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

Spring Trend: DIY Velvet Bows

Saturday, April 1, 2017


If you haven't noticed, BOWS are kind of all the rage this season and I'm not complaining at all because bows are one of the cutest, most versatile, and feminine accessories to ever be created! With that being said, I thought you all would enjoy a fun and easy DIY tutorial on my process of making velvet bows. Since bows really are so versatile I will show you 3 different sizes and styles that I have been loving that you can easily make for yourself. 

What you will need:
Velvet Ribbon - 1" width and 1.5/2" width
Hair clips - black or silver (hobby lobby)
Hot Glue Gun low temp 
Sewing needle
Thread to match your ribbon
Scissors 




Are you a fan of bows?
Do you think you will try your hand at making some for yourself?

-Madison

Another Day of Sun

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Dress: Old Navy 
Shoes: Target
Bag: Thrifted (Vintage Coach)
Earrings: Old


Talk about comfort, color, and the perfect spring/summer dress EVER! Right before spring break I went shopping with a friend to help her find some things for a mission trip she was going on. One of our stops was at Old Navy and boy are they killing it with their spring collection! While browsing with my friend I spotted this yellow dress and you know that I fell head over heels in love with it:) 

Of course the yellow color was a major selling point, but  I was also intrigued by the embroidery around the collar which gave off a fun "mexican dress" inspiration. Once I pulled the dress off the rack my two friends immediately said "Oh my gosh...you have to get that!" And after I tried it on I knew they were right :) The crazy thing is that this style is so different from my typical dress styles because this is very sack like, but that's what makes it so comfortable. 

Since this dress is so simple, but still unique, I thought I would keep my accessories simple and chose  a fun pair of pineapple earrings and my lace up sued flats. Since I was still going for a simple and laid back look, I decided to recreate my new favorite crown braid hairstyle which tied everything together perfectly. I will definitely be wearing this dress a lot throughout the coming season and can't wait to create different combos. 

Do you have a favorite spring/summer dress?

-Madison

Recent Faves Pt. 11

Tuesday, March 28, 2017


It's been awhile since I did a favorites post so I thought I would share the things I have been loving recently! 

  • Can we just take a minute to gush over these fabulous pairing's by Kelly of Studio DIY who knows how to wear socks with shoes!
  • Jenny's latest youtube video on 5 Ways to Style Bangs is seriously the GREATEST thing ever for all of you "Fringe" babes like me :)
  • Um....so can all agree with how FABULOUS Sarah KJP & her husband's office is! 
  • Ruffles + Anchor Print + Flowers + The Eiffel tower = perfection in this post by Daphnie
  • If you know me and my love for MUSTARD than its no surprise that Jenny's post on all things mustard had me completely gushing! 
  • Laura sure knows how to rock "Cat" accessories and this cat collar dress is just one of my favorite things she wears! 
  • Every time I hear Celine Dion's version of "How Does a Moment Last Forever" in Beauty and The Beast I get chills......so MAGICAL! 
  • Can't get over how cute this Denim Shorts romper from Modcloth is, definitely would love to add this to my summer wardrobe:)
  • Talk about carnival ready with this colorful eShakti striped dress. 
  • Finally found the perfect YELLOW pair of rain boots. 
  • Might have created an account with airbnb and already created wishlists for my top places to stay. I especially love this room in Brooklyn NY! 
  • Also I just finished the book Everything Everything and it was soooooo AMAZING!!
-Madison 

Bon Voyage

Friday, March 24, 2017


Jeans: Thrifted (Nine West)
Shirt: Thrifted (H&M)
Sweatshirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Converse
Purse: Zaful 

I've always been a girl who likes to stay fairly close to home, so I've lived in the same house since I was born (accept for moving an hour away to college). I don't really like change or having to adjust to a new place, but I LOVE to travel & explore (which almost seems like an oxymoron)! Ever since I was little, my family has traveled to different states, camping along the way. I think those are definitely some of my fondest memories from growing up, traveling to new places and exploring a different city, state, etc.

However, every place I have ever traveled has been through road trips (talk about having hours stuck in a car with 4 other people + a dog down to an art).....I have NEVER once stepped foot on an airplane but that will eventually have to change that one day as my BIGGEST dream is to visit the UK (as in Scotland, Ireland, and England). When I say BIGGEST dream I really do mean BIGGEST dream because one, I have to take a plane (over an ocean) two, because I can't go alone so I need a trusty travel partner (any volunteers) and three, because this college student doesn't have the funds to hop on a plane and fly to a different country (any sponsors), but nevertheless that dream will eventually become a reality one day and when that day comes I will be ready for whatever adventures lie ahead!

With that being said you can bet that this look will be what I wear on the plane! I saw this sweatshirt through a few bloggers on Instagram who were traveling and absolutely fell in love with it. Thankfully I was able to pick up the last one in the store when I visited Old Navy a few weeks ago and it has quickly become my favorite thing to swear as it is super soft and cozy! I loved how Old Navy styled this sweatshirt over a button up shirt so when I found this checkered button up (also a repeat from Tuesdays post) I knew it would be perfect.

Since the shirt combo gave off a slight casual preppy vibe I decided to pair it with my new favorite thrifted & stretchy jeans from Nine West and finish off the look with my go to white converse and a red mini satchel. All in all, I think this is probably one of my favorite casual combos to date and will definitely take me on many adventures in the future!

BON VOYAGE!

 Where is a place you want to visit one day?

 -Madison

Country Life

Monday, March 20, 2017

Skirt: Thrifted
Shirt: Thrifted (H&M)
Shoes: Thrifted
Socks: Forever 21
Neck Scarf: DIY
Belt: Thrifted

There's something great about taking a break. Taking time away from your normal life to unplug and focus on something you typically don't. That is what I got to do with my family this past weekend. Thankfully we all had spring break at the same time but we didn't get to spend it all together until Friday when we took a quick weekend trip to our family farm to camp for 3 days. 

Here's the thing, I come from a family of farmers and ranchers. While part of my life has been spent in a decently large town that, I have also grown up experiencing small town life. The kind of life in a town that only has one stoplight, whose small town spirit revolves around the high school sports teams, and the kind of town where if someone does something everyone will know about it. 

You see, both of my parents come from small towns (15 minutes away from each other), the kind of towns where you know almost everyone you come across and if you mention your last name people automatically know who you are and who you are related to. Small town life means everyone shows up for graduation and probably nearly every wedding and every wedding reception is held at the Fireman's Hall (you wouldn't believe how that place can be transformed!), but that's the beauty of it. 

Often times we are stuck in the midst of experiencing only one type of life (unless maybe your family moved a lot), but for me, I have grown up in between being a city and country girl and I think that is something I will always cherish. 

I have fond memories as a kid, visiting the farm and seeing all of my grandfathers cattle, goats, horses, and for awhile ostriches. The greatest memories my siblings and I have about our trips to the farm are wading in the creek and then drying our socks by a fire, chasing the goats and trying to chatch them, picking peaches from the old orchard, hiking through the woods and across the many pastures, fishing in one of the 4 tanks, and our favorite, jumping in the tank for a swim when it gets a bit hot out. 

I might like being put together on a daily basis, but that doesn't erase the fact that country life will always hold a special place in my heart. There is no other place on earth that is filled with the sounds of nothing and yet everything, and I will always love the smell of hay and the view of rolling hills and tree lines as far as the eye can see. Country life is my heritage and will always be in my blood so any time I get to relive my fondest childhood memories I cherish those moments. 

What did you do over spring break?
Anyone else have a family of farmers or ranchers?

- Madison 

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