Cake and presents

It's my 26th birthday today!  Honestly, it doesn't really feel like anything special this year; maybe it has something to do with the fact that being in your mid-to-late 20s isn't as exciting, or maybe it's just the circumstances in which I currently find myself.  I'm not doing much of anything to celebrate, other than going out to dinner with my parents.  This year has sort of been weird, but I'm trying my best not to feel down.  Fortunately, it's difficult to feel down while wearing this dress!  It's originally from ASOS, but I'd been searching for it on eBay for what feels like forever -- I even missed out on it once before in a smaller size.  This was truly serendipity though, because I happened to find it one day in my exact size for a reasonable price, and I knew I had to have it!  It's such a fun print (especially for someone who loves tea parties as much as I do!), and I just adore its little details, like the built-in crinoline and heart cut-out in the back.  It really is the perfect birthday dress, and wearing it feels like a present to myself.

Speaking of presents... I had an unexpected, extraordinarily-good mail day the other day.  I came home to find packages from two of my favorite internet friends!  Amanda had sent me a beautiful dress and blouse (from Voodoo Vixen and Steady Clothing, respectively) that she couldn't use, and Kate sent me an absolutely gigantic mystery box!  I couldn't imagine what she had sent me, and I gasped in surprise when I realized that Kate had sent me tons of dresses and sweaters!  Turns out that she was doing a big closet clean-out and thought I would be able to put them to good use.  I was so incredibly touched that she had thought of me, and that she would be so sweet to send me all of those pretty things -- including another ASOS dream dress that I had missed out on!  I feel very lucky to have two such wonderful friends in my life (especially because we've never met in person!), and these packages were so timely and made my birthday feel much more special.

Oh, and let's just talk about this donut clutch for a second.  It's perfect, and I was powerless to resist it.  This exact clutch is included in my Big Birthday Giveaway, and there's still plenty of time to enter, so make sure to do that if you haven't already!  In addition to this sweet purse, there are gift certificates to ModCloth and Unique Vintage, a copy of Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham, art and jewelry from some wonderful friends (Modern Girl Blitz, Flapperdoodle, Wanderlust Print Co., Rachel Sullivan Illustration & She Loves Cute Stuff), and so so so much more up for grabs!  Get all the details and enter the giveaway here!  :)

Outfit Details

Tea Party Print Dress: eBay (originally from ASOS)

Teacup necklace: ModCloth (similar)

Hair bow: Clip a Bow Boutique 

Donut clutch: New Look

Tea set ring: exact

Heels: Amazon

Have a sweet day!

xox Sammi

Garden song

This Blutsgeschwister dress is one of my absolute favorites.  It's a dress that never fails to cheer me up if I'm feeling low.  It's such a bright and fun piece, and I can't help but smile when I wear it.  I've worn it on the blog before, but it's definitely better suited for the warmer months, I think.  It's also a piece that I was especially thankful to find; I had spied it on the brand's website well before it was available anywhere in the USA, and because the Blutsheschwister site ships only to Germany and its surrounding countries, I thought all was lost.  Luckily, it ended up being available at ModCloth, and I knew I had to make it mine.  This plaid is so enchanting, and I love the sweet floral border.  I felt it would be a perfect pairing with my watering can novelty purse!

I actually had a fairly relaxing weekend, and it's rare that I even have much of a weekend at all these days, since I normally work on Saturdays.  My mom and I went to the Public Market on Saturday morning (it's a huge farmers' market here in Rochester), and we got a ton of yummy stuff, including more peaches and nectarines than I ever could have imagined!  I've been eating one with every meal, and it's been delightful.  I wish we could go every weekend.  I also had a lot of time alone, which has been kind of nice, and I was able to take photos and work a lot on my personal acting website.  I'm slowing checking things off my to-do list, which is a nice feeling.

Outfit Details

Prairie Extraordinary Dress: ModCloth

Spectators: BAIT Footwear (similar)

Boater hat: River Island (similar)

Pettislip: American Apparel

Watering can purse: eBay

Daisy ring: Mom's

On a serious note, I was so saddened to hear of Robin Williams' passing last night.  He was one of my favorite actors of all time, and he always astounded me not only with his comedic abilities, but with his incredible dramatic talent.  He was my first actor crush.  He made me believe in magic.  The world seems a little less magical without him in it.  Too many brilliant artists gone far too soon.  Be kind to each other.  <3

Have a great Tuesday.

xox Sammi

Switchboard operator

Outfit Details:

Worn With Aplomb Dress: ModCloth

Upper West Stride Hat: ModCloth

Betsey Johnson Collect Calls Bag: ModCloth*

(Available in two colors directly from Betsey Johnson) 

Doo Bee Doo Bee Shoe Heels: ModCloth (similar here)

Seamed stockings: American Apparel (similar here)

Quote Me Ring: ModCloth

Red necklace: Target (old)

Red coat: eBay

*a birthday gift from my mama!

I guess red has become my go-to color for this season.  I didn't think I owned a whole lot of it (I always gravitate towards cooler colors), but apparently I do now!  I love this little red hat (which I first wore on my blog here), and it goes perfectly with this dress, which I've had for quite a while.  And can we take a minute to talk about this bag??  I practically begged for it for my birthday, and my mom can evidently take a not-so-subtle hint.  :)  It's truly fantastic.  I featured it on my Friday Favorites a few weeks ago, but that didn't do it justice.  I love the rotary dial interface on the front, and the most fun part is that the phone earpiece can plug into your mobile phone as a headset!  So you can keep your real phone tucked away and answer your calls with the purse phone set!  I haven't tried it out yet, but even if it wasn't functional, I would have wanted it.  My mom is a huge Betsey Johnson fan, so I knew she would understand my obsession with this bag!  It's smaller than I'd thought, but even cuter in person.

These photos were taken before our first snowfall... I can't believe winter's on its way already.  Just like I can't believe November is half over already!  Time seems to be moving so fast lately (which is strange, because with everything that's happened in my personal life, you'd think time would feel like it was creeping by).  It's interesting how your perspective of time changes as you grow older.  Summertime used to last forever when I was a kid, and now it absolutely flies by.  I think this is because you have more time to compare it to, but it's still a strange phenomenon.  Although fall is my favorite season, in a way, I'm glad it's going by quickly.  It's been an emotional time for me, and I think next time it comes around, I'll be able to appreciate it more.  At least I've made it through in one piece (thus far, anyway)!  And I do hope it lasts a little while longer, because up here, winter seems to go on forever, and it'd be nice to delay its start for even just a bit.

Have a terrific Thursday!

xox Sammi