Castles and Dreams // What I Wore in Elgin IL

Well, these photos are slightly oldies. They're from last month when I spent the weekend with the lovely, Laura of Thrifting Through Life. We've been friends for over a year (ever since the Blog Days of Summer meetup in Pittsburgh), but have actually only spent one weekend together IRL. The saddest part is that she's been just an hour from my house for seven months and this was the first time we got together since her move to Illinois! We've both been so busy with work, boys and moving that we hadn't carved out anytime to see each other. She also doesn't have a car right now, so meeting half way or her visiting me is hard to manage. As such we decided the best, and easiest way to get some girl time was for me to just spend a weekend at her house.

Obviously such a weekend included thrifting, donuts and lots of photography (also one of us may have convinced the other one to sign up for Tinder - which lasted all of, like, an hour - but that's a story for another time). However, the highlight of the trip was definitely finding and photographing this castle. Who knew Elgin, IL had a castle!? Certainly not either of us! Obviously this discovery demanded a photo shoot complete with dresses and bright lipstick.

My outfit was largely influenced by Meghan Trainor's new music video, Dear Future Husband. The styles in it are so swoon-worthy, and I just so happened to find this dress at Walmart for $15! It took me a while to get the cat-eyes, just right, though - I haven't done a bold cat-eye in so long! I think it all turned out well, though. I was pleased, at least. 

This castle is by far one of the coolest things I've ever seen! It even had a moat and bridge and I'm pretty sure I went into geek mode and started randomly quoting the Lord of the Rings. I wanted to yell out "I cannot jump such a distance you'll have to toss me!" or "You said this keep would never fall as long as your men defend it. They still defend it - they have died defending it!" Haha! I was worrying Laura, though, by walking back and forth across the bridge though. It wasn't so much of a "bridge" as it was a bunch of (semi) sturdy boards. It bent a little in the middle and the boards were not flush and she was convinced I was going to fall in the moat (that would have been a Grey's Anatomy worthy hospital trip!).

Head on over to Laura's blog to see her photos and hear her side of the the story!

Outfit details:

dress - Walmart :: faux leather jacket - Top Shop :: shoes - Francesca's :: necklace - Francesca's :: lipstick - Rebel by Mac

Waking Up Sad Isn’t So Bad If You Look Outside // What I Wore

{shirt//F21 :: skirt//Plato's Closet :: necklace//Francesca's :: shoes//Me Too :: watch//Francesca's :: bracelet//borrowed from work :: purse//Francesca's :: jacket//Top Shop}

This morning I woke up in a terrible funk for no good reason. Don't you just hate when that happens? So I hopped on the treadmill for a while and got a quick run in before getting all dolled up for work. That actually helped a lot.

I can't believe how much my style has changed in the past couple years. It used to be very girl/retro, but lately it's starting to pick up a more J Crew-esque feel. In fact, this morning I was trying to figure out a new way to do my makeup so I tried Googling "J Crew Makeup" for ideas and the first tutorial that popped up was basically what I've been doing the past couple weeks. Lol! So I decided to just stick with it anyway.

Happy start of the weekend! I don't have a day off till Wednesday, but at least I start late enough on Sunday for me to go to church. It's the little things in life. ♥

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...

Love While We're Young // What I Wore

{shirt//Hot Topic :: jeans//thrifted :: sweatshirt//Aerie :: jacket//Top Shop :: purse//Emma Fox via TJ Maxx :: boots//Sorel :: necklace//Francesca's Collections}

I feel like ever since I graduated high school I've had trouble with friends. When we're in high school we don't have much control over our lives, so we're all more or less going through the same thing. Once you graduate and start making decisions for yourself things get a little more difficult... Sometimes after graduation you realize that people you thought you had a lot in common with in high school, actually couldn't be more different than you. Sometimes you loose friends, and it sucks.

The good thing about graduating, though, is that you're no longer stuck with the people closest to your age at social events anymore. You're able to meet people older than you from different places in life, and sometimes those people can turn out to be fantastic friends.

While I was in high school I obsessed about what I wore. I used it as a shield when I felt out of place or awkward. Since graduating I've really come out of my shell, made some fantastic new friends, and my style has really come down a notch. I've been loving more casual, laid back outfits. If I could describe my ideal style it would be "effortlessly fabulous." Like I just got out of bed, threw on an outfit and dashed out the door.

This is what I wore last month to see Echosmith live. They're a new-ish band comprised of four, home schooled teenagers/early-20-year-olds, and they're really quite talented. The show was fantastic and I had a fantastic time.

♫ Post title // Let's Love by Echosmith ♫

Florals + Polka-dots // What I Wore

{dress//F21 :: sweatshirt//Plato's Closet :: jacket//TopShop :: flats//Me Too :: beaded necklace//local botique :: gold necklace//vintage :: purse//Emma Fox via TJ Maxx :: lipstick//tinted lip balm by Cailyn in "Big Apple"}

You guys/gals, I have a confession to make: when I first got this sweatshirt I may or may not have worn it 2-3 times a week for the first month. *sheepish grin* But seriously - it goes with everything! I think pairing it with this polka-dot dress was one of my favorite outfits, though. And I love the double necklace detail. <3

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like my style has changed so much over the summer. Then again, I think I've changed a ton this summer, so I suppose it only makes sense...

For the first time, I actually feel like I've grown up - like I'm not the same fourteen year old girl I was five years ago. When I think about turning twenty in seventeen days it feel right. Like, I don't feel like "I can't believe I'm going to be twenty!" I feel twenty. How weird is that??