Fashion Victim

Once upon a time, I wrote "fashion" posts.

Quite a few of them actually.

In approximately 50% of them (or more) I wore my most favorite riding boots EVER.  They could never be replaced.  I should have purchased ten pair, prepping for the day they were no longer available.

That day happened.

This year, Victoria's Secret quit selling them.  Devastation.

The hunt was on for their replacement.  Because I had worn them into the ground.  They were beyond repair.....

There was no getting another winter out of them.

So the shopping began.  I ordered two different boots online, both got returned.  I tried on countless styles in shoe stores.  And of course, nothing held a candle to the holy grail of boots, which I knew I would never own.

Until I walked in my house to find this waiting for me......

THE Frye Melissa Button riding boots.

That darling mister of mine had ordered them as an early Christmas present!

I wore them the very next day.  (No fashion post to show for it though.  I should probably stick to booth and house stuff.)

Now THESE are my most favorite riding boots ever.

What I Wore (Vintage Edition)

It's a well established fact that I'm a hoarder.  (I'm really trying to work on that.)  There's just about nothing I can think of that isn't safe.  As in, my love knows no bounds.

I read that Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up book.  And no magic happened.

My master plan says I'll get it under control if we ever buy another house.  I won't pack anything that doesn't "spark joy."  I think that's a great idea!  Purge as I pack?

Anyway.

I did attempt to purge some clothes recently.  In my attempts, I came across this skirt, purchased on Etsy over two years ago.   This skirt hung out in my virtual cart forever, until one day, I finally took the plunge......

It arrived, and I loved it!  It fit perfectly.  The condition was great.  But then it went to live in my closet for two years.  What is wrong with me?

Luckily, I caught that bout of the purge-bug and rediscovered this beauty.  She went to work last week, paired with a simple white tee and some (also forgotten) red flats.

You can be sure that I won't forget about her again!

Linking up with:  Still Being Molly & Pleated Poppy

What I'll Wear (to the pool)

School's out for summer!

It has officially been one week.  And while the weather here has been fickle ~ mostly gray, rainy days ~ I am confident that June will take a turn for the better!

So because I know we'll have sun and blue skies soon, I decided to get ready!  That meant a new swimsuit.....

top  //  bottoms

I wanted a bit of a retro feel, so I went with high-waisted bottoms and a top with a wide band.  And polka-dots.  Polka-dots are retro, right?

And speaking of retro, I still have last year's splurge that I plan to wear too!

I just need a new hat.

So summer, bring on the heat wave!  I'm waiting!

Follow my summer adventures on Instagram!

Linking up with:  Shanna Said So & The Pleated Poppy

Spring Pattern Mixing

Spring break is here, and with it came lovely weather!  It wasn't even a week ago that we had another round of snow.  But now the snow is gone, and we're looking at 60 degree temps all week!

This has me thinking about pedicures and short sleeves.  And even though we aren't out of the winter woods yet, I could not resist these two pieces from Old Navy last weekend........

                                                                cardigan // floral tee

That cardigan was hanging in the entrance.  I couldn't snatch it up fast enough!  And when I saw the t-shirt table was 50% off, I had to make that floral tee mine.

Then when I was in the dressing room, I thought, "Do these go together?"  And I decided they did go together.

Pattern mixing.  Bam!

Does this pass all those pattern mixing rules?  Are there rules?  Is pattern mixing still a thing?

I hope so.  Because I plan on wearing them together.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Casual Friday, and...

Fall Favorites

I love autumn.  It's my favorite season.  It means the temperatures are cooling off, and the holidays are coming!  It means leaves are changing, and it's time to make your favorite soup!

Bonfires!  Hayrides!!  Corn mazes!!!

It means I can break out my flannels and buy fairy tale pumpkins........

Fall means flannel, right?  You must have a flannel shirt!

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I can clip the tags off a new sweatshirt and drink pumpkin spice lattes.......

Fall means warm drinks like hot apple cider!  You must sip on a seasonal treat!!!

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 I can dress up the front porch........

Fall means mums and pumpkins!  You must decorate for the season!!!

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And finally, I can scoop up $6.00 scarves.......

