WIW: trainspotting

Dave and I went on a train ride through the Columbia Gorge exploring the country side. For this little adventure, I knew I wanted to be comfortable for the 4 hours sitting in the train but still look cute.

I went with my black tuxedo pants (that basically feel like sweatpants) and a soft sweater paired with studded ankle boots. I was soooo comfortable but still looked fashionable as well, I had found the perfect outfit!

.i love the lace detail on the front of the sweater. 

.the details. 

pants: Lane Bryant

sweater: Lane Bryant

shoes: Target

purse: Loungefly

WIW: dog walking

Do you ever have those times when you just don't want to wear another pair or pants...or all your pants just don't seem to fit? I am definitely in the mood right now. I have a few pairs of jeans out of my many that I ever feel like wearing, but still times I just want to switch it up.  So, I decided that it's the perfect time to start layering my dresses to give me both warmth on chilly days but also spice up my wardrobe. Plus, who says you can't wear your dress as a skirt?!?!

When I put this outfit on, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. Would it be to much with the print and the graphic...however, I ended up liking it and loved the feeling of being comfortable all day long! Plus, wearing this sweater over my dress makes it more flattering for me than if I wear it with jeans (no muffin top/tire!).  I love this sweater, it's seriously one of the cuter ones I own! 

Have you seen my favorite purse? I think I shared it before, but how can you not swoon over it!! I have been in LOVE with this purse since I laid my eyes on it over a year ago. I use it whenever I can and always try to make sure that my skull is facing out so I can share it's beauty with others. I didn't lie in my other outfit posts, I am seriously in love with my motto boots. I wear them with almost every outfit! Plus with such a spunky print and graphic, I feel that the boots balance it out so the outfit doesn't go to girly girl for me.  

.the details.

dress: Target

shoes: Target

jacket: Forever 21

sweater: Lane Bryant

tights: Lane Bryant 

purse: Loungefly

* Maggie was an excellent sport for stopping on her walk for me to take some pics *

WIW: making a big decision

Last week I took a big gamble, risk, jump, leap...all those words you use when you make a decision that is scary and uncertain.  I did it, I made one that will move my dreams to being closer to reality. It happened all of a sudden...i woke up made a few phone calls and within 2 hours, BAAMMMM, leap taken!! So what does one wear on such an occasion? Whatever they threw on that morning...and this is that outfit.

I woke up with no plans for the day but to sit at my desk and do work on the computer. Therefore, I wanted something that was comfortable but not be in my sweats. Cause let's face it..its SOOO easy to wear pjs and sweatpants when you don't plan on leaving the apartment! The great thing is that these pants are basically dressy sweatpants....I LOVE THEM!!  When we drove out west I swear I wore them everyday!! 

OH, can we talk about this shirt for a second! I honestly believe it was made with me in mind, it's such a pretty skull! I love the gold tinted butterflies flying around and out of it, such a hauntingly beautiful shirt. Remember last time I told you I loved hard and soft, I wasn't lying to ya!

.jumping for joy / celebrating. 

.studded tennis shoes.

.need I say more?.

.the details.

shirt :: ASOS

cardigan :: Target

pants :: Lane Bryant

shoes :: Target

Also, my photographer wanted me to share these photos with you:

He is great at helping me capture my outfits until I get a tripod and timer!

Thank you, you crazy man, you!

.WIW: MN pride + guest model.

Can you feel it?!  The sun starting to shine a little bit brighter, the air becoming a bit warmer, the charge of spring slowly poking it's head out? I most definitely can feel it and am welcoming it with open arms! Whenever the sun is shining here in Portland, I feel like I HAVE to wear a dress or skirt, there is no other option! The sun is shining and I must obey by wearing spring clothes.

.meet Maggie - our guest model who also decided that 

she loves spring and wanted to share in the celebration of it.

Not only when the sun is shining do I feel the need to wear skirts or dresses, I feel the need to wear bright colors. Your outfits are starting to show color and bloom just like the flowers around you. Matching bright colors is easy, just make sure you pair them with a color that isn't overwhelming and can stabilize your outfit. For me that is my grey skirt with black tights. 

.this is one of my adult bff necklaces, this one says

 "Best Fucking Friends" when the heart is together. 

.sometimes Maggie likes to walk to places she shouldn't be, like parking lots,

and just stand there staring at cars. This is when I get to carry her 70lb. butt back to safety.

