when I'm not myself

the past few days I've been struggling with my self-confidence again, particularly when it comes to blog stuff. I feel so blah, so uninspired. and this constantly-looking-at-pictures-of-yourself-to-put-on-the-internet is always kind of a downer. sometimes, no matter what you wear, you just don't feel blog-worthy. sometimes getting outfit photos is incredibly awkward, and it translates into the pictures.

for example... little tip for ya, speaking from experience; don't do a photo shoot in the middle of Union Square on a saturday!  

oh well. when in doubt, wear a puppy dress! that's a saying, right? it should be.

dress- Modcloth // sweater- thrifted // tights- HUE // boots- Aldo (a couple years ago) // bag- Guess, gift

I may not have felt like a ball of sunshine during this little shoot, but that's hardly the outfit's fault. I'm actually quite comfortable in it! the boots are fun and cozy, and the belted cardi-dress combo is an old staple. if anything, this look should make me feel more confident. after all, who could look at those sweet puppy faces and not smile?

do any of you have an outfit that you love to wear, but doesn't seem to photograph well?  

xo

when life gives you lemons

it's difficult for me to wear a dress with lemons on it and not mention how much I effin' love Tina Fey. 

(for those of you whose lives are still empty and meaningless and don't get the connection, Liz Lemon= Tina Fey's alter ego. dear god, I hope in this day and age that addendum was unnecessary.)

sometimes I quote Liz Lemon as many as five times in one day, just because that's how much she speaks to my soul. her poignance and humour pervade my daily life and give it meaning. Tina Fey is a magical laughter goddess and I worship her.

I don't even mind that she was used as a ruse to swindle me into a sub-par times square comedy show after I had indulged in several strong margaritas. because if, somehow, she really had been there and I had turned it down, I would have never recovered. 

...so yeah, my dress has lemons on it!

dress- Modcloth // necklace- fr. Malawi trip // shoes- New Look

this dress was one of those purchases made solely out of preparation for hot weather and comfort. I just wanted something simple, summery, and light (in both design & cost). I got it a while back and it's my go-to lazy day dress. I even like the peekaboo back, despite that meaning I have to wear a decent bra with it...

it's not my favourite dress, and I don't think it's really a stunner, but it perfectly fills a void in my wardrobe. and well, we all know I'm kind of a sucker for a novelty print. lemons are the most aesthetically pleasing fruit, I think.

okay, so now I can get back to watching 30 Rock until I pass out, right?

RIGHT.

my life is full and vivacious! 

Lemon, out.

I want to fly away

I've been kinda bored with my look lately, and trying to think of ways to mix it up. shopping is usually the easy way, but it gets a little more difficult when you're between jobs and planning a move.   so instead I decided to take the plunge and try dying my hair.

besides a few pink streaks a couple years back in my "emo" phase  (whatever happened to emo? is that still a thing?), I've never dyed my hair. I'd really love to go all out and get a pastel blue or lilac mane, but I really don't have the funds, patience, nor dedication to upkeep that kind of commitment requires. I went for a more low-key ombre. 

I actually really love it! my thinking was mostly "well, it's not that much of a change, so if I don't like it, it no big deal." but it's just the amount of change I needed. this is my "unkempt," hippie-esque hair day, but the ombre looks even better with soft curls. and the nice part is, I can use temporary dye or hair chalk to satisfy my colour kick. 

I know most people would say ombre is "on the way out" or whatever, but I kind of like trying things when everyone else is over them. that way I'm not surrounded by a bunch of hipsters with the same hair as me. 

(*note: that was not a dig at hipsters. I love hipsters. they're ballin'.)

dress- vero moda (gift) // cardigan- gift // boots- modcloth // belt- fr. another romper // necklace- birthday gift

another way to update your look is to get fabulous pot-Christmas presents from your mom! my mother got this dress for me because it was only $13 and she knew I would looove the print. airplanes! adorable, right? I love anything airplane or map print. I'm such a travel bug, and when I can't actually go anywhere, pretty things that remind me of past and future voyages make me happy. 

last night i had a dream that me and my friend went travelling together and "chose" our destination by jumping out of a plane with parachutes on. we landed in the Amazon river surrounded by flamingos. 

turns out my subconscious knows more about flamingos than I thought. 

and now I really wanna go to South America.