My First eShakti Dress

I feel like I've found a goldmine, and its name is eShakti.

I'd seen eShakti dresses on other bloggers, but I'd only ever skimmed the site.

That changed over the summer when I took a closer look and realized the degree to which I could tailor the items I was interested in.

The Quest for the Perfect Short-Sleeve Maxi Dress

I had only one fashion goal this summer.

Find a maxi dress with short sleeves.

It might sound simple, but it's no easy feat. Think about the maxis you've seen on your shopping adventures. Most of them are sleeveless, aren't they?

Colors of Autumn

I grew up in Virginia where leaves change to beautiful hues of yellow, orange and red in the fall. Now that I live in Florida, I have to make my own autumn colors by piecing together items in my wardrobe.

That was my intent when I styled this outfit. The orange, burgundy and hunter green brought a sense of fall to this warm day in late October.

And, as you'll see in these photos, it was also a day in which Cleo was being unbelievably cute.

The back of my top is printed with ducks.

High five for successfully stealing the show!

Outfit details:

Top from Anthropologie (old, similar)

Skirt from Kohls (old, similar)

Shoes from Old Navy

Purse from Mezo Culture (not available online)

Hair Clip from Anthropologie (old)

Ring from Michael's (old)

Fall in Florida

I have something to admit today: There are moments when I wonder why I picked up everything I owned in 2007 and moved it from Virginia/Maryland all the way down to Florida.

Those moments almost always occur in the middle of summer when The Sunshine State's heat index climbs into the hundreds and the humidity is so thick you feel like you need gills to breathe.

"Were the beaches and less expensive cost of living really worth it?" I ask myself as I step outside to face another frizzy-haired, sweat-drenched day.

And then--s l o w l y--summer begins to fade away. It's never really gone, mind you. But the humidity eases up, and 75 degrees really feels like, well, 75 glorious degrees.

Fall in Florida is an almost magical part of the year when spending time outside is a joy, and--as my temporary tattoo coaxes--there are plenty of opportunities to stop and smell the roses.

It's a time when the answer to my harried question in the summer is a resounding "Yes, Florida, you're worth it!"

What's your favorite thing about fall? Tell me in the comments!

Outfit details:
Goldenrod Ruffled Pullover from Anthropologie
Pants from JC Penney (old, similar)
Maddie Ghillie Wedge from Payless
Purse from H&M (old, similar from Payless)
Fox Earrings, Ring and Necklace from The Alchemy Shop
Letterpress Ring from Etsy shop Headcase Press
Temporary Tattoo from Tattly

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

It's a Chambray Kind of Day

And a day for silly faces, apparently.

I'm loving the versatility of this chambray dress from ModCloth. The weather doesn't usually get too chilly here in Florida, but on the few days that it does cool off this season, I'll be able to wear this dress with tights and a cute sweater. Or leggings, boots and a thick belt. The possibilities are many.

While it's still warm, I'm wearing it with some cute flats and bare legs.

(The dress looks a bit purple in this photo, but it's definitely blue.)

Outfit details:

Dress and Flats from ModCloth (similar flats)

Purse from Oasap

Zodiac Necklace from The Alchemy Shop

Locket from Etsy shop Mama's Little Babies

XO Ring from Charming Charlie

Letterpress Ring from Etsy shop Headcase Press

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

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.

Watercolor Warblers for Work

Starting the week with some alliteration--woot!

The first time I posted about this dress (One Bird, Two Birds, Pink Birds, Blue Birds), I said I was looking forward to wearing it a lot.

Well, this is how I styled it for work recently. This time, I couldn't resist wearing accessories in my favorite color, mint, to bring out the blue birds in the print.

Looks like Cleo is a fan, too. :)

Have a great week, everyone!

Outfit Details:
Simply Be Dress
Target Tights
Kmart Shoes
Urban Outfitters Purse (old)
Charming Charlie Necklace (in stores only)
RRKK Ring via Etsy

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

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

Boho Beauty vs. Gardening Granny

I'm a ModCloth affiliate, meaning that I've partnered with the online retailer to offer links to their site on my blog. Those links are meant to generate sales, and in exchange for each sale, I receive a small commission.

Every so often, ModCloth sets a fashion challenge for their bloggers, and most recently, they asked us to style our best boho/festival-themed outfit. Always up for a challenge, I decided to participate and pulled all my best boho pieces from my closet.

But when I took a look at the first set of pictures (the outfit on the right above), something about the combination of the straw hat with the crocheted shrug read more "grandma in the garden" than "boho girl at a festival."

So, I gave it a second try (the outfit on the left above). The dress and jewelry were right, so I kept them the same. But I switched the straw hat for a flower crown, the crocheted shrug for a lacy cardi, and the beachy sandals for gladiators.

Although the second look is similar to the first, I think it's more of a success as far as the challenge is concerned. Do you agree? Tell me in the comments!

Here are both looks so you can compare.

First Attempt:

Outfit Details:

Old Navy Dress (old)

Torrid Shrug (old)

Old Navy Sandals

Vintage Hat via eBay

Free People Long Necklace (old)

Charming Charlie Short Necklace (in store only)
The Native Source Ring

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

***

Second Attempt:

Outfit Details:
Old Navy Dress (old)
Victoria's Secret Cardigan (old)
ModCloth Sandals
Flower Crown from the 2010 Bay Area Renaissance Festival (This year's festival is going on now!)

Free People Long Necklace (old)

Charming Charlie Short Necklace (in store only)
The Native Source Ring

Photos by yours truly

***

Check out other boho/festival-themed looks in the ModCloth Style Gallery! One of my other festival-inspired outfits is there. :)

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