Style Crush: Kaylie--Girl With The Red Bob

It's been soooooo long since I've done a style crush post you might have started to think that I just haven't found any style inspiration in a while.  Not so, there are so many great fashion bloggers out there and today's featured fashionista is one of my favorites.  Not only does she create wonderful outfits, but her photos are stunning!  And, beyond that, she just a lovely person who agreed to a little interview to go along with my post so we can learn more about her, Kaylie of @girlwiththeredbob

Bleu: Thanks for joining me today!  You have so many great outfits, what is your favorite style era?

Girlwiththeredbob:  My favourite era for fashion is definitely 50s going into the 60s. Not only do you have the classic full circle silhouette of the 50s, but the fun and bold prints of the 60s.

B: What is you favorite article of clothing or accessory and why?

G:  I live in dresses so dresses are definitely my favourite article of clothing. I love the feminine feel of a dress.

B: How did you become interested in fashion?

G: I became interested in fashion after getting myself into musical theatre. Through performing, I was exposed to different eras of fashion and I loved dressing up for the stage!

B:  What is something most people would never guess about you?

G:  A lot of people think I am in a creative field for my career but I am in finance. I really do enjoy it!

B: How are you making the most of spending more time close to home?

G: I am spending more time cooking and trying to be a better cook. I am also trying to test myself by thinking of more indoor photo shoot ideas which is something I haven't done before.

B:  That's wonderful, Kaylie and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me!

Keep up with Kaylie and all her wonderful photos on instagram @girlwiththeredbob

Spring Afternoon in the Daisy Fields

"The afternoon has come and gone, my dear.  Where have you been?"  She asked.  "Just out with old friends," came her daughter's  breathy reply.  Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright.

"Old friends, dear?  What old friends?" she asked with a firm wrinkle across her brow.  

"Don't you know, mother?  I've been out with the trees and the clouds and the spring daisies."

Now the quiver of a smile began at the corners of her mouth as she soaked in this reply. "These are your old friends, are they?"

The ether of the moment evaporated somewhat as her daughter paused to consider this question.  "Well...that is to say...we are friendly--I've never had an argument with the flowers or the trees--

and the blue sky and sunshine and all have been gone ever so long for winter,  that I do rather feel like I've been visiting with old friends."  She looked up, searching her mother's face.

"You can understand how that feels, can't you mother?"

Now she could not help but let the smile play across her mouth as she looked at this sweet daughter, so wholesome and bright like the spring afternoon itself.

"Yes, my dear," she replied.  "I understand exactly how that feels.  Run along now and wash up for tea."  And off she dashed up the stairs.

Outfit Info: Top and Hat from: SHEIN, Skirt from Chicwish, Flats from Forever 21

Cherry Romper Set

    There are three places that I know I will want to shop at every spring: Unique Vintage, Collectif, and The Other Sparrows.  I have started setting aside a little money in my budget each year in preparation for their spring collections because I have reliably fallen in love with something from each of these shops every years as long as I've known about them, so why not plan ahead?  

    This spring, I purchased the Cherry Romper and Skirt set from UV.  It's my third set and each has been a little different from the others in some way, but I do love them all.  This particular set is made of a material which cannot be ironed, but fortunately a little steaming was all it took to get the wrinkles out.  I love the light feel of this fabric; it's perfect for summer.  The colors are warm and the print is crisp.   The straps are adjustable on the romper and the whole feel of this outfit was very cool and comfortable.  

    There is a downside to a set like this and I don't see any point in dancing around it.  When it comes to bathroom breaks, you will have to completely disrobe.  So, be prepared for that.  However, powder room caveat aside, the overall silhouette that this set makes is so vintage-glam that I cannot resist getting one each time they come out with a new color/print.  I have a serious weakness for UV's style and I don't mind a little inconvenience when the clothes are so great.

Shopping Info: Unique Vintage Red Gingham & Cherry Print Ossining Romper and Unique Vintage Red Gingham & Cherry Print Rye Swing Skirt

Berry Ruffled Tulle Sweetheart Cupcake Swing Dress

Every now and then you need to go luxe.  I love my dresses, but for the most part I keep it lovely but low key.  In the case of this cupcake dress, I've been drooling over this style for years ever since the light purple version released.

At the time I talked myself out of buying it because it was so lavish, but the more I looked, the more I longed until I finally decided to buy the dress.  Low and behold it was sold out in my size. *sigh*  Every. Single. Time.

I kept an eye on the resale sites but the dress never materialized.  Other colors came along but nothing to really tempt me until this year's spring collection from Unique Vintage.  This cupcake dress in berry was just too resplendent to pass by again.

I always budget a little extra money each spring so I can get one or two things from Unique Vintage, Collectif, and The Other Sparrows.  (I'll show you my purchase from TOS in an upcoming post!) and this year, this dress was at the top of my list.

I think I can safely say that the cupcake dress does not disappoint.  I may never have an event special enough to wear this dress to but I don't even care because pretty dresses make me happy.

Also, I had some Photoshop fun playing with the colors on this dress and I'm going to do a separate post in purple just for kicks.

Quick dress review:  This dress seems to be very well made with quality materials and worth the price tag.  The Swiss dot ruffle layer is quite stiff and holds a shape on its own so a petticoat isn't necessary but might be fun to add just for a little something extra.  The straps are adjustable and the bodice and skirt are lined.

Overall this piece really delivers and if the purple version ever comes back around, I will definitely add it to my collection.

Shopping Info: Unique Vintage 1950s Berry Ruffled Tulle Sweetheart Cupcake Swing Dress

Made in the Shade

The Sun is shinning, the days are longer and it's finally time to dust off the bicycle and take it out on a little ride just to get the mail if need be.  

I should probably mention that going to my mail box is about a three mile round trip, which is no small thing when the way back is mostly uphill.

While I will admit that it gets harder and harder each spring to get back into shape, I'd rather keep at it.  Staying active, however I can, keeps me centered and calm.  Exercise keeps the stress at bay and helps me think clearly.

Am I silly for wanting to have the kind of dress that looks so feminine but is also perfect for hopping on the bike for a quick ride?  I don't think so, and one thing I love about KarinaDresses is the way you can dress them up with heels and pearls or dress them down with sneakers and sunnies and head out for a bicycle ride and still look amazing.

I love the bold blue and adorable sunglasses print of this Made in the Shade Ruby dress.  Perfectly perfect for a day like today, and every time I see the sunglasses print, I can't help but start humming that old song "Keep your sunny side up."

It puts a smile on my face and reminds me to look for the positives in life, even when things seem hard.  If you look, you'll always find there are always things to be grateful for, things to laugh about, and reasons to smile.

Shopping Info: Ruby Dress - Made in the Shade from KarinaDresses.com

The Perfect Afternoon for Dreaming

"I should be reading, I suppose," she told herself for the tenth time that afternoon and tried once again to focus her mind on her books.

But within moments she caught herself simply scanning over the words without comprehending them at all.  She sighed, "it is reading of a sort, though I know I shall not remember a single letter of it tomorrow."

She laid her book aside and picking up her tea, she rose from her chair to pace among the delicate wild flowers hoping to relieve this restlessness.

After several moments, she settled into her seat at the table once more, this time with a new purpose in mind and one at which she was certain to be successful.

"Today must be the perfect day for dreaming.  Instead of spending all my afternoon fighting it, I shall commit myself to it instead.  I will imagine the most perfectly lovely things and I'll lose myself and find myself all at the same time."  And so she did, and quite expertly too.

Shopping Info: Top from: SHEIN, Skirt from Chicwish, Flats from Forever 21