Oh, Blogger, Where Art Thou?

I've been basking in every moment of alone time I've been able to steal with my dear husband who is venturing out for a big adventure and very soon. The blog has taken on some inevitable neglect in the wake of this. Naturally.

I wore this dress recently when we attended my stepsister's wedding at a vineyard & winery {photos to follow}. It was $20 at a little vendor stand during Sidewalk Days. Her tent had no name. She was just a quiet woman with lovely, affordable dresses. Magical.

The wedding color was purple, so it was fun to have something breezy to match. I did do quite a bit of surveying about the questionable tact of wearing white to a wedding. It's a a largely outdated notion, according to my sources. So, I wore it happily. What do you all think about dress rules for wedding attendees? Is this a polarizing issue?

I got to have him with me on this pretty day.

ps: I colored my hair red{ish-goldish}.

dress: the mysterious vendor, cardigan: Merona, belt: Charlotte Russe, earrings: Forever21, sandal wedges: Attention, nail polish: Sally Hansen Salon Series ~ Thinking of Blue.

photos by Peanut.

I Smile Wednesday

Howdy, strangers! I've missed blogland dearly & am excited to return with outfits next week. I wanted to make sure I completed my I Smile Wednesday post first!

I've had a really bizarre time since my last post. Literally moments after we finished photographing last Thursday, Rob left for the rest of the weekend. Friday was my last day of work @ my {now-"old"} job, & I was in the throws of a beastly cold. I was in an empty house for the weekend, but had some seriously smile-able moments despite that. Then, on Sun. night {thankfully after Rob got home}, we had a pretty hardcore emergency, which ended up ok in the end. Phew!

I started my new job on Monday ~ I'm so into this new role, I can't even tell ya! But it was definitely an overwhelming 5 days, starting to get my head wrapped around all the new info.

Here are my I Smile moments for last week...to learn more about this feature, visit Monster Cakes, where it all started. :)

I Smile...

...during a fun project; office party favors that I gave my coworkers on my last day at work. known for my brightly colored desk accessories/office supplies, these cuppies included colorful pencil top erasers, mini-post-its, colored ink pens, paperclips, & funny erasers in the shapes of stilettos, guitars, toilets, etc...

...for this scrumptious dinner for one {that I had delivered from Pizza Luce!} after my last day at work {Friday}; Cesar salad, baked potato pizza, + wine}...

...close-up, please, on this amazing pizza ~ it's own smile-able moment. let me explain, for those of you who haven't been blessed with experiencing it. baked potato layer {in lieu of red sauce}; cheese, tomato + broccoli {side of sour cream}. mmmmm...

...at this giant brownie + delicious glass of vino to go with the hokey-but-sweet movie that I watched {and, confession, cried at least twice during}...

...these furry babies who kept me company all weekend...

moments not pictured: coming home to 2 new "congratulations" dresses sent to me from my mom on my last day of work/amazing, giggly, sparkling ladies night last Saturday/going out to lunch on Tues. with Rob/homemade dinner by/with friends who are moving back to town on Wed. night ~ vegan deliciousness!

photos by me.

For My Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers + mothers-to-be out there. You are all angels.

And a special Happy Day to my mama; you are my angel. I love you.

{clockwise from top left: my mom's senior photo/my mom, sister & I at my wedding reception/my mom's amazing perm/my Grandma}

Square

Plaid print + ruffley skirt {worn high}. This says square dance to me. But I'm cool with it. And I am sort of stomping through the four corners of this week & dancing into the holiday. All that's left to do is work, wrap & travel...

zippy: Forever 21 {gift from my dad), plaid tank: Sik Su, skirt: Wet Seal (about 6 years ago), leggings & belt: Target, boots: Skechers, earrings: Express, cowl: knitted by my mom :)

photos by Peanut.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Oh geez. Or am I just starting to look a lot more like Christmas? In my own mind, I always refer to this as my Christmas cardigan. I couldn't wait to break it out, I guess.

I have done most of my Christmas shopping in the last couple of days, and all from my own bed. No malls for me. I do have to venture out to get some supplies for a few gifts I am making however, and I am looking forward to being done with that task. Have you all braved the crowds?

tunic: Solitaire, cardigan: Merona, jeans: Charlotte Russe, boots: Groove, earrings: Urban Outfitters, mittens & cowl: knitted by my mom :)

photos by Peanut.

It's My Party & I'll Veg if I Want To

My birthday started out with a quiet tap-tap on Peanut's shoulder (he is famously prone to resisting all things morning ~ this is a gross understatement, in fact). He grumbled, "What?" and then gasped, "Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!!!" and commenced in an instant tap-dance song. Frankly, if I ever got out of bed that abruptly I would probably throw up, faint or both. It was adorable.

After an amazing breakfast a la Peanut (+ mimosas!), we headed to the vintage store where I found and was given some perfect treasures, then off for last minute Halloween detail errands before ordering my favorite dinner (I was ready to tuck in after a night followed by a day of so much out-ness) & then...cake and presents!

blouse & sunglasses: thrifted, dress & scarf: H&M, vest: Decree, leggings: Target, boots: ?, earrings: gift from my mother-in-law, frillie: handmade by Adeline.

photos by Peanut.

I may have turned another year older, but when it comes to lovin up my bday, I haven't aged a day.

{title}

I suppose it would be prudent to speak to the title of this here blog. It's not an especially complicated tale. I have always liked the phrase, "A flower is only as good as it's petals." It seems to legitimize being a clotheshorse & makes it a point of sophistication or grace as opposed to a superficial irresponsibility.
Or maybe it's demeaning. I dunno. But I like it.

Dress: Merona, Gray cotton cardigan: Mossimo, jeggings & Jefferson Airplane tee: Target, Peacock earrings: Forever21.

I had a great weekend. On Saturday morning I got up and had breakfast with my dear friend Bridget who was, I thought, in town for a visit. I found out over eggs that she is actually back in town to live (hooray!). I also found out that she is in recovery from donating bone marrow -- to a stranger! I am so in awe of her selflessness. Especially when hearing the surgery described... Peanut and I also ran some errands before visiting with his fam, ate dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, and went to a movie. We saw Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. It was pretty lame. But Carey Mulligan was fabulous, she was costumed beautifully and her hair inspired a drastic change in my own -- the very next day.

photos by Peanut.