Country Castles

Happy May Day! When I was little, my mom would make little May baskets filled with flowers to leave on neighbors' steps. (I seem to recall they had a handle for hanging on doorknobs, but I might not be remembering this correctly.) It's a tradition that isn't really done much anymore, but I think it's kind of a lovely sentiment... even though I really don't make friends with my neighbors (oops). While spring technically started a while ago, it's only now starting to feel that way here. I'm determined to soak it up while it lasts!

This dress from Emily and Fin is a quintessential spring staple. The print is so pretty, and I instantly felt more cheerful when I put it on. I tend to wear my pieces from Emily and Fin quite a bit, as I love the quality of the cotton and the fact that they're lined and have pockets. Emily and Fin now has individual size charts for each piece, which is incredibly helpful. However, I will say that fellow well-endowed ladies might do well to choose your size based on the bust measurement (and, if in doubt, order a size up). Since the fabric really has no stretch to speak of, you may find that you'll be more comfortable with a little extra room.

I was inspired by the landscape in this print – which is supposed to be Tuscany – to head to one of my favorite hidden spots in Rochester, the Sunken Gardens at Warner Castle. The last time I was here, I did a Cinderella-inspired shoot with my friend Rusty (you can see it here). I even saw our same little cat friend we met before! It's not quite as green there yet, but I'm sure I'll be back later on in the season to snap some more photos!

Outfit Details

Lucy Dress in Painted Tuscan Landscape: c/o Emily and Fin

Boater hat: similar ||  Bracelet: old  ||  Flats: similar

Have a great start to your week!

Vanity Fair

I admittedly have a soft spot for numerous types of novelty prints, but there's just something about a beauty-themed print. This perfume bottle print from Emily and Fin is one of my new favorite acquisitions. Emily and Fin consistently carries some of the best novelty prints around, and their newest collection is no exception. 

The full fall line hasn't arrived yet, but this "Vanity Fair" print dress is available in two different styles. The Abigail style I'm wearing is a great fit-and-flare with a scoop back (a detail I love!), pleats and pockets. Unlike the other Emily and Fin cotton dresses I own, the shell of this dress is polyester crepe, which gives it a more formal feel (it is, however, lined in cotton like the rest of their dresses). It's a fantastic take on an LBD, and would be great for work events, interviews or a night out on the town. (Plus, it gave me an excuse to wear this cute little novelty bag that's been sitting in my closet forever!)

Outfit Details

Abigail Dress in Vanity Fair: c/o Emily and Fin (also available here)

Perfume purse: Aldo (similar)

Heels: ModCloth (similar)

Belt: old (similar)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Independence

Happy 4th of July! I guess it's sort of apt that today is Independence Day, since I've been thinking a lot about my own impending independence lately. I signed the lease on my brand new apartment last week(!!!), and I'll be both starting my new, full-time job AND moving in to my new place next week. Needless to say, I'm already pretty stressed out. Even though I'm taking positive steps to becoming a "real adult," it's still very overwhelming and I keep asking myself if I'm doing the right thing. Ultimately, I know that popping my own little safety bubble is imperative to my personal growth, and though I'm nervous about what the future holds, I think (read: hope) I'm doing something that will make me happy. It might not look like what I had pictured for myself a few years ago, but then again, I'm not the same person I was back then, either. I know I'll continue to make a lot of mistakes (which, as a Highly Sensitive Person, I hate doing), but that's also how we learn. I can't let fear of the unknown hold me back from forging my own path. So today, I'm going celebrate my own independence just as much as that of our country.

I always feel celebratory when I wear cute dresses (it's the little things!), especially for holidays. This Emily and Fin dress isn't traditionally patriotic, but I love that it features red, white, and blue. Their "Jenny" style dress is one of my favorites, and the synchronized swimmer print is one of the most adorable (yet subtle) ones I've seen! This dress is super comfortable, and I adore the button-down front and big pockets. Since it's made of lightweight, breathable cotton, it's an excellent summer dress. I know Emily and Fin can run long on some people; this dress might be a bit more flattering in a slightly shorter length, but since I really don't like worrying about whether my hemline is too short, it fits my needs in a dress! It'll be perfect for what I have planned for tonight: watching my dad's band  play and enjoying the post-show fireworks. What are you doing for the 4th?

