Witchy

DRESS: Pop Boutique at ASOS (similar) SOCKS: ℅ Sock It To Me HAIR CLIP: ℅ Hair Dessert
BAG: ℅ Sun Jellies SHOES: Forever 21 SUNGLASSES: Forever 21 (sold out, similar 1 & 2)

You might not know this, since I am always dressed in ensembles that call to mind Technicolor throw up, but I actually really love black clothing too!

This dress has a distinctly witchy, Wednesday Adams vibe, and though I feel like those type of dresses have been cropping up everywhere lately, the empire waist detailing really made it stand out to me. When I hear "empire waist" I usually think of renaissance era dresses with pillowing skirts (which are lovely for the time period but not exactly something I would personally wear…!), so the fact this dress has a subtle empire waist but still manages to have a fit and flare silhouette really intrigued me. I was extremely impressed with the fit and absolutely love the dress! It's currently sold out, but keep your eye on the product page - ASOS has a habit of relisting pieces people have returned…! (which is how I got mine!) *___*

I paired it with pops of pink in the form of my accessories: a darling heart clip by Hair Dessert being one of them! I am so obsessed with Aiyana's designs - they are so so cute and well crafted!

As for my socks, is this not one of the cutest prints you've ever seen?! Cats, in cameos! Adorable! Finally, my bag was sent to me by Sun Jellies - it is incredibly roomy and lightweight - I'm smitten!

Lolly

PLAYSUIT: ASOS ROLLER SKATES: Moxi @ Urban Outfitters
RING: ℅ Tiny Hands Jewelry PURSE: ℅ SwayChic SOCKS: American Apparel
NECKLACE: ℅ Mod Dolly (old) SUNGLASSES: ASOS
Finally! A ridiculously belated outfit post, and one that just so happens to be my favorite thing to wear as of late! I stalked the product page for this darling ASOS playsuit for months as it was discounted from $80+ to $23 - score! It reminds me of those adorable little tap dancing outfits ladies in 1930s musicals wear, and it incorporates two of my favorite elements: the color pink and a sailor collar!

I wore it with my dream pair of pink roller skates by Moxi, a holographic gold seashell purse SwayChic was kind enough to send me, and this darling ice cream ring by Tiny Hands Jewelry!

Rolling around on pink roller skates at the local park caused quite the stir, not surprisingly…! Shockingly, though, people actually stopped to compliment my outfit (as opposed to the usual blank and incredulous stares I usually get…) which totally made my day!

Instagram Love

My camera charger was lost for what seems like FOREVER (only a couple a weeks but in that time I realized just how much I adore my camera…!) and it's started raining up a storm, thus my absence! When it rains it really does pour, hm?!

In the meantime I thought I would share some instagram snaps, I hope you don't mind! Like everybody else, I'm completely head over heels in love with instagram - it has been encouraging me to take pictures everyday, experiment, and practice..!

Please leave me your username so we can follow each other! I'll be back in the next couple days with a proper outfit post <3

Week of Wonders by Hana Haley for Zeum Mag

Early this July, I met Hana Haley, Berta Pfirsich, and fellow Oregonian blogger, Tori Bonaventura in Hana's hometown of Estacada to shoot a photo series inspired by Valerie's Week of Wonders for Zeum Magazine! The location was an idyllic vintage shop sprawled on a very green lot, with butterflies hazily dipping in and out of flowers and overpopulated with beautiful trees - the sun streaming through their leaves and dappling the grounds with sun spots.

Being surrounded by talented, idealistic babes is my definition of the perfect way to spend the day, and the end results are positively dreamy. Check out the full feature on Zeum Magazine HERE ♡

BY HANA
BY BERTA
BEHIND THE SCENES
The photographers: Hana & Berta All together ♡♡♡

A Love Letter to Magazines

GLASSES: HELLO HOLIDAY
My love for magazines started early when me and my sister would await her monthly issues of Teen Vogue, YM, and ELLE Girl with baited breath (who else loved ELLE Girl and YM?)! We would cherish the stack of magazines, sorting them by date and memorizing the covers.

This love has only grown as I've gotten older! I adore reading articles and viewing images on the internet (I mean, duh - I am writing this on my blog after all..!), but there is nothing like the feeling of flipping through glossy pages filled with interesting content and drinking it all in.

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite magazines with you!

NYLON
Discovering Nylon around age 14 kind of reawakened my love for magazines! From a graphic design enthusiasts perspective alone, Nylon is a joy to look through - the photography, use of illustrations and design elements like collages and sequins are a feast for the eyes. I also loved their beauty icons series and the accompanying book they released, The Nylon Book of Pretty!

BALLAD OF...
Showcasing the works of many bright young things, Ballad Of's issues are always beautifully put together. This issue in particular is made even more special because I'm in it! In an editorial for Lazy Oaf and photographed by two of my favorite ladies, Berta Pfirsich & Hana Haley ♡

TEEN VOGUE
Through Teen Vogue, I first learned about fashion design and would rip up the beautiful collages for collages that I cherished! Even though I'm no longer a teenager (cough ~__~), I still think Teen Vogue finds strength in it's editorials and important articles for teen girls (plus I am a little nostalgic about it hehe).

LUCKY
Ever since Eva Chen took over as editor-in-chief last year, I feel like Lucky magazine has really come into its own!

MISS ROBIN
Created by a group of students from Barcelona, Miss Robin's nostalgic, dreamy editorials with a 60s fashion bent and interesting interviews makes it a standout to me! I've contributed to Miss Robin twice now - which is so exciting when it's one of my favorite zines! You can buy their "Twisted Girls" issue, with an interview by me with my bbff (blogging best friend forever) Marlena here ♡

BETTY
I was actually lucky enough to win two issues of Betty in a giveaway from Kerry, and I fell head over heels in love as I read them both cover to cover in one sitting! Betty magazine is an example of exceptional writing mixed with extremely beautiful & inspiring photo spreads and illustrations. Truly a treat to look through!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Aka magazines I don't have physical copies of yet but I had to mention anyway...!
Zeum - Gorgeous magazine that spotlights so many amazing artists.
Dazed & Confused - I've been admiring D&C years but haven't managed to snag an issue yet (it's harder to get in the US)! I am bound determined to pick up a copy of their new, Nicki Minaj covered issue however *^*

I'm always on the lookout for discovering new magazines, so pretty please tell me about your favorites! <3 (Ahhh how many times did I say magazines in this post?! Sorry ;__;)

$50 Hello Holiday Giveaway

Happy September! What better way to usher in a new month then with a giveaway?! I'm giving away a $50 gift card and your choice of sunglasses to/from one of my favorite stores, Hello Holiday! Stocked with some of my very favorite brands like Seychelles, Sugarhill Boutique, and Dear Creatures, you are bound to find something you love ヾ(＾∇＾) ♡

Enter using the widget below! Giveaway is open internationally. Winner will be contacted via email. If winner does not respond within 24 hours a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway ends September 16th, 2014.

Good luck! ♡

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