About two weeks ago, my boyfriend and I took a mini road trip exploring Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe. It was our spring break and we considered taking an actual vacation, but we decided to go explore areas so close to home. Even though I live about an hour from Donner Lake, I rarely ever visit the lake even though I’m so close! I also had never really driven up to Tahoe in the winter so visiting was a completely different experience in the winter than in the warm summer months.

Donner Lake and Outfit #1:

We started our trip by driving to Donner Lake first. Even though it was a little chilly, it still felt so good to be out in the fresh air, especially for a college student who mainly sits in lecture halls and rehearsals all week lol. We ate our sandwiches on the docks overlooking the lake, enjoying the cool breeze. I don’t know what it is about eating outside, but everything just tastes extra fresh and yummy when you’re outdoors.

For this first outfit, I paired this light pink sweater with my ripped jeans and combat boots. I love wearing really feminine sweaters and tops with more edgy pieces because I feel like the two balance out. Pastel sweaters are also a great way to transition into spring if it’s still cold where you live so you can incorporate fresh spring colors into your wardrobe without freezing your butt off.

Sweater: This is one of my Nana’s old sweaters that is from some old lady store, but it’s one of my favorites.

Sweater (similar):

CASLON Stitch Stripe Sweater (on sale for $36)

BP. Shadow Rip Crop Sweater (on sale for $24)

**spring is a great time to buy sweaters because they’re more likely to be on sale due to the high demand of warmer spring clothes

 

Jeans: My jeans are Levis brand, but they’re no longer available because I bought them a few years back. The only difference between the Levis pair I linked and the pair I’m wearing is the linked pair is high waisted.

Jeans (similar):

Levis 501 Skinny Jeans-Light wash ($128)

Abercrombie and Fitch High Rise Mom Jeans (on sale for $59)

 

Boots:  My boots are from the brand Seven Dials and unfortunately aren’t available anymore. I really love combat boots in general because they’re so practical for walking around, especially for my long walks on campus to get to class. Combat boots with tread are the ultimate win because they’re perfect for walking in snow and ice and even taking them into nature.

Boots (similar): 

Steve Madden Troopa Combat Boot ($80)

 

A view of Donner Lake from the dock we ate lunch on:

 

Overlooking Donner Lake and Outfit #2:

After we ate lunch on the dock, we drove up to this bridge where you can overlook all of Donner Lake. It was really so beautiful. On the drive up to the overlook, the snow was at least six feet tall and the road had become very narrow with all the dirty snow that had been plowed to the side. The drive felt unreal because of the height of the snow and twisty turny roads.

Sweater: I bought this sweater from Urban Outfitters a few years ago. I really like it because it’s so simple, but the sleeves add so much interest to an otherwise boring sweater. I tend to get a lot of compliments when I wear it.

Sweater (similar):

Forever 21 Rainbow Striped Sweater ($20)

Monrow Supersoft Rainbow Stripe Raglan (on sale for $70)

^this option is really similar

 

Jeans and Boots: These are the same in all three outfits. I just changed my shirt in the car haha.

 

The view overlooking Donner Lake from the bridge:

 

Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay) and Outfit #3:

After we were at Donner Lake, we drove all the way around Tahoe’s perimeter (not including the Incline Village segment) and stopped at Emerald Bay to take pictures. Like I said earlier, I had never been to Tahoe in the winter like this. In the summer, the sky is bright blue and the water is a warm teal color, but in the winter, the sky was gray, the mountains were purple, and the water was a faded gray-blue.

At Emerald Bay, we parked our car to the side of the road and slipped down a steep snowy hill so we could get to the overlook of the bay (where there were like 5 other groups taking pictures because when you go to Tahoe, you really need to bring a camera).

 

I like this outfit because styling a turtle neck with an edgy leather jacket, jeans, and boots has a contrasting vibe like the first outfit. I call this my Indiana Jones outfit because I’m an intellectual college student, but I’m ready to go travel and find some artifacts with my jacket and boots. *NERD ALERT*

 

Turtleneck: I actually thrifted this sweater! Funnily enough, it’s another old lady sweater lol…

Turtleneck (similar): 

Urban Outfitters Ginger Sheer Mock-Neck Top (on sale for $20)

Chealsea28 Stitch Interest Turtleneck Sweater (on sale for $48)

 

Jacket: I honestly don’t remember where I bought this jacket. It isn’t the best quality (the front pocket is starting to rip of after all these years), but it has held up!

Jacket (similar):

Nordstrom Rack Elodie Faux Leather Moto Jacket ($40)

Forever 21 Faux Suede Moto Jacket ($28)

 

Overlooking Emerald Bay:

 

Fallen tree on the Emerald Bay overlook:

 

This day was such a great reminder that I don’t have to travel far to explore the beauty in the world around me 🙂