Sea of Sunflowers

A familiar sight this time of year, it's hard not to be drawn to the sunflowers. A local farm plants these every year. To the best of my knowledge, they do not cut them and sell them, they don't charge for entry, they don't advertise, and there is no where to park other than the side of the road; but those who know it's there show up year after year to take photos.

After snapping away in the field, beads of sweat dripping off my face, bees buzzing may be a bit too close for comfort, it was off to a local vineyard, where the remainder of the afternoon could be spent with a bottle of wine and a cheese plate. While I'm sad to have missed so many social events this summer, at least sitting outside with a companion or two was still possible. While I may never miss the feeling of my makeup sliding off my face in the heat, I suppose it's a fair exchange for the luxury of getting to spend the day out of doors.

         
The Rundown
Gingham Maxi Dress Old Navy similar
Caned Leather Tote Anthropologie
Espadrilles Soludos
Straw Fringed Hat Romwe

Monica Hoop Earrings S.V. Decker

Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry

Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M similar

Nail Color "Pre-Show Jitters" Essie

 

Watching Street Lights Glow

Taking these photos was almost like a meditation. Just me and the camera, the setting sun, the cherry blossoms. A few people would pass by, but they would either distance themselves from me, or I them. I took my time, framing my shots, changing angles, doing my best to capture the glowing light and the magic of pink flowers.

This is an old, familiar spot. Some years I come nearly every day for photos while the trees are in bloom, and others, like this one, just once. One year stands out in my mind for a few reasons; I loved my outfit, the photos were taken in the evening after the street lamps came on, and the trees were blooming before my birthday. This is the first time since 2012 these trees were in full bloom before April 12th, so I felt compelled to come take these photos as the sun was setting.

Thinking back to 2012, that was a year I took some significant steps forward in my life, small, but positive changes. Clearly 2020 is going to be a year of changes, and I hope in the not too distant future I'll be able to look back and see lots of positive ones amidst the tumultuous ones.

       

The Rundown
Fringe Cardigan Anthropologie similar
Cowl Neck Camisole Mango
 Easy Straight Jeans Ann Taylor
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry 
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Polish "Cold Brew Crew" Essie

Spring's Arrival

The calendar has officially marked the start of Spring, so there is now only waiting for the actual weather to reflect it, and dressing without a necessary additional layer in the time being.

Since I've been home I've been feeling the need to do a big closet clean out. I've been trying really hard not to shop this year, and with the exception of a pair of pajamas, I haven't purchased any clothes or accessories this calendar year (you already know about the shopping I snuck in during the dwindling hours of 2018).

Of course through some brand collaborations, new things have arrived all the same, and I'm trying to reconcile my closet so that it is no long in a state of chaos; and I don't have to buy more hangers. I know that has been my mantra for quite sometime, but clothing being perpetually camped out on a chair isn't much better of a solution.

I've tried listing things on eBay, mostly as a way of assuaging my guilt when it comes to things I've barely, or maybe even never worn. Though for the amount of effort it takes to list things, to only sell at a fraction of the price I paid and even less than I'd hoped to get, I'm not sure it's worth it. I might just send a box to ThredUP, knowing full well I'll get pennies for every piece, but it might be better than nothing.

Are you planning on any spring cleaning this year? Or did you start in January with the rest of the Marie Kondo obsessed crowd?

       

The Rundown
Rima Fringed Cardigan Anthropologie similar
 Blush Button Down Blouse Joie via swap.com
Distressed Jeggings Gap
Blush Booties Old Navy
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marleylilly
Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

 Linking up with Style on the Daily

Wind Blown

I tried to be smart (ish) packer for this California trip, choosing lots of similar colors, trying to be minimalist about shoes and bags, only bringing one hat, and avoiding pieces that I'd likely wear just once, or at the very least convincing myself that I might style a floral maxi dress twice in a two month span.

I also didn't plan too many specific outfits, deciding that things would just come together naturally, however, this is one of the outfits I'd had in my mind since December. And I choose the wrong day to wear it.

On Saturday we planned to visit the Getty Museum, and with visions of grand white marble steps floating through my head, I decided to wear this outfit, and things went downhill (or uphill, whichever you prefer) from there. First it was overcast and rainy, then the sun came out, but the wind picked up; temperatures stayed stubbornly low, and we learned that when the weather is poor, the only thing to do in Los Angeles is go to the museums, so an abundance of museum goers made photos challenging.

These are not the photos I'd imagined, but they are the photos which encapsulate my chilly, wind blown, day at the Getty Museum, and perhaps now I'll feel more compelled to style this dress again sooner than later.

     

The Rundown
Floral Shirtdress H&M
Rima Fringed Cardigan Anthropologie similar
Nude Mules Target similar
Waist Bag "Wendy" Rebecca Minkoff
Wide Brim Fedora Goorin Bros. via ebay similar
Circle Earrings c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Rhombus Charm Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

 Linking up with Style on the Daily

Trying Not to Shop

If there is one thing there is no shortage of in Los Angeles, it's places to shop. There is temptation around every corner, and unlike the shopping malls in Connecticut, everything here is open to the outdoors, at this spot there were fire pits with rocking chairs, and a fun wall to use as my backdrop for outfit photos.

As inviting as it was, I'm trying very hard to not shop much this year. I know I have too much. Trying to pack for this trip was a pretty good reality check. Finding things with tags still on from months ago, realizing I probably own 50 pounds of jeans alone, struggling to get my suitcase under weight (it ended up being three pounds over and by some grace they let me go without having to pay extra) and contemplating if three leather jackets would be too many. (I ended up with one, but haven't worn it yet since it's been raining so much).

All this to say, I can't keep up my usual shopping habits, especially as long as I'm in L.A., because I'm going to eventually have to get it all home again.

        

The Rundown
Wrap Bodysuit Zara similar
Rima Fringed Cardigan Anthropologie similar
High Rise Button Fly Jeans Gap
Leopard Loafers Franco Sarto via TJMaxx similar
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marleylilly
Wide Brim Fedora Goorin Bros. via ebay similar
Gold Plated Disc Necklace Matteo via TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
 Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class

Linking up with Style on the Daily

Fringe Benefits

I keep striving to bring more positivity into my life.

Love at first sight, is how I would describe most of the pieces I'm wearing here. The tassel tee was an impulse purchase last summer, I spotted it in the window of one of the numerous H&Ms I walked past in California. I saw the fringe cardigan on Little Blonde Book, and even though it was sold out at the time, there was eBay... which brings me to the hat, which I saw in the store and fell in love with, but had my reservations when it came to the price tag. Happily I was able to find it on eBay as well for a steal!

The shoes I've had forever, and wouldn't you know it, now mules are trending again. Though, were they even trending when I bought them? I can't remember.

          

The Rundown
Tassel Tee H&M similar
Rima Fringed Cardigan Anthropologie similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Perforated Mules Me Too via TJMaxx similar
Fringe Bucket Bag Margot via TJMaxx similar
Wide Brim Fedora Goorin Bros. via ebay
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday