Another Wedding Outfit

This has been a busy summer for weddings!  We had a lot of weddings back in the first few years after we got married, but then there was a lull.  Maybe one or two per year.  But since May, we've had 5 (one we didn't go to because baby was too little)!  And another one coming up in October.  I like weddings, and I like an excuse to dress up!  This is what I wore to a wedding over Labor Day weekend.  We took our baby with us, because it was a mid-morning wedding, and he's usually pretty happy at that time.  And miracle of miracles: he was quiet through the whole ceremony!  Way to go, Mr. Baby!  He's so smart!  And yeah, I need to think of a clever name for him on the blog.

Cardigan: JCF  (exact in various colors)
Top: Sunset Rd
Skirt:Gibson&Latimer  (similar)
Shoes: Target (exact without captoe)

Crazy Week

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It has been a wild week around here!  I mentioned that my sister and nieces came to visit, so we spent the last few days cramming in as much fun as possible.  They love to shop - and I think we went to every Justice and Claire's within a 10 mile radius of my house.  Needless to say, we had a blast, and I am exhausted!

Somehow, the otherwise gorgeous spring we have been having disappeared while they were in town and it was all cold and rainy.  And then yesterday, as we were getting ready for my baby shower, the rain turned into snow!  Completely crazy.  And of course, they left this morning, and today is supposed to be in the 60s and sunny again.

Anyway, this is an outfit I wore last week to work.  It's probably not wise that I was still squeezing into this non-maternity skirt, but it's stretchy, and I wanted to wear this outfit.  I originally planned to wear my black flats, but then the shoes I ordered from Target arrived that morning, and I thought the pink shoes were a fun addition.  Unfortunately, the other 2 pairs of shoes that I ordered didn't work out, so I returned them.  

Scarf: H&M (top 10 remix item)
Tee: Gap
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer
Shoes: Target

Three Weeks Ago

Here's an outfit from three weeks ago!  I feel like you usually can't go wrong with a black and white print and a brightly colored cardigan.  Happy Sunday!

Cardigan: Gap outlet

Top: Old Navy Maternity

Skirt: Gibson & Latimer

Tights: Old Navy maternity

Boots: Madden

Paisley and Polka

Two wrongs don't make a right, but 2 neglected items sometimes make an outfit!   I've only worn the polka dot popover once, according to the blog.  That doesn't seem right, but who knows.  The paisley cardigan is my real mystery.  I really love it, and wore it 3 times within a few weeks of buying it.  And then... nothing.  I think it got buried in my mess of cardigans, and then I just completely forgot it was even an option.  I've rearranged my cardigan and sweater drawers so everything is showing, so I hope that will prevent future forgetfulness of favorite sweaters!  

Top: Gap factory
Cardigan: Loft
Skirt: Gibson & Latimer
Boots: Madden

Different but the Same

This outfit felt very familiar, so I dug into the archives.  Yep.  It's almost identical to the last time I wore this scarf and cardigan, almost a year ago.  Except my hair is shorter now, and my belly is bigger.  It's amazing how much changes and how much stays the same!

Cardigan: Gap
Scarf: Gap
Tee: Old Navy (option, option)
Skirt: Gibson & Latimer (similar, similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Madden (exact)

Weekend Recap

This weekend was crazy but oh so fun! Friday evening was our Sunday School class Christmas party. These people are so fun!  Our amazing hostess spent probably way too much time creating a Christmas-themed Cranium-style game, and it was a blast.

Saturday evening, one of my other friends hosted a little cookie decorating party.  Again, so much fun to get together with some friends I hadn't seen in awhile!

On Sunday, John and I went to lunch with some close friends after church.  And then I was exhausted all afternoon, and tried to get a few things done.  I can't believe how soon Christmas will be here!  So much to accomplish before then.  And I have evening plans more often than not!

Anyway, it was a good weekend.  And here's to a good week before Christmas, as well!

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)
Top: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Fancy Polar Bear

Once the temperatures dip below freezing, I think it's appropriate polar bear sweatshirt weather.  I decided to dress it up a bit with my black pencil skirt.  Because doesn't a black pencil skirt make everything look classy?  Well, maybe not everything.  But most things.

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  I unfortunately caught a cold at the end of last week, so I was mostly trying to rest and recover.  I even got a flu shot this year; why am I sick??

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Coat: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)
Chambray: JCF (exact)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Tights: Target (exact)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Blazer Week - Coral Stripes

Let's just jump from yesterday's most expensive blazer to today's cheapest.  This one set me back $7, and honestly, I probably should have left it, because I haven't worn it much in the year since I got it.  It was right around the time when it seemed like every blogger I knew was buying that coral blazer from Gap and I loved it!  But I wasn't going to spend that much, and then I saw this one and thought it was close enough.  But something about it being coral and striped just makes it harder to style.

