Fishing for Florals + BornPretty

______Another week has zoomed on by like the Wicked Witch of the West on her broomstick through the stormy night sky. It's been one of those weeks where there's been a faint buzz of something on my mind that's been bothering me, something that pokes at my heart, gut, and instinct just gently enough to keep me aware of it at all hours of the day. I'm a strong believer that if you're thinking about something so much you need to take action to resolve whatever it is, whether that's a conversation with someone or completing a task that's been lurking in the future.

______Regardless of these feels, I've been feeling ultra-feminine lately, doing my best to acquire all the pretty floral prints, swishy dresses, and generally feminine articles of clothing that I can. Anything adorned with lace, pearls, ruffles, and/or the color pink is catching my eye like a venus fly trap... catches... a fly.

______Totally good simile there. I'm rusty, okay?





______BornPretty sent me another round of jewelry, and of course I picked out some dainty flower items that are budding (pun!) with details. I received a magnolia flower ring in gold and silver, two delicate floral rings, one plum flower and one lotus, and a skinny silver bracelet carved with just enough details to make someone look closer. As always, you can get 10% off with the code ALT10 at checkout.

______May your minds be free of worries and well-rested. Awwwwwwuh-men.



Dress: KnowStyle (similar)
Fish purse: Betsey Johnson (exact)
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Magnolia flower ring: c/o BornPretty
Three flower ring: c/o BornPretty
Silver bud ring: c/o BornPretty
Flower bracelet: c/o BornPretty
Silver bracelet: c/o BornPretty

Ghost Lace + BornPretty

______When the temperature is below thirty degrees, I'm not bothered by the coldness unless there's wind; that being said, there was definitely a wind yesterday that blew everything from my hair to the birds in the sky to places they surely didn't intend to go. I suppose that's why there are so many seagulls circling above the river here--they must have been blown here from a land far, far away.

______There was one morning, however, when I woke up on the happy, buttered side of my bread: outside my windows, falling in the slowest and chunkiest of chunks was the softest, purest, whitest snow my Southern eyes have ever seen. Overnight, the wind halted. There was the silence and stillness that only accompanies snow or a heavy rainfall. The sky was a shade of pale grey that Restoration Hardware would totally dig for their next wall paint color, and the landscape was blanketed in white, white, white, as if mother nature herself had knitted a massive scarf overnight for the earth. Snow plows were purring in and out of my hearing range, pushing snow from walkways and streets, and footprints were pressed into the ground in roads, across grass, and on sidewalks, revealing some of what was below.



______The first time the snow was predicted I didn't believe it for a second because where I come from, a forecast of snow usually means a) rain so cold yer extremities weep gross amounts of tears, or b) there are ten minutes of snow flurries that are as disappointing as a fun-sized pack of milk duds that only has two milk duds in it. Usually fun-sized portions have three or even FOUR milk duds. And I was always the ugly duckling that ended up with two. This has happened to me on more than one occasion--always around Halloween, always a little depressing. First world problems at it's most severe.

______In honor of the first day of Spring, I received two lovely items from BornPretty: this dainty silver blossom bracelet and gold and silver gingko leaf ring, both which are eagerly awaiting the return of warmer weather. I used to be afraid of mixing gold and silver, but when the jewelry does it for you as this leaf ring does, it makes things much less stressful.

______As usual, you can get 10% off your order at BornPretty with code ALT10.



Dress: Lulus (similar)
Lace robe: Forever 21
Heels: Jeffrey Campbell
Tassel Necklace: Charming Charlie
Blossom bracelet: c/o BornPretty
Gingko leaf ring: c/o BornPretty

Winter's Spoils + BornPretty

______Many times I've heard people say that no situation is perfect, but I find it hard to believe such a saying applies to me at this point in my life. I feel I am in a place of personal growth where I am constantly pushing limits, breaking boundaries, and other such actions with powerful verbage.

______Even if whatever task or project I am pushing through is difficult and I am living on the meager salary of a graduate student (with much help from the parents in other areas, thank goodness), things have been, well, pretty darn swell. Since I've moved to Iowa, I've found myself more comfortable with myself and my surroundings, no matter how unfamiliar they once were and still currently are; I also feel I have a greater understanding with the work I am producing in the studio, even if it constantly stresses me out and twists my dreams into anxious ordeals. Being alone with myself is more of a solitudinous treat to enjoy than a feeling of emptiness that overwhelms.




______I'm feeling more content than I have ever known before, even with the stress I put on myself, minus maybe that one time my grandma fed me an Oreo when I was small and I discovered my life-long passion for all things sweet and chocolatey. But the stress is good stress, because it's stress about the things I care about. Were it not, I'm sure a little grey raincloud would be following me around, dumping and dripping its rain all over me.

______That being said, I know I am thankful for all that I have now and will continue to have through graduate school, no matter what scholastic hardships I may face...





