Well Then Why Don't You Marry It?

Top: Forever 21
Skirt: Printemps
Shoes: Target
Purse: Hand-me-down
Earrings: Forever 21

I eyed this skirt for almost my entre semester in France, never actually thinking I would own it. Thanks to the three beautiful and generous friends of mine, I can now call this skirt mine.

Every time I would go grocery shopping last semester with these girls, we would walk through a department store called Printemps. And every time I would stop and admire this skirt. (I kind of have a thing for tulle. Particularly pale pink tulle. One of those “well, why don’t you marry it?” type of things.) The only problem with this skirt is it was way out of my price range. Really, being that I was a poor unemployed foreign exchange student, everything was out of my price range. But you can make an argument for buying food you don’t have any money for whereas the most marvelous skirt in the world it a different story (although, I’d say not that different).

Needless to say, you can imagine my reaction when I opened a birthday package from my three friends and found this skirt inside. One of them wrote in her note to me that she thought I might “crie de joie.” I did in fact crie de joie, which freaked out my sister who was sitting in the room right next to me. But, c’mon, just look at the gorgeousness that is this skirt. Can you really blame me?

(Fine. You know what maybe I would marry it if I could. So there. Now stop judging me.)

The Borrower

Shirt: BCBG

Skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Target

Belt: Cotton On

Earrings: Forever 21

Ring: Etsy

I only purchased two of the items I am wearing in this picture: my France ring and my belt (which, in all fairness, I wear more than any other of the items in this post).

The earrings were borrowed from Cassie; the dress (used as a shirt) is from Kaitlin (Huzzah for her letting me borrowing while she's in NZ for the year!); the skirt is a hand-me-down from my oldest sister; the shoes are a hand-me-down from a lady I used to babysit for; 
and I borrowed the wing-back chair from the dumpster outside Cassie's apartment (classy, I know).


I missed my calling in life and was supposed to be a borrower. Hey, I'm ginger-haired, short, and clearly gifted at amassing and using items that are not mine. Maybe you should go ahead and just call me Arrietty. 

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

Dress & Belt: Forever 21

Tights: Target

Boots: Wet Seal

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Ring: Icing

Confession: I stole this entire outfit from Cassie. Well, ok, except for the tights. Those I stole from Michelle. I spent the weekend in Orlando, and I can never resist playing dress-up with Cassie's clothes. It's like getting a whole new wardrobe for a weekend. Thankfully, Cassie is very obliging and doesn't blink when I emerge from her room decked out completely in her clothing. What a gem (thankfully, a gem with an extremely good taste in clothes).

This whole outfit seemed very Hunger Games-esque to me. I think it's the boots. Gotta admit, I felt preeeeeetty B.A. in those boots. Probably 'cause I am pretty B.A. in those boots.

And just to break up some of the solemnness of the above photos and to show you that underneath all my B.A.-ness might be a hint of sweetness:

The Proposal

Shirt: Banana Republic

Necklaces: American Eagle

Skirt: A tagless hand-me-down

Tights: Target

Shoes: Aldo

I bought this shirt the same day that I found my future husband. Which is coincidentally the same day that I lost him.

On that day, about six years ago, I walked into Banana Republic to do some absent-minded shopping. As I began picking out pieces to try on, one of the most gorgeous men I have ever laid eyes on, and a Banana Republic employee, approached me. I knew that when he asked "can i start a fitting room for you?" he really meant "would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" My response was a whispered but emphatic "yes." I gathered my clothes and handed them to him. In the dressing room, everything I tried on was absolutely adorable. It must have been the premarital glow radiating from every inch of my body.

I purchased the items and walked out of the store, making eye contact with Mr. Future Husband with a knowing smile on my face. Unfortunately, the very moment I left the store, he got into a freak accident with a clothing rack, a few mannequins, and a selection of that season's latest styles which resulted in the untimely loss of his recent memory (well I can only guess that this is what happened, but all signs point to it since he never followed up on his marriage proposal).

I might have lost my future husband that day, but at least I got a cute shirt out of the deal. Eh, I'll take it.

PS I know this outfit is out of season (read way to hot to wear in Florida in March) but I took the photos forever ago a forgot to post them. So, deal with it.

It's Spring...I Guess.

Dress & Tights: Target

Cardigan: Charlotte Russe

Ring & Necklack: Forever 21

Belt & Shoes (that can't really be seen): Urban Outfitters

Though I wouldn't call this wonderful weather, it could be a lot worse. Today I decided to enjoy what Florida calls "spring weather" with my version of a spring-y outfit. Hello light clothes and fewer layers. And if I can help it, many more dresses with pockets. <3

Thank you to my new fashion photographer, Michelle, for the lovely documentation.

Christy Bear

Dress: American Apparel

Shoes and Earrings: Cotton On

Leggings: Target

Necklace: dELiA*S

When I was a little girl, my nickname was Christy Bear. I even had this little blue hair bow with a bear on it that I wore because of my nickname (cleeearly, my affinity for fashion started at a young age). Upon seeing the last photo, my a-door-bell little sister Becca remarked that everything from the color to the hair "just screamed Christy Bear." Well now, how could I not make that the title to this post?

I actually owe a lot to Becca in this post. Not only the blog title, but the adorable dress that she purchased for me for my birthday last year and the necklace which she unknowingly let me borrow. Thanks dear Bex!

