Just Kitten-Around

I've had my eye on this cat skirt from Collectif since it debuted earlier this year and I picked it up for a song at their end of summer sale.  I've been looking for the right time to wear it and I figure if October isn't the best time for black cats, when is?  

I always wanted a poodle skirt when I was a little girl, but I didn't really have anyone in my life who both was a skilled seamstress and liked to spend excessive amounts of time with me very patiently teaching me to sew.  Once, my school even put on a production of a sock hop song and dance number.  I was partnered with my crush and they even required us to make poodle skirts.  This was my chance!  And then we weren't able to make all the rehearsals (and there were a lot!)  so I was not allowed to be in the musical.  My crush moved away at the end of the year and I never got my poodle skirt.

It's probably good that things turned out as they did for two reasons:  my crush was kind of the bad boy of school (I thought he had a heart of gold and he sure could dance!, but bad boys are bad for a reason) and I would definitely have been that weird kid that wore a poodle skirt all the time (You know the kid I mean, they like wear hats made out of cheese and stuff...and you never know if it's ironically, or because the system be darned, they'll do what they want, or because something is deeply broken inside them.) until it just disintegrated in tatters.  

Things have a way of turning out as they should, I suppose.  Or, anyway, we make the best we can out of the way things turn out, and I've got along just fine for most of my life without the poodle skirt.  Buuuut, I do still love them, and I thought Collectif's take on this classic was so cute, why not!

Really I like this update--a kitty chasing a ball of string instead of a poodle on a leash, so cute!  Plus, I love the colors and this skirt is full enough that I finally decided to buy a petticoat and try it out.  I bought two colors, pink and black, and I like them both, but I think they will just be for special occasions.  I can't really see myself rustling around the office in a petticoat.

I feel I should mention, and perhaps you've already noticed it from the pics, that with or without a petticoat the cat print has a tendency to get lost in the folds of the skirt.  This makes the print a little more inconspicuous and can actually work to your favor if you're a little shy of wearing this kind of print out and about.  We shouldn't feel self conscious about dressing up and looking great, but we do.  It just happens.

So, if, like me, you've always wanted a poodle skirt like this, then buy it and work your way into the full look with petticoat.  (Kitten ears Optional!)  You won't regret it.

Shopping Info:  Kitty Swing skirt and COLLECTIF MAINLINE ALINA TOP from Collectif, Heels from ThredUp, Petticoat from Ebay

The Last Rose of Summer

I am a summer person to my core. If I had my way I would buy a little house on wheels and follow the summer. I would never see another long cold winter again.  I haven't abandoned this idea entirely. Maybe when the kids are grown. One day I'll just pack up and go.  

In the present moment though, I am already seeing the signs that summer is over and it's time to prepare for winter. Yes, I live in the kind of place where you have to prepare for winter. 

We never know when a massive snow or ice storm will come and leave us isolated on this mountain and likely without electricity. Better to plan for the worst and hope for the best in my experience growing up in this wild country.  

When the shortages hit the stores this year, I didn't really feel it too much because we were coming out of a very mild winter and I hadn't needed to dip into my emergency supplies yet.  

Maybe it was so many hard winters when I was young that has made me wish to avoid them entirely now as an adult. Or maybe it's just increased my appreciation for the easiness of summer.

Whatever the case, my love for summer comes so easily to me and I savor each day and each little event like the blooming of the wild roses. There are things to love in winter to be certain, it's just that I have to look much harder to find them. And it's much easier to enjoy them when I'm in the company of loved ones. 

Summer on the other hand just presents all it's bounty and goodness, no searching required. And I can enjoy a sunny day picking roses to adorn my tea table all alone or with family or friends, although having family and friends around definitely makes it sweeter.

Shopping Info: Janie Bryant Romper and skirt set from Unique Vintage

Style No. 4

 

It's week four of my August fashion challenge to create styles using only three colors: Navy, Fuchsia, and Ivory/White, and yes, the beehive hair is back!  Only one more week left after this and I have enjoyed this little challenge so much I may make it more of a regular thing here on the blog. 