Because you must have at least one great, new scarf for the season.  (Even though you told yourself you wouldn't buy any more scarves.)

And because buffalo plaid everything.

Red and black checks forever.

What I Wore (to a reception)

Once upon a time I churned out weekly outfit posts!  Now they happen once in a blue moon.

Well, that blue moon must have been out last night.  Or maybe it was out the night before I found this dress.  I don't know.  But this new, favorite dress of mine is worth an outfit post.

Anyway.

I was in desperate need of a new outfit for a wedding reception.  The evening was going to be a little on the chilly side for this time of year, so I wanted something that was sort of a transition type piece.  And Express delivered with the perfect summer-is-on-its-way-out-and-fall-is-coming dress.

Express lace dress

A little black lace + some tribal embroidery + three-quarter length sleeves = perfect!!!  I love this dress so much.

I even wore it to work on Monday. 

Now on to the fun that was had.........

The lovely bride is a longtime friend of ours (as is the groom).  They had the most beautiful reception ever.  I seriously felt like I was at a private party for a celebrity couple.  It.  Was.  Amazing.

And so is this dress!  

Which is currently on sale!

It comes in ivory too!

Go get one!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy
Two Thirty-Five Designs and....... 

What I Wore (to the beach)

Summer is almost over.  Teachers in our district are contracted to return next week!  It was a shorter summer than usual, so I really tried to pack it in.

One goal was to reaaaaallllly clean the house.  Actually, organize and purge.  And that happened.  I got rid of so many things, including lots of clothing.  At the end of my purge-fest, I vowed not to purchase any clothing over the summer.

Then we scheduled a vacation (goal number two).  And I came across this bathing suit that I had to have....... 

Promise broken.

Did I really break a promise though?  Do swimsuits even count as clothing? 

This retro inspired one piece was my one big purchase of the summer.  And while it was a splurge, I don't regret it.  

I mean, everyone needs a swimsuit that makes them feel like a movie star, right?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and....

What I Wore (and more Etsy love)

A little Gap clearance never hurt anyone, right?

I mean, striped peplum tops for $11 are meant to be purchased.....

Paired with a vintage necklace and camel skinnies, and I had a new favorite outfit!  (Plus a subtle attempt at pattern mixing with the leopard flats and chevon tote.)

And speaking of that chevron tote, Ooh Baby Designs on Etsy has tons to choose from......

gray and yellow tote  //  black chevron

She even monograms!!!

I use mine to tote things to and from school.  Although this summer, I plan on making lots of trips to the pool with it.

Ohhhh summer.

So close.

Yet so far away.

Darn you, snow days.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

What I Wore (Pinterest Inspired)

What's that rule about when to wear white?

WHO CARES!?!?

Once I saw this pin, all those rules flew out the window........

pin  //  source

Annnnd I already had everything I needed to recreate it.  No shopping necessary.  I love when Pinterest helps me shop my own closet.........

chambray shirt  //  white skinny jeans  // similar flats

Since I don't have a yellow necklace, I opted for a vintage turquoise piece.  I love turquoise and chambray together.  And vintage is always good.

Anyway.

About the whole white before Memorial Day business......I say rules schmules.

The only thing daring about wearing white right now is that I wore it to work.  In an elementary school.

And that usually ends badly.

 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

What I Wore (addictions)

I am addicted to Hello Apparel.  I'd happily take one of everything in their shop.  So when a floral version of their signature t-shirt came out, I had to have it..........

A springy t-shirt paired with a mint cardigan was the perfect outfit for welcoming Easter weekend.

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And while we're talking about addictions, I might have another new one.

Toms wedges........

source

These are my first pair of Toms.

(I know.  I live under a rock.)

Anyway, I had been looking for a nice neutral wedge.  One that would match everything.  One that wasn't tooooo towering, as I'm already gifted in the height department.  And most importantly, one that was comfortable.

I knew when I tried them on, that these were it.......

Now I'm wondering what other wonderful Toms stuff I've been missing out on.  

Don't tell me though.

My willpower is teetering.

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and

Etsy Love

One of my favorite Etsy shops has done it again! 

