Pastel Dreams

Peeksie peeksie: see my tattoo peeking out?  :)

Dreaming of summer...

Thought I'd post this pastel look from late summer that I just rediscovered among my old files.  Why did I never post it?  It's so pretty and perky!  And the trees are so green... *sigh*  I love snow (I couldn't live in Wisconsin if I didn't), but I was born in the hottest August on record here.  I'm a summer baby through and through, and I miss it...but these pictures are giving me the little bit of pick-me-up I need.  :)

Glasses: Forever 21 || Top: Jason Wu for Target || Jeans: H&M || Flats: gift || Watch: thrifted

Lace Shorts in October

We have been blessed with a couple of warm, WARM days this week (pray it stays this lovely for my move this weekend).  Amazing for a Wisconsin Fall!  It was warm enough for shorts and t-shirts! 
So I got to debut the shorts I snagged off the end-of-season clearance rack at Marshall's a bit sooner than next year.  YAY!

I was seriously envying these lacey shorts on other girls this summer.  Most of my shorts are denim...more in the American classic laid-back style (which rocks: don't get me wrong), but I really wanted a pair of shorts that could be more ladylike, like these. 
I still kept their debut laid-back enough, though, by wearing a button-up (floral print, yes, but still...).

 

Cardi: Gap || Button-up: Target || Shorts: Marshall's || Boots: thrifted || Earrings: old || Bag: thrifted Nine West

Love is a Two-Way Street

Prior to the taking of these (again, unedited) photos, I have:
cut my own bangs with a paper scissors,
locked myself out of my apartment like the scatterbrain that I am, and
walked in the cold, cold rain. 
Good to know I can do all of that and still look this good.

This was Sunday, and it was a cold and rainy one, but I'm determined to make use of my right to bare legs (see what I did there?) as much as I can before it snows!!  So I took a strapless summer dress (a thrifted piece originally from Banana Republic) and put a sweater over it to make a more seasonally-appropriate look.

And in other news, this coat is GOOD, right?

It's nice for me to see that I can still use my older clothing items to create a fresh look.  And when I say "older," I'm not talking about a matter of months, here.  The shoes, coat, and sweater I've owned since high school (that was when my obsession with Audrey Hepburn first started, hence the basic black patent pumps, nice lines of the black sweater, and feminine skirted trench).
And as an aside, for any of you who like this kinda stuff, I have a cute little story:
These pumps were a gift from my first boyfriend. who also happens to have put a ring on it.  heehee Yup, that's right!  I'm married to my highschool sweetheart.

 

Watch This:

The title of this post was taken from the refrain of this song by Kimbra.  I'm obsessed with this artist!  Longer-time readers will recall that my folks gave me her CD, VOWS for my birthday.  I've been obsessed ever since.  And how about her fabulous style in this video??? That pale skin, those red lips, the heavy bangs, the out-of-this-world dress, those shoes...drooooool...

OMG, an unedited, extra-large photo of MY FACE.

Sweater: Kohl's || Scarf: thrifted || Belt: White House | Black Market || Dress (worn as skirt) thrifted Banana Republic || Shoes: Payless (gift from my hubby) || Coat: Forever 21

Longing for Steel Drums

Are you as in love with this flamingo-printed tunic as I am??? 
Yet another thrifty find courtesy of my parents' giftcard.  :)

 

Can you find the [albino?] flamingos hiding in the foliage?

It was so nice to add something with a print to my wardrobe.  I don't wear prints often, since I am--at heart--a minimalist.  But this happy tunic was just too goooooood!  Just wearing it makes me feel like I'm on vacation at some riche resort...

And it gets even better...

There's elastic in the neckline, so it can also be worn off-the-shoulder! 

 It's a bit of a sultry look, and diaphanous fabric is perfectly body-skimming, probably better for night than day, but the soft pink color of the tunic keeps it sweet enough.

Tunic: thrifted, but originally from Target by the Webster || White cut-offs: DIY from hand-me-down pants || Sandals: old || Sunglasses: Marshall's || Belt: American Eagle Outfitters

the Sweetest Thing

It's my birthday, and I'll wear vintage if I want to!

My birthday this year was very special and very fun.  :) 
Basically, I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world!  And here's the evidence:

My husband and in-laws made breakfast for me: eggs, bacon, Swedish pancakes (my in-laws are very Swedish), fruit, etc etc etc...  Breakfast is my favorite meal, and they all got up at 6:00am just to do this for me before work!
Not only did they do all this, but they got me the nicest gift!  Apparently, my hubby had it bought and hidden, like, a month ago!  Which--if anyone knows my hubby, they understand--is ASTOUNDING.  It is pictured below:

Eeeeee!!!  Designer perfume!  And not thrifted, either!

This is my all-time favorite scent!!  And my hubby remembered me remarking on it, and got it for me!  It came in such a nice gift set, too (his mom and sister helped with that bit heehee).

Then, that evening, my folks and lil bro took me out to my favorite little Italian place (where these photos were snapped) for dinner. 
I wore a vintage dress and Armani perfume and carried my Prada bag and just generally felt like a million bucks!!!
They got me a Goodwill gift certificate--the fruits of which you will be seeing soon, my dear readers--and a new CD:

I've been listening to it nonstop!

Lately on Instagram

 My lil sister-in-law also got my the lip color I'm wearing here.  :)

the Rundown

dress: thrifted || necklace: gift || lipcolor: Revlon || shoes: thrifted || bag: thrifted Prada || belt: White House | Black Market