how colorful do you go?

It's funny how not too long ago, colored skinny jeans were something I admired from afar, not daring to try on my own. They were too "loud" for me, and I didn't think I could pull them off. But now look, I'm going around wearing bright green skinnies (they're brighter than they look in the picture) and I'm wearing them with a bright blue top! Talk about loud! I'm really happy with what my style has and is continuing to evolve into. I feel so much more myself in something like this than I ever did in slightly oversized, boring clothes that allowed me to blend in but didn't give me any kind of style of my own or show off my personality. And I do think part of it is loving who I am and what my body is, which is something that can take some time, I can tell you. 

I adore this tunic, and I was so excited when I found it at Old Navy. Lately chiffon tunics like this with a cami underneath have been go-tos for me because they are lightweight enough that when I'm up and down and all around with all the kids I work with, I don't get too hot. Definite plus. This is also the second time I've worn this necklace this week. I'm in LOVE, guys. It's another one from my Apple of My Eye Jewelry grab bag!

So, how colorful do you go with your outfits?

Top: Old Navy

Pants: Old Navy (exact below)

Necklace: Apple of My Eye Jewelry

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blue and green by greathappiness featuring cowboy boots

This post is linked up to What I Wore to Work and Three-Fer Thursday (links in sidebar).

1 Christmas Scarf 5 Ways

Here's the thing. I got an adorable little red and green Christmas scarf and I want to wear it tomorrow for a Christmas party with family. Our parties are nothing fancy, more like nice casual. But what will I wear my red and green scarf with? That's the dilemma I faced. And like always, I headed to polyvore to figure it out. I know I've talked about it lots before, but seriously, being able to plan out my outfits being able to see how they will look and then pinning them for later use? Perfection. But as I was creating different outfit combinations, I thought maybe you'd be interested in seeing the process.

So here are 5 outfits I created with one scarf that looks very similar to the one I have. All of the pieces are exact ones I own or very similar looking to ones I own. I haven't completely decided which one I'm going to wear yet, but I'll be sure to make a post with the actual outfit.

Hopefully this helps to show all the different outfits that can be created around just one accessory! And to maybe provide some inspiration for holiday outfits without looking like a walking, talking Christmas tree? Although if that's your thing, go for it! ;)

So what do you think? Which one(s) would you wear?

1 christmas scarf 5 ways by greathappiness featuring a cable knit sweater

American Vintage pullover sweater, $53 / Old Navy sweater / Mango cable knit sweater / Pinko lace blouse / Elle slim fit pants / Gloria Vanderbilt tapered jeans / LOFT straight jeans / Jane Norman clothing, $33 / Simply Vera slim jeans / H M leopard print flat, $13 / H M pink flat, $13 / Lucky brand flat / FOSSIL braided leather bracelet / Aurélie Bidermann bracelet bangle / Amrita Singh pearl cluster ring / Bracelet jewelry / White gold jewelry, $67 / Reeds Jewelers stainless steel jewelry / Forever 21 two finger ring / Forever 21 ring / Gucci shawl / Mens Jill Tee Womens / Suzie Mas green flat / Cuff jewelry / Hinged cuff bracelet / Lensflare effect / Shoedazzle

Casual Friday

I've had this sweatshirt forever. But some days, you just want to throw on a lived-in sweatshirt and some jeans, right? I know I'm not alone! I wore this when I went to work with the 3 year old little guy I visit and work with one on one, so I could dress nice and casually. As a side note, I just had my last visit with him last week and I'm really going to miss this little buddy! My goal was to help him make progress socially and he went from not even knowing how to play with another person, not making eye contact, and not being at all warm and fuzzy to now climbing in my lap, making lots of eye contact with me, and interacting with me so much more in play. So now I feel awful leaving him, because of how attached he's become, but I couldn't imagine anything better than working with young kids with special needs!

Do you ever wear sweatshirts out of the house?

I love fall outfits

I wore this outfit about 2 weeks ago, back when the weather still resembled Fall somewhat, before the below freezing and snowy weather we have now here in Chicagoland. Look at the leaves that were still on the ground! This is basically a perfect fall outfit to me: boots + sweater + scarf. Can't go wrong with that formula!

Did you get much of an opportunity to dress for Fall weather?

Top: Sears

Jeans: Old Navy (exact below)

Boots: old

Scarf: 2020AVE (exact below, great price and oh so comfy!!)

Cuff bracelet: Forever 21 (exact below)

Ring: Forever 21

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green sweater by greathappiness featuring Frye

matching

Outfits that are too "matchy" can go oh so wrong a lot of times, and I try to avoid too much matching. But I think this outfit totally works. The colors match up perfectly but it's not too much and actually ends up looking really nice together. What do you think?

Do you wear a lot of matching outfits?

Top: American Eagle

Pants: Kohl's (exact below)

Scarf: Charlotte Russe (exact below)

Shoes: TOMS (exact below)

Bracelet: JewelMint (exact below)

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emerald and burgundy by greathappiness featuring a longsleeve tee

polka dots!

I wore this outfit on a visit to my first grade classroom I'll be student teaching in. So fun, right? I had to have this starburst-like polka dot button up when I saw it while shopping in H&M. And I love how green is more of an unexpected color to pair with it, but it looks great with this green bubble necklace! I got quite a few compliments on it too, which is always reassuring to know that you're not the only one that thinks an outfit looks nice together :)

Green and black and white- a combination you've tried before?

Top: H&M

Pants: old

Shoes: Gap

Necklace: Sassy Steals

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green and polka dots by greathappiness featuring ballet shoes

green snakeskin

Talk about a statement necklace, right? This is a huge one, and I just love the unique design! This green snakeskin (reptile skin? whatever you want to call it...) top is super comfortable, so it's a great go-to dressier top of mine! I had had this outfit created and saved on polyvore for awhile pairing the top with my plum waxed skinny jeans and this necklace and ring, so it was time to actually wear it to observe in my first grade classroom. I like that this outfit is a bit edgy but not too much- is it something you would wear?

Top: old

Pants: Kohl's (exact below)

Shoes: TOMS (not pictured below)

Necklace: Daily Look (exact below)

Ring: Charlotte Russe

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green and burgundy by greathappiness featuring engraved rings

polka dot peplum

I wore this outfit for my first day visiting my preschool classroom that I'll be student teaching in. For now, I'm visiting there once a week. I think this top is super adorable, and peplums are so flattering. This one also has a zipper along the side which makes it easier to get on and off- a big plus! And as you know, I love polka dots. I'd say the outfit was a success, and so was my first day! The kids are so darn cute- I absolutely love preschoolers :)

Top: New York & Company

Pants: Loft (exact below)

Necklace: gift

Bracelet: JewelMint (exact below)

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green and white polka dots by greathappiness featuring black jeans