Candy is dandy

Outfit Details:

Yes You Candy Dress: ModCloth (other styles thru Poppy England)

Sweet Spectator Heel in Glossy Bubblegum: ModCloth

Yellow sweater: Forever 21 (similar here)

Cupcake ring: Claytime Designs UK

White belt: eBay

This is another dress that has been sitting in my closet for quite some time.  I really loved the kooky candy jar print when I bought this dress (on final sale, eek), but when I put it on, the effect was a little *too* much (and when I feel that way, that's saying something!).  Plus, the shape of this dress, while not completely unflattering, isn't my favorite shape on me; I wish the skirt was a little fuller.  When I started to experiment with layering sweaters over dresses, I looked at this one and thought it might work really well for remixing.  I am in the process of sorting through a lot of my clothes, and I found this yellow sweater from last year, which happens to match the yellow in the pattern almost perfectly!  I couldn't believe my luck when I tried both on together and I actually liked the effect.  I decided to wear my newer pair of spectators from BAIT, since it was simply too cold to venture outside (and I didn't have to worry about ruining my lovely shoes!).  I'm so sick and tired of wearing boots all the time!

This dress would work well as a top, too -- with a longer, full skirt on the bottom.  I was really nervous when I ordered this, because I have another dress by Poppy England (see how I wore it here), and while it's the same size as this one, it's way too tight in the bust.  Luckily, this one buttons with no problem -- and somehow manages to not be too big everywhere else!  Poppy has some really adorable new pieces for spring, and I love how all of their dresses come with little accompanying storybooks to match the whimsical prints!  Both of my Poppy dresses came with correlating stories, and sadly couldn't find the (presumably) candy-themed one that came with this dress, but I know it's around somewhere.  They're really charming and sweet little stories.  Touches like that are one of the many reasons I love smaller, quirkier brands, and I will always be willing to pay more for something that's truly special.

Apologies for the rampant subpar photo quality in this post.  I couldn't see how blurry these were until it was too late!!  I still have a lot (read: everything) to learn about my DSLR... one of these days...

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Like a spinning ferris wheel

Outfit Details:

Circus Dress: Poppy

Blue camisole: jcpenney

Bubble Yum necklace: Urban Outfitters

White flats: yeswalker

On Saturday, Steven and I headed out to Syracuse (a little over an hour away) to see what the New York State Fair had to offer.  I've been in the mood to go to a carnival all summer (after at least one failed attempt), so I felt this would be the perfect opportunity.  It was kind of silly though, because neither of us likes many rides, so we ended up paying sort of a lot just to walk around -- and go on the carousel, at my insistence.  I wanted to go on the beautiful, big ferris wheel, but it was reaaaally high up, and though I don't usually have a problem with heights, it looked like it might be a little much.  But I needed an excuse to wear this circus-themed dress, dammit, so at the very least, it was something to do on a Saturday.  And I got fresh salt water taffy out of it, so it wasn't a total loss.

This was one of my first experiences being in a very crowded public place while taking blog photos.  Even though these photos are definitely more in focus than the ones I take on my own, I still prefer being alone with my tripod.  People were stopping to watch Steven taking photos of me, and it made me super self-conscious!  When we took photos at the beach a couple of weeks ago, it was easy to find a secluded spot -- despite the fact that there were plenty of people around -- so this new to me.  Even though I have learned to become much more sociable and extroverted in certain situations (read: with other actors), in these types of scenarios, my naturally-shy personality takes over.  Luckily, he was able to get enough photos before people started becoming curious!

Besides the rides, games and festival food, the Fair had some pretty cool historical exhibits -- like a horse and carriage exhibit -- as well as a ton of agricultural exhibits.  We saw sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and some of the BIGGEST cows I've EVER seen in my life.  Though I did think it was kind of in poor taste to have the cows housed right next to the stands selling burgers and sausages... eek.  I was kind of sad that I didn't have any cotton candy/curly fries/other junk that I'd been looking forward to, but I suppose my waistline shall thank me.  Like I said, at least I got taffy -- which was even more special because a) you get to see it being pulled right in front of you and b) they have really interesting flavors, like black walnut and anise, and they taste way more wholesome than anything you'd get in a store.  The peanut butter one has real peanut butter in the middle, and doesn't taste saccharine-sweet.

I may have come home with holes in my shoes (which reminds me that I need to fix them), but I still had a nice time seeing all the sights!  I didn't remember anything from the one time I visited the Fair as a little girl, so it was fun to experience it as an adult.  I found myself wishing I was small enough to go on the wimpy, kiddie rides though... which is a sentiment that kind of sums up a lot of my personality, I guess.  But I can't help it if I'm a kid at heart.  :)

Have a wonderful Monday!

xox Sammi