Welcoming Fall

Well, its a dreary cool morning for the third day in a row in southern VA and that can only mean one thing.  Fall is here!!!  I know we'll get a few more scorcher days ahead of us, but for now Mother Nature is giving us the gift of cooler weather:)  So I'll take it!!!

To celebrate to coming of the harvest I donned my most fall appropriate outfit that I owned.  This dress was something that caught my eye first at the ModSwap back in NY and I was tickled to find out that it's original owner was no one else but Jasmine!!!  Hahaha..It was so funny when I showed her what I got and then we were both surprised to find out it was hers.

To make this dress more appropriate for fall weather I actually layered the dress over this pretty vintage blouse that I've been craving to wear all summer.  Too hot summer temps, plus humidity doesn't bode well for polyester fabrics.  Boo!  To top it off I threw on tights for the first time since April and then added my tan shoes and belt.  And now I welcome fall with open arms!!! Yippie!!

Forever21 Dress, ModSwap via Jasmine

Vintage Blouse, Thrifted

Tan Wedges, Modcloth

Vintage Belt, Thrifted

Beautifying Our Surroundings

Can you believe this awesome mural behind me?  Its painted on junky old plywood that has been boarding up this building for quite some time now.  It's all in an effort to start beautifying our city and spreading love, art, and community.  It was called the Canvas Project.  You should click here just to see the amazing transformation!!  It's been awhile since the mural was painted, but today was the first day I was able to make it over there to really start appreciating it close up.  There are more murals around the whole building so I'll need to try and come out and take some more pictures out there. 

Our city is really starting to become a place where I grow to love each day.  It is not where we plan on settling since it's just too darn expensive to be a home owner out here, but it is a great place to enjoy a young life.  Just last weekend our city had an Art Everywhere event and it was just a great way to see a bunch of art in empty store fronts, get drinks, and meet up with people.  So yeah.  Norfolk is really trying it's darndest to have better morale for its community. 

I really enjoyed my outfit for parading around Norfolk yesterday too.  I felt like dressing up my jeans again, since I wasn't too keen on running around in a dress for some reason.  I immidieatly threw on this comfy blouse that Emily swapped with me and it was the perfect thing to wear.  It wasn't quite as warm as it has been so I definitley wanted the limbs covered but I had no need for a jacket.  It was a great feel good outfit for enjoying great feel good art!  

Blouse, MNG, Swapped with Emily

Jeans, Thrifted

Payless Platforms, Thrifted

Necklace, Vintage Store

Sunnies, Forever21

Purse, Deux Lux, Urban Outfitters

A Barrel of Monkeys

Do you want to know what's more fun than a barrel of monkeys?  Swapping!!  You get to receive something in the mail and then you get to wear new (to you) clothing and style something up completely differently!  It's also fun because when you find someone to swap with, you get a pen pal in the process:)  I met Emily from Nudgenick Loves Twinkle Lights via an email she sent me a few months ago about an interview post.  She's incredibly sweet and has a fantastic closet (I presume this because of all the pretty clothes she wears).  Anywho, she sent me a few things to style and I sent her a few things in exchange...ie a swap!

So in the box there was this fantastical vintage dress.  It was pure lust at first sight really.  The fabric was great quality and the shape of the dress was perfect!  I wore it to work with these burgundy pumps and felt fabulous.  People at work never seem to realize that my clothes are decades old and this dress was no exception.  People were asking me where I got it...as if they'd be able to purchase it too:)  So thanks Emily for allowing people to compliment your dress all day!

So I guess I'll go ahead and tell you the story of the heels. Although DSW is not what I call a high end store, they still seemed to have very expensive shoes.  Lots of great brands for still very high prices.  Well, it just so happened one day that I had a birthday coupon that was usable with clearance and I found these beautiful Michael Kors pumps.  Originally $300 for a clearance price of $50.  Complete with an extra 70% off for the sale + the coupon I paid a whopping $10.  Yes I was in heaven.  They've been with me for about 4 years now, so I definitley got my money's worth.

Vintage Dress, Swap with Emily from Nudgenick Loves Twinkle Lights

Vintage Belt, Thrifted
Michael Kors Pumps, DSW

Necklace, Fred Flare