Marinara

As much as I want to be better with remixing my pieces here on the blog, I still struggle with the idea of repeating outfits. I styled this Bernie Dexter dress a few years ago... somehow, I feel like that's too recent! It's one of my favorite prints, but I always forget I have it! (I guess that's what happens when you collect clothes as a hobby...) I've been wanting to pair it with this great pin from Kate Gabrielle, which is not only on-theme, but is also very true of me (and Sophia Loren). There's one problem with this outfit, though: I'm so suggestible that I want pasta every time I look at these photos!

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter Dress: old (but here's a vegetable dress!)

Pin: Kate Gabrielle  ||  Flats: Amazon

Have a delicious start to your week!

Cabbage Rose

Well, spring has definitely sprung! Some of my favorite flowers and flowering trees (like lilacs, magnolias, and dogwood) are taking their sweet time to bloom, but I know they'll be out before long! Until they do, I'll be wearing as many floral dresses as possible.

I've loved this Bernie Dexter sorbet cabbage rose print (as well as its sister print, the blush cabbage rose) for quite a while, but I never ended up taking the plunge on it. I've seen other styles in this print before, but this version caught my eye when I saw it on eBay. It has little bows on the straps, and it's definitely a LOT more boob-friendly than a lot of my other Bernies. I would love it if she came out with some more pretty florals for spring and summer; I get so much use out of them and never get tired of looking at them!

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter dress: eBay (similar)

Cardigan: available at Trashy Diva

Boater hat: similar  ||  Flats: similar

Have a great start to your week!

Cherry Tart

Okay, so this outfit isn't very fall-like. In fact, it's pure summertime. But even though I've fully embraced autumn, I took advantage of some warm weather we had a few weeks ago and decided to break out this former unicorn to showcase here on the blog. I missed out this Bernie Dexter beauty back when ModCloth carried it, and I'd regretted it for years. Nothing haunts us like the things we don't buy, amirite? Luckily, it popped up on eBay – a size smaller than I normally wear – for a good price when I was visiting Ashley in California last summer, and I pounced.

This cherry-adorned number is definitely is a tad smaller than my other Bernies (I wish it was roomier in the bust!), but I actually compared it to a size large someone was selling and this medium inexplicably has basically the same measurements. Although it zips, I think I'll need to be a little more resolute with my Weight Watchers in order to feel more comfortable in it. It's not like I think I need to shed the pounds in order to look good in clothes, but I do need to be a bit more diligent about eating well so that I feel better and fit more comfortably in the clothes I already have and love. It's always a struggle with me – sometimes I have a lot of will-power and other times I have absolutely none – but getting back into it is probably the hardest part. I haven't been as active since I moved into my own place and started working full-time. I thought I might want a gym membership (I still may consider asking for one for Christmas), but I think I might enjoy some workouts I can do at home. If you have any recommendations (especially ones that involve video or are good for people who just don't like working out), I'd love to hear them! I do love getting out into nature, but since winter is on its way, I'd love to find a way to get some decent exercise without going out into the cold!

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter dress: eBay (similar)

Be My Cherry Pie brooch: c/o Erstwilder

Vintage boater hat: similar

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear

Have a great day!

Celebration

Although this print is ideal for ringing in the New Year (in fact, I wore the other colorway of this dress in my last NYE post), I decided to put it on the other day – just because. For me, fashion itself is a celebration, and it brings me so much daily joy that I'm able to express my creativity and my personality through my personal style. I've also made so much progress in my life lately that this dress felt appropriate; I feel like this is a new beginning for me, and that I've finally started to transition into adulthood. I just feel really happy about where I am in this moment. And speaking of "where I am," below is another little sneak peek at my apartment! It's still not ready to show you all yet, but you can take a glimpse into the living room... and this gate outside is part of my driveway! My little place has so much character, and I feel so content here.

