Ralph Lauren Spring '12

Surprise, surprise...I can't help but be attracted to pretty things. And retro things. Put that together and a pretty heavy obsession grows. That's how I feel about the Ralph Lauren Spring '12 collection. After reading the review on Style.com I learned that Ralph Lauren was responsible for designing the costumes for the original version of The Great Gatsby and it all made so much sense. A perfect 20's inspired collection by the costumer of the quintessential Jazz Age movie.

images via style.com, collage by me

Etsy ♥ / shop Amourouse

A few years ago I discovered Etsy and it was like falling into a fantastically quirky and wonderful rabbit hole. At a young age I started trolling ebay for deals (at age 11 I sold all my outgrown clothes online for spending money...I guess I'm an entrepreneur at heart) but it wasn't the best platform for handmade sellers hoping to create a boutique type environment. Needless to say, Etsy has stolen my heart and is growing both as a site and as a community everyday. Being a seller there myself, I have discovered quite a few stores and products I am absolutely in love with and I thought it was about time I share...

Amourouse

If you follow any number of fashion-centric tumblr's you have probably seen pictures of one of these sets. Until a few weeks ago I had no clue where to find them but a lucky search on etsy sent me to Amourouse. Each is custom made to the customer's size and can have lining added to make them suitable for use as a bathing suit. Vintage-y, flower-y, bow-y, amazing!!

all images via Amourouse 

Gloomy Gardens

I'm still waiting for the true California summer weather to show up! Until then, it gives me a reason to keep wearing my favorite vintage sweaters and long layers. I tend to shy away from long skirts as they tend to be too short on me but this find was perfect! There are so many great things about this skirt, it doesn't cling or get static-y like some other skirts and it is totally light and breezy. The best part? Pretty soon you can have it for yourself when it is up for sale on the Theodora Vintage page. :)

Grandma's old sweater / vintage maxi skirt / Target Sunglasses

Thursday ♥'s (and personal musings)

You can never have enough rings...Oversized Shades & a Cup of Coffee seems to agree with me.

I have a serious affinity for personalized jewelry and this piece is perfect, via ellevictoire.

Cheetah is the New Black has a collage of perfect picks for summer.

La Ville Inconnue never ceased to amaze me with her wonderful vintage style.

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ahhh Weird webcam picture I know, but I felt the need to include a thinking photo with this thinking post...anyways...

(I may or may not have been at work while taking this)

I'm in one of those unfortunate, inevitable, absolutely wretched writer's block slumps.

All I can help thinking is why do I blog? There isn't much that makes my blog different from other fashion blogs as much as I wish there was. Developing a voice and a persona is not an easy task and something I'm definitely working on, but at times it just feels so overwhelming. Then again is that something I should even have to try at? 

All I know is that it is time for me to change things up a tad. 

When I feel stuck in a rut I just remind myself 

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different result."

(Totally thought this was an Einstein quote but apparently its Ben Franklin)

So here's to shaking things up a bit and becoming more inspired again! I've found I find the most joy in what I do when it comes from the heart and I don't try to be something I'm not. 

Seems pretty simple right? 

If you've made it to the end of this I commend you!
What do you when you feel like you are in a blogging rut? Heck what do you do when you are in a LIFE rut?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

I Can't Help It!

High waisted short + a tied up top = My unfailable go-to summer look.

Heck I'm even wearing that combo in my header! There's something so easy about throwing on this combo, it feels more dressed up than your average jeans and a T and has much more retro flair. Expect to see many many other reincarnations of this combo as the temperature stays consistently higher.

vintage GAP top/vintage LEE's/ F21 wedges/vintage Liz Claiborne bag