Love at the Pier

Right down the street there is (was) a fantastic pier, the Lynnhaven Pier. The Lynnhaven Fish House (an amazing restaurant that serves local seafood) and the Pier Cafe, a small little cafe with outdoor seating and an amazing view, are some of the best kept secrets of Virginia Beach located on the Pier. Sadly, a big chunk of the pier was destroyed during our nor'easter this past fall. It is still a sight to see, though!

 thrifted dress, Target headband, antique mall necklace, TJ Maxx wedges

I think this was one of Patrick's favorite outfits. He kept telling me that I looked so pretty! He mentioned it was very Julia Stone-esque and while driving a few days later I watched one of my favorite videos by Angus and Julia, "And The Boys" and realized that this outfit is definitely inspired by the end of the video, with the bohemian feel and golden tones. 

My dress is from the shop & being sold here! The humidity here is the summer is INSANE. I'm serious. It's ridiculous. It's a challenge to find outfits that are weather-friendly & stays true to my style! Honestly, lately I've just been throwing on shorts and a tank top when I don't have much going on that day, so it's nice to change it up a bit.

Our lunch.. fish & chips, softshell crab sandwich, & calamari. Delicious!

I am so in love.

I told Patrick a few days ago that I missed when we wrote notes to each other in the beginning.  

We used to leave them on our car windshields at school since we couldn't see each other, or leave them with coworkers so we would find them at work. 

And lately I've just been missing them.

Not like it matters, because we tell each other how much we love each other every single day.

But there's just something about those darn love letters!

So I wrote him one at work yesterday. Just simple, and truthful, and loving.

When he came to my house yesterday, I was a little upset that I didn't get one back.

And he saw that I was upset and handed me a note and said he was trying to save it to leave for me so I see it first thing in the morning.

Oops.

I think it was the sweetest note he's ever written me.  And I say that almost every time, but they really do get more loving & sincere each & every time.

"As you read this note, as with any that I have or have yet to write, always picture me smiling as I hunch over the very paper you hold and know how much I care for you with every stroke of ink. You are everything to me."

Gosh, how lucky am I?

The real me

I was going to have a really deep post today, but the more I wrote, the more I realized I was just going in circles.  So, to get out of a somewhat depressing mindset for today, I'm going for a more lighthearted theme & I thought I'd do a fun random facts post, inspired by the lovely Keiko Lynn.

 -I am terrified of someone breaking into my house at night. I sometimes get up multiple times in the night to make sure all of the doors are locked.

-I desperately wish I could get some wild, sparkly manicure, but my job doesn't allow it.  My whole Seattle trip, I'm going to have different nail shades!

-My better half is also the better chef. I'm spoiled by his cooking!

-I don't have that many girl friends.. at all. In fact, I don't have too many friends I hang out with on a regular basis in general. Maybe it's because I'm more of a loner (loner in this case meaning I'm either with Patrick or alone).  This is actually what this post was going to be about.  I just don't connect with most people my age, and I think it's because I'm at a completely different stage in my life. But I'm very at peace with this!

-I wish I was more of a heel girl, but let's be real.. I am the biggest klutz ever. At 5'2, I could use the height, though!

Forever 21 hair pin, thrifted romper, etsy necklace, vintage shoes

-I literally lay on my bed and just dream about my wedding day and being married. Obsessed with wedding magazines & blogs, yet I've made a vow to myself since I was a teen that I won't actually buy a wedding magazine until the day I'm engaged!

-I can't sleep without some sort of blanket/sheet/comforter over me! I love blasting the fan and cuddling up with my body pillow (Pat made it for me for my birthday!) & the bear he gave me for our first Valentine's Day. Hehe, so dorky but true!

-I've lived on the beach my entire life.. beach girl through & through! However unfashionable, I live in my flip flops, bathing suit, & black sundress (it goes with every bathing suit I have!) in the summer.

-I had a nightmare about an overpriced antique mall filled with everything I've ever wanted a couple of nights ago

-I am not a religious person by any means. I'm not sure about my beliefs fully, honestly, but I don't ponder about it too much and I go by the religion of "live every day to the fullest." 

-I am naturally a worry wort & uptight when stressed.. this is my weakness. I've learned to go with the flow, but I'm still getting there. I think moving across the country will help me abandon some of my inhibitions.

-I've always considered myself a somewhat creative person, but that's a side that I need to explore more deeply & this blog has helped me explore art, photography, & fashion..it's my creativity diary.

-I used to have major body image issues.  I now feel more beautiful than I've ever felt in my life. 

-My go-to color is blue.

