Thirty-Two

Today is my thirty-second birthday and I'm celebrating in the best possible way!  I've spent the weekend running my first 10k, eating delicious food and sampling countless types of wine, beer and cider in Traverse City, Michigan.  If that doesn't sound delightful enough, I get to do all of this with three of my favorite people-- my mom, dad and boyfriend!

This birthday is an interesting one as I'm wrapping-up my teaching career, something that I've worked hard at for the last ten years.  I don't yet know which path my career will take from here but I'm feeling faithful that the right job is on the horizon...and I'm excited to find-out what it is!

Despite my career uncertainty, I am in a really good life place right now!  As always, I have the best friends and family.  My boyfriend and I continue to build a home together (with our two cats).  I'm excited to be an official resident of Grand Rapids.  And I'm feeling happy and healthy!  Now that's something to celebrate!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Gal Meets Glam (exact)
Wedges: Macy's (exact)
Tote: Anthropologie (exact)

Blogging Besties: Embroidered

Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of The Cheerful Closet, Maricel of ::My Closet Catelogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile's Style.  Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week's outfit to pass on in a brand new look.  This "take one, pass it on" challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!

I've been so excited for this week's Blogging Besties since I get to pass-on some of Alex's inspiration for the first time!  She was so creative in her interpretation of the Disney prompt last week and totally nailed a fun work look!

From her outfit, Alex told me that I could pass along polka dots, a casual jacket, wedges or something embroidered.  This prompt couldn't have been more perfectly timed because I have been eyeing all of the embroidery lately!

It's not often that I totally buy into a trend but I'm loving all of the pretty, stitched floral patterns found on tops and dresses this spring!  I actually purchased a few embroidered pieces the very day that I wore this outfit.  That being said, I did not yet have these items when I took outfit photos.  So for today's purposes, I actually pulled-out one of the oldest tops in my closet...and my only embroidered piece!

I also passed-on a casual jacket but I think embroidery is more fun as the topic of this post!

For next week, Selah can pass along the oldest piece in her closet, a denim jacket, teal or scallops!

Spring Wedding: One Dress, Two Ways

Good morning, lovelies!  I'm super excited for this post because I'm featuring two special occasion looks!  There's something about wearing a pretty dress that makes a girl feel special, don't you think?

In early April, I asked for your advice in choosing a pretty spring dress for a couple of events I had planned.  I actually ordered four of the five dresses featured in that post so that I could really choose the perfect one!  The winning dress was obvious from the moment I put it on and the rest were promptly shipped back.

I chose this dress!

I am joining four other lovely ladies today to talk about what to wear to a spring wedding!  While I didn't actually have a wedding to attend this past month, I was lucky to have two other formal events for which I could dress-up!  I decided that it would be fun to take this beautiful dress and create two different looks!

Look #1: I wore this ensemble to a tea party hosted by the Junior League of Lansing, Michigan.  It was a fun afternoon full of empowering messages for women, pretty dresses and a few glasses of tea champagne.

For this event I chose to make the dress a bit more formal with classic nude wedges and a bold coral necklace.  Dainty, stackable rings completed the look.

Look #2:  The second time I wore this dress was for a very special event...the baptism of my beautiful niece, Eloise!  I am so blessed that my sister and brother-in-law chose me to be Eloise's godmother so I got to stand up with them for this special moment.

I went a little bit more casual for this occasion by adding a belt and a pair of navy espadrilles.  What I really loved about this dress is that there are so many different hues in the floral print to pull out and work with!  Using coral in the first look versus red and navy accessories in the second almost made the colors of the dress look different to me.

Jennie              Rachel              Ada              Jill              moi

Thank you to Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood for organizing this seasonal wedding collaboration for three seasons in a row now!  You can check out my fall wedding and winter wedding looks, if you'd like!

And please take time to see how these other beautiful women have shopped their closets to style looks for a spring wedding!

Anthropologie Dress

I've mentioned before that Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores.  I love wandering into their candle-scented boutiques and exploring the beautiful, unique clothing they offer.  What I don't love, however, are their prices!  From time to time I will let myself splurge, but when I feel most satisfied with an Anthro purchase is when I find great deal!  Like this dress, for example.  A beautiful, rich color; a thick fabric; an interesting, detailed neckline; and marked down from hundreds of dollars to only fifty!  I am one happy shopper!

With a little layering, I was able to wear this dress all winter.  Now that the warmer weather is here to stay, I'm excited to let the dress shine.  Sometimes you gotta love matchy-matchy cognac accessories, am I right?  And this clutch!  I purchased it in February and then tucked it away until summer.  Now I'm finding that it goes with just about anything.  Be prepared to see more of this little beauty around these parts!

previous post

Here are a few other ways that I've worn this dress.  And while we're at it, I'm linking-up with Bri's Third Thursday Threads.  The theme this month is denim jackets.  I get tons of wear out of mine but it's already too hot in Virginia (I haven't moved yet) for layering...so you get a denim jacket throwback from February!

I'm also linking-up with Selah and Maricel for Thoughtful Third Thursday.  The prompt this month is to dress in an outfit inspired by a book-turned-movie.  I am channeling The Princess Bride.  Not only does the color and neckline of my dress remind me of Princess Buttercup's dress in the photo below, but the first time I wore this dress was to see The Princess Bride at the theater for Valentine's Day!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Anthropologie (similar, similar)

Belt: Anthropologie (similar, similar)

Flats: Target (exact)

On Birthday Coupons and Splurges

If you stop by here frequently, you know that I recently celebrated my 29th birthday.  One of my favorite things to do during the month of May is to treat myself to a few things using the assortment of birthday coupons that flood my inbox.  My biggest birthday splurge this year was this comfy, flowing maxi dress from Anthropologie!

For a busy birthday on-the-go, I paired the dress with some flat, strappy sandals.  I can't wait to dress it up with a cute pair of wedges and perhaps a statement necklace!

Gotta love a goofy face and a cat photobomb!

As much as I love birthday coupons, I do have to say that I'm growing a bit disappointed in the offerings from certain stores.  I loved my "no purchase necessary" make-up sample from Sephora and the "no strings attached" $5 coupon from DSW.  But stores like Anthropologie and Gap really let me down.  Truth be told, this dress wasn't purchased from Anthro with my 15% off birthday coupon, but rather with the 20% off Mother's Day Sale code.  Call me greedy, but I think that my birthday coupon should be special and should trump the other sales that are currently happening!  Similarly, for having a Gap card, I received 25% off a purchase for my special day.  Meanwhile, a 40% off sale was happening.  Don't you think that your birthday deal should be more of a special occasion that the typical store sales??

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Anthropologie (similar)

Sandals: France (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

Spy Girl- 52 Pick-Me-Up: United Nations (I think I've got a little Mexican flair going on here!)