Outfits for Outings

During the past few days, I've taken a few outings.  On Friday, I went to Iowa City (boo Hawkeyes) to see my little sis, Laura, play her end-of-band-camp concert.  Of course, that called for a nice, cute outfit that demonstrated effort and looked stylish for a college town.

Outside the old capitol building in Iowa City

Hence, my dark yet (in my opinion) sophisticated outfit!  A black fitted-t: truly the perfect addition to any wardrobe.  They are so versatile... I can dress it up (with khakis or skirts) or down (with sweatpant capris).  I chose to pair it with my new silk scarf from Roma, pearl earrings (classic, but overworn by me), a black belt, my nude sandals from Greece (not seen in picture, obviously), and jean shorts.  For once, they aren't short shorts.  And I'll tell you why.  As a runner/marching-band-geek (love it!) my thighs are very muscular.  I love my legs, but longer shorts and capris look better than short shorts.



Anyway, yesterday found me at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo with one of my bestest best friends, Jared. That called for another picture-worthy outfit but of a different caliber.  As it was hot and sunny (for most of the day), I needed something light-weight but with enough coverage.

In the Desert Dome at the Henry Doorly Zoo

My magenta v-neck is perfect for summer!  It's a little worn out (so it might get thrown away at the end of summer).  I tucked it into navy cargo shorts for a more grown-up look.  My magenta bracelet from Morocco matched perfect, as did my small, navy purse from Strawberry (in NYC).  Again, the nude sandals completed my outfit.   My legs ached by the end of the day (I should have worn my pink Chucks), but it was a great day!  I loved seeing the giraffes, zebra, tigers, fish, and the jungle, but most of all I enjoyed spending time with a good friend.

Update on my summer to-do list!

So far, I have done a lot on my list!

I have:
Read 3 books (check!)
Scrapbook-ed 10 pages (halfway there!)
Sewn up the collar on my Windsor t-shirt (check!)

It's not even July yet!

Every time I start to get restless, I remind myself that once this summer is over, I won't get another one like it.  On to summer classes, a summer in Houston, and then REAL LIFE.  Scary, I know.

So here's to summer things I love:
blogging
reading
scrapbooking
sleeping
shopping (NEED TO DO THAT MORE)
walking with Mom
jogging with Lisa
journaling

And here are the things I need to stop (or at least cut back on):
Facebooking
Tweeting
eating ice cream at work
stressing (it's summer, right?  WHY DO I STILL STRESS OUT?!?!)

European Clothes with an Iowan Twist

 So, seeing as my sister returned from her time abroad with lots of beautiful souvenirs... thimbles, a cute box, a fan from Spain, but mostly clothes, accessories, and shoes... I decided to write a blog detailing my soon-to-be use of these gifts!  So here are pictures of my gifts and my plans for what to wear them with:
1. Teal skirt:
I thought this would look fantastic with my black fashion t-shirt tucked in.  Add my black sandals for a simple touch, or wear my zebra-print, sparkly silver-and-black flats for a slightly more glam-rocker feel.  Not that this skirt says glam-rocker.... it more says sweet, flower-child.  I could also wear this shirt with my maroon v-neck for a color-block effect.

2. Bracelets:
I won't go into lots of detail on what I could wear these with, mostly because they'd go with lots of things.  I just need to make it my mission to start wearing bracelets...


3. Headband:
First of all, I LOVE THIS!  It surpasses my usual jeans, nice top, and TOMS outfit choice. I'm going to have to be a little bit creative with this... One thought I had was this with a flowy top (help!  I might need one of those!) with khaki shorts/capris and my new sandals from Greece (see below).

4. Ah... the scarf from Rome.

This is simply elegant.  I plan on wearing this with my black fitted-t, my favorite Levis, and my black sandals or plain black pointed-toe flats. I could also wear my Greek sandals with it since there is a hint of tan in the design... LOVE!

5. Other scarf.
I love this because of the multiple colors.  I have two pink fitted-t's. It would also look good with a white shirt (although I don't really like white clothes).  I wore it the other day with my pearl earring (personal favorites of mine--classy AND lovely).  Finally, it just looks like a scarf I would throw on under my black-and-white jacket for a pop of color!

6. Swansea Sweatshirt:  I just wish the weather would get a little colder so I could wear this!  I plan on taking it to school with me in the fall and wearing it to marching band when the weather gets colder... I'll brighten up those fall days for sure!

7. The cheap boots... win.

These boots cost Lisa two pounds... so like 3-ish dollars.  I think they will look stunning with my super-skinny jeans and a boho top. I would also like to look into buying a tunic to wear with these boots and leggings.  Again, I wouldn't mind the weather dropping back into the 60s so I could wear these beauties :)

8. Sandals from Greece:
Personal favorite gift, and surprisingly, they fit perfectly!  Ah!  I could pretty much wear these with anything.  I plan on wearing them with my all-black romper (which, by the way, would look great with my scarf from Roma), but first I have to get brave enough to try the nude-with-black.  We'll see.  They look great with khakis (as they made their debut at church).




Thanks, Lisa, for the awesome gifts!  I love them, but mostly I'm happy that you're home safe and sound!  Much love!

Shopping List

I'm going through old clothes... throwing lots away and taking lots to Goodwill/West Central.
Mom even said I need new clothes.... which means... I sense a SHOPPING TRIP coming up!  Once my dearest twin sister gets home, my mother, sisters, and I are going to hit the mall and Kohl's, of course.  :)   I also will do some online shopping (TOMS.com will be the ruin of me).  

So here is my list (specific and sometimes not):
1. TOMS (at LEAST one more pair, possibly two... definitely the grey/black striped ones)
2. A pencil skirt (necessary for dress-up occasions and parties)
3. A nice sundress... I am tired of stealing Lis's!
4. New jean shorts... I'm a little iffy on this... I only really wear them in the summer.  But jeans are definitely too hot for an Iowa, Indiana, or Texan summer.
5. New tops (hello. I've been wearing some of the same ones since middle school... yeah).  Some simple V-necks, some really dressy/stylish

Things  NOT to buy:
1. Sandals.  I just got a black pair, but I don't need any more
2. T-Shirts.  Never wear them at school except for marching band practices/jogging/Ultimate Frisbee.
3. Jewelry... let's face it.  I wear earrings, my KKY lavalier, my Swarovski necklace, my key necklace, and maybe my Class ring and my Championship ring.