Green Stripes

After recently discovering that I had actually NEVER blogged this green striped blouse, I figured I should make sure to wear it again soon.  I was playing around on Polyvore and thought it would look pretty cute layered under this lace-front sweater, and and outfit idea was born.  I quite like how it came together - and a random woman that I walked past at the mall agreed, so I think it was a winner!
Here are some of the other outfit ideas I came up with.  I'm hoping to think of even more!

Top: Old Navy
Sweater: Loft outlet
Jeans: Old Navy maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

#28 - Like+Love+Bling

I recently discovered a couple seasons of What Not To Wear on Netflix and have been watching them while I do things like fold laundry and iron.  I just love Stacey and Clinton - they are so snarky but still sweet.  It's just such a fun show!  I wish it was still on!  Are there any similar makeover shows still happening?

Stacey and Clinton tend to come up with little sayings to help the women know how to shop or how to put together an outfit.  One episode I recently watched included them saying "Pick and item you love, pair with an item you like, and then add bling!" For some reason, this really resonated with me.  I want to LOVE all my clothes, but honestly, I don't love things that are super plain.  So I need to make sure I have some neutrals that I really like to pair with my colorful printed items that I love.  I think this outfit is a good example.  I love the skirt (super a lot!).  I really like the sweater.  And then I added accessories.  Pay no attention to the crooked belt.  (I should really keep a full-length mirror in my car so I can make sure I'm put together before I take pictures.)

My main complaint with WNTW is that they straighten everyone's hair.  Come on, makeover stylists!  Curly hair can be pretty, too!!!

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Necklace: Limited (similar, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Sandals: Target  (exact, similar)

 

#23 - Meetiversary-ish

By my estimations, John and I met 10 years ago this week.  We don't actually remember meeting for the first time, so we don't know what day it was, but it was the first week of college in 2004.  And classes started on the 23rd, so it was probably right around here.  As a sentimental girl who likes an excuse to celebrate at any occasion, I really wish I remembered the day/moment when we met, but the first week of classes is such a blur, and we were meeting all the new people who lived in the dorms, so we just don't recall specifically meeting each other.  This was not love at first sight.

My first official memory of John is from the weekend before or after classes started.  I don't think I've shared this story before, but it's entirely possible.  It was Saturday night pretty late, and a bunch of people were just hanging out on the 4th floor where John lived (I lived on the 3rd floor).  A few of us were talking about what churches to go to the next day.  John didn't have a car, so he had plans to ride with his roommate to a church that I also wanted to try out.  I asked if I could go along, and they said sure.  Then they said they were going to the 8am service, so we needed to meet at about 7:30.  And I was like "nevermind! I'll go by myself to the later service!" and then John asked if he could ride with me, because he didn't really want to wake up so early.  His roommate said the late service started at 10:30, so we planned to meet at 10.  Another guy asked if he could come with us.  So, Sunday morning, I took 2 freshman boys with me to church.  Neither of them would say more than 2 words.  I was trying to be friendly and get to know them, and they were just super quiet.  It was so awkward.  Then we got to church, and the parking lot was packed, but there were no people milling around.  So we went to the information desk and apparently the next service didn't start until 11.  Which means we had 30 more minutes of awkwardness.

Anyway, we survived and ended up becoming really good friends.  We went to church together every Sunady (and I think we tried out every church in Lincoln over the next few years!)  In February of 2005, the 2 guys went with me to Lawrence, KS for a concert and met one of my best friends from middle and high school.  She asked me which of the guys I liked, and I was like "Oh, no - we are just friends!  No romantic interest at all!"  And then less than 2 years later, John and I were engaged, and she got to say "I told you so!"

So, that's the first story I remember about my husband.  I don't think they'll be making a movie about us any time soon, but I think we're pretty cool.   Do you remember the moment you met your spouse?

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Shorts: Old Navy (exact)
Sandals: Love Culture (similar, similar)

#17 - Lady Plume

For the majority of my life, I have had one hairstyle - parted in the middle, long, air-dried curls.  Recently, I've been pinning the middle back like in these pictures, just for something a little different.  John calls this hairstyle "Lady Plume." I searched on Pinterest to see if this is really a plume hairstyle, and it's really not.  Maybe if I added a feather.  But then I'd probably get even more Pocahontas comments.    

Posting every day for the 30x30 really has me throwing out some weird stories, huh?

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Dress: Target (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#4 - Inspired, but Not Really

When John saw me in this outfit, he said "You're wearing a necklace like a normal person."  I have no idea what that means.  Then he said "You look very housewifey."  Also, no idea. If I was a housewife, I'd probably just wear yoga pants all the time.  It's probably good that I'm not a housewife.  He's been saying the weirdest things about my outfits lately.    

I actually wore this a couple weeks ago when I met Ginny for lunch.  We had this whole scheme to meet before Shorts Week, and wear shorts outfits, and take pictures and totally blow everyone's minds with our amazing skills of theme week!  But then I had to dress up for work that day, because we had clients visiting the office.  So, we still had lunch, but our shorts plans were foiled.  And then we forgot to even take a picture together. 

Just one other thing about this particular outfit.  My intention when I started getting dressed was to copy Kate's outfit.  Then I remembered that I couldn't wear jeans that day, so I was going to wear my white skirt with my navy/white striped sweater.  Then I saw this lace-front sweater in my drawer and grabbed it instead of the striped one.  Then it felt kind of bland with the white skirt, so I traded that for the pink skirt.  And then I remembered this pin, and thought it'd be fun to match my necklace to my skirt.  And that's how my outfit ended up looking absolutely nothing like my original inspiration. 


Sweater: Loft Outlet (similar, similar)
Skirt: Loft (similar maxi, similar mini, similar knee length)
Necklace: H&M (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Fringe

The only fringe in my wardrobe exists on the ends of scarves.  So for Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge, it was pretty easy to narrow down my options.  Of course, I wanted to wear more of my newly purchased items, and thought this lace-overlay sweater would look quite nice with the pink scarf.  I really liked the simplicity of this outfit, but there were enough extras to keep it interesting.   

By the way, today is my half-birthday!  Whoo!  I'm officially 29.5 today!  So, 30 is looming and I'm not sure how I feel about that.  You get extra presents on milestone birthdays, right?  

Scarf: Charming Charlie
Sweater: Loft Outlet
Jacket: J.Crew Factory
Jeans: Limited
Shoes: Gap outlet