______Appreciation of life aside, BornPretty sent me another round of gold-coated items: this uniquely-designed antler ring, these dangling teardrop leaf earrings, a delicate branch bracelet, and a bracelet with rows and rows of glittering rhinestones. I'm always fond of their bracelet selection, especially the delicate pieces which are perfect for adding subtle detail on outfits which already have a solid amount of bling in them--such as this glitzy mesh top and sparkly tights.

______And as usual, you can get 10% off your purchase at BornPretty with the code ALT10.



Mesh top: Urban Outfitters (exact)
Skirt: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Tights: similar
Boots: Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace: Nasty Gal
Rhinestone bracelet: c/o BornPretty
Leaf bracelet: c/o BornPretty
Earrings: c/o BornPretty
Antler ring: c/o BornPretty

Black Velvet + BornPretty

______I haven't purchased jewelry in two years and it's all thanks to BornPretty and their eclectic selection of shimmery accessories.  Thankfully their products are always on point and the recent set of items I recieved is no exception; that being said, I've had a wee bit of an obsession with choker necklaces ever since they made their revival from the 90s, and this heart choker brings me back those perplexing days of middle school and the its curious fashion trends.  I also received a silver bone ring, rhinestone bowknot ring, and a thin criss-cross bracelet.  All sorts of things that mix girly and edgy.

______As always, you can get 10% off your order with code ALT10.




______Somehow we are already three weeks away from winter break even though it feels like the semester has just begun and that I only started making my way around the land of Iowa.  Whereas I only used to know where one Walmart is, I now know where both Walmarts are. I know. It's wild.  Fight me. I also know of many more local spots that once I may have never discovered were it not for outings with friends. Some of the entrances to these places go underground or up to another floor and have tiny doors squished between two buildings that nearly go missed when one passes by. These places remind me of the scene in that beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix where the buildings split apart to reveal a secret building in the middle...




______Nonetheless, I'm already dreaming of baking mountains upon endless mountains of cookies that spill over the countertops of my mother's kitchen (she reads this and dreads such disarray in her domestic space), shopping at home where the bell-filled sounds and piney smells of Christmas permeate the stores, and seeing the glittering lights at night that speckle the homes of my parents' neighborhood.  Even driving along what is normally a mundane highway at night is transformed over Christmas, for each of the traffic light poles is accented with a lit-up snowflake, reindeer, or bell marquee.

______The same goes for up here in Iowa: I'll admit to driving around at night just to soak in the delicacy that is the light-wrapped trees and lampposts on and off campus. It really may be the most wonderful time of the year...

Top: TJ Maxx
Skirt: Urban Outfitters
Oxford heels: Jeffrey Campbell
Socks: ASOS
Bow ring: c/o BornPretty
Rhinestone heart choker: c/o BornPretty
Bone ring: c/o BornPretty
Thin cross bracelet: c/o BornPretty

Twinkle Toes + BornPretty

______BornPretty sent me over some glitzy goodies again this month, and thanks to them, I have been upping my collection of silver jewelry. They sent me these trailing silver earrings, diamond netted bracelet, rhinestone cuff bracelet, and a dainty silver ring. I'm embracing all things glittery: jewelry, glitter eyeshadow, and even glitter body gel are in my fashion vocabulary right now. Perhaps it is the thought of being a snow princess in Iowa that fuels these sparkly wants, or perhaps it is simply a result of the appeal of shiny things.

______As usual, you can get 10% off your order at BornPretty at checkout with code ALT10.




______It's a blessing that BornPretty sends me goodies every month, for if they didn't, I'd be more likely to forget about that #bloglife. I haven't completely dropped off the face of the earth, but this past month has beens so busy with grad school critiques, classes, and teaching that I've been running on empty. Plus there's that whole "staying sane" thing that goes in there somewhere... I digress. I hope everyone has been enjoying the cooler weather that's settled in.

______Leaves are starting to fall that crunch like crinkly chips on the ground, trees are yellowing ever so slightly, and the morning begins with crisp prairie air that makes your throat shiver when you suck it in. And everyone is pulling out their boots and cardigans to begin the layering that will last all the way through winter... because here in the Iowa, winter is very real, and winter is always coming. I'm excited for a taste of all four seasons.



______I made a pigeon friend the other week. There's a bridge that I ride my bike beneath in the mornings and this pigeon, who I soon dubbed Carter, would always be waddling around beneath it. He was a solid chap, with feathers of emerald and magenta wrapping 'round his neck like a silky scarf, and a fluffy body that would puff up if one approached him too quickly. Day after day, I would ride by him, say hello, and take some pictures of his fine, flirty self.

