head to toe.

{sweater: old navy | skirt: old navy (similar) | purse: target (similar) | watch: michael kors}

One of the fun things about fashion blogging is that you start to think about what you wear in blogging terms. Since I don't blog everyday, on a day when I know I'll take outfit photos, I think about what I want to show my readers. Meaning I probably won't wear the same outfit three days in a row if, and only if, I am going to take blog photos. 

When I put on this little number above, I thought, hmm... you are wearing head to toe Old Navy today. How will that look on the blog? And then I stopped myself. Because it doesn't matter where the outfit is from, as long as you feel fabulous wearing it. 

Oversized

{shirt: F21 | pants: urban (similar) | bag: target | shoes: seychelles (similar)}

Sometimes it just feels good to be comfortable. And by that, I mean wearing a shirt that is about 2 sizes too big for you. With a little tuck in the front, this shirt manages to go from oversized, to the perfect fit. And that my friends, is what I call a change in perspective.

It doesn't just work with clothes, but also in every day life. With a change in perspective a flat tire can become a great adventure, plans that fall through can become a day of relaxation, and a traffic jam can become an all out car jam dance party. You're attitude is more than half the battle. So let's all work on having a positive perspective today, regardless of what life throws our way.

Who would have thought that an oversized shirt could teach you so much?

Summer time.

{blazer: banana factory | tee: loft | jeans: 7 for all mankind (similar) | shoes: target | sunnies: tory burch}

In case you couldn't tell from the outfit I'm wearing, it's finally June! It might not be the official start of summer, but in my book, it's close enough. Can you guys remember what is used to feel like to have a summer vacation? Like, the 2 months off kind of summer vacation. Those were the good old days. It's times like this when I start to feel jealous of all my teacher friends (and my teacher mom).

Luckily, I'll still be able to squeeze in some much needed summer vacation time. I'll just have to pack it into 2 weeks, instead of 2 months. Anyone else having summer break nostalgia? I'd love to know what your summer plans are!

stripes and chambray

{shirt: thrifted (similar) | skirt: old navy | purse: target | shoes: banana | sunnies: tory burch} 

I had big plans to tell you about memorial day weekend bbqs, road trips, and spontaneous adventures. But as it turns out, I didn't have any memorial day bbqs or road trips this weekend. Because you know what, sometimes things don't always go quite as you had planned. Sometimes you've got to learn to roll with the punches and make the most of every situation you find yourself in. Because after all, attitude is (almost) everything. My attitude might not always be the best (sigh) but I know it's something I can always improve on.

It might be a few days late (how can it be wednesday already!) but I still want to tell you about memorial day weekend. Because it was filled with the things that really matter- family, time spent talking to loved ones, the great outdoors, and most of all, love. And those are the kind of things we can all be proud of and thankful for.

Something New

{shirt: loft | pants: loft | necklace: bauble bar | clutch: dooney and bourke | shoes: target | sunnies: F21}

I think I'm in the market for something new. But not new clothes, which is surprising since this is predominately a fashion blog. Something new that is a bit more fulfilling. Don't get my wrong, I sure do love new clothes. But I also try to be reasonable with my purchases so that I can save money for things with more meaning- like travel and family. In fact, I've recently put my self on an unofficial 3 month shopping ban. (how's that for non-committal?). You see, I've got a big trip coming up at the end of June and for right now, I'd like to spend my money on my travels instead of on my wardrobe. Also, my closet is really full.  Sometimes it takes not buying anything new to realize what you already have.

 So why am I in the market for something new? Good question. I'd like to do something new with this little blog. New layout, new series, new content- but I haven't figured out just the right thing(s). So I'm putting it in writing. I will do something new. Maybe that will motivate me into some commitment!

maxi and lace

{maxi skirt (that's really a dress): shop bop (similar) | shirt: F21 | jacket: jcrew factory | bag: target} 

Happy Monday. Hope you all had a good weekend. I'm not sure that I have anything noteworthy to report today. But that won't stop me from typing something....

This weekend I painted my nails white. It reminded me of 6th grade when I used to cover my nails in Whiteout.  That was also the year when my favorite outfit was Junco jeans that were 2 sizes too big for me and an XXL t-shirt that said GKB- girls kick butt.  I would have been happy wearing that outfit every single day. My how the times have changed. 

Now I pretty much have a new favorite outfit every week (one that is actually my size). This week, it's maxi and lace. One of my favorite things about maxi dresses (or any dress really) is that you can also wear them as skirts. Don't believe me? see above. 

Pleats and Stripes

{shirt: loft | skirt: loft (similar) | necklace: target | purse: target | shoes: payless | watch: michael kors} 

There is something about stripes that just make any outfit and easy outfit. Sometimes I think, "what should I pair with this?" and then I remember that it doesn't matter, because I am wearing stripes. With stripes, everything else just falls into place. 

Except today these stripes made me think everything was easy, and I forgot about the weather, and now my legs are cold. Go figure. Fortunately, I keep a Snuggie at my desk (no joke). It's blue and it matches my skirt. So maybe my stripe theory is back on!

dressed

{dress: thrifted | purse: target | shoes: target} 

Do you guys ever get dressed with something you think you want to wear sometime in the future, and then take pictures of yourself wearing that outfit, and then change into something more comfortable? No? I guess it's just me then. 

I'm heading out on a little mini-vacay in Chicago tomorrow, and I'll be seeing the Book of Mormon while I'm in town (you should probably know that I LOVE musicals). I've been thinking about what to wear, and this little dress made the maybe list. I wanted to try it out because I usually wear this "dress" as a shirt, see here, so I wasn't sure how I would like it as a dress. I wore it around for a while and took these pictures. Then I put on my favorite sweatpants and watched the latest episode of Smash (show about musicals) instead of packing. I still don't know what I'm going to wear, but I am most definitely in the musical spirit! 

Print Mixing

{cardigan: old navy | jeans: gap | scarf: h&m | shoes: payless}

I love the way the print in this scarf contrasts with the print in this cardigan. The mixing of black and white prints in one of my new favorite past times. OK, not really. I don't sit around at night mixing prints. (or do I?). 

Now I've got you thinking! Which is a pretty great accomplishment for a Monday. And now that we're thinking, I'm still not sure what I think of colored pants. I like them on other people, but I still question them on me. This is my second pair. But the first pair is blue, which could almost be a blue jean, so I'd say they're only half way to colored pants. These pants are full on colored and the jury is still out.

Bree-Mix: Army Jacket

{jacket: h&m (similar) | dress: thrifted (similar) | booties: shoe mint | clutch: target | scarf: nordstrom | hat: urban (similar)}

So it turns out that when you photograph a thin striped dress, the stripes look rather dizzying in the photos. Is anyone else noticing that? I look much less blurry in real life, I think? And despite the psychedelic feeling, I still love these stripes. 

I also love this army jacket. It is hands down my favorite purchase of the season. It's the perfect lightweight option and even though it's technically a jacket, I find myself wearing it more like a shirt.  Which means that when I am somewhere I'd normally take my jacket off, I leave this green wonder on because it just makes me feel so good! And that brings me to the Bree-mix portion of the post! Check out three different ways I've worn this jacket below. And if you're really into it, check out the fourth way too. 

Previous outfit details can be found here and here.