etc.  And people say things like "B as in Boy" to clarify.  I am terrible at thinking of example words.   I either say something embarrassing, like "P as in Puppy", or I say something phonetically confusing, like "P as in Phone", or I really confuse the issue by picking a word that could also start with the other letter in question, like "P as in Pair" and they are like "T as in Tear, great!" and then we are all messed up.  This has happened a few times at work recently, so I figured I need to get my act together.   I should probably post this on my wall. 

I also have to note that this blouse has stars on it, but they just look like polka dots in pictures.  I kind of wish they were polka dots, but stars are okay, too. 

I think that's random enough to link up with Shanna! 


Sweater & Jeans: Gap
Bow Blouse: Alfani via Macy's
Boots: BareTraps via DSW 

Black and White (and Neon)

 

Take One, Pass It On Item:  booties from Friday's post (and boyfriend shirt, which I didn't even realize!  I should get some bonus points for that!)

**I'm also linking up with Marion for the trend of the month!

I very rarely wear all neutrals, but I was really going to try for this link-up.  I put this outfit together and it just felt a little boring, so I had to add the neon belt.  It's still mostly black and white, right?

Since it wasn't quite pitch black outside when I got home, I braved the frigid temperatures and wind to take some pictures outside.  I was not brave enough to take my coat off.  I shouldn't be complaining about the weather, because we are supposed to get about 8-12 inches of snow, with blizzard-like winds on Thursday.   Is it spring yet??

Shirt, Sweater, and Coat: Gap
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Autograph via TJ Maxx or Marshalls (I can never remember)
Boots: Target

Grammar Police

We've established that I'm sort of a nerd sometimes, and there are certain grammatical errors that just drive me crazy.  I will refrain from turning this into a blog where I only rant about grammar, but sometimes I just have to say something.  Please bear with me while I preach for a minute (or just skip to the end where I tell you where I bought my clothes).

"I's" is never correct.    

I've seen this all over the place, so if you are a recent offender, do not take it personally.  For example, if I was talking about the house that my husband and I own, it would NOT be correct to say "John and I's house."  Ever.  Like EVER!  (See, I can channel Taylor Swift when I'm grammar ranting).  

I think this is a problem because little kids tend to say "Me" all the time when they should say I.  Like "Me and Susie are going to play outside!" and our parents all drilled into us "Susie and I!"  This does not mean that every time you say "someone and" it should be "I".  

I remember my dad teaching me to take the "Susie and" part out of the sentence, and then I would know the appropriate option to use.  "Me is going to play outside" or "I am going to play outside"?  It's pretty obvious there.  

I pretty frequently hear people say things like "Do you want to have dinner with Susie and I?" and I cringe every time.  Again, would you say "Do you want to have dinner with I?"  Of course not.  

Compound possessives get even more confusing for people, especially when "I" is one of the subjects.  If the 2 subjects each have their own item, they each get their own apostrophe (John's and Andi's birthdays).  If the 2 subjects are sharing one item, they can share the apostrophe (John and Andi's house).  I like this example - think of the apostrophe as a hair dryer.  

Once you change one of the subjects into a personal pronoun, the other subject needs to have the apostrophe, or the sentence can get confusing.  If I say "John and my house is painted brown" it kind of sounds like John is painted brown and my house is painted brown.  I have to say "John's and my house" and then everything is right in the world.  

I think this is one reason coupled up people just say "we" and "our" all the time.  It might be annoying, but can we all agree it is less annoying than "I's"?  

Now please don't point out all of my grammatical errors.  I've probably got quotations on the wrong side of punctuation all over this post.

Since this was pretty random, I'm linking up with Shanna!

Scarf, Black Sweater, Jeans: Gap    

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Boots: Wanted via Piperlime

Striped Laser, I mean Blazer

Marion's trend of the month is stripes, and I am super excited to show of one of my favorite Christmas presents!   One of my guy friends asked me if I got any cool presents for Christmas, and then he heard me say "Yeah, John got me a really cool laser!" and then I think he was a little disappointed when I clarified.  I'm not sure what a striped laser would be, but it does sound fancy.  

The only problem with this blazer is that I want to wear it every day, and I think my co-workers just might start to notice.  I just feel like it should be worn immediately with all the other items I own.  I will have to be careful and only wear it on a weekly basis or something.

The other problem (I guess there are 2), is that I am terrified of getting it dirty.  My car is filthy from all the mess of wintry weather, and at work, I am notorious for leaving uncapped pens on my desk.  Needless to say, I was a bit paranoid all day.  I will just have to be more responsible on the days I wear this blazer.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!   You have all week!

Sweater and Blazer: Gap
Skirt: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Tights: Target
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

Green Giant

I love colorful tights as much as the next fashion blogger, but I always feel a little bit like Peter Pan or this guy when I wear my green ones.  With that in mind, I try to keep the rest of my outfit more subdued.  Green tights just gives a little extra holiday cheer, right?

Speaking of holiday cheer, there's just one more day and then it is Christmas!  I might be just a little bit excited.

Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Kenneth Cole skirt refashioned
Tights: American Apparel
Boots: BareTraps

Fallin'

No, it isn't fall.  I'm not listening to the Alicia Keys song.  I actually just fell down this morning.  I was about 8 feet away from my office door, carrying 4 bags (purse, laptop, lunch, workout clothes) when my shoe revolted against me and I completely crashed to the floor.  I hit a cubicle wall pretty hard before I landed, but I am happy to say it did not fall over.  That would have been embarrassing!  Not that falling wasn't embarrassing enough, but I was able to pretty quickly assure my boss and co-workers I was fine and head to my office in shame.

I'm actually surprised this doesn't happen to me more often.  Contrary to popular opinion, I am not actually very graceful.  My husband threatens to get me a Humpty Hat every winter.  According to the website, you should wear it when you are doing winter sports.  I think I should just wear it year round for walking places.

Anyway, I was trying to do the "Dress Up a Coat" challenge a day early, but when I saw Kayla's inspiration post, she really meant that you should add something to your coat to make it dressy.  I thought she just meant to dress up and include a coat.  I'm going to just go with it and pretend I followed the rules.  I'm sure no one will care!

In conclusion, perhaps I should never wear these shoes again.  I thought they would be good, because the platform would be more comfortable than a regular heel, but if they are going to throw me to the ground, I might just have to pass.  They aren't really cute enough for me to put up with those kind of shenanigans. 


Go check out people who actually followed the instructions to dress up a coat HERE. 
I'm also linking up to the ABCs of style with my (P)leather jacket and suede shoes - L is for Leather

Sweater, Skirt, Shoes:  Gap
Jacket:  Relativity
Tights:  Target

Merry Christmas!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!!

I'm just a little bit excited about Christmas tomorrow!  We are having fun with my family, and I have been slacking on my every day posts.  For all 7 of the people who read this, please forgive me!  

I'm getting a lot of fashion advice from my nieces, like the following:

Those jeans make you look a little bit fat.

That sweater isn't very cute.  Maybe if it was red instead of orange. 

You look like a teenager in that outfit!!

 

These pictures are from Thursday night, when we went to the Yuletide Celebration.  I used it as another excuse to rock my gold skirt.  I kept it simple with a black sweater, tights and boots.  

We took a "coming down the stairs for prom" picture, just for fun.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas tomorrow! 

Sweater:  Gap
Skirt:  Gap
Boots:  Bare traps via DSW
Pearls:  gift - from China
Bracelets:  gift - from a friend's wedding