F21 Love:ootd

Just a quick outfit before we step out into another chilly day of sunshine.  Still need layers, but at least they're getting lighter.

Shop the Look:

Forever 21 Dress & coat purchased from PoshMark
Beret purchased locally
Earrings &Qupid Heels from ModCloth
Textured tights from Wal-Mart

Unique Vintage's $25 Dress Sale!

If you've never shopped Unique-Vintage before, or you've had your eye on some of their styles, now is the time to stop by.  They're having a $25 dress sale with lots of styles and size options to choose from.  Happy Hunting!

Charm Convention Dress in Forest: Dress Review

    This is the last of the sale dresses I purchased during ModCloth's winter clearance event and the first dress that I've tried in this style.  It's called Charm School Convention in Forest and there are still two available in this color and several more available in the Floral Plaid version.  To be honest, I don't really have any cons to mention about this dress.  It has a great design.  It's flattering and well made, though I wouldn't have noticed it had it not been on clearance for $27.  

     It doesn't the initial oomph! qualities I look for in a dress; it's kind of a wallflower.  But, this little wallflower has really surprised me and I'm so glad that I went ahead and bought it.  It does all the right things for my figure: hides my wide hips with a flared skirt, has the perfect length sleeves, the hem line is just above the knee where it is most flattering for my height and age, and the bodice makes me look like I actually have a bust.  

    I purchased one of these for a friend and she was equally thrilled.  We were both surprised that it was such great quality for a clearance dress.  After my experience with this dress, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.  It may not have oomph, but it has everything else that counts.

Shop the look:
Charm School Convention Dress in Forest from ModCloth
Necklace from Forever 21
Wrap is old & from Charlotte Russe
Heels are old
Purse is vintage
Earrings are from ModCloth

Flor-all You Know: ootd

Ok, I'll admit the pun is a bit labored, but the outfit was effortless.  It is absolutely beautiful outside today, the first day of sunshine we've had in a week.   Reports of cherry blossoms are pouring in and it's almost time for our little hamlet to burst in to bloom as well.  So, while the days are warming up a bit, (hallelujah!) I can't abandon layering altogether, but I can ease up.  Spring is in the air and I am breaking out the chiffon and floral prints!  I also decided to try out my new oxfords with this outfit and they're pretty comfy.  I don't know how they'll stand up to my three mile walking commute, but for casual wear, they're pretty great.   I'm excited about the lovely days ahead and ready to get back to exploring this beautiful country.

Shop the Look:
Dress is from the Contemporary line by Forever21
Rosebud Oxfords by Not Rated
Root of the Flatter Tights from ModCloth
Purse by Nila Anthony
Earrings are handmade by me, but I love these by TemporalFlux

Citrus Sunshine: ootd

My local thrift store has great bargains, but this is perhaps the best one yet.  This citrus orange trench coat was on the rack in perfect condition for $0.30.  Um, yes, please!  It's a very bright color, much brighter than I usually wear and I couldn't imagine what I would wear with it at the time I bought it.  I brought it home and put it in the idea closet, (Yes, that is an actual closet in a spare room where I keep things I'm puzzling over) and happened to hang it up next to this Traveling Cupcake Dress.  They looked great together!  Problem solved.

Shop the Look:

Traveling Cake Pop Truck Dress in Paprika from ModCloth

My coat is a thrift store purchase, but looks so much like the East Coast Tour Coat from ModCloth

Hailee Heels from Dolce by Mojo Moxy

Sweet Song: ootd

    The woods around our home aren't alive with the sounds of springtime birds yet, but that doesn't mean I can't start thinking spring with this Sweet Song dress by Porridge.  Another great Anthropologie dress for only $20 on ThredUp  (Use this link to sign up and save $20 off your first order http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5)   It came out a few years ago in this print and a similar version with elephants and a yellow sash.  I think my favorite part of this dress is the unusual neckline.  It's a little tough to iron but those girly frills are worth the effort.  Great dress, great price and I'm going to show you two ways to wear it, one for cold weather and one for those warmer days on the way.

