BOOO-OOOOOK!

Outfit Details:

A Plot to Love Dress: ModCloth (no longer available, but similar here, here and here)

Dream of the Crop Cardigan in Oatmeal: ModCloth (no longer available, other colors here)

No. 2 Necklace: Hello Holiday (no longer available, similar here)

Lady in Rad Boot in Ink: ModCloth

Tights: can't remember (similar here)

Belt: from another dress

I had to fit in a Hocus Pocus reference somewhere this season, and this dress is pretty perfect for it.  This is one of a few indisputably-autumnal dresses in my closet.  I'm sure I could find a way to wear it in the summertime too, but this print always seems slightly spooky to me, and the dress simply looks better with a cardigan and tights.  I wore this dress in a post back in March (in an admittedly similar way), but I'm kind of circling back to a lot of my early outfit posts and taking new photos, since I think the outdoor ones are nicer and everything.

It's kind of amazing when a good night's sleep makes all the difference.  I mentioned in my last post that I've been having trouble sleeping (and when I do, I've had some not-very-nice dreams).  It seems a lot of people around me are having similar issues, and a lot of people seem to be in a weird place, emotionally and mentally.  Although that's never a good thing, there is some comfort in commiserating.  It's nice to not feel so alone.  I keep seeing people posting about how we should choose to be happy.  Although that can be a bit of a struggle when you're going through something that's emotionally taxing or traumatic, I think there's a lot of truth in thinking that we make our own happiness.  I don't want to be dependent on someone else to make me feel complete or confident or joyous.  That comes from me, and the choices I make.  So I'm going to choose to be happy as much as I can.  :)  For instance, I'm happy about being able to spend time with friends this weekend, and to get dressed up (as if I needed an excuse!).  Change is really hard, but I'm ready to embrace the things that come along with that, and at the very least, try to make the best of every situation, and savor the joy that comes from that.

And in relation to that, I just want to express my gratitude for everyone who commented on my last post, and to anyone who has done so on any of my other posts that have been less-than-cheery.  I am genuinely touched by your sweet words and thoughts.  Not to get too dramatic, but it really does restore my faith in humanity when there are such kind souls that care enough to reach out to me with such words of encouragement and empathy.  And even if you didn't say anything, but still read my post(s), thank you for being so understanding and for taking the time to do so.

Have a great Thursday!

xox Sammi    

Wrapped Up in Books (an outfit post)

I am a self-proclaimed bookworm (and I'm also Belle & Sebastian fan, for those who recognize the title of this post).  I have always loved to read and write, and for quite a while, I was convinced I was going to be an author when I grew up.  As an actor, I think it's pretty imperative to have a love for the written word, because you essentially become the vessel for the playwright's words -- the one who brings those ideas on the page to life -- and if you don't have an immense appreciation for language, I think you're missing a big piece of the puzzle. 

So, when I saw this lovely book-themed dress on ModCloth, I knew it needed to hang in my closet!  After ordering one in a size too big and exchanging, I finally got it right (or, as right as it can be).  Admittedly, it is not the BEST dress I've ever owned.  I had to remove the sash that came with it because it ended up looking silly, but luckily I can wear just about any belt with it.  And even though it's flattering, the top has some weird fit issues (the next size up was WAY too large everywhere, but this size cuts into my arms after wearing it all day, and the cap sleeves - though cute - look slightly strange without a sweater over it)... but I love the print so much that I couldn't bear to part with it.  Some of the book titles are hard to make out, but I did manage to find Gone With the Wind and Little Women on there!

Outfit details:

A Plot to Love Dress: ModCloth

The Dream of the Crop Cardigan in Black: ModCloth 

Black tights: Danskins (dance tights from college!)

Lady in Rad Boot in Camel: ModCloth

Black belt: from another dress

Clock Strikes 12 Watch: ASOS

I just realized I forgot to take off the little film protector!  Whoops!  But isn't this watch adorable?  I felt like a hybrid of Belle and Cinderella in this outfit (and loved every second of it)!  I also love this one, which is quite princess-y too! 

Meanwhile, this little princess decided it was time to clean herself at this precise moment...

Someone seems very curious back there...

These cropped cardigans from ModCloth are seriously the best cardigans I own.  They're stretchy, comfortable, warm (thicker than you'd expect) and immensely flattering for dresses.  They're also priced extremely well, especially for ModCloth, and come in a few different colors.  I wear a sweater with pretty much everything, and these are my go-tos!

I just love this picture.

Speaking of words and books, this brings me to a wonderful perfume I just purchased called Dead Writers (a name I ADORE)!  When I saw this scent featured in an article on The Frisky, I immediately headed over to Sweet Tea Apothecary on Etsy and bought my own little bottle.  I received it today and it's just as lovely as I'd hoped.  It contains notes of black tea, vetiver, clove, musk, vanilla, heliotrope and tobacco, which I think are all incredibly fitting for the name!

And look at the cute packaging!  The bottle was smaller than I'd anticipated (due to my own inability to recognize how big 15 mL is), but the scent is so lovely and a little of it really does go a long way (and lasts a long time).  Sweet Tea Apothecary also makes some other amazing-sounding perfumes, like one named for Thoreau (with notes of sandalwood, sage and bamboo).  I absolutely love scents that aren't so typically perfume-y (and can be worn by both genders, as this one can), so this is one of my new favorite sellers!  I also love that all of the items are historically-inspired.  As you might have guessed, I do love when something has a theme (case in point, this blog post)!

Have a wonderful, wordy Tuesday!!

xox Sammi