Eleven Things

Z from Z Plus the World tagged with the 11 Things challenges. I was so happy to get her email because this looks so fun!

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.

5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you’ve tagged them.

1. I used to be the biggest Ringer (Lord of the Rings nerd). Between the ages of nine and fourteen I read the books twice, listened to almost nothing but the soundtrack, and watched the movies more times than I can possibly count (I have the first two scenes of the first movie memorized word for word. Oh yeah, true story.) I even went to see the last movie in the theaters for my tenth birthday - and yes, it is PG13. My parents are cool like that. 

2. I hate washing my hair in the shower. I will take a shower, get out, get dressed and then wash my hair in the basement sink with the extending faucet hose. I just feel like I can get a better wash then because a) I am focusing on only my hair b) I can use colder water so my color will last longer and c) I can go from washing it straight to styling it. Silly, right?


3. I've always been very, very awkward around boys. It comes from having no brothers and only three boy cousins.

4. When I was nine years old I decided that I wanted to be a world famous novelist, and spend the next six years of my life writing every chance I got. I actually managed to finish one book (thanks to NaNoWriMo) and get it through three revisions before I realized that that wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. I still dream of writing and publishing a book someday, though. (Hopefully I'll have updates on that later this year!)

5. I used to be obsessed with Celtic stuff. From Celtic knots, to William Wallace to Enya, to Celtic folk music - I loved it all, but I was very crictical of what should be considered "folk music." (i.e. Enya's music is not Celtic folk music. That's like saying Josh Groban's music is American folk music - wrong!)

6. Despite the fact that I'm a girly-girl in a lot of way, I love boyish movies - especially Avengers superheros (also, the Iron Man: Armored Adventures cartoon is one of my favorite shows). I can't wait for The Avengers to come out in May!

7. Say Yes to the Dress is totally mine and my little sister's guilty pleasure.

8. I am a grammar Nazi. I love dashes and semi colons, and I use perfect gramar in texts (most of the time). Over the past couple years, however, I've had to learn how to read texts with absolutely no punctuation once so ever, thanks to one of my best friends.

9. I'm a Christian, and I love it. Accepting Jesus Christ into my heart changed my life forever. I don't talk about it unless it comes up naturally, however, because I don't want to be preachy like so many Christians I see.

10. I've been told on several occasions that I look like Taylor Swift. I don't mind.

11. I've shot my dad's gun on several occasions and it's actually pretty fun, and I think someday I'll probably own a gun of my own.

1. What’s one specific piece of clothing you couldn’t live without? My heels. They make me feel pretty and confident; or my leather jacket, which makes me feel awesome and confident. Ok, who am I kidding? Both of those answers are lies. I couldn't do without my jeans on those tired, lazy, days where I just don't feel like wearing a dress! (But that answer isn't quite as glamorous, now is it?)

2. What song do you think best describes your personality? Ooh! For a gal who has a new favorite song every week, that's a toughie. I think Mine by Taylor Swift does a pretty good job, though.

3. How do you like to decorate your workspace? With a pile of unworn clothes on my chair and makeup scattered on my desk around my laptop.

4. Where do you most often get your inspiration from? Bloggers. I scour the my Bloglovin' feed whenever I need inspiration - or Pinterest. I love Pinterest.

5. What would your ideal job be? I'm extremely old fashioned in some ways, and my dream job would be staying at home blogging, taking care of the house, cooking, and looking after the sweet little kids I am going to have while my husband is at work. ♥

6. What is your favorite character from a book? Anne Shirley and Mary Lennox. Anne is a lot like me (lady like, good imagination, crazy plans, and slightly vain), and I've loved The Secret Garden since I was five years old, so Mary Lennox is like an old friend at this point. 

7. What is your best memory from 2011? Visiting my best friends in Wyoming. It was so much fun. 

8. Where is one city you would love to live in? Fort Collins, Colorado. It's by the mountains, near my best friends, and looks like a really lovely town.

9. What is a hidden talent of yours? I don't think I have one, but I'd like to think that singing is. I've always, always wanted to be a good singer.

10. What is your least favorite chore? Mowing the lawn. I hope I never have to do that again.

11. What is one blog you really admire? Little Chief Honey Bee. Kaelah has the most amazing style, and even wrote a book, which is a huge goal/dream of mine. 

