Spring Forward!

This outfit is all about Spring.

Although the first day of Spring is technically March 20, setting our clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time over the weekend signals the start of the season for me.

Of course, it's always summer when you live in Florida, but I'm looking forward to seeing more spring-time looks out of my wardrobe and in other blogs. I know everyone further north can't wait for warmer temps so they can say goodbye to all the snow they've been seeing.

Let's talk about this cool, psychedelic necklace by ViviDot via Etsy. I was first introduced to Molly Hooper's unique designs by ModCloth. I bought a couple of her pieces that way, and when I went back to look for more, her designs were gone. :( But much to my delight, one of my favorite bloggers, Marisa Noelle of The Shades of Monet Chronicles, linked to Molly's Etsy shop in one of her latest posts (Outfits: Doubling Up)!

I immediately found this necklace, which I adored, but I wondered if Molly could use a silver-colored chain instead of the antiqued brass one that it came with. I sent her a message, and she got back to me within the hour with a picture of two silver-colored options. The one I chose ended up being sterling silver, and Molly gave me tips on how to keep it from tarnishing and didn't even charge me extra for the more expensive metal!

I'm just super impressed by her design aesthetic, her magnificent craftsmanship, and her customer care. Thanks, Molly!

Outfit Details:

American Eagle Dress (old)

Old Navy Cardigan (old)

Keds Shoes (old)

ViviDot Necklace

Druzy Ring from Gray Jewelers at John's Pass in Madeira Beach

Nectar Clothing Earrings (old)

Vintage Purse from La France in Tampa's Ybor City

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains ModCloth and Nectar Clothing 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.

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.

Thrifting and Twirling

When I first started posting outfit photos, Stefanie, a friend of mine, thought I was holding back.

"It looks like you wanted to twirl in this photo but didn't," she said, pointing to a picture in one of my early blog posts. "I need to see more twirling."

Honestly, I hadn't thought of twirling until she mentioned it. I've considered doing it in outfit photos since, but I haven't been wearing dresses with good twirling potential. Until now.

I bought this dress a couple years ago while thrifting. I had met my friend, Karen (whom you met in yesterday's post: Roses are Red, Stripes are Black and White), for lunch. She lives in Lakeland and was working right across the street from a great vintage/thrift store. I stopped in after we ate and brought this beauty home with me.

So, without further ado: My first twirling photo!

Matt and I took several twirling pictures, and none of them were particularly noteworthy. My feet were in awkward positions, and I was making weird faces. I'll work on my twirling skills and hopefully get some better shots next time. Because, let's be honest: Like Stefanie, I need to see more twirling.

How gorgeous is this ring? I was looking for something that had both Matt's birthstone (opal) and my birthstone (turquoise), and I lucked out on Etsy when I found this unique handmade ring from RRKK.

The necklace is also a find that I absolutely love. I got it from an outdoor market at Oak Creek Vista that Matt and I stopped at on our way to Sedona, AZ, during our vacation last summer. We didn't plan to spend time in Sedona until we were already in Arizona, and Matt just happened to spot this market en route on the driver's side as I was taking pictures from the passenger window of our rental car. We made a split-second decision to pull into the overlook, which was breathtaking! The whole experience was an impromptu success.

The necklace came with a business card-sized certificate of authenticity with a picture of the artist, Debbie Deschene, a Native American enrolled in the Navajo Tribe who creates inlay jewelry. If I lived in Sedona, I would make every excuse to go to this market as often as possible!

Outfit Details:
Thrifted Dress from 360 Unlimited in Lakeland, FL
Belt from the Ride Here, Right Now dress from ModCloth
Target Tights
Payless Shoes (old)
Ring from Etsy shop RRKK
Necklace from an outdoor market at Oak Creek Vista, just north of Sedona, AZ

Photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains ModCloth and Payless 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.