Dot com

Outfit Details:

Polka dot dress: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Cardigan: dELiA*s (similar here)

Black heels: ModCloth (similar here)

Belt: from another dress

I always forget how short this dress is until I take photos in it.  It also could be a much more versatile piece for me, if I let it, but I always seem to gravitate towards simple black and white pairings for it.  The one other time I wore this on the blog, it was with a black and white combination.  I could definitely wear it as a skirt underneath a brighter sweater, though.  Maybe next time.  

Pumpkin was not pleased with me.

Although I've been feeling a little emotionally overwhelmed the past couple of days, I did get a boost of inspiration on Monday.  I've been talking to some blogger friends about noticing an influx of negative, trolling comments.  Constructive criticism can be an incredibly helpful thing -- even though I take any type of criticism FAR too personally -- but I think the internet can provide a mask of relative anonymity for people to hide behind in order to simply bully others.  I don't like confrontation, and I know there's no way that we can control what other people do or choose to say.  But what we can do is band together and provide a forum of positivity, kindness and creative collaboration for each other.  I've been lucky enough to not have experienced too many unkind comments (though I know that could always change, and probably will, at some point!), but I know that I'm one of many bloggers who identify as Highly Sensitive People, and I know that when/if it does occur, I need to make sure that I have a blogging support system in place.  I've always believed in the power of supporting each other within creative communities, and I think there needs to be more of that.  So we've formed a little network of sweet lady bloggers who want to act as a positive sounding board for each other, and I'm really excited about that.  It's truly wonderful to know that amongst all the negativity that can be found in the blogosphere, there are a ton of really great girls (whom I feel honored to call friends) who radiate positive energy and who want to be a constant source of inspiration for each other.  :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xox Sammi

PS: if you're a blogger who's interested in joining our little group, send me a message on Facebook!

Valentine

Outfit Details:

Red dress: swap from Dus

Upper West Stride Hat: ModCloth

Baby biscuit bag: Storenvy

Lips ring: Forever 21 (similar here)

White boots: eBay

This is one of the very rare occasions where I actually wear what I'm featuring on the blog on the same day.  There's usually a significant lag between when I take photos and when I actually post them, but because this gorgeous dress from Dus was so perfect for this holiday, I just had to save it to wear today after taking photos earlier in the week.  I'm working at the box office and then seeing the concert (they're playing all of the orchestrations of Singin' in the Rain while the movie is playing -- it's so cool how they use technology to make sure it all syncs up perfectly!), so I had to look festive!

This dress isn't as slimming in the waist as I usually like my dresses to be, but I actually don't mind it in this case, because it's so dreamy otherwise!  It's too hard to tell, but the neckline is actually scalloped, and the shoulders are puffed, which makes it even more darling.  I love the way that Dus styled this dress on her blog, and Marisa styled it over at Flock Together recently with such flair.  It never ceases to amaze me how seemingly statement pieces can be so versatile.  I daresay that I end up wearing things in less creative ways than some of the FT girls, but I try to put a unique spin on the styling!

What's funny is that I thought I'd feel down about being alone on Valentine's Day this year... but I've come to realize that I'm really not alone.  I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by people who love and care about me -- genuine, kind-hearted people that bring such joy into my life.  And I'd much rather have that than just any old someone to kiss today, just because it's the 14th of February and everyone tells us we're inferior if we don't have someone to share it with.  I have always loved this holiday, but I'm not going to feel sad simply because I technically don't have a sweetheart.  I feel happy and hopeful.  And it surprises even me.

I hope your day is happy & hopeful too, and filled with love.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

xoxox Sammi

Cabernet sauvignon (Flock Together)

I'm posting over on the Flock Together blog today and I'm wearing this beauuuuutiful red velvet dress from Jenna of Smitten!  I'm super-infatuated with this slightly more grungy-bohemian look.  See more and check out how the other Flock Together girls styled this dress here!  

And don't forget to enter my 1-year blogiversary giveaway!  One (1) winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth PLUS a huge haul of adorable goodies from ASOS and Forever 21!  Get all the details and enter to win here!  :)  

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xox Sammi

Mountain laurel

Outfit Details:

Vintage dress: swap from Elana

Vintage hat: Neely Auction (Etsy)

Seamed tights: similar here

Ida spectators: BAIT Footwear

Coat: ModCloth (old)

I'm back from my vacation!  And sadly, the landscape here no longer looks like this.  In typical Rochester fashion, we returned to lots of snowy, cold weather.  It was actually pretty chilly in Orlando (I had to wear my winter coat on Friday night at Epcot!), but it still nice to see palm trees!  Also, I didn't intend to take such a long break from blogging!  It got too crazy to schedule posts before we left, and every day when I vowed to blog at night, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow!  It was truly a whirlwind vacation, and it was great to get away... but I'm glad to be home.  I'll go into more detail on everything when I can upload pictures and such, but thank you for being patient in the meantime!  :) 

I actually got a haircut after I took these photos, so I have shorter bangs now -- I tried for Bettie bangs, but I'm not sure if they really count.  I wasn't sold on them at first, but now I really like them!

I cannot say enough about how much I love this dress.  When I saw that Elana had put it up for swaps for Flock Together, I knew that I at least had to try it on.  Amazingly, it just zipped, and I immediately fell in luuurve.  It's so springy, and it was perfect for the one day of spring we had here before winter reared its ugly head again.  I told Elana that if she ever wanted to sell it, to let me know... and I think we're actually going to do a permanent swap!  She fell for my hot air balloon dress by Sugarhill Boutique that I put up for swaps, and I know she will get FAR more use out of it than I ever will!  Elana is such a doll, and I feel so glad to have gotten to know her better through blogging.  You can see how Elana styled this beautiful vintage dress here!  

Have a happy Sunday!

xox Sammi

Speakeasy (Flock Together)

Hi, everyone!  Today, I'm styling this awesome vintage dress from Hannah of The Braided Bandit over on the Flock Together blog!  I really love the way this one turned out.  You can check out the rest of my photos, see my outfit details, and take a look at how the other girls have styled this piece here!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xox Sammi

PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free Blogger template, portrait doodle and 3 months of ad space from Silent Daisy!  :)  

Under the pink

Outfit Details:

Vintage pastel plaid dress: Crush Vintage Candy

Pink bow back sweatshirt: Forever 21 (similar here)

Dance Instead of Walking Heels in Cream: ModCloth

White tights: ModCloth (similar here)

Birthday cake ring: Le Petite Bonbon

I wish I had remembered to repaint my nails before taking these!

This dress happens to be one of my all-time favorites.  I had been looking everywhere for a pastel plaid dress, and this one from Crush Vintage Candy kept popping up in my searches.  It was listed as a size small, so I didn't even bother to look at the detailed listing... but then I finally did, and realized that I might just fit into it.  It was a totally reasonable price for such an adorable dress, so I bought it and was SO happy that I did.  I can't get over the adorable detailing on the collar, or the fact that it came with the most perfect peach belt I've ever seen.  I wore this on my blog (under more summery circumstances) back in May (see that post here), and I didn't realize 'til now how short this dress actually is on me... but I was still determined to remix it for colder weather, so I tried the sweater trick.  I think it worked out pretty well, though I still like the dress by itself best.  :)

I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing this weekend (other than working).  I'm still feeling under the weather, though I've been basically assured that it isn't strep, and that it's most likely something viral -- which kind of sucks, since that just means it has to run its course.  I've been on a pretty steady regimen of Advil, since my throat feels like it's swollen shut, and that is the only thing that helps.  That, and mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Those are the medicines I swear by.

Have a super Saturday!

xox Sammi