Blurry Bike Blues

Just a quick post today. Partly because that's all I have time for, and partly because I don't have many photos of this outfit.

My fiance, Matt, usually takes my outfit photos because he's the sweetest ever, and we use my Nikon D40. Well, Matt recently found a pretty sweet deal on his own Nikon D3100, so we used that to take these photos.

Apparently though, there's a learning curve because many of the pictures we took ended up blurry. He's been practicing with the camera so we get better shots next time.

Outfit Details:
Ride Here, Right Now Dress from ModCloth
Urban Outfitters (old)
Torrid Belt (old)
Payless Shoes (old)
Target Purse
Fossil Bicycle Charm (old, similar options via The Find)
Argyle Gifts Spoon Ring

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

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

How to Make Cute Twirling Fruit

The Cutest of the Fruit Dress from ModCloth is one of the items I put on my March Wish List that quickly made it to my March shopping list.

I love fruit prints for summer, and this one has all my favorite fruits (minus strawberries). Once it arrived, I was super impressed with the flattering fit, as well as the twirling potential of the skirt.

Speaking of twirling, did you know ModCloth is having a "Twirl Around the World Contest" through March 31? Snap a photo of yourself twirling in your favorite spring ensemble and upload it to the Style Gallery or post it on your Instagram account with the hashtag #modtwirl, and you could win a $350 gift card. Videos will also be considered on Instagram. The contest ends March 31 at 10 a.m. PT, and one Instagram winner and one Style Gallery winner will be chosen that day.

Here's my twirling photo:

So, you might have noticed my blogging absence for the past week. Since I started my new job, I haven't found a good blogging schedule. I decided I'd take all my outfit photos over the weekend, write up all the posts, and then schedule one for each day of the week.

Well, as you can see from these photos, picture day found Tampa drenched in rain, so I had to take many of my outfit photos inside. Bummer. I much prefer the natural light and surroundings of the outdoors. Fingers crossed for next weekend.

Outfit Details:
Cutest of the Fruit Dress from ModCloth
Old Navy Cardigan (old)
Target Shoes (old)
Urban Outfitters Purse (old)
Revolve Clothing Exchange Earrings (local)
Petit Point Ring (handmade locally)
Fossil Strawberry Charm (old, similar)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

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

Cross Stitch for the Florida Strawberry Festival

Late February to early April is festival/fair season here in the Tampa area, and one of my favorites is the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. It's very similar to the Florida State Fair, and the past couple years, Matt and I have opted to go to the Strawberry Festival instead of going to both.

The main difference--for me at least--is there is one vendor in particular that I absolutely adore. She creates petit point jewelry that is detailed and beautiful, and I seriously want to adopt her as my grandmother. I'm planning to dedicate an entire post to her and all the fabulous creations I've bought from her over the past four years. So stay tuned for that!

I had this talented 84-year-old woman in mind when I picked out this dress to wear to the festival yesterday morning. (I'm realizing how awkward that sounds as I'm typing.) Anyway, the cross stitched flowers on the bodice reminded me of her work, so it's what I decided to wear.

And just in case you're wondering, she loved it! :)

I can just hear Cleo saying: "Oh, hey... Those boots are fabulous!" My dog has good taste! ;)

Photos from the festival:

I posted a version of this photo on my Instagram. Then, I chowed down on one of the weirdest, most genius, heart attack-inducing meals ever created: Doughnut Burger. I remember the first time Matt got this at the Florida State Fair. I was disgusted. A hamburger with typical fixins sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme doughnuts? No, thank you. Then I tried a bite. OH. EM. GEE. It was delicious! Now, it's an annual requirement that we get one when we go to the Strawberry Festival. We cut it in half and share it.

We ended the day with a large bag of kettle corn. And by "large," I mean "gigantic." We've eaten just enough so we can get the bag closed, and it seems that we'll still be eating it when the Strawberry Festival comes to Plant City again next year. Can't wait!

Outfit Details:
Simply Be Dress
Target Leggings
Target Boots
Urban Outfitters Backpack (old)
Fossil Strawberry Charm (old, similar)
The Alchemy Shop Fox Ring
Headcase Press Letterpress Ring (Read more about it here: What's the Perfect Gift for a Writer?)

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.

What a Maroon!

When I was a kid, I lived for the weekends. No school, no homework--two full days to just play!

To start it of right, I'd always watch Looney Tunes on Saturday mornings. Bugs Bunny was the star, and everything always seemed to work out in his favor. I remember him talking smack about his enemies, and he'd describe them by saying, "What a maroon!"

Of course, by "maroon," he meant "moron," and that was part of the joke.

Well, I felt kind of like a maroon after I first looked at these outfit photos. I loved all the maroon in the outfit, but something was a bit off.

While other outfit photos taken subsequently made it on the blog, these sat in a folder on my computer for weeks.

I took a look at them last night and realized what I didn't like about them: I had thrown on a greenish brown hat to cover my messy hair that just didn't quite work with the outfit the way I had hoped. So, I cropped it out, and--voila!--it's this outfit's turn to be posted.

Here it is in all of its maroon glory. And I no longer think I look like a maroon!

Outfit Details:
Urban Outfitters Dress (old)
Urban Outfitters Shoes
Target Tights
Anthropologie Purse (old)
Fossil Love Letter Charm
Thrifted Belt

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.

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Mint and Polka Dots

If you couldn't tell already, I'm excited for Valentine's Day. I've enjoyed it ever since I was a kid exchanging those little store-bought Valentine's with my classmates. Now, I like it especially because I have a sweet, thoughtful honey to share it with.

Matt and I don't usually do anything too over the top on Feb. 14. He typically gets me flowers and a sweet treat (one year brownies, another cake pops!), I gift him with something random, and we go out to dinner at one of the restaurant chains down the street. Not too extravagant, but just special enough.

I'm already thinking about what I'll wear on Valentine's Day, and this outfit is a top contender. Mint green with red is one of my favorite color combos! And the bows on the sweater and polka dots on the dress are just too cute.

Are you looking forward to Valentine's Day? What are you going to wear? Tell me in the comments!

Outfit Details:

The Alchemy Shop Sweater

JCPenney Dress (old)

Target Tights (old, similar)

Amalgam of the Year Flat in Mint and Ivory from ModCloth

Fossil Scooter Charm Necklace

Earrings and Ring from different craft fairs

Vintage Purse

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

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

Let's Do Brunch in Mid-Century Modern Houses

Every now and then, the stars align and you find a dress that not only has a cute print, but also fits like a dream and has the perfect colors to combine with multiple pieces in your wardrobe.

For me, the Lady Brunch Dress in Houses from ModCloth is that dress.

It's comfortable, flattering and has just the right amount of quirk to make it stand out. And it even has pockets!

The mid-century modern houses in the print are adorable and add a retro vibe. I totally dig it.

Outfit Details:
Lady Brunch Dress in Houses from ModCloth
Anthropologie Sweater (old, similar)
Urban Outfitters Shoes (old, similar)
Fossil Scooter Charm
Blonde Chick Ring

Check out how I did my nails here: How to Put Your Dog on Your Nails.

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