The Unflattering Outtakes

Wednesday, March 15, 2017


Who ever said that it only takes a few shots to get a good picture was completely WRONG! If you have ever look at my blog, or Instagram and think "Man, she sure knows how to take great pictures," I am here to tell you that even though my feed might seem perfect and curated and my posts have "seemingly" flawless pictures that's NOT THE REALITY OF MY LIFE!! 

Amidst the perfectly posed pictures, smiles, and walking shots there are just as many (if not more) unflattering outtakes in which I am to slow for the self timer, have my face captured mid blink, for some reason just stare at the camera as if I want to murder it, people walk into the frame and I make a "do you not understand I am taking a picture" face, the wind blows hair in my mouth, face, and eyes, and well.......you get the "picture," that while my blog might seem perfect there are a host of unflattering pictures and imperfections that go along with it. 

I have noticed a trend on Instagram recently where bloggers share outtakes and bloopers on their stories to prove that they really aren't perfect as bloggers and I LOVE IT! I think for us a lot of the time people always assume that we know what we are doing and that we have it down to an art, but the truth of the matter is that ALL OF US are still figuring it out as we go, just like life! Life is a learning process with mistakes, outtakes, and bloopers and blogging is the exact same way! So next time you look at my posts or Instagram and think I have it all together just remember I have tripped running to get into the frame before the camera went off, the wind is not my best friend, and most of the pictures I take get deleted! 

-Madison

Links a la Mode, March 9

Sunday, March 12, 2017
I've been featured on the Independent Fashion Bloggers' Links a la Mode for this week! My post about being visible as a blogger from a couple of weeks ago was included with a number of other unique posts by a variety of fashion bloggers. If you want to discover some different topics in the Blogsphere than definitely check out some of the links below. 

Also, if you ever want to have this opportunity for your own blog, you can always visit their Facebook page to submit your links every Friday. Being a part of this roundup is a great way to reach a more varied audience as well as to discover other fashion bloggers. 

Links à la Mode, March 9, 2017

- Madison 

Annual Question Roundup 2017


It's that time of the year again to send in your questions! 
Over the past couple of years I have done a Q&A during my week of spring break and I am hoping to film another Q&A this next week to answer any questions you all have. Therefore, if you have every wondered something about me leave a comment and I will try to answer your question in the video. These can be about blogging, social media, fashion, etc. 

Can't wait to see all of your questions! 

-Madison

Here's To The Ones Who Dream

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Sweater: Old
Skirt: Thrifted 
Jacket: c/o Madewell
Socks: Forever 21
Shoes: Old
Purse: Vintage Coach 

I have always considered myself to be a dreamer, whether that was having different small businesses throughout the years, ideas for creative projects, everyday daydreams, or visions for my future. With that being said it is no surprise that the song Mia sings for her audition quickly became one of my favorites from the LaLa Land Soundtrack! I love what she says when singing: 

Here's to the ones who dream. As foolish as it may seem. Here's to the hearts that ache. Here's to the mess we made. 

 I think this is a message we can all learn a lot from, because it tells the story of a woman who had dreams and took risks. The things she wanted out of life might have seemed foolish to many people, but she did them anyway because that was what she loved. Our dreams sometimes might cause us heartache, or stress, and sometimes (most of the time) we make messes and even fail.....but that's all part of living your dreams. 

So what are your dreams? What do you love to do? What are your hobbies? 

A day or two ago I had someone tell me "you are just so active in everything!" and when I asked them what they meant by that they said "well...literally you're a blogger, photographer and future author, so basically super human." and if you know me and my struggle with compliments you know I was trying hard to figure out how to respond to that, so I just said "It's just the things God has given me a passion for." However, that got me to thinking about what I love and I realized that if someone were to ask me what I like to do or what my hobbies are it would probably take me a good five minutes to list and explain them all because I truly do LOVE so many things and have so MANY dreams because of that......but with that being said I don't consider myself a "super human" because of my interests, I just consider myself to be an ordinary human whom God gave a mind and heart to dream.  

