Pops Of Coral

(Outfit Notes: Necklace-a gift // Shirt-Kohl’s, old // Dress-Kohl’s, last year // Tights-Target // Shoes-Target, a couple years old)

I posted the other day, three ways to wear this dress. One way was under a top, as a skirt. That is what I decided to do again today for Easter dinner with family. I knew I wanted to wear floral print, as an homage to the return of Spring. The dress has some orange in it, so I thought adding the orange tights would be fun and unexpected. That led me to adding this coral colored necklace, which was a recent gift from an aunt who shares my love of chunky, bold jewelry.

If you love the color coral, check out this post over at Juggling Chic and see her awesome outfit incorporating the color.

(I didn’t get around to taking pictures until late, so the lighting here kind of stinks.)

No Socks!

(Outfit Notes: Cardigan-Target // Tank-Old Navy, on sale for $2 // Skirt-Thrifted, H$M brand // Leggings-Sears, when my local store went out of business // Flats-Target, old // Scarf-too old to remember)

Today was the first time all year that it was warm enough outside to wear flats with no socks. I also did not need a coat or jacket, my cardigan and scarf were sufficient. This was very fitting, since this weekend as a family we celebrate the return of Spring.

We spent a bit of our time in the outdoors at my parent’s house, and I was soaking in as much vitamin D from the sun as I could. The warmth and sunshine really brighten up my mood and make me feel optimistic.

Technical Difficulties

(Outift Notes: Earrings-a gift // Embellished tank-Target clearance // Green Cardigan-Kohls clearance // Jeans-Old Navy // Boots-Target clearance)

I took a bunch more photos of this outfit today, including a few with a blazer, but my camera and tripod were not cooperating with me. I suppose that is bound to happen once in a while when you take your own pics.

Here I am again in my “Mumma Uniform“. My standard weekday wear when I am home with my little guy.  Very casual, but (I hope) still stylish.

3 Ways To Wear: A Sleeveless Dress

1- As a skirt, with a tee over it tied into a twist.
2- With tights and a cardigan in cooler weather.
3- As a jumper, layered over a turtleneck in the winter.

Linking up with Whitney and Franziska. Click here to see more remixed dresses.

Cozy in Green

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-too old to remember //Sweater-Thrifted // Tank-Sears clearance years ago // Belt-Target last year // Leggings-Kohls // Boots, Target clearance last year //  Scarf-too old to remember)

Today I spent most of my day cleaning up messes around the house that my toddler made. I didn’t even get dressed until he went down for his nap at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. By then, I was cranky and already exhausted, but I had to get ready for work. I wanted to wear something comfy and cozy, but still work appropriate, so I grabbed this big, snuggly sweater that was a recent thrift find. It is 100% alpaca wool, from Eileen Fisher, and probably would have originally cost 200 bucks (or more). I got it for a mere 7 dollars! I usually stay away from things that I have to hand wash, but since it was so affordable, I felt it was worth it. Plus, green is my favorite color.

(Linked at The Pleated Poppy)

Movement Monday

 

When I was a freshman in college, I worked at a toy store. While employees were working, if there was a slow day, we would demonstrate toys. One of my favorite items to play with, when we had them in stock, (because they were considered seasonal) were the hula hoops. I started out not so great at it, but over time, and with lots of practice I got pretty good.

Recently, I was trying to think of something I could do to get my body moving, that I would also enjoy. I usually do yoga at home when I want to stretch and work out, but I was looking for something a bit more peppy. While shopping at Target, I came across a 2-lb. weighted hula hoop, and bought it.

I love my hula hoop because I can pick it up any time, put on some upbeat music, and hoop for a few songs. It gets me moving, gets my heart rate up, and also puts me in a happy mood. It is good for my body; but it doesn’t feel like exercise because I like doing it so much. As an added bonus, I have heard hooping is good for the digestive system, because the hoop massages the abdomen. The hoop I bought even comes with a sheet that has different workouts on it, including different stances for hooping, and ways to work the arms using the hoop as a weight.

Last summer, I went to a hooping demonstration given by the performer Amelio Bedelio. Check out a video of her skills, here. After the show, I found out she teaches classes only about 45 minutes away from where I live! Someday in the near future, I would love to sign up. I think it would be so much fun, and would be healthy for me too!

Do you ever use a hula hoop?

