Casual Friday

leopard + stripes by quartknee42 featuring faded jeans

I'm lucky enough to work for a company that allows me to dress pretty casual regardless of the day.  Typically I wear jeans and a blouse, but on Fridays I can tend to be more casual. On any given Friday you could find me wearing an outfit very similar to this one, leopard flats, striped shirt, and dark blue skinnies.  At first glance it may not seem like leopard and stripes "go" but as long as there is a similar color among both patterns I think it's perfectly acceptable to pair them together.  Also both patterns are staples in my closet so it's inevitable that I wear them in the same outfit!

Wish List :: Skirts

skirts by quartknee42 featuring a polka dot skirt

Every year when it starts getting warmer, I immediately feel like I'm lacking in warm-weather clothes.  This year is no different, and I feel like most of my skirts are either more conservative like a pencil skirt, or better for the weekend.  My closet is definitely lacking in moderate length but fun skirts so I couldn't help but do a little online window shopping tonight.

Lauren Conrad's Spring Line

 {Pointelle Bow Sweater}

 {Polka Dot Pleated Dress}

 {Floral Dolman Top}

{Lace Chiffon Top}

I saw some of Lauren Conrad's spring collection last weekend at Kohl's but I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it.  Finally, I looked at her items online, and there are quite a few things that I would love to add to my closet from the newest collection!  As you can tell, the majority of my "wish list" items are in this pretty peach/light pink color which I think would be a fun addition to anyone's closet.

Get Fit

Nike purple by quartknee42 featuring black shoes

Nike Blue by quartknee42 featuring nike activewear

Congrats, we've made it to week three of 2012!  Did you make a resolution to work out more this year? I wanted to share some of my favorite workout clothes and some that I just think are cute with you all.  My favorite clothing brands are Nike and Champion from Target.  Also, since I'm not much of a gym person, my favorite workouts are Zumba for the Wii, resistance bands, and walks with intermittent bursts of running.

Obsessed

{H&M}

Although it's not even September, and by no means am I trying to rush the colder weather, but I am obsessed with this outfit.  It's really no surprise since it has two of my favorite elements: boots and stripes.  I will most definitely be looking forward to finding these pieces at H&M!

Everybody Everywear - Pattern Mixing

{Top: Old Navy, Skirt: Forever 21, Boots: Steve Madden}

I was so excited that this month's EBEW was pattern mixing, since I've been waiting for an excuse to wear this shirt and skirt together.  The cognac boots also had to make an early appearance on my blog again, because it was a little too cold and breezy to have completely bare legs.  I'm really ready for the high temperature to be in the 80s at least!  Don't forget to check out everyone else's outfits at EBEW.

Trusty Gingham Shirt

{Button-Up & Shorts: Forever 21, Sandals: Steve Madden}

I'm finally getting around to posting my take on this week's outfit crush.  It's become evident to me that I need another pair of white shorts or my first pair of white pants since I've been gravitating toward them this summer.  Since it's August, have you found yourself gravitating toward any pieces in your closet?  Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Organic Outfit

{Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Ross, Sandals: Ross}

This outfit came about organically, which doesn't happen very often for me.  Normally I try to pre-plan what I'm going to wear, but today I just knew I wanted to wear this skirt and the rest randomly happened.  I bought this skirt awhile ago at Ross, and while it is a little big on me, I liked it.  I really want to learn how to take it in, or go to a tailor, but for now I choose to pull it in with a high waisted belt.  

The end ...

{Tank: Forever 21, Both Button-Ups: Forever 21, Jeans: JCrew, Heels: Nine West}

It's kind of hard to believe that I have another 30 for 30 challenge under my high-waisted belt.  It's also kind of hard to believe that I have not one, not two, not even three, but four shirts/tanks on right now.  This outfit came about in the process of just adding tops, including two button-ups, and being too lazy to unbutton the button-ups that I was wearing.  Voila, how to wear four tops in the middle of July!

Everybody Everywear - Yellow

{Cardigan: Gap, Dress: H&M, Belt: H&M, Heels: Target}

I wouldn't have thought I would need to wear a cardigan over my summer dress in order to go outside in July, but such is the life of living in Portland.  It was nice to wear yellow to counteract the gray skies outside, and now I can't wait to look at everyone else's EBEW outfits!

Limited Words

{Sweater: H&M, Shirt: Banana Republic, Jeans: JCrew, Heels: Target}

Not much to say today except for this one thing: Don't forget that tomorrow is EBEW and the theme is yellow!

Kelly Green & Stripes

{Tank: Forever 21, Skirt: Zara, Belt: H&M, Heels: Target}

Last weekend I only managed to wear one new outfit, but that was because I wanted to rewear one of my favorite black dresses that I included in the challenge.  It was absolutely amazing weather last weekend, and I was able to see my parents, walk around one of the local street fairs, and lay by my apartment pool.  All in all it was a wonderful weekend!

Scarf it Up!

{Shirt: Target, Cardigan: Gap, Jeans: Banana Republic, Heels: Target}

The lovely Keiko inspired me to wear a scarf in my hair today.  Although I didn't wear it the exact way she does (I wasn't brave enough) I still tried to rock it half as well as she does.  It was such an easy way to spice up a standard bun too!

Awkward & Awesome Thursday

{Button-Up: Forever 21, Jeans: JCrew, Heels: Gift from friend}

Playing along with Sydney's ongoing series today!

Awkward:

- Trying to jump start my BF's truck at midnight in our apartment complex
- Picking a wedgie while on a walk, only to realize someone is walking closely behind you
- Finding a cat hair in my made-at-home burrito, and still eating it. Hey, what can I say it was really tasty.

Awesome:

- Receiving compliments on my at-home manicure.
- Finding one of the last remaining parking spots in my apartment complex because each motorcycle feels it needs it's own spot.  It's the little things.
- Losing the evening to an old favorite past-time of making friendship bracelets.  So much fun!
- G time.  Last weekend I was able to spend the whole day with some of my favorite pals and I forget how relaxing and amazing it is to catch up!
- Getting some sun yesterday on my pale Irish skin, and I even have the start of tan lines.

Hot, Hot, Hot

{Shirt: H&M, Jeans: Banana Republic, Flats: Jessica Simpson}

It has been absolutely hot in Portland this week, and I know yesterday I said I wasn't sure what to do with full access to my closet again but now I'm rethinking that.  It will be so nice to have more skirt, dress, and short options to combat the heat.  I'm not sure how people living in Arizona, LA, Texas, or other warms states and cities are able to handle the heat without melting.

Button-Up & Bermuda Shorts

{Button-Up: Old Navy, Shorts: Gap, Heels: Nine West, Belt: H&M, Purse: H&M}

Now that I'm finally caught up on my outfits from the weekend, this is what I wore today.  It's hard to believe that there is only one week left in this challenge.  It feels like this 30 for 30 has gone by extra fast, and I'm not sure what I'll wear once I have access to my entire closet again!

4th of July Weekend

 {Hat: JCPenney, Dress: H&M, Sandals: Ross}

 {Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Zara, Heels: Nine West}

{Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: H&M, Heels: Urban Outfitters}

I hope that everyone had a great weekend and was able to enjoy the sunshine that July hopefully provided!  You couldn't have asked for nicer weather here in Portland, and it was absolutely gorgeous yesterday for the 4th.  These are the three outfits I wore Saturday, Sunday, and Monday!