Sure to be More Springs

Quotes from Anne of Avonlea 

by L.M. Montgomery

“That is one good thing about this world...

there are always sure to be more springs.”

Afterall," Anne had said to Marilla once, "I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens,

 but just those that bring simple little pleasures,

 following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string

Shopping Info: Sydney Dress and layered dress from Free People and FP One

Afternoon Tea

I know this is a very difficult time for everyone, even this shy violet is beginning to miss her hectic routine, but what we're doing right now is important and necessary.  So, if we must have solitude, and right now we must, at least we can make it comfortable.  

I have been working on little ways to enjoy my time at home even more and keep things from getting too monotonous.  Getting out the bistro set and returning the plants to the outdoors and creating a lovely place in the yard is a part of that.  I even gave my daughters brushes and a bucket of old house paint so they could finally paint the interior of the tree house they've nearly outgrown, in order to make their own little quiet spot outdoors.  Though, just between you and me, because it looks so nice and cheery in there now, I took a long afternoon cat nap in that breezy tree house just yesterday.

My place of work has shut down and sent us all home with loads of work to do until further notice.  We came in shifts to collect our things in order to have a little social distancing. When we arrived, on every desk was a floral tea cup and for the boss lady a tea pot with a note that said, "enjoy your time away and let's enjoy a cup of tea together in spirit."  

One of my sweet colleagues had done this as a show of solidarity and another started a group message so we could all keep in touch while we're indefinitely away.  Such a lovely sentiment and I took it to heart.  Each afternoon, I pour myself a cup of tea and grab a few of my favorite German tea biscuits, the kinds with raspberry jelly and chocolate cream fillings, and retreat to this spot outdoors.  And I think of my friends from work each time I do.

As part of my afternoon retreat and tea time, I've also made a point to journal everything, not just what the news is telling me but also how my family and I and the people in our community are handling all this, the interesting things that happen and the creative solutions we find.  This is the human spirit rising up to overcome difficult times and it's worth recording.  So, when you're feeling too cooped up, grab a journal and pen, a little something sweet, and join me in spirit for a relaxing cup of tea.

Shopping Info: Top from Forever 21,  Hearts Pinafore Skirt from Shein

This Side of the Fence

There's an old saying about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.

At this time of year that seems especially true.  The loveliest blossoms always seem to be on the other side of someone's fence preventing me from getting close to them.

I think I must be part honeybee or hummingbird because I've always been drawn to flowers of any kind.  I don't need to pick them, I just need to be near them.

Today I was positively tickled pink to find this gorgeous tree with no fence around it.  This is an old home site and the beautiful century old house was still standing when I was a little girl.

Now, all that's left is a little stone gate and these magnolia trees that were planted with care by someone who, like me, wants to fill the world and their own lives with as much beauty as possible.

Shopping info:The Army Green Raileen Dress from StopStaring.com, Heels from ModCloth

Futuristic Adesina

Continuing this month's FemmeLuxe collaboration theme in today's post. FemmeLuxe is one of my favorite places to shop for Jeans and CorsetDresses, but for today's post, I have a little something else in mind. This theme has really just come together on its own, but I am really pleased with the results. If you're just joining me, be sure to look back at my previous posts with FemmeLuxe this week to see parts one and two of my Past, Present, Future theme.

Tuesday's FemmeLuxe outfit was suggestive of Victorian Era fashions of the past. Wednesday's post gave a nod to 1960s London Mod stylings from more recent history, so today is something a little more futuristic. Plus, I thought a little sparkle would be a nice addition to another quiet day at home for all of us. Of course anything metallic makes me think of futuristic/ sci-fi concepts, but that does not mean they can't be totally chic like this SilverGlitter One Shoulder Puff Sleeve Bodycon Mini Dress – Adesina from FemmeLuxe

Lots to love about this dress and we'll get to the design details in just a moment, but first I want to take a second to discuss sizing. Occasionally I get asked which size I have chosen from a particular shop and I am sometimes hesitant to answer because I really think people should go by the shop size charts and compare them with their measurements. Everyone's body is different, so you shouldn't use mine as a basis for size comparison. However, once I have a pretty well established relationship with a certain brand, I know how their clothes will fit me and I don't mind sharing that info here on the blog.

I typically wear an XXS or XS which translates to size 4UK or 6UK. For all my FemmeLuxe Jeans and Tops, I select a size 6UK and everything has always fit true to size. For bodycon dresses, I go up a size to 8UK which is what I'm wearing for today's Adesina dress. I can fit into a size 6 and for any dress that is not a bodycon dress, I usually do choose a size 6, but it's just a personal preference to have a tad more wiggle room in a bodycon dress. I hope that will give you a little insight when selecting your size from FemmeLuxe, but should you have any questions, please feel free to comment below or use the “Contact Me” button at the side. Now, back to the dress!

