Sideshow

Outfit Details:

Circus print dress: ModCloth (available here)

Pretzel necklace: ModCloth (similar here)

Black bolero: Forever 21

Black flats: jcpenney

I'd been watching a lot of this series called Freakshow on Netflix.  It originally premiered on AMC, but I'd never heard of it 'til recently.  It's pretty fascinating.  There's obviously some scripted material involved, but it centers around the performers involved in a freak show on the Venice Beach boardwalk.  The performers are pretty extraordinary, both in terms of what they can do and the kind of people they are.  There are some people who are hesitant to use the term "freak" because of its negative connotation, but I think it's sort of great that these people are taking back the term and making it into something positive.  They even decided to ban the word "normal," since they felt that was actually a negative term.  I'm sort of inclined to agree.  Kind of makes you wonder what "normal" actually is.  Boring, maybe.  I don't ever want to be boring.  What I've chosen for my career isn't "normal."  How I dress isn't "normal."  I don't want to fade into the background and settle for "normal" in most aspects of my life.  It's definitely not the easier route to go, but it's way more interesting.

I love the print on this dress!  ModCloth carried it only in this color (it also comes in a really pretty shade of blue), and actually carried a pair of high-waisted shorts in the same print.  I'd initially ordered the shorts (the back pockets were heart-shaped!), but the stretchy fabric was really unforgiving, and I loved them way more in theory than on me.  I'm so glad I ended up getting the dress version though, because even though it's tight-fitting (I'd recommend sizing up, even though it has stretch), it's really flattering.  I ended up wearing this to a little adventure to a casino (with my high school boyfriend, of all people), which was fun and interesting.  Next time I wear this dress, I definitely want to add a petticoat and some kind of retro up-do.  I seriously need to figure out how to do victory rolls.

Have a great Monday!

xox Sammi

Cherry picked

Outfit Details:

Best Birthday Ever Dress: ModCloth (on sale!)

Mel by Melissa wedges: Urban Outfitters (available here)

Cherry fascinator hat: c/o Paulie Antiques

Cherry pie ring: gift from Kate

Frilly socks: similar here

Oh Nishe, how I love thee!  It seems like each Nishe dress I acquire is better than the last!  This one definitely takes the cake, and I can see why ModCloth decided to name it the "Best Birthday Ever" dress; I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing it on my birthday next year.  It's just that sort of dress.  It's so gorgeous and has so many details I love: scallops, polka dots, a peter pan collar.  It somehow manages to encompass both a retro and a twee aesthetic, which sort of perfectly describes my style.  It also reminded me of Mary Poppins!  It'd be perfect for a Disney trip.  This dress has quickly earned a spot amongst my all-time favorite frocks.  Oh, and it's on sale at ModCloth now, too!

These accessories were patiently waiting for the perfect outfit to come along.  I scored these Mel by Melissa wedges from Urban Outfitters on sale (they're sold out there now, but are still available on Amazon!), though I will say that the sizing was a little different than I'd expected.  I'm usually a pretty solid size 9 US (sometimes an 8.5 in flats), and since Mel shoes don't come in half sizes, I thought I'd be safe with the 9.  They were huge on me, and even though they have ankle straps, I didn't trust that they'd stay on.  I ended up exchanging for a size 8, which fits much better but is actually a tiny bit too tight in the toes.  If they made half sizes, it would have been a perfect fit!  All in all though, they're such darling shoes (and they remind me of Minnie Mouse!) and they're really comfy, despite the toe issue, so I can't complain too much.

I feel very lucky to have such kind, creative friends in the blogging world.  This fascinator was a gift to me from my friend Polly, who blogs over at Paulie Antiques and runs a fabulous vintage shop of the same name.  I was actually planning on buying this fascinator myself, but she wouldn't hear of it, and ended up sending it to me for a Christmas gift.  I was so incredibly touched by her sweetness, and I am so thankful to have her as a friend.  This cherry pie ring was a surprise gift from Kate, who sent it to me along with a couple of pieces I purchased from her "shop my closet" section of her shop.  I'd mentioned wanting a pie ring a while back (to go with my pie dress), and I was so shocked that she even remembered, much less made one to send to me!  I really believe that one of the best parts of blogging has been getting to know wonderful bloggers -- they've truly touched my heart.

Have a super Saturday!

xox Sammi

French Lavender (Flock Together)

 Hi, everyone!  First of all... HAPPY ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK DAY!!!  I will be busy binging my brains out over the next few days, I'm sure.  Secondly, I'm posting on Flock Together this morning, remixing this beautiful lilac dress from Hannah!  I really ended up loving this outfit (and it finally gave me a chance to wear my lady tie!).  Check out the rest of my photos and see how the other FT girls styled this dress here!  Thanks so much again to Hannah for letting me borrow this!

