Pretty Little Things // 03

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I don't believe I've ever told you about my plate collection, but I might be wrong. The basic gist of it is that if I find a beautiful plate somewhere (not online, just in person) and it's less than $25 I have to buy it because when I grow up I want there to be a bevy of mismatched plates on my dinner table at every meal. So you can just imagine my glee when I saw these beauties on the Twig website, even though they're not in the price range. As for the cookbook, I was first drawn to that book due to the pink cover. It's so insanely gorgeous. And the recipes actually look flawless. I'm thinking I'll plan to have dinner at Prune one night when I'm in New York. 

You should know, it's been so warm here lately, so much so that I've begun to wear skirts and dresses with open-toed shoes again and it's blissfully perfect. I just feel like that shirt dress is gorgeous. I mean first of all, it's Zara, so you know it's gonna be good quality and then it's green, and it's a shirt dress, and it's short, and it's only $79 which is relatively inexpensive for a dress so I mean that's perfect all around. And the shorts are just beautiful. I love high-waisted denim, and I love the lighter wash. Finally, the little candle is currently sitting sitting atop my stack of journals because it's my favorite of the moment. You should get one.

by the way, my cat shirt came and it's every bit as perfect as I had imagined. Have a lovely Monday!

Peplum Shirt in Rust

I've been having a little bit of a difficult day, hence why it took me so long to put up this post. It's not that I didn't plan a post, I mean this has been written in my agenda for a good two weeks. I just never got around to writing it and then today things got busy. I should begin by informing you that I signed up for the Blogilates Dietbet, because 1) I need to eat healthier and 2) ever since I stopped going to barre in January, I stopped working out. Well no, I took a bunch of different classes at the gym, but I decided I hated every single one. Reason 3) would be that I don't feel happy with my body anymore. I feel sore and tired and sick every day and it's just not something that makes me happy. I used to be really fantastic about eating healthy and working out, but then when I started college it all went downhill, fast. So now I'm starting over with the dietbet and I've been at it for four days.

So why did I have a difficult day? Well, I went grocery shopping this morning and in the process I bought a ton of chocolate for the little Valentine's Day care packages I'm sending out to my closest internet friends. Except, I ended up eating SO MUCH CHOCOLATE as I sat here putting them together. So then I spent the whole day feeling like a giant failure. But it's just chocolate, and I mean as soon as I post this I'm going to go work out for an hour and a half, so I shouldn't be that worried, but I am anyway. It's just a giant spiral of negative feelings. Anyway, I'm going to keep going with the dietbet and I'm going to meet my goal. With that said, this post is supposed to be about this pretty little copper top.

I made this shirt clear all the way back in November. It was the day I got laid off from work and I was sobbing on my bedroom when I came to the realization that I had the four hours I would have been at work free to do whatever I wanted and that instead of crying I could be creative. So I grabbed this knit from my stash (I believe it's from Girl Charlee) and I adapted a pattern I had drafted for a short little dress in June. Then an hour after I would have been back from work, I had this shirt done and ready to be worn and I wasn't crying anymore. It was one of those moments when I realized that I'm capable of doing more than I expect of myself most times.

As for the photoshoot, we did it last week, on a Saturday night and I swear half the town must have driven by and seen me and wondered why. I feel like this shirt is better suited for Fall than spring, since the color reminds me of the trees in the Fall. I styled it with some darker wash jeggings from American Eagle and my favorite floppy hat from Forever 21. As for jewelry, my ring is vintage from an antique store in Nashville called Pangaea, and my necklace is Free People from a year ago. I'm also wearing my fox socks from Taylor (we have matching socks and I'm still stoked about it), which I was supposed to take off for the photoshoot but I refused because I LOVE socks more than any other accessory in the world. And I'm wearing these lovely booties from Nordstrom. They're Sam Edelman and they might still be available, but I'm not entirely sure.

And finally, I just wanted to remind you that my GoFund Me is still there! And thanks to everyone for all your support. Most recently, Erin, thank you!

Have a lovely weekend!

Thursday Thoughts

Its funny to think that I thought last week was insane, because it doesn't even compare to this week. I mean with my acceptance to the Fashion U and my frantic search for a roommate and my car breaking down and everything, I didn't really relax at all this week. BUT it was a good kind of crazy. Honestly, I'm so happy! And this weekend is going to be fantastic. To begin with, I have nothing on Saturday except for early in the morning with the little Girl Scouts troop I lead and then on Sunday it's the Grammy's, my favorite award show! Also, my sister's birthday happens to be today and tomorrow my cat shirt for Valentine's Day is arriving, so that's exciting! I'm so ready for the weekend. With that said, here are the links of the week:

 -   for those of us who are constantly consumed with stress.
 -   since Valentine's Day is coming up, my favorite engagement story.
 -   a map of my heart, pretty much.
 -   this eye-opener made me sad.
 -   she is always so gorgeous, is it weird that I want to buy all those beauty products now?
 -   If you want to be stylish this season, here are the new Spring trends.
 -   I'm convinced Northern Europeans lead the best lifestyle.
 -   Harper Lee wrote a sequel to Kill A Mockingbird and it's soon to be released!
 -   Internet friendships are as real as actual, in person friendships.

picture credit goes to Kien Do.

