Weekend Wear

Tank: Old Navy Cardigan: Target Jeans: NY&C Flats: Payless Necklace: Mom's 

I hope you all had a nice weekend!  I spent the weekend at my mom and dad's house, hanging out with them and my brother.

On Saturday, my family and I went to Wild Rumpus, a fantastic children's bookstore in Minneapolis, with the little boy my parent's mentor.  The bookstore has all kinds of animals roaming around in the store (cats and chickens!) and other animals hanging out in cages (lizards, tarantulas, birds, chinchillas, ferrets).  The entrance to the bookstore has a big door for adults and a little purple door for kiddos.  My family brought my brother and me there often when we were little, and it was so much fun to be back!! I can't wait to take my future children there some day :)

That afternoon, I visited my friend Jayne (she's an old supervisor of mine, who has become a dear friend...she even officiated our wedding!) and her two daughters.  When I was a senior in college, I nannied her oldest daughter, who is almost four years old now.  I haven't seen the girls since October, and it was crazy how much they have changed, especially her younger daughter who is nine months old now!  It was so fun to be Auntie Brynn again!

Saturday night, my brother and I had a date together.  We went out for dinner at Cossetta's, a DELICIOUS Italian restaurant in St. Paul, and then to see Rufus Wainwright in concert.  We had a blast together!  I also encouraged my brother to get Snapchat, so we spent an obscene amount of time this weekend sending each other ugly pictures of ourselves.

Dress: Old Navy Vest: Old Navy Belt: The Limited Boots: Guess

On Sunday, I sang at the church I grew up at with my family.  I LOVE to sing.  The woman who leads the music at the contemporary service is a close mentor and friend of mine, and she is so awesome and lets me sing whenever I want.  It's been so nice to have a musical outlet!  My mom also got confirmed this weekend, so it was nice to be there to support her as well.

I totally copied this outfit from Fran - I about died when I saw her wear this back in February, and I've been waiting to wearing it!  I probably would not have thought to pair this dress and vest together if it hadn't been for Fran, so thank you, my dear!!  I love how this outfit turned out and I got several compliments on it today :)

Substitute!

Dress: Macy's Cardigan: Target Belt: Goodwill Tights: Target Wedges: Kohls

Today, I'm thrilled to be subbing in for my dear blogger friend, Whitney from Along the Lines of Style while she takes her students on a camping trip!  Stop on by to learn a little more about my job working on a college campus and how it affects my style!

On Necklaces

Shirt: JCPenney Skirt: Goodwill Tights: Target Boots: Target Necklace: F21

• I used to wear the same necklace every day.  My grandma gave it to me for my confirmation when I was 15 years old, and I wore it every day until the chain broke about 2 years ago.  I still need to get a new chain so I can wear it again.
• I keep seeing the necklace I'm wearing today everywhere!  Someone was wearing it in class this weekend, and I have seen it on a few other bloggers.  It's great color, though, and I like that it's chunky without being heavy.  I also got several compliments on my necklace today, which was kind of nice.  This outfit is pretty plain, so the necklace really stands out.
• I tweeted this weekend that I saw the J.Crew bubble necklace in person for the first time this weekend!  I have only seen it on bloggers before, but never "in real life," and I (jokingly) have thought of it as a legendary item or something...like a unicorn...It does actually exist, though!  ;)
• As spring comes nearer (although not near enough, as we're expected to get something like 9 inches of snow today), I'm hoping to rely less on scarves to spice up my outfits and more on necklaces.  I have many necklaces, although I don't wear many of them.  With Kate's No Longer Neglected challenge going on in March, I'm hoping to wear more of my necklaces.  I'll donate or sell the ones I don't wear, and be on the lookout for new necklaces to add to my collection.  I'll also ask for feedback about how you all might style some of the necklaces that are more difficult for me!

I'm linking up with Kayla for My Style Monday!

Beginning Runner

Dress: Old Navy Blazer: Old Navy Belt: Old Navy Tights: Target Boots: Target Necklace: F21

Oh holy head tilt.  That's all I have to say about this picture...

Today is a big day!  I'm meeting my supervisor for my school counseling internship today!  I'm actually really excited about it.  I have heard great things about my district and supervisor, so I'm hopeful that I'll learn a lot next school year when I'm there!

I recently began running.  Kevin and I joined a gym a few months ago, and I mostly stuck to cycling and the elliptical at the beginning.  I decided I wanted to give running a try.  I've never liked it, but I know how good it is for me, and I really want to work hard to get better at something.  Many things in my life come naturally to me, but running is not one of them.  I am currently using the Couch 2 5K app, and it has really eased me into running.  I am starting to kind of enjoy it, actually...what?!  Who am I?!  I want to sign up for a 5K race some time this spring or summer, I think.  Have any of you run any races (5K, 10K, half-marathon, full marathon, triathlon, etc.)?  I'm eager to hear about your experiences!

Smoothie Queen

Dress: Old Navy Belt: Old Navy Tights: Target Boots: Target

I've been on a real smoothie kick for the last month.  I'm making a conscious effort to eat healthier, and making smoothies is a fantastic way to start my day.  I always start with an oatmeal base with vanilla protein powder.  I add vanilla yogurt, a banana, and 4-6 ice cubes.  To vary the flavor, I add a handful of either frozen blueberries or peaches, and then pour vanilla soy milk or orange juice over the top.  YUM.  I'm always so surprised at how full it keeps me throughout the morning, and it feels great to fuel my body with healthier foods.

I'm linking up with Marion's Trend of the Month, The Pleated Poppy, and Because Shanna Said So.

Band Geek

Dress: Target (super old...) Tights: Target Wedges: Kohls Necklace: Gift from parents

I was a massive band geek in high school.  I mainly played flute and piccolo in band, but I also played clarinet, and have dabbled in trumpet and saxophone.  One semester in high school, I played in two different bands and was a teacher's assistant for a different band.  Yup, I was that kid.  I bought this dress in high school for band concerts, because we needed to wear all black.  When I went to college, I left this dress at my parents' house, and they just recently found it and gave it back to me.  I'm super happy about it, because I can throw it on in a pinch and look like I tried.

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So and The Pleated Poppy.

Summer Skirt? Winter Skirt?

Turtleneck: Target Skirt: Talbots Tights: Target Flats: Payless Necklace: F21

This skirt really is more of a spring and summer skirt, as it is unlined and fairly thin.  I've been drawn to black lately (but am trying hard not to limit myself to monochrome black ensembles), and I thought this skirt would be the perfect way to inject a little interest and sunshine into my otherwise plain, black outfit.  I've never worn this skirt with black before - only gray and white in the past - and it's amazing how different the skirt looks with a darker, more wintery palette.  How do you winterize a summer skirt?

Space Cadet

Shirt: Old Navy Skirt: Old Navy Tights: Target Knee highs: Target Boots: Target Belt: The Limited

I can be somewhat of a space cadet sometimes.  For instance, I bought these tights at Target because I liked the subtle stripe pattern (which really doesn't come through in my photos at all - I'll try to get a better picture next time).  When I came home and took them out of the package, I realized they were not footed tights, but rather capri length.  I was so disappointed and thought I'd never wear them because the length was awkward.  It took me way too long to realize I could just pair them with knee high socks and boots, and nobody would know the difference...duh.

I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday and Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesday :)