Kinky

My time-saving secret? Sleeping in French braids.

I always get compliments on my hair when I wear it like this, and it takes the least amount of time to do in the morning. Now that, my friends, is a sneaky style trick. Between that and my husband becoming a master of backlighting, I think these pics turned out pretty well.

I need you to know that thrifting is not just a hobby for me - it is a passion. I dragged my husband to well over a dozen thrift stores in Engalnd when we visited last summer. They're called "charity shops" there, and I adore them. This shirt makes me think about that trip whenever I wear it...and that's worth the 2.99 that I paid for it.  

Shirt: David Lawrence (thrifted), Pants: Express (from 2007), Necklace: gift (thanks, Linda!), Shoes: Keen

Today's out-take is brought to you by a particularly slippery rock, from which I almost tumbled into the Arkansas River. Now that would have been funny.

Keep It Light

I had planned to wear much cuter shoes with this outfit, but when your husband scrapes ice off of your car window before you leave for work, you know it's not going to be a "cute shoes" kind of day. Bummer.

Nevertheless, I still managed to wear this silk skirt to work and stay warm enough. (If you live in a state that gets below freezing, you should own a slip in every color.) I love this skirt because it was cheap (goooo, thrifting!) and I adore the print. I think it's mis-sized, too, because the tag says that it's a much larger size than I normally wear.

I told my brother that once and his response was, "Uh huh, sure." Boys.

Cardigan: Old Navy (thrifted), Shirt: GAP body, Belt: n/l (thrifted), Shoes: Born, Necklace: Sundance, Skirt: Banana Republic (thrifted), Slip: Vanity Fair (not shown, for obvious reasons)

Hold the Phone, the Color Green Has Returned!

It's been a long winter in Colorado, and color is just starting to come back. Tulips have bloomed, cherry trees are blossoming, and grass is starting to sprout. I've missed color, and I never knew you could do such a thing.

My husband and I do very little on the weekend that warrants dressing up. Jeans are a staple. Lest you should think that I am simply being lazy, I decided to do an "outdoors" style post. That seems like an oxymoron, and most of the time it is. (There is a reason that I did not do a close-up on my shoes or jacket - they are covered in mud and dog hair, respectively.) Nevertheless, I though you might enjoy some pictures from Grape Creek, near my house. Sometimes, nature is prettier than anything I could put on. (Though I was thinking about stealing some of the color combinations that I've been seeing outside...)

Happy Easter, everyone.

Jacket: North Face Windwall (best jacket ever), Vest: Colombia, Jeans: Gap (thrifted), Shoes: New Balance, Hat: Pistil

By the way, can you spot the fox in the last photo? Adorable. (Hint: He's somewhere in the right-hand side near the middle.)

Happy Day, Earth!

I'd like to say that I'm wearing these nice, subtle, earth tones in celebration of Earth Day, but that's not the truth. The truth is: it was "jeans day" at work, that tee is exceptionally comfy, I'm tired of the wind in my hair, and I love that sweater/jacket more than anything else I own. (Except my "Carrie" skirt, which it the only thing that I have paid full price for at Ann Taylor Loft...ever.)

It is Friday, people, and I went for comfort today. This is exactly what Ashley on nashville styled was debating yesterday: Should you make yourself uncomfortable in order to post a killer outfit on your blog? I went with "no". I cannot tell a lie. I wore a boring outfit today.

But I loved it the whole time. (Not to mention I had to pick up trash for an hour after school with 20 middle-schoolers, and I wasn't about to do that in a skirt and heels.)

Hope you had a fabulous Friday and are planning a stupendous Saturday!

Jacket: Downeast Basics, Shirt: Target, Jeans: Eddie Bauer (thrifted), Purse: Billabong, Hat: n/l via Ross, Belt: DKNY via Ross, Shoes: Keen

(Thought you might like that little 'out-take' photo of me looking confused by my own button. It has been a long week...)

Am I Doing This Right?

I just love the cardigan / belt look, but have been nervous to try it. It never seems to look right on me. But, after seeing Tania wear this look yesterday, (she makes it look so effortless!) I decided to give it a go. I have a cardigan that looks a bit like the one she has, even though I don't have a cute dress like she does.

The kids said that my belt was "weird" today, because, in their words, it, "goes, like, big, and then it's, like...little." They are so eloquent. Personally, I love this belt because it's from Banana Republic, it's made from 'English Saddle Leather', and it only cost $1.99. Amazing! (It's from my favorite little thrift store in Dillon, CO.)

I also tried a new hair-do today: I stole the look from Bex over at bex...a style diary. You should check out her tutorial on "Hippy Hair". She's my hair inspiration.

Dress: Old Navy (thrifted), Cardigan: Topshop (thrifted from a charity shop in Harrogate, England. How cosmopolitan...), Belt: Banana Republic (thrifted), Boots: Born, Earings: n/l (thrifted), Tank: Downeast Basics (the only place in the world that has school-dress-code appropriate tanks)

10 Things You Should Know About Me

10. I can't wait for summer.

Lame, I know, but it's been a long day. The weather is finally getting warm, but I could do without the tenacious wind that we've had for about a month straight. (Insert quote here from that sock commercial where the little kid says, "Yeah, we're sick of it!" I love that.)

I can't wait for summer days, long nights, and plenty of outdoor adventures. There are only about five weeks of school left, and I'm counting down the days!

Shirt: Calvin Klein Jeans, Jeggings: New York & Company (consigned), Earings: my mom's, Necklaces: made by me (turquoise), my grandma's, Ring: Navaho reservation in New Mexico, Shoes: Miz Mooz

I love this shirt, even though the wind was making it look like a little tutu. And I also gave in and bought (at a consignment store) a pair of jeggings. They were, I must admit, very comfy. Not appropriate for school though...so now you know that I played hookey today. Don't tell.

Inspiration and Thanks

(Shirt-Olive Olivia, "Skirt"-S-Twelve, Shoes-Bamboo, Necklace-F21, Watch-Michael Kors)

I. Am. Inspired. And it is thanks to all the ladies out there “fashion blogging.”

My lovely boyfriend and I recently decided to take the plunge…No, no, no, not that one—the plunge into cohabitation. Oh yes, that’s right, he has now been introduced to my greasy hair, hairy legs and pit-stained work-out clothes (don’t pretend like you don’t have a healthy collection of those old, yellowing favorites too).

And because he now knows the Real Me, I feel the need to make it count when I do decide to wash my hair, shave my legs and throw on my pretties. That is why I thank the world of fashion blogging. The creativity and resourcefulness floating around in this circle is unending, and oh so inspiring.

I, like many of you, am a woman on a budget—about to start law school and rack up the debt of a lifetime— so I don’t have a ton of disposable income for new clothes. As it turns out, this isn’t a problem at all. With a little bravery and a lot of safety pins, I have found everything I need hanging in my closet right now. Because now, I open my closet (which I begrudgingly let my boyfriend use too) and I see potential. Seriously. Without really buying any new pieces, I have been able to move mountains. Or at least look fabulous while I climb up them.

Every piece of this outfit has been in my closet for over two years. Note that this “skirt” is actually a halter dress that I folded down into itself to create a skirt. Trust ladies, if I can do it, you can too.