I'm Free to be Me // Daily Outfit + Accepting Ourselves

In my pre-teen/early teen years I remember that there were two things I was really self-conscious of: the first was my height, and the second my humongous overbite. (No, seriously, it's almost a centimeter in length.) I thought that I couldn't wear any heels over three inches tall because I was already 5' 8" - even though my favorite look was four inches and above, and I thought I looked like a gopher when I smiled, so I wouldn't ever post any photos online of me smiling "with teeth."

Over the past couple of years, though, I've come to appreciate myself for what I am. I'm tall, and I like heels that make me at least six feet high - so what? Does that mean that I should stop wearing them? Absolutely not! I love big heels and I'm tall - that's just who I am!

And as for my overbite, it actually kind of fits my personality. I'm not elegant and I'm not graceful. I am, to be honest, I'm a lot like Anne Shirley - especially with the getting into trouble doing stupid things. (I would totally chase a cow across a muddy field in my nice dress if need be!) I'm pretty crazy, I talk loudly,  and my teeth aren't perfect, and that's ok. I kind of like that about myself, because it's what makes me unique. It's like my mom says: I've got the personality of a dwarf with the looks of an elf - which means that I got the best of both worlds! (Come on! You *know* you were at least a little irritated when the elves wouldn't even help the dwarves get everyone out of Erebor in the Hobbit.) And when my photos turn out a little silly looking, that's ok, because that's just how I am. I'm actually starting to enjoy posting the crazy ones - all the neat and proper ones are all well and good, but that's definitely not all there is to me, and I'm starting to like showing the crazy side!

So what I'm trying to say is: if there's something about you that you don't like, instead of hiding it and trying to pretend it doesn't exist, try to find a way to rock it. Because it's our "imperfections" that make us unique. There are thousands of Victoria Secret's Angels out there, but what makes the characters were love in books so much so loved is their imperfections - just like with us. ♥

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: borrowed from Molly

JC Litas: Urban Outfitters

belt: Pitaya

bracelet: vintage

jacket: Old Navy via Ebay

title: Summer Day Dreams by Breanne Duren

Summer Day Dreams // Daily Outfit

One of the things I love about working retail is getting days off during the week. Hardly anyone else is out at those times, and since my family is busy with school/work I get the whole day to myself. Days like this are heaven sometimes. I get all dressed up, run some errands, take photos, and work on my blog. Basically I get everything done that I want to get done.

I've been feeling really great, lately. It's so nice to have some time to worry about myself without bending over backwards trying to apease other people. It's a great feeling to be able to go through life without worring that someone will be judging me because of the skirt I wore; or dropping what I wanted to do/planned on doing so I won't get yelled at later on. Basically, it's really nice to have a little less drama in life. ♥

In other news, what do you all think of my new skirt, bracelet and necklace? The skirt is from Shabby Apple via the gift certificate I recived from the giveaway over at Bubby and Bean's last mont. I was so excited! This was the first time I've ever won a blog giveaway. It really is the little things in life. *winks*

The bracelet is from the lovely people over at Fleet for participating in their Found by Fleet contest. It was a really unexpected surprise, and even though I'm not a huge fan of silver, I really like this piece! (Is it possible that silver is gowing on me!?)

And as for the necklace, well that's just a little something I picked up at one of the antique stores on Mother's Day for a mear $3. I swear this is the fourth time in a row I've gone to the same little antique store and walked out with another piece of jewelery. They have the best stuff + prices! ♥

♥ ♥ ♥       

skirt: Shabby Apple via gift card

blouse: Maurice's
JC Litas: Urban Outfitters

belt: Pitaya

necklace: vintage

tote bag: gift from ModCloth
gold bracelet: vintage
silver bracelet: gift from Fleet
lipstick: Kat Von D 's Painted Love in Underage Red

title: Summer Day Dreams by Breanne Duren

Mother's Day // Daily Outfit + Little Adventures

On Mother's Day my family has a tradition of making my mom brunch, and then going antiquing in some of the little towns out west of us. This year was no exception, except that it was bitterly cold! (Ok, "bitterly" might be a bit of an exageration, but low fifties in the middle of May is pretty stinkin' cold for Chicago land!) There's an ice cream stand that offers free ice cream to mothers on Mother's Day out in one of the little towns, so we always go there for ice cream, and this year we got hot dogs and fries as well - it was delicious!

The night before I had a mini-fit because I had no idea what to wear (sometimes I take things like clothes a little too seriously) but I ended up deciding on my little shop-printed dress, since it seemed apropriate. *winks* I even added my Gettin' Hot Rod in Here necklace from ModCloth, so there's a car to drive on the roads! I know, I know, I'm really lame, but I don't care.

Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays. We get to spend a lot of good, family time together, and show my mom how special she is to us. It's been an especially special holiday to me the last couple years, since I've realised just how much I owe to her. I honestly wouldn't be the person I am today without my mom. I love you, mom!

P.S. Check out my FaceBook page to see what my littlest sister did while my mom was taking my outfit photos!

xo,
Katie

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: made by Molly

belt: Plato's Closet
JC Litas: Urban Outfitters

cardigan: Maurice's

necklace: ModCloth

tote bag: ModCloth
jacket: Old Navy via Ebay

The Complete Confection // Daily Outfit

Isn't this dress just gorgous!? When I found this fabric I knew I had to have a dress out of it, and when Molly showed me this retro inspired pattern, I had one of those "light bulb" moments where I realized that they would match perfectly together. She finished the dress almost a week ago, but when I went to wear it I got sick (boo!) and didn't feel like wearing it.

To be completely honest, I'm still not over my cold, but I had an eye doctor appointment, and I figured it'd be nice to go in something other than leggings and a camouflage hoody, so I threw on this lil' number and my brand new Lita's. It was almost fifty degrees, too, so I skipped the tights. Woohoo! (I'd apoligize for my pasty white skin, but come on! That's not going to change even after summer gets underway! #fairskinnedproblems)

The appointment went well (I even ordered a new pair of glasses! Eek! I'm so excited!) and afterward I took the hour-long gap between my appointment and when I was scheduled to start work to take myself out on a lunch date, which was a really nice treat.

How was y'alls week? And (more importantly!) did you wear anything super cute!? If so link me up - I'd love to see!

xo,

Katie Burry

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: "courtesy of" Dahl Clothes
Litas: Urban Outfitters

belt: Francesca's Collections

necklace: Hobby Lobby
bracelet: Betsy Johnson

bag: ModCloth
jacket: eBay
glasses: "courtesy of" Glasses USA
lipstick: MAC in Lickable
title: Katy Perry album title

When I've Got My Skates On // Daily Outfit

"Some days are horrible - like you trip in the hall and your skirt flies over your head just when the jock you like is walking past. Some days are just 'ok.' Maybe you find a $20 bill, but you get a parking ticket. And some days are just so amazingly awesome and everything with the world is right!" 

~ Lizzie Benne

Reasons why the day I wore this dress was awesome:

• It was the perfect almost-spring-day! I woke up to the sound of birds in the trees, it was unny and not too cold. Spring, please come quickly!
• I drove with the windows down for one of the first times this year
• I just recently bought a pair of socks just like my white thigh highs but in the gray, and I wore them for the first time with this outfit. I love them so much. Seriously so comfortable. I want them in black, too, and I'm even thinking about getting a pair for a giveaway. Does anyone think this is a good idea!?
• I used my new make-up palette, Boudoir Eyes by Too Faced, to try my hand at the smokey eye the girl at Ulta did on me. It wasn't as good as hers, but it didn't suck, either!
• I loved my make-up, and was pleased with my hair/make-up, so I felt great all day!
• I went ice skating for the first time in four years, which was awesome despite all the mothers bringing their little daughters to practice figuring skating which meant me being shown up by a couple of five year olds.
• After searching for over a year I finally bought the perfect purple lipstick - not too purple-y, and not too dark! Thank you, MAC cosmetics!
• Semi caught up with one of my bestest girl friends.
• It was payday so I got to pick up my check + say hello to my co-workers, which - of course - ending up being a discussion on how great Jeffery Campbell shoes are (in the words of my co-worker "he knows how to make shoes!" YEAH GIRL!)
• I realized when I looked at my paycheck stub that I got a pay raise, so I am now $.25 per hour closer to being rich. Yay me!
• I burned so many calories ice skating, that I ate whatever I want when I got home, completely guilt free. (I really need to ice skate more often, y'all!) 

xo, 

Katie Burry

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: Moon Collection via the Red Dress Shoppe

cardigan: Forever 21
Lita spikes: Lori's Shoes

tights: Forever 21
socks: the Forest Bootery

belt: Windsor

necklace: gift from Emily
sunglasses: ModCloth

bag: Little Black Bag
lipstick: MAC in Rebel
title: Tip of the Iceberg by Owl City

Odds and Ends // Photography

Last post about my vacation, I promise! These are just some photos I took that I wanted to share, but didn't fit in anywhere else. I had so much fun practicing photography in a new environment. I'm definitely falling in love with my camera all over again. ♥

Happy weekend, all!

xo,

Katie Burry