Sugarlips

 

floral headband: DIY
top: Sugarlips
skirt, belt & bag: vintage
oxfords: Restricted

Truth: It was approximately 9:15am when I took these photos last week and I’m literally sweating. If you look real hard I think you can even see that the heat and humidity at this early hour is so strong that I’m pretty much melting into the pavement! On days like these, all I reach for is easy breezy summer florals and sweet, feminine tops. My dear friend Lex gave me this peter pan collar tank, by Sugarlips, for my birthday and I just couldn’t wait to bring it out to play when the weather permitted bare arms, so when the weatherman said it was reaching nearly 90, out it came! I’m such a sucker for the peter pan collar and the sweet buttons down the back! So very vintage-inspired.  Speaking of Sugarlips, their current collection is totally worth mentioning. Check out a few pieces I’m  lusting after…

Bayside shorts, $39
Matisse floral blazer, $78
Mix media top, $45
Peter pan double collar blouse, $46

Anyway, I’m winding down after a road trip upstate to my parents house for a wedding. I had a lovely long weekend and hope you all did too! Happy Memorial Day!

High life

hat: Kardashian Kollection
blouse: vintage
necklace: ASOS
high-waisted shorts: F21 outlet
wedges: Steve Madden
bag: ebay

I can’t say that I’m obsessed with the Kardashians like many are, but I’d be lying if I have never been entertained by their shenanigans from time to time. And while they’re taste in clothing isn’t really up my alley, I’m a sucker for stylish clothes at affordable prices and their line at Sears is both on trend and inexpensive, so for that, I’m somewhat a fan. For a gal that digs vintage fashion over clubwear, there are certainly pieces in the collection Kollection that I would never in a million years wear, but amongst all the leopard print and skin tight mini skirts, there are some classic pieces worth picking up…like this floppy hat! Which I scored for merely $6.99 on clearance. Hello bargain! Paired with these high-waisted shorts with the adorable bow details that I’ve waiting for just the perfect warm day to show you, I feel like I’m having a very 70s moment…which is always fine in my book!

Happy Monday everyone! xo

pretty city

blouse: F21 outlet
skirt: uniqlo
bag: H&M
oxfords: Jeffrey Campbell

The scenery that provides a backdrop as you take a photograph can be  transformative, it instantly takes you places. So when I ended up in one of my very favorite places, the lovely Williamsburg Waterfront Park in Brooklyn the other day, I had to seize the opportunity to snap some photos there with the pretty city skyline at my back. Even in it’s blurry landscape (thank you nifty fifty lens!), it’s  dreamy-looking. After you’ve lived in/near NYC for awhile, people always ask “does seeing the skyline ever get old?” Well, the clear answer is yes. When you see it every single day and it is no longer new and different, you do kind of “get used to it” and the novelty wears off. But it’s funny, because while honeymooning in the Greek islands last summer, my husband and I were horseback riding along the coast of Paros and were absolutely blown away by the scenic beauty of the Aegean sea and the rocky volcanic cliffs tumbling into it’s waters and the iconic sunsets that took our breath away. When chatting with the natives (who spoke English of course!), we made the same remarks we hear in NY all the time, “this scenery is so picturesque and breathtaking, it must never get old!” But ironically, they replied…we’re used to it. And then went on to explain that they wish they could see all the exciting sights that New York City has to offer and expressed how they can’t imagine waking up and seeing that great skyline everyday. Life is funny like that. Though, while it is absolutely a certainty that one grows so familiar with their surroundings that they become ordinary, no matter how extraordinary they are,  at moments like this one as I stood beside Manhattan’s towering landscape I am reminded: It is always magnificent. It is always breathtaking. It is always beautiful.

The city’s iconic skyline and beautiful bridges have made their way onto many a print product as we all well know. Here’s a look at a few my fave paper pretties perfect for those who dwell here and those who wish they did:

Courtney + Paul’s Brooklyn wedding invitations:

Nina + Ross’s wedding invitations by The Indigo Bunting:

Love in the City wedding invitations by Dea + Bean (shameless plug for yours truly!):

NYC Lover’s assorted blank note cards by Noteify via Etsy:

NYC Map Typography Print by Flying Junction via Etsy:

It’s a very dreary, rainy Sunday here but I hope everyone is enjoying the last few hours of the weekend wherever you are!

