Bohemian Girl Means Business

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Sometimes there comes along an occasion that calls for something other than princess dresses and flowy caftans.

Sometimes.

Rarely.

Not often.

But it happens.

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This particular occasion was my son’s Back To School Night at his school.

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I did not want to be remembered as Bohemian Chick by his teachers. I wanted something more firm. Pulled together. Polished.

I have a silly demeanor. A child-like voice. It is easy to be dismissed with those two descriptive traits. Throw in a flowy garment and the unarguably potent power of threes will make any future interaction with school officials one-sided. In regards to people who have influence with my children, I like to make a good first impression since I am dealing with the aforementioned attributes.

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This did not, however, mean my hair had to be tame, as well.

One of us was going to have a little fun.

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And that is a-okay with me.

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My husband would love it if I dressed in button down tops and pencil skirts every day. It is what I wore when I first met him. So, he has good memories of me dressing like this during the beginning of our relationship.

The top was a popback from Anthropologie called the Chambray Lace Buttondown (similar here). The skirt is a few years old. It was also from Anthropologie. It was called The Flounced Hem Skirt. The shoes were from my Modcloth Stylish Surprise package in the spring.

I used to love dressing up every day.

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But that was for work.

And that wardrobe is no longer a part of my everyday life.

I can now have a little more play in my everyday.

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Speaking of play. How neat is this scrabble ring from UPcycled Works on Etsy? I purchased it at the Del Mar Fair at her booth there. I have a “Q” as well. “Q” is my favorite letter to draw in Scrabble. The “C” is for my husband.

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Do you enjoy dressing in multiple styles? Do you do it often? I have to admit it was fun to wear something like this for one night. It brought back many memories. Good ones. And good memories are always… Good.

*I had really wanted to get pictures in before we left for the event. However, the time of day was not the best for pictures. Sorry for the hazy quality. It is as if the sky had some wine, too.

Bohemian Black Lace

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I never quite understood the allure of a little black dress until I bought this one.

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What is it about wearing black that makes one feel different?

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I hardly ever wear black, because I like a lot of color in my wardrobe.

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I am thinking that was a poor decision.

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Because what was preventing me from just adding a pop of color? I received this beaded necklace for my birthday. I love it paired with the black lace.

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This Free People Lorettas Dress was a steal with my birthday discount combined with the sale price. Unfortunately, I snagged the last one (see title of post). I think this one is very similar.

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I forgot my gnome, so I made one with some rocks and twigs.

But who’s looking at the gnome?

Because, those shoes?!

They were the best sale popback I have ever scored at Anthropologie (they were more than 75% off). They are Chie Mihara’s Corridor Booties. I am in love.

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My husband said to me, “Um, I think that dress is see-through.”

To which I smiled. Because, yes, it is see-through, but it came with a beige slip underneath that you cannot really see because it kind of matches my skin tone.

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I didn’t tell him that, though. Gotta keep him on his toes.

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He eventually figured it out. Just like I have now figured out I need more black clothes in my wardrobe.

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Do you own a lot of black clothing? Do you have a little black dress?

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Because I loved the feeling this dress gave me, I now own five.

P.S. * I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

Ginette Callaway: Landscapes

I love art. I like my walls to be crammed full of pretty things to look at. It is important to me. I think a home should be filled with the essence of the people who reside there. It should shout or whisper whatever emotion you are trying to convey. I hope our house screams, “FUN!”

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Besides my children’s paintings, I have more paintings by Ginette Callaway than anyone else in my home. I love her impressionistic style and the bright colors that she uses. I have been collecting her art for well over ten years. Last time I shared my bird paintings by her on this blog, including the peacock painting often seen in my outfit posts.

This time I wanted to share some of my landscapes by Ginette.

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First there is this beautiful fishing village painting. I love the size of it. I am currently rearranging the art in my house. This is how the art is arranged above our bookcases in our living room right now. She also painted the butterfly on the left.

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There is my incredibly fun painting by Ginette of an underwater fish scene.

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Miniature paintings are my favorite. This little guy is small and pretty. It depicts a small home in the Bahamas. Man, I would love to go there right now!

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And this painting is even smaller. I told you, I love small paintings. This is a lovely quaint city scene.

You can find Ginette Callaway on her website. And she sells her art on her Etsy store.

Do you have art in your home? What is your favorite item on your walls? What would you want your home to say about you?

Fifteenth Blog Giveaway: $25 Etsy e-Gift Card/NOW CLOSED

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This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered.

I have been blogging for fifteen months. It has been incredibly rewarding. Thank you to all who continue to stop by to read this blog. I really, really appreciate it. I think as a personal blogger, who blogs daily, it is easy to get burnt out. So, I really mean it when I say, “Thank you.” And I also mean it in the cheesiest and most sincere way, “you complete me.”

This month I am giving away one $25 e-gift card to Etsy.

I love Etsy. I am always finding something new to love. I buy most of my jewelry and vintage clothing from Etsy. I also love to browse it for unique gifts and household ideas. The pictures above are things I am currently loving on Etsy. Source list at bottom of the page.

To enter for a chance to win this month’s giveaway, please answer the following question:

“What are you looking forward to the most this summer?”

Me? Sleep. Glorious, glorious sleep.

If that is too personal, you may leave any comment on this post as long as it is positive.*

You may earn a second entry by subscribing to this blog on the right hand side of the page. There are many ways you can do so. If you are a subscriber, please leave a second comment stating that you are a subscribed reader of this blog.

Limit two comments/entries per person.

This giveaway runs from June 10, 2014 12:00 a.m. PST to June 15, 2014 9:00 p.m. PST. I will be using random.org to choose one winner for the necklace from the comments entered on this post. I will contact the winner on June 16, 2014 via the email address provided in their comment/comments. I will post the winner’s name on this blog on June 17, 2014.

Past winners are welcome to enter this giveaway.

Thank you everyone for entering! And for reading! And for stopping by! And for your support! I love ya to the moon and back! : )

By commenting on this post, you are entering this giveaway for a chance to win one $25 e-gift card to Etsy and agreeing to the rules outlined in this giveaway.

I will attempt to contact the winner three times with the email address provided. If I have not heard from the winner within fourteen days from the first attempt at contact, the prize will be forfeit and a new winner will be drawn.

* Negative comments (chosen at the discretion of the owner of this blog) will be deleted and that entry will be forfeit.

*pictures from Etsy. Sources:
Pink Dress from Hellhound Vintage.
Peacock Necklace from Peacock Fairy.
Blue Pillow from ToucheeFeelee1.
Embroidered Wallets from Erica Maree.