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.

November Wish List

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

1. Vintage Flowers Temporary Tattoos from Etsy shop Pepper Ink, $20
You already know I'm currently obsessed with temporary tattoos, and these watercolor-y ones are just so pretty.

2. Sueded Pointed-Toe Flats from Old Navy, $20
I have these in teal, and they're super comfy. Plus, I'm really liking the color fuchia for fall.

3. Floral Print Satin Dress from Forever 21, $24.80
Can't go wrong with a floral print, amiright?

4. Silla Yellow Flats from B.A.I.T Footwear, $38
I've been eyeing these for a while now. I don't have any shoes from B.A.I.T. Totally seems like I should. ;)

5. Branches of Silver Leaves Headband from Icing, $10.50
Is there anything that says fall more than leaves?

6. Prancing in the Reindeer Dress from ModCloth, $89.99
This dress reminds me of my iPad case, which is basically the cutest. I love the colors and the deer.

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

This post contains Forever 21 and ModCloth 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)

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.