Cake and presents

It's my 26th birthday today!  Honestly, it doesn't really feel like anything special this year; maybe it has something to do with the fact that being in your mid-to-late 20s isn't as exciting, or maybe it's just the circumstances in which I currently find myself.  I'm not doing much of anything to celebrate, other than going out to dinner with my parents.  This year has sort of been weird, but I'm trying my best not to feel down.  Fortunately, it's difficult to feel down while wearing this dress!  It's originally from ASOS, but I'd been searching for it on eBay for what feels like forever -- I even missed out on it once before in a smaller size.  This was truly serendipity though, because I happened to find it one day in my exact size for a reasonable price, and I knew I had to have it!  It's such a fun print (especially for someone who loves tea parties as much as I do!), and I just adore its little details, like the built-in crinoline and heart cut-out in the back.  It really is the perfect birthday dress, and wearing it feels like a present to myself.

Speaking of presents... I had an unexpected, extraordinarily-good mail day the other day.  I came home to find packages from two of my favorite internet friends!  Amanda had sent me a beautiful dress and blouse (from Voodoo Vixen and Steady Clothing, respectively) that she couldn't use, and Kate sent me an absolutely gigantic mystery box!  I couldn't imagine what she had sent me, and I gasped in surprise when I realized that Kate had sent me tons of dresses and sweaters!  Turns out that she was doing a big closet clean-out and thought I would be able to put them to good use.  I was so incredibly touched that she had thought of me, and that she would be so sweet to send me all of those pretty things -- including another ASOS dream dress that I had missed out on!  I feel very lucky to have two such wonderful friends in my life (especially because we've never met in person!), and these packages were so timely and made my birthday feel much more special.

Oh, and let's just talk about this donut clutch for a second.  It's perfect, and I was powerless to resist it.  This exact clutch is included in my Big Birthday Giveaway, and there's still plenty of time to enter, so make sure to do that if you haven't already!  In addition to this sweet purse, there are gift certificates to ModCloth and Unique Vintage, a copy of Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham, art and jewelry from some wonderful friends (Modern Girl Blitz, Flapperdoodle, Wanderlust Print Co., Rachel Sullivan Illustration & She Loves Cute Stuff), and so so so much more up for grabs!  Get all the details and enter the giveaway here!  :)

Outfit Details

Tea Party Print Dress: eBay (originally from ASOS)

Teacup necklace: ModCloth (similar)

Hair bow: Clip a Bow Boutique 

Donut clutch: New Look

Tea set ring: exact

Heels: Amazon

Have a sweet day!

xox Sammi

Big Birthday Giveaway! [CLOSED]

It's finally time for my Big Birthday Giveaway!  I know I don't hold giveaways on my blog very often (which is something I'm going to work on in the future), but I always do one in February for my "blogiversary," and this year, I wanted to hold one for my birthday as well.  Since it's been a long time since I've hosted a giveaway, I wanted to make sure this one was HUGE -- and boy, is it ever!  I've been compiling a bunch of wonderful stuff for this, and I hope you're all as excited as I am for...

In total, this prize package is worth over $300!  I've included two gift certificate prizes, a bunch of awesome Etsy art and jewelry, a delectable novelty purse, a fantastic book, beauty supplies, and a ton of great retro nostalgia and cute gifties.  Basically, it's a big birthday care package of all the things I'd personally love to get.  :)   Here's what's up for grabs!

I'm so happy with all of the fun & cute things I managed to gather up for this giveaway!  This prize package is absolutely gigantic, so if you're overwhelmed (like I am!), here are all the details you need to know:

One (1) winner will receive:

- a $50 Unique Vintage gift card

- a $25 ModCloth gift certificate 

- a novelty donut clutch from New Look

- a copy of Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

- a collar clip set from Flapperdoodle

- a lipstick brooch from Modern Girl Blitz

- an ice cream ring from She Loves Cute Stuff

- a print of your choice from Wanderlust Print Co.

- a non-customized print of your choice from Rachel Sullivan Illustration

- DVDs of Disney's The Aristocats and Oliver & Company

- a My Little Pony dress-up mug 

- a pair of pink cat eye sunglasses

- an eyeshadow palette from e.l.f.

- a pair of cherry earrings by Hey Viv!

- a pretty unicorn necklace

- a fast food lip balm set

- a cute pair of kitty socks 

- a pot of peach panda hand cream

- a fall assortment of salt water taffy

Entering the giveaway is easy - just use the Rafflecopter form below!  There are some mandatory entries, as well as optional ones that will increase your chances of winning.  The giveaway will run for one week (it starts at midnight on Sunday, Oct. 26th and will close at midnight on Sunday, November 2nd). This giveaway is open worldwide, and you must be a follower of my blog to enter (no un-following after the giveaway closes!).  The winner will be contacted via e-mail, so be sure to leave a valid e-mail address in your comment.  The giveaway winner will be announced on my blog by Wednesday, November 5th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of luck! <3

xox Sammi

1 year blogiversary + a BIG giveaway from ModCloth, ASOS & Forever 21! [CLOSED]

Just a few of my favorite outfits from the past year...
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6
7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

