Category :Florals

Shorty, Too Shorty?

Cardi – H&M; Belt – F21; Dress – Ruche; Tights – Hue; Shoes – Payless.

Okay guys, I need your help today.  I like this dress, but lately I’m finding a lot of things, this dress included,  too short for my tastes.  So, I’m wondering whether to keep it or to sell it?  Do you guys think this is too short for me?   It’s from one of my favorite online shopping places too – ShopRuche – so I’m even more loathe to part with it, but I really think I may have to.  I feel a little exposed in it.  If only I was two inches shorter it would be perfect!

On this subject of shortness, when are you too old to wear something really short?  I used to think that you’re never too old to wear short skirts if you’re healthy and they look good, but lately as I’m reaching a certain older age, I’m starting to wonder if maybe there aren’t age limits on these things.  As I’ve said, I’m now finding certain items in my closet to be making me feel uncomfortable with how short they are.  Shorts, not so much, but definitely skirts.  Skirts and dresses.  

Thoughts?  When is short, too short?  And when, if ever should you retire those short things?

Challenging Ourselves

Sweater& Belt – F21; Dress – Vintage; Tights – Walmart; Boots – Threadsence.

First off, a big, huge, “Welcome!” to all my new followers.  Thanks for following!  You guys make me so very happy!  

I recently read on Oprah.com an article about the 10 Fall trends to avoid.  I do agree with some of it – namely the all-over feathers trend and the lacy catsuit.  I just think that looks silly.  But they suggest skipping leopard print because it’s last season.  My thoughts are, “So?”  Skirts were in last season too, does that mean we can’t wear them now?  Leopard is one of those things that never really goes out of style.  I do, however, always suggest keeping it to a minimum and not an all-over outfit because that just feels like too much.

Number two was all over pattern mixing because it’s hard.  Yes, it may be challenging to get the hang of pattern mixing, and you may have some bad outfits in the process, but this is a wonderful look.  And once you get the hang of it, it’s an unexpected way to spice up your wardrobe.  Plus, I don’t think you should skip a trend just because it’s something that challenges you.  How else are you to grow?  In fashion, or in anything, I say challenge yourself.

This is all in my humble style opinion of course.

For the month of November, I’ll be suspending the regular Quote of Today or True Story.  Instead, I’m starting a daily challenge.  Everyday, I’ll post the next day’s daily challenge – this gives you a little time to prepare.  I’ll be doing the challenges along with you.  They’ll be little fitness, emotional, and behavioral challenges.  

It’s okay if you can’t do them all.  And whenever you read the post, just count it as your tomorrow’s daily challenge, you don’t have to be on exactly the same challenge as me.  Just try!  I hope you’ll join me!  And I’d love to hear your experiences, so please leave a comment on how it went!

Tomorrow’s Daily Challenge:
Get outside your comfort zone.  Find a self-imposed rule/limitation and break it. *just make sure it’s not illegal*

To Trick or Not To Trick?

Dress – vintage from Etsy; Belt – Spotted Moth; Boots – Feet First.

With Halloween coming up, I’ve started wondering.  When should you take your kids out?  I’m not taking Baby out this year because she can’t eat the candy, she probably wouldn’t understand or appreciate it, and she’ll probably get overwhelmed and/or scared of the whole thing and all the frightening sounds.  I want to take her out when she can understand and appreciate the whole fun process and know that it’s not real – just fun.  But that’s where I’m coming from.  What do you guys think?  When did you take your babes out for the first time? 

And on the flip side, when do you let your kids go out alone?  I read this article in the Globe and Mail and found it quite interesting food for thought.  What age should we be trusting our babes out alone?  9,10, 11? Finally, when do you think the cut-off for trick or treating should be?  When are you too old to trick or treat?

These are certainly some things I have never considered before becoming a parent.  And now that I’m here, all these decisions are on my mind.  And I try to do what’s right for me, but it’s difficult to hold strong in the face of judgement from other parents who think that what they do is what everyone should do.  Have you experienced this during Halloween too?

Quote of Today:
“‘Cause everybody needs a good cape.”

No-No

Cardi – Jacob; Dress – Ruche; Belt – F21; Tights – Hue; Boots – Threadsence.

I told you I was a little obsessed with these boots lately.  I seem to be wearing them everywhere.  I do mean everywhere.  I think they go with everything.  And they’re really very comfy too.  Bonus!  Mixing this brown and gray combo was really second nature because they’ve always just seemed to fit in my mind.  I didn’t know that this was a ‘no-no’ until I read it a few years ago in a magazine.  Oh well.  Whatevs. I’m still gonna do it, along with navy and black, and black and brown.  To me these are easy neutral colors that all mix well.  Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why these mixes are ‘no-no’s?  What other stuff do you mix that you ‘shouldn’t’?

True Story:
Sesame Street spoofs True Blood with True Mud. 
Even spoofs the characters. Sookie. And Bill. 
Hil. Ari. Ous.

Whimsy Of Yellow

Pins – c/o Blue Eyed Owl; Cardi – Gap; Dress – Ruche; Top – H&M; Belt – F21; Tights – Hue; Boots – Threadsence.

