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?

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.

Strike a Pose: Betsey Johnson Camera Bag

I've been into photography for as long as I can remember.

When I was a kid, someone gifted me a small camera with Mickey Mouse on it just like this one before a big trip to Disney World.

It was the kind of camera that took 110 film and flash cubes. Ah, memories.

At first, I ended up with a lot of blurry shots and pictures of my pointer finger. But after a while, I got pretty good at taking photos.

My interest led to a minor in photography, and now I shoot photos for the newspapers/websites I work for.

So, I was immediately drawn to this adorable Betsey Johnson purse shaped like a camera from ModCloth. I had originally planned to tell my mother-in-law about it and ModCloth's handy 2014 Gift Guide. The bag would be the perfect Christmas present.

But when a shipping snafu caused ModCloth to offer me 15 percent off my next order, it was the perfect opportunity to go ahead and get the purse as an early birthday present for myself.

It's so cute, and I especially love the little details, like the jeweled flash and "3 2 1" words and phrases around the lens.

Are you into photography? How did you get started? Tell me in the comments.

Outfit details:
Coach Tour Dress in Houndstooth from ModCloth
T-Shirt from Old Navy
Tights from Target
Moccasins from Minnetonka (I've had these for at least 10 years, and they're still going strong.)
Betsey Johnson Photographic Charm Bag from ModCloth
Ring from Etsy shop I Am So Not Cool
Locket from Old Navy (old)
Hat handmade by my grandmother

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

Forever 21 Floral and a Floppy Hat for Fall

Alliteration much?

Sorry, I just couldn't help it.

Fall in Florida continues, and the weather is flip-flopping from warm to chilly and back again. I want to dress for autumn, but I have to do it strategically to stay cool in the heat.

I wore this outfit to a local gardening event and community showcase on Sunday. I thought the floral print on the dress was appropriate, and the hat covered my messy hair.

That's the great thing about hats, isn't it? They're fashionable and functional. ;)

Outfit details
Dress from Forever 21 (in stores only)
Maddie Ghillie Wedge from Payless
Purse from Payless (old)
Hat from Icing
Leaf Charm on Short Necklace from Art Beads
Long Leaf Necklace from Anthropologie (old)
Earrings from Charming Charlie
Ring from local craft fair (one-of-a-kind)

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

The Prettiest Bernie Dexter Dress

Aside from my wedding gown, this Bernie Dexter dress is probably the most gorgeous piece of clothing I own.

I actually wore it to an afterparty I had the night of my July 5 wedding:

Although I didn't end up with many pictures of myself during the party, I made a mental note to recreate the look so I could blog about it. My friend recently had a fancy bridal shower, which was the perfect opportunity to re-style the outfit.

Bernie Dexter dresses are known for their pretty prints and pin up cuts. The cherry blossom print on this dress is so beautiful, and the fit is very flattering. A few of my favorite fellow bloggers have posted about this dress (or similar cuts) and talked about how much they love it, too. You can check out how they styled it:

• Southern (California) Belle
• The Soubrette Brunette
• Konadlicious
• Triple Thread
• Gracefully Vintage
• Betty Le Bonbon

You'll notice that I made the dress my own by cutting off the attached cincture and using my own belt. I actually ended up using the cincture as a hair ribbon, which helped tie the outfit together.

Do you have any Bernie Dexter dresses? Which print is your favorite? Tell me in the comments.

Outfit details:
Scene and Believed Dress by Bernie Dexter from ModCloth (no longer available)
Sweater from Express (old)
Shoes from Macy's (unavailable online, similar)
Belt vintage, thrifted
Purse from Urban Outfitters (old, similar)
Necklace from local craft fair
Ring from Etsy shop RRKK (one-of-a-kind)
Earrings from Icing (old, similar)
Temporary Tattoo from Tattly

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

What I Wore to the Local Art Festival

The Temple Terrace Arts Festival is a yearly event in which talented artists and crafters come together to show and sell their work.

This weekend is the 41st annual festival, and it's taking place in a new location, which just happens to be within walking distance from my house.

I'm really into burgundy for fall, and I was pretty pumped to wear a couple new accessories when I went to the festival on Saturday.

Who says flower crowns are just for summer? The burgundy one I'm wearing is perfect for the season, and the sales clerk at Icing said they'll even be getting holly-style ones in for winter. This seems to be the year of the flower crown, and I'm all about it.

There's something about puffballs that I think are just so cute, and this purse has plenty of 'em. I'll be wearing it with a lot of outfits this fall.

What are you really into this season? Tell me in the comments!

Outfit details:
Dress from Forever 21 (in stores only)
Tank from Urban Outfitters (old)
Leggings from Forever 21
Socks from Icing (old, similar)
Boots from Payless (old, similar)
Purse from Etsy shop Miyas Ethnic Bags
Flower Crown from Icing
Leaf Charm on Short Necklace from Art Beads
Long Leaf Necklace from Anthropologie (old)
Earrings from Charming Charlie
Ring from Urban Outfitters (old)

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

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)