Turquoise and Marigold

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-made by me // Sweater-JC Penney clearance rack // T-shirt-too old to remember // Skirt-Target clearance rack // Tights- too old to remember // Belt-Target, last year // T-Strap Heels-JC Penney clearance last year)

Three things about today’s outfit:

1-My husband, Jeramy, and I are going out on a date night tonight to a late 1950’s/early 1960’s-themed drag show, after dinner. I wanted to dress somewhat suitable for the occasion, and so, this marigold and turquoise combo was born. I felt the colors of the ensemble, and the t-strap heels fit right in to the time periods being represented. (Though, with it being March in Maine there will most likely be a cardigan thrown over the top when we go out later, but I haven’t decided yet.)

2-This outfit was cheap. Very, very, cheap. The sweater was a recent 2 dollar find at my local JC Penney. (I bought two fun shirts for just 2 bucks each that day.) Score! The skirt is listed at full-price on the website, but someone ordered it online and then returned it to my local Target store. So, I got it for only 5 dollars instead of full price. Another score! The clutch bag was also marked way down, which I wrote about here. Triple score! The heels were also in the clearance section, last winter, for only 5 bucks too. Quadruple score! Add to all of that the t-shirt being only a few dollars on clearance, the fact that I made the earrings myself, and the tights being marked down…the most expensive item in the whole outfit was the belt, but I paid less than ten bucks for that. The whole ensemble for less than 40 bucks!

3-Lastly, this outfit is my offering for this week’s Style Imitating Art challenge. The lovely Jess, of the blog Animated Cardigan, chose this piece:
(Roses jaunes dans en vase), by Gustave Caillebotte
The title of the painting translates to: “Yellow Roses in a Vase”.

When I first saw this painting I thought: “How am I going to work with that when I don’t own any pale yellow?“. But Jess encouraged everyone to click on the image and look at it as large as possible to appreciate all of the flecks and strokes of color in the paint. Once I did this, I appreciated fully just how many rich colors really were in this seemingly pastel work.

If you look closely, you will find many shades of yellow in there, including the same marigold shade as my sweater. There are also ticks of orange, which I brought in with the beads on the earrings and the flowers on my tapestry print clutch. I also thought it fitting that the orange earring beads and the clutch print were roses, the subject matter of the painting. Finally, the dark background swirls with different browns, which show up in my tights and shoes.

(Be sure to check Jess’ blog on Monday when she posts all of the outfits that people submitted for the challenge!)

Spring Green

 

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-have had for years // Cardigan-JC Penny //  Plaid Tunic-Thrifted //  Leggings-Kohls // Boots-Target Clearance)

Green is my very favorite color, so when I saw this bright, happy-colored, cardigan for only 16 dollars at JC Penney, I knew it would be an addition to my wardrobe that I would want to wear all the time. Technically, this is a Winter outfit; but today I went out with no coat on for the first time all year, and the sun was shining warmly. Considering that, and how bright and fresh this particular shade is, I call it “spring green”.

Pink Pant-ther

(Outfit Notes: Necklace-Target // Grey Sweater-Target last year // Pink Jeans-Thrifted // Boots-Target Clearance)

Today I dressed for a day at home with my little guy. We ended up outside, having a snowball fight, and then I stood keeping warm in the sun, sipping coffee while he climbed “mountains” of snow. (Really though, they were piles that only went up to my waist, but mountains to him.)

These pink pants are cropped, so I haven’t figured out a way to wear them in cold weather without boots. Otherwise, it looks like I have a length problem. Hopefully soon, this snow mess will melt and I can pair them with cute flats or sandals again!

(Linked up with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy)

Not Quite Spring Flowers

(Outift Notes: Necklace-a gift // Sweater-Thrifted // Long-sleeved tee-Maurice’s clearance rack // Cords- Kohl’s last year // Booties-TJ Maxx)

This was my casual and comfy, yet Library appropriate, work outfit from yesterday. I almost changed about ten times, because everything I was wearing was so grey, but comfort won out. Plus, I felt like the necklace was the real star of my ensemble anyway, and it stood out nicely. It was a Christmas present from my Mother-in-law, and it matches this recently thrifted  purple-flecked sweater very well.

Today  we are having yet another snowstorm, despite the fact that tomorrow is the first official day of Spring. Apparently, if I want to see flowers, I will have to wear them in the form of clothing and accessories for now.