White Picket Fence

I really like basic dresses like this one that allow you to choose more interesting accessories--like this orange floppy hat and color-blocked heels. It's like a blank white page waiting for you to scribble all over it. Sometimes I'll opt for something simple; white sandals and a ponytail, but today I styled it more colorfully. The joy is always being able to mix it up.

Outfit details:

thrifted hat (similar)

Sheinside sunglasses

dress c/o Sheinside

Seychelles heels (old)

Zara purse

*pictures by Jon, edited by me

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Small Town America

The area between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is sometimes rudely referred to as "Pennsyltucky" which is pretty much meant to insult both small towns and Kentucky. Of course, there are a lot of farms and fields and quiet roads, but I don't really understand how people consider this a bad thing ("oh no there's no traffic!"). Small towns also dot the area and many are filled with pretty parks with fountains and quaint restaurants with outdoor seating lit by twinkle lights and have a charm cities will never be able to offer. I don't visit other towns in my area enough, but it's nice on a weekend or warm afternoon to explore a bit with friends taking advantage of the good weather to eat ice cream and window-shop. I don't know how much longer I'll be living in Pennsylvania so it seems to me that I should spend my final months visiting more of these underrated small towns.

Outfit details:
dinosaur bobby pin

Crew Cuts jacket

Les Mirettes brooch

BB Dakota dress (old, similar)

Jane Basch necklace

Seychelles sandals via Shop Ruche

Choies purse
Family Affairs temporary tattoo on my foot

*pictures of me by Kate

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Red Phone Booth

Excuse me while I act like the American I am and get a kick out of a red telephone booth--it's better than attempting to turn faux British, no? I feel like I must justify many of my recent photographs and ramblings by stating "I'm a tourist." Anyway, aside from novelty I think this neglected red box surrounded by white blooms (and frighteningly filled with cobwebs) is actually a rather pretty spot. I find the chipped paint and faded lettering rather charming. I suppose next on my stereotypical UK tourist highlights reel should be a double decker bus--hopefully I can find one rusting away in a field since abandoned objects are always more likely to catch my eye.

Outfit details:
Jane Basch necklace

ASOS jacket

Les Mirettes brooch

dress ℅ Sheinside

Asian iCandy tights

Seychelles boots

Asian iCandy purse

*pictures by Thomas

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Travels and Tartans

So, I had to leave Helen's Tower behind but I'm still in Ireland, which is strangely starting to feel like a second home, and wearing tartan, perhaps I could be hopping over to a different island! I'm just a sucker for classic patterns like this one and I'm trying to stick with my goal of introducing longer lengths into my outfits on a regular basis. Really though, I wish I had a little ribbon topping off my ponytail in these pictures--that would have punctuated my hair and the outfit quite nicely, no? The ribbon bow is a style I've admired on others but haven't been able to attempt since my pixie cut, however I think my hair is finally long enough for that sort of simple embellishment. Progress.

Outfit details:

Anthropologie jacket

top ℅ Modcloth

skirt ℅ Asian iCandy

Modcloth tights

Seychelles oxfords (old)

*pictures by Thomas

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Straight Forwards

As promised on Monday: further pictures exploring the interior of Helen's Tower. The tower boasted a quite modern kitchen and facilities, so it was only after you walked up the spiral staircase to the third floor and opened the ancient wooden door to this chamber that you felt you had truly stepped into the past. Elaborately painted ceiling, ornate wallpaper, narrow arching windows--check, check, check! This sitting room was where Thomas and I spent most of our time; enjoying a little cider in the evening, sitting in front of the fire as the wind whipped around the tower, even playing the occasional board game--the room managed to convey both the grandeur of a forgotten time and be welcoming and cozy enough that on grey days I never wanted to leave.

Outfit details:

Anthropologie jacket

Alloy dress

Modcloth tights

Seychelles oxfords

*pictures by Thomas

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