{nestled in a gorgeous little box, no detail is left unattended…watch is c/o JORD}
Today I am THRILLED to introduce you to JORD Wood Watches and this Ely Maple beauty. I cannot tell you how much I am truly enjoying this watch. It is lightweight and unique, perfect for summer, when a heavy band looks out of place. I am obsessed, and so is everyone who sees it. Yes, it is made out of wood.
The maple is lightweight and so lovely with summer skin with just a hint of tan. I’m quite excited to see how the wood ages and gains character, though it is perfect as is.
Now that I have the studio downtown, I’m constantly checking my parking meter, so I can’t tell you how much I’ve loved having this watch. I haven’t had a watch in awhile, and I MISS it. Checking my phone doesn’t have the same effect, and it’s much quicker to glance at my wrist. Even better? This also shows the date!
This is how much I love my new wood watch! I haven’t taken it off since it arrived a few weeks ago, and so far it has been adventuring with me when I’m not playing fancy-pants dress-up:
Princess Anne, played by Audrey Hepburn, escapes her royal guards and spends the day cavorting around Rome in the classic Hollywood black-and-white movie, “Roman Holiday.” It’s one of my favorites, and it’s currently available on Netflix.
The iconic “Princess on Holiday” outfit still works today, because all of its elements are classic pieces for an elegant wardrobe. Here are some ideas for how to recreate this look for everyday wear or for something a bit more special. This also makes a great Halloween costume, probably with items you already own.
The elements are simple, but the look comes together to look fresh and vibrant. The canvas of a plain white oxford gains personality from the sleeves being rolled and the collar popped.
Of course a smile and bright red lips are necessary accoutrements, because, as Audrey herself says, “Happy girls are the prettiest.” And I quite agree. Then, you’ll need some Roman sandals, the very first thing Princess Anne purchases on her day of freedom in the movie.
The full midi skirt is making a comeback, perfect for this “Roman Holiday” style. Be sure to find one with a belt or add a belt after. Here are some examples…
That’s all that is required for this easy and delightful style. But I’m always up for a variation on a theme, so I took the Princess-off-duty look and transformed it into a Princess-ON-duty look, suitable for a fancy occasion. The elements are similar, but the fabrics and details have been elevated. Of course, rolled sleeves and a popped collar will add to the effect here, too.
I simply canNOT stop wearing this orchid merino wool sweater with gold shoulder zips from J.Crew. It’s a bit drapey, but with fitted sleeeves and the nice side vents to give it shape. Perfect color for autumn, don’t you think? I love this orchid color with navy, wine (as my boots are), chocolate brown, olive green, deep golden yellow, and tan, like my hat. Such luscious combinations!
I’ve said before there are about 2 days each year where the shorts-and-boots combo actually works, and this was the fall day! Wool shorts are a unique specimen in and of themselves…because they’re, well…WOOL. SHORTS. I mean…
But I did get compliments on the shorts, and I think they’re super cute with boots.
Fall is the absolute perfect time for all of my wool hats, including this gem from American Eagle, believe it or not. I love its curvy 70’s-style brim that highlights sunglasses just perfectly. And the bright bangles and earrings are from J.Crew, too, and add a fun pop of contrast to this outfit.
Have you ever worn shorts with boots? What do you think of the combination?
Oh my goodness. If you know me, you know that Easter is when I am in my element. It is my absolute most favorite holiday of the year for so many reasons. Jesus #duh. EASTER COLORS are my favorites! Hats! Spring! The food! A year ago today I met the man of my dreams! It’s just the happiest holiday there ever was and I soak it up each year. It’s all of the most wonderful things and I beyond adore it.
I’ve had this dress for almost a year and I refused to wear it because I just knew it had to be my Easter 2014 dress. Lilly Pulitzer speaks Easter, don’t you think?
I don’t need an excuse to wear a hat or vintage items, but Easter sure is a good one. When you wear a lovely hat, people tend to say lovely things. Here are a few:
Like I said, lovely things (from both men and women!). Hats are one of my favorite things and I’ve got big plans to get you all in on the hat fun next Easter, so keep your eyes peeled for the perfect Spring-y topper. You’ve got a year to find one and plan it 🙂
My shoes are straw like an Easter basket because obviously I think of these things.
Ok I think I’ve hit my limit for how many pastels and happiness and vintage and loveliness I can fit into this one post, so I’ll wrap it up now.
There’s no getting around it: it’s cold. But the sun has been shining, so it was the perfect time to bust out my Hello Sunshine Kate Spade hat. So cheerful! I adore it. It pulls out the yellow in my favorite winter handbag just perfectly.
{close-up of hat detail}
Had to include a dorky picture because that’s how I roll.
Also, yes, that is my fake-fur coffee sleeve on Starbucks (and there IS hot tea in that cup, which I’m about to spill in all of these photos!).
In my popular posts about how to wear skirts & tights in winter (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2…that’s also a solid look back at how my style has evolved!), I note that simply waiting for the sun to come out makes wearing a dress feel much more do-able. I love a sunny winter day! So good for the spirit.
