Feline tendencies

Dress: Ann Taylor LOFT ca. 2004?
Cardigan: Swapped (Old Navy)
Belt: ModCloth
Boots: Corso Como
Scarf: Thrifted

I thrifted this scarf a few weeks ago and wanted to put together just the right outfit for it. Leopard for me is totally new territory, so I of course wanted to pull it off (at least for the first time) in a way that felt subtle and classy, but still pushing my own boundaries a little bit. In the end, I really liked the result of colors that were subdued and neutral against a pattern that is pretty loud.  What do you think? Cool cat or trashy kitten?

Plaid + posies

Top (plaid): J. Crew
Scarf: UO
Blazer: Thrifted?
Jeans: Swapped with a friend
Flats: Boden

 I don’t actually know if the flowers in this scarf are posies, but I DO know that I like alliteration–so good enough for me! This is a fun pattern play today, happening almost by accident as I ran out the door on a chilly October morning; I like how the blues and purples in the patterns play off each other. Paired with a smart wool blazer, my flares, and a pair of flat loafers, I was happy with my choice for a casually comfy office outfit–good for a Friday in October! Happy weekend!

Lady in red

Dress, Belt, and Jewelry: Via’s Vintage
Shoes: Kenneth Cole (circa 2008?)
Glasses: Warby Parker Sinclair

Weddings are so fun–they’re beautiful and festive, you get to see old friends, and maybe best of all? You get to dress up to go to them! For a wedding of an old friend this past Saturday, I decked myself all out in a vintage outfit (minus the shoes) of bright, bright red for Fall (and for fun!). I found this dress at a local vintage shop, Via’s Vintage, and after mulling it over for 24 hours, I went back and made the purchase! I was so excited to wear it I even dyed my hair a darker shade of brown. I usually do it for winter anyway, but the timing underscores just how silly and excited I was about this outfit. 

Mandi was a bridesmaid in the wedding, and looked absolutely stunning in her bridesmaid dress. Can you believe that gorgeous purple dress was from Target? They were about the thriftiest–and some of the cutest–bridesmaids dresses I’ve seen. Kudos to the thoughtful and thrifty bride, Katie!

I also wore my not-so-new-anymore Warby Parker frames to the wedding (which I do almost every day), and discovered that another of the bridesmaids, Megan, also owns a pair of WPs! She looked so cute I had to include a pic of her, too, dancing with her hubs. We bonded over our mutual love of thrifty frames. (Right Meg? ;))And yes–the reception was hoppin! I soon lost my Warby Parkers for complimentary silly sunnies and rocked out the dance floor (and later, the bar) in those beauts. It was so fun to see old friends all decked out in their party clothes. So, in that spirit–I have a few more photos to share.

Many thanks to Katie and Ross for their fantastic wedding, and may you find many years of happiness and companionship in one another! Mazel tov!

Chicago is delicious

Top: Target
Cardi: Swapped
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Boots: Corso Como
Scarf: UO

 Brian and I went to Chicago a few weekends ago to meet up with a good friend we hadn’t seen in a while. We were going to run a race with her, and instead, we ended up eating our way through the city. Not a bad switch, I’d say!

Our first stop was at Hot Doug’s, where I had a hot and spicy chicken sausage with pesto aioli and mozzarella (not in the photo below). Who knew hot dogs could be so gourmet? And to top it all off, the fries were cooked in duck fat. DUCK FAT, my friends! You can’t get much better than that.

For the trip, I packed a fall palette of blues and greys, of which I then forgot to take any photos, except for this one outfit. It didn’t help that we spent the (very cold, very windy) weekend pretty much hopping from restaurant to restaurant, so I actually didn’t much want many pictures taken of me and my very satisfied belly. 😉

We stayed with a great couple through AirBNB in Bucktown. We ate (and drank) at, among other places, at BigStar, the Map Room, and Ipsento Coffee. At Ipsento, Brian got a delicious latte with the flavors of coconut and cayenne. I stuck with the nutella latte. Yum.

Conclusion: Chicago is delicious! I wouldn’t mind going back in a heartbeat. (And psst–can you spot the Sears tower in this final pic?)

 

 

Just another day in…

Tee: Heartbreaker
Cardi: Gap Outlet
Jeans: Target (swapped)
Scarf: A market in Ecuador
Oxfords: Thrifed

Ever had one of those weeks where you just can’t keep up? Uffda! Friends, this is one of those weeks, so I’m pulling some backlogged photos from an outfit I never posted. It feels especially weird since when we took these pictures, it was probably in the upper 50s, and today in Minneapolis? Mid-80s. Just another day in paradise the Upper Midwest.

This outfit: very simple, not too interesting, but I was pulling these flares out of the closet from way back in the day. They’re coming back, right? Even if they’re worn out and frayed in the back of the cuffs? Ah ha, I thought so.