Valentine's Day Style Guide // 3 & 4

Yesterday, I posted two four-piece style guides that would be perfect for Valentine's Day, and there's still barely enough time to order these outfits for next Saturday. These are the rest of the style guides:

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For look 3, I chose this lovely, lacey tunic from Free People. You can get a similar, more affordable one at Forever 21 here. I paired with the black scallop lace bralette from Urban Outfitters. I actually have one of those and it's the most comfortable bra you will ever wear, plus it looks really pretty with backless dresses and under sheer tops. I was really skeptical when I ordered one over the Summer, because I thought it would be hard to pull off and I'd look like I wasn't even wearing a bra, but I promise, you won't regret it. As for the shoes. I figured it can't really be a valentine's day outfit if it's missing red or pink, so I selected these blush wedges. I think they're way cute! And for the bottoms, I picked out these slim boyfriend jeans from Joe's because honestly, the softest, most comfortable pants I've ever worn were a pair of teal Joe's Jeans. Boyfriend jeans are very hard to pull off, but since these are slim they should be flattering on everyone and I just like the lighter wash with the white tunic. You could wear this look just about anywhere.

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And last but not least, my favorite of all the style guides! I'm in love with the tee! It's incredibly festive. I mean let me tell you, it was really hard finding pink and red and white clothes that fit my style and were easy to put into an outfit, so when I found such a festive piece it was like the heavens opened up. And you know how much I love soft pink. The skirt if from Madewell, and while I don't own a skirt from there, I have an aqua skirt from Topshop in the same style as the Countdown Skirt, and I find it very flattering and comfy. I love the high school feel of a short skirt and a denim jacket. It's so young and sweet, and the converse just add to that. Besides, the shoes are all the rage in street style fashion right now and denim is making a comeback this Spring, so you could definitely get a lot of wear from both of those pieces these coming months. This is the sort of outfit I'd wear to school and then maybe to a more casual date.

I wanted these outfits to feel very simple and classic, so if you want to add more accessories I'd suggest a set of simple gold stackable rings, which you can get just about anywhere that sells fast fashion (e.g. forever 21, H&M, Free People, etc.) and maybe a simple pendant necklace; they have a lot of options at Urban Outfitters and the stores I mentioned for the rings, and you can also check out your local antique store.

What was your favorite look?

And in case you missed it, here are yesterday's style guides.

Valentine's Day Style Guide // 1 & 2

As you might know, I'm one of those dorky people who likes to dress festively on every single holiday. Even if there's no actual dress code I'll find a way to dress up for it. E.g. my bunny dress last easter and my red and blue ensembles every Fourth of July, but when it comes to Valentine's Day I just care even more. It's my favorite holiday, you know. It's so extreme that last year my dear friend Wendy told me I'm the most "valentiney" person she knows. And I did throw a Galentine's Day party last year, complete with pictures of cats, a dessert table, and giant red and pink paper flowers and hearts I made with my lovely friend Angie. I just love the fact that there's a whole day dedicated to loving people. I mean I've never had an actual valentine, but I've never felt compelled to be sad on Valentine's Day. I don't know why, it doesn't even really make sense to me. Anyway, since Valentine's Day is one of my favorite days to dress up and be extra girly and frilly, I decided to put together a neat little style guide. Well, there's actually four, but I'm splitting them into two posts, one of which will be posted tomorrow along with the Thursday Thoughts of the week. That way you'll still have time to order the outfits online in time for the big day!

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For these style guides, I decided to keep it simple and go with four items each, that way it's easier to afford the more expensive pieces and the outfits are more simplistic and easier to mix and match. For this outfit, in particular I went with a Topshop frock. I love the light pink color and how sweet and feminine it looks thanks to the swiss dot and crochet lace all over it. Since it's a short dress, it pairs nicely with the Jefferey Campbell shoes and this combination makes your legs look longer. One of my favorite trends is pairing high heels with socks, especially lace socks. I even did that in my senior pictures last year! I picked these ones from Free People because I have a similar pair and they slouch nicely over the strap, plus since the heels are chunky I feel like the lace softens the look a bit and compliments the dress nicely. As for the hat, I made sure the band around it matches the shoes. I feel like hats are great because they can make an outfit look more put together, but they also provide a bit of a casual vibe. It's a nice contrast from the dress. Plus, I love felt hats. This look would be so cute on a dinner date or a sweet little movie date, actually.

