Let a smile be your umbrella

Outfit Details:

Dream of the Crop Cardigan in Mint: ModCloth (other colors here)

Umbrella print skirt: dELiA*s (old)

Black sheer tights: Urban Outfitters

Lady in Rad Boot in Ink: ModCloth

Black camisole & hat: Target

These photos are actually from a few weeks ago, before our first big snowfall hit, but I totally forgot to post them!  This is one of the few skirts I own, and I like that despite its quirky pattern, it's kind of subtle and has the ability to be dressed down a little bit.  And I essentially live in these cropped cardigans.  I want one in every color, and it annoys me that they're clearly a wholesale item and I can't get them anywhere else!  They're warm, the perfect length and come in the prettiest colors.

I actually drove this week for the first time in like, two months.  I had been taking driving lessons (and need to get back to that), but with everything that had been happening (and the fact that my now-ex had been helping with teaching me how to drive), I just kind of needed to take a little hiatus.  I still have a lot of anxiety about driving in general, but I grew a pair and faced my fears -- and discovered what I always discover: that it's never nearly as bad as you anticipate it'll be.  Plus, a trip to Home Depot (for paint samples) and Panera was a good motivator.  :) 

Have a great Thursday!

xox Sammi

Hibernation

Outfit Details:

Knitted Dove squirrel cardigan: ModCloth (similar here and here)

Black dress: ModCloth (similar here and here)

Lady in Rad Boot in Ink: ModCloth

Squirrel ring: Forever 21 (similar here)

Belt: from another dress
Tights: dance tights

Today's post will be a little short, since I don't have as many photos as I normally do (which is probably a good thing, since I usually have way too many).  I have the day off, and it's supposed to warm up a little over the course of the next couple of days, so I'm hoping I can take some photos in between errands and such.  I have to get to the post office at some point, and I'd love to go with my mom to look at paint samples (as well as some spray paint) for room-related things!  I also got the majority of my holiday shopping done last night, amazingly.  I was feeling really stumped about what to get my parents, but I think I found some good things.  I love giving people presents!  I'm an only child, so receiving them has always been a big deal to me too (haha), but I get a lot of joy out of picking out *just* the right thing for someone.  :)

Have a great Tuesday!

xox Sammi

Prima ballerina

Outfit Details:

Nishe ballerina dress: ASOS (found one on eBay here)

Black sheer tights: Urban Outfitters

Lady in Rad Boot in Ink: ModCloth

Pink heart ring: Urban Outfitters (old)

Pink coat: Tulle

This weekend was Nutcracker weekend for the orchestra I work for (they do a co-production with Rochester City Ballet every year), and it always proves to be kind of exhausting.  It's nice because it gets you into the holiday spirit, but it is a lot to handle.  I worked all day on Friday and came home incredibly sore, just from sitting in a chair for 7+ hours.  I actually took a bath for the first time since I was probably 8 or so, and it was awesome.  Baths are highly underrated, I think.  Saturday was a little easier; despite the fact that I was on the schedule for both concerts, I ended up getting a nice break in between... during which, my dad and I took a trip to Best Buy... and I AM SO EXCITED because I am getting a wonderful, blog-related present for Christmas (hint: it starts with a "c" and rhymes with "ramera")!!!!  I am going to have to act very surprised.  Needless to say, my parents are really great and I feel sort of undeserving these days.

This dress is from one of my favorite brands, Nishe (I thought it was all too appropriate for my work weekend!).  I've worn a bunch of their pieces on my blog before (including this hot air balloon dress, this fruit dress, this heart romper, this mermaid dress, and the cupcake dress I wore for Halloween!).  I'm so pleased that ASOS carries so many of their pieces.  ModCloth carries a few of them, but ASOS seems to carry a much larger representation of their current lines.  If you're not familiar with this label, go check out their section at ASOS.  I don't like as many of the pieces in their current fall/winter line, but I'm excited to see what their spring line will look like!

