Valentine

Outfit Details:

Red dress: swap from Dus

Upper West Stride Hat: ModCloth

Baby biscuit bag: Storenvy

Lips ring: Forever 21 (similar here)

White boots: eBay

This is one of the very rare occasions where I actually wear what I'm featuring on the blog on the same day.  There's usually a significant lag between when I take photos and when I actually post them, but because this gorgeous dress from Dus was so perfect for this holiday, I just had to save it to wear today after taking photos earlier in the week.  I'm working at the box office and then seeing the concert (they're playing all of the orchestrations of Singin' in the Rain while the movie is playing -- it's so cool how they use technology to make sure it all syncs up perfectly!), so I had to look festive!

This dress isn't as slimming in the waist as I usually like my dresses to be, but I actually don't mind it in this case, because it's so dreamy otherwise!  It's too hard to tell, but the neckline is actually scalloped, and the shoulders are puffed, which makes it even more darling.  I love the way that Dus styled this dress on her blog, and Marisa styled it over at Flock Together recently with such flair.  It never ceases to amaze me how seemingly statement pieces can be so versatile.  I daresay that I end up wearing things in less creative ways than some of the FT girls, but I try to put a unique spin on the styling!

What's funny is that I thought I'd feel down about being alone on Valentine's Day this year... but I've come to realize that I'm really not alone.  I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by people who love and care about me -- genuine, kind-hearted people that bring such joy into my life.  And I'd much rather have that than just any old someone to kiss today, just because it's the 14th of February and everyone tells us we're inferior if we don't have someone to share it with.  I have always loved this holiday, but I'm not going to feel sad simply because I technically don't have a sweetheart.  I feel happy and hopeful.  And it surprises even me.

I hope your day is happy & hopeful too, and filled with love.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

xoxox Sammi

The Red Queen (+ giveaway winner!)

Outfit Details:
Luck Be A Lady Dress in Red: ModCloth
Upper West Stride Hat: ModCloth
Doo Bee Doo Bee Shoe Heel in Black: ModCloth
Black cardigan: Forever 21 (similar here & here)

Today's post is a bit of a short one.  I worked every single day last week (I normally get at least one day off), so not only am I exhausted, but I also didn't have much time to take photos over the last several days!  We had a weekend full of holiday concerts where I work, which of course meant that I had to look festive!  This is what I wore on Saturday (though I couldn't wear the hat, since it wouldn't work very well with a headset) for my double header of concerts.  I love these Luck Be A Lady dresses; they have such a flattering silhouette, and isn't the belt adorable??  This particular color has way more stretch than the other two I have (I probably could have gone down a size, but I kind of didn't want to bother exchanging it, since it looks fine with a cardigan over it).  It's a great holiday dress, and it'll also serve me well for auditions, since it's flattering and such a nice color.

I'm super excited because one of my oldest and dearest friends, Meghan, is in town for the holidays!  She lives down in St. Louis now, so I don't get to see her very often, and we are loooong overdue for a catch-up!  We usually go out for Vietnamese food when we see each other, but I think we're opting for a coffee date today.  I'm glad to have the next few days off.  :)  I just hope the weather isn't gross so I can take some Christmas-y photos outside!  Eeeee I love holidays!!

Oh, and before I forget: the winner of the Silent Daisy giveaway is... Kari!  Congratulations, Kari!  Crissy will be in touch with you about all the details :) Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

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Have a lovely Monday!
xox Sammi