Today is also the Third Thursday of the month, which means it's time to link up with Bri.  Her theme this month is Fall Footwear.  I'm pretty sure Nebraska has decided fall is SO LAST SEASON, and we are firmly in winter.  But I did wear this particular outfit when we were having lovely fall weather.  I know some girls jump at the first slightly cool day as an opportunity to break out the boots, but I cling to my non-boot footwear as long as I possibly can, because I know my boots will start to feel boring when I have to wear them on repeat for 4 months straight.  So I wore my gold flats, which you can't really see.  But it was fall, and I had footwear, so it counts, right?

Blazer Week continues below!  Link up your looks and be sure to check out the other links!

Blazer: Jones New York via TJ Maxx
Shirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target (exact)

This is another example of an outfit that started out in my head a certain way and then ended up completely different.  It all started because Kate commented on this post that I should try wearing that blue/orange-ish skirt with something purple.  I immediately thought of this scarf with orange and purple on it.  It didn't look quite right with this tee and scarf, so I added the gray cardigan for some neutral hoping the neutral would subdue the situation.  I still felt weird, so I just grabbed my black skirt and called it a day. 

I still think purple is an idea I need to figure out with that other skirt.  I'll just have to try again some other day! 

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Scarf: F21 (similar)
Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact in other colors)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Skirt Week - Black Pencil

There aren't many items of clothing that I'd say every women should own, but I do think a basic black skirt is one of them.  I almost said a black pencil skirt, but I know some people really don't like the style.  So whatever style you like best, but you should probably have a black skirt.  I had one from Old Navy for about 8 years, and it finally got too tight, so I was happy to find a replacement from Dillard's.  And this one is a stretchy fabric, so it's much more forgiving!

One thing probably no one needs is a pair of floral print ballet flats.  But look how cute they are!!  I wish I had worn them more over the summer, because I don't see them transitioning into cold weather very well.

In other news, it's officially one month until my birthday!  I never made one of those 30 before 30 lists, but now I have 30 days before I turn 30.  I don't think it's going to happen.  BUT I think I've had a pretty great life so far.  No bucket list needed.

Link up below for SKIRT WEEK!

Cardigan: Gap Factory (similar)
Top: Gap Factory (similar)
Belt: Chinese Laundry (similar)
Skirt: Gibson & Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: J.Crew Factory (similar)

Fall Favorites - Denim Jacket

First of all, thanks so much for all the sweet comments on my post from yesterday.  I actually woke up at about 4am and thought I should stop the post from going live, because it just made me nervous!  I have no idea why it seemed like such a big deal.  Anyway, I'm so glad I've got that out there now. And we can move on to more fun topics!  

Like Third Thursday Threads with Bri!  I'll be honest, I am not one of the "HOORAY IT'S FALL!!!!" types of girls.  I don't even like pumpkin flavored anything.  While I love actual fall weather, it's only leading to the depths of winter, which I would like to avoid as long as possible.  So you won't see me reaching for boots the first time the temperature is below 65.  My boots will get plenty of attention almost every day from November-March,  For now, my fall strategy is trying to wear my summery items as long as possible.  One of my trusty tricks is the denim jacket.  It's a heavy-enough layer to get me through the cool mornings, and it looks good with most of my skirts and dresses.  Everyone wins.  Except boots.  They have to wait.    

I think last year, I avoided tights until late November.  I'm hoping I can do the same thing this year, but it's gotten cooler in September than normal, so I don't know what that means for the rest of fall.  

Ooh, and remember next week is SKIRT WEEK!  So you can link up with Inge and me with your fun skirts (and boring skirts, I guess).    

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Shirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)

Shoes: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Yikes, that's a lot of JCF!  Can you tell it's my new favorite place to shop?

20 Things You May or May Not Know (or care to know) About Me

Well, if you want to know 20 random things about me, today is your lucky day!  You can thank (or blame) Brynn for tagging me.  She made a cool video, but I wasn't up to that challenge.  At first, I was just like "no, I hate seeing myself on video" and then I was like "Oh yeah, and I actually wouldn't even know how to do one anyway, so it doesn't matter."  So if you want to know what my voice sounds like, you'll just have to come visit.  I'll take you to the zoo.  Or maybe I'll figure out how to vlog someday.  It's not likely.  

Anyway, here are the questions and my answers.  

