My New Black Purse

I can't believe that after all my complaining of how I needed a new black purse, it's taken me so long to post these pictures!

I have been looking for a new black bag for a while. I saw some I liked, but none that I loved - none that I liked enough to make me part with my money. When I saw this one at Marshalls, however, it was love at first sight. It made me broke, but it was worth it! <3

Photo Details:

Black Purse - Marc Ecko

Music Mondays - Hayley Westenra's Peace Shall Come

Hayley Westra first came to my attention because she was part of one of my favorite bands, Celtic Woman. She has, since then, left CW, and is now working solo again.

Last year, for my birthday, my little sister, Maddie, got me her Christmas album - with which I fell in love. This is my favorite song from the album. (It's not on the Music Monday playlist because I couldn't find it on playlist.com >.<)



I love her outfit at 0:29. <3

Could be Two-Thousand-and-Ten

Demi Lovato is one of my style inspirations. This is my "Sonny Monroe outfit", since it totally reminds me of an outfit she wore on the show Sonny With a Chance, so I think it was fitting that I used my Sonny Monroe Collection purse. :D

My mom and sisters drove past the beach today, and it looked so pretty I asked if we could stop so I could get some pictures - I also recruited my little sister, Maddie, to take the photos this time. :D

The beach was so lovely - very cool but not too cold - and the lake was full of white foam from many waves breaking. I posted a couple artistic photos on my Flickr page, if you care to look at them.

I wish I had got some better pictures of my headband. I have a very similar one I'm going to be giving away early next month. I am excited! :D

Outfit Details:
Dress: Gap
Sweater: Vintage
Tights: Walmart
Heels: Xhilaration
Headband: Elle
Purse: Sonny Monroe Collection at Target

Wish List Wednesday - Modcloth Dresses

Ever since my friend Christina introduced me to Modcloth I have wanted to get a Modcloth dress. I still have yet to get one, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming about it. :)

Acorn-ucopia Dress: I am trying to start wearing more colors - not just black, gray, white and pink. I have decided that I could easily do a darker blue like this dress. I really love it. The print is just so unique, and it is long enough for me - which is rare, especially on Modcloth. I would probably get it if it wasn't over a$100.

Shake Things Up Dress: This dress is a little odd, but I just love it. I would be so fun to accessorize. I only wish the ruffles were in the back, too. This is another dress that if it weren't for the price I would buy. <3

Grenadine Lemonade Dress: This dress would have me feeling like Emma Woodhouse all day, and the soft pink color is one of my favorites. <3>

Relevé Dress: This is the only dress that is too short for me. If it weren't I would already have ordered it. I love the color combination and the girly look of it. I also love the tutu look of it. I want to make myself a navy blue one to wear for Christmas. :)

Music Mondays - Enya's My! My! Time Flies!

This week I am not adding the song to my playlist for two reasons:

a) this song is not on Playlist.com

b) I wanted to post a video so you can see Enya sing. I don't think she is particularly beautiful - except when she is singing. Then she lights up and is just gorgeous, I think.

This song is from her Christmas album, And Winter Came, but it is not a very Christmas-y song. When recording the songs Enya plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals herself - when preforming live this is not possible (obviously). It still sounds amazing though.
I just love this song. I started listening to it as soon as the album came out (in November, 2007) and I still love it just as much. <3

Mod(est) Dress

Yesterday I received a comment from Miss Black. Since I try to return the compliment whenever possible, I visited her blog, and came across this lovely dress:

I have to say, I just love it. It totally reminds me of something one would see at ModCloth - and if it were for sale at ModCloth I would buy it.

I think a lot of people believe that you can have style or modesty - but not both. If you wish to be stylish you have to be immodest, and if you wish to be modest you must dress out of style. I rebel against this idea. I believe it is possible to be modest and stylish - it just takes a little more work - and this dress is a perfect example of that. <3

"Would you please call me 'Wat'?"

Anne Shirley wanted to be called "Cordelia", while I often wish people would call me "Wat."
It started with my big sister. She calls me her "dear Watson", a name that - while reserved especially for her sole use - gave me the idea for the name "Wat." I though it would be a simply lovely name for a young lady, and began to think about what sorts of a young lady it would apply to.

WAT by BeautifullyPure
While I was thinking about this, I came to realize that Wat is sort of an alter ego of myself - a happier, more positive person, and I wish I could be like that. I hold on to the past far too much, and can often be a very negative person - focusing on all the bad in a situation instead of the good. I think my love of dark, and neutral colors is to blame for this.
But I am trying to change - I want to be more happy and positive. I am using Wat as a role model, and would like to incorporate more of "her" style into my wardobe. It's not something I would necessarily pick to wear, but I love none-the-less.
So this is my attempt at a "Wat outfit." It seems to have Hannah Montana influences in it (maybe because I watched the Hannah Montana movie with my little sisters tonight) but I don't care. I like it.

Wish List Wednesday - Shoes

So, this post is late, but better late than never. :D

This Wish List Wednesday is all about a girls best friend: shoes - heels, to be exact.

Since I am still looking for something to wear with my LBD to my friend's wedding in the spring all of these shoes were chosen with that in mind.

