Keeping it squishy

This is the dress I wore to John's sisters wedding.  Unfortunately, things were so squishy that I never got a picture while in Seattle, but the Science Museum has a beautiful garden that worked out nicely.

It was an outdoor wedding, surrounded by sunshine and greenery.  It was beautiful, simple and stress free.  His sister used the term "squishy" to define plans and it turned into the phrase of the week (though I'll probably use it forever).

I wanted wedges so I wouldn't aerate the lawn, and this polyester dress kept it cool and comfy.  Not to mention easy to travel with.  Zero ironing. Oh yeah.  

I never actually used the clutch since the wedding was at the house we all stayed in, but, it was bought as part of the outfit so here it is.  Plus, it's kinda awesome.

 Gift from my mother.

I love finding comfortable shoes that you can actually wear for more than one occasion.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Hinge via Everyday People

Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

Earrings: Art Gecko

Belt and Clutch: My Sister's Closet

I wear my sunglasses at night

My fellow blogger over at petite femme jolie sent me a Sunshine Award via my comments, thanking me for inspiring positivity and creativity through my blog to other bloggers.

Thank you, Samantha!

My inspirations are so many that I'd like to thank them in one fell swoop.  If everyone wouldn't mind looking to their right.  Under "My Blog List" is every single inspiring blogger that I follow.  They've become a part of my daily routine, my source of sanity after a stupid day at work, and the catalyst for my own personal style blog. 

MUCHAS GRACIAS A TODOS!

touring for tourists sake

Yesterday, I got back from Seattle.  It was the first time I've ever been and it was awesome!  We went for John's sisters wedding and then stayed for a few extra days because it's the West coast and we love all things west coasty.

I chose shorts because it was sunny and 75, we were going to be walking all day and I didn't want to overheat.  Fortunately, I didn't overheat.  Unfortunately, it was only warm in the sun.  Anywho...

Of course, we had to go see the Space Needle (didn't go up, though).

But we did go into the EMP (the Experiencing Music Project).  I have to say, I didn't know that much about Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix or Battlestar Galactica but...now I do :)

Got this necklace at an estate sale.  Dang, I'm lucky ;)

It was sunny out for sure, I couldn't even keep my eyes open.

Anyway, Pike Market!  Didn't see any fish being thrown around, but we did see some great vendors and amazing artwork.  I always regret not getting something from markets like this.  Why don't you get something then, you say?  Well, I'm a pack rat, and the less I pack, the less of a rat I'll be about it.  I have plenty of knick knacks and no where to display them.  Working on it...

Jellyfish

 This was in the Aquarium, in a glass archway.  Pretty sweet.

What I'm Wearing:

It's all thrifted.

More pictures from the trip to come!

Fun in the Sun

 Nothing too spectacular about this outfit... except the earrings!  They're lime green sombreros! My sister got these for me in Mexico, I believe.  I'm a huge earring wearer (huge in both senses of the word) - and these are really hard to find outfits that work with them.  I mean, I could always wear black, but that's no fun...

John and I went on a stroll in downtown St. Paul because it was absolutely gorgeous out and... yeah. Why not?

While it's not the most flattering of dresses, it's 100% thrifted (cotton/jersey) and super worn in (read: comfortable).  The pockets are my fave.

And because it's a fun kinda dress, I needed a fun kinda hairdo - enter: backwards half up, half down.   

Oh yeah- the purpose behind the walk was to return this library book.  Two weeks late, but meh...that's like, two dollars in fine.  I'm over it.  I had a glass of wine and forgot about it.  Seriously...

That's me, Fine Bordeaux...on a budget ;)

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: thrifted from Everyday People

Tank: thrifted

Cat-eye sunnies: Sears
Earrings: gifted from big sis

Shoes: Target

Purse: Africa - at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro :)

Aren't they awesome!?  Do you have a crazy pair of earrings that are hard to match with outfits?

Cest la vie - Arrivederci Frost

So many things happening right now.  I'm going to take this moment to blather about my life.

I'm leaving the Twin Cities.  I've called this place my home for the last seven years.  It's strange how I always told myself I could never love another place, yet here I am, getting ready to move back to Madison; my hometown, childhood play place and the last place I ever thought I'd want to live again.  Don't get me wrong, Madison has its beauty... but I thought I'd grown out of it.  I'm getting all sentimental.  Every time I go back to Madison I become nostalgic, yet this time, this move... it's a new chapter.

John is moving with me and my reasons are more intense than saving money.  I need to reconnect with my roots, this move will be good for me.  For us.

This probably isn't making much sense, and to be 100% honest, I'm O.K. with that.  I'm opening the box that has held it all in the back of my mind these past few weeks and it's all rushing out, getting lost in translation.  Maybe that's a good thing?  Maybe you don't really need to know exactly how much I mull things over (to the point of nonsense).

Whatever.  On top of all my reasons for moving back, a new can of worms, so to speak, has spilt over as well.  I'm leaving a job that has been my life for the past year and a half.  Boo hoo, you say?  Boo hoo, I say!  Seriously.  I found this job and so many things about it intolerable, but with a definitive date of unemployment, I'm beginning to realize what I loved about this job, who and what I'm going to miss... and it's astonishing.   This job has aged me, like a nice French Bordeaux or some cheese.

I worked 60 hours last week, and if it wasn't for my aching legs (and feet), I'd be there tonight, too.

Sigh.  If only I knew French, I could better exaggerate my feelings.  Cest la vie.

Better late than never

Sorry for the delay in posting.  You know how life can get in the way sometimes...

Now, onto the good stuff.

The only thing I don't like about this outfit, is how pale I am.

The top is actually a dress, but it's very short so I used a different skirt to create a longer look.  I really like the combo of patterns.  What do you think?

What I'm Wearing:
Top: lent to me by a friend
Skirt: thrifted
Belt: lent to me by the same friend
Shoes: Target
Purse: vendor in Africa
Bracelet: thrifted


I prefer to keep things simple.  I own a boat-full of accessories but I rarely take the time to integrate them in my outfits.  A new years resolution for the past couple years, actually.  Come to think of it, I'm going to start making new years listless pledges instead, because resolutions only last for the month of January.  Then they become half-hearted, then they become obsolete.  If you make them lackluster from the start, then you won't really be breaking them later and who knows, maybe you'll be more inclined to keep them up if it's not something you must be resolute about!

Anyway....