Pop goes my heart

Outfit Details:

Pink peplum jacket: Forever 21 (similar here)

Heart skirt: ASOS (similar here)

Purse: Jump From Paper (eBay)

Polka dot tights: Forever 21

Ampersand ring: ModCloth

Kissing necklace: ASOS

White boots: eBay

Soo I'm not sure what happened, but these pinks matched a lot better in real life.  This is the first time I've worn either of these pieces on my blog (they've both been sitting in my closet for about a year), and I never thought about putting them together before, but I wanted to try it -- and I figured that Valentine's Day would be my only opportunity to do so!  Peplums are kind of past their prime at this point (though I still wear them occasionally because they're flattering on me), but this skirt kind of needs one.  It's too much of a straight cut for my frame without one, but who could resist these heart-shaped pockets?  This skirt definitely used to be looser on me though, so after I gorge myself on Valentine's Day candy this week, I really need to get a handle on my bad eating habits.  However, that is a worry for another week, as I am not about to abstain from pure goodness, i.e., Reese's hearts.

I just can't help loving a goofy purse, and this one is no exception.  I haven't used it a whole lot, but it's such a cool piece!  I'm pretty sure this is a knock-off version, but I can't remember.  It looks especially good in photos.  The only bad thing is that it doesn't hold very much, and I usually carry my whole life around in my purse.  But it's perfect for when I don't need to be at least semi-practical!  I was searching for song titles to go along with this outfit, and I was reminded of a particular song from the movie Music and Lyrics (which I haven't seen in a while, but love) that fits splendidly...

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Peach tea (+ giveaway winner!)

Outfit Details:

Nishe handbag & shoe dress: ASOS

Cardigan: ModCloth (similar here)

Tea ring: find it at SheInside

Bow headband: Forever 21

White t-strap flats: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Oh, how I love this dress.  Nishe is one of my all-time favorite labels anyway, but this particular frock had been calling my name for quite some time before I finally snatched it up.  It was one of two Black Friday purchases, and I think it was money well-spent.  Peach is such a perfect color for Florida (and I always associate one with the other because peach is my grandma's favorite color, and she has lived in Florida my entire life), and I knew I had to pack this dress for our Disney trip.  When we decided to have tea at the Grand Floridian, I thought this outfit would be an excellent choice (I kind of ended up matching the hotel decor, actually).  Nishe always has the most charming embroidery on their clothes, but there is something about the darling shoes and handbags on this one that just tickle me!  It's the kind of dress that my Barbie dolls would have had, and I would have given anything to have one in my size -- so now I can, albeit a few years late! 

This day was the warmest day we were there (though I still had to wear tights and a jacket), and after we had our tea, we took the boat over to the Magic Kingdom to see the Electrical Light Parade (which was magical and I got to see my friend Brett -- who performs in many of the parades -- go right by me!) and Wishes (the fireworks show with Tinkerbell).  We had a very late dinner at the California Grill in the Contemporary Hotel, which was sadly sort of disappointing.  We've gone there in the past, and their menu was always on the upscale side, but now it's a little too high brow for my taste.  Kind of pretentious.  But we had so many great meals on our trip that it didn't dampen our spirits much.

Mom's banana trifle from our tea

Beautiful boat ride scenery

I'm kicking myself for not getting this purse!

Since coming back from Disney World, I feel like I've been in a very strange tug-of-war; on the one hand, I feel really sluggish and not very motivated to do things I should (though that is not an especially new development), but on the other, I feel renewed and happy about certain things.  Hopeful, I guess.  I feel very fortunate that my blogiversary giveaway has resulted in some new followers (thank you and welcome to those who fall into this category!!), and I hope very much that these newcomers will stick around after this giveaway is announced!  I haven't done giveaways very often in the past, but I am quickly realizing that they can play an important part in terms of increasing readership and drumming up interest of current followers.  I'd never want to be solely driven by these things, mind you, but as blogging has steadily become even more meaningful in my life in recent months, it's something to consider.  Since this giveaway was funded out of my own pocket, I think bigger giveaways like this are going to be reserved for once or twice a year, but I'm really happy when things I decide to do resonate with people (to which most people can relate, I'm sure), and I have been thinking a lot about new ideas for content and posts for my second year of blogging.  It's difficult to start new things in the winter, I think, but the wheels in my head are definitely turning!  One more reason I can't wait for spring.  :)