I'm still working on getting the beehive just right, but it's becoming a favorite easy style.  Plus it's been a nice change and a little challenge all on its own.  I know we tend to hide from challenges, but it's good for us to mix things up, try something new, and test/improve our skills.

Today's outfit relies pretty heavily on the Navy and White and less on the Fuchsia, but it still fits the bill. Next week on the other hand is flirting with the rules a little.   It's not outright cheating, but I it pushes it a little because I just couldn't resist the outfit.

So, for today's outfit, I'm wearing one of Unique Vintage's Hamilton dresses. This one is in Navy/White stripes with pink floral accents and of course I added the fuchsia heels to go along with it—not just to fit the challenge, but because I think they bring out the pink in the flowers.

So, since we are nearly at an end to this challenge, it's time to sound off. If you want to see more posts like this, be sure to comment below and list three colors for my next challenge.

Shopping info:  Dress from Unique Vintage, heels from thredup

Patience Sweetly Rewarded

A few years ago, when we lived on a tiny island where the sun rarely shined and we wore coats all year long, my daughters and I discovered a little show called Cupcake Wars. It's brain bubblegum for sure, but it was safe, family friendly, and very creative. 

That silly show inspired us on those endless gloomy days to bake and creatively style cupcakes. We probably made a different batch every week for months and we loved every minute and every bite.

Naturally we couldn't keep that up forever without risking diabetes, but it is a sweet memory that we all cherish and it helped us through a rough time. With my birthday coming up, I guess I have cupcakes on my mind and I've been thinking about all our confectionery creations and wondering if we should revisit those recipes. 

I'm thinking something in lemon would be appropriate for my little celebration and I think this cupcake dress just might be perfect for the big day too.  In the mean time it's something yummy for today's post and it is even sweeter because this cupcake dress has been a long time in coming. 

Every year I order a couple of dresses from The Other Sparrows. It's a spring tradition that I've kept every year for the past five or six years. I always look forward to their new prints which typically come out in March or April. For obvious reasons the new spring line was delayed this year, but I still wanted to show my support. 

At the end of March I ordered two dresses as usual, but with all the shipping delays, my dresses didn't arrive until the end of July. I didn't worry about the delay because this is a company I know and trust. The proprietor, Ting, kept me up to date on all the shipping progress and I knew my order was in good hands. 

Actually, as it turns out, I'm rather glad for the delay. It gave me time to really think about how to style this dress and dig through my closet to find just the right top, tights, and bag and I absolutely love the final product and here it is just in time for my birthday. 

This year, I am looking forward to my birthday. Every year I look forward to it, I'm glad to alive and thankful for all I have, but there's always that little measure of dread. You know that little voice that whispers I'm a year older and less relevant and valued by society and ominous music plays!! That's not the case this year. 

I've made a lot of personal progress in my physical, spiritual, and emotional well being this year and I am feeling more like my old self that I have in a long time. I'm ready to celebrate with nothing held back and no little nagging voice.  But, I would love to hear from you.  Comment below and tell me your favorite kind of cupcake to help me make up my mind for my birthday this year. 

Shopping Info: Lavender Cupcake Dress from The Other Sparrows, Loft Top is Thrifted, Tights and Bag from: SHEIN, Fresh Water Pearl Earrings from Natuloth

Suburban Shopper

How long have I been pining for Barbie X Unique Vintage Suburban Shopper dress?  Since the day it released!  I kept thinking maybe, maybe, maybe it will go on sale and I can afford it, but as it so often happens with UV dresses, by the time it finally did go on sale, my size was long since sold out.  *sigh*

I did what I always do and watched the resale sites for one to turn up, but they were rare and usually too far removed from my size.  So I continued to wait and even tried an under $20 look alike dress which was what it was.

I will say that this dress is a beast to iron, but it is worth the effort for something so unique and stunning and the fabric is quite heavy, so it's pretty perfect for spring.

Let's face it, vintage Barbie had timeless style and you can't really go wrong borrowing something from her closet.  This dress was worth the work and worth the wait.

Shopping Info: Barbie x Unique Vintage Blue & White Suburban Shopper Sundress