My Visit to Modcloth IRL

Monday, May 16, 2016

Top: Thrifted
Skirt: Minnie's Menagerie (Vintage)
Belt: Thrifted
Purse: Thrifted (Vintage)
Necklace: Vintage
Shoes: Modcloth (Salt Water Sandals) 
**Pictures by my sister Taylor**

Where do I even begin, because visiting Modcloth IRL in Austin this past weekend was a total DREAM!!!! As a HUGE Modcloth fan, when I found out that they were coming to Austin I was beyond thrilled and decided right away that I would most definitely have to take a trip down to the bustling city and visit the shop. 

I have to say that first, simply driving by the store front and seeing the sign that said "MODCLOTH" and noticing all of the colorful pieces in the window displays made me giddy with excitement! Not only was it exciting to visit the Modcloth IRL as a Modcloth fan, but visiting it as a blogger was such fun......it was like stepping into a vintage style bloggers paradise :) I loved seeing all of the prints and colors and being able to actually touch pieces that I have only ever seen online. Now, the "Fit Shop" does not have everything that you would typically find online at Modcloth. For the most part the main pieces in the shop were those which were the actual Modcloth Label. Therefore, in choosing predominately the Modcloth label pieces they provided shoppers with a small collection of pieces that were very classic in their silhouettes and unique in their prints. 

I loved their method for shopping. You picked up a small clipboard when you walked in and whenever you found a piece that you liked and wanted to try on, you would write down the name, product number and size. Then when you were finished shopping you would give your list to a Mod Stylist (all of whom were lovely people with the most fabulous style) and they would pull all the pieces for you and place you in a dressing room to try on clothes till your hearts content! 

I think my favorite part about visiting Modcloth IRL was yes, being able to touch and feel the fabrics and quality of all the garments, but it was also great to try on pieces that I have seen online and wondered what sizes would work for me. I tried on three lovely skirts and chose to purchase the most eccentric printed skirt (coming to the blog this summer) because it was Modcloth and you might as well get something "one of a kind" (at least that was my reasoning)! I was also able to try on their vintage polka dot one piece swimsuit which I have swooned over and wanted for years. While I did not purchase it this past weekend, it truly fit like a dream and if I ever do decide to order it online I will know the perfect size to order. 

I CANNOT WAIT to share with all of you the darling and adorable and eccentric and one of a kind FABULOUS skirt I bought from Modcloth!!! It is truly the BEST SKIRT EVER and also slightly of an oxymoron in regards to me when you see the print......LOL! Therefore, as soon as summer rolls around and I am able to find a body of water or beach to take pictures at the skirt will make its debut on the blog (so get ready and stay tuned)! 

Make sure to check out the Modcloth IRL tour schedule to see where they are going next!! 


Have you ever bought anything from Modcloth?
Do you ever bought something "one of a kind" or accentric because of the brand & memories?
Have you checked out the Modcloth Label styles?

-Madison





All The Wild Flowers

Friday, May 13, 2016


Dress: Thrifted (vintage)
Shoes: Old Navy (Last fall)

These pictures were from a photo shoot my sister and I did a month or so ago. Ever since I was a little girl I have always been one to pick every wild flower in site and arrange them into a bouquet. There is something so special, magical, and simple about wildflowers which pop up in unknown places for our own enjoyment and marveling. 

I especially LOVE the little daisy like flowers called "Asters"! They might not smell that great and might have the daintiest and most delicate feather like petals but they look like baby daisies and as many of you know daisies are my favorite!

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To be honesty, I am sitting at my computer right now still wearing my pajamas without having touched my hair since brushing it this morning and putting it in a pony tail, and truly I am not really feeling motivated to take the effort to look cute today (not that I am even going anywhere)......there's some transparency for you! Honestly though, you would think that after arriving home from college on Sunday I would have been productive this week and gotten a jump start on all of the many blog posts I have mulling around in my head.....however, my life has been quiet uneventful! 

I spent nearly three days assembling, sanding, and painting a bookshelf for my room which was dreadfully needed for my MANY books that were overtaking my small room! Apart from that, I then had to completely reorganize my room/closet after putting in the bookshelf and today am tackling the GREAT task of finally unpacking and hanging up all of the clothes I had with me at college......I am in serious need of downsizing my wardrobe (but there are sooooo many unique pieces I can't seem to part with...ugh). 

I am hoping that next week I will actually be able to tackle the important tasks on my "To Do" list that desperately need to get done and hoping that I will work in a summer blogging schedule (I have a FABULOUS photo shoot idea in my head!). Nonetheless, all those many "To Do" things will have to wait until Monday as I am going out of town this weekend and am over the moon about the day trip I am making with one of my best friends on Saturday (tomorrow)!!! Where are we going that I am sooooooooooo EXCITED about????? We are going to the Modcloth IRL in Austin Texas and I couldn't be more excited about it. Thus, since visiting/shopping at Modcloth IRL is just around the corner that means I need an ensemble to wear tomorrow....ahhhhh....so many options!!! 

