July 2, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Swingin’ Through The Vines

I have decided that my favorite silhouettes for my body type are shift dresses and swing dresses. I do not like tight things. I find myself pulling them down or pulling them up, forgetting to suck in my stomach or sucking it in too much. It is more of a hassle than I am willing to bear.

So, when I saw this swing dress at Forever 21 for less than $30, I was sold. But it was a tad short. Probably because although the store’s name suggests that we will always be of a certain age, my body parts have not received that message.

I paired it with my favorite slip, Free People’s Trapeze Slip. I want another color in this, because I wear the one I have constantly.

The necklace is Simply Livly’s Turquoise Necklace. The shoe’s are Anthropologie’s Tarara Gladiator Sandals.

We took my husband’s VW Bus for a spin and I love that the color of the bus matched the color of the slip.

We ended up at a vineyard with amazing views.

I love when we stumble upon a gorgeous piece of scenery. Actually, I love stumbling upon anything unexpectedly good.

Have you stumbled upon a beautiful piece of scenery lately? Did it make you want to spin? I will admit, this day was so gorgeous, it made me want to embrace the sky. Thankfully, my unrestricted garments made that possible.

Not the actual embracing of the sky, but the insane act of trying.

June 14, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

On Top Of The World

We just got back from Maui, late Thursday night. I will be doing a little trip report next week (I still have yet to write it. I have to get my kids ready to leave today. They are embarking upon a week long camping trip with their grandparents. I am hoping this alone time will allow my brain the capability to fill pages with stories and get me caught up on comments and reading my favorite blogs!). I managed to do some outfit photos while I was there.

My favorite thing to do on vacation is to just drive and see where the day takes us. This usually does not disappoint. We found ourselves in the vicinity of Maui’s Haleakala Crater and so we decided to make the drive up the mountain. Usually people make the trek up for sunrise or sunset, but we are not planners. I think both events would be worth it. Although, I cannot imagine making the drive in the dark, especially with the bicyclists on those tight turns.

This picture above was taken on the drive up. It starts off gorgeous and green and then turns red and barren as you drive higher up the volcanic rock.

We got to the top and it was gorgeous. Truly breathtaking. You can see above the clouds. It feels wonderful and oddly like being a part of “The Never Ending Story.”

Yes, I wore this dress to the top of a volcano where everyone else was dressed in hiking gear.

And it was kind of awesome! Well, maybe I did regret not bringing a sweater. It was cold! But spontaneity sometimes calls for a little discomfort.

The dress was a clearance buy from Free People that I featured here a few months ago. It is sold out now, but they have a slightly similar one here that I very much want. And underneath it, I am wearing my favorite slip in the world. It is the Free People Trapeze Slip. It looks like they currently have a similar color to my seafoam colored slip. I wear mine at least once a week. While I was in Maui, I saw three different women wearing this slip (all three women had on different colors and all three women were at three different places) as a swimsuit cover-up.

The necklace is Simply Livly’s Turquoise Necklace.

It was so high. It might have been the highest I have ever been except for traveling in an airplane.

One of the most amazing sights is peering down into the crater. It feels so untouched and I told my husband that I could still believe there might be dinosaurs amongst us peering down into that valley. This was my husband’s favorite part of the trip. He could have stayed here all day.

And honestly, I could have, too.

It was peaceful and not as cold as it was at the very top of the mountain.

I did a little twirl and I think it looks like I was flying.

Speaking of flying, we spotted a ton of owls on Maui. For some reason it is not something that I had pictured when I thought of the island. This little guy was the third one I spotted on the drive back down the crater.

Have you been to the top of a volcano? Was it windy and cold? Did you bring a gnome friend?

March 16, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

On The Hunt For Rain

It’s Raining

It’s Pouring

The Old Dog is

Snorting?

For Christmas, my husband went to the Nordstrom Rack and purchased me a pair of Hunter Boots in this teal color. He said he wanted me to have the “real” thing after I did that post about buying my rain boots at Costco, but really wanting the Hunter Boots sold online there. Which is so sweet. But they sat in my closet until the last day in February, because California decided to repel rain this year.

When I finally saw rain clouds, I pranced around in my boots for three days.

First, I paired the boots with my other surprise Christmas present from my husband. He bought me this Free People flannel shirt from Nordstrom Rack, as well. I guess I can trust him to shop for me. Because I love all three items he picked out for me.

Then, the next day, I paired the boots with two new popback scores. My Iremel Brocade Skirt ($30 down from $138) and my Ravenna Cardigan ($10 down from $118). And then my husband came home and he saw me in this outfit.

“Heeeeelllllooooo kindergartner!” He said. And it was not good. But, oh, well, I still like this outfit. It is fun and it made me happy.

I probably will wear this skirt with an untucked shirt next time. It will look better, I think. Or a belt. Hmmmm. I am unsure on this one.

Then I met some girlfriends at a little bar. And you know what the perfect thing to wear to a bar is? That’s right! Hunter Boots! No? Well, I can’t always get the answer right. I was not going to miss an opportunity to wear them even if they probably weren’t the right choice for a night on the town.

The top is actually two slips layered together. The cardigan is the Ravenna Cardigan from above. The mint slip is the Trapeze Slip from Free People.

And look at my sweet baby. He had to photobomb the picture. He loves Hunter Boots, too.

And Ollie is irresistible.

Plus, he makes the best photo faces.

I could not resist trying to give him a kiss. But he hates kisses. So, all I usually get is a snort in the face. This is actually sexier than it sounds.

Okay.

It’s not sexier than it sounds. It is actually grosser than kissing your dog on the lips.

But I swear it makes my make up stay on longer.

Okay.

That’s a lie, too.

Let’s end this post before I get in any more trouble. And go off on any more crazy tangents.

Have you worn rain boots lately? How do you wear them?

August 7, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Getting Your Hair Done

I feel like the biggest dork doing a post on this, but I am bursting with excitement! I have been really depressed this week. The kids going back to school is looming. I spent three days in a row in pajamas. The same pajamas. I knew I needed something to snap me out of my funk.

I got my hair done! This may not seem like a big deal. But, believe me, it is. First, I am cheap about my hair. I only get it done every three months. It had been five months since I had had my hair colored and cut. I had been putting it off. I have had the same hair dresser for ten years. I loved her, but some things changed. I will not write about the circumstances. It is not my story to tell. But it was an agonizing decision for me.

So, two days ago, I went to a new hair dresser recommended to me by my good friend ( thank you forever, Bridgette!). I love her! It is a huge relief to have finally made a decision. And have the outcome be good. At least, to me. I left happy. It just felt better to get my split ends cut off.

I feel refreshed. Reenergized. Like myself again. I just wanted to share.

It’s the little things: A haircut. Who knew?

P.S. Just in case you wanted to know: the outfit is mostly Free People. It is Free People’s Trapeze slip in seafoam (I believe that is the color. I purchased it a long time ago. That color is now gone, but there are a lot of different colors still available). The top is called Golden Age Top. The jeans are ten years old from The Gap. The lace shoes are from H & M last year. The necklace is my daughter’s. And I totally copied the layering look from the Free People Me stylist pictures. ; )

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

Trapeze

Swingin’ Through The Vines

On Top Of The World

On The Hunt For Rain

It’s The Little Things: Getting Your Hair Done