Hey friends! I’m linking up with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration! Today I’m sharing a gorgeous thrifted dress. But just to warn you–the end of the story is a little bit sad!

Chrissie {my twin sis} and I hit some amazing thrift stores in Kansas. We basically thrifted our way from Kansas City to Newton–and we had some seriously good luck. She found so many adorable treasures for the home and I focused on dresses.

When I saw it on the rack, I thought, this cream, wool dress looked like it might have potential. I loved the ruffled bottom and the detail around the neckline. I thought the lack of a waste line could go either way–so I tried on the dress and I loved it. Score!

At the craft house I washed in on a very delicate cycle and laid it out to dry. It came out perfectly.

But once I got home, I washed it again {on a delicate cycle} and it completely deteriorated. Maybe my washing machine isn’t delicate enough? One of the arms was hanging by a thread the the bottom of the dress was ruined–completely misshapen. I had to throw the dress away. There was no hope of saving it.

Outfit details: Cream dress, thrifted. Boots, Fossil. Gold swivel necklace, my shop. {I’ve got David on one side and Matthias on the other}

So cream, thrifted dress, although our time together was too short, it really was sweet.  I’m so glad I have a few photos to remember you by. The day we spent together was a very special one–mostly because I was with dear friends, but it’s always fun to wear a pretty dress. Goodbye, cream dress.

Hey friends! I’m linking up with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration. This week I’m sharing an easy outfit with my new favorite wardrobe staple–a neutral heel. Love it!

I got these green skinny cords at Anthro last year and they might be the most comfortable pants I own. And the pop of color is too fun.

Polka dot top with leopard print belt–sure, why not? The polka dots are small and the leopard print is almost a neutral.

I love our gold bunting necklace. Isn’t it sweet?

Matthias decided to pop into the photo. Love that kiddo.

Outfit details: Green skinny cords, Anthropologie. Polka dot top, {similar}Target. Leopard print belt, Target. Neutral heel, Payless. Gold bunting necklace, My shop.

Once I started going through my ‘What I’m Wearing’ archives I was surprised to see how often I was wearing these heels! Want to see some other ways I’ve styled my neutral heels? Read on…

Pretty versatile, don’t you think? And seriously, the pair from Payless is so comfortable I can wear them all day! I’m also seriously love this pair from Urban Outfitters. How adorable is this pair from Nordstrom?

What’s your favorite pair of shoes that seem to go with everything?

Hey friends! I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration!

A couple weeks ago I found this black dress at one of my favorite thrift shops. When I bought the dress {for $4} it had long, sheer sleeves, shoulder pads and a belt around the waist. I cut off the sleeves at the seam, removed the shoulder pads and took off the belt. I don’t know if you know this about me, but I love to dream up stories about my thrifted treasures and imagine the life they’ve had before I discovered them.

In my imagination, this dress has quite a story to tell!

The dress belonged to a girl named Rebecca in the 1980′s. Rebecca had long, wavy brown hair and a smile that made a room light up. Her college sorority was hosting a spring dance and Justin, her boyfriend of two months was planning to take her. The week of the dance, she got her bangs trimmed and her nails painted. She found black shoes and a sweet necklace to complete her outfit. Everything was coming together! The dress was perfect, how could the evening be anything but perfect?

The day quickly arrived. The night sky was clear and the stars twinkled like diamonds. Rebecca dabbed a bit of lip gloss across her mouth and let one more mist of white rain hairspray fall lightly on her feathered bangs. Just as she slipped into her new heels, the doorbell rang.

{scroll down for more of the story!}

{Dress, thrifted. Pink top, thrifted. Gray heels, H&M. Charm bracelet, my shop}

As they climbed into his Ford pick-up to make the short drive over to the dance, Rebecca noticed that Justin seemed quiet. He easily pulled the truck into a parking spot and made his way over to her side of the car to open her door. Rebecca couldn’t put her finger on it, but something strange was in the air. Was Justin acting different or was she being crazy? As they walked into the dance, he put his arm around her and gave her a reassuring squeeze. The dark room was  lit only by small twinkling lights. The DJ was playing a slow song and everyone was swaying to the music. And then it happened…

* * *

Okay, friends! Here’s where you come in. Leave a comment and tell us what happens next. I’ll pick one ending and the winner will get a $50 gift card to my shop! Let your creative juices flow!!