I can scarcely believe it's been a whole year since I started this blog.  Like any other anniversary, it's sort of a strange dichotomy of feeling like I've been doing this forever, and yet feeling like hardly any time has passed.  This first year has seen its share of ups and downs, but I am ultimately so glad that I went through with starting my blog.  Not only has it served as a much-needed creative outlet for me, but I have met so many wonderful, kindred spirits because of this experience -- and that alone has made the whole thing worth it!  I feel very lucky that I've been able to gain a substantial number of followers (that's you!!) in my first year in the blogosphere, and I'm also overjoyed that I was asked to join the ranks of such lovely ladies over at the Flock Together blog.  If that weren't enough, during this past year, I became an affiliate for certain brands and finally started making some money from blogging, had a dress named after me, was featured a few of times on ModCloth's social media channels (1, 2, 3) and on the ModCloth site itself (which I somehow managed to miss?!), was interviewed for an article about the popularity of vintage clothing, and Betsey effing Johnson tweeted a photo of me!  So all in all, I'd say it's been a pretty great year on the blogging front -- and I have to express my utmost gratitude to each and every one of you who follows and reads my blog, even if it's only on a semi-regular basis.  I have experienced so much support and kindness from those of you who read and comment on my blog (especially during my very difficult breakup), and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found myself in the company of such fantastic individuals, all of whom I admire so greatly.  I'm still a novice in many ways, and I've always been the sort of person who learns by watching others.  I'm still figuring all of this out as I go, so it means the world to me that I have such staunch supporters of my little blog world.  While I always try to dress for myself and wear what makes me happy, it is always nice to hear that your style and point of view can also resonate with other people and can perhaps put some joy out into the world around you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you -- from the bottom of my kitschy heart.

...And a few more!
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6
7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

So because of you, dear readers and friends, I am hosting (what I feel to be) an awesome giveaway in honor of my 1 year blogiversary!!  It includes lots of things I love (in fact, I may or may not have bought an extra one of some of these for myself... oops!), and I hope you will love them too! :)

So without further ado...
  

One (1) winner will receive:

a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth 

PLUS all of the following:

Lilac scalloped satchel bag, pink kitty cat coin purse, pink heart headband, mint bow headband, pink hair bow, apple necklace, cupcake shower cap, "F" is for Friendship greeting card & pink polka dot makeup brush kit (valued at nearly $100)!

This is a big giveaway, and I don't do them very often, so there are lots of chances to win!  Read the rules below & then enter through the Rafflecopter!

RULES:

- Giveaway starts at midnight on Sunday, February 2nd and will close at 12:01 AM (EST) on Sunday, February 9th (which means you have an entire week to enter!).

- You MUST be a follower of my blog on either GFC or Bloglovin' in order to be eligible (this is one of the mandatory entries on the Rafflecopter, and please no immediate un-following after the giveaway ends, as that's not very nice and I will know if you do it).

- This giveaway is open internationally, which means anyone can enter and win!

-Please remember to leave a valid e-mail address in your comment (also mandatory) so I can contact you if you win!  Winner will be notified on Monday, February 10th via e-mail.  If I don't receive a response from you confirming this within 24 hours, I will pick a new winner.  This e-mail address will also be used to send the ModCloth gift certificate, so make sure it's one you check regularly!  :)  All other prizes will be snail mailed, so be sure to respond to my e-mail with a valid postal address!

- Winner will be announced here on the blog (as a formality) on by Wednesday, February 12th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of luck, and thank you so much for making my first year of blogging such a sweet one!  <3 

xox Sammi

Small town bigtop

Outfit Details:

Clowning Around Dress: ModCloth

Candyfloss Necklace: Sugar & Vice

Boater hat: River Island

Macaron Ring: ASOS

My Fair Lacy Flats: ModCloth

Is anyone really surprised that I own this dress?  It's the perfect whimsical novelty print, and I'm all about a good fit & flare dress -- it's universally flattering!

This adorable cotton candy necklace is the perfect complement for a circus-themed dress, no?

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xox Sammi

High Tea

Outfit Details:

High Socie-tea Dress: ModCloth

Only a Pastry Pin (worn on belt): ModCloth

Teaset ring: Ever Ours (sold out, available here)

White belt: from another dress

White flats: ASOS

I'm pretty obsessed with this print, for obvious reasons.  I have so many tea-related things!  I do drink quite a lot of tea, and I also think that I have a very romanticized notion of a proper British tea.  We don't have that as a regular part of our culture in America, so the whenever I've gone to a teahouse, it's always very special.  And whenever I watch Downton Abbey, an Agatha Christie program[me] or a Jane Austen adaptation, I feel the need for clotted cream, a scone and a cup of Earl Grey. 

I do think this dress is just a *tad* long, upon seeing these pictures.  It doesn't look too long when I look at it in the mirror, but it's basically a true tea-length (how appropriate), and while that gives it a more vintage feel, I wish it had enough fabric to be able to wear a petticoat with it.  Otherwise, it kind of just looks like it needs to be taken up a bit.  Something to consider for the future, maybe.

I love this brooch but never seem to wear it.  I think it looks best on a cardigan with a dress, and I couldn't find a cardigan that looked good with this one (and I didn't want to cover up the print).  This dress needed a belt, so I thought the brooch would be the perfect touch on that instead.

Have a lovely Sunday!

xox Sammi