Ooh Baby Designs just rolled out her new spring infinity scarves.  And of course, I'm in love.  This spring she's continuing to feature her signature chevrons which are very popular, but she's also adding lightweight plaids to her shop!  You know how I feel about plaid.

I couldn't wait to style my favorite of the bunch.........

This scarf had me the moment I saw it on Instagram.  I love the soft colors.  That it is two-sided.  And how perfectly lightweight it is for spring and summer.

Now that it's finally warming up, I'm able to break out three-quarter length sleeves and cuffed jeans!

It really isn't flip flop weather around here yet, but it's coming.  I can feel it in the air.

I just couldn't help it that particular day.

My first pedicure of the season was begging to be seen.

*Photos by Sarah Carter Photography*

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, 
 Rolled up Pretty, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

What I Will Wear

Spring break is here! 

One requirement of spring break is to go shopping.

And shopping I did go when I found this beautiful olive shirt online, typed in my zip code, and discovered our local store had it in stock......

olive shirt // khaki pants

Olive is my new mustard. 

Last year, I had to have all the mustard things.  Sweaters and skinny jeans and flats.

But this year, it's olive.

I even have those pants above in olive.  (They are my new favorite pants.  I reaaaally want the red pair too.) 

So while this outfit isn't outstanding, it's about separates that I love. 

This will be a good work outfit to transition into spring. Then that shirt, sleeves rolled, will go nicely with shorts in a few months!

Speaking of shorts, today was almost 80 degrees. 

This spring break has been beautiful.

Now for another spring break requirement, reading.  Reading as late as I want. 

And sleeping in. 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, 
 Rolled up Pretty, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

What I Wear (on snow days)

That is, what I wear on snow days, when I actually change out of my pajamas. 

(I may have spent all of Sunday and Monday in sweats and slippers.  It's possible I didn't leave the house for two full days.)

But then the melting began.  They temps came out of the single digits.  And I had cabin fever.

So I put on my favorite old jeans, some layers, my trusty Minnetonka mocs (similar//similar) and a warm chunky scarf a friend made for me..........

And I hit up my booth to add a few spring items.

Speaking of spring, it is March.  I have not had to beg winter for snow days this year.  But I might have to resort to some groveling to get it to go away!

But wait.  Winter, just that I'm over you now, doesn't mean you shouldn't come again next year.  I mean, I'll want my snow days again.

In 2015.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, 
 Rolled up Pretty, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

Lately (via Instagram)

In the last week or two, you could find me:

Attempting to pattern mix......

Putting new items in the booth......

Exploring downtown with the mister.......

Curled up by the fire whilst watching Downton Abbey and the Bachelor Wedding.......

Downtown (again) for a super fun girls' night out with my new girl crush........

On a school night, no less!

So crazy and wild.

(I was home by 9:30.)

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Insta-Friday.

What I Wore (new coat)

RUN!  Don't walk!  Run to Old Navy today for a steal on a coat......

This beauty is only $17.47 in stores and online right now (marked down from $75)!!!!

I love how it has a drawstring waist.  I love the deep pockets.  I love the color.  I love how the back hem comes down to a point.  Sort of a high-low hem.......

But what really sold me was the length.  I needed a longer coat so my sweaters aren't always sticking out at the bottom.

Then there's the hood.  I always want a hood.

And a little faux fur never hurts.

Linking up with Two Thirty-Five Designs and

Lately (on Instagram)

After a three week (extended) Christmas break, life is back to normal!  School is in session!  Before the snow days ended, however, I was able to sneak in one last thrifting trip......

Vintage sofas kill me.  I want all the vintage sofas.

And all the peanut butter macarons!  Elle's makes amazing everything, but those macarons might just be my favorite.

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On that same snow day, I snagged the last of these cardigans at Express.......

I maybe own the black one too.

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A friend told me these exist.......

And now I'm hiding them from the mister.

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Pa dropped this baby off.....

This bookcase held an encyclopedia set at Grampy's house ever since I can remember. 

It still smells like Grampy's.  Which makes me happy and sad.

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Finally, the pups were way cute this week.......

Sir Chester was hiding.  But Gizmo was smiling.

Could there be a cuter baby?

I think not.

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Insta-Friday.