I'm excited to make some progress on my room makeover!  My mom had been looking for a long, low dresser (and sometimes she doesn't really quite know my taste), and we found one on Etsy for FAR less than she'd originally thought she'd have to pay... so we bought it!  It's goooorgeous, and it's painted white and mint already (I posted a photo of it on my instagram, if you want to see!).  I want to go shopping for paint and such!  My room has french doors that go into the guest room (where I actually sleep), and one room is already a minty color, so we are probably just going to paint that a slightly more pastel mint... and then I'm not sure whether I want to go with the same thing in the other room, or a pastel lavender.  I'm leaning towards the lavender right now.  I also need to paint my set of ice cream parlor chairs -- and find a table to go with them!  One room is going to be for some of my furniture (I have a bunch from my old apartment in New York City, and some new that I'd gathered for my future plans with my now-ex... I refuse to not put them to good use!), clothing racks, a place I can take indoor photos... and then the other one will be a normal bedroom, but with more updates and with my aesthetic.  I'm excited to get started and feel like I actually have a space that is my style.  :)

Hope you have a great Monday!

xox Sammi

Air of December: an autumnal wrap-up

I absolutely cannot believe that it's December 1st today.  I know winter doesn't technically start 'til much later in the month, but I essentially consider Dec. 1 to be the start of the season.  It's weird, because summer doesn't feel like it was that long ago to me, and I guess the fall was kind of a blur.  I want to start documenting my outfits in a wrap-up post; I thought about doing it monthly, but I kind of like the idea of a seasonal one better.  It's something a tiny bit different, at least!  So here is a sampling of my favorite outfits from each month of the fall (feel free to tell me which one you liked best!):

September

(From upper left: Easy as pie // Meow mix
Heartbreak Hotel // Forever Autumn)

October

(From upper left: Red October // Pale Blue Dot // BOOO-OOOOOK!
snuggle bunny // Milkshakes and Amaretto Sours // Pumpkin spice
Sweets for the sweet // Hey, cupcake! // High school hellcat)

November

(From upper left: A whiter shade of pale // One lump or two? // Roses Blue
A certain shade of green // Suzy Snowflake // Violet mints
She's a full-on Monet // Switchboard operator // Fairisle)

As emotionally-difficult as this whole season has been for me, I feel like I've also kind of found my stride in certain ways.  I'm still struggling and consistency is kind of a foreign concept at this point, but I am a strong person -- or at least, I'm trying to be.  This blog (not to mention all of the lovely friends I've made and comments you all leave me) has brought me a lot of joy, and that's always important -- but it's meant so much to me during these last few months.  My goal is to continue moving forward; learning not to dwell and to simply live in the present is difficult, but all I can do is trust that it will eventually be alright.  In the meantime, I will continue to do what makes me happy (I obviously have other, specific goals too, but they all fall under that umbrella). So thank you all for being a part of that! 

Happy December and have a great Sunday!

xox Sammi 

Vanilla chai

Outfit Details:

White shirtdress: Forever 21

Coat: ModCloth (old, similar here)

Tights: old (similar here)

Lady in Rad Boots in Camel: ModCloth (similar here)

Bracelet: American Eagle (old)

Well, I think it's safe to say it's officially winter here in upstate New York.  This isn't a whole lot of snow for this area, but it is enough to make me realize that I really can't take photos outside (at least, not all the time) for much longer.  Luckily, we're in the process of redoing my room (thanks in large part to my mom), so I'll soon have a nicer indoor space to take pictures -- and hopefully with some better lighting!  AND I'm hoping to be getting a DSLR for Christmas!!  So those are some things I'm looking forward to.  Oh, and my dad found my parents' old camera tripod (the box it came in is SO quintessentially early 90s, it's not even funny), so now I can continue to use my current camera until a new one might present itself.  My parents are pretty wonderful people.  I am lucky.  