-In an attempt to join the trend, I highlighted my hair blonde for a while. It wasn't very pretty.. at all.

-I'd rather hang out with you one-on-one or in a small group rather than in a large party setting. It's not my scene.

But enough about me. Tell me a random fact about you! 

CSN Giveaway Winner!

Annnnnnd the winner is....

Shelby Ballou of Moment of Clarity! Congrats, Shelby! This giveaway winner was chosen by a random number generator thanks to Random.org... CSN will be contacting you soon!

CSN Giveaway: Sherpani Clover Shoulder Bag

CSN once again offered me the chance to pick out an item to give away on my blog and let me tell you guys.. it wasn't an easy task! With over 200 online stores, CSN offers anything you could ever dream of.. from artwork, to shoes, to ellipticals, to platform beds! You seriously cannot beat their prices.

With many trips to the zoo, beach, and traveling to random little destinations during this hot and humid summer, I've been on the lookout for the perfect satchel to keep my bugs spray, suntan lotion, water bottles, etc.  With this Sharpani Clover Satchel Shoulder bag, made with natural cotton and a natural suede trim, I've found my match!

To enter this giveaway, simply visit CSNstores.com and leave a comment below with your email address! You may have an additional 2 entries if you blog or tweet this giveaway.. just put the link of the blog/tweet in your additional entries!  

This giveaway ends Monday, June 7 at 11pm!

Pungo Strawberry Festival

Every year, Virginia Beach hosts the Pungo Strawberry Festival.  Pungo is our more rural district.. we grow all sorts of fruits & veggies there, and if you go down a little further you hit Sandbridge, an area popular for beach houses. You'll find all sorts of adorable Mom & Pop shops down in Pungo and see things you would never see in the "city."

Right away, we started eating.. that is the most important part of a food festival, right?  I have to say, we were very disappointed with the lack of strawberrys! We saw one stand selling strictly strawberries, two selling strawberry shortcakes, and one selling strawberry pie (as pictured).  We went with the strawberry pie, which was pretty much just strawberries in a syrup, a few crumbled graham crackers, and whipped cream. Not exactly pie.. but still pretty tasty.  We had lunch following dessert.   Sold on the gyro stand.. lamb, of course! Delicious.

Believe it or not, my "dress" is actually a thrifted nightgown! I saw the potential in it, but it's been sitting in my closet for months waiting to be styled up.  I added the belt last minute and that's what really pulled the look together. Patrick kept telling me old ladies at the festival would be saying, "I wore that to bed last night!"

I've been thinking a lot about what this blog means to me and what I want to stand for. I think that this topic could probably be an entire post by itself,  but all in all, from the beginning my blog has been about "real style for real girls." And that will never change. In no time soon will I be making enough money to spend on designer duds, so I will continue thrifting and recreating the looks I love.  The bloggers that I have the most respect for are bloggers that gain popularity but remain true to themselves.  I've found the most wonderful community here and I couldn't thank you enough for standing by me and continuing to read my blog.  I can't promise you a new dress and shoes by the most popular store every post, I can't promise you hundreds of dollars worth of giveaways, but I can promise you originality and my honest, humble attempts to make this my creative space.. my only sort of a "diary" I keep. I hope to inspire others, and I hope to inspire myself.

Outfit Details:

Headband: American Apparel

Dress: thrifted

Belt: fabric from another dress

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Currently playing: Justin Townes Earl, "The Good Life"

Shine down, light rays

Shelby and I had a lovely little photoshoot before we ate fish tacos. The lighting was absolutely perfect in this secret little forest hidden in her neighborhood.

This lovely little belt was found at an antique mall for a mere $5! I thought for sure there was a mistake on the price tag. He is my new best friend and you can be sure you will be seeing him often around here.  Any name suggestions?

This blog is in a transition stage.  My interests, style, and priorities are shifting and I fully expected this when I started the blog.  It was anticipated and welcomed.  In the next few weeks, months, and years, I will be going through some incredible life changes and I am so happy that I have this blog to document everything.  When I look at my blog's first few entries, it's incredible where it has lead me.  While I still post outfits for almost every post, I now include so much more and hope to continually expand my content.  I hope you guys will stay with me as I find myself through this blog and share my journey.

Outfit Details:

Hat: thrifted

Blouse: thrifted

Belt: antique mall

Skirt: thrifted

Shoes: ?

Currently Playing: Band of Horses, "NW Apartment"

(Anyone else loving the new Band of Horses album? It's been on constant repeat for me! Of course, I love this song for obvious reasons! Pat and I sing it as loud as we can and always talk about how amazing our life in Seattle is going to be.)