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!

Much Happy. Very Smile.

Denim jacket, crewcuts. Rolling Stones tank top and sunglasses, TJ Maxx. BDG high waisted jeans, Urban Outfitters. Chelsea boots, Marshalls. 5-zip purse, Rebecca Minkoff. 2013 was a particularly hard year for my family because we lost a member. I don't mean a person necessarily, but we had to put my dog, Rocky, who we have had since I was six years old, to sleep. While my younger dog, Pebbles, featured here, is still alive, my whole family feels the hole that Rocky left. Pebbles was especially affected given that Rocky was a big brother figure to her. However, we have been able to shower Pebbles with twice the amount of love since Rocky's death. It's the least we could do for her. Anyways, I used to think that I was definitively a cat person. I have cat-like tendencies myself, preferring my own company, etc. However, at some point, my preferences shifted. Because I'm more of a quiet loner, I prefer people and animals who are quite different from me. My spirit is more attracted to that of dogs and dog people, so slowly, I've started to prefer the idea of having a lovely dog of my own one day. I'm not sure what kind I want, but I can't wait for the day that my pup gets to come home with me. And for those of you who spend as much time on the Internet as I do, you'll recognize the title of this post as being from the Doge meme that has catapulted to popularity recently. I found it and thought that none of my friends would think it is as funny as I do, but quickly realized that we all share an affinity for the doge. We even spent an entire Christmas party speaking just like the cute little shiba-inu. I'm glad that I have people who find such quirky things humorous, or I'd do a lot of laughing to myself.

Easy Does It

Flannel shirt, thritfted. BDG high waisted jeans, Urban Outfitters. Chelsea boots, Marshalls. 5-zip purse, Rebecca Minkoff. I feel like what womens magazines call weekend wear has quickly become a staple in my wardrobe. Easy tops, jeans, and flat boots are my uniform as of late. It certainly makes getting dressed that much easier when I can just through on easy pieces and go. Also, I'm not sure if anyone has noticed, but this my ultimate lazy-chic hairstyle. Throw my hair in a messy bun and tie a scarf around it and I'm ready to conquer the day. Another really simply part of these pictures is the context that they were taken. My little sister and I just wandered into our front yard in Texas and tried to get the best backdrop we could. It's not the most glamorous, certainly, but it reflects the mood of the day. When this is posted, I'll be in Belfast in Northern Ireland. I'm excited to get back and share all of the wonderful things I've experienced so far. Hopefully no one will get sick of the massive amounts of pictures I'm sure to take and post!

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!

A Dozen Original Glazed

Red sweater, Target (similar here). Jeans, imogene + willie Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse. Vintage Cole Haan loafers (similar here). Vintage scarf. Arrow necklace, Chibi Jewels.

     I have a theory that all of the problems in my life can be solved by buying a dozen hot donuts from Krispy Kreme and a Coke. The literal act of scarfing down three donuts that just got out of the frier doesn't actually solve anything. But taking that small break from life, that small pause just for myself, that's what allows me to gather myself and move on.

     I'm not sure when my obsession with donuts started. Now, I say obsession with donuts, but I must admit I'm a bit of a brand loyalist when it comes to my donuts of choice. I love small town shops like Richie Kreme in Maryville, but if I'm going for a chain, I will go to Krispy Kreme every time. After all, the chain started in the Southeast. The branding is also something to be admire: the classic red, white, and green boxes get me every time. 

     Since I got to college, one of my favorite ways to spend time with someone is to hop in my car, turn on some good music, and make the twenty minute drive to the closest Krispy Kreme. I buy us a dozen to share, kick back, and let the night unfold from there. This tradition is actually how I met Patrick, who I then dated for almost a year. I'm telling you, these donuts have magical powers. 

     Alright, so magical powers might be a bit of stretch. But there's something about being able to suspend any problems in time and just scarf down horribly unhealthy food while smelling the sweet aroma of new donuts being fried. I can't remember ever being sad while in my local Krispy Kreme. Buying a dozen allows me to share the treat with my friends, something that always brings a smile to my face as well. Next time you're feeling down or stressed out, give my method a try. Even if you have to go to Dunkin. 

Mostly Black

Black dress with bow, H&M. Denim jacket, crewcuts. Madrid hat, Nasty Gal. Leather knee high boots, dv Dolce Vita (similar). Tights, Missoni for Target (similar). Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse.

     My mother and I have a running joke that she is Morticia and I'm Wednesday Addams. This was after I dressed up as Wednesday for Halloween, compiling the costume out of things in my closet. She later told me that there is a picture of her with a vase of "flowers" with their blooms cut off- just the stems- that was taken of her when she was younger and playing like she was Morticia. Whenever my family does something well, kooky, we have a habit of humming the Addams family theme under our breath.

      Anyways, part of the reason why I'm particularly inclined to like Wednesday is my affinity for black. Black reminds me of Johnny Cash more than anything, though, so I'm just fine with it being the dominant neutral in my wardrobe. My mom has softened up a bit and prefers brown, but I'm not sure I'll ever make the shift. I actually wrote a column about my love of black for my school paper, should you want to read even more about the obsession.

     I know this outfit isn't entirely black, but I usually reach for a black item as my base. I usually mix the shade with denim or a cream colored neutral item to soften it a wee bit, but when I'm wearing all black I feel like I can easily take my day in stride.

Unseasonable

Open cardigan, Francesca's (similar available) BDG Hi Rise jeans in black, Urban Outfitters. "Alabama 12" over the knee boots, Lulu's (similar here). Bradley Hathaway tee shirt. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse.

    A few weeks ago, the weather hadn't quite turned nasty. Although the night before I took these pictures was rainy, it was sunny and hovering around seventy the day I took these pictures. Weather goes back and forth so often in Tennessee that it doesn't really feel like winter until January. And I'm typing this from my parents' house in Texas, where it is supposed to be in the 60s all week. I'm not complaining. 

     This outfit represents where my style has been headed lately. I no longer think that in order to feel dressed up I have to be wearing well...a dress. I've felt that way for quite some time, but it's really starting to hit home. I like to think that it's my tomboy roots coming back out. A girl can only handle so many peter pan collars and floral prints until she just wants to get something dirty. I joked on a cross country trip that sometimes I just like to dress like a thirteen year old hipster boy- band tees, beanies, skinny jeans, and Converse. The zeitgeist seemed to fall this way after Cara Delevigne rose to superstar status, but I'm not complaining too much.

     The black and white preset from VSCO seemed to fit my mood for these pictures. I'll admit that I spent a lot longer than I should have playing around with my self timer remote to take some moody self portraits of myself, but I thought I'd spare you the extra selfies. Sometimes a girl just feels like she looks good....and possibly even better in black and white.