So, without further delay, I am pleased to announce the winner of my 1-year blogiversary giveaway (who will receive a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth and a whole bunch of goodies from ASOS and Forever 21) is Rebecca T. of The Cinnamon Slipper!!!  Congratulations, my kindred spirit in style, and I hope you enjoy your prizes!  <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a beautiful Monday, and a huge thank you to all who entered my giveaway!!  :)

xox Sammi

Hooray for Hollywood

Outfit Details:

Red polka dot dress: eBay

Cardigan: dELiA*s (similar here)

Oxford saddle shoes: Payless

Necklace: ASOS (similar here)

Popcorn purse: Sweetbox Store
Hair bow: Dress Your Tresses
Frilly socks: similar here
White belt: eBay

I wish I'd been able to bring my petticoat on this trip, but alas, they're not so conducive to traveling.

Here they are... the first installment of Disney pictures!  It's strange, but it feels like our trip to Disney World was forever ago.  It was jam-packed and kind of a blur.  I wasn't able to take outfit photos with my DSLR during our first day there (we drove from Naples to Orlando and were running late to everything the entire day), but these are from our second day there.  We spent the entire day at Hollywood Studios (which was a little too long, considering I don't do roller coasters and we had some downtime).  But first, we had breakfast at the Boardwalk, at Cat Cora's restaurant, Kouzzina.  It was definitely one of the yummiest meals.  My mom had waffles with mascarpone cheese, nuts (I forget if they were pecans or walnuts) and honey, and I had sweet potato-turkey hash with scrambled eggs and an arugula salad on top.  I've never been a big coffee drinker, but goodness, the coffee there was particularly good (as was the multigrain croissant that accompanied it).

I seriously just want to live at Hollywood Studios.  Why can't that be a thing??  The aesthetics of everything are so perfect!  I think I enjoyed walking around more than anything!  But I do love the Star Tours ride, and the Great Movie Ride is always fun (though I honestly wish they'd update it a little -- it's a little stale).  We actually met up with my friend Carl, who now lives in the Orlando area, and it was really nice to catch up with him.  We've been friends for ten years, but we don't get to see each other very often (though his dad is directing the children's theatre show I'm currently in rehearsals for!).  My mom and I then had dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby, which was a delicious experience, and I had this gorgeous grapefruit cake (with cream cheese icing) for dessert:

After dinner, we saw the Fantasmic! show, which is, well, fantasmic.  It was really cold (and I had only this thin Minnie Mouse sweatshirt to keep me warm), but we had SUCH great seats, and it's such a great show.  It might be my favorite nighttime show I've seen, because I love the Disney villains (and I play villains pretty often!), and the show involves so many of them.  I don't think Disney World will ever stop being magical to me, no matter how old I get.  I'm just glad I was able to "reclaim" it again, because being there -- or even the thought of being there -- just makes me very happy.  If I ever get a whole bunch of money, I'm organizing a Disney blogger meet-up, because for some reason, I feel like almost every blogger I know would feel almost the same way I do about Disney.  I tend to dress very nostalgically (either for other eras or for my own childhood), and Disney brings that out in me!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

xox Sammi  

PS: Don't forget, you have until midnight tonight to enter my 1-year blogiversary giveaway!!  The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth, as well as a whole haul of goodies from ASOS and Forever 21!  Don't miss your chance!  Get the details and enter here!

Friday Favorites #37: Be My Valentine

I feel like I haven't done a Friday Favorites post in forever!  I figured this week would be a perfect time to start up again, since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and there are so many cute-'n-kitschy items that are perfect for this lovey-dovey holiday.  I'm personally going to be spending my Valentine's Day working a 12+ hour shift (at least the concert I'm working at that night involves the orchestra playing along with the film of Singin' in the Rain!), but I fully plan on dressing up for the occasion.  I'm invited to a Valentine's Day party the next night though, which gives me yet another excuse to wear something garish (as if I needed an excuse to begin with!).  I decided to compile a bunch of items I adore and wish I could wear for the holiday that encompasses all things romantic.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14

As traditional as red is for Valentine's Day, I often opt for a softer pink when I celebrate.  Red is sexy, to be sure, but many times, I simply prefer the whimsy and sweetness that only pink can provide.

a // b // c // d // e // f // g

h // i // j // k // l // m

I truly believe there is no detail more darling than the scallop, and this bag is the most darling of all!

This pink sailor romper definitely gives that bag a run for its money, though.  Does anyone else think that Kailey from Mermaidens needs to have this in her wardrobe?!