Chunky Glitter Slingbacks: I love the modern shape of these - perfect for with my very classic dress, but I think I might want a non-neutral color.

Studded Suede Platforms: I love the color of these, but I'm not sure about the ankle wrap part.

Candie's® Smokey Platform High Heels: I love, love theses shoes. They are so pretty and fun. I think I want to get them even if I don't wear them to the wedding - they seem a little glitzy for that. ;-)

Candie's® Call Me Peep-Toe Platform High Heels: Is that little bow the cutest thing you've ever seen or what?? And I love the pop of color these have. I'm definitely considering these!

Candie's® Taken Peep-Toe Platform High Heels: When I saw these in the store they were a pretty antique pink, but I couldn't find a picture online. Anyway, I'm thinking about these in pink for with the dress, but the heel seems a little short - the shoe looks a tad awkward I think. Maybe it's just me...

Candie's® Yunnis Peep-Toe Platform High Heels: I really love these shoes - they are one of my favorite colors - but a) I need to star thinking out of the box as far as color goes, and b) I'm afraid they're a little too classic for with my dress.

And yes, by the way, I do love peep-toe, platform heels. <3

Armor Plating

Last night was family night at my little sisters church group. I didn't really want to go, but they really wanted me to, so I did.

My make up was much lighter than what I usually do - I want to start trying more new things, so I made sure not to fall back onto my go-to smokey eye. It was very different, and at first I didn't think I'd like it, but I actually did. I'm going to do my make up like that again today, I think.

My mom and one of my sisters teased me a bit about how I fixed up (I just wore skinny jeans, a long sleeved black tee shirt with a belt, and my gold ballet flats, but my mom thought the flower in my hair was a bit much) but what they didn't know is that it wasn't about how I looked - it was about how I felt.

I don't really know anyone at church yet, and I get uncomfortable in situations like that - I think everyone does. But if I think I look good, I feel more confident. I feel more secure. And it doesn't matter what anyone may be thinking of me - because I like myself the way I am. It's sort of like armor plating: when I feel good about myself and how I look other people's opinions can't penetrate into me to make me feel bad about myself - or at least, I'm more resilient to it. ;-)

Black and Gray All Over

This is what I wore to my little sister's singing recital. I really like the way the blazer looks with the dress, but I kinda wish it didn't match the dress so well - I think the outfit could have used some more color, but I was not about to wear my pink cardigan with a gray dress again.

I seriously need to update more this week. I need to do a post about my new purse, my new Etsy shop, and I also have a couple articles to write for HS Pieces.

Next week I'm going to be baby sitting all day Monday and Tuesday and I should have plenty of free time while the little boy is napping. I'm hoping to do lots of writing then. :)

Outfit Details:

Dress - Meijers

Tee shirt - So...

Jacket - Charlotte Ruse

Shoes - Xhilaration

Locket - Plato's Closet

Flower - Borrowed from my Sister

Romping through the Woods

This is what I wore to church on Sunday. I got this dress a couple months ago, but I haven't worn it till now. It's actually a size XXL in the children's section at Target. Does anyone find it odd that I am starting to look for clothes for myself in the children's section? O.o

The headband is new, too. I wish I had got some better pictures of it. Maybe I'll post some later this week. :)

I'm really hoping to get a new camera for my birthday next month. I have my eye on the Nikon CoolPix L110. I'm really looking forward to it and I hope I can get it. My camera is slowly dying. The shutter is broken and the lens has become scratched. Besides that the Nikon CoolPix has 12.1 mega pixels to my camera's 6.0. :)

I really hope I get it. It would be so nice to have a nice, new camera. :D

Outfit Details:

Dress: Target

Cardigan: Old Navy

Boots: Charlotte Russe

Belt: Thrifted

Purse: Sonny Monroe Collection at Target

Headband: Elle from Ulta

Tights: Walmart

Music Mondays - Superchick's Courage

I downloaded this song in February when Superchick was offering a free download in honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Month. It's about one of the band's member's struggle with anorexia. It's a very sad sounding song, but I liked it. I haven't listened to it much since then, but Monday I put it on and became hooked again.


I've never had an eating disorder before, and I don't plan to, but I can really relate the chorus. I don't open up much - it is a huge struggle just to admit that I'm sad sometimes - but sometimes I just want someone to know. Even if they can't do anything about it I want them to know that I'm sad, or scared, or worried because that means I won't be so alone.

I don't usually quote a different song than I posted on Mondays, but the first verse of How Do We Do This by Sterling Knight sounds a lot like me:

I’m used to being on my own

keeping my heart shut down

if I don’t go there

I won’t get hurt

but the pretty girl said

if you’re never ever ever get hurt again

are you ever gonna feel another thing my friend

and I like, the way, she talks

From now on I'm going to listen to the pretty girl in my life. I'm going to open up and talk.

