Autumn (+ giveaway winner!)

This photographic print dress is so pretty, isn't it?  Fall and spring are my two favorite seasons (I guess I love the equinoxes?), and I think both of them make for really stunning fashion inspiration; after all, they represent the most colorful times of the year!  The only problem with this dress (well, other than the fact that it's a bit too small for me right now) is that I don't feel right wearing it during other seasons -- it just seems out of place!  So it stays in my closet from December through August.  But it's easy to justify keeping it because it's so beautiful.

I still can hardly believe that it's November.  These past few months have gone by really quickly, and the holidays are going to be here before we know it.  I wasn't really ready before, but now I'm kind of looking forward to them.  Our holidays are usually pretty quiet and low-key, and that's okay with me right now.  I can feel my heart healing; it's gradual, but palpable.  I still get nostalgic, and sometimes I'm still sad about what I've lost (especially around the holidays), but I've been finding a lot of joy, too.  Being able to focus on the happiness I feel -- and the fact that I can both create and maintain it myself -- is an important step for me.  And it lets me know that I'm going to be okay.  I last wore this dress on Thanksgiving (see the post here), and though I was still reeling from my breakup, I made a list of all the things for which I was thankful.  The list still rings very true (though I have added lots of bullet points to it since), and reminds me that, though my heart may still be hurting, there is still much brightness to treasure.  Spring may be a more accepted season for renewal, but perhaps the fall is mine.

Outfit Details

Sights to Season Dress: ModCloth

AA Pettislip: Amazon

Brown bolero: old

Belt: Forever 21

Flats: similar

Oh, and the winner of my big birthday giveaway is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to Sara, and thank you so much to all of you who entered!  I wish that everyone could win something!  I'm definitely going to try and incorporate giveaways more often though, so that'll be something to look forward to.  I'm thinking maybe something around Christmastime would be nice!  I'll have to think of something good.  :)

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Blogger Interview: Shermy from Shermette (+ Onecklace giveaway winner!)

Hi, everyone!  Happy June!  Since it's the first of the month, that means it's time for my monthly blogger interview.  I love highlighting and getting to know new bloggers, and this month, I'm featuring the gorgeous Shermy from the blog Shermette!  Shermy's blog focuses on all things vintage, and I'm absolutely enamored with her style and stunning photos.  Here's your chance to learn all about this Canadian beauty!  Be sure to follow her over at Shermette.  (Oh, and the winner of the Onecklace giveaway is listed at the bottom of this post!)

Name: Shermy

Age: 25

Where you blog: I blog at www.shermette.com!  My blog is about vintage and vintage-inspired outfits, findings and travels.

How did you get into blogging?  I started blogging as sort of a creative outlet. There isn't a vintage scene at all where I live, so I just decided to share some of my endeavours online!

Where you work or what you studied in school:  Since I was a young teenager, I have worked for my family's school bus company.  Aside from that, I am an eyelash extension stylist!  My dad and I are also known to shoot a wedding here and there as well, as I'm also a photographer.

What's your dream job?  I have never really pondered this question much before, but I think my dream job would be a fashion stylist (preferably vintage).  I thought I'd like to run a vintage shop, but heck, I like buying and finding vintage, not selling it!  I'm also always trying to dress people, so maybe it's my calling!

Your favorite musical artist: I am very passionate about music and love so many genres and artists, but I really believe Perry Como is my all-time favourite, for many different reasons. Not only did that man have the voice of an Italian angel, but listening to his music as a kid just made me plain ol' happy. I feel so lucky to have had his music as a soundtrack for my life! Nowadays, older music is sometimes viewed as "silly" or "cheesy," but honestly, I think the general population would have happier lives if they listened to it!

Your favorite musical:  It was a toss-up, but South Pacific. I watched this so many times that when I was 11, I broke the VHS tapes.  Balllliiii Haiiii...

Drink of choice:  Not to be unhealthy, but Coke in the glass bottle. It tastes totally different than the can.

Favorite food in the world?  POTATO SALAD.  I'm pretty sure this song is about me.