Micro-satchel.

floral headwrap: Urban Outfitters
top: Monteau
skirt: Urban Outfitters
socks: Betsey Johnson
boots: ebay
bag: H&M

I’ve mentioned before that I love little miniature things so it’s no surprise that the teeniest tiniest oxford satchel to exist on the planet got my attention! My satchel obsession is a little bit bonkers at this point anyways, so I had to add this little guy to the mix. As cute as it is, I have to say, it’s the least practical bag ever since you can fit exactly one item in it (I’m exaggerating a bit but not much!). I literally had to decide what not to carry…keys, wallet, cellphone, makeup? And if you’re anything like me and stuff as many coins and various random bits in your wallet (like mementos brought back from business trips my husband went on! I can’t let them go!) and it’s fat and chubby, forget about it! You must whittle it down to only the essentials! But all kidding aside, it being white makes it totally summer appropriate on a hot day when you don’t feel like carrying a lot of extra bulk around with you, it’s perfect. Hello summer music festivals!

Hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! xo

Confessions from the fitting room

 

hat: h&m
denim jacket: Paris Blues via TJMaxx
dress: three ena via TJMaxx
oxfords: Jeffrey Campbell
bag: ebay

Funny story….so everyone knows I just can’t turn away from an all-over heart print (especially when it involves different shades of happy colors!). So I stumbled across this dress at an outing to one of my fave stores to snatch bargains, TJMaxx, and had to make it mine! I’m usually not one to try stuff on, I know my size pretty well, and I’m more of the mind to buy it and then return it next time I’m out if it doesn’t fit. But TJMaxx is one store I try before I buy because some weird sizing issues often spring up when shopping discount clothing. So I’m in the fitting room trying this beauty on when terror strikes. I AM STUCK IN THE DRESS. The zipper is suck beyond belief and try as I may, I cannot get it unstuck to save my life. I can’t pull the dress past my shoulders nor my waist without literally tearing it off of me and with every tug I am causing the zipper to eat into the fabric more and more. In a flurry of both horror and panic, I look at myself in the mirror and weigh the options facing me: 1) Swallow my pride and leave the fitting room to ask a stranger to help me get out of this thing! or 2) Summon all my strength and tear the fabric from my body with no regard to what damage may ensue. When a moment of brilliance hit. I could pull my arms inside  and wiggle my way around (as if inside a straight jacket) so that the zipper was in front (much better leverage and visibility) and work the kink out of the zipper to free myself from this nightmare. So that’s what I did. Thank God it worked! And me and my lovely dress (in the next size!) lived happily ever after.

Tell me! What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you inside a fitting room?

 

Hearts

blouse: VJStyle
jumper dress: F21 (old)
messenger bag: ebay
oxfords: Jeffrey Campbell (similar)

I do not believe there is another print, in all the land, that I love more than polka dots disguised as hearts! Whether it be all over a blouse like seen here, all over jeans (remember these?), or all over shorts (like these here in this post)…I lust after every item I see! Just like their first cousin, the polka dot, they are just so very versatile and can be paired with virtually any item from my closet. I love the layering possibilities of this blouse…it looks great under pinafores and jumpers over a tank and tied into a knot with denim cut-offs or even worn over a maxi dress…the options are endless. And I love the subtle punch the print brings without being overly busy. And is there nothing better than a pop of red with an otherwise totally monochromatic black and white outfit? I think not.

And while I’m at it, check out these funky fun heart-adorned bridal shower invitations by Wiley Valentine. The future Mrs. did the illustrations. Gotta love a hands-on and artistic bride with a penchant for primary colors!

Happy Hump Day everyone! xo

 

Yellowy Gold

head wrap: Urban Outfitters
blouse: Uniqlo
jumper dress: Tulle
flats: Qupid
messenger bag: H&M

I don’t know what it is but some outfits just bring out the inner child in me and this one is no exception. I couldn’t help but feel school age again in it. Perhaps the color is just very reminiscent of a school bus? Or maybe it’s because the whole ensemble is not too dissimilar from a uniform? Or maybe it’s the bow in my hair? Whatever it is…I’m fine with it. Sometimes it’s ok to feel young again, right?