Thus, even if you don't have a list of hobbies or interests, the things you do love are there because you are passionate about them, and the things we are passionate about very easily become our dreams. For some of us those passions manifest themselves in many dreams and others manifest themselves in one incredible dream to marvel at. 

So wherever you are and whatever you love, DREAM, let people think you are foolish and make messes because that is what it means to live fully alive! I think N.D. Wilson say's it so perfectly when he wrote 
Do your best. Live. Create. Fail

P.S. Also just realized how New Darlings this look seems to be which makes me so happy, because Christina's fabulous braids always inspire me! 

-Madison 

Cigarette Pants & Head Scarves

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Pants: Thrifted
Sweater: Vintage Thrifted
Purse: Thrifted (H&M)
Shoes: Payless (very old)
Scarf: Vintage
Ear Rings: Palais Roayal
Watch: Sam Moon
**Pictures by me**

I have come to realize MOST of the looks I share with you all on the blog are centered around skirts or dresses, and granted, while I wear skirts and dressed 90% of the time, there are many times that I do wear pants (and it's usually on those days that people do a double take of me). Therefore, I thought I would share this fun 1960's Cigarette pants inspired look with you all. 

I tend to be someone who creates an outfit based off one particular piece of clothing or an accessory (anyone else do this). I will typically find a new piece at the thrift store or pull a piece out of my closet and from there I start pulling other clothes, accessories, and jewelry that I feel tell the story the original piece of clothing is telling.  Therefore, this look was created after I found this sweater at Goodwill and picked up this scarf at a local antique store. 

I have always thought that pale baby blue is one of the prettiest colors (also its the Cinderella color so...) and when I found this 60's style sweater at Goodwill I knew that it would be a perfect additon to my closet. After settling on this sweater I continued the 60's theme by pulling in this fabulous striped scarf to use in my hair (which happens to be a super easy and fun vintage hairstyle). I completed the look by grabbing my brown cigarette pants, which seemed like the perfect piece to pull the entire look together. I finished this off by slipping on a pair of ballet flats and grabbing my new favorite thrifted H&M purse. 

The finished look turned out to be one of my new favorite combos. Somehow I always forget how simple and classic capri pants are and I need to start wearing them more! I also forgot how much I LOVE the 60's......well, the pants and sweaters, and pearls, and scarves, because let's be honest....with my legs all of the dresses are shirts (#tallgirlproblems)....

Are you a fan of 60's fashion?
What do you think about the Cigarette Pants style?

-Madison

As Seen On My Blog

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Skirt: Thrifted
Shirt: Vintage
Sweater: Thrifted + DIY
Tights: Old Navy
Shoes: Target
Purse: Melie Bianco


I LOVE having a blog, and being a blogger has truly become a HUGE part of who I am on a day to day basis. I find myself thinking like a blogger when I reach for my phone to take a picture of my ice cream cone, make note of a perfect photo shoot location, or immediately start planing an outfit/post based off of the dress I found while shopping. However, with that being said, I have discovered a different side to blogging that at times is hard for me to wrap my head around, and with that, it is the realization of being visible. 

That might sound weird, but I have always been the girl who preffered to be in the background if I had a choice.....I am a behind the scenes kind of person most of the time, but as a blogger I never realized how visible I would become to people. This might sound weird, but people actually see me now (okay, that does sound weird...) and see my life! I started blogging to share my loves and interests with people but I never expected to be recognized so much for it by the people around me....Okay, so yes, being a blogger is who I identify as, but it has also become a definition and label that people place on me after they learn about it. It becomes even more obvious when they exclaim "Oh my gosh I love what you are wearing! You always look so cute!" Truthfully, I do love getting compliments, but I am the worst person in the world at responding to compliments because to me I am just an ordinary person who does what she loves and doesn't deserve to be elevated by those around her or seek out attention. However, when people voice such sweet compliments I feel as if they often see me as a super talented person who is kind of "famous" to a degree and I often feel like they have elevated me to a level of "perfection" in their eyes.....a level that I don't place myself on or even see myself.  

