Summer Staples

I put this outfit together after seeing this lovely outfit by Bonnie of Flashes of Style. I loved the easy-breezy summer look of her outfit, and decided to mimic it in my own outfit.

I loved the simplicity of this outfit, and how flowy the top felt (I decided to belt it since it's too big and didn't look very good left loose). I also loved the sunglasses, organish-tinted lip stick, and canvas bag - they felt so summery I think they should become summer staples for me. {blouse/Ebay ~ shorts/thrifted ~ belt/Charlotte Russe ~ canvas bag/Etsy ~ ballet flats/H&M ~ sunglasses/Xhilaration}

Sorry this post is so late - the internet was out most of the day. So annoying. I've never noticed just how pathetic I really am till the internet was out and I felt like I had nothing to do. :-P

Don't forge to enter my GIVEAWAY.

Would You Be Proud of Me?

My big sister is arriving via the train in just a week from tomorrow, and my annual butterflies are back in my stomach where they belong. Nice. I always wanted a big sister growing up, now that I have one, I couldn't love her any more if I tried. She is so talented, and so amazing - she is everything a big sister should be and anything I can do pales in comparison. But I so badly want her to be proud of me. So, every year before I see her I spend that last two or so weeks before she comes running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to make sure everything is "perfect." When will I learn to accept that my best is good enough?{blouse/thrifted ~ skirt/thrifted ~ vest/thrifted ~ sandals/LuLu*s ~ bracelet/Charlotte Russe ~ sunglasses/ModCloth}

I realized only after taking these pictures that I wore that same blouse + vest in my last post. I'm a little disappointed, since I usually try to avoid that kind of thing, but I didn't have much time to get dressed, so this is what you get. On the plus side these are my new sandals (yes! I finally found a good pair!) which I got for just $17 including shipping. Woohoo! I love them. They are adorable and super comfy - which is always a good thing. You can't see it it in these pictures, but they have this adorable little ruffle on the back. I'll have to get a shot of it next time I wear them.

Oh! And don't forget to enter my giveaway! I'll be drawing the winner next Monday!

Giveaway!

My FaceBook giveaway is finally up! Head over here to enter to win the above necklace!

Friday Favorites - Elsiecake's Beautiful Wedding!

I recently found Elsiecake's blog - just in time to see her wedding photos! I have seriously fallen in love with her gorgeous wedding! I love how unique and crafty her wedding was (she made so much of the stuff for it!) and how adorable she looked in such a chic dress! I also think it is so cute how she calls her husband "Mr. Larson" on her blog. Adorable! And even though I don't plan to be married anytime soon, I'm still sure I will end up coming back to her photos for inspiration when my big day comes! Here are some of my favorite of her photos:All photos Copyrighted to Elsiecakes. Used with permission.

You can read all about her beautiful day for yourself here:

A Favorite Detail...
My Wedding Day: Getting Ready
My Wedding Day: Getting Ready (part 2)
Our Wedding Ceremony
DIY: How I Made My Own Wedding Bouquet
DIY: Vintage Brooch Corsages
DIY Feather Boutonnieres

Who Says?

I have to admit - this was not my best day. In some of these photos I have no make up, or done my hair, and in the others - I might as well not have. My apologies.

{blouse/thrifted ~ vest/thrifted ~ skirt/thrifted ~ belt/thrifted ~ necklace/Etsy ~ bag/Etsy ~ hat/H&M ~ shoes/Merona}

I got this skirt a few weeks ago from the thrift store. It was too big in the waist, and too long, so I took it in and hemmed it. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Didn't Know Love Could Shine This Bright

I don't usually like straight skirts (the last time I owned a straight skirt was two years ago and I only wore it once) but for some reason I love this one. I love the shape, color and length and I love that feel like Pepper Potts from Iron Man 1 and 2 when I wear it. I can tell I will be wearing it a lot more! The past few weeks I have done so much thrifting! I was going through my closet a couple days ago and realized I have at least nine pieces of clothes that I have yet to wear! Some of which I haven't worn because I forgot about them! So, I am now making a conscious effort to wear them all. I can't wait to show you all the great finds I got!Also, I just want to take a minute to thank all my amazing readers! I have had such wonderful feed back on my last posts, and it warms my heart that so many people who have yet to even meet me would have such sweet things to say about me, such compassionate consolations, and such good advice. You girls (guys?) are awesome!

{skirt/thrifted ~ shirt/Charlotte Russe ~ shoes/Merona ~ hat/H&M ~ necklace/F21 via my little sister}

One last thing: yesterday I got 25 followers on my FaceBook page! Thank you so much to everyone who fanned it (even my "brother"!). So to celebrate, and to thank all the awesome people who fanned it, I am having a giveaway over there at the end of the week. So stay tuned! I will also have a bigger giveaway here on the blog as soon as I get 100 followers - that's only seven away, so tell all your friends to follow, and it'll be here before you know it!

It Could Stay This Simple

I was lazy yesterday. I didn't do my hair and just pulled my hair back into a pony tail. Despite that, I think the outfit looked pretty good (my mom let me borrow her shoes again).

I've felt so restless lately. I feel like the time is soon coming for me to try my wings. I know this sounds terribly rebellious, but I don't mean it to. I just mean that I feel like God has some big change planned for me after I graduate. I don't know what it could be, but I want to prepare myself as much as I can for whatever is coming - that means less spending, more saving, and more learning the things I will need in life no matter what happens (i.e. cooking). I can't wait to see what He has in store for me.{skirt/thrifted ~ tank top/thrifted ~ cardigan/merona ~ wedges/xhilaration (borrowed from my mom) necklace/homemade ~ canvas bag/Etsy}

Music Monday - Owl City's Deer in the Headlights

This another of the songs from Owl City's new album, All Things Bright and Beautiful. It's one of the few love songs Adam Young has written, but like all his songs, the lyrics are so goofy and hilarious that you just can't help liking it!

I'm No Beauty Queen

I've mentioned before that I feel like I don't know myself. Last night I realized just what I mean by that. When I was younger I had interests and dreams that turned out to be nothing but rebelion. For years I've had bursts of inspiration followed by bouts of despair, 'caused - I think - by the bipolar I suspect I have. And all this has left me feeling lost and confused. I just want to know what of me is me, and which is my rebellion or bipolar (if I do, indeed, have that).
I've had so many elaborate ideas, over the years, that came to nothing, that I am extremely hesitant to act on any of my ideas now. I don't want to start something if I'm not going to follow through with it after all. I want to know myself better. So I will know which of my ideas are wild day dreams, and which are actually something I might follow through on. I want to know who I am.I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound so gloomy lately. My big sister - my closest confidant - has been camping out of cell servies all week end, which has left me lots of time for reflection. I am very eager to talk to her again tonight!{Dress/Made by me ~ Shoes/Xhilarations (borrowed from my mom) ~ Necklace/ModCloth ~ Sunglasses/Xhilaration}

So, about this outfit. The other times I've worn this dress, I've layered it or put a belt with it, but this time I kept it simple so the zipper could take center stage. I even borrowed my moms wedges - which I now love!