Shop the Look:
Anthropologie Sweet Song Dress from ThredUp Use this link to save $20 when you sign up
Charter School Cardigan in Sage from ModCloth
Peep toe heels from Charlotte Russe
With Haute a Doubt Heels by Qupid
Ring, earrings and Necklace are all my own designs
White Lace blouse is old and from TopShop

Confectioner's Dream Dress Pastels: ootd

Bea & Dot, another of those lovely labels that make even lovelier dresses.  I purchased this dress last year for our family photos among the cherry blossoms.  I had to do some tailoring to the bodice to give it a great fitted look, and after all that effort I didn't want it to be a one-time-occasion dress.  So, every now and then I take it out of the closet and try something different with it.  In this case, the outfit is new, but all the pieces are old.  I have a weakness for pastels especially pale pink with pale...anything else.  So, the challenge I set myself for this outfit was to use only pastels.  I think I achieved my goal and now I have a new favorite look.

Shop the Look:

Confectioner's Dream Dress from ModCloth

Dolce by Mojo Moxy Heels

Pink Cardigan is old

Peach Purse by Nila Anthony from Shopjeen.com

Swim Wear Everywhere!

    I've always thought it was a little odd the way that swimsuits start flooding the shops when we're all still bundled up.  But, I have to admit that seeing them reminds me of summer days ahead and helps to pull me out of my winter exercise slump.  By the time I'm feeling fit and it's actually warm enough to go to the beach a lot swim suits are on sale.  It's not always the best idea to wait that long  because, while the prices are better the selection can be minimal.  

    So, in honor of those sunny days ahead here are a few of my early swim wear picks.  Some of these shops go above and beyond to help you find the right suit for you.  I recommend Bravissiom, J. Crew, and Victoria's Secret for their selection of different types of tops and bottoms in a single design and for the great info on how each type will fit different shapes. 

From Nettle's Tale:

The Britney Set $129 CAD
The Julia Set $59 CAD


From Bravissimo:

Britt Tankini Top $65  bottoms $28 sold separately
Dakota Bikini Plunge Top $40  bottoms $25 sold separately


From ModCloth:

Power Behind the Tone  Top $54.99 and Bottom $44.99 sold separately
Glam in the Sand Tankini Top $79.99 and Bottom $79.99


From Unique-Vintage:

 Mansfield Halter One Piece $88
Girl Howdy Two Piece Top is $46 and shorts are $46



From Victoria's Secret:

 Strappy Back One Piece $88
The Getaway Halter $36-$44  Bikini bottom prices vary


From J. Crew:

Halter One Piece for $110
Sliding Halter Bikini Top $44
High Waisted Bikini Brief $50

Comfort Clothes

    It's called comfort food for a reason; it makes you feel better.  As silly as it may sound, I think clothes can do the same thing.  I have comfort clothes and there are days when I need them and they make me feel better.  Been awake since 1:00a.m., a million things to do in horrible weather, breakfast burned, the day is overwhelming and it's only 8:00 a.m., etc.  It doesn't happen often, but there are days when I just need my over-sized tunic, my most comfortable jeans and a pair of blown out sneakers.  They're not flattering,  or interesting or fashionable, but they're my go-to on rough days. 
    In the same way that I don't make a steady diet comfort foods, I don't make my comfy clothes an everyday thing, but there are times that for whatever reason these clothes are just what I need and today was one of those days.  The daily chores didn't get done.  The cooking didn't get done (thank God for cereal, sandwiches, and Sushi-Go-Rounds).  But, it's all OK.  Today I'm going to put on my comfort clothes, have an extra cup of tea, take a long walk in the sunshine with my girls and just try to relax.  Tomorrow will be better.

Plaid Blazer: ootd

    I saw this blazer on ThredUp and loved it for no particular reason.  I don't have a lot of blazers, and this was a stand out piece with a vintage feel.    When I bought it, I had a much different vision for how I would wear it, which was with a long black skirt and boots.  When I put it all together, it just didn't work.  The boots were too high, the skirt was too long.  It just wasn't right, but it wasn't the jacket's fault.  I put it in the closet and waited for another idea.  

    My local thrift shop had a great sale and while I was rummaging through racks I found this awesome backpack.  It was new, with the tags still on, cost only $12 and was just what I was looking for.  Anytime we make trips to Tokyo, I carry my cross-body bag with my camera and all my other things.  It's so heavy it causes tension headaches that last for days.  I'm hoping this backpack will evenly distribute the weight and the headaches will subside.  Style and function?  I can't ask for anything more than that.