Favorite book (from childhood or now):  No book has ever inspired me more than the first Harry Potter book.

What's your favorite season and why?  Fall has always been my favourite, as the climate where I live (Ontario, Canada) is the most ideal in the fall, and there's just something magical about the colourful leaves.

 Do you have a celebrity crush?  Clint Eastwood.  More specifically, "young" Clint Eastwood.

Which actress would play you in the movie version of your life?  So this ended up being a community question, as I had no idea! But my friend suggested Elizabeth Banks, and I really think that suggestion hit the nail square on the head!

 If you could live during any other time period, what would it be?  Clearly, I'm a huge fan of the 40s, 50s and 60s, but sometimes I really just wonder what a real home-cooked meal in the 1800s/early 1900s would have tasted like. I know that's random, but everything today is so genetically-altered, and our generation may never know how food was intended to taste. Mind you, I am accustomed to some modern conveniences, so I guess I would like to be my age now, maybe living on a farm in the late 1940s.

How would you describe your personal style?  Vintage with a side of kitsch.  As much as I love vintage, it can look dowdy if you're not careful, so I always try to spice it up with a little kitschiness!

Your favorite place to shop or favorite clothing brand:  Hmm, I really enjoy any flea market, vintage clothing store, or antique mall. The thrill of the hunt gets me every time! As brands go, my favorites are likely Pinup Girl Clothing and Trashy Diva. 

What's the most beloved article of clothing you own?  I searched through my things trying to decide, but I think my favourite piece is a little boys' 50s rayon Hawaiian shirt I found at an antique mall. It works perfectly for me as a crop tie top, and the colours are so vibrant! I'm crazy about anything tropical!

Shermy's favorite Hawaiian shirt

Do you have a style icon?  If so, who?  I find myself drawing inspiration from so many sources, but if I need to choose one, I do really love Betty Grable.

Go-to accessory:  I've been a purse girl for a long time.  (Yes, Sammi, I've been eyeing all of yours!)

If you could only wear one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Well, let's pretend the weather is nice all the time here, and I'll say probably just one of my vintage cotton day dresses. One with pockets. I'm trying to approach this question with some logic, as I'd normally want to say my puffy pink 50s prom dress!

What's been your favorite post from your blog so far?  Reading back through my posts, I have decided my favourite post is Washington Bound! I really liked my outfit (maybe not my favourite), but my husband and I really had a great time that day. Washington was really something to see, and the weather was so beautiful. Back home, we were still in snow drifts!

from Shermy's favorite post, "Washington Bound!"

Anything else you'd like to talk about?  I want to mention the Toronto Vintage Society, and suggest that anyone in and around Toronto check it out! There's plenty of "old time fun" events to attend, and plenty of opportunities to wear your favourite vintage outfits. Also, stay tuned, as in the near future, I'm launching a line of tropical hair flowers! More info will be up on my blog soon!

Thanks so much to Shermy for agreeing to do this Q&A on such late notice!  Be sure to follow her vintage adventures over at Shermette to see get all the latest!  And without further ado, the winner of the Onecklace customized name necklace giveaway is....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Carla!  Onecklace will be in touch with you about claiming your prize.  Thank you so much to those of you who entered! :)

Have a great Sunday!

xox Sammi

Peach tea (+ giveaway winner!)

Outfit Details:

Nishe handbag & shoe dress: ASOS

Cardigan: ModCloth (similar here)

Tea ring: find it at SheInside

Bow headband: Forever 21

White t-strap flats: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Oh, how I love this dress.  Nishe is one of my all-time favorite labels anyway, but this particular frock had been calling my name for quite some time before I finally snatched it up.  It was one of two Black Friday purchases, and I think it was money well-spent.  Peach is such a perfect color for Florida (and I always associate one with the other because peach is my grandma's favorite color, and she has lived in Florida my entire life), and I knew I had to pack this dress for our Disney trip.  When we decided to have tea at the Grand Floridian, I thought this outfit would be an excellent choice (I kind of ended up matching the hotel decor, actually).  Nishe always has the most charming embroidery on their clothes, but there is something about the darling shoes and handbags on this one that just tickle me!  It's the kind of dress that my Barbie dolls would have had, and I would have given anything to have one in my size -- so now I can, albeit a few years late! 

