Polkadots!

Happy Thursday! Interested in the details of this outfit? I'm posting over on the Delightful Dozen blog today, where you can read all about it!

New Delightful Dozen Post!

I have a new post up on the Delightful Dozen blog today! Have you wondered what we do when something doesn't fit correctly? I also did my first post for the Swapaholics yesterday. Man, Wordpress is so different from Blogger!

Today is supposed to be a hot one, I can already tell it's going to be brutal. The ocean spared us from the 90 degree heat everyone else experienced yesterday, but today is going to be 95. The cats are draped all over the apartment, and will remain motionless until the sun goes down tonight. Summer in New England has arrived, one day it's 55 degrees and then the next it's 95! So it goes, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it. I think this year is the year we invest in an AC. I'm off to the air conditioned bubble of the cafe this afternoon, what are your plans for the day?

New Delightful Dozen Post!

I have a new post up on the Delightful Dozen blog today! It's cold and windy out, but that's not stopping me from dreaming of summer. You'd think with my obsession with sunny and hot weather, I'd smarten up and move already...I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.

Hey! It's Tuesday!

April 27, 2011: Blue, Purple, Orange

Button-up: J.Crew Outlet (old)

Skirt: Thrifted and hemmed ($5)

Belt: Thrifted ($4)

Clogs c/o ModCloth

Bag: Delightful Dozen Swap

Necklace: Swapped

The weather is finally cooperating somewhat, and I'm so happy to finally be free of tights. I was driving around yesterday and noticed how green everything has become, when the leaves come out on the trees is one of my absolute favorite things, right now though the flowers are out and everything smells amazing. I love to hear the breeze blowing through the leaves. This week has been a busy one, and it's only wednesday, there's a lot more to get done before Chris and I head to Maine on friday afternoon. How is your week going?

The Delightful Dozen has been sending around this Le Mode Accessories bag to style. When I received it, I was really surprised at the quality of the faux leather, "pleather" has come a long way since the 90's! I love the orange color of it and knew it would match this thrifted belt perfectly. I paired the orange with blue and purple, one of my favorite combinations. I styled this yesterday, but this is what I'll most likely be wearing to work this afternoon. Happy Wednesday!

April 15, 2011: Floral, Black, Gold

Dress: Delightful Dozen Swap

Belt: Vintage ($1)

Shoes: Vintage ($9)

Chain Bracelet c/o ModCloth

Necklace: H&M

These are the photos from yesterday's Delightful Dozen post. This dress of Beatrice's is going around and I'm the third girl to style it. You can go here to read the full text, I wish I had more to say about it, but it's 7:30 am (I scheduled this to post a little later), and my brain isn't fully functional yet.

Suffice to say, these shoes are surprisingly easy to walk in, they look intense- and they are- but the foot bed is actually quite flat. They're some sort of weird loafer/clog hybrid, with a wooden sole and penny loafer detailing. I got them in Portland, Maine a while back and haven't had the chance to style them yet. I'm a sucker for bizarre shoes i guess. Hey! It's Friday!

New Delightful Dozen Post!

I have a new post up on the Delightful Dozen Blog, you can check it out if you want. I'll give you some incentive: My shoes are insane.

I got called in to work this afternoon, and I'm not happy about it. Chris and I were planning to drive to Maine this evening, but I guess we'll have to wait till tomorrow morning. Bummerrrrr.

Jumping Someone Else's Train

Dress: Delightful Dozen swap with Annie

Lace vest: Vintage from my mom's closet

Bag: Vintage/thrifted D&B ($12)

Coat: Urban Outfitters ($30)

Necklace c/o ModCloth

OTK socks c/o ModCloth

Clogs c/o ModCloth

Tights: AA

Another Delightful Dozen look for you today. Over the weekend I took advantage of the sunny (but still cold) weather to shoot the two dresses that I've been holding captive. When I fist received this dress of Annie's I wasn't sure how I would style it, I liked the creme and beige polka-dots, but the silhouette wasn't something I would normally gravitate towards. I decided that I wanted to style a monochrome outfit, focusing on the neutrals in the dress. I added caramel colored tights, darker brown thigh highs, and clogs in a medium shade. To break up all the brown and add some texture, I threw on this lace vest, which is proving to be one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. My accessories came last, and I have to say I really wasn't focused on them. I added my squirrel necklace from ModCloth, because I haven't worn it in nearly a year.

I did however, really want to showcase my new bag. Last monday Savers had a huge 50% off sale for President's Day, I wasn't expecting to find anything because the place was packed, but I went anyway because who can resist 50% off thrift store prices? I always hit the shoes and bags first and lo and behold, buried among the LV and Chanel rip-offs, there was this beauty. A slightly larger version of my forrest green D&B bag, this will be perfect for Spring. There's some ink stains on the front, but for $12 I don't care. It fits library books and my date planner, so I'm all set!

