Getting Way Ahead of Myself, As Per Usual

I just can't help it! All my favorite stores are finally starting to carry fall-ish clothes! Because my favorite season is fall (couldn't you guess?) this is pretty much the routine I go through every year: start looking for fall clothes as soon as we're out of spring, wait all summer, and finally they're here. And my goodness are things looking delightful this year. I'm really loving all the colors- especially the mustard. Can you tell?

All from Modcloth!

Cool Colors for a Hot Day

I call this my "wannabe Free People" look. I like to do that often; design outfits based on the clothes I see in catalogs but could never afford. The dress was one of those things you see and fall in love with instantly. It has all sorts of fun little details (you know I love my details!) and is the most lovely shade of blue! Plus there's the assymetrical lace at the bottom- for a girl who's obsessed with symmetry, it's something that is a little out of my comfort zone. I do wish it didn't hang so low in the front but the bandeau was a nice compromise. Add a sparkly ring and necklace, wedge sandals, and you're ready to go!

Outfit details:

dress from a random boutique

UO lace bandeau

target belt & heels

pendant from a trip to Mexico

grandmother's ring

Strawberry Fields

I know I'm always apologizing for this, but I really am sorry that it's taken me so long to have a new post. I'd like to blame it on something other than myself, but I'm afraid that would be a lie. It's completely my own fault I haven't posted for almost two months. To be fair, we have been doing some major on our house- all the floors have been ripped out and replaced, we've had to repaint most of the rooms. So that has been occupying most of my time. And there's something about having to spend weeks on end in nasty old painting clothes that will make you forget how much you love clothes.

Okay so back to our main topic of interest: today's outfit. Sadly I've owned both of these pieces for several months and have only worn the shirt once. This has contributed to my current resolution to make sure that every item in my closet gets the love and attention it deserves. For instance, this darling bright red skirt, which is both darling and slightly daring at the same time (how could I resist?). I'm also in love with the shirt because of the cutesy strawberry print- I'd been on the hunt for anything strawberry print for a while. My friends say I'm offensively girly and cutesy, but I shan't reign in my cutesy-obsessed self for them.

Eyeshadow close-ups:

Outfit details:

UO strawberry shirt

UO red floral skirt

Modcloth strappy sandal heels

Lightning bolt ring from Modcloth

Make-up details:

Covergirl four shadow set

Almay black liquid eyeliner

Loreal mascara

Anthropologie August 2011

Anthropologie's August 2011 catalog was like something out of a Hitchcock-inspired dream. The colors, shapes, and of course, shoes, were appealingly reminiscent of Grace Kelly in Rear Window. And really, how can you go wrong with Grace Kelly?

Snow White?

California is certainly not the place one would expect a summer storm. And yet, here we are at the end of June and a thunderstorm is upon us. Thankfully now the rain is done and the weather back to its normal blistering temperatures, but that small bout of rain did create a strange few days of winter weather. It is easy to see in the pictures how threatening the clouds are on the horizon; in fact, my shoot for this post was cut rather short by the arrival of rain (by the time we took that last picture haha). Anywho, this extremely unseasonable weather was nevertheless fortunate because it allowed a tights-lover such as myself to indulge in an outfit like this in the middle of summer, when tights are usually banished to the back of closets and drawers.

Another rather amusing tidbit to mention: a friend noted when she saw these pictures posted on my facebook my extreme resemblance to Snow White, and I must say that I agree! It was completely unintentional of course, but it did seem appropriate considering that I already had an outfit that I considered to be something out of Beauty and the Beast. So now we have Snow White to add to the list. Perhaps sometime in the future I can add another fairytale to the list!

Outfit details:

Urban Outfitters blouse

Urban Outfitters skirt

Hue tights

Target shoes

I Should Have Known Better

Ahh.. summer is here! I'm never quite sure how to feel about summer: the long days seem full of opportunity and yet I always feel as if little happens during these stretches of time. The weather too, presents a conundrum as I try to decide if the blistering sunlight is worth the liberation from heavy winter clothing. But whatever I decide about the heat, there is nothing I can do to escape from it so I must work with what I'm given.