I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration.

Lately I’ve had some pretty sweet finds at local thrift shops. The awesome thing about thrift stores is you never know what you’re going to find–and I love hunting for that unexpected treasure.

This first dress is really more of a top. It’s pretty short–so I pair it with either heavy leggings or two pairs of tights. Scroll down for the details on this outfit.

Look one: Vintage dress, Ruby Rose. Tights, Target. Boots, 7 for all Mankind. Chunky cuff, thrifted. Ocean view bracelet, our hope{full} collection.

This second outfit is thrifted from head to toe. How awesome is that–even the shoes were a thrift find in Dallas. Woo-hoo! Scroll down for outfit details.

Look two: Vintage skirt, Mission thrift. Button-up blouse, Hope chest thrift. Nude heels, Thrifted in Dallas. You are necklace, my shop.{one of my faves!}

When I stumbled on this last dress {for $5} I may have high-fived myself. I was so excited!! The drop waist and contrasting pleat totally remind me of the movie Annie–which I watched 10 million times as a child {and I’m hardly exaggerating}. Scroll down for details.

Look three: Vintage dress, Mission thrift. Gray tights, Target. Boots, 7 for all Mankind. Connected bracelet, my shop.

I love seeing what other people find thrifting, but sometimes it can be such a bummer because I WISH I WAS THE ONE WHO FOUND THAT. Darn it! But hopefully you’ll be inspired and not annoyed by this post. Because more treasures are waiting to be found–right?!

In high school I was incredibly insecure about my fair skin. I wore long sleeves and long pants to cover it up, and if I wore a skirt, I worried people were whispering about how pale I was. I tried to hide my legs under my desk. My high school friends all tanned easily but if I spent time in the sun, I burned {even covered in SPF 30}.

As I’ve grown up I’ve slowly begun to accept myself more and I’ve literally become more comfortable in my own skin. As I was editing these photos the other day, I was struck by the thought that I would have never, ever worn a dress like this when I was younger. I still have insecurities, but I’m more accepting of my imperfections. I want my children and my nieces and nephews to see how amazing they are–and if I criticize myself I’m teaching them that they aren’t enough.

I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration.

I’ve had my eye on this new designer at JCPenny. We don’t have a JCPenny near us. My grandmother worked there doing alternations, in her later adult life. It was her first job after my grandfather passed away–and for her it meant freedom and a new beginning. She had a strong affection for that company. I haven’t shopped there in years, but when I caught wind of the Duro Olowo line I wanted to check it out. When I was in Texas last week, I finally got a chance! I styled the dress two ways. It’s so feminine and easy to wear.

For the first look, I layered on a cream sweater. I love this look for a warm summer date night or to attend a wedding. Scroll down for outfit details.

Green dress, Duro Olowu for JCPenny. The dress is fully lined and the $50 price point seems reasonable to me! Cream sweater, gift from Steve from Scotland. Nude heels, thrifted. Green clutch, thrifted. Pretty like a bow necklace, my shop.

For the second look I pulled on a denim jacket, leopard print heels and a bright chunky necklace. Fun! Scroll down for outfit details.

Green dress, Duro Olowu for JCPenny. Denim jacket, Gap. Leopard print heels, Target. Gold connected bracelet, my shop. Golden seed necklace {I’ve layered two here}, my shop –out of stock but hopefully they’ll be back in the next few weeks!

I told you how insecure I was about my fair skin in high school. Is there something you used to be insecure about but you’ve let it go?

Hey friends! I’m in Dallas enjoying some gorgeous spring weather. I spent a couple days with my nieces which was, of course, wonderful! I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration.

As I was packing for this trip, I looked through my ‘What I’m Wearing‘ posts to get ideas for easy outfits that make me feel good. I want to look pulled together but also feel comfortable. Here are some outfits that caught my eye.

