I doubt I'm alone in feeling a bit baffled as to how we've reached August already, in addition to the fact that I'm at a two month delay in sharing this dress. I wore it to a baby shower in June and never got a chance to photograph it that day. Always a sucker for pieces that are somewhat whimsical, and pieces that are half off clearance, I snagged this dress and couldn't let it go, even if the monochrome version of it may have been the more sensible choice.
I'm also pleased to report that this dress lived up to its name; while I was taking these photos I overheard a girl say to to her friend, "That girl's dress looks like that paper candy." Indeed it does.
The Rundown Pom Pom Candy Dot Dress Lou & Grey similar Rust Mules Madewell similar Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar Scalloped EarringsBauble Bar Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
The Rose Garden at Elizabeth Park in Hartford has been around since 1904, and yet last week was the first time I ever visited. The stunning grounds, perfectly and symmetrically manicured are accentuated by eight paths lined with rose covered arches leading to a vine covered gazebo in the center. The park is free to visit, free to park at, and there is even a cute cafe called the Pond House you can visit. (Incidentally a few years ago I attended a baby shower at the Pond House and had no idea the rose garden was just beyond it!)
While the roses are said to peak in late June, even by mid July they were still just as beautiful, and as I saw photos cropping up on my Instagram feed, I knew I did not want to miss out visiting the garden this year. I decided to reach out to Courtney and we settled on a weeknight in the hopes that the park might be less crowded. Of course it was still bustling with photographers; engagement shoots, maternity shoots, senior portraits - everyone was taking advantage of the gorgeous evening light.
When Courtney arrived I was excited to see her husband Matthew had come with his drone and we got some really fun aerial photos as well! I love that while no discussion of what we'd be wearing had been had, Courtney and I both showed up in our sundresses with straw hats.
I'm so delighted with how these photos came out, and if you are in the area, a trip to the rose garden is well worth it, even simply to take in the beauty of it.
The Rundown Polka Dot DressJ.Crew White Slides Ferragamo via Coco'ssimilar Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage Straw Hat Kate Spade similar Pearl Earrings Maris Pearl Co. Pearl Anchor Bracelet Made by Me similar Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry Nail Color"Canyon"Ten Over Ten
When I buy clothes that I know full well need alterations, often they will sit in my closet for months, or even years before I get around to doing them. There once was a time when my sewing machine was a permanent fixture in the room, and I prided myself on stitching together my own creations. But I was always afraid. Afraid of messing up, of ruining the piece. To force myself to move forward, I'd just rationalize that I could always go back to Joann Fabrics and buy more material and start again. Yet, that self doubt always caused me to dislike my creations. I have almost nothing left in my closet that I made myself.
When I know a dress needs a simple hem, it intimidates me. This dress was nearly maxi length on me, and deciding to chop off six inches made me fearful. The slippery silk refused to be cut in a straight, clean line, and once again I wanted to just give up and let the dress sit unfinished.
I had plans to meet up with five other bloggers last Friday, and I wanted my polka dot dress to be a reality, so I forced myself to finish. I know the hem isn't perfect. The stitches are crooked in some places, a tiny pucker here and there, a raw edge inside by the buttons. It isn't perfect, but it's done. Sometimes done is better than good.
The Rundown Polka Dot Shirt DressKate Hill via ebay similar Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70"Shoes of Prey Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage Versailles EarringsJulie Vossimilar Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Nail Color"Caviar Bar" Essie
I think sometimes the best bonus of the three day weekend is how we are now that much closer to the weekend ahead. I also realize how much I miss the luxury of working part time and having three day weekends every week. Good times.
These photos barely made it to the blog. We were in a rush and the sun and wind were not being agreeable to the time constraints and instead chose to make things as difficult as possible by continually blowing my hair in my face, and switching from bright sunlight to overcast minute to minute. Let's not discount the brilliance of heels on crushed stone either.
Nonetheless, I was quite pleased with my layering of blue and white with more blue and white and how perfectly preppy I was dressed for brunch at the Griswold Inn in Essex. One thing I failed to notice before I cut the tags off this tote was the bottom two inches are a different color. Actually I didn't notice until I started editing these photos, as when looking at the bag up close, the variant is undetectable, however at a slight distance, there it is. I wonder if TJMaxx will still take it back, because now that I see it, it's going to drive me crazy.
The Rundown Polka Dot Shirt Dress Old Navy similar Contrast Trim Cardigan Banana Republic via Swap similar Toe Cap Heels Me Too via TJMaxx similar Straw Tote MemarviaTJMaxx Vintage Silk Scarf Thrifted similar Pearl Necklace The Cavernous Jewelry box similar Pearl Anchor Bracelet Made by Me similar Knot Ring c/o Emitations similar
I recently spent way to much time looking through the archives of my blog. Eight years is a lot of outfits, some wonderful, some a bit less so. I kind of miss the days when I'd just run out to my driveway and snap photos with the tripod. Now I feel like I want my photos to be more reflective of life whenever possible, which means carrying the camera and often getting a somewhat reluctant photographer to stop what we are doing for the sake of photos. I hate it when outfit photos feel like a burden. There is something to be said for my tripod days.
I also happened to remember this polka dot blouse, which I don't think I've worn since 2012, and if I were anyone else, it would have been long gone, but I'm terrible with the follow through of dontaing items that end up in my donate pile, so I went to my parents house, dug around a bit, and sure enough, there was the blouse. Ready for round two.
The Rundown Polka Dot Blouse Gap similar Flared Denim Gap similar Trench Coat London Fog thrifted similar Studded Booties Guess via TJMaxx similar Bag"Alexa"Danielle Nicole Pearl Earrings Gift similar Gold Choker Mark similar Gold Circle Ring Thrifted Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
