Got My Heart Where My Head Should Be // Daily Outfit

I don't know if any of you noticed in my last outfit post, but two weeks ago I (finally) got my hair done. It was driving me so insane - mostly the color. This was the first time I'd had dark hair in the summer and the sun just zapped all of the dye out and I was left with auburn hair instead of deep chocolate brown. Most of you probably don't know this, but I hate being red! I love it on other people but I can't stand it on myself, so being back to deep brown makes me a happy girl! I also got my bangs thickened out, which I love! Ryan, you rock!

Speaking of my last outfit photo, you all have no idea how much I appreciated every single comment! You all are so sweet and each and ever comment really did just warm my heart. I haven't been able to reply to them all, yet (I'm still adjusting to my "new" job) but I'm really going to try to catch up on comments tomorrow. You all are so amazing! ♥

♥ ♥ ♥

dress: the Buffalo Exchange in Chicago

booties: Blowfish Shoes

necklace + key: Kane County Flea Market

belt: thrifted

jacket: Ebay

 bag: ModCloth

Lately... (BBC Shows + Cleaning My Room}

1. I love that - for the most part - my hair looks great when I get up in the morning. Especially on days when I over sleep...

2. You don't really appreciate how long it takes to heat something up in the oven until your microwave is broken. So glad we got a new one!

3. I found these notebooks in my room. They're all filled with school stuff I haven't needed for months. This is why I'm cleaning out my room, y'all!

4. My little sister packed me a lunch for work and this is the bag she used! How adorable!! ♥

5. My dad helping me with a special room project. I can't wait to show you all it!

6. I don't know how this is comfortable, but she looked soooooo cute!! ♥

7. Trying on dresses in Deliah*s. If this had been longer I'd have been tempted to buy it. :(

8. Froyo with Maddie!

9. I've gotten back into the habit of taking outfit photos regularly and I love it. ♥

1. Work of Art // Rachel Platten

2. I Am the Doctor // Muray Gold

3. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together // Taylor Swift

4. The Avengers Theme // Alan Silvestri

5. Dreams and Disasters // Owl City

1. This song is still on my playlist because a) I love it and b) it makes me feel inspired/encouraged. ♥

2. Doctor Who was on again on Saturday night and I wore a TARDIS t shirt on Sunday so of course I had to listen to this song on the way to work!

3. This song got me through some very difficult drama earlier this week. So thanks for that Taylor.

4. TOMORROW, Y'ALL! Need I say more?

5. Another really encouraging and inspiring song - plus it includes Adam Young!

1. Doctor Who season 7

2. Wallander

1. Still watching Doctor Who season 7, although I can't say that I'm anymore impressed than I was after the second episode. It all feels very rushed (and at the same time it feels like they're just killing time till the Ponds leave...) and I'm very disappointed that the Ponds leaving will not be a two parter. Steven Moffat I'm ready for you to quit Doctor Who...
2. A BBC mystery show featuring Tom Hiddleson. It has to be good, right!? (In all seriousness it is a fantastic show and Tom Hiddleson really is an incredible actor! Can't wait to see him as Loki again this week!)

Work of Art // Daily Outfit

I think I finally understand what people mean when they say that life is a work of art: it takes a lot of planning and a lot of work - like any other "work of art." I'm working hard on mine right now, which makes for a lot of emotional hours.

Brighter times are on the way. Hope your week is going well. ♥

♥ ♥ ♥       

cardigan: Francesca's Collection

jeans: Forever 21

shoes: garage sale via Miss Jack

necklace + key: Kane County Flea Market

scarf: gift

bag: ModCloth

The Sands of Time // Daily Oufit

Sometimes I just cannot believe how this year has gone so far! In just ten months I've gotten my drivers license, graduated high school, got a job, lost some of my best friends, made new ones, and generally just got a new lease on life.

Sometimes when I look at recent photos of me I have this "holy cow! That's not a little girl in that photo anymore!" moment. Sometimes I can't believe that I'm already eighteen - and then instantly I'm like "I'm only eighteen!?" I feel at least twenty...

But I guess that just makes my life a little less rushed - like waking up in the morning and thinking you'd better get ready for work when you realize that you still have another two hours till you have to get up. I know, odd example but you get the idea.

Also, I have a bunch of shopping planned for the next two weeks, so hopefully there'll be more regular outfit posts on here soon. Here's hoping!

Hope all of yours weeks are going well so far!

♥ ♥ ♥       

blouse: my mom's

jeans: Forever 21

shoes: Urban Og

necklace + key: Kane County Flea Market

jeans: Forever 21

Lately {Hair Changes + Iron Man Headphones}

1. Part of the walk from my car to the shoppe where I work. I work in one of the loveliest towns around. ♥

2. Some of the inspirational photos I took when I got my hair done on Friday.

3. One of the temporary tattoos I wore this week for National Suicide Awareness week.

4. The salon I went to served tea in mustache-decorated mugs. How perfect??

5. Delicious strawberry + cucumber limeade at P.F. Chang's.

6. This is a really great reminder after how bummed out I've been feeling lately.

7. Froyo is the best desert ever. Fact!

8. Ready to watch Psycho and The Birds at the outdoor theater with my aunt and my cousin the Z Dog.

9. Iron Man headphones! Every eighteen-year-old girl's dream. ♥

1. Work of Art // Rachel Platten

2. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together // Taylor Swift

3. Sailboats // Sky Sailing

4. The Avengers Theme Song // Alan Silvestri

1. I found this song because it's the theme song for Jane by Design. It's so catchy and sweet sounding! It also reminds me a lot of a Carly Rae Jepsen song...

2. Let's just say that I'm having one of those months and leave it at that, ok?

3. Ethan's the one who pointed this song out to me - and how epic is it that Adam mentions Audrey Hepburn in it?? Besides that it's a gorgeous, sweet tune. ♥

4. This song makes even driving to the store feel like a mission to save the world - oh, and did I mention that the movie comes out a week from tomorrow? I know, it's awesomeness. *winks*

1. Jane By Design

2. Doctor Who Season 7

1. Saturday night/Sunday Morning I stayed up till 7am finishing season one of Jane by Design (I know, crazy right??) My biggest complaint? That there won't be a season two.

2. Watched episode three last night. Didn't like it as much as the first two - and is it just me or is the Doctor getting really arrogant/dangerous again?? I'd say it was time for a new Doctor but apparently the 11th will last through 2014, so I'm not exactly sure what's going on there...

Lately {Food + Shopping in Chicago}

1. Salted caramel mocha frappuccino = delicious.

2. Cinnamon roll french toast + sausage + a fruit cup for breakfast

3. A Jolly Rancher someone gave me at work (it's a long story)

4. Maddie getting her makeup done at Mojo Spa

5. Gorgeous dresser + record player at Mojo Spa

6. This vintage camera canteen at Urban Outfitters reminded me of my friend Ethan.

7. Apparently UO also sells crickets - like to eat! G-R-O-S-S.

8. I wear suspenders now. Suspenders are cool.

9. My shopping haul from Sunday: two eye shadows, an indie dress and suspenders from UO.

1. Speed of Love // Owl City

2. Hot N' Cold (Clean Version) // Katy Perry

3. Akbar // Jeffery Dallas

4. Good Time // Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

5. Get Back // Demi Lovato

1. This is yet another song from The Midsummer Station so of course it's on my playlist! Not one of my favorite favorite songs but still utterly fantastic!
2. I'm a little ashamed to admit that the clean version of this song has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a couple years. It's. Just. So. Catchy!
3. This is all Maddie's doing. She loves this song and bought it off iTunes so now we can listen to it whenever we're in the car. The good news is that the grandma's only line in this song is so hillarious is makes up for everything else. *winks*
4. Yep! This song is back on my playlist again! What can I say? It's a great song to listen to on the way to work. Trust me.
5. This was one of my favorite songs a few years ago, and it's finally resurfaced! Demi Lovato is so talented and I just adore her style while she worked with Disney! This music video is so fantastic - still easily one of my favorites ever!

1. Downton Abbey

2. Doctor Who Season 7

1. We finally finished the first two seasons of Downton Abbey! It's such a fantastic show and I highly recommend it! I cannot wait for season three! Anyone know when it starts?? (Pst! The first season is on Netflix instant and you all should totes watch it!)

