Unkempt

Sometimes you just have to throw on a blazer for work, but if you know anything about me, you know that I hate to dress up.  So what do I do?  I make sure that my shirt is all crazy and my pants and all hole-y. Making the look a little bit disheveled allows me to look at myself in the mirror in the morning.

And it makes me feel better about getting out of bed on a rainy Wednesday (or is today Tuesday...?). I've lost track.

Blazer, Belt + Jeans: Target - White button down: Express - Tank: F21 - Heels: Nine West

Concert T

Ok, so I haven't actually been to a Rolling Stones concert - but I do love how this Stones shirt (...that I bought at Target...) looks like a concert T. So I wear it with pride and pretend that I'm cooler than I really am.  And thankfully I have job that I can even wear concert T's! Even if I have to dress it up with a cardigan and some heels. I'd quite possibly die if I had to dress up every day.

Cardigan: The Limited - Stones T: Target - Jeans: Gap - Heels: Marshalls

Today has been cancelled

Do you ever have Monday's where you just don't want to get out of bed? After hitting snooze approximately 9 times, barely dragging myself out of bed and walking around like a zombie all morning....I think I'm having one of those days. This came to mind when I was laying in bed not wanting to move.

Source

But, a busy Monday it will be so I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take on the day. And the fact that I keep getting compliments on this new shirt is a nice push for the day as well. 

Top + Heels: Marshalls - Jeans: Guess - Watch: Target

Today I'm linking up to:
Monday Mingle at BonBon Rose Girls

Granny pants

I don't know why, but I love these granny-looking-pants that are trendy right now. You look like a bit of a fool and have absolutely no butt when you're wearing these pants. But, if you're careful and pair them with a trendy top, you can pull it off. I really like them. Plus, they come in fun colors and feel like you're wearing sweatpants. You can't go wrong there.

Blouse: Minneapolis boutique - Granny Pants: Asos (on sale here) - Tweed Heels: Bandalino

Today I'm linking up to:
Fashion Friday at Blonde Episodes
Friday Free For All at Five Days Five Ways

A whole lotta stripes

Trying something new today that I've noticed other bloggers and friends doing. Stripes on stripes. What does everyone think? Does it work?

Turtleneck: F21 - Skirt: Urban Outfitters - Heels: Nine West

Boots with rain

When rain boots first became a stylish thing for grown adults to be wearing, I hesitated. I wasn't really sure how to pull it off - primarily to not look like a 2nd grader jumping in puddles. Because, let's be honest. I'm going to jump in puddles. Luckily I've had plenty of opportunities since moving to Virginia to test out my rain boot style. A few days ago (when I took this picture) being one of those days.

Blouse (similar here) + Pants (similar here): F21 - Rain boots (similar here): DSW

And here are a few of my other favorite rain boot outfits.


Today I'm linking up to:

What I Wore Wednesday at Transatlantic Blonde

Whatever, Whenever Wednesday at Rolled Up Pretty

What I Wore at the letter 4

Real Style at Momma Go Round

The past 26 days

While I'm recuperating from The ABC's of Style challenge, I thought I'd share with you what's been happening in my life for those 26 days that were otherwise filled with the ABCs. Lots to catch up on here people! So I've decided it would best be told through Instagram photos.

I went to NYC for the first time in my life. I honestly don't know what took me so long. I loved every minute of it - the whole 360 minutes I was actually there (...yes, I did the math to see what six hours worth of minutes is...)

I wore lots of comfortable clothes that I did not take daily pictures of.

I went to a Tool concert. It was amazing in so many ways.

It snowed in Virginia. Who knew?

I got a neon yellow purse. Hubby is slightly embarrassed by it, but I love it.

I found my new favorite food at my new favorite restaurant. Macaroni N Cheeseburger on a pretzel bun (with tots, of course).  Thank you 10,000 calories.

And I saved the best for last. I baked a cake for my husband.

