Orange grove

Outfit Details:

Emily and Fin Oranges & Lemons Dress: ASOS (sold out)

Orange belt: ASOS

Boater hat: River Island

Black T-Strap Flats: BAIT

I can't believe I let this darling dress just sit (or rather, hang) in my closet for so long!  This was the first time I've worn it!  It was rainy on and off on Monday when I took these, and finally the rain subsided and I was able to take some pictures in the last of the daylight.

I love how Floridian this print looks!  It makes me want to sit out on a lanai or something.  (Golden Girls reference, anyone?  Anyone?  Just me?)

Oh, and did I mention it has pockets?? :)

Have a beautiful day!

xox Sammi

...and I'd love it if you'd take a moment to check out my new Facebook page (there's also a quick way to "like" my page on the sidebar near the top)!  Thank you so much!  :)

She's a wildflower

Outfit Details:

Floral dress: Forever 21

Floral crown: ASOS

Flats: yeswalker

Daisy ring: Mom's

After seeing how the beautiful Jessi from Haircut and General Attitude wore her lovely floral crown for her birthday, I was inspired to finally try out one of my larger ones.  I usually gravitate toward my more subtle ones, but I have a couple of statement garlands that I've been itching to wear -- but I couldn't manage to muster up the courage to 'til now!

I'm not sure whether I'm quite ready to wear it out in public yet, though.  I feel like it has to be for a specific kind of place or event.  Something special.  I think my smaller crowns are more for the everyday use.  Or maybe I'm just chicken!

I need to really figure out how to make my own (Jenny Highsmith has a great DIY flower crown tutorial that I want to try!).  Some of the ones on Etsy are so gorgeous, and even though I'd love to be able to support small businesses, I can't really afford to shell out $40 for something I could easily figure out how to make (and customize!) myself.

Have a beautiful Monday!

xox Sammi

PS: Don't forget about switching over to a new blog reader, if you currently follow on GFC!  It's super easy to switch to Bloglovin'!  Click the button below to follow me there, and you can import all of your other blogs in a snap!

Also, I just made a Facebook fan page (finally!) for my blog!  I'd appreciate it so very much if you'd check it out and give it a "like!"  I've put it on my sidebar as well to make it even easier!  Thank you!!!

Birthday BBQ

On Thursday, a very special boy turned 27 years old... :)

Outfit Details:

Emily and Fin Dress: ASOS

(similar dresses available at ModCloth)

Sweater: The Limited (old)

White flats: yeswalker

Belt: eBay

... So we went to get some delicious barbecue! 

Enjoying a birthday beer

Pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on top (om nom nom), with BBQ baked beans and the most bangin' macaroni salad I've ever had on the side (and housemade pickles)

THE BEST.

Ribs, mac & cheese, BBQ baked beans and cornbread (which I also ate)

...And then my mom made Steven's favorite cake (yellow cake with chocolate icing), with fresh strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream.  I think I probably gained 5 pounds this day.

Birthdays are sort of weird when you get a little older.  I am pretty insistent that I have some kind of celebration, if I can help it.  Because I'm kind of a princess.  I think I'm just always chasing the same kind of birthday parties my mom used to throw for me when I was little (she is the queen of party planning!).  I am definitely planning on having a costume party for my 25th!  My birthday is at the very end of October (just a few days before Halloween), so it lends itself to being a costumed event, don't you think?  Especially for a girl who basically dresses in quasi-costumes on a regular basis.  

I hope my Steven had a nice birthday, despite the fact that it wasn't too eventful.  He's still in the midst of settling in to his new place (he's waiting on the magical IKEA delivery truck).  Steven's dad made the 6 hour drive up here to bring some additional things (like a super cute old wood table that we're planning on painting!), so he'll be spending Father's Day with my family today, too.  :)

As a little reminder, the countdown to the elimination of Google Reader has begun (sob).  If you'd like to continue following me over at Bloglovin', I'd be ever-so-grateful!!  :)

Have a wonderful Sunday (and Father's Day)!

xox Sammi

Fruit salad

Outfit Details:

Dress: Forever 21

Knife and Fork Necklaces: ASOS

Fruit wedges: Shellys of London

So, this dress seems way shorter with these high wedges... and it's also looks much poofier from the side than I'd realized.  Definitely not my favorite photos, but I want to remix this dress with a button-down shirt underneath and flat shoes for a more casual look.

I do love the little bows, though.

Today is my boyfriend Steven's 27th birthday!!  We both have to work during the day, but we're going out for dinner to Dinosaur BBQ (which started in this area but has sense branched out to the NYC area, as well as part of New Jersey and Connecticut.  Deeeeelicious.  I'll be sure to take pictures!  :)  

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xox Sammi