skirts in the wind

Tank Top (remixed): Ruche, Skirt: LOFT

I've learned that I have a special superpower. It's kind of like a unique sense, a subconscious propulsion, to wear pleated skirts on windy days. It's true. I wanna say this is a gift bestowed upon many unfortunate gals, which makes me feel a little better because it's not really a superpower. It's a curse. It causes a lot of problems and gives strangers an intimate one on one with my biznass. 

It'd be a lot more helpful if I had the innate ability to never forget anything before I leave the house, or to be able to produce strong, hot coffee straight from my mind and into my coffee cup.

Although really, the more I think about it, the more I realize that this skirt sitch may be, could be, a little bit my fault. It's vaguely possible that I bring the skirt disasters upon myself, because I wear dresses and skirts pretty much every day. So of course some of those days are going to be windy, right? In fact, my dad loves gadgets and recently installed a weather instrument device, so there's literally a bright screen right next to the sink that I apparently ignore every day even when it might say "20 mph winds WEAR PANTS".

I think we often find ourselves in these types of debacles. It's really easy to say, why does this keep happening to me even if the answer may be within ourselves instead of resting on the shoulders of the world. Sometimes the responsibility does rest with me. Sometimes my environment isn't to blame, and I find myself without excuse. There are times when I can no longer blame my family, my past, my upbringing, my society, the government....uh oh. This almost got political. Let's move on.

It's a good day to be held accountable, I think. To laugh at the faces of the shocked passersby as they catch sight of my knickers, and to know that my particular choices that morning led to such a humorous encounter. It does no good to shout at the wind, or to cry about how unfair the weather is. It's much more effective to dress appropriately for the day. To learn from the skirts in the wind.

literary

I've been contemplating finally starting a book club lately.

I've shared my thoughts and given advice on starting a book club on the blog before, but I think I've been hesitant to actually begin one here because I've been waiting to settle into a routine. Now that I have a full-time job and we're feeling more settled (and my husband takes part 1 of the bar exam TOMORROW -- where has the summer gone!?) I've been thinking a lot more about it.
Where would we meet? Who should I invite? What should we read?

I think quite secretly another reason why I hesitate to start my own is because I miss my book club in Virginia. It was my first and only book club ever, so part of me is pretty nervous to try and replace that presence in my life. It's hard not to compare. I think I'm going to have to just try it out and maybe mix things up a little, try a fresh new take on things. Make it our own, allowing the new group to dictate the growth and change as we go along.

This book necklace always makes me think of book club, because I bought it from a local Lynchburg artisan downtown at a craft market. It's the best book necklace I've come across, made from real leather and paper. Each one is completely unique. I had seen her at several craft markets during our time in Virginia and have been really hoping she would update her Etsy shop and list some items there! To my delight, she has! She even has more book necklaces listed. I absolutely love the variances in style and texture.

Check out her shop, Barefoot Pathways!
I'm thrilled to add that she has provided a special coupon code just for you!
Just enter voguishatbest10 to receive 10% off anything in her shop!

It honestly takes a great deal of self-restraint not to buy a whole library's worth of those tiny book necklaces. She has other handmade jewelry as well, and is so sweet and talented.

Top: gifted, Skirt: Primark in London, Shoes: Marshall's
Necklace: Barefoot Pathways on Etsy

During one of my last book club meetings we had a fantastic discussion about books (imagine that).
One of the girls, Allison, presented us with a list of questions to ponder and I loved hearing everyone's different answers. I'd love to hear yours, too!

1. What book would you choose to have completely memorized?
2. What book would you embody, if you could be a book on a shelf?
3. What book would you recommend to absolutely everyone?
4. What book would you burn/banish to a desert island?

We all went back and forth, and it took us all a very long time to answer with any sort of finality.
I think my answers will change constantly, but while sitting there these were my answers:

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
2. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

I obviously love Harry Potter, but that 5th book is a plague (but I won't get into that Sirius stuff again).

I could also put Lord of the Flies or Bridge to Terabithia on that #4...
But instead of contemplating more of my answers, let's hear yours!
Comment below! Let the discussions begin.

a little glitz

Happy New Year!

For me, celebrating each new year holds extra special significance. My husband and I were married on 1-1-11, and that glitter-filled sparkling evening of New Year's Eve doubles as an anniversary party for us. 

I treasure the memories of my wedding week, having our wedding party and all of our family in town, gathering together the night before the wedding with great food and cheer. I wore a shirt that declared: "Start the new year with me!"

I absolutely loved everything about that night and the following day.

It's also special because I grew up with New Year's Eve being a special night. It happily extended from the Christmas holiday week and rolled over into sparkling cider, creme brulee, bonfires and fireworks, with family and friends all celebrating in the backyard desert of my parent's house.

It's probably my favorite holiday of the year. 

