Hideaway

Patterned dress, Shop Ruche (old) Black sweater coat, Pull & Bear. Madrid hat, Nasty Gal (similar). Black tights, Urban Outfitters. Black Chelsea boots, TBA. Leather purse, vintage from Liverpool (found at Ark).Vintage leather gloves. 

     Believe it or not, these pictures weren't taken in a remote location. In fact, this little grove of pine trees is more on the beaten path than off of it. Luckily though, despite this thicket being right behind the soccer field on campus, soccer isn't in season. I avoided being that weird girl taking pictures of herself, at least for these pictures anyways. 

     This is definitely one of my favorite outfits that I've put together since starting school and getting back from my adventures abroad. I purchased the purse and sweater while I was in the UK and trust me, they've both gotten a lot of wear since then. Some of my purchases were far less practical, as vacation buys can be on occasion. But let's be honest, I didn't spend three weeks overseas for the practicality of it. 

     While I'm glad that the weather is warming up (especially this week in Tennessee- it'll get up to 70!), my wardrobe largely consists of colors that are better suited for cooler temperatures. I especially love the rich combination of black with the color of leather on my gloves and bag. I know I'll be able to achieve a similar effect with fewer layers, but I'll be the first to admit that I will be a bit sad to put away my favorite sweaters once spring truly arrives. 

     I'm in the midst of the beginning stages of spring semester, including starting a new internship today! That being said, I can't wait to upload all of my snapshots from my travels, even if they will seem a bit out of season by the time I finally put them up. We all know that the first few days of spring are a tease anyways.

The Harbor

Plaid blazer, Groovy's in Rockwall. Led Zeppelin tee shirt, vintage from my step dad. Jeans, imogene + willie Imogene slims. Vintage Cole Haan loafers, thrifted. Sunglasses, TJ Maxx.
     My favorite thing to do is to scamper along the rocks of a shoreline, any shoreline. Fortunately, where my parents live in Rockwall features quite an impressive manmade lake/resoirvoir and a shoreline to match. It makes for fantastic viewing of sunsets and even the Dallas skyline from 30 miles away. I feel like these pictures almost look like they were taken in the middle of nowhere, but nope. They were taken right down the road from my parents home, in front of the local movie theatre. I apologize for the copious amount of pictures here. I just really couldn't decide which ones best suited the purpose. The mood that day was so great, that it is impossible to say for me a favorite. I certainly hope you feel the same!

Family Affair

Cable knit sweater, vintage. High collared lace blouse (underneath), Urban Outfitters (old). Printed cords, Anthropologie. Heeled desert booties, Forever 21. Hat, vintage from my dad. Mini 5 zip bag, Rebecca Minkoff (no longer available in color pictured).

     These pictures prove two things to me. That my dad has pretty great taste in what he keeps around. And that I will always prefer fall scenery and wardrobe choices over any other season. 

      First of all, I was wearing the outfit sans awesome hat when I came over to my dad's house. I had an interview for a super exciting internship with a fashion company that day, so I thought that the outfit was the perfect balance of casual and professional. I know, most companies probably wouldn't consider printed cord leggings professional, but the office was definitely more on the casual side. I made the right choice of outfit. However, I didn't add the hat until I was taking pictures later that day. I'm glad I did! In fact, the hat is currently on my traveling adventures with me, so hopefully you'll be seeing a lot more of me in it. Thanks Dad!

     Secondly, the fall colors. The warm orange color on the cords definitely steers this outfit more towards fall territory. I know the same ensemble could be done in more wintry colors, but at this point I'm not even sure what that would look like. I do like the pale, fresh blues and bright reds of spring and summer (are those warm weather colors for anyone else?); but I mostly abhor pastels of any variety. Pink usually makes me eyes hurt. So, autumnal colors like mustard, burgundy, burnt orange, and emerald rule my wardrobe for most of the year.

     One last note, my 5-zip mini bag from Rebecca Minkoff was a bit of an impulse buy from the Zappos Black Friday sale. But boy, am I glad I snagged it (and at almost 50% off to boot!). I've worn the purse essentially every day since it came in the mail. It matches my school backpack. And I've quickly learned that the shade of green it is goes with everything and is a new favorite for sure. Long live small purses that can quickly fit into carry on luggage, too! It's seriously a must have for anyone who travels a lot.

     When this is posted, I'll be en route to Wales. Hope everyone has a lovely week!

Giving Thanks

 

Ultrasoft V-neck sweater, Target (on GREAT sale!). Vintage plaid skirt and belt. Greet and Seat heel, Modcloth.

     Tomorrow marks the day when I begin the begrudging shift into a more holiday appropriate wardrobe. It's the day where I officially begin celebrating Christmas, sure, but I always hesitate to leave fall hues behind for more sparkles. Can't November and autumn last just a little bit longer?

