Polka Dot Talk

I saw this shirt in a store about a week ago, and it was one of those moments when I instantly knew I wanted it. Occasionally I debate about purchases – sometimes based on price point, need of the item, or occasions on which I may actually wear it – but this one was for sure the sec0nd I locked my eyes on it.

I’m debating if I should sew gold sequins on the yellow dots. Even this shirt can be improved upon by sparkles.

Polka dots are such a fun, timeless, yet trendy pattern. They’ve been a staple in my wardrobe since 1991. Possibly earlier, but I started having a say in my wardrobe around that time so I can only take credit for what happened after that point.

Polka dots remind me of Springtime. Wearing them is like throwing confetti on your clothes to celebrate the arrival of Spring. It’s been a gloomy couple of days in Santa Monica, but today the sun has started to peek through the fog. Below are some of the polka dot pieces I’d love to wear this Spring.


Karen Millen bubble dress / TFNC / Halston Heritage retro dress / Kate Spade / Madewell / Kate Spade wool scarve / Kate Spade / KATE SPADE NEW YORK Mercer Isle Cindy
Clearly Kate Spade and I are kind of having a moment right now.

Happy Friday!

For your entertainment, below are some of the links I found interesting this week:

Oh Em Gee, Los Angelenos. How fun would this be? If this goes into effect, I may regret supporting it one late night/early morning in the future, but for now I’m on board.

After all their dreams came true: one of the reasons I’m thankful the internet exists.

HBO’s Girls. People have a lot of opinions about this show. I found this article spot on.

 I felt really big and then really small.

This weekend I’ll be celebrating my Irish heritage in full force. My roommates and I will be having an Irish brunch on our rooftop and I’m making green Jell-O shots! Which I think of as traditional brunch fare.

 

I’m gonna have to pull out the Irish Princess crown again. Yes, I kept it from last year.

My Little Pink Room

At the end of April, I’ll be moving out of the house I have shared with three girls since 2010. When I first moved in, I painted my room pink, because I’ve always wanted to. Rainbows and flowers and sparkles abound. It’s super girly, so much so that we named my room The Unicorn Grove when we first moved in. The other girls named theirs The Belfry and The Duck Pond, if my memory serves me correctly. Our house we named the Bunny Hole, since we were all born in the year of the Rabbit. A lot of fun times have been had at the Bunny Hole, and I will really miss living here. While I’m sort of looking forward to developing a new, semi-adult style, today I looked around my little pink room and took note of all the things I’ll miss about it.

The display of all the sweet cards I’ve received over the past year. I hung them on a string calendar from 2011 my brother and sister-in-law gave me.

The Woodruff Ave vintage sign I found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. It’s resting on my bookshelf now. (Woodruff is my last name.)

The anthro knobs I hung by my closet to hang my baubles on.

This candle, which I’m literally burning out. I have big plans to refill it with my own homemade candle, though!

The window that makes my room the hottest in the house. While that may not be ideal for some, this Florida girl thrives in the heat. As does this little baby succulent Valerie gave me. Look, he’s so alive, Val!

This quote inspires me to live and act extraordinarily, even in ordinary circumstances. Here’s to the beginning of a new Fairy Tale.

In My Bachelor Best

So I have been a fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette tv show since Jillian's season in 2009. I was intrigued by a pair of red cowboy boots she wore with a black fringe dress. Something about it just spoke to me, and that's when I started googling her wardrobe from the show. And also watching every episode, ever, including the Bachelor Pad spinoff.

Over the years, as the format of the show becomes increasingly predictable to a seasoned viewer, I found myself fast forwarding to the end, when the elimination begins. This is the good stuff. This season, the "winner" wore a one-shoulder gold gown, and the "loser" wore a silver racer back dress. I've seen the Olympics, so I knew how it was going to go down. I didn't particularly appreciate either of their choices, but it got me thinking about what I would wear if I ever go on the Bachelor and make it to the final two. Which I would, because at this point I could write a handbook on this show. And then I would do the crazy switchup where the contestant reveals she has a boyfriend. Bam! Anyway, here are my choices, for the Bachelor, my next (and first) black tie wedding, or in the instance I get famous and get asked to Prom again. Or just for sitting around. Or heading to Trader Joe's. Actually, I went to Whole Foods recently sort of dressed up and it was really awkward. So I don't recommend that. Even if you're like, Hellooooo I am clearly just buying a bottle of cool champagne to share before I go out somewhere really cool, all you sad people who are not doing that!

Anyway, here are my choices, courtesy of Rent the Runway.

I die. Obviously, I am a winner. With the eye of a crow. 

Because I am a fairytale princess and I should be allowed to reflect that with all my netting and flounce. Also, I would have a more princessy look on my face. Because I would rule with a magnanimous fist. Except don't borrow my dress.

This one is aptly named meteor shower. I would expect this song Meteor to play every time I enter a room. Which is by a band I used to listen to a lot in college. Which I hope wouldn't trick my subconscious into thinking I should behave as a college student. That wouldn't be becoming of a lady in such a dress.

And lastly, this number. So floaty and airy and delicate, like a queen of the snowflakes and peppermints. And, let me tell you, I am a fan of the figure skating style mesh. For sure. For always.

Dresses, from top to bottom: Badgley Mischka, Reem Acra, Rebecca Taylor, Catherine Deane.

A few things brightening up my life lately:

This dress I ordered from tobi.com a few days ago that I got in the mail today. Lovvvves it. I found out about the website after gushing to an almost stranger about how much I loved her dress and she told me about the website. Some of it is kind of iffy, but I love this dress! I got two more as well. Because I can’t help myself. Current dress count: 80+

These two, for whom I've been babysitting lately. They’re the artists behind the fine art I featured in my last post.




Finally getting the right materials to make this necklace (tutorial here):

Finishing this heart painting that pinterest inspired. I used sparkles for the last heart:

Receiving this in the mail today!!!! I LOVE SPARKLEZ.

Using it to make homemade cards:

Get excited, Everyone I Know Who Has A Birthday. I’ve got an arsenal of sparkles, blank notecards, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. Um, I even made that gold liner for the envelope. I find myself impressive.