An Ode to the Maxi Dress

Thrifted Land's End Maxi (insanely similar) and Jacket (similar from Madewell); Stitch Fix Necklace; Walmart Sandals (similar)

Oh maxi dress. Thank you for being there for me as I ease into summer. Thanks for making me feel feminine without showing piles of skin. You are amazing and I hope the world of fashion never casts you aside again.

How's your week going? We are in full on vacation mode over here so I'll keep this short. I have people to see, things to read, flowers to smell. Yep.

Happy Wednesday.

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Be The Way I Want To Go

Stitch Fix Dress and Necklace; Levi's Jacket (here); Gap Flats (similar)

I wore this yesterday in glorious 70 degree weather. Spring is here and I couldn't be happier.

I know I'm not the only one, but spring has me in full on cleaning and organizing mode. When we moved last fall, a lot of things just sort of got put in one spot...and 6 months later, they're still there. We've been working on remedying that the last few days, as well as tackling projects around our fixer-upper that have been sitting all winter. Like taking down the fan that's in the corner of our living room. Yep. In the corner (we have no idea).

Happy Monday.

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To Wait or Not

Self-Made Dress (similar); Thrifted Levi's Jacket (here); Stitch Fix Necklace; Thrifted Belt (similar); Payless Flats (similar)

I realized today that I posted about our desire to adopt a while back and never followed up. After a lot of thought and prayer, we decided to adopt through the foster system. We haven`t actually started fostering yet though. Jeremy has been taking classes full time in addition to working full time, so we haven`t had the time to take the state-required classes to become licensed foster parents. Really, this is good. Although we`re both eager to start our family, with Jeremy in school, I`d pretty much be single parenting.

So at this point, we are trying to make a decision. Option 1: take the classes over the summer and begin fostering in the fall. Jeremy will still be in school, so we`d have to be very selective about the kids we foster so I don`t get overwhelmed. Option 2: wait until Jeremy is done with school in December 2015. Neither of us want to wait, but we also want to be fully present for these kids.

Decisions, decisions. It's hard to trust God's timing for our family when we want things to happen now now now.

More of the denim jacket:

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My Stitch Fix Experience

I have been wanting to try Stitch Fix for months. A personal styling service that sends you fun new things in your style and size right to your door? Yes please.

There`s currently a pretty long wait for a box. I scheduled a box in February and took the first available date: March 15. It actually arrived a few days before that, so I had the weekend to try things on and style them up.

My wonderful stylist sent me a necklace, two tops, skinny jeans, and a maxi dress. I pretty much gave her free reign over what to send me. My only request was that the items be washable and easy to wear.



Boy, did she deliver. Let`s take a closer look.

Zad Adrianna Circle Bib Necklace, $34

I LOVE this! Totally something I`d gravitate towards in a store but not buy. I love how small it is, but still makes a statement. Definitely a keeper.

Kensie Johnny Skinny Jeans, $88

Dirty mirror alert! I really wish these fit. The style is perfect, but the cut is not. They got sent back.

Angie Schmitt Mixed Chevron Maxi Dress, $78

I sort of grimaced when I took this out of the box. Chevron? Please.

But then I put it on. Holy flattering and comfortable and oh my it`s actually modest and I can wear a bra with it. J gave this one a big thumbs up. Keeper.

Pomelo Corrina Striped Dolman Top, $48

I almost sent this one back. When I first tried it on, I was not a fan of the way it stretched over my hips and bum. But then I tried it with leggings and ta da! Love.

Pomelo Arcade Dot Print Chambray Top, $68

There was never a doubt on whether I`d keep this or not. It`s about as `me` as it gets.

So, final thoughts.

The Good:

Everything they sent me was awesome, and 100% my style. It was so fun to get a bunch of wonderful items in the mail that I was under no obligation to buy and could try on in the comfort of my own home, mixing and matching with other things in my wardrobe. I wish all shopping was like this. I might never leave my house again.

The Bad:

Money money money! I requested they send me the cheapest items possible, which Stitch Fix defines as less than $100/item. Although they did this, over $200 for the whole box still felt like a small fortune (80% of my wardrobe is thrifted and I average $35/month on clothes). I`m glad they give you a $20 credit. 

So, why did I keep 4 of my 5 items?

.They`re high quality. I will have these things for a good long time.

.They`re totally my style. I am in love with each one, and know I will get tons of wear out of them.

.I am trying to make a conscious effort to par down my wardrobe and be content with less. I often feel like I have more in my closet than I can wear. My logic these days is this: if I spend more on fewer things, not only will I have fewer things, I will wear those things more because my frugalness will ensure I get my money`s worth. 

.I`ve wanted to put the whole quality over quantity thing into practice for a while. This is the perfect opportunity.

There you have it. I have another fix scheduled for May and I can`t wait. Hop on over and give it a try yourself!

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Date Night Wear

Maxi Dress c/o eShakti; Vanity Blazer (similar); Thrifted Booties (exactly)

So eShakti sent me this dress and it is amazing. I went with their custom sizing cause it`s usually ridiculously hard to find a well fitting maxi dress when you`re a whopping five foot zero. It fits like a glove and is insanely comfortable. I wore it for date night this weekend and am super excited to wear it in the warmer months to come. Me and maxis are BFFs on summer weekends.