As much as I adore vintage styles, I also love vintage predictions of how styles will look in the future and I know I'm not alone in this regard. Perhaps going all the way back to Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis, creative minds have been trying to guess what fashion will look like one day. And mentally I think we have all come to assign metallic clothing with a certain futuristic symbolism. (If you're not familiar with Lang's film, take a moment to research it because it really is some of the most stunning representations of Art Deco ever to be created let alone captured on film.) That's why I've placed today's outfit in the Future category.

There's nothing clunky or robotic about this Adesina bodycon dress though. It is all femininity. I love the neckline of a one shouldered dress, but that little puff on the top of the fitted sleeve gives it that extra dose of girlishness that I adore. And notice the ruching in the bodice to do a little camouflaging to trouble zones so that only your shape at its best is what people will notice. A dress like Adesina is easy to dress up with full make-up, glam heels and a clutch. But, since I'm taking it easy and sticking close to home right now, I decided to keep the make-up and hair simple as well.

I hope you've enjoyed my little era theme week. Don't forget to comment below and tell me which of the three FemmeLuxe looks was your favorite: Past, Present, or Future.

Shopping Info: SilverGlitter One Shoulder Puff Sleeve Bodycon Mini Dress – Adesina from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, heels from Charlotte Russe

Mod Alice

FemmeLuxe's Black Lace Body Suits and Jeans are stunning and I hope to showcase some of those in our next collaboration, but  for today we're continuing our FemmeLuxe Week theme of Past, Present, Future.  Today's outfit theme is the Present. Perhaps present is a relative term but compared to the Victorian era it is something decidedly more modern in its styling or perhaps “Mod” is a better term. The term Mod originally comes from a subculture that emerged in London in the late 1950s. London became the fashion center of the world and Mod style became the defining style trend of the 1960s.

Noteworthy characteristics of Mod style included short skits, freer waistline in the form of baby doll dresses, high boots, and vinyl fabric cutouts. Several of these elements feature in BlackPU High Neck Mini Dress – Alice, which is probably why I was so drawn to it. The Alice dress has some of those standout style elements, with a few modern updates.

One thing I love about the Alice dress is that it doesn't follow the baby doll waistline. While I think the baby doll look is darling, I don't think it is flattering on most body types, and that's a problem. Something without a waist like a baby doll dress looks best on very curvy figures like an hourglass shape because that shape does so much of the work the clothes don't need to do much. I was not blessed with an hourglass shape, I'm more like a pear and for that reason I have to find clothes that work for me and my shape and I know that is the case for the vast majority of women out there.

This is why I love blogging so much and working with companies like FemmeLuxe to really show you not only the potential that well-fitting clothing can offer but also the potential your shape has to look dynamic without you feeling like you have to change yourself to meet some unreasonable standard.  In my opinion though, fashion that only suits a very narrow percentage of the body types out there is not good design. So, as much as I love Mod style and as much as I liked this Alice dress, there were a few reasons that made it a better than vintage dress.

When considering this Alice dress, I did take note of a few present day updates that I want to share with you so you'll know what to look for when you venture out to look for things that flatter your shape. Unlike true Mod, the Alice dress has a more defined waist which means the dress does some of the work for your body in either creating or accentuating the narrowest part of your waistline. That is what good design does, it removes the burden from the wearer

Another thing I want to mention is that this dress is surprisingly comfortable. Although I would like to note that I chose this dress in a size 8UK and could probably have sized down to a 6, I am still really pleased with the fit and feel. Vinyl doesn't seem like a comfortable fabric, but for the Alice dress, the vinyl is flexible and the inside was soft, as was the mesh for the cutout piece on the neckline. The neckline you'll notice is a mock turtle neck which is another great Mod element.

Just as the Alice dress is suggestive of a style without being a direct copy, when considering wearing something from one of the great style eras, I think it is important to have a good blend of vintage and modern style. If you go head to toe Mod you'll end up looking like you are wearing a costume instead of what you want which is to look stylish and chic in your own way. 

For example in this outfit there are many elements that are suggestive of Mod like the big hair bun and the natural makeup with emphasis on dark eyeliner. But, I scaled those things down by combining them with current trends like a bright lip color and no make up on the under eye so that it isn't that heavy make up from the 1960s. And instead of boots I chose a classic peep toe pump so everything stays in balance.

Tomorrow's post will wrap our FemmeLuxe Week theme and will feature a Futuristic style. See you there!

Shopping Info: Black PUHigh Neck Mini Dress—Alice from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, Heels from Charlotte Russe

Victorian Modern

It's FemmeLuxe collaboration week! Once a month, I work together with the lovely people over at FemmeLuxe to showcase some of their most unique and stylish new releases and classic pieces for you.  I hope you enjoy this month's collab, because I have planned something special.  At the end of the week, be sure to comment below on your favorite pick of the week: Past, Present, or Future.  

