Fashion Frenzy

Fashion Frenzy

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Skirt: Modcloth (old)

Shirt: Thrifted (Tablots)

Shoes: Modcloth 

Hat: Target

Sunglasses: c/o Gamiss

Beach trips are a major part of our summer in my family. I personally love to sit on the beach and listen to the waves crash along the shore while reading a good book, walk along the shoreline looking for shells, meander along docks or decks, and venture out onto the jettis' that jut out into the water.

With beaches being such a big part of my summer holidays its no wonder that a sea life inspired skirt from Modcloth is one of my favorite summer pieces. However, this skirt isn't just any ordinary print, it is a frenzy of sharks and the back story behind this skirt purchase is still quite comical to this day.

I'm so glad I decided to pack this outfit for one of our first beach trips this summer because it was the perfect thing to walk along the dock and jetti in. Since the print on this skirt is a navy background with watercolor sharks I decided to pair this lavender sweater tank with it to pull out the pastel colors. And as is with any beach trip this pale girl never goes anywhere without a hat and a pair of sunglasses so this boater I picked up for the summer was the perfect thing to keep me shaded from the sun and these fun modern cat eye sunglasses were the perfect pop of pink!

No matter where I go I am always dressing for the scenery around me, so if I am going to the beach you can bet something nautical or ocean inspired is coming with me!

-Madison

Gingham on The Porch

Gingham on The Porch

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Skirt: The Skirtery 

Top: Made By Me

Shoes: Marshall's (Steve Madden)

Purse: Thrifted 

Headband: Old

Book: Somerset

This post might quickly become one of my favorite posts of ALL TIME because it brings all of my southern gingham dreams to life:) Recently I have been so inspired by all of the southern bloggers that I follow and their fabulous styles have been killer this season! Because of that I knew that with this southern inspired ensemble I had to visit a place that reminded me of the south, so I went back to the porch of the house in this post which was perfection. 

I don't know about you, but gingham is almost a neutral in my closet this season. Every time I don't know what to wear I always seem to reach for this skirt (available in my Etsy shop), and honestly it is probably the most styled piece on the blog (see it here, here, and here). This particular look is not exception since I now love this skirt even more after making this crop style blouse to pair with it, which really gives it a completely different look.  

I had some extra gingham fabric lying around and I decided to mix up my design by using two different sizes of gingham to create this retro, ruffle embellished top. This is actually the first time I have made a halter style top, and at first I was a bit unsure of how I would like it (and if it would be modest enough for me), but I am thrilled with how it turned out and the buttons up back are definitely my favorite part. 

Even though I might not be the most "southern" person or live in the most "southern" town, the culture, heritage, and history of the south have always inspired and intrigued me. Whether it is the styles, the traditions, food, or the houses I am all about what the south has to offer. One of my favorite things to do actually, is to visit old historic plantations whenever I travel. I can't tell you how many lovely southern plantations I have visited and I fall in love with the story and style of each one. Because of that, the book I am reading right now (Somerset) highly intrigued me because it is set in the 1800's before the Civil war, but during the Underground Railroad and deals with western expansion and Texas history which I am all about! Definitely the perfect summer read and might have even inspired this look and shoot a bit ;)

Anyone else obsessed with Gingham this season?

Are you a fan of southern history like me?

-Madison

Give Me All The Watermelon

Give Me All The Watermelon

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Skirt: Hannah Everly (sold out)

Shirt: Thrifted (Anne Taylor)

Shoes: Target

Purse: ebay

When summer rolls around all I want to do is eat watermelon (or any other summer associated treats), so when Hannah launched her spring skirt line I knew I just HAD TO HAVE this fabulous watermelon skirt! I have always been a fan of Hannah's skirts (see here, and here) and knew it was time to add another to my closet. 

Watermelon is the perfect novelty print for summer because what truly says summer more than watermelon? We cut it up and eat it at BBQs, we ice cakes to look like them, we cover our tables in watermelon printed table cloths, and babies run around in watermelon bathing suits.......I would almost say watermelon is an american summer emblem:) In our house we are huge fans of watermelon and always eat it in the summer or create new "watermelon" treats like homemade watermelon lemonade slushies (talk about delicious)! 

Regardless of whether or not you like watermelon, I can't get enough of it in my closet:) After I ordered this skirt I knew that I would be sharing it on the blog and immediately went to find a watermelon purse online to pair with it, and this little number that I found on ebay is the cutest summer accessory ever! As per Hannah Everly fashion I decided to mix a striped top with my skirt for a fun outfit combo and paired it with my white ked style sneakers from Target. And you can't really see it in these pictures but I am even wearing watermelon earrings...LOL

I might be a bit obsessed with this fruit......WARNING.....you might even see more of it on the blog this summer!

Are you a fan of watermelon?

-Madison

The Smell of Old Books

The Smell of Old Books

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Blouse: Thrifted (Express)

Sweater: Thrifted (Merona)

Skirt: c/o StyleWe

Shoes: Target (old) 

Broach: Vintage

(Photos by Kenny @blindvisualsmedia)

Have you ever walked into an old library or book store and been greeted by the aroma of books? I remember a friend once telling me that she loved the smell of books and would open them up to inhale their aroma before buying one. I don't think I am that obsessed with the smell of books, but I will admit that they have an aura about them that is all their own......one that smells of history and aged wisdom.  

Books are such precious things because they bind stories together, teach us of the past, take us on adventure, introduce us to new people, and teach us lessons we might never learn in real life. I might not be as much of a book worm as I would like to be, but I do appreciate books a GREAT deal and always make it a mission of mine to find the oldest book wherever I am (I even own a few hundred year old books). It just so happens that our library at college houses a number of old books, and they always seem like such treasures when I run my fingers over their spines and open their covers to find their publish date. I've never once gone to the library to study, but I have gone there to wander through the vast array of isles and read the many titles that sit amongst the shelves. 

A couple of weeks ago I was finally able to make my dreams of taking pictures in a library come true when I met up with a fellow RA & photographer to snap a few pictures amongst the books. I thought that a library was the perfect setting to wear this Scottish plaid skirt from StyleWe that I absolutely LOVE! I actually call this ensemble my teacher look (I wore it the first day of Methods this semester) because it combines a scholarly plaid with a classic button up and navy cardigan.....tell me that's not a teacher look! But a teacher also fits perfectly into a library:) 

This skirt is literally the most AMAZING skirt I have ever owned because it's quality is incredible and its cut is impeccable. If there were a skirt that fit me like a gem and that was so perfectly made for me, this would be it! While I usually wear this skirt in the winter and fall I decided it needed one last hurrah before the warmer months, and so it took a visit to the library. 

Do you like the smell of old books?

Are you a library person?

-Madison