I'll be working pretty much all day, selling tickets to a whole lotta dance moms (we have 6 performances of The Nutcracker with our orchestra this weekend).  I had to take a long, hot bath after my day yesterday; sitting in an uncomfortable computer chair stuck to a headset for 7 hours is really not good for my body.  But I'm determined to get back on the right track, physically!  I'm really going to try to be diligent about Weight Watchers again (of course, I'd pick the toughest time, temptation-wise!) and get back to exercising regularly.  I hate that I turn to food in times of emotional trouble.  I feel really awful when I don't eat well and take care of myself, and there is no reason why I shouldn't be kind to myself in every way.  I let myself indulge, but enough is enough.  :)

Have a lovely Saturday!

xox Sammi

Crisp apple strudel (Flock Together)

It's virtually unheard of that I do two posts in one day, but I'm also blogging over at Flock Together today!  I'm styling this beautiful red dress (which belongs to the lovely Erica!) and I'm definitely feeling the holiday spirit.  So once you've had your fill of holiday shopping (did you check out my post on my favorite Black Friday deals?), head on over to Flock Together and take a peek!

Have a happy Friday!!

xox Sammi  

The Shopaholic's Holiday (contains coupon codes!)

Of course, I'm referring to Black Friday!  Yesterday was devoted to turkey and family and tradition... but today is all about shopping (at least, it is for me)!  There are obviously a ton of great Black Friday deals right now, and if you're stuck at work (like I am) or want to spare yourself from navigating all the crowds (like I do), online shopping is a wonderful option.  

Out of all the big holiday sales, the one at ModCloth has to be my favorite -- but this shouldn't surprise anyone, since ModCloth has HUNDREDS of items on sale for 50% OFF right now!!!  I'm nearly hyperventilating at the amazingness.  These are all brand new arrivals to ModCloth, and all are half price!  It's almost too good to be true.  Here are a few of my 50%-off-favorites:

a // Luck Be a Lady Dress in Garden

b // Record Store Date Dress

c // Fashionably Afloat Dress

d // Darling, Please Dress in Jade

e // Fluent in Feline Sunglasses

f // Critter-cal Mass Bag in Cat

g // Looking to Tomorrow Dress in Evergreen

h // Bake Shop Browsing Dress in Umbrellas

i // Boysenberry Buckle Dress

j // Unrivaled Radiance Flats

k // Purr-chance to Dream Flat

l // Career Fairest Heel

Not only does ModCloth have great ideas for your holiday shopping needs, but since this is too sweet a deal to pass up, I'm sure you'll find a little something (or several somethings!) for yourself.  I'm really tempted by the beautiful baby blue dress, the cat purse, the purple halter dress, and the spectator heels!  Ahh!  This ModCloth sale lasts only 'til December 1st, so hurry up and head on over to the Black Friday 50% off sale to snag the best deals while they last!  PLUS, ModCloth is offering FREE international shipping on orders of $150+ for the holidays (so now is your chance, if you live outside the US and are a ModCloth lover!).

In addition to the sale-a-bration at ModCloth, here are a few of my other favorite retailers that are having some fantastic sales today:

ASOS: save 20% side-wide with code GIMME20
dELiA*s: save 40% and get free shipping with code HOLIDAY
Lalamagic: get $15 off orders of $50+ with code ILOVEBLACKFRIDAY
Asian iCandy: Black Friday deals (no code required - and they have the cutest animal tights!!)
Betsey Johnson: 30% off site-wide + free shipping with code SHOP30
Collectif Clothing: 50% off everything (except jackets & coats) with code BF50
Sourpuss Clothing: 25% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY
Emerging Thoughts: 20% off with the code GOBBLE GOBBLE
ever+mi.crush: 50% off site (excluding sale) with code BLKFRIDAY
Bonne Chance Collections: 20% off site-wide (plus free shipping) with code THANKYOU1
Fleet Collection: take 40% off your entire order with code BLACKFRIDAY13
Trashy Diva: 30% off regular-priced items with code BLACKOUT30
Hello Holiday: 25% off site-wide + a free gift with code BRIGHT
I'm Your Present: 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY
Unique Vintage: 25% off site-wide with code 25OFF
OASAP: up to 75% off on select items (see site for details)
B.A.I.T. Footwear: 25%-60% off (see site for details)
Tulle: up to 75% off entire site (no code required)
Kate Spade: up to 75% off (no code required)
Ruche: 20% off site-wide (no code required)



Happy Shopping!! :)
xox Sammi