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This next outfit is a bit more casual. It's a sleeker, sexier look, but it's still pretty cute and feminine thanks to the scallop detail and the lace. I paired the mini red skirt, which is from ASOS, with the raglan top from Urban Outfitters. When I'm wearing a shorter skirt I like to pair it with a more conservative top and vice versa. I feel like it maintains a nice balance, but that's just my personal opinion. I love that even though the shirt is a boxy, more masculine shape it has the lace sleeves to kind of counteract that. Plus who doesn't love a boxy shirt tucked into a high-waisted skirt? And since the neckline is a crew cut, the layered necklace will give it some more definition. As for the booties, you pretty much can't go wrong with black booties. They're very classic. These ones contribute to the edgier feel of the outfit with the buckles on the sides. I would wear this outfit to a concert, a party, or a night out with my girlfriends.

Let me know what you think of these style guides and come back tomorrow for more style guides and the Thursday Thoughts post!

Have a lovely Wednesday.

It's been waiting for me

I have an announcement. The picture is pretty self-explanatory, but I feel like I should elaborate. You see, sometimes you try so many times to achieve something, or to get somewhere, per se, that you reach a point where you begin to think there won't be a positive outcome. You start thinking you won't be so lucky; you'll never stand out enough, you're not experienced enough, it's out of your league, and so on. Well, I have a story. I've had the "unrealistic" dream of being a fashion designer since 2013 when I first made a floor length gown, but I've been keeping an unofficial little fashion sketchbook in 2011. Along the way, a lot of the important people in my life have told me I'm not determined, resilient, or tough enough for such a career. Regardless, In 2013 and 2014, I tried every time to get into the Teen Vogue Fashion University, a weekend long program. It always took a lot of work and a lot of time on my part, but I never did get in. So when last autumn came around, I signed up for a nursing major at UVU instead because I thought perhaps all the naysayers were right and I needed a more sensible career option. But it didn't take me long for me to see my mistake.

Last week, however, I got an email advertising the Fashion U again. I decided I wouldn't apply, but I kept the tab open anyway. Then it was the middle of the night and I knew I had an essay I needed to finish for class, but all I could think of was the Teen Vogue Fashion U and what I wish I was actually doing with my life. So I wrote my little essays, then and there. I edited some more recent photoshoot pictures immediately after. I scanned in some sketches in my tired state and by one in the morning the entire thing was done and submitted and I went on to finish my school essay just before class. It was all so last minute. I did it to soothe my mind, to ensure that I wouldn't regret not having at least tried. I mean I wrote all my things and edited all m picures so ahead of time the other years, why would I even begin to think that something would happen this time?

Except, I was wrong. Friday night came around and I was checking my email, and there it was...  an email from the kind folks at Teen Vogue. Not a newsletter, email, mind you. One that started with CONGRATULATIONS in the subject line and I screamed. I trembled violently, and I frantically texted my closest friends, called my mom and my sister and the whole word spun quicker. At least, it felt like it.

Perhaps you've figured it out by now... I'm going to New York!!!

I'll be going next month! I'll be there in the morning of the 11th, a little early just to have time to catch up with some dear friends and go to the museums that I've dreamt of seeing all these years. I'm also touring FIT because that's my dream school. Then, the fashion U is on the 13th -15th! I'm so excited!! I've even started thinking of what I'm going to wear. It's thrilling and amazing to me, this has been a dream of mine for ages now. Which brings me to my next point.

I started a GoFundMe HERE because this trip is actually way out of my budget and the only reason it's becoming a reality is because my lovely mom decided to help fund it. So my intent with the fundraiser is to make enough that I can pay her back the half that I can't pay. Well it's more than half, but there's no actual goal amount with the fundraiser. I mean I didn't think anyone would donate but as it turns out I have extremely supportive friends, so I mean anything counts. I'm just incredibly grateful, for all of this.
I'm amazed any of this is even happening to me.

Love always,
Ceci

picture credit goes to Jonas Nilsson Lee.

Pretty Little Things // 02

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This week's PLT is a bit heavy on fashion and a little monochromatic, I'll admit. There's a reason for that though and it comes with an announcement, which you'll already know if you follow me on tumblr or facebook and maybe twitter, if you really pay attention... but I won't announce anything here until tomorrow. The point is I've been thinking about my own personal style quite a bit this past weekend and I found that 1) I need a large black back, and this one happens to be perfect because it's reversible and it comes with a wristlet so that's like three times the usefulness in one product. Plus it's surprisingly inexpensive. 2) I really love that soft pink color but I have nothing in that shade, 3) I need new heels, but they need to be timeless and probably black. I'm so picky when it comes to shoes, but more on that next week.

Anyway, the nail polish is made from actual diamonds. Crushed diamonds. I wouldn't have ever known had Taylor not written that in the note. She gave me that, by the way. And I was too scared to waste it so it took me almost three months to finally wear it, because I mean when a seven-time grammy winner / your favorite person in the world gives you nail polish, that's a legitimate concern. The pouch is a favorite of mine. I first saw it on an instagram account and then again recently on tumblr and I just feel like I really need it. I might get it. I love that it originated from a tiny online shop. As for the card, I came across it when I was perusing the greeting card section at Urban Outfitters and I laughed. That's the thing about sassy greeting cards. THEY ARE MAGIC.

Anyway, did you have a good weekend? Have a happy monday!