1. Dream date

2. Favorite book

3. Favorite tv show

4. A genie pops out of your pot of tea/coffee and offers you three wishes. What are they?

5. Favorite blog

6. Style icon

7. favorite band

8. Favorite childhood memory

9. Your favorite blog post (on your blog) ever

10. If there was one thing from your past you could change what would it be?

11. Three things you admire in a man

Christina of The Runaway Muse

Jack of However Improbable

Maddie of My Simple Life

Mandy of Miss Indie

Syd of Videmus Art

Amber of Laughing with Broken Eyes

Sydney of the Rabbit Hearted Girl

Wallflower // Daily Outfit

{dress//Red Dress Shoppe :: blouse//ModCloth :: skirt//thrifted :: tights//Target :: boots//Blowfish Shoes :: belt//thrifted}

I took these pictures last week - at dusk, which is why they're so bad. I felt like wearing something really bright and sort of rockabilly-ish, so this is what I came up with.

How was everyone's weekend? I was feeling a little (er, lot) under the weather on Saturday so I spent most of the day in my room. Blech. Sunday was better, though. We met up with dad's brother and his family in Chicago, went out for lunch, did some shopping, and I spent the afternoon texting my two best friends - which is always fun. They're the kind of people that are just really, really easy to talk to, and really "get" me, and talking to them can almost always put a smile on my face. You know what I mean?

Anyway, I also got to stop in at Top Shop to pick up a jacket I'd asked them to hold for me. It was sold out in my size online, but luckily there's a Top Shop in Chicago, and they had one left in my size. So now my dream leather jacket is now mine. Wahoo! ♥

Tonight // Music Monday

Another non-Adam Young Music Monday post! Look how good I'm being. :)

I was first introduced to Days Difference when they opened for Owl City. My little sister and my mom especially loved them, and Maddie had downloaded a bunch of their songs from iTunes before a week was up, I think. This is one of my favorites of their songs. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Wish List Wednesday

1. Subtle Shades Handbag

2. Patch of Pansies Dress

3. Treat Yourself Ring

4. Bubble Tea Barista Dress

5. Trip to the Tropics Heel

6. So Animated Skirt

7. Sir it Up Ring

8. Blouse Party Top

I'm in Hillbilly Heck // Daily Outfit

Yeah, I know that's not exactly what Lightening McQueen says, but I don't really like to use the "H" word, and I do love that line! I'm not exactly sure why, but it just cracks me up! Maybe it's because I've spent most of my teen years looking forward to visiting places that would probably be described by in the same way that Lightening McQueen explains Radiator Springs.

I'm just a city girl longing to be a country gal. It's not too much to ask that you all indulge my desire and play along, is it? Or, as Anne Shirley would probably put it "would you please call me a country gal?" Poor Anne and I: both wishing for things we just weren't born with. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to listen to to my Cars soundtrack while sending out some emails. ;)

Sh-Boom // Music Monday

Is it odd for an eighteen year old girl to be lovin' the Cars soundtrack? I certainly hope not - but then, I've never exactly been normal...

I blame my love of it on my affinity for old cars and country-ish things, my love of Route 66 (I am going to travel it someday!) and the 1950's, rockabilly vibe of Radiator Springs. I've loved the 1950's since I was a little girl watching White Christmas. I love the full skirts, dreamy cars, bold lipstick, sheer sweetheart necklines, and even some of the music. In fact, if I could dance to Sh-Boom with my husband on our wedding day I would be one happy lady. ♥

Behind the Clouds // Daily Outfit

{dress//thrifted :: blouse//ModCloth :: tights//Target :: boots//Blowfish Shoes :: belt//thrifted :: necklace//Target}

It's kind of ridiculous how often I take names for posts from songs. This one is named after Behind the Clouds by Brad Paisley - you'll probably recognize it as the theme song for Radiator Springs from the Pixar movie, Cars. My little sisters got it from iTunes with the gift cards they got for Christmas, and I just couldn't help but put it on my iPod, too.

I've mentioned before how I'm actually a hillbilly at heart (or, as my mother says, a "Northern hillbilly"), and really, I blame it on the fact that I've lived in the city for the greater part of my life, and never found anywhere that I actually "belong." I've made very few friends here, grown to hate the mall with a passion, and learned to rank the joy of the country above that of the city.

