Just Another Manic Monday

Manic Mondays?  I wish my hectic schedule was confined to just one day of crazy.  The months of quarantine, working and schooling from home and not doing much of anything else, really revealed to me just how frenzied and over booked life can very quickly become.  

The trouble is that I have four people in my home and we all want to do things with our time, but there just doesn't seem to be enough time to do it all and spend time together and get as much rest and calm as we need.  It feels like it's one or the other extreme and there's no balance to it.

Extremes seem to be the default.  Balance is the thing that takes so much work.  But isn't a good life worth the right kind of work?

Whatever your feelings about the existential battle between peace and chaos, at least it's perfectly lovely out this morning.  I thought before I dash off to work to sit under the fluorescent lights all day, I would stop and take a few pics of my wear-to-work creation.

I have enjoyed my time working from home, but I knew it would eventually have to end.  Or at the very least taper off.  I admit it is so hard to get back into the fast and furious routine when I've been chilling for six straight months with no complaint about it.  And there are of course those pesky quarantine pounds to deal with, which requires modifying my outfit choices somewhat.

This is something I've been trying to do as a sort of talk the talk, walk the walk, just to show you what I wear in the real world.  It's easy for bloggers to put together something Uh-May-Zing for a photo shoot.  And it's incredibly fun to don special occasion styles like a ball gown, sexy bodycon, or renaissance theme velvet dress, but totally impractical for wearing in the day to day.

I'm human; I've done it.  Because outfit posts are about creating styles for any occasion and showing you the full potential of an outfit, it's easy to go overboard.  But, rest assured I do wear most of the things I style here, just as I've shown them with maybe a few little toned-down tweaks for practicality.  (You know I'm not above creating a special occasion just so I can wear those ball gowns and bodycons!)

The only thing I would change about this outfit would probably be the heels.  These heels are really comfortable, but even so, by the end of the day being on my feet and on the go, my metatarsals are barking, which is why I almost always opt for flats for the workplace.

But, I thought it would be nice to pause on my way out the door this morning--actually I got everyone rounded up and in the car a few minutes early--so I could snap a few pics on the way to work and school.

So, today it's just me, wearing what I like to wear and enjoying a few quite moments before the day's momentum takes over.

Shopping Info:  Sunday Dress from Princesshighway.com.au, heels and Dream of the Crop Cardi from ModCloth, tights and bag are old.

Hat & Gloves Required?

You've noticed, you've admired from afar. If you've read this blog for any amount of time you've definitely seen me wear them, and it may have got you wondering, should I wear a hat and gloves too?

I wish style trends could return to the days of hats and gloves being standard accessories for all. There is something about a hat and gloves that adds that extra polish and panache to any outfit. But are they really necessary? The answer depends on you. What is the statement you want to make with your look? For today's outfit I styled this dress both ways.

This RockSteady dress has some very nice vintage design elements in the buttons down the front, the and the layered peplum at the waist, and the pencil skirt, so adding those extra touches like a hat and gloves seems pretty natural to play up that vintage look.  

Hats and gloves aren't in common use anymore which makes them really stand out when someone wears them, and you have to decide if that's the statement you want to make because people are going to notice (and by notice I mean stare...and possibly comment.) Now, comments and stares don't necessarily mean negative attention just attention. Do you want it? Sometimes I can't resist a vintage look. Sometimes I want something a little more subtle.

Personally, I say experiment. Why not at least try them. You might find a new accessory that you really love.

Ripple Effect

Karina's Fall 2020 Collection has just launched and it is loaded with pretty prints to ring in the autumn season.  Today I'm wearing the Margaret Dress in Ripple Effect.  The Margaret Dress is available year round of course, but it's especially great if you like a little extra length at this time of year with the temperature dropping. 

One of the things I love about Karina's Fall Collection each year is that they don't just stick to fall colors of red, orange, rust and gold.  Don't get me wrong, I love fall colors, but I also love how Karina mixes it up with vibrant hues like the navy, mustard, magenta, and white in the Ripple Effect print.

There are so many great prints and styles in this new collection.  If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for?  Karina definitely has your perfect fall dress!

Shopping Info:  Margaret Dress in Ripple Effect from KarinaDresses.com

Karina's Fall 2020 Collection

Karina's Fall 2020 Collection launches today with some lovely new prints in all the styles you adore.

Every fall I look forward to this collection to see what smart, sexy prints Karina will roll out for the changing season and there is something for everyone.

I'm wearing this Ruby dress in Sharp Sketch  with classic colors, an edgy geometric print, and you know how much I love the Ruby style dress.  Very City Chic!

With prints like Brushed Plaid, Ripple Effect, Jelly Bean, and Precious Stones to name a few, there are so many beautiful colors and patterns in this collection.

For tomorrow's post, I will style another lovely print and cut from Karina.  If you haven't been to Karina's yet to check out their Fall 2020 Collection, stop by today.  You don't want to miss this!

Shopping Info: Ruby Dress in Sharp Sketch from KarinaDresses.com

Preppy Prepper

So, right off, you should know that none of what I'm about to talk about has anything to do with my adorable preppy outfit except that it's preppy and I like prepping.  And also being preppy.  Yesterday we briefly touched on the ways that I have to prepare each year for hard winters where I live and today I'd like to keep the conversation going.

What do you think of when you think of a "prepper?"  For most of us it's visions of wild eyed and shaggy bearded individuals carefully stocking walls of canned goods in underground bunkers that come to mind.  But you don't have to bury your gold in the backyard or build a bomb shelter under your greenhouse to lead a prepared lifestyle.  

Ok, so, yes, some preppers are scary and reeeeallly crazy.  But, that doesn't mean you have to be scary or crazy to be prepared.  And you can't deny that having a little set aside in case of emergency is a good idea.  All the unforeseenness of 2020 should cement that idea in your head if it wasn't before now.  So where do you start?

Believe it or not, there's plenty of good advice out there for how to prepare for what may come and I can't really add anything new.  All I can do is highlight a few things to give you some direction.  The main things that you should prepare for are: severe weather (think hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes), unemployment, and illness.

The way you prepare for these things is basically all the same:  set aside what you can and have a plan.  Illness and Unemployment essentially have the same plan.  Start an account where you set aside 10% of your income and don't touch that money.  Continue to accumulate what you can so that should you find yourself unemployed you'll be able to pay your rent, bills, etc. for several months.  Yes, that means you'll need to save up several months worth of salary--the more, the better.

Whatever severe weather you might face will have its own ways to prepare.  For snow and ice storms, I always keep matches, candles, easy to open (you can't open a can with an electric can opener if you have no electricity.  Use pop tops or get a manual can opener) & easy to prep food (at least two days worth that can be cooked outdoors on a camp stove), water, blankets, and anything else you might need but won't be able to go out and get for a few days.

Preparing for the worst while hoping for the best, isn't really all that difficult.  It just takes a little time and thought, and it is absolutely worth it to have a plan to take care of yourself and those you love.  It's part of living deliberately, and there's nothing scary or crazy about that.  In fact, I think it's the calmest and sanest way to live, and if you want to look cute while doing it, all the better.  You know I'm on board for that.

Shopping Info:  ModCloth Citrus Sweater from ThredUp, Coral Necklace from ModCloth, Skirt from Japan Wattman's Thrift, Heels from Charlotte Russe.

In the Sunflower Fields

Last year it was October before we saw the fields full of sunflowers.  This year I knew by late August we should start planning a trip out here to pick sunflowers.  Really I don't mind getting this in a little earlier, while the days are still warm, but I do love those autumn evenings in the flower fields.  Who knows, maybe they will hang around until October again this year.

I don't know what it's like where you are, but around here all the farmers and the old-timers are saying it's going be an early winter.  I am not ready to think about winter yet, but I do tend to trust the people who have more experience than me, and if they say it's time to start preparing, then I guess it's time.

Ok, I know I complain about winter (A LOT!) but I do love preparing for winter.  I don't love cutting firewood and hauling it to the house, but I do love the family time and the talks we have while stacking wood, and I love being all warm and cozy beside the fire while the wind is howling outside.  

I like being able to throw all the ingredients into the crock pot in the morning and come home out of the chill to a hearty stew and maybe a fresh loaf of homemade bread when a snow storm is coming.  Doesn't that sound better than rushing to the grocery store to face empty shelves and the wait in line while the roads get worse and worse?  It does to me.

As far as preparations go, I've been stocking up on all my easy prep foods, trying to preserve a few things from the garden, we've just planted our autumn garden with things like turnips and peas, and about a month ago we picked gallons of wild elderberries to make our own syrup. 

If you're not familiar with elderberry syrup, it's natural immune booster, and we add a little honey and cloves to ours for flavor.  You can find it at the super market and it can carry a steep price tag.  That's why we decided to make our own this year.  Of course we paid the price in our own way be getting covered in poison ivy and scratching for weeks.  All the poison ivy out here is one of the main reasons I'm thankful for Photoshop!

So, with the pantry shelves filling up, and the poison ivy finally healing, I don't have to worry too much about whatever the weather brings.  I can just sit back and enjoy these sunny days in the flower fields while they last.

I chose this outfit very specifically for today.  I've been drooling over this dress and basket bag from Collectif for months now, just waiting for their sale, and I've been wanting to try one of those ridiculously big sunhats for just as long or longer.  I love end-of-summer sales as much and maybe more than Photoshop after wild berry picking in poison ivy country!  And what better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a few end-of-summer sale picks.

One last thing before I end this post.  You should know, here and now that there will be loads more sunflower fields pics on the way.  I don't think that's a bad thing though; their sunniness keeps me going through the long winter months--a little emotional immune booster, if you will, and that's something that's totally worth the effort. (Whoa!  Did I actually just manage to tie everything together here at the end--even the elderberry thing?!  Good. For. Me.)

Shopping Info: COLLECTIF LOVES TOP VINTAGE POPPY VINTAGE GINGHAM SWING DRESS, LULU HUN DINA STRAWBERRY BASKET BAG, Natuloth Fresh Water Pearl Earrings

The Forgotten Fox

Things get lost in the shuffle.  It happens every year that the seasons pass and I find outfit photos that just didn't get posted in time.  It is then that I have to decide whether to hold on to them for another year so they'll be seasonally appropriate or to just go ahead and post them and never mind the season.  

Sound silly?  That's because it is.  I'm horribly up-tight about ridiculous things, but I've never been anything but honest about that fact and if you're still reading then know that that's what you're signing on for.

Well, I don't like to let posts sit for a year and wait for autumn to roll around again, but sometimes it just happens.  These adorable little foxes weren't purposely forgotten, and this skirt managed to feature in another post or two during the previous autumn, but somehow this outfit  just never made the list.  

It was my very first attempt at styling this fox print skirt from ModCloth and the outcome was cute and whimsical the way I like my outfits to be.  Plus, I don't think it hurts to bring a little autumn to any other time of year.  So, enjoy this unseasonable post and expect a few more to come.

Shopping List:  Skirt, Top, Charter School Cardigan from ModCloth

Apple Anyone?

My outfit today is inspired by the queen in Snow White and I rather love it. Apple, anyone? I always related to the queen more than Snow White anyway. Was she misguided in her vanity and anger? Absolutely, but maybe she was misunderstood too. How does the world perceive you? Are you generally liked? Are you hated like the wicked queen in a fairytale. Or do people just avoid you because of your Resting B!#%h Face Syndrome? You may have an idea of what others think. You may have no idea at all. The question is, how far should you go to find out?

I just saw an ad today for this little gizmo that goes on your wrist and tracks your tone throughout the day. It tells you how you may be perceived by others and you can alter your tone and behavior to be more acceptable. Wow, did someone watch the Stepford Wives one too many times before heading to the office to pitch their latest tech idea? Is it just me or is this the worst idea ever!!

Let me put my tinfoil hat on for a second and just say, Doesn't this sound like social programming to you? Let's all be the same carbon copy mindless drones with our little wrist gadgets to keep us in line. NO THANKS! I happen to like all the different personalities that are out there and I've found that it's up to me to get to know people far more than it is up to them to alter themselves to get me to like them.

I like the wicked queens in my life as much as the lovely Snow Whites and the bumbling fairies, and chattering woodland friends and all the rest. We all have our role to play, our different points of view, and our flavor to add to life. And, I for one, wouldn't have it any other way. So, please, oh please, if you've seen this little gadget out there, don't buy it. Don't worry so much about what others think. Be the best You that you can be, but always be the real you.

Shopping info: BillionDollar Baby Dress from Stop Staring!, Heels from ThredUp, ApplePurse from Unique Vintage