2. On Saturday we watched the second episode of season seven of Doctor Who and I was very pleasantly surprised! I thought the second episode was a lot more fun than the first! But I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only who thought that... :-/

Forbidden Love

When I was in fifth grade I started reading the Nancy Drew books. She had a powder blue convertible that she drove everywhere and for some reason I imagined it as a 1950's, rockabilly car - maybe because I've always loved the 50's. For whatever reason this is how I imagined it and I've wanted one every since. When my family and I stumbled onto this classic car show, I just couldn't resist getting a photo in front of my dream car (the interior was even blue and cream too!).

If you could have any car in the world what would it be?

Kane County Flea Market // An Adventure + Daily Outfit

This is one of those posts where I just don't even know where to start... I seem to be making friends in the strangest of places lately. Lol! First there was my friend Emily who I met at a Madwell event I went to because Teika was there, and now there is Ethan who I met on Instagram (Instagram! who'd a thunk it!?), and it just so happens that he lives not far from my house and knew of an amazing flea market in the area, the Kane County Flea Market.

Naturally I - being of fan of vintage things - was intrigued by the the idea of new-to-me, great flea market to attend, so we decided to meet up there for a day of shopping last Saturday. It was so much fun! Even with being rained out there was much more there than at the Randolph Street market and the prices were better! Not to mention that Ethan was a ton of fun to hang out with (if you don't believe me just ask Maddie!)

It was so much fun to have a day to spend with the fam + friends and do some vintage shopping. Sometime next week I should show you all what I got (Spoiler! Vintage Pyrex is included in the haul!) - or should I do a video about it? I think I like that idea... I'll see what I can do. *winks*

Hope all of y'alls week has been going well so far!

P.S. Thank you, Ethan, for taking those outfit shots for me!

♥ ♥ ♥       

tank: my moms

skirt : Etsy

jacket: Ebay

shoes: garage sale via Miss Jack

belt: thrifted

necklace + bag: ModCloth

leggings: Forever 21

lipstick: Kat Von D in "Underage Red"

Blossoms Filled the Room // Daily Outfit

I feel as if I'm finally getting used to the new "normal." I'm wearing skirts to work, and actually making new friends. I feel like I'm finally coming out of of my shell, and it feels amazing! I also think it's really good for me. I think that I need to be on my own more and start making more of my own friends - not just friends of the family.

It can be so tempting, sometimes, to put up a bad situation because it's so hard/scary to try a new, different situation. But let's face it - that's no way to live. Anything worth having is worth fighting for and often times requires it. I want to feel alive and to that I have to go through both the dreams and the disasters - so so be it! I'd rather live and be hurt and tell my children and grandchildren the story of it than go through life without having really ever lived. So here's to life's little disasters. ♥

In other news this outfit reminded me of a 1950's house dress with the high neckline, button-down top, wide belt and full skirt. Am I the only one who sees the resemblance?

♥ ♥ ♥       

blouse: Rue 21

skirt: made by me

shoes: Urban Og

belt: thrifted

bag: ModCloth

Abandoned Things // Daily Oufit

Last week I wrote a post on saying goodbye when someone doesn't care to be in your life anymore. It sucks and hurts but I would never, ever wish it away. Because that guy - immature and childish that he was - taught me one of the best lessons I've ever learned: if you have to fight to stay in someone's life when they don't appreciate you, then they don't deserve you. I spent ten months of my life trying to be friends with someone who didn't care enough to make the effort to be friends with me, and it wasn't until I met an actual friend that I realized how silly I had been.

Because a real friend will care about you and your life; ask how you are; how your blog is doing and contribute to the conversation because they want to talk to you as much as you want to talk to them. They won't just answer the list of questions you ask them like it's an interview.

And that's my two cents on friendship. ♥

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: Emily and Fin via ModCloth

cardigan: Charlotte Russe

shoes: Blowfish Shoes (last year)

belt: thrifted

bag: ModCloth

glasses: c/o Glasses USA

lipstick: MAC in "Lickable"