Well, we’ve reached the day where we get to count down the final hours and minutes of 2016. It’s absolutely crazy to me that another entire year has gone by, and at the same time I find myself feeling as if an entire lifetime has passed since January of this year. It’s like the paradoxical feeling of putting your feet into a hot bath and feeling cold.
Although my heart sings over true vintage – the heart stopping details, the gossamer thin fabrics, the attention to detail – I’m a gal who embraces her vintage-inspired frocks with fervor. For a lot of reasons – particularly the modern sizing, mashine-washability, and the fact that I don’t have to be quite so precious with them. But to be very honest, more often than not, it’s when a print is just too freakin’ cute that mere mortals such as myself cannot resist.
Well, that day is finally upon us – Happy Christmas and Merry Hanukkah everyone! I know that this day can mean different things to different people. For me, this is time when I take a deep breath. Where I try to let go of any anger or potential drama and look ahead. Where Mr. Dressed and I take some time for ourselves, tear into presents with glee, and stuff ourselves silly to an endless loop of holiday music.
A few months ago I discovered the amazing shop Hearts and Found – and introduced you all to the cutest ever play skirt set I had ever laid eyes on. If you’ve never heard of Hearts & Found before, they’re a swoon worthy Etsy shop who make beautiful vintage inspired clothing – and all of them can be made to your exact measurements! Even better, they have a mission to support local businesses and tailors and source all of their fabrics from local Vietnam markets. I was so smitten with my last experience I knew it was only a matter of time before I…
Did everyone feel that crazy tremor that went across the entire United States the other day, feeling as though it originated on the east coast of North Carolina? That, my friends, was the entire country sinking a bit as our shipping container docked! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, all of my vintage has made it safely across the sea!
One of the great things about NC that I’ve noticed is that there is green everywhere. I don’t know why I worried that moving back to the US would be like moving back to a bit more of an urban jungle. But there is lush foliage everywhere. The grass may have given up her fight, but I’m never short of a shrub or tree to remind me that not everything crumples under the weight of Jack Frost.
I’m loving that I can actually see my styling tendencies shift towards more autumnal and winter colors. Let it be known, however, that I will fight the wintery chill until the last breath is in my body, wearing my dresses until my legs freeze and my teeth start to chatter like a cartoon mouse. But, the colors of gold and orange, deep greens and purples, those I embrace with no trouble. Hello, winter. How lovely to see you again.
I love how this blog has introduced me to so many amazing people – from other bloggers and Instagrammers, to new vintage shops and vintage-inspired retailers. Getting to know the faces behind brands and connect with people around the world is what the net was built for, and I’m always excited to have my horizons broadened with each new collaboration I do.
Although I love a day when I can get fancy – lacquering my nails and cinching myself into heavenly chiffon – there are other days when a gal needs a dress that’s going to get the job done. Today I’m finding myself racing around, running errands, which includes a meeting on campus. Thus, I need my outfit to serve double duty today – to be comfortable and practical, but also professional and put together.
I haven’t officially started yet at my new University, but I’ve been made an Adjunct Professor and therefore have access to my new lab and office. I’ve also been taking advantage of getting here a bit early to learn the campus (a sense of direction jumped a generation in my family) and get to know my colleagues. Most members of my Department I met during my interview, but there are dozens of other faculty members from different Departments who I’ve had the chance to shake hands with. I usually greet them and we do the standard small talk. And after…