On the steps of the palace

Outfit Details:

Dress: My Lolita Dress

Earrings: Mom's

Sparkle jelly flats: jcpenney

White belt: eBay

So here's the thing with this dress.  I fell in love with the print on the fabric (I mean, castles and horse-drawn carriages?  Come on!).  However, I ordered this dress from a website that, in all honesty, I cannot personally recommend.  After ordering the dress and not hearing anything for at least a month (which sometimes is par for the course, if you order something from China), I investigated the website and discovered that it's an off-shoot of Milanoo.  I've heard some pretty horrible things about Milanoo (though I have also heard stories of good experiences), and I was very worried about the quality of the dress I'd ordered - or whether I'd even receive the dress at all. 

Eventually, I did receive the dress, but as you might be able to tell, the top of it is kind of strange; there aren't a lot of pictures that emphasize how odd it looks, but in person, it looks bumpy and weird.  I certainly learned a good lesson about being careful when ordering from online retailers, though.  The print may be darling, but the quality isn't great.  Has anyone else had experiences (good or bad) with ordering from Milanoo or one of their associated websites?  I'd be interested in hearing from you.

However, I do have to admit that I have never felt more like Cinderella in my life.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xox Sammi

Shakin' at the high school hop

Outfit Details:

Miss Indie Dress: ModCloth (no longer available)

White T-Strap Flats: Urban Outfitters

Bringing Down the Horse Ring: Hello Holiday

Petticoat: eBay

I am so thrilled I finally figured out a dress that works with my petticoat underneath!  It's a pretty voluminous one, and on the long (tea-length, I guess) side, so the previous dresses I've tried to wear it with have looked really silly.  But this beautiful Hell Bunny dress (which has been sitting in my closet since the winter, I think??) is perfect with it!  And I love that it was named after one of my favorite bloggers, Mandy from Miss Indie!

I really feel like I'm going to a sock hop or something in this outfit.  I need a 1950s/rockabilly-themed occasion so I can wear it out of the house backyard!

I am in love with this beyond adorable rocking horse ring!!  It's currently on sale at Hello Holiday!  I could hardly believe my luck that it wasn't sold out already -- it's so unbelievably cute!

Silly.

I'd love it if you'd continue following me over at Bloglovin'!  GFC will be shutting down in 2+ weeks, so if you currently follow blogs using it, be sure to import your reading list using Bloglovin'!  It's incredibly simple to do.  You can start by clicking the button below!  :)

Have a teeeeeriffic Thursday!

xox Sammi

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

Precipitation and pinafores

I am writing this at the Rochester airport.  I'm popping down to Eastchester for a couple of days.  By the time this is posted, I'll be back, so hopefully I'll be able to take some new outfit photos then (since I'm not bringing my camera with me).  It rained ALL day on Thursday when these were taken (which explains me having to take these indoors), and it was the first occasion where I've actually had to wear tights in a while.  It's been really nice to just have bare legs lately, but since these are polka dot tights, I guess I don't mind them too much.  :)

Outfit Details:

Pinafore: eBay (similar here)

Blouse: thrifted

Tights: ASOS

Emma T-Straps: BAIT footwear

Have a great (and hopefully non-rainy) Monday!

xox Sammi