This first outfit was comfortable {this pair of shoes is so easy for all day} and the camo pants add a bit of unexpected pattern.

This black pleated maxi and jean jacket are about as easy and comfortable as an outfit can get!

This patterned, pleated skirt was on sale at anthropologie for $40, so I grabbed it. It’s super comfortable and it doesn’t wrinkle.

I’ve had this vintage green, floral dress for months but I’ve never worn it. Last week I pulled it out and paired it with leopard print shoes for an easy outfit that mixes patterns {I love mixing patterns!}

This is the dress that I styled seven different ways. It’s an easy dress and I like the red shoes and layered tops.

Layers are good, black leggings are super comfy and since I know I’m bringing my denim jacket, this outfit works for travel or spending a day at the conference.

I’m trying to keep from napping, but arriving late and having a time change makes me want to curl up in a ball and snooze for an hour. How do you cope with travel and time changes?

It’s Wednesday and I’m linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration.

I’ve been buried in a crazy to-do list filled with multiple projects that are each exciting and require lots of time and energy. I’m so thankful for our amazing team–there is no way I could accomplish what I do without their help.

With my attentions elsewhere, this week’s post is pretty much just the basic–with a few accessories mixed in. I have this great pleated black maxi that makes my outfits look more put together than they actually are–and to quote Martha–that’s a good thing.

Comfort and ease were key this week–so I mixed this basic pleated maxi skirt with my more comfortable tops and threw on a few accessories before bolting out the door. It’s real life. Well, real life is the yoga pants I put on at 4pm in the afternoon, but I’m not ready to blog those photos yet.

For look one {above} I wore my favorite booties, an easy tee and denim jacket with the skirt. Similar skirt, Target. Gray tee, Target. Denim Jacket, Gap. Brown booties, Steve Madden. You are necklace, my shop.

For this second look {above} adding the belt really pulled it all together and made the outfit look more polished. Similar skirt, Target. Denim top, Chicos. Brown leather belt, Banana Republic. Leopard print heels, Target. You are necklace, my shop.

For the third and final look I wore a black tee with my safari best and wedge sandals. I’m longing for summer-how about you? Similar skirt, Target. black tee, can’t remember! Safari vest, Old Navy. Wedge Sandals, Target. Hope{full} fair trade bracelets, My shop. You are necklace, my shop.

These necklaces are so sweet, filled with meaning and easy to wear every day. Find the perfect word for a special friend {or yourself!} and tell them you are loved, magical, inspiring, brave, etc. Perfect.

The next couple weeks are so crazy busy I’m just trying to keep my head above water! Which probably means when I put on clothes in the morning I’ll be grabbing the nearest thing! What is something you’ve been wearing over and over again?

Hey friends! This week I’m wearing a JUMPSUIT. Whaat?! Black pants and a black top seem completely normal–but sew them together into a jumpsuit and it somehow seems totally different. This was stretching for me. I’m still deciding if I like way each outfit was styled. But I’m always game for trying something new.

The jumpsuit is from Target, and it’s totally comfortable. I love the idea of slipping something on, adding a cute heel and calling it a day. In fact, with a black jumpsuit, it’s really all about the accessories, right?  Simplicity is a good thing!

For this first look I paired the jumpsuit with nude heels and a couple brightly colored bangles.

Oh how I love this brass swivel necklace. It’s so timeless and simple. {And can be customized on both sides!}

Details for look 1: Jumpsuit, Target. Nude heels, Payless, Bright bracelets, My shop. Brass Swivel Necklace, My shop.

For the second look I slipped on a pair of leopard print heels. Super comfortable–but the print is fun and makes a statement.

Details for look 2: Jumpsuit, Target. Leopard print heels, Target. Ocean View Necklace, My shop. Connected Bracelet, My shop.

The last look incorporates the same scarf that I wore in my hair for yesterday’s post. I love how versatile these scarves are!!

Details for look 3: Jumpsuit, Target. Sandals, Target. Scarf, My shop. Orange bangle, flea market. Saffron Bracelet, My shop.

So what do you think? Wanna borrow my jumpsuit?