Friday, April 29, 2016

Black and Taupe | Outfit


I love this outfit. Once more for the people in the back! I love this outfit! It just felt like home. Sometimes, dressing up is about manifesting a character within yourself. Other times it just feels like nesting inside yourself and it is good.

I know most people have come to expect lots of color from me to the point where if I'm not wearing a rainbow I get comments. Which is fine. I know I can do color well, but I find myself gravitating more and more towards neutrals. It might just be the challenge of doing something different, but I totally get lost in the depths. Greys that swim with purple or blue. Beiges that ride the line right between warm and cool. They have a dimension that other colors don't. Maybe I'm growing up. Maybe it's just wanting to master a new skill. I don't know yet. That's the cool part though. I don't have to know. I can just enjoy.







This day was one of those days that was just as wonderful as the pictures make it seem. There are no camera tricks here. No chaos or arguments that can sometimes be behind the images we compose. I was inhaling and exhaling with easy content while we laid in a cozy pile watching the sun set over the hill. The fire was warm. The breeze was soothing. The s'mores were delicious. We walked some trails and the kids ran around with new friends playing ghost in the graveyard. As the night was spreading out before us, I felt infinite. 








 Shirt: Target (similar in straight sizes, similar in plus) | Skirt: Modcloth (similar in straight size) | Tights: Target (similar in plus) | Scarf: Maurices (similar) | Shoes: Thrifted (similar) | Floral Crown: Amazon | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Beeper

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Dirty Dancing | Outfit


I've had the time of my life watching Dirty Dancing over and over again. It is one of those movies that I've watched so many times that every line, every scene, every character has been etched into the inner workings of my brain like names in a picnic table. I can't see watermelons without turning to someone and awkwardly telling them I carried one. I can't hear the name Sylvia without wanting to know how she calls her lover boy. And I certainly can't wear a circle skirt without begging people to imitate some dance moves with me. Dirty Dancing was the backdrop for a lot of mother/daughter movie nights throughout my childhood. Nights when we got to escape the difficult people and situations that had become the definition of our lives and loosen the armor that we held on to so tightly. Basically, it's an important movie to me.






The second Passive Juice Motel announced this tank top was on it's website, Mr. Debit Card and I were clickity clacking away at the keyboard to ensure it's safe journey to it's rightful home (my body). The design of the graphic is wonderfully moving and captures the emotional weight of the embrace between Johnny and Baby. So, cheers to you, person that made this. 

Obviously, this tank needed to be worn with a circle skirt that can swirl and twirl dramatically while the clumsy wearer attempts graceful dance moves. Does it really matter if you aren't graceful if your clothing is? I've dubbed this my Baby Look; homage to the sweet and innocent, feminine half of this gorgeous pair. 

Which means I have to do Johnny Castle a little justice, right?

Edit: I wanted to add that I totally copied the design of this skirt from Kristina and if you're interested she sells her version of it here!







Cardigan: Target (similar) | Shirt: Passive Juice Motel | Skirt: made by me (similar, similar dress) | Shoes: DSW (similar) | Headband: Gift (similar) | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Solow

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Links à la Mode


My post was featured on Links à la Mode! It's such an honor to be included in such a great group of people. Check them out!

Links a la mode April 21 Links à la Mode, April 21
SPONSOR: Shopbop Wildfox, Love Sam Dresses, KENDALL + KYLIE Shoes, blank canvas, Viva Aviva, Love Binetti, Day to Night Dresses, Denim Shorts, Slide Sandals, Men's Chamula Comment on gist Sign in to comment or sign up to join this conversation on GitHub Desktop version

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Simple Stripes | Shaped by Style


I'm over at Shaped by Style with my addition to Shaped by Stripes! I'm excited to be a part of this series that shows how different people with different bodies and styles can use the same wardrobe basics in their looks!

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Take Me to the Candy Shop Roundup | Inspired

If I were going to curate a collection of clothing for spring that exemplified my feelings for the liberating months that follow winter, this is what I would dream up. These simple pieces of fabric, made up of color and pattern, are bits and bobs that are capable of evoking an afternoon walk through town when the sun is warm and the wind is just a bit chilly, when there are flowers budding and everyone feels just a bit lighter. Creating each of these looks, in the spirit of nostalgia and youthful joys, helped me to appreciate these moments that make up this time of year so much more. Eventually leaf will subside to leaf and dawn will go down to day as Robert Frost says of these golden times, but knowing I was able to breath them in, to let them saturate, before they faded away is absolutely everything.

So, if there were ever a reason in our crazy, mixed up world that you, too, would need an entire week's worth of candy themed outfits, here's your go-to guide!

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I hope you enjoyed this blog series as much as I did! I might just have another blog series based on another mood board in mind for this summer. Check out my pinterest and try to guess which one. A lifetime supply of happiness will be awarded to the first person to get it right! But, now it's time to say peace out to the sweets and get back to business as usual around here.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Take Me to the Candy Shop #7 | Inspired + Outfit


Yesterday was our sixth wedding anniversary. Every year, my husband and I give each other gifts related to the traditional wedding anniversary themes. The sixth anniversary is the...candy anniversary! Which is just brilliant as this I'm lollipop deep in my "Take Me to the Candy Shop" blog series featuring outfits inspired by all the lovely sweet treats and the adorable shops that sell them. We celebrated the day by taking the kids to Fuzziwig's Candy Factory and then stopping in our old hometown to take photos by this freaking awesome sign. It's a permanent fixture to commemorate the old amusement park that used to be a main feature of the town.







I wouldn't exactly call my husband romantic but, he gave me the sweetest gift (haha) yesterday. I woke up to a treasure chest full of candy and a poster board with a love note written on it. The note had missing words and I had to use the candy to fill in the blanks with the right answers. It was so thoughtful and extra awesome because I didn't expect him to have the time to do anything. He's been working insane hours and every minute not working is a precious commodity right now! It couldn't have been more perfect and I'll be talking him up for it for awhile!








This outfit is the only thing I bought expressly for the purpose of this blog series. I was in Old Navy exchanging something that didn't fit correctly and I fell for this top big time. We had a little rendezvous in the dressing room and after I knew it was coming home with me. I'm not usually a peplum kind of person but the way this top drapes down the body is irresistible. I grabbed the shorts merely because I needed a pair shorts for summer and I never expected to fall in love with them too. But, fall in love I did. I'm so glad they get along so well or this would be awkward. 

This is also my first time wearing a boater (skimmer?) hat! Hannah convinced me that one might be in order for summer with this post. I definitely like increasing my hat options, especially for the warmer months when my wimpy skin needs to hide from the sun.

Stayed tuned for the round-up of all seven "Take Me to the Candy Shop" looks to close this sweet chapter!










Shirt: Old Navy (same in plus) | Shorts: Old Navy (similar in plus) | Shoes: Modcloth (similar) | Hat: Thrifted (similar) | Sunglasses: Vintage (similar) | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Donut