Suzy Snowflake

Outfit Details:

Sailor Moon Dress: borrowed from Marisa (available through Mata Traders)

Lilac blouse: Vintage Style Me

Tights: ModCloth (old, similar here)

Dance Instead of Walking Heel in Ivory: ModCloth

Macaron ring: ASOS (old, similar styles here)

Hat & belt: ASOS (old)

Clutch: Ponychops

Mod For It Coat in Grey: ModCloth (old)

Oh my goodness.  I have said it before and I'll say it again: I'm so happy and feel so lucky to be a part of Flock Together!  Not only have I gotten to know some of the loveliest lady bloggers around, but it's a total dream to be able to raid each others' closets (and feel totally secure in the knowledge that my own clothes will be well taken care of -- as an only child, this is a "thing" for me)!  This dress of Marisa's is such an awesome piece (and side note: I always love borrowing things from Marisa - she has such a great eye, and our measurements are pretty similar, which is a plus!).  Marisa actually styled this dress in four different ways (one for each season!) on her blog, and I love all of them!  Be sure to check our her post here.  The collar on this dress is fantastic (wait til you see the back!), and I think gray is probably my favorite neutral.  I knew I wanted to pair this dress with a blouse underneath, and when I got this vintage top from Vintage Style Me, I had a hunch that they'd make a good pair.  I absolutely love the sleeves on this blouse (there's also some great detailing on the front, which is covered up by the dress), and the color is one of my favorites.  I ended up going a tad bit French with this - I guess because the hat looks like a beret, and the macaron ring matches so wonderfully.  Oh, and these were taken during our first snowfall!  Eek!  The snow has since melted, but we're supposed to get more over the past week or so... I'm not ready!!  But like it or not, winter is almost here.

I got this coat last year, during one of ModCloth's mega sales, after eyeing it forever.  It was originally way too expensive to justify the purchase, so I was thrilled when it went on sale.  I got lucky, because the sizing is really strange on this -- it's UK sizing, and I'm normally a pretty solid UK 12 (equivalent to a US 8), but after reading the reviews, I ended up sizing up to a UK 16 -- and it fits perfectly!  Thank goodness, since it was a final sale item.  Sometimes taking a chance works out in the end.  :)  

Confession: I really dislike my knuckles, but what's a ring-loving gal to do?

In other news, today is my dad's 60th birthday!  He and my mom went out for dinner last night, and I feel badly that he has a gig tonight (but a gig's a gig!), but I get the feeling he might not have wanted a big hullabaloo anyway.  I'm pretty sure he reads my blog (or at least, he always "likes" my blog-related Facebook posts), so Dad, if you're reading this: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  :)  We may not always get along (though this has admittedly changed a LOT, for the better), but my dad is a really cool, talented, caring guy, and I'm very grateful to be his daughter.  I just hope I can make him proud of me.

I'm stuck inside answering phones all day (it's busy at the box office), so enjoy your Saturday for me! 

xox Sammi

Scarf it down

Outfit Details:

Black turtleneck dress: a shop on Storenvy (no longer available)

Tights: Anthropologie (similar here)

Quote Me Ring: ModCloth

White belt: from another dress

Black boots: Chinese Laundry

Scarf: can't remember!

This is kind of a departure from my usual outfit posts, I think, in that it's a bit more casual than what I usually wear.  But I actually wear this dress all the time (it even made it into the show I did for the Fringe Festival, back in September).  It's the perfect neutral dress, and I love that it has long sleeves and a turtleneck (important features for lake effect snow regions).  I posted a couple photos from this in the most recent Flock Together Style Challenge post, where we showcased everyone's favorite fall accessory: scarves!  I actually have quite a collection of scarves, but they barely ever make it into my outfits (or if they do, it's more for function than for fashion!).  But I'm determined to incorporate them more -- especially since winter is fast-approaching!