 

 

Have a fantastic Friday!

xox Sammi  

I never promised you a rose garden

Vintage dress: Dane Vintage (eBay)

BAIT Footwear spectators: ModCloth

Orange belt: ASOS

Auctions on eBay used to scare me.  Actually, they still kind of do, but I've lucked out with a couple of great vintage wins.  This dress was one of them, and although I wasn't initially thrilled with the fabric (it might be more of a vintage reproduction, since the material has a synthetic feel to it), it really looks nice and the quality is there.  Plus, any dress with a button-down front that fits without gaping AND is flattering in the waist is a rare find!  This dress worked with a petticoat, but I kind of liked the shape even more without it, so I opted for a more practical styling (if you can call this practical).  The colors are so pretty too, and the pink matches these BAIT Footwear spectators perfectly! 

We're in summer hours for the next month or so at work, which is really nice because it gives me more time to do other things and still enjoy some daylight hours.  I've been driving a lot more lately, but I'm still riddled with anxiety every time I drive somewhere.  I was taking private lessons for a while, but stopped back in the fall, and I just wanted to get some basics under my belt before starting again.  I've been going out with my mom, which has been okay, but she isn't exactly a calming presence (sorry, Mom!) and I need someone to actually teach me how to do the harder stuff.  Even when I get my license, I don't know if I'm ever going to really like having to drive.  The independence factor is obviously nice, and I know I'll make for a cautious driver, at the very least... but I'm certainly not at the point where I can relax at all.  I'm such a stickler for rules, and I feel like I don't know nearly enough of them with this.  I guess I'll have to go back to taking some private lessons this month.  Wish me luck.

Have a great Thursday!

xox Sammi

Nifty fifties

Outfit Details:

Daily Special Dress: ModCloth (on sale!)

Customized name necklace: c/o Onecklace

Betsey Johnson purse: ModCloth

Saddle shoes: Payless

As anyone who reads my blog probably knows, I am a sucker for a kitschy novelty print.  And when that print has an overload of 1950s nostalgia?  Forget it!  I knew I had to have this dress when it arrived, and it's fortunate that I love the print so much, because I'm not totally sold on the fit.  In my opinion, this dress runs a tad tight.  I have to size up for the bust in these types of dresses, and the large just fit; although there is no gaping, I wish there was a little more breathing room.  The silhouette is actually a little different than how it appeared on the website, too.  There's some pleating on the skirt, but it starts where a drop waist would, so I was concerned that it would be unflattering.  Luckily, I think the dress looks fine the way it is, but I have to admit that the Bea & Dot in-house brand from ModCloth sometimes leaves a little something to be desired in the fit department (even though their designs are usually beautiful).  I'm sure it's something with which they're still tinkering, so hopefully they'll continue to make improvements to their sizing.

Speaking of making improvements to sizing... I've started back on Weight Watchers (after more than a year-long hiatus), and I'm really determined and excited about it.  I first went on Weight Watchers back in 2011, a little while after I graduated college, and I had a lot of success on the program -- I lost about 45 pounds in about 8 months.  I had actually been called in to audition for a Weight Watchers commercial, and then subsequently called back, but I didn't end up booking it, which was really discouraging and actually led me to stop doing the program the way I should have been.  Ironically, I had gone on Weight Watchers because I knew I wouldn't be able to play the roles I wanted to in my career if I didn't lose weight... so it was an even more devastating blow when I couldn't book a Weight Watchers commercial once I'd lost it.  (In retrospect, the fact that I was a performer might have worked against me, but I digress.)  I've been dealing with a lot of emotional stuff over the past year, and like many people, I always turn to food for comfort.  It's definitely a vice for me, and weight gain is incredibly sneaky!  Not only are some of my clothes fitting more tightly than they used to, but there are some dresses I simply can't wear right now because of my weight -- which was exactly the wake-up call I needed!  My dresses are some of my favorite possessions (is that sad?  Don't answer that!), so it's hurtful to think of not being able to wear them!  I decided then and there to go back on Weight Watchers and make a real effort to implement consistent exercise into my routine.  I've been back on it since last week, and already feel happier and more energetic because of it.  It's so easy to slip into the habit of making unhealthy choices, and it just feels good to make healthy ones!  It's going to be an adjustment, for sure, but I'm going to take it one day at a time.  :)

Have a great Tuesday!

xox Sammi