More Beautifull than You Believe // Daily Outfit

It feels like I haven't written in forever and a day. I've been in a weird place, emotionally, but I feel like I finally have a sense of clarity about what I want to do with my life.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to help girls. Every single time one of my friends was going though a hard time I wanted to be the one to help her. I've learned so much about eating disorders, sexual abuse, and the like in trying to be there for my friends.

I used to feel guilty because I had never been through anything like that. I guess you would call what I was feeling "survivor's guilt." I wondered why God had given me such an "easy" life. It wasn't fair while my friends were going through so much, but it makes sense to me, now. Those issues just aren't who I am - not that someone is less than me for having them, those just aren't my battles to face.

I used to want to be a councilor, but then I thought that I got too emotionally invested to do something like that. I had to take a big step back to realize that I think that's what I'm supposed to do.

I love girls. I love being around little girls, I love hanging out with girls younger than myself. I love feeling like I'm making a difference in someone's life. Because even though I'm not the wisest person in the world, I have been around the block once or twice, and I do have some knowledge I can pass on to girls younger than myself.

I used to be so scared, nervous and so insecure, but I've come a long way. I'm doing things now that I still can't believe. Things I know I wouldn't have had the nerve to do two years ago. I don't think that coincidence. I don't think it's an accident. I think that God has a plan for it. I want to teach

♥ ♥ ♥       

shorts: Top Shop via the Buffalo Exchange

blouse: Maurice's

cardigan: c/o Conversation Pieces

necklace: flea market

stockings: Forever 21
shoes: c/o Blowfish Shoes

necklace: flea market

title: More Beautiful than You Believe by Summertime's End

Juke Box Blues // Daily Outfit

Maddie and I were supposed to go to a sock hop at our church on Saturday, but unfortunately it was canceled - after I got dressed. The good news is that I got some decent shots for le blog! If it had been less windy, it would have been even better.

I wanted to go full-on rockabilly for the sock hop, so I decided to wear my gorgeous eShakti owl dress, with this crinoline I got from Molly years ago; do my hair in a high pony tail with lots of teasing; and wear my retro car necklace from ModCloth.

Speaking of eShakti, they're offering 20% off for all Beautifully Pure readers with the promo-code "BETFLLYPRE" If you haven't tried eShakti yet, I highly recommend you take this opportunity to try it out! Their dresses are so beautiful and really great quality, too. I'm a loyal customer for life, for sure! ♥

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: c/o eShakti

crinoline: from Molly

cardigan: Maurice's

belt: vintage

necklace: ModCloth

scarf: vintage
shoes: BlowFish Shoes

The Daleks Must Survive // Daily Outfit

Confession #1: This outfit is actually from last year. It's what I wore out to dinner on my birthday.

Confession #2: My nerd tee collection has grown to an embarrassing size - or it would be, if I was less proud of it. This tee shirt was one of two more Doctor Who tees I received for my birthday. This one is from my youngest sister and - for those of you unfortunate enough to not watch Doctor Who - features the most famous (if most cheesy) of all the Doctor Who villains.

Confession #3: Due to improper fitting this will be the last time you see these lovely boots here on the blog. I've learned a lot about shoes/shoe fitting at my new job, and one of the things I've learned is the fact that in most shoes I'm actually an 8.5 - not a 9. But I didn't know that when I bought these boots so I got a 9, which caused the toe box to cave in. Now there's a nasty dent in the top of the left boot that's extremely uncomfortable. Boo. I love these boots and I'm sorry to see them go. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on a pair of 8.5 grey wool ones somday. ;)

Hope everyone's year is going well so far!

♥ ♥ ♥       

tee shirt: birthday gift
skirt: The Kelly King Collective
boots: Blowfish Shoes

ring: the Forest Bootery

necklace: Francesca's Collection

belt: Francesca's Collection

lipstick: Kat Von D Foiled Love in Valentine

Wish List Wednesday

1. Fahrenheit Bar 05 Black Studded T-Strap Platform Heels

2. Love to Linger Dress

3. Blog Inc.

4. Don't Stop Be-weaving Coat

5. Nabela

6. Prudent Owl Floral Ring

7. You Truly Tickle My Fancy Dress in Teal

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

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"

I Hope You Think of Me // Daily Outfit

 I remember going to the Owl City concert last years and hearing I Hope You Think of Me for the first time. I remember thinking "Yes! This is exactly how I feel!" I liked him so much. He was everything I admired and he made me feel so confident. Whenever I was upset he seemed to know exactly what to say. Sometimes I think he just knew the right words to say, or maybe our friendship just wasn't worth the effort. Whatever the reason, when it came down to it: he didn't like me as much as I liked him. And it's hard when you're forced to realize that someone you looked up to isn't what you thought they were. It's hard when you find a friend you counted on suddenly not there anymore. I think there's a time of denial, but in the end all we can do is accept it and move on.

I don't think he appreciated what a friend I could have been - what a friend I was willing to be - and that's ok. Because in the end it's his loss. I'm alive and well with my heart intact, and I'm one disappointment closer the the one.

"The people who want to stay in your life will always find a way."

~ Unknown

♥ ♥ ♥       

dress: Target

shoes: c/o Blowfish Shoes

belt: thrifted

bag: ModCloth

leggings: Forever 21

necklace: Target

sunglasses: Target

Life is a Pile of Good Things and Bad Things // Daily Outfit

The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. Good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant. 

~ 11th Doctor Matt Smith, Vincent and the Doctor.

 My life definitely feels like a pile of good and bad things lately. The good things are:

1. A new job that I think I will be really good at and really like.

2. Making new friends.

3. Putting down roots for the first time in thirteen years.

4. Hobbies that I love.

5. More independence than I've ever had before.

6. A new reason to look forward to checking my email.

7. A new Owl City album to look forward to.

8. A new season of Doctor Who to look forward to.

9. Lots of fun plans for September.

10. A good camera all to myself. ♥

But then there is the bad:

1. Growing apart from some of my old friends.

2. Not seeing my family as much as I'd like to.

3. Family drama.

I guess the good things definitely outweigh the bad. ♥

♥ ♥ ♥       

blouse: Charlotte Russe

jeans: Forever 21

shoes: c/o Blowfish Shoes

necklace: thrifted

bag: ModCloth

sun glasses: Forever 21 via Miss Jack

I Left My Heart in Metropolis // Daily Outfit

This is what I wore on Sunday. We spent most of day in St. Louis Missouri going to a few shops my parents like and getting lunch (see last photo). It was a lot of fun, and I found that there are some really cool, indie neighborhoods in St. Louis! I really want to go back sometime when I'll have more time to explore and shop. *winks*

This skirt is a new purchase of mine. I found it on Etsy a few weeks ago and I knew I had to have it. I love black dresses but I didn't have a single black skirt! I'm so glad I got this one. It looks great on and the quality is so good! I couldn't resist pairing it with my Show Your True Collar top from ModCloth. I love this blouse, too, but it drives me crazy unless I have it tucked in, so this was a perfect opportunity to wear it!

Also, I feel I need to let you know that ideally I'd have paired this outfit with plain, black ballet flats, but I don't have any. Bummer. Add that to my "need for autumn" list...

♥ ♥ ♥       

blouse: ModCloth

skirt: Kelly King

shoes: c/o Blowfish Shoes

belt: thrifted

bag: ModCloth

sun glasses: Target

ring: gift from my dad