October Wish List

Here's what I'm wishing for this month.

1. Claire Richards Print Tea Dress from Simply Be, $64.95
Vintage-inspired styling with a bird and butterfly print. You had me at vintage-inspired.

2. Wool Felt Floppy Hat from Icing, $26
This screams fall to me, and the feathers are a pretty touch.

3. Trapunto Saddle Crossbody in Navy from Charming Charlie, $25
I have several crossbody bags, but none of them are navy. Seems like it's time to remedy the situation.

4. Silver Sagittarius Zodiac Pendant Necklace from The Alchemy Shop, $35.99
For some reason unbeknownst to me, I'm really into my zodiac sign lately. Maybe the reason is in the stars?

5. Woodland Nail Decals from JsUtopia on Etsy, $4.90
I'm also into all creatures woodland for fall.

6. Cowl Neck Pullover from Old Navy, $29.94
I know I live in Florida where we basically have year-round summer, but for the few chilly days, this sweatshirt looks so super soft and cozy. And bonus: I can wear it with leggings. #comfy

What are you wishing for this month? Tell me in the comments!

April Wish List

1. Vire Necklace from Marimekko, $69
Love the geometric qualities and colors in this necklace from the Finnish design company.

2. Daisy Printed Doll Dress from Simply Be, $79.95
Can't help my desire to relive the my teenage years in this awesome '90s-inspired print.

3. Pining for Summer Sandal from ModCloth, $164.99
Little baby pinecones on a sandal? GIMME! The only thing stopping me from clicking "Check Out" is the price.

4. Women's Crochet Riley Crossbody from Payless ShoeSource, $19.99
The white, lacy effect is calling my name.

5. Winsome Watercolors Flat from ModCloth, $34.99
Floral cutouts on a mint-colored flat. Need I say more?

6. Pine Street Dress in Navy from Anthropologie, $69.95 (on sale)
The little details on this dress are adorable. If you look really closely, you can even see multi-colored specks scattered all over it.

This post contains ModCloth and Payless ShoeSource 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.

Flouncy Floral and Ruffles

When I looked through these photos to pick out my faves, I was surprised at how much I look like my mom in this first picture.

Growing up, I was always told by relatives that I was a spitting image of my dad. But the tables seem to have turned somewhere along the way, and I'm totally channeling the maternal side of my family tree.

I wore this outfit on one of my first days at my new job, and I liked how flattering the dress-cardi-tights combo turned out.

I'll definitely be repeating this look at the office!

Outfit Details:
Simply Be Dress (out of stock)
Kohls Cardigan (old)
Target Tights
Urban Outfitters Shoes, Purse and Ring (all old)
Old Navy Necklace (old)

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains Kohls 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.

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.

One Bird, Two Birds, Pink Birds, Blue Birds

Don't know where the Dr. Seuss inspiration is coming from today, but I'm going with it!

Oh, the places I'll go in this dress! (See what I did there?) But, no, really, I'm super happy with this purchase from Simply Be because it's perfect for spring, Florida's year-round warm weather, and just about any occasion.

Shopping with friends? Check.

An outdoor music festival? Check.

Date night? Check.

Work (if I dress it up a bit and ever get a full-time job)? Check.

I'm excited about the versatility of this dress as well as the cute watercolor bird print, the ever-so-slight high-low hem that dips in the back just enough, and the SLEEVES with a little bit of poof.

Why is it so hard to find a fit-and-flare dress with short sleeves that's reasonably priced these days? Am I the only one having a difficult time?

Anyway, I feel really comfortable in this dress, which you might recognize from my Simply Be Wish List. I'm looking forward to wearing it a lot, so maybe you'll see it again in some sort of remix.

Outfit Details:

Simply Be Dress

JCPenney Hat (old, similar from Amazon)

Bamboo Sandals via ModCloth (old, similar from Bamboo, similar from ModCloth)

Perk Me Up Bag from ModCloth (sold out, similar)

Words of a Feather Necklace from ModCloth (sold out, similar in gold)

The Native Source Ring

Earrings from a local craft fair (similar from ModCloth)

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.

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Corset Back Dress

Sometimes the details make the dress, and that's the case with this one from Simply Be.

The cute corset back and the matching ribbon along the front piping and pockets set this dress apart from others in my wardrobe. I also like the wide neckline.

I've added punches of red to this outfit to make it stand out for Valentine's Day. It's a contender for what I'll wear on Feb. 14. How do you think it compares to my other possible Valentine's Day outfits? Tell me in the comments!

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Red Rose Cardi and Black

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Mint and Polka Dots

Possible Valentine's Day Outfit: Vintage Shift Dress

Outfit Details:

Simply Be Dress (old)

Target Leggings (old)

Soda Shoes via Fred Flare

Urban Outfitters Purse (old)

Vintage Ring

Druzy Necklace from MOSI, the local science museum :)

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.

So Much Cuteness in the Simply Be Spring 2014 Catalog

I spent most of yesterday morning working on affiliate program membership for my blog, and heading into lunchtime, I was ready to spend the afternoon catching up on all the other non-blog related things that have been piling up on my desk.

Well, that planned productivity went out the window when I checked the mailbox. Inside, I found the Simply Be Spring 2014 catalog, and I dedicated most of the afternoon to swooning over all the new styles in the British retailer's latest collection.

I seemed to find something I loved on nearly every page, and now my catalog is full of dogears marking all of my favorite items.

Here's my Simply Be Spring 2014 wish list.

1. Twit Twoo Retro Dress, $49.95

2. Peter Pan Collar Top, $49.95

3. Summer Picnic Dress, $59.95

4. Bird Print Doll Dress, $79.95

5. Lace Ballet Flats in White Mint, $39.95

6. Skater Tunic Dress in Dog Print, $39.95

Since I lost my full-time job, I've been very picky about what I spend my money on. But with 20 percent off $120 and free shipping on $75, I just might be treating myself to a couple of these items for spring.

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

I am not affiliated with Simply Be. My opinions are my own.

January Wish List

Here's what I'm wishing for this month.

If I had an unlimited budget and a giant closet, these super cute things would be mine.

1. Beaded Pouch Bag from Simply Be, $59.95
Love the colors in this!

2. The Act of the Matter Flat in Grey from ModCloth, $34.99
These would coordinate with so many things in my wardrobe!

3. Rose-Is-A-Rose Cardigan from Anthropologie, $198
So cute and would go with just about anything!

4. Quite an Impression Dress in Daisies from ModCloth, 62.99
The print is just so mod!

5. Delicate Fox Animal Ring in Platinum Plate from The Alchemy Shop, $27.99
I've been eyeing this ever since I saw it in InStyle. It was out of stock for a while, and now it's back!

6. Coincidence & Chance Lace Tunic Top from Urban Outfitters, $69
I'm a sucker for white lace, and I love all the new lace and crochet that UO is offering!

7. Backpack With Pink Hmong Embroidery from The Distillery, $148
I have an ongoing obsession with hmong embroidery. I'm planning an upcoming post about it!

What are your objects of desire?