On that note, I think I can finally share my Exciting Life Update. So here it is: I left my customer service job, and ended up finding a position with another company... and I'm ecstatic to say that I'm now a full-time writer!! Basically, I'm writing content for articles and blog posts for a company that specializes in marketing solutions. It's such interesting work, the office is right near my apartment, and I'll eventually be able to work from home when I want. Although it's a totally new venture for me, I'm so happy to be writing all day long, and I'm already learning a lot. This is much closer to what I had in mind for myself, and the opportunity came along at the perfect time (thanks to a friend from high school, who also works as a writer there). I don't want to jinx it, but things do seem to be falling into place: in addition to my new job and my lovely apartment, my best friend just received a long-awaited kidney transplant and will be back home soon! And I also have an important guy back in my life. I know I don't consistently share a ton of personal stuff here (for numerous reasons), but I have to say that I'm feeling really good these days. Also, between all of that and Stranger Things and RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars Season 2, there's a lot of stuff to celebrate. :)

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter New Year's Eve Paris Dress: Zulily

Belt: from another dress

Flats: Amazon

That's all for now! What are you celebrating lately? 

Records & Radios

There's no better way to start off the week than a good ol' novelty print... and a novelty bag, to boot! I've loved this print from afar for quite a while, but when Bernie Dexter made one of her Paris dresses with it, I had to take the plunge. (It IS a kitschy, retro, music-themed print, after all... it can't get much more perfect than that in my book.) And I couldn't resist pairing this Betsey Johnson radio bag (which actually plays music – you can hook your iPod up to it!) with this dress! By the way, Bernie Dexter is currently offering 25% off all orders when you use the code 25dress at check out, so if you've got your eye on something, there's no time like the present!

There's been a lot happening in my life lately. My mom and I looked at a bunch of apartments, and I found the perfect apartment of my dreams. Of course, it's more than I was looking to spend, but I think it's doable, and living there would make me really happy. Best of all, my application was accepted, so I just have to work out the final details (and sign the lease). Fingers crossed that it all works out!

Outfit Details

Paris Dress in For the Record: Bernie Dexter

Radio purse: Betsey Johnson (other styles here)

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Name necklace: c/o Onecklace

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear

Have a great Monday!

Cottages

Although I've always been fond of this cottage print, I felt like it was a bit too busy in the dress versions I've seen. I love a loud print more than almost anyone, but sometimes, too much is simply too much. I think it's perfect in this skirt version though, since you can easily break it up with a solid-colored top, and it's a great casual piece. It's not available on her site anymore, but I was able to nab it during one of Bernie Dexter's Zulily sales (keep an eye out for them!). 

I'm finally feeling somewhat normal again, after dealing with some injuries from my show. I woke up on opening night with pretty severe back/neck pains and, after an emergency appointment with a massage therapist, I'm finally feeling a bit better. I also fell during our final dress rehearsal, which resulted in a huge gash in my knee, and on opening night, there was a mishap with a bench that caused a few of us to take a tumble (and I have a big bruise on my bum to prove it). Apparently, I'm cursed! I'm feeling a lot better, but it's made me realize that I do need to take better care of my body. Getting in shape is definitely a goal of mine for the summer!

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter skirt: Zulily

White peasant top: Pinup Girl Clothing

Belt: from another dress  ||  Boater hat: similar

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)

Have a splendid start to your week!

Doilies

Some people collect baseball cards or coins... while others collect dresses. Although I'm trying to weed out the pieces I don't wear anymore, my Bernies remain a wardrobe staple. (Hopefully you aren't too sick of seeing them!) It's sort of become my unofficial mission to eventually acquire all of the Bernie Dexter dresses I can find. When I saw this dress pop up on a Facebook swap & sell group, it was a no-brainer addition. I'd seen this fabric in another style before (it has a heart cut-out in the back), but I loved this version even more – which is like the Paris but with a halter tie! Since this style seems to be an older one (and therefore, a rare find), I'm glad I was able to add it to my ever-growing collection.

This week's going to be a busy one, as tonight signals the start of tech week for Heathers. This rehearsal process has gone by really quickly, as it's such a large-scale musical and a bit of a beast to put together. It's at the stage where the show feels not quite there and you start to worry whether everything will work out okay (spoiler alert: it always does), which is a bit stressful. But if nothing else, I'm having a lot of fun with it, and with a show like this, that's exactly what's needed. We open on Friday, and though I've planned out a couple of posts in advance, my presence will be a bit scarce until after this weekend. Duty calls!

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter Yours Always Dress in Bouquet: swap & sell group

Cropped cardigan: available here

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Flats: Amazon

Necklace: old

Have a great Monday!