Checkers, Cherries & Polka Dots!

I'm almost ashamed to post this outfit. I *just* posted this dress, it's way too early to post a remix! However, I did say "almost", for two reasons: 1. As I mentioned, I'm having a hard time grabbing photos after work because it's getting dark so early, and I'm currently in Toronto, and this was my only saved outfit. 2. I feel like this combination is so fabulous that it's okay to post it so soon! Am I wrong?

vintage dress: borrowed from Marisa

cardigan: forever 21

brooch: luxulite

shoes: miss l fire

belt: from another dress

I'm absolutely in love with this dress. I need to get a gingham shirtdress asap! It looks great on its own, with mint AND polka dots... and I also paired it with cobalt tights and white shoes. I regret not taking photos of that outfit. It was a perfect outfit for all of you Red-White-and-Blue ladies!

And again with this brooch. Are you guys tired of seeing it yet? Because I'm definitely not tired of wearing it. This huge collar was just screaming for a brooch! I'm absolutely over-the-moon with all of the fabulousness of this dress. I'm definitely going to be stalking Marisa's etsy shop in hopes that this dress finds its way there! Have you guys checked out her shop?? She has a yellow gingham dress and a navy scooter dress (that would be divine with red tights!) that I'm coveting right now! 

Cherry Gingham...

Red vintage gingham. Cherry luxulite. Need I say more? These two just seemed to arrive in the mail at the perfect time. I had been eyeing luxulite brooches for months. It seemed like I just missed out on the ones I liked the best, and I couldn't seem to grab any in the shop updates that I loved. Either they sold out too quickly (because really, these just fly out of stock), or I didn't like them as much as previous styles. Finally (FINALLY!!) I got one! 

dress: borrowed from Marisa

brooch: Luxulite

belt: from another dress

shoes: Ruche (old)

I absolutely love being a part of a swap-blog. It's so fun to borrow clothes, style them up in an original way and share it with the readers. It's a great way to show off remixing, which can be so difficult with items sitting in your closet. It's easy to have your go-to look with an article of clothing... but borrowing someone else's clothes? Then it's easy to create a new look, especially when your styles are so different.  That said, it's also devastating at times. I've fallen in love with some of these articles of clothing that I've borrowed. Mailing them back is complete torture.

Toast on a Romper...

In the midst of the past extremely busy week(s), I've managed to take blog photos once. #fail (I know). I'll try to do one more post this week, and then I'll be missing-in-action for two weeks. I had hoped to plan some posts ahead of time and schedule them while I'm away, but it didn't happen, and seeing as we leave in two days (!!!!!!!) and I still have to clean the house and pack, I just won't be able to schedule any posts. But I do promise some fun filled posts when we return!! 

On the note of packing, I have to say, trying to plan what I'll wear for 15 days is tough! The temperatures are from the mid teens to thirties, plus we're renting a motorcycle in Florence, and planning trips to the coast, and possibly hiking... how on earth do you fit all of the clothes needed for that in one suitcase and leave room for shopping?? I've made a spreadsheet (geek, I know) to try to figure out what I'll need to wear for each activity and day, and when I can switch up those items for another outfit. It's challenging when all you really want to pack are dresses!! Wish me luck! 

 romper: rowena (available for grabs in my swap board, since it's kind of tight on me)

cardigan: local shop

shoes: michael kors

necklace: wedding gift from Dominic

flower: vintage box 1947

Cheating on my wedding...

Hey all! So as the title says, I'm kind of cheating on my wedding with this post.  When Sammi offered up this dress for the Flock Together gals, I had to have it. It's so amazing, I've actually been on the hunt for it's blouse version for some time, it is a Bernie Dexter after all! But the problem was that she styled it so perfectly, I was worried about not being able to get creative with it.  Then I realized, it would go perfectly with my blue shoes, coat... and hat!

dress: borrowed from Sammi

coat: lulu's

shoes: swedish hasbeens via amazon

pearls: gift from Dominic

hat: vintage (etsy)

I was also a little hesitant about the hat. It's the first pill box hat I've owned, so I wasn't quite sure how to wear it, if it looked okay... But after trying it out for these photos, I'm definitely feeling a lot more secure about wearing it on my wedding day. 

