Splint Style?

I've been thinking a lot about my upcoming trip to New York and what the heck I can comfortably (term used loosely) wear to a grad school graduation without looking inappropriately casual. I'd had a dress picked out for months, and I was debating whether to wear it with heels or flats (or perhaps I'd walk there in flats and change into heels once I got there so that I'd look like a legit NYC commuter). Now that I have The Splint, both of those options are out. It wouldn't fit in flats, and I can't wear heels because my ankle literally will not bend that way. I'm not about to wear sneakers with a dress, but I couldn't justify wearing pants either. Then I got to thinking...what about TOMS?! They're kind of like a hybrid between flats and sneakers, and they're a great cause!

Ashlynn by courtallisonh featuring long earrings

{via Polyvore}

I love the style of those shoes, but I wasn't sure if they were wide enough for The Splint. Then, I found this creation that included a more traditional TOMS design:

wednesday morning brunch by chloeporelmar featuring marc by marc jacobs jewelry

{via Polyvore}

I could even take it up another level and get some fancy TOMS!

{via Nordstrom}

What do you think? Can I pull it off? Any other suggestions for fashion that's comfortable without being too casual?

Yes We Can!

As a redhead, I'm really careful about what I wear. I steer away from warm colors for the most part, and frankly, I'm scared of all patterns except stripes. I wear a lot of solid, cool colors...maybe with a bright belt or something if I'm feeling daring.

Yeah, you wish you looked this much like a librarian.

I decided I needed to try to branch out a bit with my wardrobe. After all, Emma Stone is a pale redhead (usually) and she can pull off red...

{via celebshut}

...and prints...

{via Posh24}

...of course, she's gorgeous. But I can still be inspired by her bold fashion choices!

I had my eye on this little number from Anthropologie, but I was a little concerned that it was out of my league.

{via anthropologie}

I visited the sweater while shopping with a friend, who insisted that I try it on. I liked it, but I wasn't sure if it was really me. The saleswoman informed us that some of her coworkers had discovered that the sweater was reversible. The inside revealed simple, smooth dots of orange; the lining of the sweater just looked like external seaming. All I had to do was cut off the tag! My friend decided to give me this sweater for my birthday, insisting that it was a gateway drug to a more exciting wardrobe.

Anecdote: The furry outside of the sweater juxtaposed its civilized inside reminded me of a song:

{via MuppetStudio}
I recently wore my new sweater with some dark skinny jeans and a jade green tank.

I got a few compliments, and a big boost of confidence. Feeling daring, I decided to purchase a couple of springy outfits that would normally be way out of my redheaded comfort zone.
Outfit #1: top from Target, skirt from JCrew.

Outfit #2: both top and shorts from JCrew.

So, what do you think? Can we redheads pull off the bold and the bright?

Vlog Friday: I'm Back!

Remember a long time ago when I did this series called Vlog Friday? Well, I miss it, so I've decided to return!


Today's topic: What's the worst haircut you've ever had? Describe it! Bonus points for pictures! Well, I hate to disappoint, but my story isn't that interesting. The good news is that somehow, my dog managed to pull apart our air vent...I don't know, because she somehow grew thumbs when we weren't looking?

This little mishap occurred while I was recording (ah, the beauty of live video). The result is a corgi blooper, which makes my haircut story more interesting. Maybe?




Have you had a really awful haircut before? Did you pay for it or was it self-induced? Has your dog ever tried to destroy your home?
We vlog Fridays! Do you?

• Marsh Mellow Goodness
• Adventures in Love and Happiness
• Folly Life
• Forget me Not!
• Heart on Homestead
• Conventional Bliss
• Life's Journey with a Smile

Guest Appearance

Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm featured today over on my friend Angie's blog, Birch Blooms!

Be sure to head on over and check out my DIY peacock feather fascinator tutorial!

Sunday Brunch: Get Local

Before our wedding, we left "out of town bags" for our guests staying in hotels.  We decided to make these bags "grocery-themed" in order to help our guests feel at home.  We filled several Atlanta reusable grocery bags from Trader Joe's with pecans, peanuts, and Coke.  Unfortunately, we were unable to find any of Georgias favorite crop: the peach.  Now that peaches are finally in season, I decided it was cause for celebration...in the form of waffles.

I tried to come up with a really cute Atlanta-y Southern outfit to feature with this meal, but unfortunately, I've been kinda homesick for New England lately.  So, instead, you're getting something similar to what I'm wearing right now as I write this!

{1} JCrew, {2} ModCloth, {3} Vineyard Vines, {4} Anthropologie

Pecan Waffles with Peach Compote


Ingredients

• 2 peaches, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t granulated sugar
• cooking spray
• 3/4 c all-purpose flour
• 1/4 c whole wheat flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/2 c skim milk
• 1/2 c orange juice
• 1 egg
• 3/4 c finely chopped pecans
• powdered sugar, if desired

Directions

Preheat waffle iron on desired setting (I like mine on 2 out of 5).

Heat peaches, cinnamon, and sugar on a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Once it starts to sizzle, reduce to medium and cover.