Speaking of golden yellow hues..it’s one of my very favorite colors to work with in design and I often have to force myself to reach for another color as to not overuse it. So in honor of this youthful, happy color, here are a few fab inspirational paper pretties:

Cynthia’s Elaborate Gold 75th Birthday Invitations | Design and Photo Credits: Anna Salazar

Olivia’s Country Carnival-Inspired Birthday Party Invitations by The Happy Envelope

Cocker Spaniel Dog Silhouette by Artualized via Etsy (maybe I’m biased, I have a Cocker Spaniel!)

Watercolor Fashion Illustration by Jessica Durrant via Etsy

Happy Monday! Hope you’re all having a great start to the week!

Wide open spaces / Annette & Florian’s Illustrated Floral Wedding Invitations

dress & necklace: UO
bag: H&M
t-strap wedges: Creature Comforts

Am I bit obsessed with florals? Quite possibly. But I can’t help myself. I just never tire of them this time of year. This dress is an oldie but goodie and one of my go-to closet essentials…but it’s nearly sheer silky fabric is very light and breezy, so I have to ask Mr. Sun first before I can bring it out to play. As luck would have it, the most perfect day struck, and out it came! My most favorite part is certainly the open back. It’s the perfect little surprise peep show, not too low and open so that you cannot wear a proper bra (I hate that conundrum with a passion!) but shows just the right amount of skin! Adorable.

This seems like too perfect of a pairing if you ask me, so I couldn’t help but share these beautiful, illustrated, floral wedding invitations (which also has a cute little cutout!) from German designer and illustrator Laura Rosendorfer which I found via ohsobeautfulpaper.com. I love the sweet, delicate details! Like the little boat almost hidden among the peonies (the couple were marrying on a lake) and of course the die-cut heart (which gives you a peek at the rsvp card and other inserts that are enclosed underneath. Plus, the color palette of fuschia, pink, and lime with dashes of brown is to die for.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! xo

Cherry Blossom Girl / Paper Blooms

 

floral crown: DIY
bolero: vintage via Brooklyn Flea
tank: American Apparel
skirt: vintage
boots & bag: ebay

I think I’ve mentioned 93849023480 times how much I love Spring and the lovely blooms adorning the tree branches around this time of year on this blog…but I can’t say it enough! I wish they could stay around all through the year. You just can’t see them and not feel instantly happy and amazed by their beauty (whether your allergies make you suffer or not!) Maybe it’s because they’re so romantic and girly. Anyway, I’m sort of channeling their vibe with this look…call it inspired if you will. Putting romantic and girly pieces together like this cute-as-can-be silky bolero (that I rescued out of a dollar bin at the Brooklyn Flea) and this flowy skater skirt just felt right. I just had to top it off with more flowers on my head…I couldn’t help myself.

And ya know what else comes to mind when pondering the beauty of blooms? These guys.

No one (No one I tell you!) is better in the business at illustrating blooms and blossoms and bushels and other B-words than Rifle Paper Co. This husband wife team features hand-painted illustrations and lettering that is both nostalgic and timeless. I’m most familiar with their paper goods like cards, stationery, and calendars, but their products extend to coasters, recipe boxes, even iPhone cases! I do not believe there is another paper goods brand in all the land that I’m more crushed out on. I’ll take one of everything please!

Flower Child

 

denim jacket: F21
dress: Modcloth
boots: Steve Madden (old)
bag: F21

These were taken on (obviously) the brightest and sunniest day we’ve had. So bright that the lace of my dress got totally blown out. Ooopsydoops. Anyway, seeing these makes me conjure up all types of thoughts about the 70’s…a decade I wish I could have witnessed for myself. Frolicking around under the sun, a free spirit. This denim jacket is perfect for such activities and it’s certainly becoming my go-to staple for Spring layering and will continue right into Summer for cool nights. A jean jacket is such a versatile piece and pretty much goes with anything! But the added detail with the panels of floral tapestry fabric? Couldn’t love it anymore. Umm, should I address my infatuation with Forever 21? It’s a weakness, people. But who can blame a girl for devouring really cheap, chic, fabulous clothing? Those who have never bought a single item there, and walked away that happy yellow bag, feeling great about how little money you just spent can cast the first stone. If it’s wrong, I don’t wanna be right.