Bangles: Kate Spade, Polish: OPI (glitzerland + when monkeys fly!), Knuckle Ring (shop!): Sweet Peeps on Etsy

This year was the first year ever that I spent away from my parent's house. We stayed here in Virginia, and I don't think I've ever ached for the Arizona desert so badly. The crisp air, the sky at sunset, the crackle of the bonfire. We were very fortunate that some of our friends (who share our festive anniversary, they were married on Dec. 31st!) wanted to spend the night with us, because otherwise we would have been very sad human beings, probably resigned to spending NYE in our pajamas watching Friends. 

(Alright, so that doesn't really sound like the worst thing ever.)

Having a place to be and a party to have gave me a reason to glitz up my nails, wear something sparkly, dab some glitter on my eyelids and pop confetti poppers. It was worth it to resist the pajamas in order to properly celebrate 2014, our very last (half) year in Lynchburg, Virginia.

P.S. A little Insta-look at our fabulous NYE!

the tapestry bag

The tale of this tapestry bag probably begins a long time ago, way back when I first saw Anne of Green Gables. My desire for one has only increased over the years, and when I finally got around to reading Anne of Green Gables, it was settled.

Matthew, however, was spared the ordeal of speaking first, for as soon as she concluded that he was coming to her she stood up, grasping with one thin brown hand the handle of a shabby, old-fashioned carpet-bag; the other she held out to him....

"Oh, I can carry it," the child responded cheerfully. "It isn't heavy. I've got all my worldly goods in it, but it isn't heavy. And if it isn't carried in just a certain way the handle pulls out--so I'd better keep it because I know the exact knack of it. It's an extremely old carpet-bag. 

Sweater (shop!)/Tapestry Bag (sold out): Ruche, Bottoms: Thrifted, Necklace: Anthropologie, Shoes: Urbanog, 

Of course, this particular bag isn't extremely old and doesn't contain all of my worldly goods in it. But it certainly could, and the dreamer in me just has to close her eyes and grasp the handles to imagine the life-changing adventure that is about to occur -- just my tapestry bag and me.

There's something about having this tapestry bag that makes me feel really grown up.

I packed it up for our Thanksgiving weekend with friends, and I loved feeling put together for once. We've always survived on mismatched and hand me down suitcases, which have always done the trick just fine. Dusty and I have a random stack of bags under our bed, and we usually just cram everything into one bag whenever we travel.

But having something cute and folksy that's all mine is kind of lovely all on its own. A bag just for weekends, those special short trips reserved for close-by mini adventures or holiday getaways. 

This sweater is also one of my favorite new things from Ruche, and I have already worn it a little too often lately. The bows and pearls are so sweet! 

I guess I was feeling a little retro yesterday because I parted my hair down the middle for the first time in many years. I was overwhelmed with how much I look like my mom. I kept picturing a photo of her when she was around my age, with her long straight hair, parted down the middle and all. I couldn't ask for a more lovely look-alike, but it made me miss her something fierce.

We're basically twinsies, except for my chin and sense of humor which belong to my dad. 

I think I'll keep up the middle-part for a while longer. :)

new hair + parisian flair

It was almost warm enough yesterday to go without a coat in the early evening. Almost. 
Today, it is a boiling 66 degrees and I'm already planning on getting a snow cone after work!
I can't wait to soak up the warmth of the afternoon.

Cardigan: J. Crew, Scarf: Gifted/World Market (shop), Dress: Ruche (similar, similar)
Jeans: Forever 21 (shop), Boots: Urbanog (similar, similar), Headband: J. Crew

I did it.

I cut my hair!

I talked about it earlier (last week), and managed to get to the salon for a fresh bob.

It's not super short, which I'm happy about! But even so, my husband cringed a little at the first cut.

Men do love long hair!

For the first time, I went for the a-line lob look. Unfortunately, I made that bangs-cutting mistake earlier this year, so they're still growing out and get in the way of a true, straight a-line cut.

To me, this outfit speaks volumes in favor of travel. 
I think Melina from The Caffeinated Closet has been a subtle influence to that effect!
I'm dreaming of Paris often these days, hoping we can make a trip there soon.
I think my subconscious was working toward a Paris-worthy outfit yesterday, with the classic stripes and layers.

Short dresses make for great layering tools in cold weather.
This dress served as a very comfortable tunic yesterday, layered over jeans, combat boots and a scarf and cardigan!

This spot on the hill is a pretty incredible view of Lynchburg.
I got a bit distracted from picture-taking as lights started to twinkle in the early evening light, lit from all the houses and businesses sprawled out below.

 Without the layers, the dress is soft and sweet, little fabric-twist bows on each shoulder.

Warm weather will definitely be welcome!

Can't wait for that snow cone in an hour or two. :)

Enjoy your Tuesday, too!
Cait