I’ve been eyeing the lovely shade of mustard yellow that’s so popular for fall.  It’s such a warm, rich color that is just so appealing.  But I can’t wear yellow. Or rather I don’t – not “can’t.”  If you put me in something yellow or yellow toned, not only does it wash me out, but I look like I have some severe stage of jaundice.  I think it’s the combination of my very fair skin and the olive undertones that run throughout it. So when Liz contacted me with the opportunity to select and try out some of her delightful handmade accessories I yipped with glee when I saw that the Mustard & Cobalt Pinwheel Bobby Pin set had just the yellow I’ve been craving.  And to top it all off I had just nabbed this belt for $3, so putting to two together just seemed to make sense.

These are beautifully made and I adore the whimsy of pinwheels in my hair.  It makes me feel like I’m going to have a soft breeze caressing my hair.   Her shop has some really pretty things, like these earrings and this lovely pin/ brooch.  I think it would look stunning as a decorative piece in a fun messy updo.  Personally, I’m pleased as punch that I can satisfy my yellow craving while avoiding looking like an extra on AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”

Smiling

Jacket – Old Navy, Dress and Undertunic Ruche; Belt – AE; Shoes – Payless.

The thing I love about dresses is just how easy it is to slip them on and go.  I wore this outfit a little bit ago, when it was warm and just never got around to posting it.  This dress was one of my first purchases from Ruche, and it’s definitely a good decision.   I love how it’s feminine, comfortable and easy to wash *big bonus for a busy mama* But what I like most about it is that it always makes me smile.  It’s just not possible to be down when you have on a pretty pink dress with flowers all over it.

If you have a moment, check out my guest post over here.  I’m writing about all things vintage and thrifted.  I love me some cheap clothes!

True Story:
Baby grabbed a lemon and started licking it.  
Then making that sour face we all know.  
Then licking it again.  
Repeat.

It Clashes!

Top – F21; Coat – Smart Set; Scarf – made by my Babcia; Dress – H&M; Sweater – Gap; Tights – Hue; Boots – Threadsence.

I’m mixing two colors that theoretically shouldn’t be mixed – red and pink.  But it’s kind of hard to tell in these shots.  The top is a peachy pink, the cardi is a rich, deep red with specks of blue, and the scarf is a pale pale pink as well.  But in the shots I took it was really hard to show the exact richness and color of these pieces.  I really tried.  Sorry….fail, Joanna, fail.  But take my word for it.

I’ve always actually enjoyed seeing red and pink together.  I never understood why people said it clashes.  For example I love seeing pink on redheads.  The bright happy colors look great together and give off a lot of energy.

And that’s my two cents of the day.

True Story:
One baby on my lap, plus one dog on my lap, equals a very squishy and furry group cuddle.

Dino DNA

Top – Lucca Couture; Scarf – Trove; Belt & Dress – F21; Shoes – Payless.

It’s raining!  It’s pouring!  Drake the Dog is snoring!  No really, he is.  Husband is away and Drake has been sleeping on the bed with me  – the guy not only snores, but moans and yips in his sleep too.  I don’t know what’s going on in his head at night but it’s clearly something exciting. 

Since it is really coming down here today, and I’m feeling extremely lazy I’m posting some pics from two days ago when it was sunny and nice and I could take pictures outside.  I just don’t have any place indoors with good lighting.  And natural light is always best I think. 

Also, I’ve been watching Terra Nova and even though it’s kind of cheesy and predictable sometimes *a lot actually*  I’m really liking it.  I think it’s something about any tv show with dinosaurs getting an automatic pass from me….that and aliens.  I loooove me some cool green men.  *that sounds wrong, but you know what I mean*  What do you guys think of it? 

True Story: 
*self-explanatory*

A Walk To Remember

So yesterday I mentioned the challenge of dressing for cool mornings and hot afternoons.  The shedding of layers meant that by the time we headed out for a sunset walk I was down to just a dress, hat and large sunnies.

It’s so great now that Baby is getting really good at walking because that means we all head out together and watch her waddle down the gravel path, picking things up and talking the whole way.

Her favorite part is when we get to the bridge and big rock where she gets her first look of all the ducks and Canade Geese on the pond.

My Father-In-Law is usually very proper, but sometimes he busts out some hilarious faces.  This shot was nabbed by Husband, and though out of focus, it’s one of my favs!

You can hear Baby yelling “Qua!  Qua!” all throughout the walk!  And she makes sure that everyone knows exactly what they are…just in case you were wondering.

While there, we witnessed a huge flock of geese landing on the pond.

True Story:
The guys did the cooking….in my aprons.  Awesome!

Dressing Can Be Hard

Jacket – F21; Belt – Threadsence; Sweater – Costa Blanca; Dress – Guess; Boots – Feet First; Bag – Matt by Matt&Nat.

The weather is very weird and hard to dress for.  This morning when getting ready and when leaving it was chilly, but by about 11:30am it was humid and hot.  So it’s a matter of dressing in layers, and considering each layer as it comes.  For example, once the mercury rose a touch, I ditched the jacket, then I ditched the sweater leaving a belt around my waist for interest.  Finally, around 2pm once it got even hotter, I couldn’t handle anything constricting my waist any longer.  And out came the sun hat.  I’ll show you that tomorrow since it involved a fun walk around the pond with Baby and the In-Laws *down for Thanksgiving*

I could use more suggestions for dressing for such weather.  Any thought?

Quote of Today:
“I think she’s calling you a duck.”

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