A Bicycle Built for Bleu

Here she is, my new baby.  This is my dream bicycle and after years of wishing and waiting it's finally mine.  I bought the bike because with the new house and the new schedule finding time to exercise regularly has been a real challenge.  I also love and dearly miss my daily walk to get the mail.  I don't make that walk here because it's about 3 miles long with some very steep hills.  I was hoping that with a bike I'd get my time of quiet reflection, plus a good workout and get my mail all in one.  I have to start slow because my quads are no where near ready to handle a three mile ride with hills, but I'm determined to ride a little each day until I can do the whole loop.

Shop the Look:
LC Lauren Conrad Dress and Old Navy Sweater from ThredUp.  Use my link to sign up for ThredUp and Save $10 off your first purchase
Flats from ModCloth
Huffy Ladies Cruiser from Wal-Mart.com

The Best Little Red Dress

Crochet Heart, Heart Print, Heart Painting from Etsy.com

You know I love red dresses.  It was a color I didn't think I could wear and when I realized I could, I fell in love with red.  Now I own several red dresses, so I don't often look for more, but this one jumped out at me and begged me to take it home, so I did.  It's a simple classic style with a flattering full skirt, but the little extra pizzazz comes from those cold shoulders with bows running down the length of them.  I have to admit that while I really like the dress, I mainly bought it for the bows.

Shop the Look:

Unique Vintage 1950s Red Cotton Bow Sleeve Selma Swing Dress, Shoes and Nila Anthony Purse from ModCloth

I Love Paris in the Springtime

Finally!!!  I have finally finished my Michael Miller Paris print dress that I started dreaming of and bought fabric for in 2016.  It's done and I heart it so much!  Of course, anytime you're doing something that Bernie Dexter's already done, it's going to be fabulous.  I'm also sporting one of those monogram sweaters from Old Navy that I picked up at thredUp.  This one actually has my initial on it, so that's even better.

Shop the Look:

Michael Miller Essentials Paris Ville Multi$10.41 per yard, Nila Anthony purse from ModCloth, HEELS FROM BY BAMBOO, oLD Navy sweater from ThredUp

Succulents Out of Season

The other day I wore my cactus dress to work.  Most people either said nothing or said, "pretty dress."  But one dear sour patch remarked that she just didn't agree with my choice of dress.  That print is totally out of season.  To which I my heart warmed and I smiled deeply as I replied, "sometime you can wait on better days, you have to reach out and grab the best of summer and bring it to you."  This dear little woman has never been friendly with me, but the way she smiled and laughed and then spent ten minutes talking home decorating with me brightened my day more than a summery print ever could.  Not only that, but she's had a big smile and some friendly conversation for me every time I see her now.

Shop the Look:
Dream of the Crop Cardigan in Sunset from ModCloth
Dashing Darling A-Line dress in Succulents from ModCloth

The Best Way to Bronze

They say no tan is a healthy tan and that's probably true.  The good news is that I've found the best way to bronze:  this gorgeous bronze dress from Stop Staring!

Shop the Look:
Rust Bow Dress by Stop Staring!
ModCloth Heels

Another Unicorn in the Stable: Clear as Day Off Dress

    I've long searched for this dress and now it is mine!  The Clear as Day Off Dress by Fervour and from ModCloth a few years ago.  I missed out back then, but I didn't give up hope.  Thank you resale sites and thank you to each dear person who takes good care of their dresses and then sends them out into the world to a new home.  Now this lovely is mine and I have worn it twice already and received tons of compliments.  Yay for this dress!

A Fox in the Foxglove

I love foxes; I don't know why.  For the last four years or so, I've been gradually building a collection of fox themed clothing items, like a hobby within a hobby.  I came across this Fox in the Foxgloves print on Fabric.com and knew I could make something stunning out of it.  How could it not look great with a print this gorgeous?!  So, with three yards of  this fabric and my trusty Simplicity pattern 1873 by Cynthia Rowley, I created this dress in about a week.  It took me longer to finish this dress than it has to complete most of the others I've worked on lately because this dress has sleeves.  Each sleeve has multiple pleats and a sleeve lining with a equal number of pleats.   I paced myself so I wouldn't get overwhelmed, but I still did.  After being able to turn out a dress in 6-8 hours, I felt like giving up after working on this dress for several days.  But, I stuck with it and I am ever so happy with the finished product.  I haven't made a sleeved dress with this pattern since 2016 when I hurried to finish it before the movers came to pack up our things and my OCD nagged me that there was an unfinished project waiting for me in storage.

 Outfit Info:

Cloud 9 Organic Fox in the Foxgloves, Beret from Japan, Belt is old, Heels from Payless