Pumpkin patch

I'm popping in for a very quick post with these pumpkin-y pictures! Pumpkin picking season is over now (luckily, pumpkin pie season isn't!), but my best friend Wayne and I made a trip to get some pumpkins last month at a local farm. They didn't really have many pick-your-own pumpkins, but I managed to snap a few shots in this field in between hayrides. We also had fresh apple cider and homemade donuts, so I'd say it was a pretty productive afternoon. It's been unseasonably warm so far this fall, which gave me a chance to wear this new-to-me vintage dress (and of course, my pumpkin brooch).

Outfit Details

Vintage dress: eBay (from Daffny's shop)

Pumpkin brooch: Summer Blue Jewelry

Belt + flats: old

I can scarcely believe that Thanksgiving is so soon, and the holidays are sneaking up on me. Time needs to slow down! I may be sick of warm weather, but I'm not quite ready for snow yet...

Have a great Wednesday!

Sweet dresses + sweeter friends

I am a natural introvert who often finds herself in situations that are probably better-suited for extroverts. I value my alone time and rely on it to recharge. But I'm also very grateful for my friends these days. I've always been the type of person who would rather have a few dear friends than tons of casual acquaintances, but I feel like the number of people I keep close to me has dwindled a bit over the last couple of years. I no longer have the built-in social life of college, I'm back in my hometown, I'm single, I work from home, and I guess I'm ultimately pretty choosy about who I let into my life. I have a handful friends from work and from the theatre community that I love and see fairly often, but I am sort of solitary for a lot of the time – and I'm mostly okay with that. Between my day job and the work I do for blogging, I end up spending a lot of time on the computer, so I feel really fortunate to have 3 best friends who are just a click away. Though we've never met in person (yet!), Ashley, Amanda and Katie are such wonderful friends, and I'm so thankful for the kindness they've shown me. I've met some amazing girls through the blogging community, and being able to chat with these three every day – about blogging, clothes, and life in general – is something I treasure.

The reason I'm getting all sentimental is because this pretty vintage dress used to belong to Amanda. She recently lost quite a bit of weight (and looks incredible!), so she thought this dress would be perfect for me... and I dare say, I think she was right! I love the color scheme, and the little flower embroidery is so sweet. I paired it with a yellow cardigan (since it still doesn't totally feel like summer here) and my mom's daisy brooch, but since the dress is sleeveless, it'll be great for when it gets hot! I'm so happy that Amanda thought of me when she was going through her closet; her (weight) loss is my (clothing) gain! :)

Outfit Details

Vintage dress: from Amanda

Cardigan: Trashy Diva

Brooch: vintage

Pettislip: similar

Flats: similar

Have a great Monday!

Indigo

I have a slight obsession with vintage square dance dresses. I've worn others on the blog before (here, here and here), and I'm excited to add this one to my collection. The fit is perfect, and the color seems to be sort of rare. It's also comfortable, and I like that it isn't a super delicate vintage piece (so I can actually get some wear out of it!). A lot of square dance dresses are suitable for very specific occasions, but this one is worthy of everyday wear.

And where did I find this fantastic dress? You might remember that I recently held a giveaway with Hey Viv!, a retro clothing boutique. They carry lots of popular retro reproduction brands, and they also have their own line. But did you know they also have a vintage shop on Etsy?! I had no idea that they also sold vintage, so I was very excited to browse what they had to offer. I ended up picking this square dance dress, which I love, but it was definitely hard to choose. It can be difficult to find affordable, high quality vintage pieces – especially on Etsy, where there is SO much to choose from – but Hey Viv! Vintage has a wide array of great vintage items for sale. Although their regular boutique specializes in '50s-inspired items, their vintage shop boasts pieces from the 1940s-1990s, so there's something for everyone! Here are just a few of my favorite pieces (all currently available) from their shop:

From top left: Floral Teal Day Dress  //  1950's Fascinator Hat

1970's Embroidered Purse  //  Country Floral Dress

One more awesome thing about Hey Viv: they're offering my readers a 10% discount code (good for both their regular site and their Etsy store) when you sign up for the Hey Viv newsletter! Scroll to the bottom of their home page + enter your information, and you'll receive the code in your e-mail. Be sure to let me know you signed up in the comments here so we make sure you get your discount!

Outfit Details

Vintage dress: c/o Hey Viv! Vintage

Flats: similar

Don't forget to enter my Sourpuss giveaway! The winner will receive an awesome red sparkle clutch. The giveaway ends Sunday night at midnight, so don't wait! Enter here.

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Some other spring

I am seriously so happy it's finally spring. Winter seemed to last forever this year, and it was colder than even my parents remember it ever being. But little spring flowers are starting to spring up – crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils are finally waking up, and it's such a sight for sore eyes. This springy vintage dress (a permanent swap from sweet Elana) always makes me happy, and I thought it'd be the perfect thing to wear now that spring has finally arrived.