I grew up just a short drive away from Chicago IL - the land of hybrid cars and soy, decaf, mocha lattes; the city where, until a few months ago, it was illegal for civilians to own firearms - and yet I'm happier, and more at home sitting in a country kitchen, just within the borders of the cell signal, listening to people talk about hunting and guns, canning and fixing cars; than I am in the middle of Chicago listening to ladies talk about the deals they got at Nordstrom. And I'd rather spend hours at Scheels than at a normal mall. (I feel like normal malls push the whole "thinner is better! you're not good enough the way you are!" thing, and I always end up feeling ugly whenever I get out of one. :-P Not good.)

Don't get me wrong, I do love to visit Chicago. It's loads of fun to go for a day or even a weekend and walk lots and see all the little indie businesses. But some of my best memories involve riding in the back of a pickup truck across miles of wild country with no cell signal; or sleeping in a room with a deer head mounted on the wall; or standing in the biggest garage I've ever been in, in the middle of nowhere pestering about an old car that my uncle was working on.

I love the idea of being a "Northern hillbilly." ♥

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway! You could win a $15 ModCloth gift card.

Glasses USA Review

So earlier this year, the folks at GlassesUSA.com contacted me about doing a post for them, and were kind enough to send me a gift card to get a pair of glasses to review. But before I show you which ones I got, I want to talk a little about the experience:

First of all, when I first got on the site I have to admit that I was completely overwhelmed! They have so many different kinds of eyeglasses and frames, and you can even get the frames with just glass if you want. They also had a bunch of lovely vintage inspired frames, which made me happy. They also have a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 110% satisfaction guarantee; and offer exclusive discounts to their FaceBook and Twitter fans (which I didn't use because gift cards don't work with discounts.)

So anyway, being as indecisive as it is, I had to recrute the help of my big sister to help me decide which glasses to get. After a lot of thought (and whining on my part) I finally decided to get a pair of prescription glasses instead of fake lenses to wear with contacts. Then I had to chose a frame. They had a really cool virtual mirror that let me try on some of the pairs I was looking at, which was really fun, and helped me decide on which frames I wanted.

Once I chose a frame I needed to put your prescription in so I could get the correct frames. I called my eye doctor and had them mail me my prescription, but oh my goodness, I had no idea how hard those things are to read. I would have been completely lost if GlassesUSA.com hadn't had a short article on reading prescriptions. It was a life saver! I was hugely impressed with the shipping. It was supposed to take several days to finish the glasses and then several more days after they shipped, but I got the glasses just three days later, which was a really nice surprise.

And now for the glasses: the glasses are gorgeous and I'm really happy with how they look on. It's fun to have a pair of colorful, non-geeky looking glasses, and just to have another pair so I have options besides my black pair. The prescription worked out great (I was so afraid I was going to mess it up and not be able to see out of them!) and I can see perfectly while wearing them. My only concern is that the lenses seem a bit loose in the frames, but that might just be due to the different style of glasses vs my other pair.

All in all I'm very pleased with my purchase and would buy glasses from GlassesUSA.com next time I'm in the market for a new pair (and I would probably get a cat eye pair!).

P.S. Sorry for the crummy outfit and photos. Now you know what I look like on lazy days.

This and That

This: I've been driving lots lately, and I love it! Hoping to get my license by the end of the month. ♥

That: Breakfast with my mom yesterday morning. It was so nice to talk to her as I hardly saw her Monday and Tuesday!

Wish List Wednesday

1. Tracy Tulip Bustier Dress by BB Dakota
2. By and Bow Wallet
3. Tall PU Biker Jacket
4. Cadbury Loyalty Dress
5. Banjolele Skirt
6. Paper Dolled Up Top

Win a $15 ModCloth Gift Card! {Closed}

It's no secret around here that I love ModCloth, and wear it often. They have some of the prettiest dresses, cool shoes, and rockin' jewelery known to man kind - and the customer service is unmatched! Basically, I'm in love. So, in honor of reaching 150 subscribers on Google Friend Connect, I'm giving away a $15 ModCloth gift card to spend on whatever you like!

How to Enter:

Follow on GFC and comment to tell me that did (be sure to leave your email so I can email you the gift card if you win).

