It’s good to be back

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Hello dear ones! It feels good to be back. Thank you for being patient and letting me have some time off. It was so nice to get away, take a step back, and breath for a minute but I didn’t realize how much I would miss it!

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Writing this blog and organizing all that comes with it (emails, sponsors, social media, photography, fashion, etc.) has become a part of my everyday life.  It’s almost cathartic in its own silly, small way; a chance to break free of the everyday doldrums we can sometimes get ourselves into and to find beauty in the ordinary. Even something as inconsequential as what outfit I wore can suddenly become interesting and fun when I find that one perfect phrase to describe what I’m feeling in my head. Without this blog to transpose some of my creativity onto, I caught myself catching up a notebook and scribbling away for a good thirty minutes or so, multiple times a day.  It didn’t really matter what I wrote, or if the page made any sense as a standalone piece once I was finished. Just having the chance to let out everything I was thinking at once was pure bliss.

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This blog has always been a place that I can share how I’m feeling, whatever that may be.  When I decided to take some time off, it was mostly because I didn’t know where to go from here. I wanted to think about how much I was going to share of my life on this blog.

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But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I’ve always shared whatever the heck I wanted here. I’m not going to allow myself to be hemmed in by others. Their thoughts and opinions don’t matter here; this is my space to share what I want. And I want people to read this blog and see a girl striving to find beauty in the every day, accepting with open arms every challenge, every moment life brings my way, because it’s the happy and the sad that makes life so wonderful.

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I’m sure at this point you guys are thinking, “What is this crazy woman rambling on about?” Hey, there’s a reason why The Rambler is such a perfect name for me. But let’s get to it: I broke off my engagement last month.  For many reasons that are a bit too painful and personal to talk about, so we’ll just keep it short and sweet and say we didn’t agree on important subjects.

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Target hat// Gap trench// Old navy tee// Forever21 scarf// Gap jeans// Guess heels

So all in all, I’m doing fine. Life is beautiful. Painful moments happen. You get up, you start over, and you move on, you keep livin’. You buy those shoes because they’re cute and your legs look great in them and dang it you just broke off your engagement, you deserve them!

*sigh* it’s good to be back!

Vintage Coats Make Me Giddy

 

Target Sunnies// Vintage coat// Charlotte Russe heels

One of my favorite aspects of Winter are all the fun accessories. Scarves, mittens, hats, socks, boots and of course: coats!

This coat is one of my all time favorite pieces I own; my aunt found it in her mother in law’s attic and asked if I would want it.  well der! It’s super heavy and quite fancy so I don’t get to wear it very often, but I had to pull it out this year and do a little shoot, it’s just too darling not to show to the world : )

This coat is a great example of why I love fashion, why I do what I do with this blog. There’s a story behind this coat, of how my aunt’s mother in law bought it and never wore it yet somehow it ended up in her attic and my aunt found it and thought of me. I love the story behind an outfit or a particular piece of clothing; what you were thinking when you bought it, what occasion did you buy it for, how you feel when you wear it, where were you when you bought it. If you take the time to invest in pieces like this coat, you have a walking memory, a great conversation starter.

I also love the transformation that happens with fashion. For me, outfits are very emotion-based. How I’m feeling that particular day or what I’m being influenced by will present itself through my clothing; whether it’s a song, a movie, a color, or an emotion. I love that I have that option, that something as simple as my clothing can become a medium for my creativity.

Does anyone else understand what I’m saying? What is fashion to you?

 

Red.

Pacsun beanie, Old Navy jacket, Target Scarf, {old.v old.} jean jacket, Urban Outfitters merci beau coup tee, Pac Sun pants, Charlotte Russe rainboots.

These pictures were taken the day after we were supposed to get nine inches of Christmas Day snow. #weathermanfail. However it’s now snowing again as I type, so they might be able to swing this one and say they meant nine inches over a week?

I love the snow. I love the look, how everything is bright and white and clean. I love how excited everyone gets when they see snow, even adults. Snow causes everyone to pause, to look, to become a child for just a while.

2013 is almost here and I can’t help but use these last few days of ’12 to look back and reminisce. It’s been one crazy year, and 2013 will be even crazier! I’m excited to set new goals for myself, both in my personal life and here on this blog. Thank you to all of the sweet readers who keep coming back and reading this crazy little spot on the ‘net I call my own. It’s been a huge learning experience! I want to continue to learn all I can from this crazy Blogworld. I can’t wait to see what 2013 will hold!

See you guys next year!

