Giving up the gun

top, shoes, belt: thrifted | shorts: Forever 21 | lady tie: Flapper Girl

Once again, I've gone far longer than I intended to go without an update! I think I underestimated just how much time I was going to spend playing with Bandit...but other aspects of my life have been busy as well. My shop has now been live for just about two weeks, and honestly, it's been doing better than I thought it would. I've sold ten prints so far! I get such a rush of excitement every time I see a new order, or even a notification that someone has added one of the prints to their favorites list. My head is brimming with ideas for new designs - both Doctor Who related and otherwise - but first, I've got to design wedding invitations for my sister. Exciting times.

I feel like I've been holding back on my creativity a little bit for the past month - partly because of getting Bandit, but also because I haven't had internet at my place and because I don't have anywhere to work on art in my apartment. Ever since I moved in, I've been lacking in furniture, but that is slowly being remedied. Last weekend at a garage sale (less than a block from my house!) I found a little golden yellow couch for $10, and today I got a lovely mid-century-style desk! It's been ages since I had a real desk, and I can't wait to make my workspace my own. My desk at work has minimal decorations, for reasons which would merit a blog post of their own, I think. So, more on that later...

Do you have a workspace at home? How do you keep it decorated?

Tweet

All is love

dress: ModCloth | cardigan & belt: thrifted | shoes & tights: Target | earrings: Francesca's Collections

If you're inclined to skip blog posts that contain mushiness, consider this fair warning...

What an incredible couple weeks it's been! I'll be the first to admit that not every little detail is settled - this blog has been too-long neglected, my hair is in desperate need of a trim and a dye job, and my apartment is still full of leftover clutter from the move - but when is everything ever settled? I have everything I need, and then some. I live in a beautiful apartment in a peaceful neighborhood. I have a wonderful family that is soon to expand to include a new baby niece and brother-in-law; I have a man who loves me. And, as you especially know if you follow me on Instagram, I have the immense pleasure of getting to watch a corgi puppy grow up.

There's nothing quite like it. Really. It was my instinct in this post to apologize for not having updated in a while, but I can't say I'm a bit sorry for all of the moments I've spent doing nothing but watching Bandit sleep, or letting him nibble on my toes, or taking him outside to play. Having never had a baby, I can't say I fully know what that would be like, but I imagine I understand it a little bit better now. It's amazing how something so small can take up so much of your heart.

Tweet

Fire or freshness

dress: Charlotte Russe | belt: thrifted | tights: Target | shoes: Francesca's Collections

Last week's post was just about as casual an outfit as I've ever worn on this blog...and here I am, swinging in the complete opposite direction. I've been having more fun with my style lately, and I like to think that it shows! This is mostly due to the fact that I've gotten a few new thrifted pieces and a few new pairs of shoes. Isn't it wonderful how just a few purchases can open up all sorts of possibilities?

These shoes, however, were not one of those new purchases - not exactly. I actually bought them online last September, and proceeded to not wear them even once. Much to my dismay, when I tried them on I realized that they rubbed my ankle every time I took a step. I'm willing to be slightly uncomfortable for a pair of shoes I really love, but even I know my limits. I kept meaning to do something to fix them, but I never did...until last week. I finally bought some little squishy pads to cushion the ankles. Now I'm kicking myself for not having done it sooner! True, I may never run a marathon in these shoes (or in any other shoes, ever) but for the occasional wear, I think they're lovely.  I've got a girl's night planned on Thursday night to go see the Great Gatsby, and you better believe I'll be dressing up with these shoes and a flapper-inspired dress. Old theatre habits die hard!

Have any of you seen Gatsby yet? It's my favorite book of all time, and I've heard mixed things about the movie, so I'm trying to keep my expectations in check.

Tweet

Casual Monday

top: Ruche | jeans: Charlotte Russe | bracelet: c/o Fleet Collection | sandals: Target

Well, here you have it: photographic proof that I do, in fact, occasionally wear pants! After the crazy week leading up to our Easter, which was this past Sunday, all I wanted to do was wear something as un-fussy as possible. So I took my favorite top - which I usually dress up with a lady tie and skirt - and dressed it way down. This is definitely the most casual look I have ever posted on this blog; it's different for me, no doubt. But you know what? I still felt amazing in this outfit. Something about this top makes me feel awesome, even when it's untucked and messy.

I think there's probably a lesson in there somewhere. Style is about more than fit and color and pattern - it's about what makes you feel your best. I think that's why I hardly ever wear pants. I've worn dresses and skirts for so long that pants usually just don't feel right. But after this outfit, I think maybe I'm willing to give them another shot!

Tweet

Goodwill and green

dress: vintage (via Bluesville USA) | top, belt, shoes: thrifted | lady tie: Flapper Girl | glasses: c/o Firmoo

More and more, I'm learning that when I'm feeling stagnant with my wardrobe, Goodwill is the place to go. Case in point: this dress. I bought it on Etsy months ago, and I absolutely love it - gorgeous color, wonderful texture, insanely comfortable. The problem? It's a little bit low-cut for me, and didn't feel quite appropriate for work...which I have to go to 5 days a week. So for most of the fall and winter, it hung sadly on a hanger, unworn. I don't know what exactly spurred me to try it with this top I thrifted last year, but I'm so glad I did! I felt amazing in this outfit, both because I loved how it looked and because it allowed me to give this wonderful dress a spin. It inspired me to hit up Goodwill again that evening, and I walked away with a bunch of new tops and a skirt - all for less than $4 each. Can't beat that! 

This post is basically a reminder to myself: if you're bored with your clothes and short on cash, Goodwill is the way to go. It's not exactly a brilliant new idea, but sometimes I forget what a treasure trove thrift stores can be.

Tweet