In other news, my new job working for my mom has been going well so far! I'm really enjoying working from home, and I'm feeling really good about my decision. It was definitely time to try something different, and it's fortunate that she and I are so close (and we work well together). I've been working on her website and helping with some press releases and proposals, which has been pretty enjoyable. My work load is admittedly kind of light right now since I have a lot to learn, but I'm feeling really positive about the whole thing. 

Outfit Details

Vintage dress: swap from Elana

Cardigan: available here

Pettislip: similar

Shoes: similar

Have a great Sunday, and don't forget: my giveaway with Hey Viv! closes tonight at midnight (EST)! Don't miss your chance to win a pinup peasant top + a package of awesome retro accessories! Enter here before time runs out!

xox Sammi

Mistletoe

This is the second out of four Christmas-themed outfit posts that I've planned.  (If you missed Saturday's post, it contains a great novelty print holiday dress + clutch!).  I really love vintage square dance dresses.  I think they're so charming and unique.  I certainly can't wear them for every occasion, but I'd had my eye on this one from The Braided Bandit forever, and I knew it'd be perfect for Christmastime festivities.  I feel like a storybook character in this dress!  Hannah has so many gems in her store, and I'm always impressed with the amount of care and thought she puts into both her curation and packaging.

While trying to come up with a name for this post, I started thinking about the holidays -- specifically, what it's like to celebrate them alone.  Well, I'm not really alone; I'm incredibly lucky to have great parents with whom I can celebrate.  But the fact is that I spent quite a few holidays with someone who I thought was the love of my life.  And even though it's been more than a year since we broke up, I'm still adjusting to celebrating sans boyfriend.  It's still weird to not be buying him presents or to be making plans for New Year's Eve.  And even though kissing is something I miss during the rest of the year too, it seems like those holiday kisses are a little more important, somehow.  When you're faced with constant reminders -- whether they be sprigs of mistletoe or the ball drop -- it's hard to forget that you're single.  I came to the realization recently that the issues that plagued my ex during our relationship will probably follow him for his entire life (it's a long story, but if you feel like googling "Pure OCD," you might get the gist), and I know that I deserve to be with someone whose mind doesn't make him question whether or not he loves me or is attracted to me.  But there is still a significant part of me that misses what we shared, and it hits me especially hard around this time of year.  This is not to say that I think I need to be with someone for the holidays.  I don't want to be with someone for the sake of not being alone.  I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who love and care about me.  All that I'm trying to say, really, is that I wouldn't mind being kissed this Christmas -- with or without the presence of mistletoe.

Outfit Details

Dress: The Braided Bandit Vintage

Hair bow: American Apparel
Shoes: estate sale store

Petticoat: eBay
Bracelet: old

Have a marvelous Monday!
xox Sammi

Watercolor

Outfit Details

Dress: Vintage Style Me

Flats & white camisole: Target

This dress isn't exactly something that I'd typically go for.  The color scheme is definitely up my alley, and I like the fit-and-flare shape, but it definitely has more of a modern vibe.  I'm glad I took a chance on it though, especially because it's incredibly lightweight (and it has pockets!), so I think I'll get a lot of use out of it this summer.  It's good for more casual occasions, and even though it's actually a tiny bit too big, it's breezy and fun and completely comfy!

Not much else to say today.  I hope you're having a nice Thursday!

xox Sammi

You don't bring me flowers

Outfit Details:

Vintage floral dress: swap from Ashley

Hair flower & tulle underskirt: Forever 21

Pink heels: Marshall's 

Bracelet: old

I think most (if not all!) of us can agree that Ashley of Southern (California) Belle is one of the sweetest ladies around, with an even sweeter wardrobe.  Getting to know Ashley better through Flock Together has been an absolute delight, and I always love seeing how she remixes items.  From the moment I laid eyes on this vintage dress over on Ashley's blog, I was swooning.  Ashley wore this dress for the rehearsal dinner for her brother's wedding, and she was so incredibly kind to let me borrow it.  She managed to score this beauty for $29 on Etsy (which is amazing), and I told her that I had just one problem with it: namely, that I never wanted to take it off!  Ashley is much smaller than I am, but somehow, this dress fit me perfectly (sometimes I think of Flock Together like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, only with dresses).  This dress might be the dress of my dreams.

I'm also envious of Ashley's dreamy pink hair (especially because of pairs so beautifully with her wardrobe!).  She opted for a slightly more casual look, and styled this dress with a pretty aquamarine cardigan, belt and pink mermaid flats.  Ashley always looks like a mermaid to me!  <3   

Did you all have a nice Independence Day?  I went to see fireworks with my best friend, Wayne, and it was a lot of fun.  This year is proving really hard for me, and I feel like a lot of the important people in my life have quickly dissipated for one reason or another.  I'm thanking my lucky stars that I have Wayne.  It's imperative to find reasons to be thankful these days.  I know being thankful is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the 4th of July, but I am, nonetheless.  I'm thankful for fireworks and cotton candy, and also for friends and family and my health and to live in a country that allows me to make my own choices.  So maybe Independence Day is about being thankful, after all.

Have a great Saturday!

xox Sammi