My Backyard Jungle

necklace - By Love Designs (buy) | bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar)

Xhilaration dress - Target (buy similar in different prints)
Xhilaration sandals - Target (buy similar)

I'm still struggling with outfit photos at my new home. I don't have the courage to go out in public like Kendi or Megan, but I may need to find some if I want to keep up this blog without sacrificing what semblance of quality I currently maintain. I also don't relish the thought of acquiring more bug bites every time I go outside to take outfit photos. *sigh*

Anyway, I'm trying to keep at it, just forgive the drop in post frequency, will ya?

xo, Kellie

Locked Out

necklace - thrifted (buy similar) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy)

dress - Maurices (buy) | cardiwrap - Maurices (buy - ON SALE!)

I've been absent for a little over a week now thanks to my move and the fact that two of my husband's friends were staying at our house over the last week. I didn't feel like explaining to them why I was taking photos of myself in the backyard, and the time just wasn't there to take photos. 

I finally found the time for photos today after I got home from work. Imagine my frustration when I had finished with my photos and headed inside to change into my "at home" clothes, only to find that my dog had manged to lock the front door while I was outside. After a half hour of frustrated pacing, attempts to get Elwood to unlock the door the same way he had managed to lock it, and attempts to "break in" to my own house, I finally managed to get inside.

So that's my tale of woe. Happy Tuesday!

xo, Kellie

Shirt vs. Coffee

necklace - World Market (buy similar) | top - Loft (buy similar)

jeans - Forever 21 (buy similar) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

You'd never know that I managed to dribble coffee down the front of this shirt just a couple of hours after I put it on. I have a secret weapon, and it's a Tide Pen. (Or a generic version of the same, both have served me well.) I sprang into action as soon as I spilled the coffee -- I can't be taken anywhere without making a mess -- and managed to get the stain treated and the residue from the treatment dabbed up. 

It's a good thing, too, I've been known to call it a day and go home if I manage to soil my clothing in any way. Nothing wrecks your state of mind like a glaring stain!

xo, Kellie

Pattern Mixer

necklace - heirloom (buy similar pendant) | Merona belt - Target (buy)

dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

What did I learn while wearing this outfit? 1. Don't go to Walmart "dressed up" or even remotely presentable-looking unless you want to be leered at by every male between the ages of 18 and 50 that walks by (even while your husband is right next to you). 2. Wear mixed patterns to Walmart (or really, in public at all) with caution and thick skin. I got some sideways glances and even caught a girl whispering to her friend when she thought I wasn't looking.

There was a time when catching people talking about me -- or even suspecting that people were talking about me -- would send me into a spiral that could undo years of confidence boosting and send me running to my closet to put on the most generic ensemble I could find. But you know what? I am the only person that I get dressed for, with the secondary goal of my husband also giving me his stamp of approval. Everything after that is just a bonus, and if people (forgive my snarkiness, but I should say poorly dressed people) insist on being so small-minded that making fun of or expressing their distaste about my choice to wear leopard print with stripes is something they find necessary, then let them make fun. I'm glad the highlight of my day doesn't involve not-so-covertly whispering about someone's outfit when I'm wearing an outfit that hasn't fit me since 50 pounds ago.

Phew. That's a side of my you've never seen, eh?

xo, Kellie

Notice anything new?

necklace - Love Culture (buy similar) | bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar)

Xhilaration dress - Target (sold out) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

Matt surprised me with a trip to Inskmith and Rogers to get the phoenix tattoo on my shoulder covered up. I liked the phoenix, but the darn thing was so puny that more often than not I found myself wearing clothes to cover it up. I would like to say I wasn't embarrassed, but I was. I am absolutely pro tattoos, but I also think that they should be given more thought than what my phoenix was given. I'll get more detailed photos up once this piece is complete, I've got at least one more session to go.

In other news, I love this dress. So much fun to dress up or down!

xo, Kellie

Vested

necklace - Forever 21 (buy similar) | bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar)

Calvin Klein dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | vest - thrifted jacket, sleeves cut off

Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

I must thank my dog, Elwood, for my genuine laughter in these photos. Husband and I had come home for what we only intended to be a few minutes so that he could change out of his uniform, so we decided to leave Elwood in his crate. The room his crate was in was right next to where I was taking photos outside, and he was whining so pathetically. Big on the drama, our pup.

xo, Kellie

Pinspiration: Army Green and Stripes

(source: Happily Grey)

scarf - Target | sweater - H&M (buy similar) | jacket - PacSun (buy similar)

Levi's jeans - Navy Exchange (buy)  | Report flats - Ross (buy similar) | sunglasses - Fossil (buy)

I had a Pinspiration series on my last blog, and I felt it would be appropriate to continue it here at O&A. I get a lot of outfit inspiration from ensembles that I've pinned, and I sometimes . . . Okay, more than sometimes . . . outright copy outfits when I have similar pieces.

I believe in giving credit where it's due, so Pinspiration posts are back! Are you excited? I'm excited.

xo, Kellie

Unusual Neutral

LC by Lauren Conrad necklaces - Kohl's (buy, buy)

striped top - Loft (buy similar) | jacket - Forever 21 (buy similar)

Mossimo jeans - Target (buy) | Mossimo flats - Target (buy)

A couple of weeks ago at work one of the male co-workers that sits in my area turned from his computer and told my (female) neighbor and I, "I just read that leopard print is a new neutral."

He and my neighbor had a little scoff, after which I spoke up and said that I had just worn a red and beige striped top with leopard flats the day before, and was a huge fan of mixing other prints with leopard. I'm not sure I have them sold on the idea, but it's become almost an intentional effort now to work pattern mixing with leopard print into my outfits.

How did I do with this one?

xo, Kellie

Tell me about it, stud.

necklace - Kellie Creates (buy)

dress - Maurices (buy) | Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar)

bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

I feel like I'm channeling Sandy Olsen in this dress . . . Before the makeover, of course. 

I went on a little bit of an internet shopping spree last week. A Maurices catalog came in the mail -- along with a couple of coupons -- I found myself coveting a few of the items pictured, and out came the store credit card. You should check out their site, they've got quite a bit of cute stuff for spring! 

(This post is not sponsored by anyone but my wallet, by the way.)

xo, Kellie

Homecoming

Calvin Klein dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar)
Lower East Side boots - Payless (buy) | necklace - heirloom

My sailor came home from hunting pirates today! Homecoming is a fun event, it's exciting to watch the ship being towed up to the pier and then seeing the sailors get off the boat with flowers in hand.

Now we're off to eat out for lunch and do some shopping. Happy Saturday!

xo, Kellie

Hello, Sailor

dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | Mossimo cardigan - Target (buy similar)

Lower East Side boots - Payless (buy - ON SALE!) | necklace - heirloom (buy similar)

I would tell you that my love for nautical style comes from being married to a real-life Navy sailor, but I've had a thing for anchors and stripes since long before I ever knew him. I think there is something so nostalgic about the style, and it never seems to be out of fashion!

xo, Kellie