Apparently you can tell I am pretty excited! Modcloth is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE brands and when I heard they were coming to Austin this summer (till May 30th) I knew I had to take a trip and visit considering Austin is only 2.5 hours from where I live and less than an hour from my parents home town (which is our main destination this weekend). 

I will definitely be sure to document the day with pictures and share them on the blog next week so keep a lookout for them! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday and has fabulously fun plans for the weekend!!

Did you know about Modcloth IRL? 
Do you like picking wild flowers? 

-Madison

//Casual & Comfy// Fight The New Drug

Saturday, May 7, 2016


Jeans: Thrifted (Levi's)
Shirt: Fight The New Drug
Flannel: Old Navy 
Shoes: Converse 
**Pictures by me**

Happy Saturday afternoon! I am at it again with a new Casual & Comfy post featuring this super BOLD shirt from Fight The New Drug. I have to be honest in saying that the message of this shirt is one of the boldest things I have worn, but the message of the movement is necessary! If you have never heard of this organization they work to raise awareness about the harmful affects of pornography that bombard our society. Rather than simply looking at the issue from a social, religious, or political standpoint their focus is presenting porn as a harmful public health issue. 

In a world whose morals are daily crumbling and where healthy relationships and love are sacrificed for physical relationships and desires the issue of pornography is a daily battle. The affects of pornography not only ruin relationships, lifestyles, and Love but it significantly affects the Brain....there is an entire science behind it and that is what Fight The New Drug is all about! Not only does pornography lead to issues in ones own life and health but it is often directly linked to sex trafficking and exploitation (which is a topic I am passionate about). Therefore the people behind Fight The New Drug travel around the country repping the movement and sharing the science behind pornographys harmful affects. 

 To learn more about Fight The New Drug and the harmful affects of porn visit there site HERE.

This post was not sponsored by Fight The New Drug. All views are my own and I received no reimbursement. 

Have you ever heard about Fight The New Drug movement? 
Do you think this is a health issue in our society?

-Madison

End Of Semester Recap

Friday, May 6, 2016


I thought I would take a post and share with you all a recap of my spring 2016 semester. I know there are a number of you who are in college as well as a number of you who are not in college, so wherever you are in life right now I hope this is slightly intriguing if not maybe even inspiring in relation to your life. 

This semester has honestly been the most intriguing of my three semesters (not including last summer) at college so far. While this semester was just like every other in many respects it differed quite drastically in one area and that was having a job at school. Last semester I applied and got a Resident Adviser position at college which basically means I live in a house/residence hall and have 28 residents whom I am in charge of making sure they follow the rules and be there if they need anything. To be honest living in a small house which only has 28 girls is different compared to others, although it is a whole other ballgame in itself due to it being a sorority house. However, being an RA means that I not only interact with the residents in my house every day, but I also have an entire staff team that I work along side. 

I have never been one to get to know new people. I never really felt a need to make new friends or get to know others around me in a new place because I was content being on my own (as are most introverts). However, this semester I have been challenged to step outside of my comfort zone and get to know new people (particularly those on my staff team) and talk to them on a daily basis. Quite honestly a year ago I don't think I would have seen myself being able to do something like this, but sometimes I can surprise myself at my ability to become a different person for 30 minutes or more as I become the person to start conversations, keep them going, and try to get to know someone or make them feel welcome! Maybe it is that I have always been the quiet person who people never really talk to, or never seem to be able to start conversations around, and therefore I have become quite skilled at starting and keeping conversations going which is very rewarding. 

While I might never have seem myself as a resident Adviser a year ago or an RA in a sorority house at that, I know that it was God's humorous way of placing me in a situation where I was forced to step outside of my comfort zone and grow in different areas. Even more so, I know that God placed me where he did to be a light and example to others even if I am not aware of the impact I have. 

However, I think the funniest part of my job (I still laugh when I think about it) is knowing that my boss thinks I am someone who likes to talk to new people and get to know them.......which is TOTALLY not me what so ever, but apparently I have done a good job of getting out of my shell enough when carrying out my duties and appear to be somewhat of a outgoing people person! So hurray for challenging myself to the ultimate brink and so far succeeding! 


Apart from life lived up at school and working a job on top of everything else, my classes this year were interesting. Well...interesting in the since that most of them were very enjoyable and in the case of my Biology class it was quite a God ordained experience to be in the class I was placed! Going into my Biology class this semester I would never have foreseen that at the end I would write up a long letter to my teacher about my faith and sharing with her the truth that I know.....but I did!! Trust me, I am not in the habit of writing my professors letters but this particular professor intrigued me with her passion for science and teaching and after finding out that she was an athiest God directed my heart to write her a letter. Writing my professor was one of those moments of just doing what I feel God had lead me towards without stopping to think about it lest I freak myself out and overthink!

