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!

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!

Beachy Keen

I've been a fan of British-based brand, Emily and Fin, for quite a few years now. They always have the cutest prints and they make some really flattering styles. I'm totally swooning over their newest collection, which features all sorts of spectacular summery pieces and prints – from synchronized swimmers to sailboats – and this seaside printed dress is my absolute favorite of the bunch! I thought this fantastic print would be a great choice for Memorial Day, since it's often seen as the unofficial start to summer. My best friend and I decided to head down to Charlotte Beach (which is right on Lake Ontario) to soak up some sun and grab some Abbott's frozen custard to celebrate.

I was first introduced to Emily and Fin via popular sites like ModCloth, ASOS, Unique Vintage and Hello Holiday, which I've found to be great resources for finding awesome overseas companies. I've owned a couple of other Emily and Fin styles before, but this was my first Isobel dress... and I fell in love immediately after putting it on! I really like the scooped neckline (there's a deeper scoop in the back, which makes for a very nice silhouette), and I think the shape works really well on me – plus, pockets! The dress is fully lined and is 100% cotton poplin, which feels a bit more luxurious than a regular cotton dress but is just as great for hot summer weather. I love that this print works well for the summertime patriotic holidays (it comes in other prints as well), and it'll be definitely be getting lots of wear over the next few months!

Outfit Details

Isobel Dress in By The Seaside: c/o Emily and Fin

Red belt: from another dress (similar)

Heels: B.A.I.T. Footwear

Have a happy & safe Memorial Day!

PS: in case you missed it, I added a ton of new items to my Shop My Closet store – and you can get 10% off your purchase when you enter the code SOUBRETTE10 at checkout! :)