______I noticed that Carter had an orange anklet around his foot and after mentioning my pigeon-pal to my dad, he informed me that there were numbers on the band that described from whence the snazzy bird came. I couldn't ever get close enough to grab Carter to look at some of the numbers on his orange band, but I did squint enough to figure out what pigeon organization he was part of. I soon learned that this pigeon was part of the National Pigeon Association, meaning he was someone's domesticated pet pigeon. Also meaning his name probably wasn't Carter. Also meaning he was not a secret mission pigeon sent to take down terrorists with pigeon kung-fu... I can dream, can't I?

______Only trying to help, I suffered through many attempts to clasp his chubby body between my hands, but he'd waddle away or fly to an unreachable fencepost if I got too close. He was kind of a piece of shit, but he was also basically my boyfriend based on how many pictures I took of him and how much I showed him off. #pigeonboyfriend #luv

______Alas, this pigeon-ship didn't last long, because for the past couple of days, I haven't seen Carter in sight. Perhaps he has gained enough energy and was able to continue his journey. Perhaps he simply needed a break from flying. Or worse: perhaps he had found another woman to woo.

______Godspeed, Carter.

Studded jacket: similar
Dress: Kohls
Heels: ASOS
Earrings: BornPretty
Rhinestone net bracelet: BornPretty
Silver ring: BornPretty
Rhinestone cuff bracelet: BornPretty

Starry Eyes + BornPretty

______BornPretty always sends me the loveliest accessories as I am sure you all know, and this set of items did not disappoint. I opted for some silver jewelry as I have been lacking in that area and picked a few stellar pieces: this silver star ring, twisted silver bracelet, moon and star earrings, and a pointed chain necklace. I'm always impressed with their quality as it's tough and long-lasting; I know that these will be no different, and I'm digging all things star, planet, and galaxy-related right now. And forever. Pluto is still a planet and I believe in it.

______Ahem. As usual, you can get 10% off with code ALT10 at checkout.





______Now that I've roamed around Iowa City enough both on foot and bike, I feel comfortable with my environment and excited about living and teaching here for the next couple of years. Rather than having a downtown littered solely with bars and bar food, it's peppered with delicious eateries, unique shops, and coffee cafes galore. Each place has its own personality: there's a coffee shop with Edison-style lights and knotted rugs on the floors, a bar with candles and wooden accents, a kitchen shop with hand thrown bowls and mugs, and a couple yogurt shops with brightly colored chairs and glass windows for walls.

______I know I haven't seen everything there is to offer here, either, but I look forward to peeling away the layers of this city. I've been biking a lovely, foliaged trail that hugs a river and swoops around a lake, but I know there are more trails out here. Just the the other day, I was driving and noticed a couple of neon helmets pop out from beneath and bridge and then dip down into tall grass that hides a path. As I looked over, I saw a yellow sign designating a bike trail.

______How do you explore new places?




Necklace: c/o BornPretty
Bracelets: c/o BornPretty
Moon and star earrings: c/o BornPretty
Star ring: c/o BornPretty

Starburst + BornPretty

______BornPretty sent me over some summery items recently: this braided bracelet, a polished set of midi and regular rings, and a gold metal bracelet. I've always loved the contemporary look of midi rings and these will definitely be a versatile set to mix and match with other rings. I'll wear them until my skin is as wrinkly and leathery as that of a dinosaur's. No offense to the dinosaurs; they work those wrinkles. Dinosaur commentary aside, you can get 10% off your order with code ALT10 at checkout.

______I'm still into the poofball trend. I hope it's still a trend because I'm kind of obsessed with poofballs and telling people to "touch my poofball" all the day long. How they respond is how you know whether or not you want to keep being their friend.




______I officially only have one month until my parents and I travel up to Iowa to move me in to my new apartment and studio for the next three or so years... and don't get me wrong, that's incredibly rad and I am pumped to start riding out the next phase of my life, but it's also coming on fast. I'm currently in the process of packing trinkets, bath goods, and other such miscellany.

______It's a ride on the struggle bus. Not only have I found about nine chapsticks, four dead flies with just a few remaining limbs, and a plethora of bobby pins lost from over the years, but also I'm questioning what items are worthy enough to endure the 12-hour road trip up to the corn-infested land of Iowa.

______Do I take my ceramic pumpkin teapot for shelf decor? Do I need to pack all three shades of red lipstick, or just the best one? Do I need to take only books I haven't read, or should I lug along a few favorites? How likely is it that I'll really need this many socks? How many pillows should be on my bed? Can one ever have enough pillows on their bed?

______So many questions with so few answers from the world.


 

______Long story short, apologies if I fall off the blog radar for the next couple of weeks; on the up side, you can always find me on the Instergrandma!

Dress: Charlotte Russe (similar)
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Braided bracelet: c/o BornPretty
Corn chain bracelet: c/o BornPretty
Rings: c/o BornPretty
Poofball hair tie: Amazon
Jelly shoes: Juju