in the woods

I love gifted clothes. I love the thought of picking something out specifically for someone else to wear. 

Likewise, I love when people pick out things specifically for me to wear!

Clothes and accessories, like jewelry, are somewhat personal - so when someone takes the time (or happens to have a flash of ohmygosh they would love that! while shopping), I really appreciate it and tend to treasure it. 

Occasionally I even do so if I don't even like the item that much...which probably isn't the greatest thing to do, but I can't help but be grateful and appreciative of such a sweet gift, even if it isn't necessarily my style or something I would have picked out for myself. 

That is not the case with this Anthropologie fox top, however!

I would have absolutely picked this out for myself, and I couldn't even wait to wear it until after Frocktober.
My husband's brother and sister-in-law saw it in Anthropologie and knew I would love it!
I built a dress outfit specifically around this shirt, and it happened to also include the fabulous orange tights my best friend got for me, too!

Top (shop!): Anthropologie, Dress: old/gifted, Earrings (shop on sale!): Ruche

I love the scoop/button-up back, and it comes in some really cute alternative critter-themed prints and colors!
But of course, foxes are my favorite. :)

in good company

This past week has been a dream.
Whenever my parents/family/friends come into town, it always feels a little like we're just playing house. Our life here goes on pause for a little while, and everything is off kilter in a fun and happy way.
We go out to eat almost every night, showcasing our favorite local eats, we drive around town, we go see movies and have breakfast and drink coffee... and our mini apartment becomes a fort with spare beds and dishes and suitcases. It's chaotic and wonderful.

Dress: Ruche (similar), Blazer: LOFT, Shoes: Blowfish,
Ring: Vintage, Bangle: Cookie Lee

It definitely makes it really hard on us when they leave, though. Everything is quiet and clean and we sit around going, okay...so how does this go again?



























I wore this outfit to work last week. I love this dress. It's beachy, or maybe carnival-y, and I always tend to reach for it when I'm feeling happy and colorful. It's definitely a summertime dress (although I did wear it for my October birthday this past year, because I was feeling happy and colorful then, too.)
The ring is one I stumbled upon in my little ring box; my mom gave it to me a while ago, along with some other jewelry she's had for a while. I enjoy wearing jewelry that used to be hers, because it feels like it still is hers and I'm just borrowing it, and maybe someday I'll let my daughter borrow it, too.



This may be the hardest year we've had to face in Virginia and being away from home, but there's also so much to look forward to. I have a pretty good feeling that when we move back to Arizona after Dusty graduates and takes the bar, all of this will feel like a dream. A really wonderful dream that we'll never get to return to -- so every day is going to be wonderful.

I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol days,

before you've actually left them.

-Andy Bernard, The Office

Tonight we're off to another great dinner spot, The Dahlia, and then we're off to Cleveland for the weekend.

I'll continue living in a dream until Monday - but I'll try and find some way to feel happy and colorful once they leave, too.

monochromatic: blushing pink

I love a great monochromatic look.
There's something really bold about it - almost tantalizing, like it's against the rules somehow.
Kind of like my childhood leopard outfit debacle, it's usually a terrible idea to compose an entire outfit out of the same pattern or color.
But at some point, someone came along and proved that monochromatic can be absolutely fierce, stylish, and can accomplish a really unique fashion statement.

Mara over at M Loves M created a monochromatic outfit in blue, and she was actually the inspiration for my compilation!

If I was really dedicated, I would have donned some pink tights and pink shoes, but I think that would've killed the moment. And maybe scared the neighbors.
Being my first attempt, I settled for a pink and brown look, with the leopard watch as the accent pattern.
Leopard is my favorite.

Dress: Gifted/Kohl's, Sweater: Gifted/LOFT, Necklace: Gifted
Tights: Target, Shoes: Poetic License (on sale)
Watch: La Mer, Target (shop!)

I seriously could wear a cable knit sweater like this every single day.
Dress it up or dress it down.
So cozy I could sleep in it.
This entire outfit is made up of various gifted items. My birthday dress from my best friend Becky, this bright pink sweater from my mom, and the necklace for Christmas from my friend Allison.

Even from thousands of miles away, my mom finds ways to shop with me!
She sent me an happy box of new sweaters and accessories, just because. I miss mom and daughter times.

I'm spending the entire weekend reading and checking off my to-do list.
Friday was slow in coming, but now that it's here, I can't wait to get started on weekend projects!
I love how full of hope and potential the weekend is - most of the time, once Sunday comes, I realize I haven't done anything productive. BUT, it's always nice, on Friday, to wish and dream and plan all the cleaning, crafting, reading and daydreaming I'll be doing. :)