An Unexpected Stop

It's wonderful when things just work out.  It's also rather unexpected--at least in my life.  I usually make a plan B for every situation and sometimes a plan C when things look too impossible.  Even with all that preparation there are still things that come up which knock me for a loop and that, quite simply, is called living.   

That's why it's so nice when things actually do work out and even better when something comes together even though I haven't been planning it at all.  Take this little field of snapdragons for example.  In early October I was driving with a friend. She takes a different route than I typically do.  I've never really minded taking the long way home and that day was no exception since I was in no hurry.  

That's when I spied this field of snapdragons growing in perfect rows, just lazing in the sunshine, practically begging me to stop.  I didn't stop right then, but I did make a point to come back within just a few days to take some pics and I'm glad I did because not only was the lighting just perfect, but the frost swept through only a few days after my little photo shoot and all these lovely flowers were gone.

I was sorry to see them go so soon after discovering them, I know they'll be back next year and I'll to enjoy their beauty once more.  Plus, spring is nearly here with lots of glorious flowers on the way to enjoy.

Shopping Info:  Dress from SheIn, flats from Charlotte Russe

Date Expectations

In January I heard a million and half people say that 2020 was over and 2021 was going to be better.  Has it?  My year thus far has been just as chaotic and stressful as last year.  We're only two months in, so I haven't given up hope, but I am sort of white knuckling it and praying for spring.

Ok, we had a year of lockdowns and now a full week of snow days. Plus I had a cold and a broken toe to contend with while trying to feed the animals and water them and keep my house warm on my snow days.  After all that, I'm good; I'm all set.  I'd like to go outside now and do things again.

In the meantime, while 2021 gets itself sorted, One last red dress before February slips away.  There are two times of year when I like to roll out the red dresses: Christmas and Valentine's.  I thought of going out and taking some red dress pics in all the snow just to have them in advance for Christmas, but the temperature was in the negative numbers.  I love taking blog photos but I also love not having pneumonia or frost bite, so snow photos will just have to wait.

I still haven't had a night out for Valentine's day or just for a general date night due to the extreme winter weather we're having and I am so, so looking forward to it when it finally happens.  I know exactly where we're going and what I'm ordering and which art exhibit we'll be visiting afterwards.  (A lot of the museums in our area are now open by appointment.)

The outfit is still undecided, but this red peplum wiggle dress from Collectif is high in the running.  I have a similar dress from Stop Staring, but this one has a thinner fabric with a little more stretch and I love a peplum to bring balance to my shape. 

I don't mind the wait for things that matter.  In fact I think it makes them all the sweeter when they do arrive, and as I've mentioned, it gives me time to sort out all the details instead of, "Where do you want to go?  I don't know, where do you want to go?"  Nuh, no.  When we do finally go out, it will be with purpose and confidence and expectation.  

Dress from: Collectiflondon.com

Red Riding Hood

I don't intentionally choose a theme for most of my outfits.  Sometimes I do, but more often than not when I put an outfit together it will remind me of some character from literature or history or of a certain time period.  For this little number I did have a bit of a theme in mind, that theme being summer picnic, since I had this basket purse.  But, after looking at the pics, I realized it has a Red Riding Hood theme that I'm fully enjoying.  I don't think it's the outfit alone, but rather the combination of outfit and setting.  If I'd shot these photos at the beach instead of in the woods, I might not have made the connection.  But, since it's here and since I like the outfit, the photos and the fairy-tale, I'm calling this my Red Riding Hood outfit. 

This outfit is a little experimental for me as I thought I'd try some lace socks with this outfit.  I'm not sure I like the way that it looks with this particular dress.  With a long skirt like this, the socks tend to make my legs took shorter.  I think next time I'll try them with heels and a shorter skirt.  

To be continued.......

Shopping Info:Purse, Tie Neck Ruffle Trim Fit & Flare Dress - $19.00, Lace Trim Net Socks 4pairs - $4.00

from: SHEIN

Francesca Dress

I admit that I haven't heard of the brand Francesca's Dress, but I have been drooling over these lace overlay dress for at least a year now.  I found this one at Thredup for a very reasonable price, less than $10, so I bought it right away.  I love this warm shade of red, especially in the fall colors.

Shop the Look:
Red Lace Overlay Dress from Francesca's.  Use my link to sign up for ThredUp and save $10 off your first order.
Betsey Johnson camera purse
Flats from ModCloth