Hat: Kate Spade, consignment shop//Sunnies: local shop//Pink necklace: Forever21//Dress: Forever21//Fleece-LinedTights: Big Lots//Scarf: thrifted//Blazer: H&M//Gloves: Dollar Tree (!)//Coat: J.Crew//Purse: Missoni, consignment shop//Boots: Timberland, consignment shop
It was kinda-totally my birthday a few weeks ago! #checkyes
We had lots of beautiful birthday snow, I made my trademark birthday coffee cake, wore a hot pink birthday crown, shared my birthday with a few other ladies from my church with the SAME birthday, had pink champagne and chocolate-hazelnut cake, received pink flowers, and all-around felt like the most-loved girl there is!
{birthday flowers!}
I love this swingy “Cream Puff” dress as I call it, with my “Cupcake Frosting” hair. Obviously I wanted to dress like desserts on my birthday! Ha!
{birthday manicure}
I also love the high-low of this outfit…the jacket and shoes are crazy-expensive, but the tights are from Big Lots, the sweater is from a tag sale, and the dress is from a consignment shop and doesn’t have a label.
It’s just like happiness, y’know? Find happiness in the small things and the big things. I was never a huge fan of my winter birthday so close to Christmas (someone was always sick, we weren’t in school yet so I missed the fun of a classroom birthday, I wanted an outdoor party, everyone was burnt out from Christmas and stretched thin and presents came in Christmas paper, etc. etc.). So I’ve created my own traditions. Little things.
{hazelnut-orange GF cake and pink champagne}
I choose a birthday song every year, pick up some pink champagne, and always bake a coffee cake on the morning of my birthday and put candles in it.
(those links will take you to past birthday posts of mine for more pretty fun!)
Here’s this year’s birthday song:
An outfit doesn’t have to be all high-end designers. And a birthday doesn’t have to be all bells and whistles.
Find joy in the little things, the unique things, and I think you’ll find extra joy you didn’t know was there.
And Happy Birthday to all you other near-Christmas/winter babies! 🙂
******
Dress: No label // Sweater: Vintage//Earrings: Charlotte Russe//Coat: Rebecca Taylor//Fleece-Lined Tights: Big Lots//Sunnies: Local store//Heels: Diane von Furstenburg
When they offered to let me review a custom monogram necklace, I had to try it. I mean, we see them on Pinterest all the time, right?
Now I know why they are so popular. I LOVE this necklace. I’m not generally a gold-jewelry girl, so I took the opportunity to try gold, rather than silver.
I’ve been wearing it every day! I love it with fall and winter colors: brown, wine, navy. And cheetah. Obviously.
(also obviously: these photos are from fall! ha!)
I also wore it with this fancy-fancy dress to a concert:
I really, really love this necklace and wear it almost daily. It isn’t the most high-quality jewelry in the world, but it’s a great gift or gift-to-self (Valentine’s Day?).
So these are my current/old glasses. Horn-rim Chaps, oval, get the job done.
But it is time for an update.
I really wasn’t sure how to go about this process, since it’s always so difficult to choose new glasses. But I decided to try one of these online glasses places, and be brave. When GlassesUSA contacted me to do a review of a pair of glasses, I jumped on board! I’d been eyeing (ha, I crack myself up) their site anyway, so it was a great fit.
I don’t just need glasses, you see (clever me, all the puns). I don’t need just frames, or readers. I need prescription glasses. Like, Coke-bottle glasses. Really-really-really thick glasses. Hazardous-to-my-health-AND-your-health blind without my glasses. Such is life. So I always have to get the primo lenses (read, expensive), so saving on the frames is a MUST for my budget. GlassesUSA eyeglasses are a great buy, and their clearance/sales/coupons section is also worth a look.
Here are my two picks (I purchased one pair with my own money and the other one partially with a GlassesUSA.com credit):
Muller in Brown
Personal Shopper in Blue
I made a video to show you the frames in person and tell you a little more about my experience:
I love the lucite and tortoise sides of the Nicole Miller Personal Shopper.
Muller has metal and crystal detailing.
GlassesUSA is always offering crazy-good discount codes, so check out their Facebook and Twitter pages for exclusive discounts. You can also use the code: Blog10 for a 10% discount. You can also try their new Virtual Try-On feature. This wasn’t available when I chose my frames, but I highly recommend giving it a try.
They have a 110% lowest-price guarantee and 100% money-back guarantee, so you’re safe no matter what you decide. Overall, if you need to buy glasses, I’d say GlassesUSA is a great place to update your look!
Soooooo now the question is, should I keep them? Just one? Which one? Both? And which frames are YOU eyeing? xo Natalie PS> We’re not talking about the craziness that is my bangs in these photos right now, ok? They’re not chopped weird, I promise, they were just being weird. #whoknows
Hello dear friends! It is the night of our Savior’s birth, and I am so excited for our church candlelight service very soon here. I just wanted to pop in and say MERRY CHRISTMAS and I am so glad you are all here, sharing a little bit of life with me 🙂
This is my outfit for Christmas Eve church 🙂
The coat and hat are vintage and the dress is Modcloth.
And the smile? Courtesy of Christmas love and being beyond-happy.
