Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Swan Princess

Swan Princess3
Swan Princess2
Swan Princess
Swan Princess7Swan Princess1
Swan Princess5
Swan Princess8
Swan Princess9
Swan Princess10

______The Swan Princess was one of my favorite cartoon princess movies when I was growing up.  There was something about her name, Odette, the way that her lovely dress fell about her, and the fact that she turned into a majestic swan in a moonlit lake that stuck with me.  This dress, for whatever reason, reminds me of that magical childhood movie!  I really like the way these pictures turned out, so I apologize that there are so many of them.  My mom chose a lovely location and these are as many photos as I was able to narrow them down to.  Plus, here's a picture of my brother and I! He's totally shirtless because he was totally pressure-washing the driveway.  Always being a hard worker, that brother of mine.

Swan Princess11

______Last night, we went out to this outstanding Italian restaurant for my birthday dinner.  We started with a basket full of these warm, chewy, olive oil-y buns, went on to have some tender meatballs smothered in marinara as an appetizer, and finally had our main courses.  I ended up choosing lasagna since it was the only thing I could pronounce, and it was a fine choice--the melty ricotta cheese, soft pasta, and meaty marinara blended together so nicely. I appreciated this carb-heavy meal, I did.

______Later when the Italian food had digested juuuuust enough so there was room for dessert, I grabbed a square of homemade chocolate chip cookie cake, microwaved it slightly, and topped it with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate fudge syrup.  Hey now, don't judge me--everybody needs a little bit of diabetes now and then.  Needless to say, I was stuffed and felt like quite a blob last night.  This morning's daily bike ride was more invigorating than usual, and I even beat my 10 and 15-mile personal record which was pretty sweet.  I'm actually quite happy to be returning to healthful eating for the rest of the week.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake2Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake1Chocolate Chip Cookie CakeCookie Cake Sundae

______I never realized how difficult it is to take pictures of food. I had to be so patient, which was quite the difficult task when the ice cream and fudge was dripping down the cookie in such a seductive manner.  Torture, you guys!  The food mocks you.  It's all, "Look at me, look at how warm and delicious I look! Haha, you're such a loser and you can't have any of me until you take a decent picture."

______Food is stupid.  But I showed it who's boss by eating it.  Take that, you rude cookie sundae thing.

Cookie Cake Sundae1

Dress: gifted, via Modcloth
Heels: TJ Maxx
Necklace: Charming Charlie's
Cicada earrings: Etsy
Hair: done by my momma!

43 comments:

Lexy @ QUIRKY EXPLOSION said...

aldjlasjdk YOU LOOK GORGEOUS!!!!!! Your mom did a great job with your hair, and eek, that dress! You look smokin' weee!

And ahhh, that sounds so delicious. Italian is absolutely my favourite type of food, ever, so... WOWWW.

Happy birthday! yayyyy

QUIRKYEXPLOSION.blogspot.com

Jodie said...

happy belated birthday! well done on showing that sundae whos boss :)
thanks for the comment on my blog- im 5'8 too so i know what you mean by the height thing to men but its never bothered me- i love heels!
x
www.be-a-goddess.blogspot.co.uk

Unknown said...

Wonderful pictures ....

www.fashionblogtwenty.blogspot.com

xxx

Ramona said...

I loved Swan Princess as well. and You nailed it, you do look like Swan Princess.Your earrings are so cool.

xoxo Ra

Unknown said...

"everybody needs a little bit of diabetes now and then." YOU ARE MY FAVORITE. Happy belated birthday! I am one million times hungrier than I was before I read this post. Also, you look sososososo beautiful! That dress is so pretty, and it looks like it was made for you! Can you believe I haven't seen the Swan Princess? I am a bad princess movie fan girl.

Jen Hsieh said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Ali! The best kinds of birthdays are the ones filled with delicious noms, so I'm glad you were able to stuff yourself silly. Also, YOU ARE GORGEOUS. Like, an unhealthy level of gorgeous. These pictures really did come out beautifully so I don't blame you for posting so many. You're definitely a modern swan princess. I'm loving the patterned fabric on the bodice of the dress as well as your earrings. :)

The Dragonfruit said...

Hahaha! And that is exactly why I do not take food pictures. Oh I want too, but by the time I think "Oh, I should take a picture of this" its already in my stomach :b
Mmmm, that sounds so delicious too...I want to go out and eat Italian now!
Anyway, I remember that movie! Brought back so many memories...I do remember Prince Derek ;)
The dress really does seem reminiscent of the movie too. The print panel in the front of it is such a nice touch!

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Katie Aman said...

This look is STUNNING! Everything, from your gorgeous braided hair, to your lovely accessories is perfect. Definitely a beautiful look. Happy late birthday! Sounds like you had a lovely meal, and I totally want lasagna now! haha

Bonnie said...