I LOVE these boots, I wear them all the time with jeans, dresses, skirts, anything. They help give my outfits the edge that I desire. I am a huge fan of wearing semi-girly clothes with harder accessories. I'm a sucker for almost anything that has studs, spikes, or skulls. The key is to wear them in moderation, don't over do it and try to wear all of them at the same time!

.the details.

shirt: Old Navy

cardigan: Old Navy

skirt: Asos

tights: Lane Bryant

necklace: Etsy

shoes: Target

.look at her and all her bulldog glory...she melts my heart. 

WIW: Channeling HANSON

Yep, you read it correct, HANSON. So what does HANSON have to do with this outfit, you may be asking yourself. The answer is, EVERYTHING! Without HANSON, I wouldn't have picked up this sweatshirt, without this sweatshirt I wouldn't have this outfit.  If you didn't know HANSON has a song, GIVE A LITTLE,  which will explain everything!! (p.s. you can find the video at the bottom of the post..heck yes!!!)

Should I tell you something else about this outfit? It could also be called the Old Navy and Target outfit! Yep, everything that you see was purchased from those two stores and a majority of it on clearance. I am a clearance queen, I go to those racks first before looking anywhere else. I also like to scan the 30% racks at Target so I know what I want to keep my eyes on when things it marked down to 50%! 

I LOOOOOVVEEEE these shoes, but really don't wear them much. They tend to be comfortable in the beginning and then eat up your heels half way through the day. Once I take them off, they usually remain off! And these pants, my absolute favorite pants from Old Navy. I actually had to throw them away the other day because I wore them to much and they got an unpleasant hole in and unpleasant area (you ALL know what I'm saying!). 

.what am I doing here?!?!? . 

.I just had to share so you can have a good chuckle with me.

.the details.

sweatshirt: Old Navy

chambray shirt: Old Navy

jeans: Old Navy skinny

shoes: Target

necklace: Target

and now here is the HANSON video I promised you:

didn't those HANSON boys grow up to be soo handsome?

If you didn't know, I love them and you can read about

my HANSON experience this summer....here!

WIW: to work

Hello! Hello! Hello!  I'm pretty lucky to work at a bookstore that lets you wear basically whatever you want. The only guidelines I was given when hired were: 1) wear closed toe shoes and 2) don't wear anything you wouldn't wear in front of your grandma.  Easy enough! Sometimes I don't feel like dressing up so it's a company shirt and a cardigan or sweatshirt. But most times I enjoy putting thought into how I present myself to the world.

This is an outfit I wear on a typical day. It has comfort, style and function..easy to lift lots and lots of books! I have had this sweatshirt for a few years now, but have just now figured out to layer with it instead of just wearing a scarf. I love how just adding a nicer shirt underneath dresses up a simple sweatshirt. 

Since this is such a simple outfit , I like to keep it simple with accessories. A typewriter necklace is very fitting for a bookseller and you can never go wrong with a cute pair of flats!

.the details.

sweatshirt: Target

undershirt: Marshalls

necklace: gift

jeans: Old Navy

shoes: Target

.WIW: simple summer.

 Sometimes in the summer you just need that dress where you can put it on and go, this is that dress for me. I have had this dress for a few years and have even contemplated retiring it, but it calls my name and I welcome it back to the closet from the donation pile.

One of the best things about a simple black dress is that you can accessorize it different ways and make a variety of outfits. All you need is a cardigan and a scarf, and POOF a cute, summer outfit!

.the details. 

.EVERYTHING: Target.

WIW: lace and spikes

I won't lie to you, when I saw this dress on Asos Curve clearance I didn't hesitate to add it to my basket. Nope, didn't hesitate for even one second..it was love at first sight. I didn't have anything in my closet that was this lady like and it desperately needed it, I could hear it begging me to get it. 

The dress came with a little brown belt, but I opted to use a black belt that I had instead. I feel like the belt black makes it look more sophisticated, which was what I wanted for the bridal shower I was attending. The brown belt would be nice for just a summer day outfit. 

.I couldn't capture the way the dress moves, this was my best attempt!.

I played around with a little contradiction with my accessories. I have the sweet little bow necklace and hair pin to go with the lace dress and then added a little 'roughness' with spiky  shoes and studded clutch. I love playing with textures and what may be unexpected. 

.the details.

.dress: Asos Curve. (the run large so order a size smaller than usual)

.shoes: Target.

.clutch: Target.

.Necklace & Hair Pin: Forever 21.