Mail call!

Wouldn't you know, my coat from Forever21 and the JewelMint earrings I won in Rouge Fox's giveaway arrived on the same day! I absolutely love getting packages in the mail, especially when they're things I didn't have to pay for! My mom bought me this coat online because they didn't have my size in-store. I've never ordered anything from Forever21.com before, and I was pleased with what I got. Check out my new coat!

I love everything about this coat! The toggles, the color, the hood, the swing back. Thank you so much mama!

The package from JewelMint was a bit more fancy, naturally. I don't do a lot of shopping online, so I've never received a package like this. Everything was so pretty, even the mailer!

Check out the backs of these earrings! They're so comfortable, and I love the little JewelMint logo--such a nice touch. I'll be uploading a look later today and I don't think I'll be able to resist wearing these earrings right away!

the sunset dress

This dress was my mom's--I've admired it for years and years, and when she gave it to me a few years ago I was ecstatic! I love the colors and the pattern, but I've always hesitated to wear it out. It's a bit tight (my mom was seriously tiny when she bought this dress) and I've never been sure about maxi dresses. I couldn't resist its pull any longer, though--today it had to come out. 

I think this blazer is the perfect color to compliment the dress, although I know it looks great with black as well.  I layered a corduroy shirt under the blazer for extra warmth. I've been trying to be more creative with layers lately. 

I wasn't sure about the knee-high boots under the dress, but I love the edge they add to the whole outfit. It doesn't hurt to have a little black to anchor me, and they're certainly comfortable. 

Anyway, photos:

dress:my mom's --- blazer/shirt/necklace:forever21 --- boots:hot topic --- rings:thrifted

those indifferent clocks

Today my DSLR remote came in the mail! I ordered it last week in the incredibly short window of time when I thought I had money to spend. Boy was I wrong! But it was too late, I'd already ordered it. Now that I have it, there's no way I could send it back. Tonight was the learning phase, but tomorrow it's gonna get real. I've got a great outfit in mind and I'm going to have some daylight to shoot in! 

After working a full day, I felt like wearing something comfortable at home. I've really come to love the way high-waisted skirts feel, so this corduroy button-down is naturally one of my favorites. I found it at Forever21 earlier this season--only around $10, if I recall correctly! As an added bonus, pockets! I don't know how anyone can wear skirts without pockets. They're a lifesaver in this colder weather and a great place to stash all my junk.

In the past I might have been wary of wearing this rust-colored sweater with the red skirt, but I think since they're both somewhat muted colors it works. Actually I think it would be fine even if they were super bright colors. I've been experimenting more with color combinations lately and it's definitely a lot of fun. I've never been one to color inside the lines.

Speaking of coloring inside the lines, I've been wearing more lipstick lately and I feel like a teenager figuring out eyeliner for the first time. I'm getting better at applying it quickly, but I'm pretty sure I looked awful at first. I've definitely been wearing this coffee color a lot. I love how dramatic dark lips look, but it doesn't draw too much attention the way some dark reds do. What do you think?

sweater/skirt/necklace:forever21 --- boots:thrifted

Yeah yeah, I know I've worn this necklace three days in a row now, but it's rad and I refuse to take it off.

it's a good day

Today started out kind of rocky--I got some new polka-dotted tights this weekend and the moment I put them on this morning I tore a huge run in them. Sad! 

But when I got home from work I found out that I won Rouge Fox's JewelMint giveaway! I'll be receiving a piece of my choice from the site... I've got my eye on the Morning Rain earrings, but I don't want to rush into this decision... the earrings are almost sold out, though, so I'd better not take too long! 

I've been hearing a lot about JewelMint lately, and I'm so glad to have an opportunity to receive one of their pieces. I was unsure at first about a site that required me to register, but it's a very simple process and makes browsing their collection way more fun. I actually really like getting personalized recommendations. Some of them fit my style perfectly and some of them are interesting pieces I might not have noticed if they hadn't been recommended to me. 

Another bright part of my day was work! I've been promoted to manager of my location and today was my first day in the new position. The good news is that I'm going to have plenty of money for clothes and jewelry soon. The slightly bad news is that I'm working more often, so it's harder to snap pictures in daylight. I'm going to have to figure out some interesting ways to photograph indoors in the dark, or brave the cold dark night with my antique flash.

So without further ado, here are the (slightly blurry) photos!

checkin' on my steaks!

shirt/necklace:forever21 --- skirt/belt/boots:wet seal

thunderbird

Today was unseasonably warm. Not crazy warm, but much warmer than it's been. It's nice to see a little sunshine and comfortable temperatures when I'm preparing for months of dull grey icy discomfort.

I still went out in a scarf, though, because this scarf is new and because the wind is always a bit chilly. I ended up changing jackets halfway through because I got so warm. Which one do you like better?

black jacket:urban outfitters --- red jacket:vintage(my mom's) --- shark t-shirt:urbanoutfitters --- shorts:hot topic --- belt:forever21 --- tights:charlotte russe --- socks:wal-mart --- boots:thrifted --- scarf:forever21

I got this necklace yesterday as well! Isn't it great? Only like $3. And it was important for me to wear this shirt today because I dreamed last night about a shark attack!

bye bye for now!

big sky

I've noticed a definite trend in my taste toward all things western, native american, and "country." It's a style that I saw a lot of as a child, and until now I always hated it. I suppose I see less of it now that I live in a larger town, but when I lived in Fremont it was all over the place. My mom has always loved native american jewelry and art. I suppose some of her taste has rubbed off on me. 

Yesterday I went shopping with my mom and finally spent that Forever21 voucher I had. There were so many amazing things in that store--it was impossible to choose! I ended up getting a scarf, a poncho, and a couple necklaces. My mom also bought me a new winter coat, but they didn't have my size so we had to order it online. I can't wait for it to come in the mail! I'm incredibly picky when it comes to winter coats, and even more so now that I'm more conscious of my appearance. It must be comfortable, stylish, and versatile enough not to get boring after five or six months of wearing it every day. I feel I found the perfect coat this time around. 

Anyways, on to today's outfit. I am of course wearing my new poncho from F21. I'm excited to come up with millions of different ways to wear it this winter. I've already discovered that it's amazing for lounging around the house. It's soft and surprisingly warm. Naturally I'm in love with the pattern.

This necklace is one of the ones I got yesterday as well. I noticed that Ashlei at Faltering Bird is wearing the same one in one of her recent posts. I can't imagine anyone seeing this in the shop and not buying it. Forever21's jewelry is always wonderful--they have such a wide selection, and it's always so affordable. This necklace was around $9, but the other one I got was only $3. 

Let's have some photos now!

poncho:forever21 --- jeans:urbanoutfitters --- boots:wal-mart --- necklace:forever21 --- belt:forever21 --- earrings:gift

autumn beds

This is one of those ambiguous dress/shirts from Wet Seal. I usually wear it as a shirt over jeans because it's just too dang short, but the last time I washed it I made sure to hang dry it and stretch it out a little. I think it's alright now as long as I wear it over some thick sweater tights. 

Speaking of sweater tights, these are a lifesaver in the colder seasons. I can't stand the thought of wearing jeans every day but I also can't stand freezing my butt off in skirts. Enter sweater tights, the adorable cozy alternative! I love the way they look and I love how warm they are. How do you stay stylish and warm at the same time?

shirt/scarf:forever21 --- dress/boots:wet seal --- tights:urban outfitters --- sunnies:sunglass warehouse

My goodness do I need a haircut something awful.

peace out ladybirds!

EDIT: Don't forget I'm looking for blogs to swap ads with! We can help each other out, yo! Check the advertising tab up top for more info.