Note: You don't need to peel off the skin from the peaches.  If you don't like the texture, feel free to take it off; but, it will give the compote a nice color once it's all cooked!

Combine the flours through the egg with a whisk.  Add pecans.

Spray waffle iron surface with cooking spray.  Spoon about 1/2 cup of waffle batter onto the iron surface.  Close and cook according to your waffle iron's instructions.  This recipe made about 3 waffles with my iron.

By the time you're done with the waffles, the peaches should be nice and soft.  Remove the cover and scoop the peaches onto the waffles.

Add some powdered sugar and enjoy!

Aaand here's a close-up of the compote, just in case you weren't salivating enough already.

What's your favorite local food?

Reconsidering Recycling

Before Dave and I were even close to engaged, I asked my mom if I could try on her wedding dress...just for fun.  It had been sitting in her closet since 1982.  It had not been properly preserved, so it had an slightly yellow tint to it, but that just made the lace look all the more antique.  The long sleeves and scalloped neckline could have created a stunning vintage look on a more daring bride, but I decided it wasn't my style.  Plus, I couldn't even zip into it!  I'm a big 4 or a small 6...apparently my mom was even smaller!

My mom wasn't offended.  She had just saved it as an option.  No pressure, no worries.  She offered it to my sister, who declined as well.  My mom promptly took it to her nearest thrift store, and we haven't heard from her dress since.

It was back then that I decided against saving my wedding dress.

It seemed like an awful lot of work to preserve my wedding dress and to have it take up space in my closet, only to have it rejected decades later by my future daughter.  What if she wants to wear a sundress?  What if she doesn't want to get married?  What if I have boys?!  I had made up my mind; I would sell my wedding dress immediately after the wedding.  That money could go towards a house, and therefore go towards starting our lives together.  It was the logical, practical, thing to do.  I felt no remorse.

After our wedding, I posted my dress all over the internet with a reasonable asking price.  I was ecstatic when I received an offer for over half of what I had paid.  It seemed like a great deal for a used gown, and this bride sounded lovely.  I was happy to know that my dress was going to a good home, and happy that I was one step closer to buying my first home.

Then, something strange happened.  When I reached into my closet to inspect the dress before shipping it out, I felt a little lump in my throat.  As I lifted each layer of soft ivory lace to make sure they were without rips or tears, I grew nostalgic.

{Weddings by Evan Hampton}

It was so unlike me to have this much attachment to a material thing.  My wedding dress wasn't even my favorite part of the wedding!  If I had to pick a favorite wedding thing, it probably would have been that window...and it blew over and shattered immediately after the ceremony!  I didn't really experience post-wedding blues (I was just too relieved it was over!)...perhaps this was how it was manifesting?  Maybe I was bummed because it really was over?

It was too late for debate, however, as I had already accepted payment from this other bride.  I had made this decision years ago, and now was the time to remember the reasons why I had made that decision.  I had to stick with my choice.  I had Dave come with me to the UPS Store to ship the dress, and I had tears in my eyes the whole way there.

Once I had dropped it off, I quit wallowing.  I felt like my dress was being reincarnated, and I rejoiced in the fact that it would fulfill its destiny with another bride.  It probably made her as happy as it had made me.  After all, just because you feel like throwing something away, that doesn't mean it's not exactly what someone else is looking for.

{by Disney/Pixar / via owall.net}

What would you have done?  Preserved it or sold it?  If you have already sold your dress, were you surprised by the emotions that surrounded that decision?

Oscar-Worthy Accessories

I'm not about to pretend that I know enough about fashion to write a review of last night's Academy Awards.  I will say, however, that one accessory jumped out at me.

Source

Academy Award Winner Natalie Portman's maternal glow provided for a flawless look, and her fabulous tassel earrings were the icing on the cake.  As a result, the internet has been aflutter with Tiffany tassels today.

Paloma's Marrakesh Tassel Pendant by Paloma Picasso, $12,500.00

But let's find some tassel inspiration a little more in my price range, shall we?

Swarovski Pearl and Antique Silver Layer Chain by lunarbelle, $32.50

Grazing Main Street Heels by ModCloth, $49.99

Vintage Coro Gold and Pearl Tassel Earrings by Karmalings, $17.99

What was your favorite fashion statement at the Oscars this year?

Vlog Friday: We've Got a First Timer!

I'm not gonna lie, y'all.  I was a little nervous about this whole vlogging thing.  It just feels so much more...personal.  It's one thing to hide behind a keyboard and edit my thoughts before hitting "publish."  But talking?  It's so...uncensored!  So intimate!  Not to mention the fact that I pretty much look naked for about 20 seconds of this video.  I promise I'm not.

So, here I am.  Muddling through my first attempt at vlogging, complete with awkward pauses.  Here goes nothing!

How about you?  What's your favorite spring outfit?  Fellow Atlantans, what are you doing to celebrate this gorgeous weather we've been having?

 We Vlog Friday. Do you?

• Marsh Mellow Goodness
• Adventures in Love and Happiness
• Folly Life
• Forget Me (Not)
• Blogimony
• Of Food and Friends
• Heart on Homestead
• Kimberly Michelle
• The Little Things