♡♡♡ Inside My Seashell ♡♡♡

Good morning dolls! Just thought I'd share a quick look into my bag, or in this case, my seashell! ;* This gorgeous, intricately beaded purse was one of the sweetest presents I have ever received by one of the sweetest girls I have ever met - Marlena, and is my go-to purse (afterall, what kind of mermaid would I be if I didn't use it 24/7?)! ♡♡♡

Inside my seashell you will find:

Bobby Pins (of course - these are everywhere!)

Black Cat Compact

Business Cards by Moo (LOVE them!)

Carmex Chapstick; because my lips are chapped 98% of the time

Wet 'n Wild Lipstick in Red Velvet - a new purchase that I absolutely love (SUPER VIBRANT LIPS FOR ONLY $2!)

And an iPhone with a custom iPhone case with the Mermaidens logo on it by CaseApp!

CaseApp specializes in creating custom iPhone cases and when they offered to send me one for review, I jumped at the chance! I was so impressed by the quality of the image and how sturdy the case itself is when I received it! Suffice to say, I love the result and the fact it's my own illustration and blog name is a great conversation starter when I'm out and about!

And now the age old question: what's in your bag? ♡

Label Love: Lazy Oaf

Illustrations by me; background image © I Want You to Know

Hello! So sorry for the unintentional hiatus! I've been trying to come up with some new post ideas for Mermaidens, and since I have *also* been meaning to experiment more with illustrating, decided on a new series where I illustrate some pieces from my favorite brands! First up is U.K. brand, Lazy Oaf!

I am absolutely head over heels in love with their new watermelon shorts from their collection with Nasty Gal! As we are going into summer all I can do is dream of l(azy)oafing (sorry, pun) around in their adorable crop tops, circle skirts, and watermelon themed pieces (♡ᴥ♡)

1. Bear Crop Top 2. Love, Money, Pizza Crop Top 3. Circle Skirt with Pizza Zip
4. Watermelon Denim Shorts 5. Cat Socks

These adorable cat socks are actually on their way to me, and I'm also really loving this Love, Money, Pizza Crop Top that I first saw Jade from Little Mix wearing! I love the 50s diner waitress vibes I'm getting from it *__*

What's your favorite Lazy Oaf look? And if you have any post ideas I'd love to hear them! :*

Seashells

DRESS: Giveaway win from Boohoo via Lost in the Haze ♡♡♡ BAG: ModCloth; still available at Amazon SHOES: ASOS (similar, similar)

Hello! I won this dress in and giveaway via Jo from Lost in the Haze and it is absolutely p e r f e c t! The color, metallic elements, cut-out, fit - it's so gorgeous and has definitely become one of my favorite items in my wardrobe! Definitely will be purchasing from Boohoo again!

I paired it with this shell purse I bought a couple months ago from Modcloth (thank you again to Kate Gabrielle who sent me a tweet telling me it was on sale before I missed it! *_*) - it's sold out but can still be purchased on Amazon!

(please ignore my awkward pose and just look at the purse haha!)

Who else is getting excited for summer?! I have to be honest, I am kind of sad by how it's already so late in May (this year is going by way to fast and I haven't accomplished anything ;_;) - but the idea of making and eating a copious amount of popsicles, making a zine with my friend Cassie, hopefully gaining the courage to wear some candy colored high-waisted shorts, and roller skating is keeping me from being *too* upset!

Do you have any exciting plans for summer? ♡

Daisies & Buttercups

DRESS: Milk Teeths Vintage TIGHTS: Forever 21 SOCKS: DIY SHOES: ASOS (similar)
BUTTERCUP ZINE: A gift from Paige Joanna ♡♡♡ TOTE: Paige Joanna

When I heard Paige Joanna was creating a zine, I was overjoyed! She is one of my favorite style bloggers who is also a remarkable artist; I have been lucky enough to get to know her as a person - and she has become a very dear friend to me.

So recently when I received the tote bag I had purchased from her and realized she had included not one but two of her zines - I was left a bit speechless!

Not only is Buttercup *very* professionally put together (couldn't get over how sleek & beautifully made it was!), but the contents are divine! Filled with poetry and illustrations by Paige, it was a delight to flip through - highlights were definitely Paige's introduction, spotting Megan and Stephanie, and the adorable paper doll!

