It's a jungle out there

Outfit Details:

Dress: eBay (originally from ModCloth)

Chinese take-out purse: Animal Kingdom

Red belt: from another dress

Heart necklace: ASOS (old)

White flats: Yeswalker (old)

The last of the Florida photos (sob)!  I wore this outfit on our last night in Disney World, when we went to Epcot for hibachi and fireworks.  This dress actually blends in pretty well with the surroundings of our hotel (we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, though we actually didn't spend very much time there at all).  I treasure this dress because it's an older ModCloth design that I completely missed out on, and I had tried to win it via an eBay option once before and lost out at the last second.  I was really bummed about it, and intermittently checked eBay for a while afterwards to see if another would show up.  Luckily, one did, and I didn't have to win an auction to buy it!  It's a super-flattering dress, and I love that it has a layer of turquoise tulle underneath to give it some extra fluff.  Plus, I love the off-the-shoulder detailing, and I think the print is such a unique floral!  I nearly froze, even with my winter coat(!), but sacrifices must be made in the name of fashion!  ;)

I saw this adorable take-out container purse when we were at Animal Kingdom, and I simply couldn't pass it up!  It was $20 and not something I could find just anywhere, so I knew it needed to come home with me (though finding a spot in my suitcase did prove to be a bit of a challenge).  We also lucked out and saw tons of animals on the safari ride while we were there:

I'm just glad that I was able to "reclaim" Disney World for myself, and that it's no longer colored by my previous relationship -- or at least, not so much so that it would keep me from going or enjoying myself.  My trip with my mom was a whirlwind, and we both felt like we weren't able to just relax while there... but there's always next time!  I'd also love to stay at the Boardwalk resort, since that was definitely my favorite of the ones we visited; it's so retro and has great restaurants, and it's within walking distance to Epcot, which would be great.  I also feel like there wouldn't be as much pressure to see everything next time I go, but that's also because I hope there won't be as much time between visits!  It's just soo expensive... I don't know how people can afford to go there so often!

Have a magical Monday!

xox Sammi

Snow queen

Outfit Details:

Dress: ModCloth (similar)
Faux fur cape: Target (old)
Silver crown: Urban Outfitters
White tights: Target
White boots: eBay
Bracelet: old

I actually intended to use these photos for my 1-year blogiversary post in the middle of February, but I was really on the fence about them after taking them.  I wanted an excuse to wear this silly, cheap crown (and I thought a blogiversary would be the perfect occasion), but I just wasn't happy with the resulting photos.  I ended up liking them well enough though, so I decided to upload them in the midst of this arctic-like chill we're currently experiencing.  I had been hopeful that spring was just around the corner, but that was just wishful thinking.

I bought this dress during one of ModCloth's crazy 70% off sales (where nothing is refundable), which was a bit of a risk, but this dress was so pretty (and so cheap) that I couldn't resist.  The other dress I bought was kind of a bust (in an additional punny way, since the bodice is too small for my chest!), and I was afraid this one was going to meet a similar fate, but it's actually really pretty.  I'd like to be able to wear it for a holiday occasion next year, since it seems pretty appropriate for that.

Have a swell Saturday!

xox Sammi

Friday Favorites #39

I always worry that I won't find enough items to highlight for a Friday Favorites post (which is one of the reasons I'd been doing them alternating weeks for a little while), and this week started off the same way.  However, I found an abundance of items this week... and many of them are so springy I can scarcely stand it!  I'm so ready for sunshine and no more snow!  But for now, these very vernal picks will have to do, until the weather catches up with my spring fever:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

I am of the opinion that one can never have too many cardigans, and this adorable little yellow sweater would be lovely for the spring!

Adorable springy printed dresses alert!

cats // ducks

I can be pretty particular when it comes to florals, but these pieces are divine:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

And although I am often drawn to kooky prints, I think these two plainer dresses are simply gorgeous!

                      aquamarine                                            periwinkle                                     

This petal pink coat would be perfect for any amount of spring chill!

I adore this pair of pastel, fantastical purses!

a // b

And I want this mythical portable unicorn speaker!

More silly novelty bags ahead!

c // d

e // f // g

A whimsical, pastel, retro-inspired swimsuit??  TAKE MY MONEY.

Speaking of retro, I love the idea of these three pieces together (especially since this dress looks so much like the one the girl is wearing on the earrings!):

a // b // c

Behold: the loveliest dress (which I'm determined to own) by my favorite brand ever...

Plus, here are a few other things I found this week that I loooove:

(source)

If someone would like to test out either of these delectable waffle recipes on me, I would gladly volunteer to be the guinea pig:

Churro Waffles:

via

Spiced Orange Chocolate Chip Waffles w/Orange Spice Maple Syrup:

via

Finally, I'd coincidentally done a little bit of research on this recently, but this article made me pretty convinced that I fall into the category of being a Highly Sensitive Person (which kind of just sounds like I haven't developed a tough enough skin or something, but it's a real thing).  It seems like many people in more creative arenas seem to fall into this category (including many bloggers, which makes sense to me), and it's nice to know that I'm a) not alone and b) that these traits can be revered.  There've been some instances in my life lately that have made me feel abnormal for feeling things more deeply or being prone to crying more than other people -- which I had never really questioned before.  But I read through this list and could check off almost every one in terms of whether or not they applied to me.  I want to read and learn more about this, and I've already gotten some really nice recommendations of where to start.  This is a much less fluffy note to end on this week, but maybe it'll interest you, too!

Thanks for joining me this week!  Have a wonderful Friday!

xox Sammi

Honey Pie

Outfit Details:

My Kind of Pie Dress: ModCloth

Teal top: Forever 21 (old)

Boots: ModCloth (similar here)

Pie ring: Citrus Couture

White belt: eBay

I think it's an unwritten rule that every twee, kitschy or retro blogger has to have this dress (or at least must have it on her wish list).  It had been out of stock for the longest time, and I ordered it the day it came back in stock.  It really is one of my most treasured dresses (though I do wish it were slightly more forgiving on top -- this fabric has ZERO stretch to it!).  I always end up wearing it the same way, though (see how else I've worn it here), and I wanted to figure out a way to remix it and give it some longevity.  Because it's sleeveless, it's too tricky for a pinafore (though if I had a long enough skirt, it'd be great underneath as a button-down top -- next time!), so I went scrounging for a sweater or top to layer over it.  I remembered I had this cheap 3/4-sleeved tee from Forever 21 lying around, and it happens to match the darker teal of the pie tins perfectly.  I just rolled it up a little and put a belt over it, and presto -- a whole new way to wear this kooky dress!

 I wish I could have worn different shoes with this, though.  We were having a spring-like thaw when I took these, but the snow wasn't melted nearly enough to wear something other than boots!  I already have spring fever, which is unfortunate, seeing as we have at least another month of cold, snowy weather ahead of us here.  Patience is not my strong suit.

I'm off to see the tour of American Idiot tonight!  Two of my friends from college are in it, and I'm super excited to see them.  I hope you have a great Thursday!

xox Sammi