Outfit Details

Brunch With Buds Dress in Swimmers: ModCloth

Boater hat: similar  ||  Flats: Aerosoles

Bracelet: similar  ||  Necklace: similar

Have a great holiday!

It's not easy being green

 Outfit Details:

Emily and Fin dress: ASOS

Petticoat & belt: eBay

Basket purse: Mom's

Ring: Ever Ours (similar)

Flats: YesStyle

 

 

I hadn't worn this dress in quite a while -- probably since this time last year.  It's one of my swapping dresses for Flock Together, and seeing Katie style it inspired me to wear it again.  Emily and Fin is a great label, and their dresses are especially well-suited for the summertime.  I really love the length of this one, in particular.  I own two other Emily and Fin dresses (see how I wore them here and here), and I love their vintage-inspired, casual vibe.  Side note, I ended up changing the title of this post to be something more-fitting for its content, and I later realized that it also makes a lot of sense with my little bicycle ring (because after all, Kermit is a bike-riding frog).  I appreciate serendipity.

I've kind of been "in my head" a lot lately.  Everyone grieves differently, and I think I'm still reeling from everything that's happened over the past year.  I feel a lot of pressure to act like I'm doing okay.  Sometimes, I really am.  But other times, I'm not.  People tend to forget to be patient and understanding when it isn't a situation that's directly affecting them.  I certainly don't want to drive people away by fixating on everything.  But the truth of the matter is, I'm not over my breakup, and I'm certainly not over the death of my friend.  I'm not sleeping well, and I've been having more intense mood swings than usual (I'm prone to them anyway, but they're definitely worse than normal).  I don't want to ramble on about it, but I'm definitely struggling.  Time supposedly heals all wounds, but I'm very impatient to start feeling like myself again.

   I hope you have a nice start to your week.

xox Sammi

Orange you glad

Outfit Details:

Emily and Fin citrus print dress: ASOS (no longer available)

Green cardigan: thrifted (similar here)

Yellow belt: Forever 21 (similar here)

Black flats: jcpenney (similar here)

Here is my first set of Floridian photos!  I firstly have to apologize for the less-than-stellar quality of these.  I was determined to bring my new DSLR on this trip, and in all the craziness of getting ready for said trip, I didn't exactly have a lot of time to practice using my camera.  I also get really impatient and overwhelmed while attempting to read instructional manuals.  This means that I did a lot of putzing around with my camera during the first couple of days, and that I didn't get very many good shots the first day (a.k.a. these photos).  I also took these at a way too bright time of day and at my grandma's retirement facility, with lots of surprisingly busy older folks running (well, zooming in their golf carts) around.  I'm so used to the solitude of my backyard that I get kind of self-conscious with so many people around.  All in all, I'm not totally thrilled with these, but I guess they're not so horrible for a first attempt.  I'm such a perfectionist that it actually bothers me I couldn't have it down pat on the first try!

Also, my bangs look definitively janky in all of these.  They get better, I promise.

Anyway, I felt this dress was all too appropriate for Florida to leave it at home!  We ended up seeing tons and tons of orange trees on our way from Naples to Orlando, and I wished we could have stopped to take pictures there (and that I had been wearing this dress at the time)!  Lots of people asked me about this dress when they saw it on my Instagram, and it's regretfully no longer available.  It's by Emily and Fin, which is a great UK brand that often has vintage-inspired silhouettes and quirky prints.  ModCloth and ASOS carry a lot of their stuff, if you're not familiar with this brand!  You can see how I wore this dress over the summer here, and I love that it can work well as a jumper over a blouse, too!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xox Sammi

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!  :)