I'm rather smitten with my tote as well! I decided to pair it with this daisy dress I bought from Milk Teeths Vintage (which is run by the lovely Ashley and is currently having a sale!), my new houndstooth tights that I adore, and more DIYed ruffle socks! ♡

Thank you so much again Paige - you are incredible! ♡♡♡ Do you have any zines you would like to recommend?! I absolutely adore them! ♡

Meowmaid

DRESS: Newman Hall @ Etsy PIN: c/o The Albino Hare BOW: c/o Crown and Glory
SOCKS: Forever 21 SHOES: c/o B.A.I.T. Footwear PURSE: A gift from Marlena

Do you ever want to cry because something is so perfect and adorable that it seems like it was made just for you in mind? That's how I felt when doing a random etsy search I discovered this Meowmaid pin from artist Lee Anna, the lovely lady in charge of The Albino Hare!

This little guy swam his way to me in a beautiful parcel with another pin and adorable stationary, and is now one of my dearest treasures - thanks to Lee Anna's incredible talent and generosity! Over the course of the past few months I have also discovered she is an absolutely lovely person, and I feel very thankful to have "met" her! ♡ (Oh and by the way, there are only two meowmaids in her shop, one green and one pink, so you'd better take a look before they are gone...!)

These pictures were taken at a park I stumbled upon yesterday! Couldn't believe all the gorgeous flowers - spring is definitely in bloom! I was sad to see some children trying to poke and pick up the geese and ducks trying to go about their business near the water however...! >.>

And speaking of animals, I am officially the new foster parent for four 3 month old kittens! They are positively precious, but are still rather afraid of me, which breaks my heart a little bit (I'm one of those people who wants all cats and dogs to immediately love me); but I'm determined to help them learn to love humans so they can get adopted! ;3

If you have any advice for helping shy kitties, I'd love to hear them!

Lots of love and remember - you are important! ♡

Princess Bubblegum

VARSITY JACKET: A gift from Lauren ♡♡♡ DRESS: Forever 21 SOCKS: DIY SHOES: Kohls (similar) BOW: c/o Crown & Glory HEART BOBBY PIN: c/o Handmade Raspberry PINS: Donut Pin by Wishcandy, Princess Bubblegum Pin by Mikomi Accessories, Mermaids Have My Back pin c/o The Albino Hare

Hello!! Oh my goodness I have missed you! I haven't been able to do a new post in ages, but I'm back! With one of my new favorite outfits ever!

The past two weeks haven't been the greatest, but being surrounded by incredible friends has helped me stay positive. One of whom, Miss Lauren, left me absolutely speechless when she bought this pink varsity jacket I had been eyeing on etsy, added a handmade card, and sent it to me as a chin up gift!!!

I have been really in love with varsity jackets, and so when I saw this pink one embroidered with Disney princesses my heart skipped a beat! Apparently Disney World used to sell them in the 90s ( ♡ ᴥ ♡ ) Lauren - thank you again and you are beautiful inside and out!

Meanwhile, this adorable candy heart bobby pin was a wonderful gift from Handmade Raspberry; Stacey, who runs the shop, is an absolute angel who stocks some of the most adorable pieces I've seen on etsy! ♥

And the stunning bow I'm wearing? From none other than Sophie, the genius behind Crown and Glory! I have long admired her pieces and so was stunned when I received this (and two other of her incredible bows which you will see soon!) - not only are they gorgeous but so professionally made! I'm aways paranoid bows are going to fall out of my hair and I will lose it forever, but I wore this one for hours and it stayed put! Thank you again Sophie! ♡

And here we have some of my ever increasing pin collection! I've been trying to help support some of my favorite etsy artists whenever I am able to afford it, and have not been disappointed! The donut pin is handpainted by Wishcandy - who never fails to leave me speechless by her work! (fyi, some of her art has adult content)

Princess Bubblegum from Adventure Time is one of my favorite animated characters, so when I saw this PB pin in artist Laura Goodings' etsy shop, Mikomi Accessories, I just had to have it! I also ordered her Marshall Lee pin for my friend and we were both over the moon to receive our pin! They are so beautifully made - I am definitely eyeing the new Sailor Moon pins in her shop!

And last, but certainly not least, is my "Mermaids Have My Back" pin! I received this in the mail from The Albino Hare along with a few other treasures (which you will be seeing in my next post..!!!!) - Lee Anna is one of the sweetest ladies I've met blogging, and this pin was such an incredible surprise ♡♡

These pictures were taken yesterday, and it was such a gorgeous day! The sun was shining (a little too brightly perhaps - I actually got hot prancing around, for the first time in ages!); birds were chirping; and flowers were blooming! Afterwards, I surprised my friend at the horse stables and whisked her away to laze around in the grass and drink iced tea. By the end of the day, I might have become a foster parent for kittens...! I'll be sure to give you updates on this matter soon!

Sorry for such a long post, I've just missed you so much and have so much to catch up on! I'll be back soon with another post, until then, please tell me about your favorite etsy shops (they can be your own ;*)!

♡,
Kailey