I had a few errands to run in town today, so I threw on my all-time favorite little summer dress and a pair of new little sandals. As you can see I'm back home on the ranch for the summertime and I'm hoping to have lots of pictures soon to make up for my abysmally long hiatus over the past few months. Blame it on the schoolwork!

Outfit details:

American Eagle dress

Target shoes

A Few Million Apologies, and Then Some...

I am so sorry that I haven't been on here to update my blog in forever. Honestly, school is completely hectic, what with tons of homework, trying to make time for friends, and working on getting housing lined up for next year. We've all got incredibly hectic schedules so we haven't had time to take any pictures, hence the blog isn't ever updated. I don't plan on abandoning it, and things should pick up once I'm on summer vacation. Wish me luck and I'm sorry for being MIA!

Enfant Sauvage by Clair Gorman

Enfant Sauvage from Claire Gorman on Vimeo.

Nor a Thorn Nor a Threat Stain Her Beauty Bright

One of the little hobbies I picked up during my time home for spring break was the making of floral hair wreaths. I find them absolutely darling and the approaching spring season is making me want to replace my entire wardrobe with chiffon and wear flowers in my hair every day.

I have long wanted to have my own etsy shop, mostly because I admire the work of so many artists who have their own shops on the site. So, what I am wondering lovely readers, is what you think of my proposal. Do you wear wreaths, or perhaps would if you could buy one? What other things would you like to see if I did open a shop? Just some of my musings.... And some enchanting pictures of my floral supplies.

Some Things Aren't Meant to Be

Just a little update from my spring break; I'm back at school now for my last quarter for freshman year. Whew! I already posted my one fabulous shoot from my backyard- these were taken during my trip to Santa Cruz to visit my beloved cousins (one of whom was not home for my visit. Sob!)

Anywho, I love a good shopping trip in downtown Santa Cruz, even if I was being frugal this time and walked away with just a ring, some socks, and a few fabulous pairs of tights. The top picture is what I actually wore (with a jacket over the top, which is unfortunately not pictured, whoops!) The second two pictures are of a darling BB Dakota dress I was trying on. I do think I'm rather in luck that it did not fit because I was in no way tempted to purchase it- it's way outside my price range. Ah well!

Outfit details:

Thrifted sweater

Urban Outfitters shirt

BDG jeans

Wanted boots

and

BB Dakota Dress

Beauty & the Beast

When I was planning what to pack my suitcase for Spring Break, I checked weather.com and my heart broke a little. It was supposed to rain every single day of my break. I had planning to have grand adventures, perhaps take some walks, and definitely try to squeeze in a photoshoot or two. And it didn't look like that was going to happen. But yesterday when I went outside, not only was it not raining, but it was sunny! (Mostly... There were definitely times when a huge cloud would block the sun and everything would go all dark- you can see this effect in some of the pictures below.) I really love how these turned out, although I had to brave the meadow (which was full of spiders) to get some of the pictures. But it was worth it I think.

Also, notice my hair wreath! I have been in love with Gardens Of Whimsy on Etsy, and finally ordered my own wreath a few weeks ago. I had to leave it at school because it was too delicate to travel, but it has inspired me to make my own wreaths. I have already made three (they're very fun to make) and have considered making an Etsy shop of my own in the future. But we'll see...

Outfit details:

American Rag shirt

American Rag skirt (heheh those rhyme)

UO tights

Ribbon-laced shoes (I don't know what brand)

Cameo necklace via Ebay

Self-made floral hair wreath

To Dim the Stars

Mist goes up from the river to dim the stars,

The river is black and cold; so let us dance

To flare of horns, and clang of cymbals and drums;

And strew the glimmering floor with roses,

And remember, while the rich music yawns and closes,

With a luxury of pain, how silence comes.

Yes, we loved each other, long ago;

We moved like wind to a music's ebb and flow.

At a phrase from violins you closed your eyes,

And smiled, and let me lead you how young we were!

Your hair, upon that music, seemed to stir.

Let us return there, let us return, you and I;

Through changeless streets our memories retain

Let us go back again.

Vogue Australia, August 2010

Rosie Tupper photographed by Nicole Bentley