ruffle-izing
so this ruffle obsession, well, i am not kidding. i have been dreaming a bit about possible outfits (and then there is that ever-growing-in-the-middle-of-the-night pinterest board), so today, i "shopped" from my own closet and found some ruffles.
since i posted about my new journal last week, i have been thinking about how your comments and emails reminded me of how much we really just love to know how other people "do it." we sit in our homes around the world from one another, looking at these little boxes and connecting "through" them, and sometimes, it is simply fun to see a glimpse into the ways others live their day-to-day lives. like i would love to know more about your favorite shoes, the books on your bedside table, the way you organize your paper crafting supplies, what your go-to lunch is, where you get your sparkly eye make-up, and how you eat a double-stuff oreo. and if we met up for tea or you came over for lunch, we would share these things.
about a year ago, i mentioned that i wanted to blog more about a few different things, including clothes. but last year i didn't have a smash journal full of blog ideas and i wasn't reminding myself of all the things i wanted to do here in this space, so i didn't post about clothes or lots of other things i meant to. but today, i snapped this photo of this outfit that made me smile and just wanted to share it with you.
as i was downloading the photo, i started thinking about how i wish i had a group of girlfriends here in my town who i went shopping with. a few girls who would share their go-to places for everything from dresses to yarn to spices.
but here is the awesome thing: we have each other. (i mean you and me.)
so in case this ruffle-ized outfit that made me feel so happy today is your style, here is some info (and if you just want to let me know how you eat double-stuff oreas or tell me about your current favorite book and skip this part and just head to the comments, that is totally okay):
bloomers: these wide ruffle bloomers from sarah clemens in light brown stripe (looks like she might not have this color anymore, but she has a similar color in a grey stripe). i have quite a few items from sarah and her clothes are well made and adorable.
white layer: sundress from old navy. it actually even has spaghetti straps that tie but i never wear it alone. instead, i always wear it as a layer under something and kind of think of it like a petticoat or slip. (i bought it in three colors and i bet they will have a similar style in stock soon as they already have summer clothes in. this one would work as either this layer or the next.)
navy layer: dress from target several years ago (but it has so many holes in it and a bleach stain on the back that i have started wearing it as my painting "smock" at retreats. but decided to wear it today. i would really like to replace it with one like this from gaia conceptions on etsy. her clothes are wonderful and really well made.)
black layer: this crop top from treehouse 28. (here is the part where i tell you it has taken me several years to figure out how to wear this one with my shape [aka the size of my chest]. finally figured out that the top pairs really nicely with the empire waist items i have.)
scarf: scarf shop giant size in olive moss. martha's scarves are wonderful. so beautifully hand-dyed and so soft.
you can't see: the boots i've mentioned before and these fun (a bit over the knee) knee socks in plum from sock dreams (if you don't know sock dreams, stop everything and head over there. right now.). you also can't really see my favorite "nest builder" necklace by nina or my globe earrings by jen. and the camera strap that i have been using for year is by vmjess.
thank you for indulging me with this list. it is fun to share as though we are sitting at a coffee shop catching up.
tomorrow i am going to check in here about how things our going as we attempt to sit at the table for meals and i try to cook more. i am even going to share a recipe or two. one of them involved purple potatoes!
notes for the journey in something good
Reader Comments (13)
Looooove the outfit! Thanks for posting the links to all these treasures!
PS - Bought my SMASH journal today! Wheeeeeee!!!!!!
Your outfit is so pretty - I do love ruffles & layers... I just can't pull it off.
It doesn't look right on me & it just isn't my thing. I'm such a jeans &
black top girl with a bangin' pair of black boots. Add some metal studs &
silver jewelry. - That's kinda what I wear everyday. Black or dark plum
nail polish. Basic kinda veering off the gothy path, but very glammy.
Shopping - yes, I love to shop especially with friends.
I love the chats! It is the connection of sitting down and spending time with someone, talking about the things that make us, well, us. So often reading on the internet feels distant and removed but this is a pull your chair up to the table and have a cookie kind of post. Let is, for my style, I could use some ruffles or just a little more fun flair. I do have socks with stripes or pokadots that I like to wear with skirts. THey make me happy, even if my day is not particularly going well. And my book, which I plan to spend time today reading as there is not work today, is Spontaneous Happiness by Andrew Weil. Interesting indeed. And there will be Morning Glory muffins made today so that tomorrow when we head back to work and school, there will be something yummy to start our day! Oreos? Definitely dunked in milk!
very cute! i love the bloomers.
mmmmm yes. love. so many of these things i've been lusting after on etsy for a long time. :) i would so love more of these posts. in fact, i would love to do my own. i always dream of myself as a layered, ruffled, textured curvy lady. in reality, i am tiny and in layers i look...well...the opposite of curvy and beautiful...but, bloomers. those might be my one want that i want more than most things. love, love, love.
i have always loved your style so thanks for sharing some details. :-) my body is changing shape with age and i need to find something that works for me NOW. i'm not quite sure what that is just yet, but i'm exploring.
I loved this Liz. And I need you to know that we, you and I, often have tea together. I am sitting at the table with a steaming cup of ginger pear reading your post. I'm feeling inspired to run to the closet and see what layers I can find. You are so much fun to read and I think of you every time I wear my write, write, write.
Thanks for being such an inspiration, and I look forward to our next 'visit.' ~beth
I find myself wishing I could come over for tea with you each time I read your blog. I shared your Smash Journal video on my blog last week and now my 69 year old mother is getting one too! Just to remind you that being willing to share your story has many ripple effects you can never see. Thanks!
Oh, Liz!
How much do I love this post? Tons and tons. Gajillions. That's how much.
1. I adore layers
2. I have been waiting to discover bloomers MY WHOLE LIFE
3. Sharing your outfit is the coolest idea - ever
4. These how I do it posts are such a gift
Sending many blessings to you and an enormous tickle to EJ from sunny Scotland
Cheers.
I love love love this!!! I love your outfit and that you shared where you got it!! I am short and I've been searching for boots for a long time....most of which are too tall for my short legs. I am also planning to to order myself a Smash journal! How great would it be if we could all sit around and have tea together and share all about US!!! I don't have a group of women where I live to share with either.....oh how nice that would be!
Oh....and Sock Dreams???? I had not heard of them before.....Thank you!!! I love my socks!!!
xoxoxo
hi again liz, catching up on your posts with a cup of green tea, watching the snow, listening to talk radio & my 1 year old puppy playing w/her squeak toy. what a great post. love the outfit too. thanks for the pizza recipe. it looked yummy. i love the party meatballs from trader joe's. i've never enjoyed shopping & recently enlisted the help of a shopper. she is fantastic. we've become friends too which is a nice bonus. when i wear eye make-up, i use smashbox or bobbie brown eye shadows. smashbox also has a nice under eye concealer. when i wear foundation i've been using burberry's- it's nice & light. i use all kinds of mascara (that i do use everyday!) right now i'm using one by channel. i also like to shop at ann taylor, talbots & lululemon. garnet hill has the best pjs! i had my first facial last weekend & loved it. so relaxing. i do love going to the spa. :)
thanks for making the connection w/all of liz. it means a lot to me. xo