Bonus Entries (be sure to leave a separate comment for each):

1.) Follow on Bloglovin'

2.) Tweet about the giveaway using this: "Entered to win a $15 @ModCloth gift card on @katieburry's blog! http://bit.ly/wI80S4"

3.) Post about this contest on FaceBook

4.) Like Beautifully Pure on FaceBook

Contest is open until February 29th. Winner will be announced March 2nd. Good luck to you all!

If I Walk Away // Daily Outfit

{blouse//ModCloth :: dress//Shop Speedy Girl :: tights//Target :: boots//Blowfish Shoes :: belt//thrifted :: bag//ModCloth :: jacket//Wet Seal :: bow//handmade}

Sometimes when I go to write a post I end up staring at the blank, white spot for a while before I can actually piece together what it is I want to say. There's so much on my mind and heart lately I couldn't share it here even if this was the place to do it. So let's just leave it at: it's hard to feel myself growing and becoming stronger in my confidence and who I am while seeing some of my best friends floundering.

This is what I wore to go out to linner (dinner + lunch) in Chicago with my family. I've been looking for a 

way to wear this blouse, and after seeing what Keiko Lynn wore to the People's Choice Awards, I decided to try layering it over my favorite LBD. I decided to add the belt after remembering that Elsie does that a lot in her Fashion Mixology posts. I love the result! One of my favorite things do is mix girly pieces with more edgy pieces, and I think this outfit has the perfect combination of girly meets edgy. Also, I stinking love my bangs. ♥

The Face of Boe // Music Monday

I'm still trying not to fall back into the "posting only Owl City/Adam Young songs for Music Monday" habit, so instead you the the theme song for the Face of Boe from Doctor Who.

It's a very short song, and it's sorta sad, but I can't help liking it anyway. It reminds me of the 10th Doctor, Rose Tyler, Cassandra, and watching my favorite show with my best friend. I guess it's sorta like they say "sad is happy for deep people"

Wish List Wednesday

1. Come Sly with Me Top
2. Daisies for Days Dress
3. Don't Pink Twice Jacket
4. Queen of Hearts Cardigan
5. Cabbage Rose Dress
6. Hearts and Crafts Dress
7. What a Keeper Dress in Red
8. Bobbin to the Beat Dress

Pastell Palette Ruche Look Book

I fell in love as soon as I saw this lovely look book from Ruche. The colors and silhouettes are just perfect, and I seriously want every one of these outfits for my trip later this spring. It seems like the perfect blend of style and comfort for a trip. ♥

Which outfit is your favorite?

Enya's Only If // Music Monday

Ok, I want you all to know that I literally had to make a conscious effort not to feature another Adam Young song this week. (Also, the reason there was no MM post last week is because I couldn't think of one! *so pathetic*)
So instead you have another of my top favorite artists ever: Enya. I started liking her music when I was just twelve years old, and even though I don't listen to it as much as I once did, there's still just nothing like her music. It. Is. Amazing. (Rivaled only by Owl City and Sky Sailing - and I think she still might just win that contest...maybe) And this is one of my favorite songs by her ever. ♥

Umbrella Beach // Daily Outfit

{skirt//thrifted :: tee shirt//District Lines :: tights//Target :: shoes//Blowfish Shoes :: jacket//Wet Seal :: glasses//my little sisters :: headband//D.I.Y :: necklace//Target}

It's no secret that I love Owl City. There aren't a whole lot of celebrities I like (the list has gotten even shorter over the past six months) but I really, really like Adam Young. He just seems so normal. And I can't even begin to describe how encouraging it is to see a fellow follower of Christ successful in the mainstream market still staying strong in their faith. It's music I can feel confident listening to. I know there won't be anything objectionable to me in it, I know I will like it, and I don't have to feel guilty about who is getting my money (I'm super picky about that). I can actually feel proud about who I am supporting. ♥

I haven't worn this skirt in a while, but my friend Syd told me a while ago that I should wear it more often since (apparently) it's very flattering on me. Since I've been wanting to wear it with this shirt for a while, and I finally got tights to match, it seemed like a good time to break it out again - even if I do prefer full skirts.

On one final note, wearing this skirt makes me think of Elizabeth, and these glasses remind me of Elycia. Just sayin'.