It's not nearly warm enough for a playsuit yet, but I'd wear the hell out of these knee socks!

I am so enamored with these conversation heart purses!  So much so that I may have ordered the pink one for myself... oops!  Happy Valentine's Day to me...

I love this kitschy romance comic print dress!  The back of it even has a heart cut-out!

And... if you're anything like me and spending this Valentine's Day without a S.O., I think you might agree that there's at least one necessary companion... and that is ice cream.  Lots and lots of ice cream.  These pieces will help you get started on your binging:

1 // 2 // 3

In all seriousness though, I am determined to enjoy this Valentine's Day.  I'll essentially be having a 2-day date with my best friend, Wayne, and I am feeling happy these days.  Even if things aren't exactly what I had thought they'd look like.... as always, I am focusing on the joy to be had.

Happy Friday, loves!

xox Sammi

PS: Don't forget -- you have until the end of Sunday to enter my 1-year blogiversary giveaway!  Winner receives a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth PLUS a bunch of other goodies from ASOS and Forever 21!  Get all the details and enter to win here!  :)

I otter be sailing

Outfit Details:

Dress: YeYe Vintage

Flats: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Hair bow: Forever 21 (similar here)

Ahh, these Floridian photos are giving me a nice break from the snow!  I'm so glad I was able to wear this dress from YeYe Vintage before spring came.  It is absolutely darling (don't you love the embroidered collar?) and I adore it so much.  I think I got more compliments from strangers while I was in Florida than I've ever gotten where I live, and this dress certainly got a lot of them!  I can't wait to remix this dress in different ways.  It's kind of screaming for a boater hat, but I opted for a hair bow this time.  I went kind of simple with my accessories while I was in Florida.  I think it was the first time ever that my suitcase was almost 20 lbs. under the limit!  Then again, I pretty much packed only dresses and was freezing at Disney, so maybe that wasn't such a good thing!

I took these photos on our last day visiting my grandma, and the most special thing happened: I saw otters!!!  For those of you who don't know, otters are my absolute favorite animal in the world.  I had always heard tell of people seeing them where my grandma lived, but had never found any myself (and I had always looked every time we visited).  I love them so much, but they've been wrapped up in sadness for the past few months; my ex took me specifically to see otters at a zoo on our first date, and we always identified with them as a couple.  For a long time, I couldn't see a photo of one without being emotionally distraught.  Even now, I feel like I have lost "my otter," and I hate that I've felt like I can't even love my favorite creature without being reminded of my heartbreak.  I had also been feeling kind of weepy on this trip, as my grandma is not doing well -- which is emotional enough -- and I found myself wishing that things were different and that I'd been able to take this trip under other circumstances, with the person I had loved for three years.  When I was going to take photos on this day, I finally saw otters swimming in the water!  They were making the cutest little noises while they were playing and diving.  I cried when I saw them, not because I was sad, but because I was so happy to see them.  I continued to see them throughout the time I took photos, and they brought me so much joy.  Although I am still sad when I think about losing the person who made them so special to me, they also make me feel hopeful.  I will not always feel sad (and in truth, I am mostly quite happy these days), and I don't have to stop loving what makes me happy, just because of a sad association.

This one came so close to me!  He swam right over!

I feel very fortunate to have had this little experience.  It's yet another reminder to try and look for the joy in situations.  Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away on Sunday under really tragic circumstances.  Not only was he an actor I greatly admire, but he was an alumnus of my high school.  He even came back to visit when I went there, gave a really wonderful, candid talk, and I met him afterwards.  He was always a very genuine, articulate and down to earth man.  I certainly can't get behind those who use Facebook as their personal soapbox to condemn his choices.  I hate drugs and I hate what they do to people, but I find it so insensitive to taint the memory of such a talented, kind-hearted person in this way.  My all-time favorite teacher (who also taught PSH) gave a really beautiful interview to a local news station about him, and essentially said that we should focus on the life he lived, rather than on what surrounded his death.  I couldn't agree more.  I'm so so sad that this happened.  It's an incredible loss to the acting community and my hometown.  But I hope that there is joy to be found in remembering the towering talent he possessed, and the inspiration he gave to so many.

Have a beautiful day.

xox Sammi

PS: Don't forget to enter my 1 year blogiversary giveaway!  One winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth, plus a huge haul of goodies from ASOS and Forever 21!  Details and enter to win here.