Captains of the Sky // What I Wore

{dress//Francesca's :: denim button down//Plato's Closet :: boots//Target} 

I'm so in love with this dress! I didn't get a good shot of it, but the neckline is beaded and has a very classic, preppy, J Crew-ish look about it. I can't wait to wear it in the summer with some strappy wedges!

I bought it right before my district manager's visit to my store. Well, sort of my store. I was promoted to assistant store manager in November, and I've been acting store manager ever since my manager left in the beginning of January. It's been a really good (if exhausting) experience, and I love all of the girls I work with. I always try to bring my a-game fashion wise whenever the district manager is in my store though - and that makes for a good excuse to buy new, pretty dresses. Haha! 

I'm hoping to take a trip up to Mackinac Island in the summer and if so this dress will definitely be included in my suitcase. It's such a perfect, nautical look for an island getaway! Summer can't come fast enough for me. What are you all looking forward to this summer?

Loving Him was Red // What I Wore

{jeans//American Eagle Outfitters :: sweater//Francesca's :: army jacket//borrowed from my roommate :: scarf//Francesca's :: boots//Sorel :: purse//Francesca's :: necklace//Francesca's}

This purse and scarf have quickly become two of my favorite autumn accessories. The (teeny tiny!) size of this purse is a nice change of pace from my usual, bulky Mary-Poppin's bag; and this sweater seriously feels like wearing a blanket around my neck. It's so warm and cozy!

This outfit is super simple and casual - so different from what I was wearing last year! Like I said in my farewell post on Beautifully Pure, I was trying so hard to be one of the "cool kids"/hipsters last year. I know I talked a lot last year about how my confidence had grown, but that was nothing compared to how I feel now!  God has really worked in my life the last year, though, and I've let go of all that and am happy just being myself - as a result I'm drawn to more minimalist, comfy-casual but chic outfits.

Honestly, how I've dressed in the past has really been a bit of a mask. I felt that I needed those a-line skirts to hide my tummy and big thighs and all those colors and makeup and lipstick to hide my under-eye circles and tired-looking eyes. Like I said, God has worked in me a lot this year. One of the most important things I've realized is that the people who love me will think I'm beautiful no matter what I wear, and the people that will criticize me don't matter.

And since we're talking about accepting my flaws - can we take a moment to appreciate how often I've been posting photos of me smiling with teeth!? That used to be something I was super self conscious about, but lately it doesn't bother me. Maybe it's the fact that I've recently realized that several of my friends hate their smiles, too, despite the fact that I think they look adorable smiling with teeth. Or maybe it's the fact that closed-mouth smile just can't express how unbelievably happy I am with my life right now. Who knows? Either way I'm happy to see myself making progress in this whole "self-love" thing. ♥

Begin Again // What I Wore

{skirt//Francesca's :: denim button-down//Plato's Closet :: scarf//Francesca's :: tights//Francesca's :: boots//Bussola :: sunglasses//Francesca's :: watch//Francesca's :: bracelet//vintage :: ring//gift}

I have nothing to say tonight. 

I wore this on Sunday. 

I went to church and then to my boyfriend's grandma's house for lunch with him and his family. 

The leaves are changing color. 

Apples are getting ripe. 

I'm learning to open up. 

I live in a house with my two best friends. 

I don't have a cat. 

I'm ok with that. 

I love my job, and I even kind of love the long commute. 

I love my family and my church family. 

I love autumn. 

I love my life. 

The End.

I Feel Alive // What I Wore

  {dress//Francesca's :: scarf//Francesca's :: necklace//Francesca's :: belt//Target :: boots//Ariat // watch//Francesca's :: lipstick//Sephora brand}

So I've officially reached that point in life where every outfit includes at least one item from Francesca's - but most of the time it's more than that. I just love everything we carry so much! I mean, how perfect is this dress? The colors are bright enough for summer, and it's nice and loose so it won't cling too much; but the dark, jewel tones transition perfectly into autumn. I'm seriously in love with it. I originally wore this outfit for date night, but I loved it so much I wore it again for my family's mini-reunion yesterday - which was a blast. It was so much fun to see my favorite grand-aunt and uncle again.  I love them both like grandparents/second parents, and I haven't seen them since February. I've missed them - and their hugs. My Uncle Duane is over six feet tall and a big, burly guy, so he gives the best bear hugs. ^.^

We were supposed to cook out with them but since the weather decided to be wet and rainy all day we had to order in. I'm not complaining, though, because the rain brought the most amazing autumn weather with it. It's supposed to be in the sixties the rest of the week, so I'm wearing tights and and jackets all week. I love autumn/sweater/scarf/tights weather so much. ♥