Merry Christmas!

This month has been pretty hectic, but I didn't want Christmas to go by without wishing everyone a happy holiday.

Here's a look at my Christmas outfit (a bit toned down for work). I've been living in this holly garland for most of the month.

What's Black, White and Red All Over

The outfit I wore over the weekend to the St. Pete Indie Market, that's what!

Matt and I checked out the once-a-month makers faire on Saturday, and there were so many cute, handmade, and vintage items. I walked away with a working pocket watch/locket necklace from Lauralie Bradford, one of my favorite local jewelry makers. You can check out her shop, The Genesis, on Etsy.

Here's the necklace:

I got this classic-looking dress recently because I had nothing like it in my wardrobe. Although I've only been wearing it with red accessories so far, it's a versatile piece that I'll be able to change up frequently. Versatility is what I seem to be gravitating more toward lately.

Outfit details:
Dress from Old Navy (color sold out online)
Flats from Charlotte Russe (old, similar)
Belt and Sunglasses from Target (neither available online)
Purse from Urban Outfitters (old, similar)
Hair Bow from ModCloth (freebie)
Ring from Topshop (old, similar)
Zodiac Necklace from The Alchemy Shop
Moon Necklace (gift)
Spike Necklace from Forever 21 (old, similar)

This post contains Urban Outfitters, ModCloth and Forever 21 affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Nautical Downpour

Here are more rainy pictures from my outfit photo day over the weekend.

I wore this nautical-inspired dress to a wedding a couple years ago, and it had since gotten lost in the sea of clothes that is my wardrobe. When my closet exploded recently, this dress was one of the fabulous items I rediscovered. I wore this outfit to work on one of my first days.

Outfit Details:
Jason Wu for Target Dress (old)
Calvin Klein Cardigan via Ross Dress for Less (old)
Charlotte Russe Shoes (old)
Payless Purse (old)
Ring (gift from Matt's mom)
H&M Umbrella (old)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

And just for kicks, here are a couple photos from that wedding in March 2012. Matt was a groomsman, and my hair was its natural color! :)

This post contains Payless affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Confetti, Baby's Breath and Other Details

Navy and pink is a nice color combination, but for me, this outfit is all about the details.

Remember when I told you I went thrifting with my friend Karen over the weekend (Roses are Red, Stripes are Black and White)? Well, I found this standout vintage purse while we were hunting in La France in Tampa's Ybor City. I'm calling it my confetti clutch because of the sparkly bits of amazing that adorn both sides.

I've never seen anything like this bag before. I wanted to get more information about it for this post, but couldn't find much on Google.

From what I can tell, it's made from clear plastic with the sparkles fused directly to it. The oatmeal color comes from the fabric lining inside, which has "Mel-Ton" or "Mel-Tan" imprinted on it. Anyone know anything about it or seen something similar?

Remember when I talked about my trip to Whigfest, a local music festival (Pennyfarthing Print Dress)? Well, one of the vendors I met there was Lauralie Bradford, who makes jewelry, including this pretty Baby's Breath necklace, and sells it in her Etsy shop, The Genesis. The charm actually opens like a locket, so I can put my own dried flowers inside and change up the look. I picked some last week, and they're in the process of drying out!

The funny thing is that once I got home and looked on Etsy, I realized I had stumbled onto Lauralie's shop before. Around Christmas, I was searching "terrarium jewelry," and I almost put one of her Baby's Breath pieces on my wish list!

Outfit Details:
Urban Outfitters Dress (old, similar)
The Webster Cardigan via Target (old)
ModCloth Shoes (old)
Thrifted Purse from La France in Ybor City
Baby's Breath Necklace from Etsy shop, The Genesis
The Native Source Ring
Charlotte Russe Earrings (old)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains Urban Outfitters and ModCloth affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Roses are Red, Stripes are Black and White

I wasn't planning on buying anything when I met my friend at a local mall last week. We were just going to walk around, chat about what's been going on in our lives, and maybe get some gelato.

We went into Torrid, and I convinced myself there was nothing I needed. We browsed the entire store, and my wallet was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when I spotted this dress at the last second.

The bold juxtaposition of the black and white stripes against the black skirt with a red rose print caught my eye, and the pockets sealed the deal.

When we left the store, I was carrying more than just my purse. Sorry, wallet. Better luck next time!

Outfit Details:
Torrid Dress

Target Leggings

Charlotte Russe Shoes (old)

Target Sunglasses
Urban Outfitters Purse (old)
Top Shop Ring (old)
Icing Earrings (old, similar, similar)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

***

Confession:

I might have worn this outfit on Saturday AND Sunday. The above pictures are from Sunday. Here are a couple from Saturday. Haven't put braids in my hair in so long!

My friend, Karen, and I spent the day thrifting! :)

This post contains Urban Outfitters affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

French Bulldog, British Dress

If you've spent even a short amount of time on my blog, you know that my Pomeranian, Cleo, gets most of the doggie spotlight.

I mean, she has her own Instagram account and her own section on this blog where she cutens up my outfit photos. (For the record, "cutens" isn't a word, but it totally should be!)

But I have another cute pup in my life, whom I introduced you to in my Liebster Blog Award post. Gus is a French Bulldog that Matt adopted before he and I started seeing each other. Gus is super adorable and full of personality, and he's become my dog, too. 

So, when I saw this dress with tiny Gus's all over it from British retailer Simply Be, I knew I had to make it mine just like I've done with Gus. I've affectionately been calling it "The Gus Dress."

So move over, Cleo, at least for today. It's Gus's turn to shine!

Outfit Details:

Simply Be Dress

Target Leggings

Charlotte Russe Shoes (old)

Urban Outfitters Purse (old)

ModCloth Ring (old)

Druzy Necklace from MOSI, the local science museum

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains Urban Outfitters and ModCloth affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Out of the Woods and Into a Necklace

Sometimes I'll base an outfit entirely around a really cool accessory I've found.

That's what happened when I got this unique Mushroom Shadowbox Necklace for my birthday last month.

The necklace is from Etsy shop A Pocket of Whimsy, and I found it when I was searching for terrarium jewelry. Shop owner Alexis makes all of her enchanted pieces by hand, and many of them have a cute, woodsy vibe.

The Mushroom Shadowbox Necklace is so adorable, and I immediately put it on my birthday wish list. The tiny mushrooms inside aren't real, but I love the idea of wearing a symbolic forest around my neck.

I pulled colors from the necklace into an outfit that I think is perfect for a leisurely walk through a Florida nature preserve on a cooler day, much like the ones we've been experiencing lately.

Cleo got in on the photography fun!

Like my nails? Here's a tutorial: How to Put Your Dog on Your Nails.

Outfit Details:
A Pocket of Whimsy Necklace
Urban Outfitters Sweater (old)
Anthropologie Top (old)
Torrid Jeans
Charlotte Russe Shoes (old)
Perk Me Up Bag in Toffee from ModCloth (sold out, similar)
Mum's Touch Ring

This post contains Urban Outfitters affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.