It's also my first official remix post over on Flock Together, so I felt like it had to be a good one, and this hat just made the outfit so perfect, I couldn't resist! Pop over and check out the post, and see how some of the other gals have styled this dress!

Teacher Style...

I often get asked if I'm a teacher, based on my appearance and style. Apparently I have that teacher look... I always found this funny, because while I actually supply taught for a time while between jobs (and loved it), I always said I'm not stern enough to be a teacher.  And then I look at the photo above.  I may not be very stern, but I definitely have that "You're in trouble" look down pat, don't I?? Maybe I was a teacher in another life...wearing fabulous polka dot frocks like this one.

dress: vintage

shoes: bait footwear

flower: vintage box 1947

belt: from another dress

I have to say, I feel like these shoes match about 50% of my closet.  Not bad for $30 shoes! (I got them on sale!!).  Definitely one of those great finds... and considering how often I pair them with outfits, I feel like I really should get them in more colours.  And then get polka dot dresses to match those colours ;)

Not So Red Riding Hood...

 When the seasons start to change, I always have the habit of going through my closet, attempting to clean it out of the clothes I no longer wear, to make room for some new items.  This season is no different. For any of you who follow me on instagram, you may have noticed that I recently opened a "shop my closet" account.  

 dress, tights: modcloth

cape: vintage 

shoes: swedish hasbeens

I love this dress. I coveted it, I finally splurged, and bought it. And I still love it, but yet it seems I rarely wear it.  Isn't that the case with so many items in our closets? I've been debating adding it to my shop my closet, not because I don't want it, but because I honestly just rarely wear it, and I hate when that's the case with a truly awesome piece.

 I bought these tights at the same time I bought the dress. While they're completely fun and unique with they're embroidered Red Riding Hood theme... they're quite short for me.  The legs just aren't long enough for my legs, and so they're not comfortable.  I've worn them maybe twice for that reason. I thought pairing them with this dress might remind me how much I love them both, and inspire me to wear them more! We'll see if this dress stays in my closet, or gets added to the Shop My Closet...

Thrifted and vintage...

The weather this past weekend was unusually mild... which I seem to be saying lately... "unusually mild" seems to be becoming more and more usual.  However, being so mild, it made my porch not uncomfortably cold for photo-taking! I actually completely forgot about tights! Definitely preemptive as it's definitely still tights weather outside and will be for several more months, but posting some outfits without tights made for a nice little change.

dress, hat, purse: vintage

shoes: aldo (old)

belt: from another dress

petticoat: american apparel

While I enjoy pairing vintage items with new, it's pretty special when you're wearing almost an entirely vintage outfit. While I'm definitely mixing eras with the hat & dress, and it may not be what someone would've actually worn 60-70 years ago walking down the street, it still makes me wonder who did wear these items and what streets they walked down. Every pre-owned item has a story, and pieces of someone else's story. When I wear these items, and when I look around my house, or go antique shopping, I'll often look at an item, and wonder, who did you belong to? If only these things could talk... 

Mint & Crochet...

Mint and polka dots... is there any combination more perfect? I absolutely adore this dress, and I feel so bad that it sits in my closet over the winter months, just waiting to be worn again.  While this look is definitely still more summery than winter, I still opted to post it now. The vintage crochet capelet does give some added warmth to the outfit.

dress: hell bunny via modcloth

capelet: rhymes with orange

shoes: spring

I spotted this little cape in one of Oh So Lovely's instagram photos, and just had to have it. It was also paired with a mint dress in the photo, and so began my inspiration for this outfit. The shop itself is in Winnipeg, but they're always willing to ship any items you spot in their photos, and I love supporting Canadian shops.

I definitely can't wait to wear this capelet in the summer on cool days and evenings! It'll add that touch of sophistication to any outfit.