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: 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: Exploring PDX.

After some time dealing with my own "not good enough" inner non-sense dialog and finally getting to the positive light again (whoooottt!!!) I am back!!! So for my first post in  awhile, I thought it would be fitting to do a What I Wore segment since I feel like it's been months since I have shown you an outfit! So get ready, this is one of my favorite outfits for the summer!


Last weekend Dave and I went to Portland, Oregon to explore the city and see if it was a possible place we could see ourselves living. In the morning we would walk a block to jump on the train and spend the whole day wondering the streets of Portland while visiting with friends.

* I AM SOOOO in love with these spiky shoes* 

One the many things I loved about Portland, was the public transportation. Oh how I have missed being able to jump on the train to get anywhere I need to go. And if by chance the train couldn't take me there a bus probably could! Minnesota doesn't have the best public transport, we have one light rail...and it has maybe ten stops, basically you take it to the Mall of America to the Twins stadium.

Umm..I stil haven't introduced you to my purse!! I got it this fall, after purchasing it, then returning it so I could buy concert tickets, and then a few months later purchasing it again! I am SOOOOOOOO in love with my purse, the Dia de los Muertos skull is so pretty, I just stare at it sometimes! I used to change purses with my outfits, but now I just use this beauty!

This is one of my college roommates who now lives in Portland! She was nice enough to show us all the breathe taking views of Portland that easily swayed my wanting to move there, now we are just working on swaying the husband!

.the details. 

shirt: ASOS

shorts: Old Navy

cardigan: Merona (target)

shoes: Target

necklace: Forever 21

Purse: loungefly

.WIW: Halloween.

Happy Halloween Everyone!  

I'm on a quick break from work and wanted to share with you my halloween costume. I work at a used bookstore and was excited to be able to dress up (as well as see other dress up!).  My first outfit idea was to be Mickey Mouse, but I feel asleep at 7p.m. last night and didn't get my ears. So I woke up this morning and had to figure out a quick outfit! This is what I got from my closet:

1950s Housewife:

.the details. 

shirt: Lane Bryant // skirt: Mossimo

apron: grandma's //  shoes: Mossimo

pearl earrings and necklace: grandma's

dishgloves and dishrag in apron pocket 

Not to shabby for a quick morning decision!

Tonight I plan on watching Rocky Horror Picture Show, 

what are your plans?

WIW: in 2008

Did you have a phase in your life where you were almost obsessed with taking pictures of yourself? You did it so much you had your myspace pose down perfect and knew exactly how to capture the "pretty" side of your face?

I was looking at my large gallery of photos and it seems like I was a bit overboard with taking pictures of myself, especially during the time of 2006-2008. Fortunately, I only have one album for all my different looks in 2008. I thought it would be fun to share with you what I wore, what my hair looked like 4 years ago. During this time of my life I was just married, moved to Northern Virginia (did you know there is Virginia and then Northern Virginia?), and just started grad school and a grad assistantship!

Sooo this is me in 2008:

.i wore scarves a lot. 

.i was into wearing two necklaces at once. 

.i got dressed up for date nights. 

.i really liked teal with red. 

.sometimes i dressed up for work. 

.i work a skirt as a strapless dress. 

.and i LOOOVVEEED this shirt.


And I liked to make silly faces when taking pictures?

I think I am a master at the duck lip picture thing..haa haaaa.

Do you remember what you wore 4 years ago?

WIW: Exploring Northern WI

I finally got to go on a shopping trip with one of my besties AND it was pretty amazing! I got a lot of good steals and it inspired me to be a little bit more fashionable. The day after our shopping trip I was headed to Northern WI for a marathon so I decided I would hit those midwesterners with a bit of a splash!

in the car, reading Geek Love

The marathon was in Ashland, WI which was a beautiful little town right on Lake Superior. The two photos above where taken in their downtown area. I love when small towns have murals, they really bring a lot to make the area feel homey. This mural was beautiful, absolutely stunning with vibrant colors. 

After picking up our race packets we headed out of town to explore more of Northern WI. We found the small town of Bayfield, WI filled with big boats, beautiful trees changing colors, and magnificent views of Lake Superior. I felt that the red corduroy pants matched the fall atmosphere surrounding me. Plus these pants are super soft and comfortable, I could probably live in them and be happy about it.  I loved the challenge of mixing green and red without making it look Christmasy...and I think I might have nailed it! 

.the details. 

sweater: Old Navy // necklace: Forever 21

pants: Seven, TJMaxx // shoes: Payless

.WIW: Fall Arrival.