You can find eShakti on Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter. Happy shopping. :-)

Please note: although I was provided this dress free of charge in exchange for posting about my experience, all opinions are always my own. I really do love this dress a whole lot. :-)

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Weekend Wear: Bright Maxi + Denim

Thrifted Land's End Dress, $5 (similar)

Thrifted Levi's Jacket, $10 (exactly, on sale!)

Shopko Sandals (similar)

Self-Made Necklace (similar, just $5!!)

Well hi! Sorry for the silence over the last week. I was on vacation and then life got super crazy for a few days. I'm not quite ready to talk about it cause we're still right in the middle of the crazy, but things should fall into place this week and hopefully I'll actually have news to share.

On a completely unrelated note, what are your favorite skinny jeans? Mine are wearing out and I'm looking to buy a new pair before fall. They've really become a closet staple so I'm looking for something a bit pricier...investment jeans, if you will. 

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

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Wedding Wear: Floral Maxi

Handmade Maxi (using this tutorial)

Thrifted Belt, $2

Walmart Sandals, $10

Glasses c/o GlassesUSA

Hello! I wanted to get this outfit up real quick  before we head home. Jeremy and I made a quick trip up north to attend a friend's wedding and visit my parents this weekend. It's been so much fun, just way, way too short. 

I had a great time at the wedding catching up with friends I haven't seen in years! The wedding was for a friend of mine from high school. I was part of a gang of about 5 girls who were all pretty much inseparable from 4th grade until graduation. We've gotten together a few times since then, but we all went off to different schools and now that's we're all growing up and getting married it's just getting harder to do so. It's so great that we can all pick up right where we left off whenever we see each other. Makes me feel so blessed to have gone to a small school and have had such great friends. While chatting yesterday we all agreed that the although we did not miss high school one bit, we all missed each other and the camaraderie we enjoyed.

Hope we all are having a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Wear: The Perfect Dress

Handmade Caftan by Me (using this tutorial)

Walmart Necklace, $3 (similar)

Belt c/o Daily Charms

Old Navy Sandals, $5 after gift card (same sandal, different colors)

Oh this dress. It is perfect and I want to wear it every single day. I've been wanting to make myself a maxi for a while, but I waited to buy fabric until the Memorial Day sale at Joann Fabrics and boy did I score. This dress probably cost me $10 to make. And it was SO EASY. Seriously, if you can sew a straight line, you can make this dress. Go make one. Right now.

Anyway, enough about this dress...how was your weekend? We spent the better part of our Sunday avoiding our neighbor's loud music and found ourselves at this little park with some ice cream. Really not too bad of a way to spend the day if you ask me.

Tourist Season

Kohl's Dress; Thrifted Cardi; Walmart Flats ($3); assorted bracelets from Charlotte Russe, Pandora, self-made...

I live in an area that mostly thrives on the tourist industry.  As such, Memorial Day weekend is a big deal around here.  Jeremy and I made a quick errand run last Friday, and saw the following laughable sights while we were out:

• A car parked in the Burger King parking lot...but not in a space.  In FRONT of three empty spaces. The lot was, of course, packed.
• A huge metallic 20 foot camper trying to make it's way through the very packed Walmart parking lot.
• Way too many bra straps.

Ah tourist season. :-) At least it's always good for a laugh.

Similar Clothes:

maxi dress

How to Wear an Orange Cardigan

One of my recent search terms was the title of this post!  And so, here you go, a few ways I've worn this cardigan I got from Target for $11. :-)

The first few looks are all with neutrals, as this cardi makes for a great way to add color to an outfit.  Orange is fun to pair with another color too, as I have below with blue and green.

With jeans:

With a skirt:

With a maxi dress:

With blue:

With green:

Whew, I didn't realize I'd worn this cardi so much! Who knew an orange cardigan would get so much wear. :-)

How do you wear orange?


More orange cardis:

Orange Cardigan

Stripes on Stripes

Target Dress (clearance, $11)

Target Cardigan (clearance, $8)

Target Infinity Scarf ($14)

Very Volatile Shoes via Amazon ($36)

Vintage Bracelet via Flea Market ($5)

Well hello! After a very long and busy week, I am back from the move. :)  We are all settled into my parents home in northern Michigan, where we'll stay until my husband is able to find a job.  

These were the last outfit photos we took in New York.  I wore this last Friday, which was my husband's last day of work.  We went out for Korean for lunch and then just hung out around town.  That was only a week ago, but it already feels like forever!  So much has happened in just a week.

I hope you all enjoyed the guest posts this week! I certainly did.  Here's a little recap, in case you missed any!

• Monday: 14 Shades of Grey on Thrifting
• Tuesday: Finding Myself on Couponing
• Wednesday: Four Seasons One Wardrobe on Only Buying What You Need
• Thursday: shopfreak on How to Style a Dress 3 Ways

Thanks again to all four of you!  It was great to know that my blog was being taken care of during the move. :)  I'm hoping to be back to regular posting next week! If I can find all of my clothes, that is...

Hemmed: Striped Maxi

Maxi Dress ($14): Kohl's (similar)

Cardigan ($11): Target (similar)

Scarf ($3.75): Walmart (similar)

Booties ($30): American Eagle via Payless (similar)

Earrings ($4): Kohl's (similar)

Bracelets: Gifts

I spent much of last Friday working through my repair pile.  This dress was way too long (as most maxi dresses are on me) and needed a hem.  I ended up just cutting the extra off the bottom so it would curl.  I've had this dress for a few months, and am glad I'm finally able to wear it! It has a racer back on it too, so it'll be great for summer.

Do you alter your clothes to fit you?