Outfit: How Not to Pose

I am a very awkward, uncomfortable person for the most part. I also have this awful tendency of being extreme self-conscious which is a large part as to why I chose to start this blog. I always have had a problem with existing in my own skin even when I was just a small child. At this point it is just a part of me, definitely not the best part, but a part nonetheless. So, this blog is a huge attempt to become not only comfortable with myself as a person, but also try to expand my horizons. This is kind of a lengthy experiment about myself if you will.

One thing that occurs with this awkward, uncomfortable existence of mine is the fact that I am awful at posing for pictures. I'm really figuring out that it's a huge trial and error process more than simply being talented at it or being comfortable in one's own skin (though I am positive both help). It’s a refined skill that takes practice as well as looking through other types of blogs and outfit posts to become inspired. That what has been slowly helping me! Plus having a lovely sister behind the camera making you laugh in order to become more comfortable is also a huge help. 

Dress (layered under skirt): Forever 21 (Similar) Belt: Forever 21 (Similar) Skirt: Modcloth (Similar) Shoes: Target (Similar) Sunglasses: Old Navy (Similar)

Hopefully as time goes on and I continue to pursue this blog I become better in several aspects of both self and on this platform. Being kind of a twenty one year old mess of a person that is something I definitely need. Granted everyone is a sort of mess at twenty one, but it’s good to jump into something in order to sort that out. That is exactly what I am doing with this blog. This will be a slow progression, but still a progression. So here we go I suppose…

  

Photos taken by Missy

Outfit: Swan Song

How is summer almost over already? My middle school job has started back up, I've barely started classes, and hopefully (fingers crossed) the weather is going to break and start to become cooler. When did this happen? Time is such a strange concept. It always moves too quickly or not quick enough and with how strange my summer was I'm not sure whether it's good or bad that it slipped through my fingers. Suddenly I've figured a few life things out though which is a pleasant feeling in the midst of this confusion. I've decided to either double major or minor, depending which one will suit my needs better, in education. So, I will be studying English, Gender Studies, and Education and pursue my teaching licence. I always said I never wanted to become a teacher...oops.

Tank: Old Navy (Similar) Skirt: SheInside Necklace: Gift (Similar) Shoes: Borrowed (Similar)

I'm also going to take the time and really work on this blog. It's not much and I never know really what to say when it comes to these posts, but the only way I'll ever get my footing is if I throw myself in head first. Who know, this may turn into something good for me in the future and I'll never know if I don't try. In any case I don't regret to much that summer is singing it's swan song (aye see what I did there? Incorporated the title. Go me.) I think fall may better for me in the long run when it comes to figuring out the weird/awful adult things that I must. 

Photographs taken by Missy

Outfit: Pinkapalooza

Surprise!

Not much warning prior, but I have cotton candy pink hair now! I actually have fallen completely in love with it and am hoping to keep it (or maybe experiment with more fun colors?) for a while. For a long while I was rather wishy washy about dying my pixie pink and have always come up with excuses not to, but I sort of jumped off that metaphorical cliff a while ago. I mean why not? Besides ever since I put the pink in I have been complete smitten. The best part is children's reactions to funky colored hair. They stare at you as though you're some kind of fairy and it is absolutely amazing! My own little six year old niece sprints up to me whenever she see's me to inform me of what pink think my hair currently smells like to her.

Any who other than my pink hair the one other change in my life has been the fact that I have officially aged another year. I am now legally twenty one and I spent my birthday down back home in Chicago. Which is where the whole 'Pinkapalooza' name came from. I made the dreadful mistake of going up there during Lollapalooza weekend. It makes the entire city a complete and utter madhouse. Other than the chaos and crowds that ensued from a music festival I had a lovely time being back home. These photos were actually taken in The Art Institute which is one of my favorite places so it was wonderful to visit on my birthday. While I was there they had a huge Degas exhibit and they finally had Vincent Van Goph's portrait back. Every time I went it was away on tour I swear. The whole Impressionists section is what makes this museum absolutely phenomenal. Degas, Monet, Van Goph, Renoir. The impressionist movement as a whole is something I need to take the time to study because I've always been fascinated my it. 

Dress: Ruche Shoes: Target Glasses: Old Navy Purse: Target

Seeing as this is primarily a fashion blog I would like to stop and take a moment to discuss my dress here. Frankly the thing I love most about it is that it is a very stand alone dress. Many a dress I come upon need several types of accessories in order to convey your style through it and while I can do that with this dress I can also just wear it alone. It feels complete by itself. Plus the skirt has a great amount of flow and detail without being overwhelming. Just look at it!

It's this lovely sort of faded patchwork of floral and leaves with some subtle sparkle. Who wouldn't love that skirt? I can't wait to experiment more with this dress in fall and come up with some warm dressed down outfit varieties.

P.S. As a fun little bonus picture here I am being awkward and uncomfortable as my elder sister teased me and several people passed and stared!

- Rebecca

*Photos by Missy*

Outfit: She Would Buy The Flowers Herself

Hollywood Studios is wonderfully odd. I mean really what is the point of Streets of America? Don't get me wrong I love it! It's a huge space of Disney property that isn't put to much use. Then again maybe that is what's lovely about it. Just a facade of buildings to tour through in a way you never would be able to in an actual city. It's a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the parks and not to mention a wonderful place for pictures. The entirety of Hollywood Studios is actual quite picturesque. It is just a mosh of every cliché thought about old Hollywood in the best way possible.

 Dress: Forever 21 (Similar) Belt: Forever 21 (Similar) Shoes: Old Navy Necklace: Antique (My Grandmother's)

What’s funny about this day is that it actual rained. When I say rained I mean it POURED for a good portion of the morning. So bad that me and my old roommates were forced to buy ponchos in order to be able to stand it while wandering around the park. This was a group made up of two Floridians and two Midwesterners. We’re use to rain, no actually use to storms. This was not the listen to the thunder roll in while drinking a cup of tea and strolling about type of rain though. It was awful which is why we bought $10 worth of cheap plastic to shelter us. It was the rain that permeates your entire being that leaves you feeling as though you’re covered in a fine layer of stick all day no matter how hard you try to dry off.  

(Come on who doesn't want to take picture in the "dangerous" part of the streets?)

There are two fun things about this photo. The first is that if you have seen Inside Out I am basically Joy. It’s a running joke that the friends who I visited with and I are basically the emotions personified (more on this in my next post). So, there I am with my perfected Joy pose. The other part is look at my shoes. This is from earlier in the day right after it stopped pouring and I was wearing a different pair of shoes because I was worried about the 80% chance of rain that had been predicted. They were sopping wet and I changed them almost immediately after this photo was taken. Always have an easy to carry pair of second shoes in Disney or wear flip flops. It rains all the time in Florida and you forget how nice it is to walk all day in a dry pair of shoes until you’re squish squashing all around. 

Until next time!

- Rebecca

*Photos by Alex*

Inspiration: Festival of Fantasy

I'm sorry guys, but for the next couple posts they are going to be Disney themed due to my recent trip. One thing that I simply had to discuss was the Festival of Fantasy parade in Magic Kingdom. It is by far my favorite thing to see in Disney and has a special place in my heart. When I worked in Disney World for four months last year I was able to be there for the opening of the parade on my favorite day in the world Dapper Day. It's one of my favorite memories and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Now whenever I have the chance to see Festival of Fantasy I grab it because it just reminds me of my program and helps me make new memories related to that time in my life.

Look at these absolutely gorgeous costumes! Disney outdid themselves with this parade I mean everything in it is stunning. I mean just look at that seashell themed one in the first photo. Breathtaking. 

 The circus ensemble is one of my favorites in the parade. It's so fun and the bowtie on it is incredible. If I could incorporate something like that in my everyday wear I would in a heartbeat. Then there was this coral before the Little Mermaid float that was a beautiful interpretation of the sea-creature.

The themeing of each of the costumes in context to the part of the parade it was in was spot on. While bright and very saturated in color they didn't overpower the floats or characters instead they worked well in compliment. They helped section each area off while also showing the transition to each  movie/character. Honestly it was great to see and absolutely genius on Disney's part.

Seriously whenever you have the time look up the parade on youtube you'll be mystified. It's incredibly well done and the score is wonderful too (though it will be in your head all day). I could watch it all day and everyday without becoming even the least bit bored. The best part is how interactive everyone is with those who are watching. When Peter and Wendy past they started yelling at me for sneaking about and stealing his hat (I have the cutest signed hat I bought when down there) Then Smee came up and tried to steal it because I was siding with the enemy and not him and his ol'codfish of a boss. 