Soooo...fall has arrived here in Central Minnesota. One thing is for sure, it is getting pretty cold outside. I like the fall (or used to) but since being out of the state for a while I believe that fall has gotten colder since I was a young gun  (I don't know how I am going to handle winter!) It has even given me a nice cold to welcome the chillier weather and beautiful leaves with.

This outfit I believe is going to be my go to fall outfit. The blazer and scarf items that I can wear with different outfits, in different ways PLUS they will help protect me from the wind! Nothing like having stylish protection...also I think it looks better than throwing on a sweatshirt, which is something I am drawn to do from time to time.

blazer: lane bryant // pants: Forever 21

scarf: TJ Maxx // Shoes: Payless

What are going to be your fall go to items?

.WIW: antiquing and ice creaming it up.

Most of this outfit is new, so I was really excited to wear it. You know when you get new clothes and you are  itching to wear them as soon as possible, it was totally that moment! I think they lasted only a few days in my closet before they made it into rotation! 

This was the perfect outfit for walking around the neighborhood on a beautiful day. That day we went antiquing, ate ice-cream, and then walked over to the movie theatre (after already walking home). I am in L.O.V.E. with the vibrant green color of the skirt, it shouts SUMMER and WEAR ME!! Sooo, I will listen and wear this skirt over and over again this summer! 

.the details.

skirt & shirt: Target

sandels: Target // bag: TJ Maxx

.WIW: Pink and Purple, Pink and Purple.

Man...do I LOVE this pink skirt! I got it when I was in Australia when I first heard of ASOS. It is my very very favorite skirt/dress! I swear I wear it almost every week because it is sooo easy to switch one cute top in for another. This is when I tried to go really casual with the top. I think it's fun at times to wear a casual top with a more dressed up bottom!

Plus the dress if fun to spin around in and swwoooooshhh!!!

.the details. 

shirt: Baltimore Gift Shop // skirt: Asos

cardigan: Target // shoes: Payless

purse: Urban Outfitters

.WIW: Raaawwwwrrrr.

Late in spring I bought this animal print top. It is the first animal print I have EVER owned! It hung in my closet because I didn't know how to wear it. Plus it's sleeveless and I really don't love my arms...I have the Oprah flap (at least that's what I call it). Finally I got it out of the closet and decided I was going to wear it to run errands. I dressed it up a bit because I wasn't comfortable enough with rocking out a bit! But I love how it looked very casual chic, if you ask me! 

Yep...everything is still there!!!

.the details.
shirt: Old Navy // cardigan: Old Navy
Jeans: Forever 21 // purse: Target

* the next week: I wore the shirt (no cardi!) with black pants to a concert *
Yep..I turned the casual chic into a little rock outfit!

We hope you have a great Wednesday!!!

.WIW: 1/2 marathon gear.

At the beginning of the month I ran my first half marathon (13.1 miles) with a friend! I trained for over 7 weeks for this run, the longest I have trained for anything!! No matter how hard you train, sometimes what you wear also helps you finish the race. I wanted to share with you what I wore during the race. This is a good guide for anyone who is looking to get into running or planning on running a big race.  

1. Dry Fit Shirt ( from Target, wicks away the sweat so your shirt doesn't become heavy) // 2. ADIDAS hat (had for yeeeaaarrrs! It really helps keep the sweat out of my eyes)  // 3.  Bras: 3 bras to be exact! I wear a regular underwire, a cheap plus size sports bra, regular sports bra ( just an fyi: I am a DD, so I need lots of support)  // 4. New Balance running shoes ( I just wear what the running store says it right for me)  // 5. Starter Sports Shorts ( I also have running shorts but they chaff during longer runs)  // 6. REI Wicking Underwear ( great to wear when not wearing running shorts)  // 7. Runners World Running belt ( held my id, extra money, keys, and energy chews)  // 8. FitSok running socks ( love them! they are soft, comfy, and keep your feet dry..plus they are locally made!!!)  // 9. Amphipod Arm Strap (holds itouch and has extra pockets) // 10. Bandana  ( I had a cold so I was going to use it as a hanky. I ended up just tying it around my wrist and using it as a sweatband)

Put all the elements and this is what you get!! 

I also wear my old eye glasses when I run. 

My regular ones get dirty really fast and I don't want to ruin them with my sweat!

If you have any questions about what I wore/wear 

OR 

wanna share what you wear when running

I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment!