Arid Adornments

As the weather heats up, it seems like the perfect time to roll out those succulent cactus prints.  I picked these up at ModCloth's Memorial Day sale for a song.  Love the print, love the length and I love the light, airy fabric.  Perfect for the rising temps.

Shopping Info: Interest Achieved Midi Dress Sleeveless A-line Mid-length by ModCloth, Arid Adornment Cactus Crossbody Bag by ModCloth

Belle & Chip

It's been a while since I've done any cosplay outfits, so I decided to put together a Beauty and the Beast costume.  I don't have long enough hair to do Belle's full style, but I did my best with what I have and I thought this yellow dress from SheIn worked well for a more causal, if not somewhat Grecian style, with the Chip Purse.  Is it perfect?  No.  Does it need to be?  Also, no.  It's all just for fun and I did enjoy putting this outfit together and taking pics with these beautiful roses.

Shopping Info: Dress and Bag from: SHEIN

Rompers & Roses

This is my second Romper & Skirt set from Unique-Vintage.  They're just so cute, I can't resist!  And this one arrived just in time to snap a few pics in front of these glorious wild roses.

Shopping Info: Mint Green Rye Romper set from Unique Vintage, Sunglasses from: SHEIN

Support Your Local Wild Flowers

I find all sorts of clever things that nature holds while I'm stopping to small the flowers, insects and blossoms I've never seen or heard of before, all in their own micro world.  And I always wonder if they're aware of me, or if I'm just too big to even catch their notice.  They are probably  far too busy to bother much with me.

Shopping Info: Tee from: ROMWE, Charming Cotton Skirt from ModCloth, Sunglasses from: SHEIN

Peach Eyelet

I'm coming around to jumpsuits.  I've done a couple of posts about them and this one is my favorite pick for summer.  Cotton, eyelet, and a beautiful peachy color?  Yes, please!  I think the tie front and cut away at the sides adds to the charm and helps to create a more balanced silhouette.  I think I'll be all ready for the blackberry picking days coming up next month with this little number.

 Shopping Info:  Jumpsuit from Shein

Cherry-O!

Animals never cease to amuse me.  You're never alone if you live on a farm...even when you really want to be alone.  There are times when I want a quiet, solitary walk to process my thoughts, but there is no such thing on a farm.  Each time I venture out for a walk the dog and at least one or two cats follow and occasionally a chicken or two comes along.  The most likely reason they come with me is that they think I'm leading them to food, but I like to think it's because they like spending time with me.  

Today I wasn't out walking alone, actually I had both my girls along to play photographer for me.  We went to my parents' farm on a sunny afternoon when school let out and I brought along the tripod and set up the shots while they stood in for me and then they'd switch with me to press the button.  It worked well and they were great help with very little complaining.  But, of course the animals had to come with us and this very old dog, Bruno, who first wandered onto this farm when my girls were just learning to toddle, couldn't resist bombing a photo or two.  I had to designate one daughter as the animal wrangler and of course Bruno didn't mind because it meant lots of dedicated attention.  Another dog came along too, but she's more independent and stayed busy chasing various things until it was time to go home.  Her name is Dot or Deedee or something...we've never really connected because I find her annoying...and so does Bruno.

Shopping Info: Bag and Top from: SHEIN, 

Sweet Your Heart Skirt from Chicwish, Coolway kicks from ThredUp.  Use my link to sign up and save $10 off your first order.

Yellow Iris

I found the iris lovely enough this year to devote an outfit post to every single color blooming in front of this old stone church.  No regrets.

Shopping info: MonCollette Dress from ThredUp, flats from ModCloth

Leggings 101: Prints and Peplums

Body insecurity.  I'm positive we all have it.  No matter what your age or your shape or how much (or how little) time you spend at the gym, we all have things about ourselves that we don't love, to put it mildly.  Each of us has a natural shape and while time at the gym and cooking wholesome meals can help, something we will just have to learn to accept if we can't learn to love them.  My body issues are no secret, but I long ago abandoned hating my shape and instead learned to work with it.  It was an epiphany when I was in a store and tried on something that looked unspeakably awful.  I scrutinized myself in the wrap around mirrors for a moment before unemotionally saying, "This dress is just totally wrong for my shape."  My mother was with me and she looked at me wide eyed for a moment and said, something along the lines of "wow, I've never heard you criticize the dress instead of yourself."  I froze.  This was a big moment.  Overcoming that hurdle has opened the door to more freedom.  We all have those things that we think, "I can't wear that."  But, what if you could?  And what if you could not only wear it, but wear it well.  I'm the queen of breaking down those mental blocks that say, "I can't,"  I didn't start out that way and sometimes, looking back, I'm surprised by how many of those walls I've put up over the years, it's part of the reason I started this blog.  I hope that maybe if you see me trying something new, and tearing down those old, negative thoughts, it will help you to do the same.  So, today's post focuses on an item of clothing that many women fear, Leggings.  

Tip 1. Pattern & Texture.  If you're feeling a little insecure about wearing leggings, the first thing I'd suggest is finding a pair in a thicker fabric.  The more sheer the leggings are, the less they'll be able to tastefully shape and conceal trouble zones.  Unless you're an all start athlete, you probably have at least a little bit of bounce to your legs. and If you're looking to mask some of the bumps in this area, consider leggings with a texture.  These Black Animal Crocodile Print Leggings in Hazel from FemmeLuxe fit the bill for both a nice thicker weight fabric that shapes and conceals and that has a wonderful crocodile texture (not just a print, but a textured legging) that does a fantastic job of masking creases and bumps.  (Another great thing about these leggings from FemmeLuxe is that they come in lots of different colors!)

Tip 2:  Heels.  In my general, day to day life, I'm more of a practical person when it comes to footwear, but I can't deny the effect that a pair of heels have on a girl.  Heels make those calves look longer and leaner.  They make your bum look perkier and thanks to the balance it takes to wear heels, they naturally make you stand up straight.  Good posture alone improves appearance and fools your brain into thinking you feel confident even when the truth is...not so much.  I chose a pair of burgundy ruffled bow peep toes for this outfit from Enzo Angelini.

Tip 3.  Top it Off.  All tops are not equal for an outfit like this one.  My typical go to for leggings and skinny jeans has been a tunic top.  You know the type I mean, not just a little loose, bordering on baggy, but long enough to cover the widest part of my thighs.  Well, no more.  If you decide on a tunic, wear it with a belt, or choose something with a more fitted cut so that you don't get lost in it.  Since tunics have been my go-to, I opted out this time and decided to wear peplum top.  Even though it doesn't cover my thighs at their widest point, (gasp!)  the waist fitted at the narrowest part of my natural waist, followed by that nice little flared bottom helps to mask my pear shape bringing balance to it.

Tip 4.  Accessorize Appropriately.  Since I don't want to cover up that peppy peplum, I chose a crop jacket and the fact that it's faux leather just gives it a little bit of an edge.  Add these sunnies with attitude and you'd never know I had any body insecurities at all.

Shopping Info: Black Animal Crocodile Print Leggings - Hazel from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, Crop Jacket, Enzo Angelini Heels and forever 21 peplum top from ThredUp.  Use my link to sign up and save $10 off your first order, Sunglasses from: SHEIN