Sun Hats

I love summer. I love swimming, lemonade, fresh fruit, and sun hats. I didn't always enjoy dressing for it, but now I wait all year for the easy days of my pulling out my Anthropologie sun dresses not agonizing over matching shoes, tights, cardigans, or coats. Don't get me wrong, the challenge is fun too, but a few weeks without it is a welcome break.

This is actually my first true summer vacation in many years. I can't remember life without a full time job, a summer job, or summer reading lists. Unemployment is scary, and will soon get boring I'm sure, but right now, the ease of it is refreshing.

Ah, this dress... I forgive your unflattering pleats on my stomach for your beautiful colours and fantastic print.

Sun Hats;
Dress: Anthropologie Wisteria Halter Dress
Shoes: Anthropologie Dearie Me Wedges
Accessories: Urban Outfitters braided sun hat
Accessorize rose necklace
Bow clutch from local boutique
Betsey Johnson floral sunglasses

Reviews; Bright Bandana Dress, Sugared Dress, and Flower Stand Dress

I actually remembered to grab my phone while trying on some dresses in Anthropologie today! Anthro has been a little off my radar the last few months. I've been busy, and they've been a bit off. Feeling a bit lighter, I decided to stop in and ended up trying three cute dresses.

Bright Bandana Dress, $158

I saw this in the window of my local store and it grabbed me instantly. I didn't notice it online, but I loved the colour in person. I took my normal size 10. This dress wins a point for me for not having a plastic hidden zipper. I hate those with the passion of a thousand exploding suns. They are always delicate, and lately Anthro has had especially flimsy ones. I love the sweetheart neckline of this frock as it's flattering on my larger bust. The material is a very light and summer appropriate cotton (machine washable, no less!). I don't love the apron style pockets, but they blend in alright if I leave them empty. I'm definitely hoping to pick this dress up, but I'm holding out for a sale.

Sugared Dress, $198

I was really hoping this piece would be my birthday dress this year. In person, the pink notes of the print were even more noticeable. I loved that. I was disappointed once I had this on in my normal size 10, however. Remember my hatred for hidden plastic zippers? This one was so delicate that I was afraid to zip it up. The bust felt big and slightly loose, but I just didn't trust it not to break. I had flashbacks to the Sing Sweetly Dress which broke on me in even a huge sizes. Talk about disheartening! The dress is flattering to an hourglass figure, which is great and all too rare. Those with smaller busts might need to size down for the large top. For the price and that zipper though, this is a pass until sale time. Sad.
See it again on Kim from Anthroholic.

Flower Stand Dress, $228

Okay, so I'm going to be the first to admit this dress is not the most flattering on me. It doesn't work on my longer torso, so it can't show off my small waist to the best extent. I also don't really care. I was so ready to walk out with the Flower Stand Dress, or even wear it out of the store, until I saw the price tag. Ouch. I will try and wait for sale, but I can't wait to wear this in the hot weather. The skirt, despite have some pouf, feels so light. I love the stripes and the colours, and I love that it comes with straps. The other sad point, besides the price, is this is another hidden, plastic zipper. This one felt a little less flimsy than the Sugared Dress, but I would have preferred it a) in the back of the dress and 2) to be metal. Still I love this thing, and I will be dreaming of it until I can afford it.

If you have any questions about these reviews, feel free to ask away. If you've reviewed these dresses as well, I'd love to link back to you so let me know!

Lost in my garden

I've spent the last two months wandering. I've been fighting with my employer to, strangely enough, let me go, and let me leave with what I think I'm owed. They've been less than cooperative and it has been exhausting. I'm hopefully at the end of the fight now but I'm left with a new task - what do I actually want to do? My old job had been something I fortunately fell into, making my way through undergrad. Before this moment, I've never stopped to actually think about this question. I have pie-in-the-sky dreams of course, but nothing grounded in reality. I expect this summer I'll have a lot more wandering through gardens to do...

Lost in the garden;
Dress: Anthropologie Beda Shirtdress in white
Bag: Urban Outfitters BDG Primary Satchel
Shoes: Steve Madden lea oxfords (old and trusted favourites)
Accessories: Urban Outfitters leather belt
Anthropologie Meadowlark cameo necklace
Urban Outfitters floral metal hairband
Ruffian for Anthropologie floral lace tights

This dress is a challenge to wear. The preppy cut and collar is a bit outside of how I normally style myself. I have trouble thinking the bright white and stiff collar go with much of anything. Bright red maybe, but outside of fresh strawberries, that is a colour I avoid. It sounds silly, but it's an accurate piece for my relationship to my old job. I put on this dress and feel comfortable, but I never feel quite like myself.

Courtesy of my backyard.