a love letter to the sensible life

Thrifted Forever 21 dress, vintage bag, Rue 21 sunglasses, and thrifted Converse.

It says a lot about the time I grew up in when I almost left the house wearing docs and a choker with this dress. All 90's grunge-girl references aside, this truly has become the summer of the sensible shoe. Like a lot of women, I have a thing for shoes. Normally I'm all about sky-high heels that make me look like Bambi walking for the first time. I forgot how nice it is to throw on a great pair of sneakers and walk around without a care in the world. I'm a huge klutz, so anything that helps me walk like a normal human being is great.
After I found someone's entire Converse collection (in my size) at Salvation Army, I bought three pairs. Chucks were my obsession in high school and that obsession is back in full force. Their unassuming simplicity is what makes them so great. Even when they're sparkly, they're somehow not flashy or tacky. They seem to look right with everything: Dresses, jeans, skirts and dress pants (even suits, dudes).
Sometimes less really is more. It's something that has taken me years to figure out.
I don't have to be killing my feet everyday to look put together and that includes uncomfortable flats. That's probably my biggest style realization this year.
There's a time and place for everything.
A love affair is in full swing.

Speaking of a love affair, I am having a serious one with K-Pop lately (that's Korean pop music for those who aren't aware).
Watch this to see the best music video of all time. Your mind will be blown.

femininity

Vintage 50's skirt, years old H&M shirt, vintage bag, Five Below sunglasses, and vintage 70's Bass sandals. 

Part of being a woman - no, the part of being alive that is so incredibly wonderful is I can wake up in the morning and become whatever I want. On this particular day it was reveling in the femininity of a 50's skirt. Exploring what it means to be alluring without showing skin.
Some days I want to dress like a 50's housewife and some days I want to be a dirty rock star. Other days it's mixing masculine and feminine, or old and new. I can turn myself into whomever I want. That's the beauty of life. Choices. I am incredibly humbled by all the choices I am given. I can do what I want, be who I want; some people aren't that lucky.
Don't corner yourself into one style. Let all the facets of your personality shine. That's what makes fashion delve past superficiality. If you wake up one day and are feeling like 90's grunge, go for it.
Be the girl who when asked to describe your style in one word, has no answer.
You're one-of-a-kind and can't possibly be described with one word.
There are so many complexities to all of us - that's what makes us beautifully human.

Olcott Beach

Thrifted shorts, top, and flats, Luella sunglasses, and vintage purse.

Last weekend Brian and I took a trip up to Olcott Beach. It's a cute little beach town on Lake Ontario. It was known long ago for being Western NY's Coney Island. My favorite part is the little village of shops overlooking the lake. You may recall another post I made two years ago about this lovely place. It's where I got my Chanel flats which are a staple in my closet.

It was fun to walk around and window shop. We even stumbled across a pirate festival that was happening at the park.

My style this summer has been all about dressing up to the max and being casual to the max (does anyone say that anymore?). Two opposite ends of the spectrum and not really having a middle ground. It's very indicative of who I am as a person. Taking things to extremes. When I like doing something, I WILL DO IT OVER AND OVER.

Anyway, it's Monday and we all need a pick me up. So here's something to make you chuckle:

a day at the beach

Vintage Betsey Johnson silk dress, Rue 21 sunglasses, vintage purse, Candie's necklace, and Restricted Footwear wedges.

Where has the time gone? Where have I gone? It seems like I was just updating this telling you all that I was going to update more regularly. Since July has started, life has been a whirlwind. I'm super-afraid that summer will go by too quickly before I can even enjoy it. The weather hasn't been too great here and it's bumming everyone out.
Brian and I took a trip to the beach for a relaxing Sunday on a seemingly sunny day. We were worn out from being out late the night before. We just wanted some down time. Well, even though the weather looks nice in these photos, it wasn't. Sure the sun was out, but it was so humid. I could barely breathe and it made the temperature feel much hotter. We ended up ditching the beach to go eat some gross yet delicious food at IHOP.
I was so excited to give my new Betsey dress a spin. It's a little long on me, but I don't care. The silk feels so luxurious and it's perfect for summer.

I hope you all had a great holiday last week and are enjoying some summer weather!