Grand Canyon West

Bobeau cardigan, Nordstrom Rack

Jones New York dress, Ross

     I have this same style of dress with two different prints and sizes. While  I like both, I've found that I like this one, which is bigger, just a bit more because the looser fit looks nice when belted.
    Spring Break has come to its inevitable end (whaa??! already??!) but I really cannot complain. I haven't done as much work as I planned - there are still stacks of assessments awaiting grading and inputting - but I did take a short trip to Vegas and spent many a happy hour on the couch, watching Food Network or reading. My Vegas trip was much more low-key than I expected, because I was under the weather, but my husband and I did squeeze in a day trip to Grand Canyon West, a few meals out, and a quick trip to the outlet mall. At the mall, I was thrilled to find a pair of my favorite jeans - and my husband was nice enough to buy them for me.
   Yesterday was our first day back to school after break, and it kicks off a mad dash (with no long weekends or holidays, boo) to the end of the school year.
   A few photos from my trip:

Husband at Guano Point. I like the contrast of the mining equipment with the natural beauty.

Graffiti at Guano Point. I pointed out some graffiti in another language (not shown) to my husband, and it turned out to be his native tongue. The funny thing was, he noticed right away that it was misspelled.

View from inside a wickiup (dwelling) at Guano Point.

Obligatory selfie. Borrowed one of my husband's hats for the day to keep the sun off my face.

the problem with layers

Rebecca Taylor silk top, thrifted

Calvin Klein straight leg jeans, Ross

Coldwater Creek scarf, gift from Mom

     I wore the cardigan most of the day, but after reviewing the photos, I've decided that I prefer wearing this outfit without the cardigan. Two long and loose layers - albeit very lightweight - don't look as easy and effortless as I thought they'd look. I thought matching my cardigan to my jeans would do the trick, but it doesn't quite. The effect is not terrible, but I prefer the proportions of the first photo. Somehow, the rolled-up sleeves and bare forearms seem to balance out the scarf and loose top. Ah, to be just a few inches taller and better suited to carrying off those long, effortless flowy outfits that I gravitate towards ...

 Bobeau cardigan, Nordstrom Rack

 

   I haven't given up on these types of outfits, however ... this caught my eye lately. I'd like to recreate it, but maybe try it with my more fitted maxi skirt to preserve some shape.
   Are you like me, and sometimes drawn to looks that are problematic for your body type? Or is figure flattery your top priority?

vintage floral

Ann Taylor top, Savers

Bobeau cardigan, Nordstrom Rack

trouser jeans, Macy's

    

       Up to this point, I've been staunch in my preference for Goodwill over Savers, primarily because of the difference in pricing strategies. However, Savers is slowly gaining because I've found so many nice things there! I always get a compliment or two when I wear this top to work. I'm pretty sure that my husband would hate the print, but I like it because it reminds me of something you might find at Anthropologie ... or covering the couch cushions at Grandma's house. ; )

hail to March and a few iPhone outfit photos

 Top: Bobeau cardigan, Nordstrom Rack; top and necklace, Forever 21

Middle: Old Navy floral top, Savers; Banana Republic gray cardigan, from Mom;

 lucite necklace, eBay

Bottom: Pleione lobster print tee and Carole agate necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance; 

Gap Factory yellow cardigan

      
       I guess you're getting old when you find yourself commenting often, "Wow, I can't believe it's already 2014/February/March/almost April!"  But here we go ... I can't believe it's almost April.
      But before we welcome April, let's talk about March, which is a big month for my husband and I! The 18th is what I call our "meet-a-versary" -- the anniversary of our first date. The funny thing is, we went to this Thai restaurant for dinner, and we haven't been able to eat there since! Whenever we're in the area and pop in, it's inevitably closed. If I was a bigger romantic, I'd imagine that it was open just for that one special night ...
     March 30th makes one year since we got married, too. Sometimes I'm surprised that it's already been a year, and other times I'm surprised that it's only been a year. (Does that make sense ...?)
      Outfit talk: I think the middle outfit is my favorite, because before I might have shied away from pairing the necklace with a ruffled top. I really like how the necklace picks up the different hues in the top. In regards to the bottom outfit, I'm not usually drawn to nautical  themes - I have no interest in anchor-emblazoned anything - but I found the lobsters strangely whimsical. I'm already looking forward to pairing this top with my navy polka-dot skirt! 

upgrading: long navy cardigan

   

     I picked up this rayon cardigan at Forever 21 a few years back, thinking it would pair perfectly with the chain and chiffon trim tank featured in this outfit. (Funny thing is, I don't think I've ever worn the two pieces together!) However, as you can see from the collage, I've managed to pair this cardigan with just about everything else in my closet, from various shades of blue to brights like orange.
   For about $15, the cardigan has served its purpose. However, it's starting to pill and show its age, so I picked up this Bobeau cardigan during my personal triple points day at Nordstrom Rack. I was planning to upgrade to a cotton vs. rayon cardigan, but the cotton cardigan they had seemed poorer quality. All I have is an iPhone photo, but I did like the mix of colors in my new cardigan's inaugural outfit:

 dress, Old Navy

Bobeau cardigan, Nordstrom Rack

belt, from a different dress

enamel necklace, eBay

 

       One thing I did realize is that while my old cardigan had very fitted sleeves, this one's sleeves are a lot looser. I tend to wear my sleeves scrunched up most of the time, and throughout the day I found myself absentmindedly pushing my sleeves up my arms ... only to have them slide right back down. I also miss the pockets on my old cardi - it's not that I used them to hold things, they were just cute. Otherwise, my upgrade cardigan is very comfortable, and I'm looking forward to wearing it often before it turns blazing hot again.

      What's the last item in your wardrobe that you've upgraded? And how did you decide it was worthy of upgrading?