Happy Labor Day!

So long bare-armed sun-filled days in the park with a good book, my lover (though he looks super grumps in this photo!), and our favorite summer mixes.

Well guys, it's Labor Day and you know what that means. It's (un)officially the end of summer! I'm a little sad that it's over, not going to lie! I enjoyed my summer, and though it wasn't always easy (financially), good things are on their way this upcoming season. Ryan has been unemployed for the past 6 months and I'm so excited that he finally got a great job lined up this past week! It's kind of funny, he actually has to work today on Labor Day but neither of us are complaining. Anyway - I try not to get too into my personal life on my blog, but that has been a major turning point this year for us. So happy that we're back on the right track!

Come tomorrow, I'll be on my way back home

I can't believe I haven't blogged since June! I have to admit, July felt like forever and while I've been documenting most of my time, I haven't had a chance to breathe and work on blogging. The first week of July I flew back home to Dallas and had a great holiday week with my family. Part of the festivities included a long overdue graduation party, a massive trip to Sephora, and finally getting a smartphone (which I'd end up having to get replaced in less than a month but more on that later). As much as I love Chicago, I really miss home. I never remembered Dallas having so much charm. It was so refreshing to go back revisiting old spots, people I used to know, and visiting new places I seemed to have overlooked so long ago.



My sister Rita made my graduation banner and decorations. She bought all of these vintage sewing patterns and made the letters with the illustrated photos on the packaging and paper flowers from the actual patterns. She gets me. My sister Andrea should still be mentioned as she did most of the actual event planning. I love my sisters!



And talk about the cutest graduation cake ever. Strawberry cake with vanilla icing... my fave.



My Fourth of July was spent watching my youngest niece Alyssa in a parade, hanging out, laughing, and playing games with the rest of my family. In the evening, I sat parked in my grandmother's neighborhood of 50 some odd years with my mother and her mother watching fireworks. I can't remember that day being any more perfect. I'll never forget it.

So the rest of my July went a little something like this: First week spent at home, 6 days of work in a row, 6 days of my brother visiting Chicago, massive flood in my apartment due to an insane storm, phone totally wiped out, and 6 days of cleaning it up/fixing damages. But I am alive! I survived July!

Forgive me...

I've been such a bad blogger. You may see consistent Tumblr posts from yours truly, but when it comes to making an actual blog post, I've been pretty lazy these days. Not to mention the weather has been absolutely terrible for motivation! Still, I found time to take the dress pictured above to my tailor for shoulder alterations and it was well worth my money (especially considering that I bought it for a mere $13 on ASOS last summer). I've been aching for a pair of espadrilles, and I think these from Style 369 may do the trick. I really feel like they'll go with nearly everything I own. The necklace will be a replacement for my other Laura Lombardi necklace that was taken from me... ugh, it's a really long story. Thankfully Urban Outfitters is carrying her jewelry now because I get a company discount (though I secretly wish they had my original one because I loved it so so much). Sally Jane Vintage has had this bag for a while, and I can't justify the price but gosh is it nice to look at.

I still haven't bought rings like I promised myself I'd do. I think these stacking rings are a great start for me and the price isn't bad for 14k gold filled and sterling silver. Lastly, all I really want this summer is good music to listen to. I already went with Ryan last Monday to see Bonnie Prince Billy for free downtown in Millenium Park. As I've said before, that is my favorite thing about summers in Chicago. It was a great start to my summer and I can't wait for more!

Vintage Heaven

Hi friends! I'm sorry I haven't been posting a whole lot lately. Finals are quickly approaching, but I did manage to squeeze in time to go to the Vintage Heaven Sale this past weekend at Heaven Gallery in Wicker Park. There were 14 vendors from the Chicago area with booths of fantastic vintage pieces in two separate rooms. As wonderful as it was, I was kind of underwhelmed in terms of plus size offerings from these vintage vendors. I ain't mad at ya though. I understand there is a larger market for smaller size vintage pieces, but this proved to me that I could possibly.. maybe do this myself? It's scary when you realize your potential because then you're stuck with this dilemma. Real life job? Or your own business? I have an eye for vintage and I'm not afraid to admit it. But am I willing to take it to the next level?