How to wear Zebra

Yesterday Richmond got it's first inch (or two) of snow of the year. It doesn't typically snow here, so it quite literally shut the entire city down. Snow day!! If I didn't already have the day off for President's Day, I would have had a snow day. ...but we'll just call it a snow day anyways. It sounds way more fun.

It was fun to play in the snow with the dogs yesterday. We used to get snow all the time in Colorado (and Minnesota) and I know the dogs miss it. They love frolicking in that soft, powdery snow. ...yes, I just said frolicking.

Since today's a snow day and I don't have to work, I'm running errands all day. And what better to run errands in than zebra print and comfy pants. So all - let's end our ABC's of Challenge strong with Z is for Zebra.

Zebra tank: Target - Sweater: Gap - Pants: Nike - Rain Boots: DSW

Thank you again for everyone that joined the Challenge. I couldn't have been happier at how many people participated or how well everyone did! I hope you enjoyed the ABC's Challenge as much as I did!

The rules? Simple.

• Take a picture of you wearing the style trend of that day 
• Post the picture to your blog
• Pick up my ABC challenge button from the left sidebar and include in your post so others can get involved in the ABCs. 
• Link up your picture to my post that day and browse everyone else's take on the ABC's of Style
• And if you're not a follower already, I'd love for you to become one!

The Finale of the ABCs

After twenty-six (week)days, the finale of the ABC's of Style Challenge is tomorrow.  Some days were easier than others, but I can't believe that we made it all the way through! Thank you for everyone that participated or even just came along for the ride. I've gained some wonderful inspiration from everyone that linked up and I hope everyone else has as well.

Our finale of the challenge will be Z is for Zebra. Don't forget to come back tomorrow and link up your favorite zebra outfits!

How to wear Yellow

We're almost done with the ABC's of Style Challenge. I can't believe that we've worked our way through the alphabet already! Today's challenge should be a fun one. Y is for Yellow. I must say, yellow really is one of my favorite colors. Let's see how you guys styled up some brightness!

Blouse: Old Navy (here) - Pants: J Crew (similar here) - Heels: Marshalls - Watch: Thrifted

The rules? Simple.

• Take a picture of you wearing the style trend of that day 
• Post the picture to your blog
• Pick up my ABC challenge button from the left sidebar and include in your post so others can get involved in the ABCs. 
• Link up your picture to my post that day and browse everyone else's take on the ABC's of Style
• And if you're not a follower already, I'd love for you to become one!

And Monday, the finale of the ABC's of Style Challenge will be Z is for Zebra. Of course, we all knew that one was coming. Can't wait to see you all.

L to R: 1, 2, 3, 4

Today I'm linking up to:
Fashion Friday at Blonde Episodes
Friday Free For All at Five Days Five Ways

X is for X2 (times two)

Thanks everyone for hanging with me yesterday while I got my act together. Work has been pretty demanding lately and I don't have much time to do anything else. Sleep, eat, work. Repeat.

Today's challenge is a fun one. If you're anything like me, you try to "shop in your closet" as much as you can. Why spend money when you've got a closet full of things! So for today's X is for X2 challenge,  I'd like you to show me two different ways to style a piece of clothing.  Link up below and check out inspiration for tomorrow!

Remember my navy pleated skirt from last week's P is for Pleats? Well here's another rendition for that lovely skirt - something a little more gritty.

Blouse: Jason Wu for Target (here) - Skirt: F21 (similar here) - Heels: Marshalls

Jacket (similar here): Target - Sweater: H&M (similar here) - Skirt: F21 (similar here) - Heels: Marshalls

The rules? Simple.

• Take a picture of you wearing the style trend of that day 
• Post the picture to your blog
• Pick up my ABC challenge button from the left sidebar and include in your post so others can get involved in the ABCs. 
• Link up your picture to my post that day and browse everyone else's take on the ABC's of Style
• And if you're not a follower already, I'd love for you to become one!

Tomorrow's challenge is Y is for Yellow. This should be a simple one. Wear anything from a pop of yellow - to an entire outfit. Come back and show your love for the color of Big Bird and Bananas tomorrow.