Power to the sweater dress!

Sweater/Dress: Gifted
Skinnies: Gap Outlet
Boots: Corso Como
Glasses: Warby Parker – Sinclair (just cause I haven’t reminded y’all in a while)

Remember? I told you I had more sweater dresses on the way! Actually, folks, this might be it for a while… but then again, I might be creating a trend out of this: a Minnesota(/Midwest)-based, potentially-scandinavian(-or-andean)-inspired, non-jacket-wearing, hot-mulled-whiskey-drinking trend out of…. THAT’S RIGHT–Sweater Dresses.

Hell, let’s make this a public call for mass wearing of the sweater dresses! If YOU wear a sweater dress, please tell me! I’ll link to it! And if you don’t have a blog, send me the picture and maybe I’ll even POST it (if I’m not lazy)! Because guest posts are awesome. Power to the street stylists!

And PS – About this pose (below): Rachel told me to do it. (But she also told me to pose for the cuter ones above. These things don’t come naturally, friends).

Tis the season for whiskey

Sweater: Swapped
Shirt: Thrifted (J. Crew)
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Thrifted

It’s funny, even the first day after my 30 remix challenge ended, I still stuck with two pieces from my 30 items! The jeans and pink button-up are from the challenge. I added this cozy, newly-swapped sweater for fall and my oxford heels (freshly and seasonally pulled from the closet) and was ready to go.

Today in Minneapolis it is just wretchedly windy, grey, and chilly. Lucky for me, I have some hot apple cider and whiskey waiting for me at home, along with the Glee season premiere. Add to that some laundry and starting a new book, and I think I have a perfectly cozy homebodied evening cooked up. Hallelu.

The big number 30

Top: Target
Skirt: Thrifted
Belt: ModCloth
Boots: Corso Como
Tights: I never remember wear I bought my tights!
Scarf: A street vendor in Otavalo, Ecuador

 Huzzah, I finally figured this skirt out! For weeks I’ve been saying I’m not sure, it’s not quite right, I don’t love it… and the magic with this skirt was just to pair it with a fitted top. Remember when I wore it this first time? It just wasn’t right, but (today’s lesson learned) it was actually really fun to fiddle around with different options and finally come up with something I like! So unlike my pink pants, which was the other questionable item of my 30-for-30 challenge, I’ll definitely be holding on to this skirt a little while longer… with my added knowledge of how to style it very much intact.

Speaking of the challenge, this is my VERY LAST OUTFIT of the challenge! Go back and count ’em, I dare you. Okay, don’t. But I do have some thoughts and reflections on what I’ve learned, and am going to be doing a round up post of the entire challenge very soon. Also, while my posts might be slowing down, I’ll still be posting outfits, so don’t go away! And PS… I think Mandi and I will be doing another 30-day challenge in a few months. Wahoo!

A windy chambray day

Top: Target
Dress (worn as a skirt): Gap
Necklace: J. Crew
Shoes: Shoegasm
Bag: Thrifted

 This outfit is a prime example of something I never would have dreamed up had it not been for the 30/30 challenge. On the second-to-last day of the challenge, I stared hopelessly into my closet: the outfit I had wanted to wear was still in the laundry. I thought about this dress, but it was going to be a little cool, so I wanted to wear it with something. But my navy blazer wouldn’t do (I already wore it last time), my navy cardi was too similar to the blazer, and my yellow striped cardi was still dirty from camping. (I know, I don’t do laundry often enough.)

This chambray shirt announced itself and an idea formed… cinch my waist… by tying a knot with the shirt over the dress! Lesson learned: It was cute! It took me a little while to arrive at the idea, but once I got there, it was automatic. I’ll definitely be replicating the tied shirt rule now and again.

PS – It was super windy when Rachel took these photos for me. So below, is a bonus outtake of what I go through to provide you with only the best of my outfit shots. Apparently tousled-wind-hair is not universally flattering, haha! Enjoy! 😉

 

Floral ease

Top: Thrifted
Pants: Gap Outlet
Shoes: J. Crew
Necklace: Swapped

 Behold the ease of a simple outfit! It’s a strange thing to say, but at the end of this 30-for-30 remix challenge, I’ve been finding it easier to create a flattering, well-balanced outfit than at the beginning. In fact, I’ve finished remixing (I’m a few days behind in posting than in wearing), but I still have a number of leftover outfits in my brain! I guess you just have to make it over the hump, right?

So throwing on this outfit was something I might have considered unflattering for some reason before the challenge, but which by now, I am happy to wear it. The colors are bright and happy, pulled out by the red necklace and yellow shoes. I think it worked better to pair with brighter accessories than bright pants, don’t you?

Today’s lesson learned: Slow and steady wins the race! Persistance is awesome.
PS – Thanks to my friend Rachel for taking pictures!