September 17, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Bohemian Polka Dots

I never thought I could incorporate polka dots into a bohemian look. Polka dots are fun. They are unstructured. But for some reason, I always think “preppy” not “hippie” when I see them.

I underestimated Free People.

When I saw this maxi skirt hanging out on the Free People rack at Nordstrom Rack, I loved it, but I thought it had been put in the wrong place. I checked the tag, and low and behold, it was my beloved Free People.

Of course, being at the rack meant a significant discount. I believe it was originally $128 and I paid $50. The skirt is sold out, but I have seen it on eBay.

Once again, I ended up on an ant hill. You guys. I am beginning to think this is not a coincidence.

I do not have ants in my pants. Or skirt as it were, in this picture. I simply wanted to see the skirt blow in the breeze. There is absolutely nothing I like better than a maxi skirt. And a maxi skirt with polka dots? Forget about it. I paired it with a simple white tee from Forever 21.

I thought if I added some color and fun to the skirt, I could make it more “me.” So, let’s talk accessories: The belt was one of my favorite purchases in January of 2013. It is an Obi belt from Free People (similar here and here). The necklace was a neat gift from Free People for participating in Free People Me (similar here). And the shoes are Anthropologie’s Atlas Sandals.

It is also not an accident that the shirt is being worn backwards. The seam is supposed to be worn down the back.

But someone decided to eat chocolate in bed before this photo shoot.

Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. It is just a bite… Whoops!

So, I flipped it around and put my hair down. Tricky. This did not help with the ants, by the way.

Do you love polka dots like me? Would you rather wear a maxi or a short skirt? Or a maxi and jeans? Have you ever gotten chocolate on a white shirt? Please tell me it comes out.

*These photos were edited using the Whim filter on the app afterlite. I love the pinky hue.

September 9, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Bohemian Girl Means Business

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

Sometimes.

Rarely.

Not often.

But it happens.

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

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.

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

One of us was going to have a little fun.

And that is a-okay with me.

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.

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.

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.

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.

September 3, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

A Gnome Lover Picnic

When I was a very young girl, my favorite thing to do was twirl around the living room listening to the song, “Teddy Bear’s Picnic,” on the record player. Yep. Record player. Have you listened to that song as an adult? It is kind of creepy. Almost as creepy as the pictures I decided to take below.

When I saw Anthropologie’s Inez Dress, I decided what I really wanted was to take some artistic pictures wearing the dress surrounded by gnomes instead of bears. As one does… When you are me or crazy. You can interchange one word for the other.

I was kind of bummed, because the pictures did not turn out like they had in my head. Few things ever do.

For one thing, the gnomes would not sit still.

For another, they are notorious dirty joke tellers.

I had to scold the one on the left in that picture. He could not really help it. His head is full of holes.

I guess I have to let it go. They are the stars of the show afterall. ; )

Then I decided that I really needed to take pictures laying down. I had seen the most wonderful picture on Free People Me of a girl doing that. I have no idea how she did it. My try at it was a dismal failure. But it did make me laugh, although this position did not really help with stopping the gnome’s favorite distraction.

I finally gave up and took some standing pictures. These were not the shoes I had originally planned with this outfit. I will definitely pair this dress with booties in the future. However it was a long day and I needed something I could run around in. Any type of heel was not going to cut it. It would have been too easy to trip over those naughty gnomes.

I do have to say that this dress is one of my top ten in my closet. I love absolutely everything about it.

Yes, it is big. Yes, it has no shape from the front or side. But did ya see how this baby swings? It is just perfect for a Teddy Bear Picnic.

Not a Gnome Picnic.

They are no longer invited. They have to stay gnome with the dogs.

Did you go on a picnic this summer? Do you like swing dresses (it is okay if you don’t. I get it. I have friends who like more structure and fit, too). Did you have a dress like this in the 1990s? I did. I guess I am regressing. First “Teddy Bear’s Picnic,” then a dress from my teenage years. What next? No, seriously, what next? I just had a picnic with a bunch of gnomes. My good judgement is obviously gone. If it ever was really there to begin with.

September 2, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

$100 More Or Less: Happy Dress Sad Girl

I started a new feature a few weeks ago in which I pull together an entire outfit for around $100 ($125 being the max). This is one of those outfits. I realize that, of course, you can create an outfit for around $100 using cheaper brands or thrift store pieces. However, my theory is that you can shop anywhere on a budget (including the mentions above, but also higher priced retailers) and still create a great outfit.

If you read my post, “You Can’t Cry In Costco”, then you know I had a sad day a bit ago. It happens. I found a swivel chair that made all of the difference. This is what I was wearing that day.

I love how the curves of the crescent moon necklace fit perfectly with the swirly pattern of ~~my tears~~ this dress.

I had not realized that I was not really smiling for the camera in this outfit photo session. I just did not have it in me on this day. I am really bad at ~~needless dramatics~~ faking it.

However, the price I paid for this outfit should have lifted my spirits. Just a little. This outfit post is more a post to convey my love of waiting for an item to hit sale instead of indulging in the immediate satisfaction of full price. I do the latter, too. Sometimes I just cannot help it (as was the case with this dress). But the outfit shown here was my ultimate showcase of self restraint. I waited until the items hit rock bottom prices until I pounced.

Or I lucked into them…

Either way is probably a little right.

I feel like this dress is very reminiscent of a circus. I think it is the stripes, sequins, and over-the-top sleeves. All of which I love. Although on this day I guess I was playing the very sad clown.

Outfit Breakdown:

Anthropologie Sunpass Dress (now sold out): I paid $30 Original Price $198
Anthropologie Nazare Sandals (now sold out): I paid $24 Original Price $118
Anthropologie Crescent Necklace (now sold out): I paid $10 Original Price $42
Forever 21 Gold Cuff: $6

Total Spent: $70
Retail Price: $364

What do you wear on sad days? Do you have an item in your closet that showcases your ultimate shopping self restraint? Do you own this dress? How else do you style it? And don’t worry, the sad day passed, today is fresh and new. I am hoping it is a happy one for both me and you. : ).

*this post was edited using the app VSO filters at C2 at level 3, temperature at level 3, and contrast at level 2.