Maybe the though of being visible and seen for who I am with all of my interests and talents isn't a bad thing, but sometimes I feel like I don't deserve the attention or praise. I do what I do and I am who I am because that is the best version of myself and a version I happen to LOVE! I don't try to be "perfect" or "the best" or an "over achiever" but so often those are the labels people give me. Thus, as a blogger, my life is more on display than it used to be, and maybe because of that I actually get a glimpse of seeing myself through others eyes. Sure, it's still weird when I meet people and they tell me they follow me on Instagram, or they comment in person on my latest post, or even when they look at my blog or Instagram for the first time (in front of me no less) and then somehow change their whole perspective of who I am. 

I think this whole idea of being VISIBLE stems from the fact that I am typically a pretty private and reserved person, but as a blogger I seem to present a different side of myself and open up. Being a blogger and calling this space my own is almost like living inside a room surrounded by windows for anyone to peak inside, sure they have curtains in which to keep certain things to myself, but most of the time they are open for the view. So whoever you are, wherever you are from, just know the fact that you care about my life, me, and what I love means THE WORLD to me......but just know I am far from perfect....no matter what my life might look like on my Blog or Instagram I am still me :)

______________________________________________

As for the outfit in this post, let's just say that it was very Noelle Downing inspired, plus I kind of created my own DIY version of her "As Seen On My Blog" sweater which might just be the greatest thing EVER! Interesting fact, I didn't want to pay/buy the original of this sweater so I decided it would be "pretty easy" to stitch myself; much to my surprise that it would only be 3 Twilight's (as in the movies) later when I finally finish it, but I am so excited with how it turned out! 

Do people ever see you for someone you don't see yourself as?
What are your thoughts on being visible? 

-Madison

Recent Faves pt. 10

Tuesday, February 21, 2017


There have been sooooooo many great things to love lately be it new YouTube Channels, favorite videos, gush worthy prints, fabulous posts, stunning photography, and all in all, sheer talent and creativity from so many lovely people that I have the pleasure and opportunity to follow! So here's to Part 10 of my recent faves....pull up a chair, grab a blanket and get ready to fall in love with everything I have been going HEART EYES over:
  • Olivia's post on Ethical fashion & Consumerism is so ratable for me as someone who loves clothes, loves to shop, and kind of promotes fashion, but with that, it is important to develop a healthier attitude towards buying clothes and learning about fashion production. 
  • Also....if you didn't Know that Olivia has a YouTube Channel you should go check her out RIGHT NOW because I love all of her videos and her British accent is so pretty:) However, I am so loving her recent room tour video because it reminds me of my own small room!
  • Okay, so yes, the golden hour lighting of Rebecca's post is amazing, but to be perfectly honest I am all about her croissant purse......because lets be real, what gets better than a super buttery and fattening baked good that you can put more butter on (am I right....hence the picture for this post)! 
  • This post by Olivia on the Fear Of Missing Out is GREAT! I feel like it is hard for me to disconnect sometimes because I do think "What if I MISS something"!!!
  • Noelle's Galentines Day post is literally #FRIENDGOALS and the whole fact that she recently visited Europe and England make me want to hop on a plane right now....
  • I always tell myself that I need a cat print dress and I think I have found the perfect one at MODCLOTH! 
  • These night time photos of Klara over on A Robot Heart and the coolest thing ever! Also....after admiring everything about this post I totally want this yellow dress now:)
  • I might have had a small childhood dream of being a mermaid (actually that might still be true) and I also have a crazy over the top love of cats, so when I found this Mer-Cat shirt which basically combines both of these slight obsessions into one perfect blouse I kind of FREAKED OUT!! 
  • This Lemon Cupcake Stop Motion, created by the uberly talented Kenna and Lulu is the greatest and most cheery thing EVER! 
  • You might have seen the book Capture Your Style on my Instagram, but it is one of my new favorites for Instagram Inspiration and curation.....plus, Modcloth has it on sale for $8 right now so you should grab a copy:)
  • If I had $100 to spend on shoes these unique and oh so popular loafer flats from Madewell would be the first thing I would buy! Sadly, they are so popular that they are sold out at most places.....

 What have been some of your recent faves?

-Madison
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