12 Favorites from 2012

my first photo in 2012 compared to my last in 2012.
I got this idea from Shanna and I just loved it so much I thought I’d recreate it, Rambler style : ) But Shanna rocks and did 20 things and I’m not that cool so we’re just doing 12.
12 of my favorite things in 2012!
1. Shoes: this one is a toughy, but I’ll go with these heels and these boots. I wore the CRAP out of those heels and those boots are the comfiest thing EVER.
2. Jewelry: my gold watch. I wear it almost every day, and it’s in almost every picture on this here blog. Here here and here are examples.
3. Accessory: I’d have to go with Shanna and say scarves. I LOVE my fur snood! I got it for Christmas last year and oh my word look how much I’ve changed! How crazy.
4. Clothing Item: I’d have to say my coated black pants from Pacsun. They are featured on this here blog at least once a week. And I’m quit proud of the fact that I fanagled a discount out of the Pacsun guy when I bought them. Woot!
5. Fashion Trend I absolutely adore Chelsea boots! I think they’re so quirky, I just love them. Least favorite? Sheer maxi skirts with solid mini skirts underneath. Um what?
6. Home Decor Trend: Fur rugs. Ya I’m kind of obsessed with fur. Least favorite? Chevron. I’m over it.
7. Place to shop: Forever 21, ASOS and Target.
8. Album: I have to agree with Shanna again, I adore Florence and the Machine. I’m also quite partial to Taylor Swift: Red (judge me all you want)
9. Trip: OF COURSE our engagement trip to San Francisco!
10. Social Media: I’m kind of obsessed with Instagram! I’m so glad they’re NOT going to go cray cray and steal my photos for their own selfish gain.

11. Blog Outfit: This one, this one, and this one. It’s also interesting that this one has gotten the most pins on pinterest! So random!
12. Blog Post: When I decided to take this blog to the next level (still working on that one!) and when I ranted about sweatpants
You can also read my most embarrassing moments in 2012 (and a tiny bit of 2011, I was such a baby!)
YAY! if you decide to do a 12 in ’12 (or a 20 in ’12!), Shoot me an email! I’d love to see your list!

Hey We’re Still Alive!

Target Hat// Old Navy coat// Forever 21 Top// Pacsun pants// Forever 21 chelsea boots

Welp it’s Friday the 21st and we’re all still alive! I guess the Mayans got it wrong. Or maybe they just ran out of rock, who knows.

The point is that the world didn’t end which means I can now truly enjoy the good things in life. Like these boots. Have I told you of my deep love for Chelsea boots? I absolutely adore boots and these slightly ugly yet equally quirky Chelsea boots are just darling. ( Chelseas are tight fitting ankle boots distinguished by the elastic band on the sides rather than a zipper.  For those that are confused. Come on guys, get with the program).

These are on sale, these have a darling color block effect to them, and these are currently starring in my wildest dreams.

Are you in love now as well? Yes. I knew you would be.

Merry {early} Christmas! I won’t be back until after the Big Guy visits, so have a wonderful holiday, hug your loved ones extra tight, and remember what this season is really about.


“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

- I Heard the  Bells


The Rambler’s Christmas Wish List

a new computer (since I don’t actually have one, I just mooch off of everyone else)// pink mittens! I love these extra long ones, so your wrists don’t get chilly ; )// a leather baseball hat. So I don’t feel like such a frump// red pants. I would also accept leather pants// Gigi. It’s one of my favorite movies ever, but somehow I don’t own a copy // a new watch // Lily Pulitzer perfume. I just love this clean scent! My sweet Aunt Gigi got me hooked :) // chelsea ankle boots. They’re so weird they’re cute. // a new chambray shirt// a new journal. I love these Papaya Art ones!

Yay for Christmas!

Weekend Wears

Warby Parker glasses// Lucky snood// Chevron top c/o Darby & Dash// Just USA jeans (old)// pink chucks via Shoe Carnival

During the week my outfits reflect my job, but the weekends tend to be very different. Depending on my mood, I might be extremely dressed up, or I might make it a bit more low key since I so rarely wear jeans during the week.

This day was one of those low key days. Thanksgiving, while wonderful, tends to wear a body out. You know that when I’m wearing my glasses, I’m pretty tired. I’ve worn glasses since I was in 2nd grade so I very rarely wear them during the day. Something about being called “four eyes” for six years straight (I got contacts after that) makes a girl hesitant to wear glasses in public again. ‘Course that might change, since I absolutely adore my new ones!

So when I found this cute little chevron top, I knew it was the perfect Weekend top. I might possibly have worn it all weekend, with various bottoms ranging from the socially acceptable jeans to the not so acceptable pajamas. No judging, you’d wear it three days running too.It’s just that comfy.

Linking up with Rolled Up Pretty and The Pleated Poppy!

 

 

Thanksgiving Round 1

My sweet family traveled to Grand Lake this year for Thanksgiving. Lot’s of food, lot’s of laughs, and lot’s of shopping was involved. It was such a nice getaway. I’m so truly thankful for my precious family!

And how about that vintage fur collar?! Ya I definitely brought that home with me.