Quite honestly, this entire semester has been full of moments where I was forced to jump off cliffs and trust that God would be there to catch me! This semester has opened my eyes in more ways than I can count and has shown me that I truly do have the courage, strength, and determination to do things I never saw myself doing and that is all because of God's presence in my life!

School/homework wise this semester was probably my easiest so far, but that might have also been because the main classes I had the most homework for were project oriented or writing driven which I enjoy. I took my first education class which was very exciting as well as an interior design class which was quite intriguing. My schedule was set in stone like most semesters and for the most part full, but now I know what its like to say "Oh, sorry I can't, I am on duty" #residentadvisorproblems! And contrary to popular belief and my mothers complete shock I somehow am able to stay up to date with multiple TV shows (probably because I have to stay up till 12am/1am for rounds) throughout the month/semester! Especially when my college bestie and I have a set in stone Agents of Shield new episode watching every Wednesday night after Bible Study (we LOVE that show way to much #Fitzsimmons). I have also developed a pretty good routine when it comes to blogging as I try to get at least 1-2 photo shoots done on the weekend and have photos backlogged when things get busy (lets hope I can keep that up).

All in all the semester was great even when there were stressful weekends, late nights, difficult situations to deal with and strangers to talk to, but it is always in the difficult situations of life, or trudging up the hills that you must climb, that you realize just what you are made of!

I hope that for those of you in college your semester went well and if you are about to start your finals best of luck...you got this!

In closing My Nuggets of Wisdom:
1) Coffee is life......seriously!
2) Don't be afraid to challenge yourself because you will be surprised at what you can handle.
3) Always smile at everyone you come into contact with.
4) When life gets crazy stop and enjoy the little things, like flowers and birds singing.
6) If you live near a donut shop, get donuts on the weekends (preferably chocolate and sprinkles)
5) Don't be ashamed to eat an entire pint of ice cream by yourself....we all do it! :)

Now I am off to pack up all of my "stuff" which could take all day so I will probably be playing/watching That Girl in the background or maybe finishing the last season of Gilmore Girls (decisions....decisions) or possibly even dancing around to music.

 Have you ever been in situations that you had to step outside of your comfort zone? 
Was your semester crazy? 

 -Madison

When All Feels Right

Tuesday, May 3, 2016


Shirt: Me Made (1940's pattern)
Sweater: Thrifted
Skirt: Minnie's Menagerie Vintage
Shoes: Thrifted
Scarf: Vintage
Bag: Target
Necklace: Icings 
Lipstick: Rimmel London Katie 01
**Pictures by me**

If I am being honest there are days where I feel completely uninspired and unmotivated to put together a vintage ensemble. Quite honestly the past couple of months I feel have been void of true vintage fashion and only sprinkled here and there with ensembles that only look somewhat vintage inspired. Maybe it's that I have classes every day and therefore always want to wear something nice and maybe the constant need to create the perfect look has become a chore and left me void of inspiration and looking like I stepped out of a different decade? 

Maybe it's also that I became so focused on not standing out so drastically (vintage wise) when it came to my wardrobe, but then again when had that ever stopped me in the past? I was feeling lost when it came to vintage fashion and thankfully this past Saturday I was renewed with my love for what vintage fashion truly means to me! Even if I only wore this ensemble for 30 minutes as I ventured across campus to take pictures (I was planning on running errands in this but my car wouldn't start) it was completely worth it! As odd as it may seem, the simple task of putting pieces together for this look gave me a renewed energy for incorporating vintage back into my wardrobe. It was an ensemble that gave the the courage again to be BOLD and be fully vintage and not worry about what others might think of me, but simply enjoy stepping back in time:) When I think about what vintage fashion means to me.....this look seems to encompass it all and make everything feel right! 

Being someone who wears vintage isn't always easy for me at times! I know that seems weird, but I guess its because I always feel like the "only one" who loves to dress this way. None of my close friends have the same fashion style as me and I have yet to meet any people or bloggers in my area that have the same love of vintage fashion. That is why blogging is such a big part of my life! It connects me with all of you wonderful and lovely people who are just like me in many respects and therefore when it comes to fashion I know I will always have a place to belong because of Minnie Muse! 

After looking over these photos again and loving all the pieces that were part of this ensemble it makes me excited for Summer break (6 more days)! For me, summer break is a time for adventures, antique shopping, picnics, trips to the beach and so much more. Therefore, I am rejuvenated with a desire to be ALL vintage and re-embrace the olden days once again! I also can't wait to have my entire closet to choose from (as I only have part of it up at college with me). Here's to hoping the next few months will bring more vintage ensembles to the blog! 

Do you ever feel void of vintage/fashion inspiration?
What ensembles make you happy?

P.S. This months InStyle magazine has some great style inspiration as well as some great articles including one on Chris Evans for any of you Captain America fans!!

-Madison

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