    Bringing home this bag, inspiration struck!  A blazer and a backpack?  It was meant to be.  Then it was just a matter of added a little more function to the outfit by switching out the skirt for shorts and tights and a comfortable pair of flats.  Voila!  It all came together.  Warm, comfortable, practical, love, love, love.

Shop the Look:

Jacket is from ThredUp  (use this link to sign up and save $20 off your first order http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5

Top is from ThredUp

Shorts by My Michelle

Tights from ModCloth

Beret purchased locally ,but this one is similar

Backpack purchased locally

Up, Up and Away: ootd

    An oldie but a goodie, I've had this dress for three or four years now.  It was one of my very earliest ModCloth purchases and I'll never let it go.  I've worn it a dozen different ways, but this is a new style, so I wanted to share.  My local thrift shop was having an amazing sale this week and I snagged this cute purple cardi and a sunshine-citrus orange trench coat for about $0.30 each.  So, nothing in this outfit is new, but finding new ways to wear old things is part of the fun of fashion.

Shop the look:

Air of Adorable Dress from ModCloth

Purple cardigan is second hand

Bow belt and heels are second hand

Balloon Purse from Wonder Molly

Closet Necessity: Shirt Dresses

    Shirt Dresses are one of those styles that just seem to last the test of time and can be appropriate for any season.  They look just as good with sandals as they do with heels or boots.  Wear them with bare legs, capri leggings, or even tights.  Layer them up or wear them alone, they just seem to work.

Here are a few of my favorites for this season:

Dotted Linen Shirt Dress

Atlanta Adventure Dress

Polo Ralph Lauren Poplin Dress

State Sleeveless Collared Shirt Dress

Frenchie Printed Button-Up Dress

Ruffle Ball Change Dress: ootd

Just a quick post of this cute Ruffle Ball Change Dress.  It's an oldie from ModCloth and I picked it up on Ebay in new condition for the same price as it was on clearance at ModCloth.  The quality isn't great, it was full of frayed threads hanging down around the hem, and the material is a thin chiffon, but it's about right for the price I paid.  I love it, and though I'm wearing it with heels and bare legs for the outfit pics, the temperature is dropping so I'll definitely put on some thick tights before I head out and I think it's going to look as good with tights, maybe even better.

Shop the Look:

Dress from Ebay

Cardigan and heels from ModCloth.com

Creamery Coquette: ootd

    Another quick post as the holidays have kept me hopping from event to event.  About a month ago I posted about Dear Creature's Matilda dress a.k.a the Creamery Cutie dress from ModCloth.  Dear Creatures made this style in two colors.  I vowed to find this dress in the other variation and I have succeeded.  I like to think of this as Creamery Cutie's coquettish twin since the first dress is a cheery blue and white and this one is an alluring red and grey.

    All the things I love (or don't love) about the first dress applies to this one as well, but the color palette creates a much different look.  I love those shocks of red accent ribbon and have already worn it out and about a couple of different ways.  Another nice thing about this version of the dress is that it was never worn by a celebrity and can usually be found for much less than the blue/white combo.  If you happen to find this dress out there in either color, I fully recommend adding it to your wardrobe.

Shop the look:

Creamery Cutie Dear Creatures dress is second hand

Russian Doll purse from Monsoon accessories

Heels from ModCloth

Crop Shrug from Ebay

Lil Valentine: ootd

    As predicted, Saturday morning was absolutely gorgeous and we got outside and had a wonderful time together.  I got to wear my red dress this weekend while out for a stroll on a beautiful sunny day to our favorite market.  But, by afternoon the clouds rolled in.  By nightfall the winds picked up, and at 6:00 am this morning I was chasing trash cans down the street in my bathrobe, hoping the neighbors didn't see me.  It's OK, we still  had a great morning exchanging our cards and sitting in our pajamas watching The Peanuts Movie over tea and pink pancakes.   

    Since I wore this Harissa dress in red for our Valentine's Day, I decided to do one more cardigan color change with the blue version (yes, I own the exact same dress in two different colors).  In the last post with dress, I used one of my go-to color combinations of yellow and blue.  For this one I decided to go with a sage green.  I think it really brings out the blue, but still has great harmony, and have I mentioned how comfortable this dress is? It is the ideal stay-at-home-feeling-glam dress, and just perfect for a stormy, stuck indoors Valentine's Day like this.

Shop the Look:

Anthropologie Harissa Dress by Lil is old

Cardigan and heels are from ModCloth