The Windy City

Dress, Tights, & Purse: Target

Cardigan & Scarf: Forever 21

Coat: Rave

Belt: Wet Seal

Boots: Ross

It's official -- much like my dear Christy, I hate Florida. Even more than I thought I did. I spent a lovely week in IL with my family and was able to enjoy some very cold, very nice weather. There seems to be an endless amount of things I love about the cold -- the ability to see ones breath (it's facinating), snow, clear skies, and the absence of sweat, smudged makes up, and frizzy hair. However, one of my favourite parts of this particular trip was that I got to dress warmly again. Florida is a cruel place that allots only 2 weeks of cold weather. These photos were taken by my sister, Angel, in Chicago. I was going for sophisticated, mildly edgy, non-tourist. A lot of people thought I lived there, so mission accomplished. :)

Chicago>Orlando

Token Tuesday

Jacket: Rue21

Dress: Cotton on

Tights: dELiA*s

Shoes: Payless

Earrings: Cotton on

Bangles: Target

There are only two reasons to ever visit Florida:

1) Harry Potter World

2) The restaurant The TOP in Gainesville

Other than that Florida is a miserable swamp land that should be avoided at all costs. What's that? You think beaches, "nice" weather, or Disney World should have been on the list? False. I have lived in Florida my entire life, and I am certain my list does not need any alteration, thank you very much.

So, since my dear friend Kendall is leaving in two weeks to work on a seaweed farm in Ireland (yeah, she's more awesome than any of us will ever be--just resign yourself to this now), there was clearly no better way to spend her last night in Gainesville than by going to Token Tuesday at the TOP (which is a night where you receive tokens when you purchase a drink which then can be exchanged for another drink).

Last night, the TOP was just as amazing as ever and it was well worth it staying out until 2am even when I had to be up at 8 to meet with my prof to discuss my paper interpreting a French Renaissance poem (which is surprisingly more interesting than it sounds). So, thank you dear TOP, for your abundance of sweet potato fries, corn nuggets, and token drinks. You made Kendall's last night in Gainesville beyond phenomenal.

Height Appreciation

Jacket, Dress, & Scarf: Thrifted

Tights: Penneys (in Dublin)

Boots: Steve Madden

Purse: Forever 21

Belt: Cotton On

I love this dress. I bought it on sale at Plato's Closet (I think it was around $4). It was essentially just an extra large t-shirt. However, when you put it on a person of my height and belt it, it turns into an adorable little dress. It's in situations like these that I really appreciate being 5'3".

Also, when I can wear heels and not tower over everyone.

And when I can buy clothes in the children's section (which are much cheaper).

And, in certain situations, when I can pass for much younger than I am. When would I want to do this, you ask? When it saves me a 30 minute walk from the airport to the bus stop along an unfamiliar highway in France because a kind old lady decides to stop and pick me up thinking I was 14. That's when. (And, yes, true story.)

AND when I can fit perfectly into window frames to take cute pictures for my blog. :)

Ok, so come to think of it, there aren't many reasons that I don't appreciate my height. Huzzah for being 5'3"!

Où est Charlie?

Cape: American Apparel

Sweater, Dress, & Necklace: Forever 21

Belt: Cotton On

Tights: Target

Boots: Steve Madden

Ring: Etsy

My friend told me that when I wear this outfit I look like a french where's Waldo (who's called Charlie in France and Wally in the UK and Ireland--who knew?!). Sure, being compared to a creeper of a cartoon character isn't great, but anytime anyone uses the adjective french to describe me, I get a little giddy inside. So, I take her words as a compliment.

Dear Mom

Shirt: Forever 21

Belt: Forever 21

Boot Socks: Target

Boots: Ross

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Skirt: Not quite sure. I've had it since middle school.

I find that I pair brown accessories with black clothing (and vice versa) more and more often. I can't help but think of all the times in middle school when I disapproved of my mother's brown/black clothing combinations and voiced it every time she asked for an opinion, and sometimes when she didn't. While I stand by some of my critiques voiced during these particular incidences, I admit general defeat. I love to pair black with brown. Madre, you were right I was wrong. There--I said it! Thanks for being chic, oh beautiful mother of mine. Love you lots. :)

Anyhow, I wanted to find an interesting outfit that would compliment my blue hair. After some experimentation this was the best I came up with. Though I think I can do better. And now that it's cooler out, I'm looking forward to exploring layers.

side note: Many thanks to my roommate Kylie for taking such wonderful photos. I apologize on behalf of Orlando for its ugliness.We'll try to find a better place for the next photos.

Peace out.

Baby It's Cold(ish) Outside

Jacket: Rue21

Dress: Forever 21

Tights: Penneys (in Dublin)

Boots: Random shoe store in France

Necklace: Target

Florida decided to give me a welcome back present from France that would make me remember exactly what I was missing during my time overseas: miserably and unreasonably hot weather that lasted the ENTRE month of January. Thanks, Florida, I missed you too. This means that my attire since being home has been mostly dresses and sandals. Nothing particularly photograph worthy, and, even if it were, I don't think I could stand being outside long enough to take photos. Fortunately, I woke up this morning to discover that it was chilly enough to put on boots and a jacket. Huzzah!

So, here you have it--my very first outfit post. I've seen a few people mix up white summer dresses to make a fall/winter look. This would be my attempt.

I need to thank my lovely photographer, Rachael. I forced her out the door this morning to take photos of me before it got too hot to wear my jacket, and she did so sans complaints. Thanks, dear, you're a gem.