want to wear: superbowl sunday

want to wear: governor's ball

*moonlight square dress*

*peacock feather cape*

(amaaaaaazing!)

*emerald jewel drop earrings*

*antique beaded purse*

*brocade booties*

want to wear: new years eve

*sequin beret*

*river of gold dress*

*peacock earrings*

*blue velvet clutch*

*faux fur coat*

*bow peep toe shoes*

want to wear: christmas day

*plaid dress*

*oversize cardigan*

*cozy tights*

*warm slippers*

*furry hat*

want to wear: christmas eve

*velvet dress*
*black mary janes*
*velvet bow*
*glittery gold clutch*
*festive earrings*
*matte red nails*

a wedding for the win

Hey friends, big news! Remember when I mentioned that I had entered the Clothes Horse Modcloth giveaway and I got all excited about Polyvore and what a brilliant time-suck it was? Well guess what?! Miracle of miracles, joy of joys, I won!! I now have a brand, spanking new dress to wear to the upcoming wedding (and I didn't even have to drop a dime... unlike last time, which ended up being the most expensive article of clothing I've ever bought--more than both prom dresses combined!) But anyway! Now the trouble is deciding how to style it. After playing with Polyvore for a while, I came up with a few options and I would love your input!!

Option A: Animal Magnetism

I originally styled this dress (for the contest) with the same sort of animalistic accessories, but the boots were far too daytime for a fancy wedding. I'm loving the leopard trend lately (and although I happen to disagree with K's opinion that it "looks trashy," I am un petit peu worried that less-than-fashion-forward Vermonters in attendance at this event might raise eyebrows and whatnot). Also, the only leopard shoes I like (so far) are Jimmy Choos, which I can't even begin to afford.

Option B: Glitters is Gold

Are peacock earrings totally passe? I don't know if I care, because I still love them--but I'm curious! This is the safer option--gold, gold, gold and a fantastic beaded purse with a similar sort of peacock-plume iridescence. I think it's also probably a little bit classier, as opposed to trendy.



Option C: Contemporary Flapper

This option is very basic and, in my opinion, a bit of a yawn. However, the subdued accessories will tone down the vibrancy of my vavavoom red dress and keep me flying under the radar around the wedding party (everyone will be black-on-black). I love the feather purse and the fact that the earrings look like miniature chandeliers.



Option D: Feathers and Furs

Once again with the feather earrings and leopard print... this look is maybe a bit too casual? I can't decide. I like the turquoise accessories but they don't scream 'evening.' I like the leopard clutch because it's small and simple and the colors coordinate really well with the earrings. But again, perhaps it's too much like something I would wear to a less formal affair?

What are your thoughts? Option A, B, C, or D? Mind you, I do not currently own any of the above accessories so this may come down to a whatever-I-can-find-fast-and-cheap decision... but I'm curious about what you think! And thank you so, so much to Rebecca for conspiring with Modcloth to bring me so much joy!

back from vacation blues

It's so hard to settle back into my regular routine. Ever since I returned from Cape Cod it's been a) raining, b) a construction zone outside my window at 6 am, and c) still weirdly hot and muggy. I need to splash in the surf! I need to stroll on the sand! I need to stuff my face with cheese! But no. I need to somehow find a way to banish the extra poundage I inherited over the course of the past week. That's what happens when you throw caloric caution to the wind and indulge, indulge, indulge! I swear I probably gained a pound a day.

(shorts/belt: Bargain Boutique; tank: Old Navy; boots: ALDO; scarf: etsy)

Do I look a little bit more tan, at least?? Up close I look pretty freckly.

I had my first foray into the magic of Polyvore today. Modcloth is hosting a giveaway on Rebecca's blog, and the dress in question was one that I toyed with the idea of purchasing for an upcoming semi-surprise (well, my invite was a bit of a surprise) wedding that I might be attending. It all felt very serendipitous, so I decided to register for this fabulous, time-sucking soul-satisfying website and create a look in a vain attempt to win myself the rose red dress. Here it is!

animal magnetism by i_dress_at_waking_life featuring Seychelles shoes

Most importantly, I am dyyyyying to buy those Seychelles boots. Just dying. They're $90, which isn't crazy-out-of-control expensive, but my budget just isn't really budging, no matter how much I try to cut out (food, who needs that??) to make room for these boots in my life. We'll see. I might find a loophole in the contract I wrote with my pocketbook... until then, I'll just dream that I can even remotely afford anything in my little imaginary outfit.