Folk Tale

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This Free People black dress that I purchased last summer continues to be one of my favorite pieces in my closet. I previously wore it with sandals, but I wanted to try belting it with tights and boots for this season. The dress I am wearing is sold out, but I adore the look of this dress in white. It has a similar easy vibe.

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I love the longer back. I sometimes hate the new high-low trend, but it works with my lifestyle.

My lifestyle being that of a klutz. I am always dropping things and having to bend over and get them.

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Case in point, the other day I was wearing my denim shirt “dress.” Thankfully with tights. I was in the grocery store. I had gone inside for two things and as I was walking to the register, I somehow managed to pick up ten items. I had them precariously balanced in my arms.

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I probably would have made it to the register without a mishap, had I not at that moment noticed my children’s kindergarten teacher with her husband in another aisle.

We locked eyes and as I went to wave, I proceeded to drop all of my items on the floor. Three times! Over and over, I bent over and picked up cans and packages of cheese and chips.

It was mortifying.

I am sure the people behind me probably thought it was even more so.

I really could have used a high-low dress that day. Who am I kidding? I could use a high-low dress everyday.

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Let’s move along from my mortification. I purchased this vintage folk belt from Modcloth last year (previously worn here). I love it so much. I keep it on my dresser instead of with my other belts because I am scared of it breaking.

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I took these pictures on my dad’s property. I think I only explored this road once as a child. I was not very adventurous. Besides, the possibility of rattlesnakes curbed my desire to walk around.

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Did you explore your neighborhood growing up? Or were you exploring worlds in books like I was? And when am I going to learn that I always need a grocery cart, even when I am “just running in”?

The Perfect Dress

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You know I do not say that lightly. But this is it. The perfect dress. For me, anyway. It was another item I waited for a fantastic sale price on. I bought it in the spring. It nips in at the waist and then flows out into an old-fashioned dream. It is the palest of pinks which makes it more interesting than another white dress. I even purchased one for my daughter, because she loved it so much.

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I knew I wanted to take pictures of this Free People Heart Dress (sold out, but similar dress in pink here) in front of an old building. I had the perfect spot in our town. It was an old building with a giant head of an 1800s woman in a flowered hat. Well, we went there the other day and guess what? The new owners painted over it! What a travesty!

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When I was at my dad’s house, I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to style this dress in front of Rusty’s house.

Who is Rusty? You ask.

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That is a long and short story.

Let’s go with the short version.

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When my mom and dad moved into our home, they rented the property from her family. They later purchased it. Rusty kind of came with the deal.

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Rusty was not related to the family. He squatted in a ramshackle old house next door to our own that was also on the property. In fact, this house is pictured in the B-movie, “Skeeters.” But that is a story for another day.

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Rusty was a hobo.

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For real. Although, I realize that is not a politically correct term. It is what I knew him as and I will not change it. It is meant with no offense, because Rusty rode on railroad cars and was a transient, which is how that term came about. He was the real deal and I loved him. He came and went as he pleased. The house is still full of the remains of his travels.

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One day I will share with you my memories of Rusty. He died when I was almost four. But I still have fond flashes of moments with him in my mind. I called him, “Uncle Rusty.” And he was a harmless sweet man who happened to bunk on our property. I had an interesting but wonderful childhood.

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I think Uncle Rusty would have liked this dress. Although, it wouldn’t have been practical.

I could never catch a train in this.

Maybe it isn’t so perfect after all.

Nah. That’s silly. I’ll just take a bus.

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Did you have any interesting characters in your childhood? What is your perfect dress?

Two-lle Sisters

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When I was a little girl my parents would reiterate over and over that one day, when my sister Mandi and I grew up, we would be friends.

I felt that was about as likely as finding a yellow brick road outside of our house.

And believe me… I looked.

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We are four years apart. The same amount of time that separates my own two children. But it must have been a gender thing. Or a personality thing. Either way we could barely be in the same room together growing up.

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But grow up, we did.

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And my parents were right.

Don’t ever, ever tell them that I said so, though.

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Because having a sister is the best thing ever. I love Mandi with all of my heart.

Although there is one thing that is irksome. Her hair. It is naturally that color and I have to dye mine. Sigh. Lucky girl.

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But editing these pictures was the most difficult task I have had with this blog yet. It is hard enough getting a good enough picture to post on the internet of one person, but two people? Impossible.

I love the picture of my sister here. Me? Not so much.

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But isn’t that what being sisters is all about? Teaching one to be less selfish. To think of others. To learn to share.

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Nah. It’s about having an insane amount of fun.

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We could not stop laughing at these gnomes. She mentioned somethin’ about their looks. It had me in hysterics. It was a very unprofessional photo shoot.

Did I say we grew up? Scratch that.

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The cameraman was second guessing his marital partner choice “career” choice.

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Thanks Mandi for taking pictures with me! I love you! And hey, I am missing my pink gnome. I don’t suppose you know anything about that… Just kidding. I think it ran away. Too much sisterly love… Or gnome jokes.

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Do you have siblings? Do they make you laugh like nobody else? Isn’t it wonderful?

Outfit details:

On me: Free People Tutti Fruitti Slip (sold out, similar here and previously worn here), Anthropologie Pullover, vintage boots, Anthropologie earrings, World Market Bracelet

On Mandi: Anthropologie Puckered Placket Turtleneck (old), BCBG tulle Skirt (sold out, similar here), Black Fringe Booties, Anthropologie Bracelet

Maroon Foggy Fire In The Snow

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I took five outfit photos the day it snowed at my house this year. It had not snowed in years and it was too good of a photo opportunity to pass up.

Eck, I am such a blogger.

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This outfit ended up being my favorite.

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This is surprising to me for several reasons.

Mostly because I hate. Yes, hate. The color maroon.

I don’t know where this hatred came from. But it is there and alive and well. And I just learned that marsala is the 2015 color of the year! Which is pretty much a fanciful way of saying “maroon.”

Oi.

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Maybe the fashion gurus are on to something. Perhaps it is the name. When I purchased this Free People Embroidered Fable Dress two years ago, this color was called Mulberry. I like that name. Let’s think of some more.

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Foggy Fire.

Lusting From Afar Red.

Sunset Sangria.

Yes, I like all of those.

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I get more offers to buy this dress than any other item in my closet. The color is discontinued, but honestly, I love the grey color they have in it right now, too. The sweater is an old Anthropologie item I purchased from a sweet reader last winter. They had a a similar sweater this year that is now on sale. I loved that one when I reviewed it and would have picked it up if I did not all ready own and love mine.

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What is your least favorite color to wear? Mine actually isn’t maroon. It is brown. I guess I like cheery colors. But now that I can rename the offenders, I am liking their sultry offerings. Perhaps 2015 is the year I change my ways.

Or perhaps not.

It’s too maroon to tell.