Have you visited the new Delightful Dozen blog? Hurry over to enter the giveaways!

Delightful Dozen Launch!

I have to say I'm so excited, today's the day! The new Delightful Dozen website launch! We're posting all day, with outfit posts, how-to's, giveaways, and more; there's even a great introductory video if you're new to us. The photo above is a preview of the outfit I'm posting today, it's been swapped four times already, I'm the fifth! So allow me to direct your attention here, and come celebrate with us! I'll be posting over there at 12pm, so if you're interested in the details of my outfit, check back!

Birds of prey

Dress: Delightful Dozen swap with A Thought is the Blossom

Cape: American Apparel

Cardigan: Loft via Swap

Tights: AA super opaque

Shoes: Charlotte Ronson via EBay

Skull necklace: H&M (olddddd)

Owl talon necklace: Black Sparrow (gift from Chris)

First of all, let me just say that the 40 oz. on the steps in these photos isn't mine. I tend to not do my drinking in graveyards and didn't really want to touch the thing to get it out of the way. I was extremely creeped out today taking these pictures. This particular mausoleum is my favorite in the local graveyard, but it's also the place where a lot of homeless drunks hang out. I know, what the heck was I thinking? After a few shots, I moved on to the maintenance shed which is closer to the road and felt safer. The reason why I like this place so much is because the two people who own it aren't even dead yet. Their picture is on the side with their respective birthdays, but neither one has died. They're just great planners.

I do love how the colors of the background work with my outfit though. When this dress went up for swapping on the Delightful Dozen, I snatched it right up. I love the pattern and colors in the print, unfortunately it was way too big. It's clipped in the back here with a safety pin and hidden under a cardigan, which worked just fine. I paired it with my cape, olive tights, and plum colored platforms. Olive and plum are two of my favorite colors and I just love them paired together. Isn't this owl talon amazing? Chris gave it to me for Christmas and it just came in the mail other day. I was hoping to pair it with my sparrow skull but can't find it!

This week has honestly been a little quiet. I've been spending most of my time hunting for jobs, which are scarce. I try to live my life free of regrets, but I do wish I had recognized my love of fashion earlier on, so that I would have been able to take advantage of classes as a student. It's hard knowing that I would be SO GOOD at certain jobs, but not having the the on-paper skills to really back it up. I feel a little stuck. Please don't take this as me complaining, it's honestly what has been on my mind lately. I left my job at the college because I was tired of telling high school students to create a job out of what they loved doing, when what I was doing was the opposite of what I loved. Then in December I told myself that I would figure it out by my birthday because, honestly, it feels a little silly to be 27 and experiencing this kind of career ennui. but I know that isn't realistic, we can't give ourselves these kind of ultimatums, especially in this economy (there it is, the big EEEE!). So, I've decided to be patient, to wait it out and search for what feels right. This time around I will try not to force myself into a job for the sake of having a job (ahem, I will not forget how awful september through November was), and just work hard to find something good.

If you've made it this far...I commend you. sorry for the rant.

happy thursday!

Introducing the Delightful Dozen Calendar!

The Delightful Dozen is super excited to announce a calendar for 2011. All profits will go to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) which helps women fight eating disorders of all types. We believe in healthy bodies and healthy minds and want to help support women struggling this holiday season.

Calendars are $15, which includes shipping. They come in a high-gloss photo quality format, months January - December of 2011, spiral bound. Each month has a different Delightful Dozen member.

We have worked really hard on this project and are so excited to be helping through personal style this holiday season! Thank you, everyone!

To pre-order, please click here. If you have difficulty with the link through Paypal, please contact Tieka at tieka@selectivepotential.com.

We're also so excited to welcome a new member, James of Bleubird Vintage! Are you friends with the Delightful Dozen on Facebook yet?

Sweet and tender hooligan

It was 47*f degrees last night! brrr!

Dress: Selective Potential's Ruche dress via Delightful Dozen

Cardigan: H&M ($16)

Thigh Highs: AA ($16)

Shoes: Charlotte Ronson via Ebay ($60)

Belt: Gap sale ($3)

Purple is one of my most favorite fall colors, I love how it pops when paired with grey and lighter colors, like in this Ruche dress on loan from Tieka. I had been admiring this dress all summer, but missed out on my chance to order it, luckily Tieka was faster and offered it up to the ladies of the Delightful Dozen to style up! The size was actually a little too big for me, so to make it seem smaller I belted it and added a cardigan. I bought this purple belt awhile ago, and love how it looks all twisted up in a knot. Also, thigh highs are such an awesome alternative to tights. The think I love most about this dress is actually covered up: the back has a heart cut out. It looked kind of funny because of how baggy it was so I had to cover it up. You can see how the other girls styled it on the Delightful Dozen facebook page!

