A Serious Woman

I feel very serious in this dress.

It's deep navy color & structured line is much more earnest and architectural than my typical choices. But when I saw it on the rack, the pleated shoulder seam caught my attention and eventually I decided that the sweetheart faux-neckline was such an effective balance of modest and tart that I simply couldn't pass it up.

{Bonus: it was $13.}

All perfection aside, I simply couldn't ignore the opportunity for a little whimsy-contrast. These shiny yellow ballet flats are from a tiny pink shoppe in Milan, Italy called Lolita. I got them last summer on a trip there. They are comfy & fun {+ these bad boys were only $10 USD}. This sweet headband was a gift from my wonderful, fabulous friend Ilsa. Thank you soooo much again, love!

dress: Charlotte Russe, cardigan & tights: Gap, headband: gift, yellow flats: Lolita Milano

photos by Peanut.

Bee Season

When I sat down to create this post, I was unwittingly met with photos of a bumble bee costume.

I guess my subconscious has entomologist tendencies.

My soundtrack was serendipitous, with Tupelo Honey playing in the background.

tank: In Cognito, cardigan: Old Navy, jeans: kitson, ballet flats: Anne Klein {gift}, earrings: Forever21, headband: thrift, nail polish: Essie ~ It's nice in Nice.

photos by Peanut.

When Brown Comes to Town {+ I Smile}

Usually, when I think of shades of brown, I think autumn. However, I have recently developed an affinity for earthy neautrals with simple splashes of spring colors; pastel, citrus or brights. Deep down, I'd mix bolds + bolds 'til my dying day {I write this in a tie-dyed sweatshirt & polka dotted blue comfy pants}, but I'm really starting to appreciate the fresh effect of a lighter touch. And I have fellow style bloggers to thank for the inspiration.

I am also participating {for the 1st time} in Jessica's I Smile Wednesdays. I haven't quite landed on a format yet, so for this week I'll wing it...

The mid-week premise over at Monster Cakes is to revisit your big & small smiley moments and share them.

Here are mine.

I smile...

* after an amazing weekend @ the 1920's-themed gala last weekend & all the fun and connections it brought us.

* because of a celebration dinner with Peanut on Monday {for what, you ask? stay tuned :0) }

* during cuddle time with my favorite furry friend {Mazel}, during this rainy afternoon/evening

* because of this scarf, which makes me glow {figuratively and literally ~ very reflective sequins}

*at these sweet blue buds poking up in the backyard ~ reminding me that spring is planting it's feet and it's flowers!

dress: Mata Traders, cardigan, scarf & earrings: Charlotte Russe, tights: gift, shoes: Rocket Dog, nail polish: China Glaze ~ Flyin' High.

photos by Peanut.

Peachy Keen {leftover} Jelly Bean

It snowed. $%^&! I just...hold on...let me check...yup, it is April. Amazing.

No, it's not unheard of. No, that doesn't make it any easier. I couldn't wear my shoes for the pictures because they were covered with mud. From the snow.

I dressed to match the climate; basically drab but wrapped in the optimism of spring.

Between the lingering winter conditions and all-too-familiar post-Easter leftover jelly bean remorse, my internal calender has no idea what season it is.

tank: In Cognito, cardigan: Gap {outlet}, khakis: Aeropostale, socks & scarf: Target, earrings: vintage {gift}, nail polish: Sally Hanson Salon Series ~ Plum Luck.

photos by Peanut.

The Other Sara

Last weekend, Peanut surprised me with tickets to see Sara Bareilles! I went with a pal and enjoyed the vocal stylings of the beautiful, funny, super talented and all-around charming performer. It was lovely. tank: decree, cardigan: Merona, cutoffs: refuge, tights: Target, flats: Rocket Dog, necklace: vintage, thrifted, nail polish: Sally Hanson Salon Series ~ Plum's the Word. photos by Peanut.

Guest Blog: JennieB!

Tonight I went to a concert. I don't care for concerts. It feels really artificial to me to stand all awkwardly while someone is up high singing, and some people dance and some people sway and some people just stand still. BUT, I absolutely love Dessa, so I shlepped out in the cold weather to see this amazingly talented woman.

Dressing to go to a crowded hall while it's cold outside is complicated. So, I chose this long tank top with the buttoned sweater over. To help me brave the -0 temps I layered with some arm warmers, a head wrap (so my carrie bradshaw bun wouldn't get messy, normally I wear a hat), and this amazing cape that pretty much feels like a blanket.

tank, sweater & jeans: Express, shoes & headwrap: Fun Sisters armwarmers: gift ~ Andes gift, Cape: Thrifted, Crossroads

photos by Andy Hardman.

Classic Face

This is my classic picture-being-taken face. There was a time when nary a photograph of my mug existed without this trademark expression upon it. Well besides sleeping photos. People love to take pictures of me sleeping. I think it's because sleeping, for me, happens so abruptly & with little regard for social setting. Anyway, I don't think I have broken out the classic face on the blog yet.

So, here it is. Behold.

This cardigan is olive green, not brown.

It's hard to detect but important to acknowledge.

dress: Mata Traders, cardigan: Forever21 (gift from my mom), tights: Charlotte Russe ($3!), flats: Lolita Milano ($10!), nail polish: Sally Hanson Salon Series ~ Plum's the Word, earrings: handmade by Adeline, cowl: knitted by my mom :)

photos by Peanut.

Bruiser

I suppose bruiser typically refers to something homely. But if you want to know what I think, I think bruises are cool. I think injuries are sad, but I love color and I just find bruises to be gorgeous. I do. What? I especially like how they are always morphing from one watercolor painting to another, day by day. Paint by Numbers. Paint by Blunders.

This outfit is a bit bruisey, what with the purple & black, green & blue jewelry plus the fleshy tones of the tights. We took these photos when I was home for lunch, so I am wearing slippers. I really wore these booties with these tights again.

tee: TJ Maxx, skirt: blah blah, cardigan, tights & boots: Target, necklace: vintaged, earrings: Charlotte Russe, nail polish: Sall Hanson Salon series ~ Gilty Pleasure.

photos by Peanut.

Diez Dias

Ten days until Christmas! Ah! I'm so excited. Saying constant prayers that no crazy weather foils our travel plans ~ we're heading about 3 hours south to see my family. Cross your frost bitten little fingies for us, I'll do the same for you!

lace turtleneck blouse: United Colors of Benetton, cami: Old Navy, cardigan & socks: Target, pants: Aeropostale, ballet flats: Lolita Milano, earrings: vintage, gift, nail polish: Russian Navy, OPI.

photos by Peanut.

A Little Something

This dress (+ these earrings) also entered my life among my birthday goodies. There is just something so delicate about the pin-dot pattern & dessert-y colors. I just find the inexplicable 'little something' so exciting and sweet. The charisma of some things. I had also been envisioning a mis-match of this coral cardigan + these cobalt blue tights for quite some time. This seemed like a good opportunity.

dress: Mata Traders ~ Chicago, IL, earrings: The Electric Fetus,

cardigan: Gap, tights: Target, necklace: ?, flats: Rocket Dog,

nail polish: Sinful Colors ~ Shine on Me.

photos by Peanut.