This week has been a little emotionally-challenging so far.  I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that I've reaffirmed that I need to take time for myself.  I don't want to feel pressure to do things a certain way, or to be over things by a certain time.  I think I just need to take away the clock.  I'm obviously not over everything that's happened, and I can't really force myself to be.  I'm going to try to focus on the things I really want to accomplish for my own well-being.  Distractions are good sometimes (and sometimes, I do need them), but I also don't want to use them as an excuse.  This is all very cryptic, probably, but what I'm trying to say is that I'm caught between being kind to myself and pushing myself forward.  I probably need an equal amount of both right now.

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Roses Blue

Outfit Details:

Vintage floral dress: borrowed from Dus

Pink bow belt: Forever 21 (old, similar here and here)

High Dramaturge Tights in Ivory: ModCloth (old, similar here)

Dance Instead of Walking Heel in Ivory: ModCloth

Daisy ring: Mom's

This dress.  Oh my goodness gracious.  The lovely Dus from Cuddly Cacti had this vintage dress up for swaps on Flock Together (have I mentioned how happy I am to be a part of this blog?), and I immediately asked her if I could borrow it.  I fell even more in love with it once I received it in the mail, because of the details I hadn't noticed before -- like the hidden thin layer of tulle under the skirt, and the beautiful way that the shoulders are constructed.  I never wanted to take this dress off!  It was warm enough to go without a jacket when I took these, so I was once again in a springy mood.  Too bad the weather is probably going to be decidedly wintery from here on in.  You can check out how Dus styled this little number on her own blog here!  

Have a great Monday!

xox Sammi

Violet mints

Outfit Details:

Jenny Dress in Lavender Sateen: Pinup Girl Clothing

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

Dainty Dramatist Heel in Mint: ModCloth

White floral tights: Forever 21 

Heart ring: Forever 21 (similar)

Necklace: Forever 21 (old)

Petticoat: eBay

Before anyone asks: no, it is definitely not still warm enough for me to not be wearing a coat (sadly).  I took these photos a couple weeks back, on a much warmer afternoon, but I kept forgetting to post them.  This outfit is much springier than I meant for it to be, but I really do love this color combination!  It makes me think of these violet mints (I tried them when I went to Paris, when I was younger), hence the title of this post.  In looking them up, I learned that they've been referenced in episodes of Mad Men, which sort of works with my aesthetic.  I have a gray coat with mint and periwinkle buttons (which you'll see on my blog quite soon), which I planned on wearing with this outfit, but petticoats make outerwear quite difficult.  They do, however, make my waist look smaller, so I am okay with the trade off.  I think petticoats have become my answer to making more summery dresses transition into cooler weather.  I'm not sure why this is, but maybe it makes them somehow look better with tights?

These shoes are truly gorgeous, but they are also truly uncomfortable.  The name alone was enough to make me want them (I'm a sucker for ModCloth products that have anything theatre-related in the name, for obvious reasons), but they are mint with celery velvet ribbons, and they are so beautiful.  I'm not the best with really high heels, and these definitely fall into that category.  They're totally impractical for me; I could only wear them to something where I'd be sitting down 95% of the time.  I also don't EVER spend that much on shoes, and 9 times out of 10, unless the shoe is *incredibly* special, I won't buy shoes over $40.  But these are definitely special.  Sorrynotsorry.

I had a nice girls' night in with my mom last night (after sleeping for almost the entire day - I had a horrible headache that I just couldn't get rid of).  We caught up on Project Runway All Stars and then watched The Artist and Populaire.  I'd seen The Artist before, but I desperately wanted to watch Populaire after reading this post from Solanah over at Vixen Vintage.  It's set in the late '50s, and it's about a French girl who sets out to be the fastest typist in the world.  The film was every bit as gorgeous and charming as I had hoped, and oh dear god, the costumes!!!  I wanted them all!  Gorgeous vintage frocks in every shot!  I was sold by the very first frame.  It's streaming on Netflix Instant, so you should go watch it immediately.  You won't regret it.

The plan for today is that I'll be working 'til the early afternoon, and then I'm supposed to grab dinner with my friend/former director, Sean, and then I'm hoping to catch the performance of Exit, Pursued By a Bear that two of my dear friends are in.  Here's hoping it all pans out!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

xox Sammi