With this snow storm that has just hit Cincinnati over the weekend, I find myself craving spring more than ever! To help keep myself from going insane with spring fever, I’ve decided to channel some of my longing into  a set that I can imagine myself wearing on a warm spring day; possibly while on a picnic with friends or for a walk in the park. What do you think? What outfit can you not wait to take out of your (imaginary or real) closet this spring?

Items in this set:
Brunch Date Dress : Adore Vintage Clothing Store, Vintage Dresses,…, $38
Green Ribbed Top Cardigan, 9 GBP
Oxfords, $100
East Weekend Across Body Bag, Chocolate, 65 GBP
Gilded Goldfinch Necklace, $18

I know things have been quiet here lately. So, here are two lovely items I’ve bought
on Etsy lately that I’m completely in love with! That will have to tide you over for now.

{Bag by TippiThai / Calendar by Letter C Design}

The buttons! The ruffles! I’m tempted. Oh so tempted. What say you?
[Dogwood Ruffle bag from SweetgumHandbags for $55]

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Here are a few gems that caught my eye this year:

This messenger bag by Moop. Except I want it in gray. I just think this picture shows it off the best.

Plank Woodgrain Ring. There’s also an owl one that I like, but I am trying to avoid buying anymore owl-related items for the time being before I begin developing a reputation.

This lovely cardigan from Anthropologie. Love the slouchy pockets!

A pair of gray Toms! I’ve been wanting some for a while now.

Do you detect a color palette preference of mine? I am just a gray kind of girl, I suppose. I hope that doesn’t say anything about my personality! Now, it’s your turn. What do you want for Christmas this year? Let’s keep it strictly materialistic. None of that “world peace” mumbo-jumbo. (I kid. But, seriously.)

I am loving the jewelry by White Owl. It’s so perfectly whimsical & girly without being too over-the-top. Besides, I’m a sucker for anything that uses lace & White Owl uses it to perfection! Check out their Etsy shop for more delightful creations.

Clockwise from left:

(1) Bamboo Mobile Bird Trio: $68; (2) Don’t Panic Print: $20; (3) Little Bunny FuFu Rabbit Womens Destroyed Tshirt: $20; (4) Brass Forest Necklace: $20.

Teacher Outfits by Chriztine featuring J Crew

There were so many amazing contributions to my Teacher Outfit contest! It was extremely difficult for me to choose just one winner. But, since I don’t have enough Polaroid film to go around, it had to be done. SO, I chose Christine’s set ( shown above) because I thought they were absolutely teacher-appropriate and showed a wide range of options. Also, I think that they all are just my style & I could easily see myself wearing each one of them in the classroom. Plus, I absolutely need that navy blue blazer on the right. So, congratulations Christine! And, thank you all for participating. I am including some of my favorites in this post because they were just too good not to share.

Teacher by kate rose featuring Paul Smith shoes

emily abigail by alyson210 featuring Marni accessories

Emily Abigail Teacher Outfit by janiep featuring CHANEL earrings

For Emily Abigail by queenmelike featuring Dorothy Perkins

I love these t-shirts designed by one of my favorite artists Betsy Walton. I told myself that I would stop buying t-shirts, but these are just so tempting! You can purchase them here for $28. I also really like the tote bag that she designed. Check them out.

P.S. Don’t forget about the Teacher Outfit Contest! You can still enter to win Polaroid film until Monday, June 1!

*Note: Do not try to post a photograph of your set in the comments as it will not show up. Please just post a direct link to the set you’ve created.

(Credit: “geeky” by kris atomic)

Some of you may recall a post I made a while back confessing my love for girls with glasses. Well– being a fairly nerdy glasses-wearing female myself, I decided to ask some of the girls at blackcigarette to share their favorite frames. The response I got was too great to keep to myself! So, I’ve decided to compile a few [there were so many good ones--it wasn't easy] of my favorite frames & share with you what these girls had to say about being a fabulous four-eyed female!*

This is what the above girls had to say about their glasses:

1. “i got these in 2006 and i still love them. they are from prada.” ~cheapcheapcake

2. “Mine are from the cheap-o section of the no-name chain of glasses stores in the mall. I know a lot of people who have gotten really cute frames from their local generic eyeglass store. It’s such a pain to dig through all those zillions of frames, but I’m sure there’s sweet nerdy gold in there somewhere!” ~reconnoitere

3. “I got these 2 years ago at a Savers.” ~owlsss

4. “i’ve had these glasses for about a year. They are orange and red tortoise shell and I love them. I just got them at Lenscrafters though.” ~handzfirst

5. “have what some people have called ‘lab glasses’ or ‘goggles’, but i love them to bits. this was the day i got them, so i was super happy.” ~jinology

6. Photo from undrthenightsky

7. “I recommend going to a thrift store & finding some cool frames. It doesn’t cost much to get your ‘script put in!” ~ladymoz

8. Photo from thatspecial

9. Photo from autobotamy

10. “these are mine! they’re Chanel and they were 50% off ;) I have prescription glasses since I was 4 and I absolutely hate people who wear them without needing them.” ~fluweel

11. “[these are by] tom ford! i was ridiculed so much at school when i got these last year cos they are “manly” and “geeky”, now they’re so trendy?! i am so so blind and i wear contacts most of the time but i think it’s still important to have a good pair of glasses, these have a subtle brown and black stripe design on the actual frames (like tortoiseshell but a bit different!) and rose gold inserts on the arms. ~stratagems:

12. “probably more old man lawyer than hot geek chic, but these are mine. i want a big geeky pair next!” ~ notsolaconic

Here are a few more excellent comments & tips on the subject of glasses:

“I used to take $10 sunglasses frames to Walmart and have them filled with my prescription. If your health insurance doesn’t cover lenses, that’s the cheapest place to go that I’ve found, and sometimes they’ll even do it while you wait.” ~ novimnet

“Sometimes I wear fake glasses because I think I look way cuter with them…Unfortunately I don’t have a picture, but I looove glasses and occasionally curse my 20/20 vision” ~sweetrainfalls

“I love finding great old pairs of eyeglasses on e-bay. It was really cheap to do the whole thing. My pair cost me 15 bucks then another 35 to get prescription lenses put in them.” ~thegreatmollusk

I am specifically looking for a pair of vintage frames. I had never thought to look at Ebay or Etsy for them before. The only thing you need to be careful of when buying vintage is getting the measurements right as well as the actual quality of the frames. I believe this suggestion by thegreatmollusk is important to keep in mind: “I took measurements of my favorite glasses and tried to find pairs that were similar in demensions. It’s hard but possible to find frames that fit. Just know your measurements and what your face can carry.”

Another interesting thing, I believe, to point out is the changing feelings towards girls that wear glasses– both in mainstream media and fashion. Celebrities such as Chloe Sevigny & Zooey Deschanel are seen wearing wonderfully nerdy spectacles out & about the town. Zooey Deschanel even helped design some glasses for Oliver Peoples. This is all to say, I feel like the world is finally starting to embrace girls with glasses– seeing them as intelligent, unique, and even sexy instead of frumpy, geeky, or unappealing. It’s about time! 

* Note: If I have shared a photograph of you & would you like me to take it down, please email me & I will do so ASAP. It was not my intention to share anything against your consent & I am more than willing to take it down if you wish for me to do so.