     However, Black Friday has always been a day of family tradition for my family and me. It's more than just scouring the mall for good bargains. We have shared some of the greatest laughs as a family together over meals at Cracker Barrel and iHop after deliriously getting out of bed at 3 or 4 AM mainly for the thrill of people watching.

      This year is the first year in a long time that my aunt and cousin won't be joining my mom and I in the madness of Black Friday shopping. It really is a silly tradition, but that's why we love it. We always come back with more stories to tell than items bought and I wouldn't have it any other way.

      I have so much to be thankful for this year: I'm thankful for my family that is letting me type away on this blog post; my little sister (pictured below) for being the sweetest person I know and always being game to take my outfit pictures (at eleven years old, she is better at it than many of my friends and my own mother);the fact that my mother and stepfather drove all the way back to Tennessee so that I wouldn't have to travel to Texas alone; my extended family for opening up their home to all of us for the holiday; all of the crazy stuff I've gone through this year to get me to where I am right now. I'm so blessed.

      And, to be honest, I'm thankful for how perfectly festive I was able to dress today. It's the little things.

Back to School

Cropped button up, thrifted. BDG Twig High-Rise jean in black, Urban Outfitters. Leather ballet flats, Gap. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse. Leopard headband, J. Crew. 

     Tomorrow is the first day of my junior year of college. Tomorrow is also my twentieth birthday. I spent my last day as a teenager spending time with good friends, being both melancholy for the things that I feel like I can't change and still trying to use my positive nature to change those very things. The only thing that makes me uncomfortable about being twenty is that it's an even number and I've always preferred the odd ones.

     As far as my style transition for this year goes, I'm content with what I have. I'll surely add a few more things here and there as the need arrises (even if I don't really need a leather motorcycle jacket), but for now I can't even imagine what I'd be looking for if I did go shopping. I prefer looks like this: a few old favorites combined with a cheeky thrifted top for a look that's classic with some sass. As soon as fall truly hits, I know I'll be breaking out my academic, collegiate feeling staples and I'm excited to do so! After all, I go to a school with its own registered tartan.

     The beginning of the school year/my birthday always gets me going more than the actual new year. I feel truly renewed and ready to start over. The late summer evening light makes everything glow and the cicadas sound like new chances. What can I say? I was born at the perfect time of year for my tastes.

Gone Fishin'

Fish print button up, vintage (similar here). Fishing basket, vintage (from my family's lake house). Vintage Cole Haan loafers, thrifted. Black Piqué circle skirt, American Apparel Wayfarer sunglasses, Ray-Ban. 

     

       I grew up with the privilege of having grandparents who own a lake house. This is not meant to gloat about what my family has; I'm actually intending quite the opposite. I am aware just how special the house and the land and the water is. Taking what we have for granted is not something I'm ever in danger of. The lake house is a place where I can go to be cut off from it all, technology included. It's a place where everyone is themselves and happy to be spending time together. I can't count the number of amazing memories I've made there at birthday parties, family gatherings, or just long, lazy weekends. 

      That being said, I haven't actually been able to fish in quite a few years. I've never made it over to get a proper fishing license, and yes, that kind of thing is actually taken seriously. I certainly don't mind pretending, though, especially if I'm wearing this shirt. It is one of the best vintage finds I've ever scored. At the second location of Nostalgia, my favorite local antique mall (although warehouse is a more accurate description), I saw this old mens button down peeking out from a rack of vintage clothing. When I saw that the tag only said "$4", I knew that I had to use the few dollar bills of actual cash in my wallet and buy it. I've never seen anything like it, although this mens shirt from Pac Sun comes close. I've worn it several times this summer and never fail to receive compliments from men and women alike when I do.

     Does your family have special place to gather? Also, I'd love to hear about any similarly odd but beautiful vintage finds!

The Farmer's Market

Striped top, French Connection for Sears (old). Secondhand pinafore from Planet XChange. Scarf, so old I'm not sure. Jessica Simpson Cranaby boots. The Essex Messenger in bittersweet, Madewell (sold out online- check your local store & take a peek at the rest of Madewell's beautiful bags).

     This past Saturday was one of the most picturesque days I've spent in Texas. The whole family got up to go eat at an old school diner and to the Rockwall town square and shop the local farmer's market. There were veggies and fruits as far as the eye could see as well as a pet adoption booth. It was already just about too hot to walk around outside, but at least it isn't as humid as East Tennessee gets. After dropping Patrick and Jim, my stepdad, off back at the house, the girls went back to the square to look at the local shops. Everyone was unbelievably friendly and the stores were perfectly cute,making it so easy to shop locally. Unfortunately, we didn't get many pictures in the square, but my parent's lovely wooden fence made the perfect backdrop for the detail shots of my outfit later in the day. (And yes, that corn on the cob was delicious).

The American Apparel nail polish in "Army Jacket" that I got as a free gift in the store matched my pinafore perfectly!