Jacket, Shoes: Buffalo Exchange
Blouse, Bag: Thrift
Skirt: Sears

I ended up switching the top at the last minute for something a little similar, but a little punchier. The sun is starting to come out and I think it's here to stay. It's rather frustrating going outside and always feeling like a million eyes are on me when I finally decide to get leggy in the spring. I guess I'll never know what people are really thinking, but what I think is that I'm fabulous and I can work it out no matter what people say (or don't say). So take that!

My life as LIV

This is the week that never ends!! Yes it goes on and on my friend. I have a million things to do today but I wanted to post this as proof that I'm not slacking off. I will return soon! I love you all!

xoxoxoxo,
Olive

Paper heart

Dress: H&M, from Crossroads
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes, Bag, Belt, and Ring: Thrifted
Paper Doilies: 25 cents at Brown Elephant!

I have a lot of tote bags and this one has to be one of my favorites. It was $1 at Salvation Army and it's a little San Francisco trolley with wooden handles. I've never been to California, much less San Francisco, so I feel like a bit of a poser when I wear this! Haha. But I absolutely adore it and it goes with pretty much anything I wear.

I'm really excited to use these paper doilies for some craft projects I've been wanting to do. Spring break is officially over and it's back to reality - never having time for anything fun! I complain and complain about not being able to do stuff, but boy did I get a lot done this past week! I got a new bed (Ryan and I have been sleeping on a floor for 2-3 months... it's a long story!), new desk, new bookcase, and we fixed our cable service and got a replacement phone for Ryan. All of these things have been floating around in my to-do list and we finally got them done. Yay!



P.S. I just bought 3 new pair of shoes that I'm really excited about at Evans. I'd been waiting for them to have another 20% off code and they have one on their website right now. It ends tonight at midnight, so hurry! More on those purchases tomorrow. :]

Searching the world for what's right here

{My hair was out of control this past December and it really shows in this photograph. Still, I'll always love this photo from Fall 2009.}

Outfit posts are scarce these days, I know. Here's a few old pictures to make it look like I'm not completely slacking off. In all actuality, my life is busier than ever. I'm going to be at school for 12 hours today; 7 hours of class, and 5 hours of getting caught up with class projects. I feel like I've been a senior in college forever. It's only six weeks into the semester and my brain is already checked out and exhausted. I am so ready to be DONE! I'm graduating in three months, but I'll still have 8 more credit hours to complete for the summer. It's incredibly bittersweet.

I need some serious collegiate motivation. All I can think about is how I want my life to be once I'm done with all of these tedious projects I've gotten myself into. And by tedious projects, I don't mean this blog! This is one of the few things I look forward to working on in my spare time. Lately I've been thinking of new banner ideas and sticking to one font. {REALLY OBSCURE IDEAS, OLIVE.} I've also been bookmarking tons of projects I want to do from Design Sponge once the weather allows me to sit in the park and get my hands dirty. I'm constantly inspired and even though it causes slight distractions, I'd have it no other way.


{Going clockwise: Summer 2009, Fall 2008, Winter 2009}

Pop Pop Portraits

First off - I apologize for the lack of posts recently! I caught the flu this past weekend and while I was in the middle of transitioning from flu to cold, I got pink eye! I have been pretty miserable, but I'm hanging in there.

I found these LOVELY lovely pictures by Pop Pop Portraits on the Drifter and the Gypsy. I wish I could raid these fictional characters' closets! I mean, talk about dream outfits. My favorites would have to be the outfits with the blue coat, red plaid dress, red beret, doggie, and the blue and yellow zigzag dress. SO INSPIRING. The best part is that I can reinterpret some of these outfits into my own style without any guilt I'd feel if it were a real photo of street fashion. So. In. Love.

I wanna see movies of my dreams

My grandfather passed away on Thursday so I'll be in Dallas until Tuesday. I'm preparing myself for a very emotional couple of days so bare with me if there are a lack of posts.

On a happier note, I'll leave you with this lovely Vanessa Bruno SS10 video lookbook starring Lou Doillon.



So, so beautiful.

Waking to winter

Jacket: Buffalo Exchange
Sweater: H&M
Ring: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Target
Tights: Hue, from Nordstrom Rack
Flats: Evans
Bag: Thrifted

I feel like everything in my life is going full force and I need to take a second to breathe. It's my last semester of college and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. The blog helps because I'm forcing myself to do something I genuinely LOVE doing so that I have something to look forward to work on after all these bullshit assignments are over and done with (or in some cases, before I even attempt to open up my textbook). What can I say? Some distractions are necessary for those that work best under pressure.