I know things are stressful right now.  There is a lot going on in the world everyone is feeling the pressure, and we're all stuck indoors or pretty close to home right now.  Just know that I am right there with you, but this is important, so let's hang in there and all do our part.  In the mean time, allow me to provide you with a little bit of delightful distraction.  And, I want to note that I was able to stay close to home to do these outfit pics, although I will definitely be taking some cityscape pics as soon as possible because I love these looks so much!

I have had the pleasure of trying so many new styles during my time working with FemmeLuxe and I've found so many body positive styles that have helped my self-esteem while simultaneously expanding my fashion wheel house.  If you've read any of my past collaboration posts with FemmeLuxe, you have undoubtedly heard me mention phrases like vintage-modern, retro, or Victorian-modern, especially when talking about their Corset Dresses and high waist Jeans.  In that vein, this time I thought I'd do a little theme of past, present, future.  

I'm crazy about vintage styles.  I always have been.  They are so feminine and flattering that I just can't help myself.  Being such a fan of Victorian, Edwardian, and so many other vintage styles, I had to start with the Past for my themed collab.  There are so many great design elements to be gleaned from antique and vintage clothing that I always appreciate clothes that are not afraid to borrow classic design elements and bring them into modern styles.

Today's post has a definite Victorian inspired feel to it but with a modern twist, of course. For the past six months, I've been steadily posting about the resurgence of velvet in fashion trends with the hash tag #velvetcrush, so I was already on the look out for great velvet pieces when I saw this Blue Velvet Puff SleeveHood Eye Crop Top--Ashlynn at FemmeLuxe.

This Ashlynn velvet top is made in Italy of a thick, good quality material.  It's so plush!  It has a wonderful deep blue color which the light really picks up.  Crop Tops paired with Midi skirts are a decidedly modern style trend and one that I love and have done a number of outfits with, because showing a little is so much more tasteful than showing too much.  I do want to mention that I normally order a size 6UK or XS in tops from FemmeLuxe, but for this top I ordered a Medium and it fit perfectly!

As for Victorian elements, notice the puff sleeves at the shoulder that descend into a fitted arm.  The hook and eye front closure is suggestive of corsetry, and the fitted bodice with a full skirt below also give a nod to Victorian era dresses which gives this outfit the overall fairy tale romance that I adore.

What else might you pair with this top besides a printed midi skirt?  I am so glad you asked.  In addition to a midi skirt, I love to pair high waist jeans with crop tops but I also think that some nice high waist trousers would look great with the Ashlynn top. Because of the deep blue color of this velvet, I would look for other deep rich tones to go with it although I would not mind trying a bright yellow with it as well.  Hmmmm, that may be the first thing I try when I go out to shoot these pieces against a city background.

Tomorrow I will be bringing you something a little more modern and decidedly more edgy.  See you then!

Shopping Info: Blue Velvet Puff Sleeve Hook Eye Crop Top - Ashlynn from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, skirt from Chicwish, flats from Charlotte Russe, jewelry is handmade by me.

Among the Sunflowers

I thought we were due for a dose of sunshine, something bright and cheerful to warm your heart, so I chose these sunflower pics from last autumn.  This bright yellow flannel is something that always lifts my mood.

I usually spend my time from September to November working diligently to make the very most of the autumn loveliness.  It can get excessive.  When I'm on a roll I don't want to stop and at some point I had so many autumn pics I couldn't post them all before winter, so I decided to spread them out throughout the year. 

Earlier this year, I decided to reduce my blogging by half.  My work schedule increased and so did my girls' school activities.  I very quickly found that all my free time, every spare morning and evening was being spent out doing outfit photos and I had no time to rest.  When a hobby starts causing stress instead of reducing it, it's time to change things up.  So, I did.

When I started this blog, I only did one or two posts per week and that was fine, but I found that I loved doing outfits so much that I just kept coming up with more and more posts.  Typical me, I started creating deadlines and pressuring myself and holding myself to high standards that no one else was.  Isn't that silly? I couldn't go on that way and I didn't have to, because, again, it was all up to me.  

So, I cut back, but I've found that life has only gotten busier than ever in the last few months and blogging may have to take a seat even further in the back while I sort out my schedule.  There are certain times of year or sometimes certain locations for which I clear my schedule as much as possible to grab some lovely pics while the season or the location lasts, and this sunflower field was one such spot.

I now have sunflower posts aplenty and probably enough to at least make it through the spring and a few other such types of photos as well.  I started planning my spring outfits over the long winter months and I have been fortunate enough to have a few lovely spots close to home and away from people to go out to and start taking photos, because I just can't stay away too long.

 Shopping Info: Dress from Shein

Following White Rabbits

From Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Who in the world am I?  That's the great puzzle.

 I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.

I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.

 But, every adventure requires a first step

This is my dream; I'll decide where it goes from here.

Shopping Info:  Top and skirt from: SHEIN, Heels from ModCloth