I just called to say I love you

Outfit Details:

Heart dress (worn as a top): dELiA*s (similar here and here)

White skirt: Stutterin' Mama's Simply Vintage Boutique (similar here)

Betsey Johnson Ring Me Crossbody Bag: ModCloth (sold out everywhere!)

Black bow belt: GoJane (similar here)

Telephone brooch: Kitty Cat Shop

Lady in Rad Boots in Ink: ModCloth

Black tights: similar here

Sometimes, an outfit I have planned out in my head looks just as good as I had hoped it would.  And then other times, pieces just don't work out like I'd thought.  I had every intention of wearing a petticoat underneath this skirt, but when I tried it, it looked really ridiculous.  Something about the length of this particular skirt, I guess.  I don't own a lot of skirts, and I don't have many this length, so I was a little skeptical of how it'd look with this dress layered underneath as a top.  This knit dress is way more of a body-con style than I normally wear, and it's definitely not working for me these days... but I love the print and the fact that it's warm, so I wanted to find a way to remix it.

I've been under the weather the past few days, and I'm really hoping it's not strep.  I have today off, so I'm going to try to get to the doctor.  At least it's coming at a time where I don't have to be stressed about being sick (i.e., right before an audition or opening a show).  I'm so envious of people who don't get sick very often!  My immune system has always kinda sucked, but I know there are a bunch of things I could do to stay healthy for a longer period of time.  I just always forget to do them!

We ended up getting a bunch of snow last night (I woke up from a nap to a blanket of snow on the ground!), and it's supposed to be really cold throughout the rest of the week, so I can't imagine it'll all thaw again for a while.  My problem is that so many of my shoes are too cute (and too un-sturdy) to wear out in the snow, but the boots I have only look good with certain things -- and they kind of ruin the look of some of my outfits!  I ordered a pair of high white snow boots from eBay (though I'm assuming they're probably going to be pretty low quality, even if they fit) to try and combat this problem, because my room isn't nearly nice enough yet to take photos in there and I still prefer going outside, even if it is cold.  There is something very serene in it, and I love my alone time.

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Cadillac cutie

Outfit Details:

Car print dress: Yumi (available on eBay)

White belt: from another dress

White heels: jcpenney

Watch ring: Mom's

Pink coat: Tulle

Yumi is another brand that has great prints, and this dress has been sitting in my closet forever!  I fell in love with the car print (especially since there are pink cars!), but for some reason, I just never wore it.  I wasn't super in love with the fit, and I'm now realizing it's a little short, but hey.  I thought this pink coat went pretty perfectly with it (even though the sleeves are a little too long, whoops).

We finally put up and decorated our Christmas tree this weekend!  My mom still has to finish decorating the house (she always does really pretty things for the different seasons, and in winter, she puts up icy decorations in the windows and on the fireplace mantle -- she has such a great eye for design), but the tree looks so festive.  I don't know what my color scheme will be like when I have my own tree -- maybe pastels or something really kitschy -- but hers are always variants of apple green, copper, gold and brown, with lots of beautiful birds and other nature-y things.  And of course, Pumpkin is very interested in the tree (though she has yet to ever topple it over).  :)  I love the fact that we celebrate both Chanukkah and Christmas!

Have a great Tuesday!

xox Sammi

Cat and mouse

Outfit Details:

Hooked on a Feline Dress: ModCloth

Lady in Rad Boots in Ink: ModCloth

Mouse ring: gift (get it here)

Black belt: from another dress

Cropped cardigan: Target

Tights: similar here

I would like to go on record saying that Retrolicious (by Folter Clothing) is a terrific brand.  ModCloth carries a lot of their pieces, and they always have the most fantastic prints -- and this cat dress is no exception!  This dress is actually the exact same style as this dress that I wore for Thanksgiving, and I really love the shape.  I've also worn their other designs here, here and here.  Their dresses have a little bit of wiggle room too, which I like (for vanity's sake, I enjoy when I can wear a medium in a dress that doesn't necessarily have a ton of stretch), and even though they're bold prints, they can be casual.

This ring was a gift from my ex.  It feels really weird to be wearing it, but I also refuse to not wear something I love just because the person who gave it to me no longer wants to be in my life.  Yes, it's sort of painful to wear a reminder of my heartbreak, but I think it actually helps me accept things, rather than avoid any kind of reminder of what's happened.  I'm doing much better than I was even a few weeks ago though, so I have to feel proud of myself for that.  I still get sad and I still get angry and I still mourn -- because it's a great loss, and I have to deal with that -- but when I have little victories, they should still be celebrated.

loling @ that scaredy cat's face

Have a great Monday!

xox Sammi

Giverny

Outfit Details:

Watercolor vintage dress: Cricket Capers

Gray cardigan: dELiA*s

Spectators: BAIT Footwear

Daisy ring: Mom's

I decided it was time for some color!  It's so easy to be sucked in to a bevy of neutrals and earth tones during the winter -- and though I love these, sometimes it just becomes boring after a while!  Since the snow thawed a bit this week (it got up to like, 50 degrees on Thursday) and it actually felt springlike, I decided it'd be a good time to wear this lovely vintage find.  I love the color and pattern of this dress (it doesn't really remind me of Monet, but I had the same visceral reaction to it as when I look at his paintings, hence the blog post title), and I do love any vintage dress that comes with a matching belt!

I had yesterday off, and had planned to work some more on my room... but I ended up kind of wasting the day.  I really want to get a little bistro cafe table to paint, but I'm not sure where to find one.  I've looked on Etsy, so probably my best bet is a thrift, antique or estate sale shop.  I wish the weather were nicer so there would be garage sales!  I guess it'll just have to be a work in progress until I find one.  Maybe I can convince my mom to take a trip out to this antique co-op on the other side of town... they have tons and tons of stores, and I've found some real gems there before.  It's a little ways to drive, but it could be worth it!

Enjoy your Saturday!

xox Sammi

Friday Favorites #31: Holiday Wishes

Today's Friday Favorites is a little more condensed than normal, and I'm featuring some things that make an appearance on my (admittedly ever-growing) holiday gift wish list!  Somehow, almost all of my picks ended up within the same color family... I guess I just know what I like! :)

1. Coincidence & Chance Polka Dot Mesh Dress || 2. Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life || 3. U is For Unicorn Print || 4. Downton Abbey wall calendar || 5. Bow Accent Platform Pumps || 6. Assembly Home Kitty Pillow || 7. Candy Kickline Heel in Bubblegum || 8. Fairyland Charm Neckalce || 9. Carousel Ruffled Lace Dress || 10. It by Alexa Chung || 11. Kitty Cat Gel Sticker Sheet ||12. Artisanal Macarons Dress || 13. The Vintage Sweets Book || 14. Coral Gables Days One Piece ||15. Cartoon Clock Shoulder Bag || 16. Hop, Snip, and a Jump Flat

Lots of quirky, girly items (and really, would you expect anything less?)

A couple of other things I'm lusting after this holiday season...

- Lalamagic is having a 50% off EVERYTHING sale until December 7th!  Use code happyholidays at checkout to apply the discount.  Personally, I have my eye on this adorable kitty ring:

- Right on the heels of all the Black Friday sales, ModCloth is having a 30% off mystery sale on tons of great items on the site!  Here are a few of my favorite pieces that are marked down until Dec. 9th:

a // b // c // d // e // f // g // h 

  

So ya know, if any of these showed up under the tree this Christmas... I certainly wouldn't hate it... (hint-hint to Mom, if she's reading this!)  I'm definitely tempted by the red house print dress!  Might be perfect for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day... :)

Have a wonderful Friday!!

xox Sammi

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