Your mom did an amazing job with your hair. It looks professional! I wonder if I could get her to fly here every single morning to do my hair before I begin my day ... It's worth a shot, right? :) Also, I totally want to raid your closet and wear all of your pretty, girly outfits. You have so many cute ones!

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Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Stephanie said...

That dress is incredible.

My Bathroom Is My Castle said...

Happy belated birthday from me, too. You look stunning; love your hairstyling.
Great job of your mother.

XOXO

My Bathroom Is My Castle – Beauty Blog

A Possible Fantasy said...

such a pretty dress! and that necklace is beyond gorgeous!

LyddieGal said...

You definitely look like the swan princess, and what an elegant birthday look!
Your gastronomic smorgasbord sounds amazing, and right up my alley. What is better than Italian??

Chic on the Cheap

Cassandra Too said...

Amazing dress! Look so classy! :D

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Hanna C. said...

thanks for you lovely comment -again!
i really loved the swan princess. i don;t know why but i really like her hair..it was so long and soooth I guess.
anyways, love your outfit and the pictures!! and yes, it's always difficult to take pictures of food:(

chooohanna.blogspot.com

anton belardo said...

belated happy birthday dear!!!! i hope you had a really lovely time!!!! you look amazing in your swan dress

i loves it


<3 <3

sending extra kisses






kisses A

teresweetstyle said...

great post honey, and happy birthday!

xx

Tiffany said...

wow you look gorgeous!! the dress is so beautiful! Happy belated birthday!
& mmmm those look soooo good.

monica said...

oh em gee u look amazing

Julia said...

You do look like a swam princess in this dress! I love the unexpected swatch of pattern against the white. Really unique!

Julia
Cup of Tea

E said...

That dress is so awesome! I love the necklace! Happy belated day, too!

Allison said...

What a unique dress! What I really love are those earrings! They are just amazing!!
:)
Allison

P.S. I'm having an INTERNATIONAL $75 Shopbop giveaway on my blog, so don't forget to enter! :)
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Nanthini said...

Girl, look at those bone structures you've got! That dress wraps you impeccably. Justice served :) though idk how many men you killed that day ;)

Antonella Leone said...

fantastic <3 love this outfit <3

Chelsea Finn said...

Wow! You look so incredible! That is such a beautiful dress and your hair is absolutely lovely. The Swan Princess was also my favorite growing up! I always told my mom that I wanted to change my name to Odette haha

<3Chelsea Elizabeth

PS: Now you have me hungry for dessert!

Marie McGrath (The Joy of Fashion) said...

You.look.gorgeous!!!! OMG!!! So so pretty! You look like a princess! I really loved the Swan Princess when I was a child as well, I must have seen it more than a dozen times. Oh, and happy birthday!! Your Sunday cookie thingie looks deeeeelish!

www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com

ylenia said...

Nice dress here!
XOXO
Ylenia
New post on my blog too, check it out and let me know your opinion!

joy said...

Happy belated birthday! Your dress is gorgeous, hmm but I have never watched that movie before D: And I also really like how you did your hair, it is beautiful. I would love to see a tutorial :)

Ahhh these pictures and descriptions of food is killing me! LOL i want to everything, but especially the cookie cake and ice cream.

Audrey Allure said...

Gorgeous dress!

Grace Wainwright said...

These pictures are just stunning! Love that dress and that food looks so yummy!


A Southern Drawl

norma said...

hi! I would love to see your pictures, but for some reason I am not able to :(. Not sure why.

Clàudia Gy said...

Pretty dress, i love it!
Kisses!

Sofie said...

Beautiful dress! ♥

Isquisofrenia said...

happy belated bday you look gorgeous

Rory said...

that dress is SO beautiful on you! :)
Rory
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Glossy Lala said...

Lovely look,like a ballerina.

http://glossylala.blogspot.co.uk/

Lala

Anonymous said...

this dress is really beautiful. you have a great style!

you have such a lovely blog! what do you think of following each other?

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Agnes W said...

Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! That dress is beautiful and you do look like a princess in it, especially within that garden. I also adore the earrings you wore with it and you are super talented! (referring to the horse drawing).

Happy Wednesday my dear!

http://infinitehouseofillusions.blogspot.com/

melindaaa said...

wow suchh a pretty dress

Unknown said...

happy belated birthday! love your hair in those pictures :) and that chocolate chip cookie sundae looks delicious - but i totally know what you mean about being excited to eat healthy ...i love my sweets more than most but i really love the way my body feels when i take good care of it
-elisabeth

WE INSPIRE US said...

girl you are so pretty! so cute! ))

You have a perfect body! and this dress compliments it! )

Anonymous said...

have no blog where are the pictures of you from another century luv grammie

Myraqpcw said...

such a pretty dress! and that necklace is beyond gorgeous!