Anyways, last week when I said I got a new job as a visual merchandiser, a lot of people asked me what it is I actually do. I don't plan on having my job play much of a part in this blog (I like keeping it separate), so I figured I would keep my explanation on the short side. I love working with clothes and dream of one day being some sort of stylist, buyer, or creative services type, which is why this job interested me. I also don't work weekends, so yay! Basically my day to day includes conceptualizing and setting up window displays, dressing and (awkwardly) undressing mannequins, and working with the other visual merchandisers to decide how best to display new styles to maximize selling potential. I don't do sales, and my interaction with customers is minimal. I get to move around a lot (good for someone who needs to be moving constantly), and have a lot of creative freedom (meaning we don't work out of pre-designed directive books). For right now, it's the perfect job for me and I'm really enjoying the change of pace. I'm also really excited to have a commute again, I can read books on the train! It has been hard getting used to working full-time again after having the summer off.

Don't you just love the print of this dress? I love the little honey-bees mixed in with the flowers.

Happy Thursday!

Introducing the Franklin Collection: A Jess LC / Delightful Dozen Collaboration!

I am so excited to be sharing with all of you the launch of Jess LC's latest line of jewelry: The Franklin Collection. The collection is a set of five necklaces with different "intentions" embossed on them in braille. The collection was truly a collaborative effort, the intentions were submitted and voted on by her blog readers!

The decision to print each intention in Braille was so the wearer could rub the piece of jewelry throughout the day to remind themselves of their intention. The intention is also printed in the traditional English alphabet on the reverse, but I like the Braille side better, it's kind of like a secret.

In continuation of the collaborative spirit the collection holds, Jess enlisted the Delightful Dozen to style the lookbook! It was so exciting viewing the lookbook for the first time this morning, I love seeing how each girl styled their necklace and how each intention really fit the wearer. I had a hard time at first deciding between "Just Breathe" and "Dream Bigger", in the end I chose the latter because I felt it was positive and really fit the changes my life has been going through this year. While most of the other girls chose stones to accompany their necklaces, I decided to go with minimalism because I wanted all of the focus to be on the texture of the Braille.

Tomorrow, I'll show you the rest of the pictures from the shoot!

What intention would you choose?

Cruel Summer

Dress: c/o Megan Nielsen via Delightful Dozen Swap
Belt: Vintage (gift from mom)
Bag: Thrifted ($10)
Shoes: c/o Pac Sun Spring Break Crew
Hat: Target ($10)
Ring: Crystalised Ring c/o ModCloth.com

This is my idea of the perfect summer outfit. Perfect for those days where you step outside and instantly break a sweat. Simple white dress, simple accessories. When I received this Megan Nielsen dress through the Delightful Dozen, I was really intimidated by how white is is. Typically,I can't keep anything clean for more than an hour, especially something so pristine as this. It hung on my wall forever, until I finally gained the courage to style it. At first, I thought this look was too simple, I mean it's not too far off from how Tieka and Elizabeth styled it previously, but then I relized it was 90 degrees and I stopped caring! You can find photos of how they each styled the dress on the Delightful Dozen Facebook page!

Isn't that ring pretty? I liked how it added just a splash of color. I love all of the natural stone jewelry thats been popping up everywhere, this ring from ModCloth is no exception.

Well, I'm now at my mom's in Maine for the holiday weekend. I'm pretty sure this is the most action her computer has seen in ages. I hope everyone has a great weekend and happy Independence Day!

PS- One more day to enter my giveaway!

Dynamite Delightful Dozen

This dress has been hanging on my wall, waiting to be worn for weeks, finally the day has come! ModCloth sent the Delightful Dozen girls this super cute dress to all style up, it's been so cool to see how everyone put their own spin on it! Since it's been winter again in New England (it snowed today! WTF?) this week, I wore mine like a skirt, adding a thick wool sweater over it to stay warm. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer, the Dynamite Dress will be perfect for summer!

Dress: Dynamite Dress courtesy of ModCloth, Sweater: J.Crew thrifted from Savers (3.00), Tights: TjMaxx (4.99),

Shoes: Sam Edelman thrifted from Salvation Army (3.00) Necklace: J.Crew Outlet (14.99)

Be sure to check out how all the Delightful Dozen styled the Dynamite Dress!

Have a great weekend!

Don't forget, there's one more day to enter my giveaway!

ModCloth kindly provided the dress in this post, thank you!