This day was the warmest day we were there (though I still had to wear tights and a jacket), and after we had our tea, we took the boat over to the Magic Kingdom to see the Electrical Light Parade (which was magical and I got to see my friend Brett -- who performs in many of the parades -- go right by me!) and Wishes (the fireworks show with Tinkerbell).  We had a very late dinner at the California Grill in the Contemporary Hotel, which was sadly sort of disappointing.  We've gone there in the past, and their menu was always on the upscale side, but now it's a little too high brow for my taste.  Kind of pretentious.  But we had so many great meals on our trip that it didn't dampen our spirits much.

Mom's banana trifle from our tea

Beautiful boat ride scenery

I'm kicking myself for not getting this purse!

Since coming back from Disney World, I feel like I've been in a very strange tug-of-war; on the one hand, I feel really sluggish and not very motivated to do things I should (though that is not an especially new development), but on the other, I feel renewed and happy about certain things.  Hopeful, I guess.  I feel very fortunate that my blogiversary giveaway has resulted in some new followers (thank you and welcome to those who fall into this category!!), and I hope very much that these newcomers will stick around after this giveaway is announced!  I haven't done giveaways very often in the past, but I am quickly realizing that they can play an important part in terms of increasing readership and drumming up interest of current followers.  I'd never want to be solely driven by these things, mind you, but as blogging has steadily become even more meaningful in my life in recent months, it's something to consider.  Since this giveaway was funded out of my own pocket, I think bigger giveaways like this are going to be reserved for once or twice a year, but I'm really happy when things I decide to do resonate with people (to which most people can relate, I'm sure), and I have been thinking a lot about new ideas for content and posts for my second year of blogging.  It's difficult to start new things in the winter, I think, but the wheels in my head are definitely turning!  One more reason I can't wait for spring.  :)

So, without further delay, I am pleased to announce the winner of my 1-year blogiversary giveaway (who will receive a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth and a whole bunch of goodies from ASOS and Forever 21) is Rebecca T. of The Cinnamon Slipper!!!  Congratulations, my kindred spirit in style, and I hope you enjoy your prizes!  <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a beautiful Monday, and a huge thank you to all who entered my giveaway!!  :)

xox Sammi

The Red Queen (+ giveaway winner!)

Outfit Details:
Luck Be A Lady Dress in Red: ModCloth
Upper West Stride Hat: ModCloth
Doo Bee Doo Bee Shoe Heel in Black: ModCloth
Black cardigan: Forever 21 (similar here & here)

Today's post is a bit of a short one.  I worked every single day last week (I normally get at least one day off), so not only am I exhausted, but I also didn't have much time to take photos over the last several days!  We had a weekend full of holiday concerts where I work, which of course meant that I had to look festive!  This is what I wore on Saturday (though I couldn't wear the hat, since it wouldn't work very well with a headset) for my double header of concerts.  I love these Luck Be A Lady dresses; they have such a flattering silhouette, and isn't the belt adorable??  This particular color has way more stretch than the other two I have (I probably could have gone down a size, but I kind of didn't want to bother exchanging it, since it looks fine with a cardigan over it).  It's a great holiday dress, and it'll also serve me well for auditions, since it's flattering and such a nice color.

I'm super excited because one of my oldest and dearest friends, Meghan, is in town for the holidays!  She lives down in St. Louis now, so I don't get to see her very often, and we are loooong overdue for a catch-up!  We usually go out for Vietnamese food when we see each other, but I think we're opting for a coffee date today.  I'm glad to have the next few days off.  :)  I just hope the weather isn't gross so I can take some Christmas-y photos outside!  Eeeee I love holidays!!

Oh, and before I forget: the winner of the Silent Daisy giveaway is... Kari!  Congratulations, Kari!  Crissy will be in touch with you about all the details :) Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a lovely Monday!
xox Sammi