Summer Dress

This was one of my favorite outfits this summer. I wanted to blog it earlier - and I meant to, but it got cold before I could. I was very disappointed. :( So of course I took the chance of a warm day earlier this week to wear it again. :D

I got the dress from my cousin, Molly in early August. She had worn it a lot last summer, but her style has since changed and she wasn't sure how to style it to fit her new style. I suggested with a leather jacket - but that was more my style than hers, so she gave the dress to me. <3

I just love the look of the more modern, edgy leather jacket with the retro, feminine dress. Now that I see the pictures, though, is it just me or does this dress really make me look short? I'm going to have the dress taken in this winter since it's much too big for me in the waist - anyone think I should have it hemmed while I'm at it? O.o Let me know what you think, please.

I've only had this dress for a short time, but I've already had some good times with it. :D

In other news my second article for HS Pieces, Fashion Blogging: Why and How to Begin, was published today. Yay!!! :D

I also got an Etsy store at long last! I'm hoping to update it this week end or early next week with some of the vintage dresses I have been hanging on to, so keep an eye out for that!

Thirdly, if you like my blog please follow me using google, Bloglovin, or Twitter; or like it on FaceBook.

Night all!

Outfit Details:

Dress - Vintage

Shoes - Old Navy

Jacket - Wet Seal

Purse - Charlotte Russe

Locket - Plato's Closet

Wish List Wednesday - Accessories.

So this Wish List Wednesday had no pictures - why? Because I'm still trying to figure out what to wear with my LBD, and I can't find anything I really like.

My original idea was a black clutch, pale pink shoes, and a big gold bangle - but that was when I was planning on getting a much less classic dress. Now I'm wondering if I might need something a little trendier to go with it.

Does anyone have any ideas? I am racking my brain here... >.<

Music Mondays - #4 Hannah Montana's Ordinary Girl

I've never been a huge fan of Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus, though there have been a few songs of her's that I've liked. The last season of Hannah Montana is airing on Disney now however. My family and I have been watching it - curious to how they will wrap everything up, and I have to say, I really love all of the songs this time! I am actually planning on buying the Hannah Montana Forever Soundtrack. Shocking, I know.

It took me a while to decide which of the songs from the album to feature today. At first I was going to do I'll Always Remember You because I can really relate to it, then I was going to do Que Sera because it's such a fun song. In the end I decided on Ordinary Girl because I recently finished writing an article for HS Pieces with a very similar message, and because I really love the sound of this song.

I'll link to the article when it's published.

It's a Romanic Life

Romantic - adjective:

... 2. fanciful; impractical; unrealistic: romantic ideas.

3. imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry, etc.

7. ( usually initial capital letter ) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a style of literature and art that subordinates form to content, encourages freedom of treatment, emphasizes imagination, emotion, and introspection, and often celebrates nature, the ordinary person, and freedom of the spirit ( contrasted with classical)...

I use the word "romantic" the same way Anne Shirley did - to mean adventurous and old fashioned and quaint and full of frilly, pretty clothes - and often I long for a romantic life - just as she did.

The world today just seems so boring at times. Our fashions - though I do love them - are not nearly so frilly, and elegant and romantic as in Wives and Daughters, or Anne of Green Gables, and neither are most shops. Our parties are not so elegant and romantic, and balls are much less frequent. It is all terribly sad, in my eyes.

But while watching Wives and Daughters the other night a thought accrued to me. That wasn't romantic the the people living then - to them it was normal, and the times before then had been romantic. They weren't trying to dress old fashioned and romantic - they were dressing in the modern styles. We only think it's romantic now because things have come so far - just like in a hundred years people will think our time was romantic. How romantic our lives are depend solely on how we look at them.

And our lives can be very romantic if we only think about it in the right way. With the styles now we can still get dressed up in lacy, elegant things, and if there is a shortage of romantic fields, flowers and trees in your neighborhood, there must be a forest preserve within a few minute drive to satisfy one's longing for the country.

With a little digging I'm sure some small, cute, independently owned shops can be found, and if not, Etsy can serve as a modern version. As for parties, well why not meet at the local Starbucks for your own, modern spin on the romantic tea party - complete with your tall, carmel frappuccino!

And, when you get really longing for something romantic, a bit of poetry should do the trick - perhaps you could try The Lady of Shalott.

I believe we all can lead very romantic, quaint, elegant lives if only we are able to see it.

Sources:

Anne of Green Gables Screen Caps

Wives and Daughters Screen Caps

The Squirrels are Getting Fat

Where I live there are lots of squirrels. Every autumn I start to notice that they are getting more, um - plump - to store up fat for the winter.

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, I've been really busy lately, and then today I was feeling sick. :-P The good news, is that I got to go to the Bees Knees again today, and got a nice thick black sweater that I'm going to wear tomorrow. I'll be sure to get pictures and post as soon as I can. Now I won't freeze this winter. :D

I got the idea for the cropping from Monkey Face, so thanks to her! :D

On another note, I have decided not to do NaNoWriMo after all. Writing just isn't what it used to be to me anymore. This is good news for my readers, since I'll have more time to blog, then. :D

Outfit Details:
Vintage Sweater - Thrifted
Skirt - H&M
Tights - Walmart
Boots - Thrifted Walmart
Locket - Plato's Closet
Purse - Sonny Monroe collection at Target
Bow - Forever 21
Peacoat - Thrifted