I Choke on the Sun // What I Wore

Sleep don't visit, so I choke on sun
And the days blur into one
And the backs of my eyes hum with things I've never done

Sheets are swaying from an old clothesline
Like a row of captured ghosts over old dead grass
Was never much but we made the most
Welcome home

~ Welcome Home by Radical Face

I felt like Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky taking these photos. (Anybody else remember when she used to take a lot of her outfit photos in that really cool alley?) I was super excited when I realized that this alley was right behind my house - for this very reason. I'm always looking for close outfit photo locations, and this place will be  a huge life saver. I already know it. I'm only disappointed that these photos turned out grainy. I have no idea what caused that, but it's very vexing. Oh well! I'll get it next time, I guess.

Kenosha is such a cute town, though - full restaurants, things to do and the of the sweetest spots for photos I can't wait to get out and explore more now that the weather is actually warming up. And while we're on that subject, I can't believe it's already May 21st! Where has this year gone?? I feel like it was just New Years Eve, and now it's already almost summer! I mean,  there are just 50 short days until Bristol Renaissance Faire opens for the season. Eep! I'm so excited. I keep looking at photos from years past and watching Miss Molly's lovely video montage in anticipation. 

What are you most excited for this summer?

Outfit Details:

jeans - Target :: lace tank -Marurice 's :: sweater wrap - Francesca's :: necklace - Francesca's :: boots  - Francesca's :: bag - Francesca's

Our Dear Ocean Town // What I Wore

Goodbye Brielle

Only whispers can tell

Of the sweet dreams that we knew so well

I'll see you around our dear ocean town

~ Brielle by Sky Sailing

Every time I'm down by the harbor I feel as if I've stepped into Anne of Green Gables or a Sky Sailing song. There's something just so romantic and old fashioned about a quaint harbor complete with pathways, lighthouses and piers. 

Needless to say, I'm loving my move. Living on my own has always been a dream of mine, but I never saw how it could be a possibility. The area I grew up in is an interesting one, and there are general two options for housing: cheap housing in less, than ideal neighborhoods (read: "not the safest of places"); or expensive housing in well-to-do towns. Neither are viable choices for a 20-something woman living on her own. Luckily some friends of mine introduced me to how amazing Wisconsin is! For some reason I used to hate the town I currently live in, but after spending a year hanging out in this area with said friends, I realized how totally cool this place is! I honestly don't even remember why I used to dislike it.

On another subject, I apologize for the (terrible) quality of these photos. I'm completely in love with this outfit (this teeshirt quite accurately describes my life!), but I had so many problems getting pictures! First of all, even though it was a very nice day, the lakefront was freezing and windy. In fact, it was so windy it blew my tripod over and sent my poor little baby crashing to the ground. My heart jumped into my throat as I heard the very distinct sound of breaking glass. God was totally with me and my camera, though, because the only thing that broke was the UV protector on the lens! Literally all these photos were taken after there fall with the same camera and lens! I will never, ever use another lens without a UV protector again!

Outfit Details:

skirt - made by me :: graphic tee - Francesca's :: denim jacket - Old Navy :: necklace - gift from Maddie :: shoes - Me Too :: sunnies - Francesca's

Bubbles and Brunch

Last weekend my lovely cousin, Molly came up for a visit. She and my sister - Maddie - spent Friday night through Sunday at my apartment, and we spent most of Saturday exploring downtown Kenosha. There's still a lot we didn't get to, but I was glad we got to check a few things off my list of places to explore.

We got breakfast at Common Grounds coffee, and then took a nice long walk around the harbor. It's so pretty! Growing up on of my favorite books was Anne of Green Gables. For those of you that don't know, Anne lives on Prince Edwards Island. So when I lived with my parents, I loved that I could say I lived in a harbor town - even if it was an industrial harbor - but now my new town actually has a cute harbor area with coffee shops and restaurants and piers to walk on! There's even a vintage trolley where I took some of my graduation photos three years ago. I'm so excited to have this all so close to my home, and I'm going to try to stay really busy with it all this summer. I want to go to the beach, try some of the new restaurants near me, and take lots of pictures!

I know that every year I say "I think this is going to be a good summer!" but this time I know it will be, because I'm going to make it one.

Speaking of Anne of Green Gables, though - who else out there was sent into "the depths of despair" to hear about Jonathan Crombie's passing?? He brought such life to the character of Gilbert Blythe; and was such a talented actor, I know he will be so missed. RIP Gil.

Outfit Details:

shirt - Francesca's :: jeans - American Eagle Outfitters :: cardigan - Forever 21 :: shoes - Me Too :: purse - Francesca's :: necklace - gift from Maddie

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?

Unspeakably Awesome // What I Wore

{shirt//my moms :: jeans//Target :: jacket//Top Shop :: scarf//Franchesca's :: ballet flats//Me Too :: purse//Franchescas :: necklace//vintage}

In the words of Lizzie Bennet: 

"You know, some days are bad. Like when you trip in the hall after science class and your skirt flips over your head just as the senior you have a crush on is rounding the corner. Then there are days that are just 'ok.' Maybe you find a twenty on the sidewalk, but you also get a parking ticket. Then there are days are just so unspeakably awesome and everything is perfect and wonderful."

That was this past weekend for me. After working eleven days in a row I got a three day weekend - which was ah-mazing! Friday I got to hang out with three of my favorite people in the world, Saturday I had a good ol' lazy day, and Sunday I actually got to go to church!

Friends make the world go 'round. Sometimes you just need a weekend of shopping, laughing, deep talks, chocolate and smiles to make the world seem brighter, and the load lighter.

I can be insecure sometimes. I hide it well, but it's there. I'm loud - very loud - klutzy, a dork and I definitely don't weight what I'd like to. Sometimes I have trouble remembering that other people see more than just that. I like myself the way I am, but sometimes I think I just annoy other people or that all they see is the loud, crazy side of me. I don't know why, but it definitely helps to hear that someone thinks I'm cute, enjoys spending time with me, etc - even if I do kind of think "me!? I'm just the dork with three inch long un-dyed roots!"

And speaking of crazy-long roots: one of my coworkers honestly told me today that she loves how my hair is going out and how it's like a reverse ombre. Glad to know I don't look like a total looser - even if I didn't plan this at all and it is just from total laziness. Who knows, maybe I'll keep it a while. Maybe...