1, 2, 3, 4

W is for Wide Leg

I'm awful folks. I'm such a busy little bee at work and haven't had a chance to upload my outfit pictures. So those are soon to come. BUT I don't want to hold up anyone's sharing and exploring for inspiration on W is for Wide Leg. Link up your favorite W is for Wide Leg outfits below and I'll get my shots up soon!

[Posted quite literally, twelve hours after is typical] AAnnnddd I finally have time to do some blogging today. Another ridiculously crazy day at work. So,  I'm about twelve hours too late, but better than never, right? Here's my take on W is for Wide Leg!

Hat, Sweater + Blouse: F21 - Wide Leg Jeans: Old Navy - Heels: Nine West

And don't forget to come back tomorrow for X is for X2 (aka. times two). Show me how you wear a certain piece of clothing in two different ways!!

V is for Vests, and Valentine's!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope your day is filled with red cupcakes and pink cookies. That's what I'm hoping for (wink wink, hubby. Something that looks like those pretty cookies below would be really nice after a long days work!)

Source

Today's challenge is V is for Vests, which I have a ton of. I didn't realize that I had a vest obsession until I went to find my outfit for today's challenge and realized that I had about 57 options. I exaggerate, but you get the point. I have a lot of vests. Link up your V is for Vest outfits below and check out inspiration for tomorrow!

Vest, Jeans + Scarf: Old Navy - Blouse: BCBG - Flats: DSW - Watch: Target

The rules? Simple.

• Take a picture of you wearing the style trend of that day 
• Post the picture to your blog
• Pick up my ABC challenge button from the left sidebar and include in your post so others can get involved in the ABCs. 
• Link up your picture to my post that day and browse everyone else's take on the ABC's of Style
• And if you're not a follower already, I'd love for you to become one!

About a year ago, wide leg jeans became popular again. Thankfully I held onto all of those wide leg jeans throughout the skinny jeans movement and could easily throw that staple back into the mix. In honor of my favorite type of pants, tomorrow's challenge is W is for Wide Leg.

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

U is for Unexpected

Part of the fun with fashion is playing with your own personal style. Trying new things, even if they don't always work out the way you hoped they would is a fun way to show your own style. In honor of that, today's challenge is U is for Unexpected. Wear something that no one would expect you to wear - or pair something unexpected together!

Today I'm wearing an unexpectedly ballsy sweatshirt that I dressed up a little bit so it's appropriate for work. Well, it's probably still not appropriate for work, but y'all know how much of a bad ass I am. I wear what I want. ;) And it was really cold out today and just couldn't put anything other than a sweatshirt on.

Link up your best U is for Unexpected outfits below and don't forget to check out inspiration for tomorrow's challenge!

Sweatshirt: Gift - Button Up + Jeans: Target - Boots: Custom - Watch: Thrifted

The rules? Simple.

• Take a picture of you wearing the style trend of that day 
• Post the picture to your blog, or if you don't have a blog go to our group Flickr account here 
• Pick up my ABC challenge button from the left sidebar and include in your post so others can get involved in the ABCs. 
• Link up your picture to my post that day and browse everyone else's take on the ABC's of Style
• And if you're not a follower already, I'd love for you to become one!

Tomorrow's challenge is V is for Vests. There are so many different styles of vests out there and tons of ways to wear them - so get creative!

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Wear something Unexpected tomorrow

Tomorrow we're back to the challenge with U is for Unexpected. Wear something that you never would have thought of or tried before now. A cardigan on backwards, unexpected prints together, or even a baseball cap with a dress!

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

And I continue to be impressed by all of the wonderful outfits that get linked up to each day's challenge. Great inspiration. Here are some of my favorites!

P is for Pleats at bitty.and.bunny

P is for Pleats at Wearing What I Want

Q is for Quick at Jersey Blogess

Q is for Quick at Mrs. Dork

R is for Romantic at Yummy Mummy's Galore

R is for Romantic at Inspired by Images

S is for Sheer at The Fashionista Vet

S is for Sheer at Geek.Chic.Life

T is for Tomboy at Love at First Shoe