Friday, July 27, 2012

My Style >> Indian Summer


So I know that 'Indian Summer' is actually an occurence that takes place in the autumn, when the temps become unseasonably warm one final time before winter's evil reign begins (we're all well aware of my feelings about winter).  But for whatever reason, when I hear the expression, it's a certain type of lighting that comes to mind for me, not a fall-time heatwave.  I think of that magical hour on an idyllic midsummer evening, right before the sun begins to set, when everything is enveloped with a warm, soft, pink and butterscotch kissed haze.  It's my favorite time of day, and conjures images of sun-drenched wheat fields and bare feet and earthy patterned fabrics and messy hair and dried wildflowers and all sorts of bohemian summery goodness.  Completely weird and random, I know.  But that's what Indian Summer is to me, and that's the exact lighting we got when we went outside to take pictures of this look the other night.  The outfit itself is kind of boho/modern flower child, so really, it all worked out perfectly.  Thanks, nature.

Tribes of Robin Dress

I'm going to make a little confession to you guys.  Lately I've been starting to wonder if the short dresses I've been wearing incessantly for so many years are becoming a little too, well, young.  I've never been one to follow fashion rules (have you seen my wedding dress?) or feel defined by my age, but sometimes you may or may not get to a point in your 30s where you realize you still have (and wear) some of the (really short/perhaps age inappropriate) dresses that you wore in high school, and that may or may not start to freak you out a little bit.

So when I got this dress in the mail from Sugarlips, even though I'd adored it online, I was a little worried about the length. When I opened the package and tried it on, however, my fear instantly diminished.  True story.  This is one of those dresses that is timeless, ageless, and even seasonless if you have the proper layers going on.  First of all, I love the print.  This is the exact type of pattern I was talking about above when I was describing the images that come to my mind when I'm having my 'Indian Summer' daydreams.  And the colors are divine too.  It looks like a summer sunset, all dusty and warm with hints of vibrant blue poking through.  It's comfortable, casual, and quite flattering.  I even love the name: The Tribes of Robin Dress (for the robin's egg blue trim).


My other favorite part of this outfit is the absolutely beautiful set of earrings that were handmade by my sweet friend Laura.  I probably wear more jewelry from her line, Roots and Feathers, than all of my other jewelry combined these days.  It's so my style, so well made, and so unique that I just can't help it.  When she sent me these particular earrings, she told me that they reminded her of my blog.  I have to agree!  The triangle and circle shapes are pretty perfect, don't you think?  The necklace I'm wearing here was actually made by Laura as well, from her Violet Bella line.  She sent it to me right after we first became friends, a little over a year ago.  The meaning behind it is something that is incredibly important to me, and represents something positive and powerful that came out of a similar loss we both had to endure.  It's a really special piece and I'm honored to be able to wear it.


As for the rest of the outfit, it's just chock full of bargains you guys.  The denim jacket (which I wore here as well) was a Good Will score.  It's Ann Taylor, and it was $4.  Yep. The moccasins are Candie's, believe it or not, and were discovered when on a whim, when I ventured into a Kohl's that I happened to be driving by.  The only time I've been in Kohl's before has been with Robbie because he insists that they have the best deals ever on men's socks. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at the cute things that were hidden amongst the, well, not-so-cute things.  Mostly though, I cannot adequately express my love for moccasins in general, and these babies were 50% off.  Score.  The hat was free, because I borrowed it from my husband (who paid for it at some point years ago, and has worn it a whopping zero times).  The bracelet is a Tibetan Buddhist mala that I've had for years.  It's very special to me and I usually don't wear as a "fashion" piece, but I happened to have it on the day we took these pics.   And the sunlight that was blinding me in this last shot is courtesy of mother nature.

Dress: c/o Sugarlips   //  Earrings and Necklace: c/o Roots and Feathers  
Jacket:  thrifted  // Shoes:  Candie's //  Hat: stolen from husband  //  Bracelet: Buddhist mala  


Happy Friday!  Do you have anything planned for the weekend?  Robbie leaves today for three days for a festival the band is playing, so I'm going to have a girls weekend with a couple of different friends who I love and don't get to see often enough.  Whatever you do, have fun!

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20 comments:

  1. Definitely not too short! It's way cute. All of my "real" clothes are still packed, so I'm rocking a boring jeans and t-shirt ensemble today.

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  2. melissa, my fave line is: ..."right before the sun begins to set, when everything is enveloped with a warm, soft, pink and butterscotch kissed haze."... well written, you look lovely. we adored my guy's fedora, until he wore it so much it's now toast. we haven't found a new one yet. i was looking at moccasins online last night. i've been wanting a pair since spring. have a fun weekend! :)

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  3. I'd say that you can definitely still rock the short skirts!

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  4. I love this outfit!!! The dress looks great on you and I love your indian summer description!! I totally can see it like that too. :-)

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  5. I totally feel you on the short dresses thing. I'm approaching my late 20's and even now I feel kind of crazy wearing shorter lengthen skirts and dresses. But I figure, I do it in a classy way, and I am not getting any younger. I might as well do it now than wish I had when I'm 50! You always look very nice, and also wear those shorter lengths very elegantly! I wouldn't worry.

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  6. That dress is wonderfully summery, and I totally feel you on the shorter dresses thing, I'm quite tall so even knee length dresses on other people are closer to my thighs, I just stick some tights on if I am worrying and that makes me feel better xo

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  7. Love the colors and the ikat print. Actually, your setting for this post reminded me of a movie I saw years ago called The Indian Runner; I'm not even sure why cause it's kind of an intense movie and not really summery at all-haha. Anyhoo, I also have the same feelings about my wardrobe. I don't wear really short things usually, but I love "young" prints like polka dots and anything with a little collar on it, and when you combine the two, you basically have a 4-year-old's wardrobe. But dressing like a "career woman" or something is just so not me. I guess I'll keep wearing what I like until I decide I don't like it anymore! Actually, I was joking with Paige not that long ago that I'll probably go straight from dressing like a 4-year-old to dressing like a little old lady and just skip all the age-appropriate styles in between. ;)

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    1. Ha! I love that! No need to mess around with the middle years. :)

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  8. love this look and love those earrings.

    grace
    http://herumbrella.com

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  9. Beautiful! Love the whole look!

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  10. This look is fabulous! Do you remember where your hubby got the hat? I want one =)

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    1. Either Urban Outfitters or Target... I can't remember. Sorry - its been a couple of years! :)

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  11. LOVE the dress! That pattern is perfect. Also, I'm with you on Indian Summer! I actually didn't know it was a fall thing. Oops!

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  12. I LOVE your thoughts on "Indian Summer," and also on what pieces of clothing/length are appropriate for your age. This is something I often think about, but in a good way! You look extra lovely! Have a great weekend sweet lady! XO

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  13. love this dress on you my gorgeous friend <3 and those earrings are beeeeuuutteeeful!

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  14. Cute outfit! I love the dress & the mocs :)

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  15. wow your blog is amazing. i found you by accident and i'm lucky one <3 i love your blog. here is so hot so i don't even go out. this dress look so comfy and beautiful. classy <3
    of course, i add you to followers.
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/ come and say hi:)
    xo

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  16. Love the print on that dress! (I love Laura's designs!)

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

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  17. i like how you wrote in "piercing sun" haha. love how you styled this!! i found you on sugarlips's FB and loved how you styled up their cute dress. my favorite is the jean jacket over the dress, and those earings are so pretty- they're the perfect touch

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