keep the winter blues at bay: pattern!

Pattern, pattern, pattern...it's another great way to keep your winter wardrobe interesting! Forget about blues, greys, blacks and browns. Put on some pattern. I guarantee you will feel better about the last few months of winter if you are donning one of these numbers!

1) Okay how cool would this star shirt look over a chambray shirt? I mean really! What a super fun layering piece. Starry tee, $48.

2) I adore this top. It would look perfect underneath a red and white striped cardi. Ink print blouse, $51

3) We talked about colored pants last week. What about printed pants? I am definitely more subtle when it comes to prints on pants. I want to be able to get more use (rather than less) out of whatever I invest in. These polka dot ones would be just perfect. Polka dot pants, $69.95.

4) I love this floral pullover. It would be a great transition piece into spring and still get a lot of use this winter. Floral crew sweater, $44.95

5) This striped top would definitely get some attention. Imagine it layered under a cozy sweater with boots for a warm winter look. Stripeplay tee, $52

6) Clearly this list had to have some polka dots on it. Black and white graphics are great layering pieces for bright sweaters and cardis. Dotted tux shirt, $115

7, 8, 9) A great patterned dress. Layer it with a chunky sweater, fun tights and some cute booties or boots. Done and done. Striped dress, $42; batik shift dress, $79; polka dot dress, $59.95.

I guarantee you have some of these pieces in your closet! Now go and have some fun dressing this winter!

two-sided sweater.

{Top: Loft | Vest: Similar | Jeans: Similar | Shoes: Similar}

Happy Wednesday everyone! How is your week going? Mine has been super busy (this seems to be the theme this week). It seems like I can't get any of the little things done like going through the mail, doing the dishes or putting laundry away because I am running around doing a million big things (like trying to get my oven fixed STILL). Am I even making sense?!? One day I would just like to do nothing. Maybe in five years when my kid is in school? Don't burst my bubble here.

Anyway on to the good things...like this sweater. Can I just say, I love it. I mean paisley on one side and stripes on the other, does it really get any better than that? People, it's all about the little joys in life like a two-sided sweater. And finding your long lost wide leg jeans. That's the stuff dreams are made of.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Rolled Up Pretty.

cobalt and a little more cobalt.

{Blazer: Gap | Top: Ann Taylor Loft | Jeans: Gap | Clutch: J. Crew | Shoes: J. Crew}

I look very contemplative in these photos and I'm not sure why. It's not like I'm really thinking of anything other then: "Man I hope these photos turn out good. Sometimes I make some really weird faces." 

If you have noticed (you super perceptive readers), I rarely do anything with my hair but leave it down. I do not like to wear my hair up.  Why, you may ask? Enter odd little factoid about myself: It's because I have a cowlick on my eyebrow that gives me a bit of a devilish/mischievous appearance.  I've had it ever since I was born and it's just the way it is. Some days I think it adds character.  Other days it's just too much. Now is that an example of over-sharing or what?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy today.

rocks and little boys

{Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft | Shirt: Gap | Shorts: Gap | Shoes: Sperrys}

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Let's face it folks, first and foremost I am a mother. I usually try to keep the munchkin out of my photos but sometimes it's just not possible. I mean he doesn't understand that outfit photos are not a time to collect rocks, so collect rocks we did!

Since switching to this new way of doing photos, I've realized that I shop at pretty much the same places. I'm a Gap, Anthropologie, J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Old Navy kind of gal. I was trying to figure out why this is.  I think it's because I'm a creature of habit and I feel like those stores really epitomize my style. Anthro is my trendy/quirky store; the Gap, Old Navy and the Loft are where I get my staples; and J. Crew is my luxury. I know what I'm getting and I find it a tad exhausting to try and traverse a new store.  Plus it doesn't hurt that Gap and Loft are within walking distance of my home!

So there you have it, if you want to copy my style (not that you'd want to) that's how you do it!  Do you guys have go-to stores?  Or do you just shop anywhere and everywhere?  If so, what's your secret?

what i would wear miner edition

{Top: Anthropologie | Jeans: Gap | Boots: Similar}

If I were a miner, this would be my getup.  Practical...no.  Stylish...yes!  Colorado has some of the coolest backdrops for photos (like this old mining rig).  I apparently I thrive on themes.  Give me a locale and I'll dress and pose appropriately.  It's just one of my many hidden talents.

These photos was taken right before my husband was almost eaten by a dog.  Luckily he wasn't as this would be the last outfit photo you guys would get.  The woman told us her dog was being put down for aggressive behavior.  Um...okay.  You would think you would mention that little tidbit before letting your dog come up to us.  In the event that you have a vicious animal that likes to bite people, let us know beforehand...k?

I'm linking up with Everybody Everywear today.  Because this is totally an outfit I would wear back to school in addition to mining.

Hope you guys are having a productive, prosperous start to your week!

lindsay and the giant grape.

{Top: Similar | Pants: Ann Taylor Loft | Shoes: J. Crew}

If you own a pair of purple bottoms, it's possible (maybe even probable) that you have too many colored jeans and maybe you shouldn't buy anymore.  I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to add these to my repertoire.  I mean really how many times can you wear purple bottoms?  I really do love them though.  And a little challenge is always a good thing.  Let's just hope I don't pull these babies out every day of the week.  

How many colored bottoms do you guys have? (I have purple, royal blue, mint, red, yellow, magenta, pink...)  Do you have a problem like me???  Please say yes...

Also I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy today.

weekend wear.

{Hat: J. Crew | Top: Similar | Scarf: Target | Shorts: Gap | Shoes: Sperry}

This outfit just reads weekend-wear to me.  Comfy and casual with a bit of style.  I wear these Sperry's more than I would like to admit.  They are what I throw on every morning to walk the dog and the number one choice after a long run.  I never thought I would be that woman (read: my mother) who chose comfort over style.  Pretty soon I'll be wearing moo-moos and buying old lady bags because they are more practical.  Then this will no longer be a style blog...more like a what not to wear blog.  For now, I'll just sneak my Sperrys in every once in awhile. 

(Disclaimer: My mom doesn't actually wear moo-moos but the jury is still out on the bag.  And don't worry this blog has been mom-approved. She has a pretty good sense of humor.  And she has no idea where I got my affinity for (or addiction to) fashion.)

miss mix-a-lot!

{Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft | Pants: Ann Taylor Loft | Shoes: Target | Clutch: Similar}

Just call me little Miss Mix-A-Lot!  This is definitely my boldest pattern mixing venture to date.  Usually I try to go more subtle, but I threw that out the window.  

I wore this to dinner with some friends.  I asked my husband if he thought I looked cute.  And his response was a whopping "hmmmm."  Not exactly the reaction I was going for especially when I only get the opportunity to go out once every three months.  He didn't think the outfit matched.  I'm hoping that he doesn't know what the heck he's talking about.  I would hate to think that all those looks I got were people wondering if I got dressed in the dark.

Oh well, the truth is sometimes people can't handle bold trends.  As long as I can handle it, who cares?  But really, you do think this works...right? (That's my annoying self-conscious side showing through.  Just ignore her.)

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Marionberry Style for the trend of the month...pattern mixing!