• How tall are you?  5'9"
• Do you have a hidden talent?  If so, what?   I don't think so
• What's your biggest blog-related pet peeve?  Probably just the weird rat race to get followers.  Sure, I'd love to have 1000 followers (although saying that makes me nervous, maybe I wouldn't love that at all).  I think I've mostly stopped following people who seem caught up in that.  But even now, I will get people who link up for a theme week and they aren't even remotely close to the theme.  I should delete them, but then I feel like a jerk if I do.   
• What's your biggest non-blog-related pet peeve?  Oh, where to even begin?  Probably grammar and spelling errors, especially online.  I know I'm not perfect, but seriously, the computer has spell check!  You should not be making these stupid mistakes! (and now I'm extra paranoid that I have stupid mistakes in this super long post!)
• What's your favorite song?  It's impossible to choose a favorite song.  I can't even pick a reasonable number of favorite songs to put on my iphone.  My favorite artist is definitely Ben Folds.  That man is a musical genius. 
• What's your favorite Etsy shop that isn't yours?  No idea.  I'm not into Etsy.  
• What's your favorite way to spend your free time when you're alone?  If I'm in a lazy mood, I will be reading or binge-watching Netflix/Hulu.  I also really like to shop by myself.  
• Do you have a pet or pets?  If so, what kind and what are their names?  Nope.  I really want to get a dog, specifically a Great Pyrenees, but the timing hasn't worked out for us yet.  We just aren't home enough.  
• What are your number one favorite nonfiction and fiction books?  Again, I am really bad at picking favorites.  I mean, I had 6 favorite books from just one year!  So, my 2 favorite fiction books from 2014 so far are The Rosie Project and Ready Player One.   I don't read as much non-fiction, but I really like Malcolm Gladwell's books.  
• What's your favorite beauty product?  I've been using Pantene Curl Defining Mousse for the majority of my life.  Other products just don't get the job done.    
• When were you last embarrassed?  What happened?  I do embarrassing things all the time, so these moments don't really stick with me as much.  So, I can't think of anything specific that has happened recently.  
• If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?  This is tough!  I think I have to pick milk.  I drink a lot of milk, and I don't think I could do without it.  But I'd really miss drinking soda.   
• What's your favorite movie?  Ugh, why are there so many questions about favorite things??  I like lots of movies!  Probably the movie I've watched the most is Waiting for Guffman.  It's just so hilarious.  I really need to watch it again - it's been awhile.  Every time I watch it, I notice something new.  
• What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?  Well, I went to a pretty small Christian school, so most of the groups overlapped quite a bit.  We didn't have a prom queen.  I was smart, but I think about 30% of the class had a 4.0 at graduation.  I kind of wanted to be a cheerleader, just to teach them that doing the "we're #1" cheer isn't appropriate when we are losing by 50 points.  I was definitely not a jock, band geek, loner, or artist.  And we were all preps, because we literally went to prep school, uniforms and all.  So, have I answered the question?  No?  Well, I don't know what I was.  There were a lot of things I didn't like about my high school, but I think the social dynamic was pretty good.  I honestly think I was friends with almost everyone.  Does that make me sound like I was actually friends with no one?  Longest non-answer ever.  
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?  I would want to live on the beach!   I always joke about moving to Puerto Rico, but I should probably pick a place that mostly speaks English.  So maybe we should move to Hawaii?  
• PC or Mac?  I've always had PCs.  
• Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?  Our anniversary was just at the end of July.  John sent me flowers at work, and bought me an opal ring.  So that was pretty nice.  Otherwise, we tend to be silly rather than super romantic.  
• Favorite celebrity?  I'm not super interested in celebrities.  The first person that comes to mind is Jimmy Fallon, just because he seems like such a nice guy, and appears to really love his job.  I remember loving him back in the day on SNL, because he couldn't get through a sketch without giggling.  Most celebrities seem like jerks, so my favorites are the nice-seeming ones!  
• What blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with? I don't think it's a secret that I want to be best friends with Kate and Danielle.  Well, and a few others of you.  You should all move to Nebraska and we can hang out all the time!       

Top: Kohl's (refashioned from a dress)
Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target (exact)

Leopard Cardigan

It's been a long week back in the real world.  I'm ready for another vacation, that's for sure!  Or at least I'm ready for the weekend to get caught up on laundry and like, unpack and stuff.  Here's some free advice - when you go on vacation, try not to get home late on Sunday evening.  Because you might be disoriented all week, but you will make time for important stuff like blogging.  But you might not make it to the grocery store.  Hypothetically, of course.

Anyway, a leopard print cardigan has been on my wishlist for over a year.  A few weeks before I went to Minnesota, I started looking at the H&M website, and I saw this one (now it's only $7!).  I almost ordered it, but decided to wait, because H&M sizing can be all over the place.  I was pretty excited when it was actually in the store and fit properly!    

Top & Cardigan: H&M
Skirt: Gibson & Latimer
Coat: Gap
Shoes: J.Crew Factory

Tribal & Freesia

 

Back in my day, the Freesia scent at Bath and Body Works was my favorite.  It was light purple, so this is really throwing me that Freesia is yellow.  But Pantone says it, so it must be true.  And it's a good reason to wear my newish yellow cardigan again to link up with Heidi and Marissa

I'm also getting down to the tricky themes in Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge.  I was stumped on Tribal print, and then I remembered this dress.  I'm not sure if it's quite tribal print, but I think it should count.  It's a little on the short side for work, and especially when it's windy/somewhat chilly.  I decided to get creative and tuck it into my new pencil skirt, but the elastic waist of the dress was too high and looked awkward, so I went with a little make-shift peplum look.  It's a little weird, but I liked taking a risk!  Taking photos, however, was a whole different mess.  So windy and cold!  I wasn't brave enough to keep trying for a non-wind-blown picture, so you get what you get!      

Happy Weekend!  I hope you all have a lovely Easter!    

Top (really a dress): Target
Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Belt: Limited
Skirt: Gibson & Latimer
Shoes: Gap outlet