Hippie hippie shake

Confession: I've been one lazy girl. For months, I've been meaning to sort through my closet and redecorate my bedroom with some proper "spring" cleaning, but spring is long gone, summer is slipping away, and I've done close to nothing. My excuse? Starting a new full-time job in April. Truth: I just don't feel motivated. What's the point in keeping a tidy room when you only use it for sleep? Right? But I have been meaning to give my wardrobe a thorough evaluation and make room for my summer finds... out with the old, in with the new. As I fill up bags of garments to donate or consign, there are always those items that I'm on the fence about. This maxi skirt is one of them:

Ahhh. My hippie skirt. Supersoft cotton, crocheted detailing, a frou-frou tulle hem?!? This skirt has it all. It's the first thing I ever purchased from Urban Outfitters. It was priced something ridiculous, like in the $100 range, and I couldn't justify a three-digit price tag for such a whimsical piece. I mean, it's fun, but not exactly a long-term investment. Then I watched it drop to $75. Then $49.99. I think that's when I snapped it up, then cringed over the coming weeks as it went to $29.99, then $14.99... and, of course, my size was still in stock. I guess not everyone fell for it as hard as I did!

And five or six years later... we're still together. A summer fling that turned into lasting love, if you will. This skirt has been everywhere with me. It even served as a pretty awesome Halloween costume one year; I was "Halfway Cinderella," and my ballgown was on its way back to tatters. I thought this skirt, with its color, woho-chic style and, of course, tulle, had that very "riches to rags" peasant-princess look I was going for.

So the skirt might not have been the most pragmatic purchase ever, and it certainly doesn't go with everything in my wardrobe, but I just can't let go. In the summer, I live in maxi dresses and skirts. Not that trends matter so much, but I'm happy to see longer lengths come back into fashion. I heard a designer describe this fall's major look as "seventies-chic lady" (or, as Free People dubbed it, "seventies groupie") and I'd like to think that sums up my aesthetic. At least, for today. Or maybe it's just "Stevie Nicks decided to introduce pastels into her wardrobe for once." That could work, too.

And oh, yes, I wore this very outfit to the office (but added a cardigan for modesty and warmth!). Most people in my office wear jeans. I like to shake things up.

Behold, "Seventies Groupie"! I so can't wait to copy this Free People look in the fall:

How do you feel about the maxi-length's return? Was it long-awaited for you, or are you ready for it to just go away?

Flower child

Maybe it's the dwindling down of summer (or are we at the peak?). Maybe it's the light, whimsical sensations drifting through the air. Or maybe it's because I'm just really pleased with my garden and can't help showing it off... whatever it is, I'm currently obsessed with all things floral. If I were doing some in-house decorating right now, everything, from the bedspread to the curtains and wallpaper, would turn out very quaint, dainty, and decidedly English. Perhaps one day I'll have my own picturesque little cottage to doll up as I please.

For now, I'll just bedeck myself in all the florals I can stand!



Fun fact: I snatched this maxi from Gap a few weeks back (yup, it's the same as my white one) for a mere $4.99 (latte money!) with a promotional coupon-- it was already marked down with an additional 40% off, and I used a $10 off coupon on top of that. Score!



You know I love to shop, but lately I won't bite unless it's an insanely good deal. Nifty-thrifty finds fit in perfectly with my newfound shabby-chic aesthetic... This dress is not only cute, but super-soft and comfy. If it weren't so pretty, it might just get converted into a nightie. At that price, I should have bought two!



So tell me... What's been your biggest shopping score this summer?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Contest ends next Tuesday at midnight. Leave me a creative comment to win a $50 CSN Stores gift card!