American Girl

Black boyfriend cardigan, J. Crew (similar).  White tee shirt, JCPenney. Sexy boyfriend jeans, Gap (similar). Jessica Simpson Cranaby boots. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse. Black wrap watch, La Mer Wanderlust Collection. 

     Whenever I feel too fussy or done up, I return to iconic and simple outfits. Sometimes I'd rather be a rebel without a cause in a worn in white tee and jeans than wearing one of my many fit and flare dresses. I like to take care of myself and I love perfume and lipstick just as much as the next gal, but I'd say at the heart of it all I'm no girly girl. My outfit pictures always seem to go better when a little elbow grease and sweat are involved; that is, I like to put forth some physical effort and work to accomplish things. 

     That being said, I've saved, liked, or cut out more pictures that are Americana themed than I can count. The flag motif seemed to have had a huge year in 2012, but that doesn't mean I won't play around with it in the coming months. The actual flag itself makes the perfect backdrop while exhibiting quite a bit of patriotism because yes, I love living in this country. I'm excited to travel and expand my horizons, but I'll always been thankful for the opportunities I've been given. There's always going to be problems, in the country and in the world, but as Panic at the Disco says, "I know the world's a broken bone, but melt your headaches, call it home." 

Modern Romanticism

I was skeptical that the vine would hold me...

...but, as you can see, it did!

Striped super soft long sleeved tee, Gap (similar). Denim vest and sweater tights, American Eagle. Wool printed skirt, leather belt, and leather gloves, all vintage. Boots, DV Dolce Vita (similar). Green camping backpack, J. Crew. 

     While I've always felt a certain connection to the natural world, going to college surrounded by one hundred fifty acres of woods has really brought out the Romantic in me. I don't mean roses and hearts kind of romance, but rather the ideals that poets like William Wordsworth wrote about. Wordsworth reflects on the fact that the world seems to be in too much of a hurry to go out and appreciate nature. He might have been writing in the 19th century, those themes are still all too common today. 

     My love for walking in the woods or in the expansive open fields in this area has definitely been influencing my style. I've been tending towards a lot of natural colors in my wardrobe lately as well as picking out items that look stylish but also suited for a hike. My backpack, something I purchased with a gift card I received for Christmas, is both waterproof and beautiful. I've been wanting less prissy, dainty clothing, although I still have a soft spot for prim and delicate items as well. 

     These particular pictures were taken on a brutally cold day. However, when I get stir crazy and out of sorts, a picture taking session in the woods is just what I need. Not only did I feel serenity after literally hanging from a vine (a spot I would love to revisit in an ethereal dress), but I also spotted this little fella on the way back to the car. 

Neon Peach

Neon peach blouse, grey vest, Target. Grey skinny jeans, Gap. Mint clutch, Francesca's. Glitter ankle booties, Princess by Vera Wang (available only in size 6 online). Black wrap watch, La Mer Wanderlust Collection.

     This blouse is one of the few items in my wardrobe that I don't believe pictures do justice. While typically I'm amazed at how photogenic some of my apparel is, the color of this particular shirt is fairly hard to capture on camera. I'm not usually one for an overdose of pastels, but this unique shade caught my eye and I couldn't leave Target without this blouse. 

     Although I can't deny the fact that it was a total impulse buy (along with the vest, which was six dollars in store at Target), I've learned to be cautious about what I leave behind. I know that the world doesn't stop turning just because I'm never able to find that perfect whatever it is in stores after I've decided to deliberate. Heck, I should probably count myself lucky that I don't get every item of clothing I want all the time. But when I know something will bring me joy every single day that I wear it, I'm sure to snap it up then and there.

     The way I think about clothing and style has changed significantly since I started this blog. Instead of buying things just because (I had a serious thrifting problem last year...), I've learned to let an item sit in my mind for quite some time before pouncing. Things like a sequined skirt, a long black cardigan, and even more specific items (hello darlings) that I've been hankering after for months feel like guilt free purchases and natural additions to my wardrobe. And sometimes we all need those.