Until next time!

Outfit: Ain't It A Glorious Day?

Have you ever seen the grass so green? Or a bluer sky?

Dress: Lauren Conrad/Kohls Shoes: Modcloth (Similar) Ears: Le Chapeau on Main Street Sunglasses: Old Navy

As you can probably tell I've been away in Disney World for a bit and let me tell you it was wonderful. It's my home. Ever since I participated in the Disney College Program a piece of my heart has belonged in the Magic Kingdom. As clichè as it sounds it is and will always be one of my favorite places. I mean come on can anything compare to that Castle?

As for this Minnie Mouse dress I don't think it's possible for me to gush enough about it. It has a subtle Disney pattern that I feel isn't overpowering in everyday wear (yay versatility). Plus it has the perfect marriage between length, structure, and material. It's twirly, but low risk for wind related fiascos. This dress has lined white fabric so it's not see through, but it still has a light airiness to it. It is simply perfect.

Also, let me just say that these shoes were strangely comfortable during the entire trip? I ended up having to wear them almost every day because everything else gave me blisters. Oxfords are apparently a must at Disney instead of comfy worn in flats. Who knew?

- Rebecca

                                                                     *Photos by Andy*

Friday's Favorites

I have to say that this 1950's floral skirt is absolutely darling. 

I love this Wes Anderson shirt, but then again maybe I don't know what I'm talking about...

Honestly this handmade Rabbit necklace may be a wee bit pricey, but seems definitely like it's worth the investment. 

My slight Disney obsession started to leak through after I saw this great Inside Out notebook.

Anyone who has even seen Pushing Daisies must be dying for a Pie Hole poster like this one. 

Outfit: Sunshine, Daisies, Butter, Mellow...

Summer is truly beginning to take hold. Those lovely rainstorms we have been having in the valley have disappeared and are being replaced with clear blue, sunny skies. What's scary is I'm not too sure what this summer holds for me. I don't have a good or bad feeling about it, instead it's something that is just happening. Then again I've been preoccupied with 'life' matters at the moment so I haven't had the chance to sit and ruminate about the possibilities it hold. 

Dress: Modcloth (Similar) Cardigan: Old Navy Necklace: Gift (Similar) Shoes: Converse (Not Pictured) 

Who knows though...this summer could be spectacular. All I plan to do at the current moment is to continue to document my adventures and see what I stumble upon.

- Rebecca

*Photos by Krista*

Blog Inspiration: The Dainty Squid

From the day I stumbled upon The Dainty Squid I was in love. Kaylah has such effortless style and transitions well between clean put together classic ensembles and stunning laid back styles. In addition to her marvelous sense of fashion the other posts that Kaylah fills her blog with are fantastic.

In particular her photography series are truly something. My absolute favorite is her beach series where she combs the sand for trinkets and other materials of one color then photographs her finds. Granted in words this doesn't sound too interesting, but I promise that it is something worth checking out.

Also, I believe it would be a crime to forget to mention her positively stunning hair. Kaylah continuously takes care of and dyes her hair by herself. She has several explanations on exactly how she treats her hair and I highly recommend looking into those articles if you're considering dying your hair a funky color. I know if everything goes according to plan this summer I am definitely going to be rereading them for some advice.

(Source for all pictures via The Dainty Squid)

Anywho, I would highly recommend that when you find the time that you pop on over to http://www.thedaintysquid.com!

Outfit: Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Utah has been hit with sudden onslaught of thunderstorms and it is absolutely lovely. There's a chill in the air (which I could do without), cloudy skies, and the smell of petrichor lingering about. 

Dress: Forever 21 (Old) Tights: Target (Similar) Shoes: Forever Young Shoes (Old)

I adore rainy days, especially on my days off. It gives me an excuse to stay in, read, catch on some blog reading, and impulsively buy plane tickets for trips that I probably cannot afford. They really are wonderful. Plus thunder accompanied by the sound of light rain is incredibly relaxing. 

Some of my favorite memories center around a sudden rain. It's funny how it can turn a regular outing into an unexpected adventure of sorts. Then there's when you kind of live at Disney World it is rather fun to watch tourists run about in a panic during sudden downpours, but this is a story for another day. 

- Rebecca

*Photos by Krista*