Inspired By

Inspired By

Isn't this a beautiful image?

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If it inspires you, too, why not find some things you already own that might help you re-create it?
I love this time of year because I'm starting to think about how anything I might purchase will transition into spring. I love this because you could swap in boots and tights for now and lose the jacket in the spring. Also, I of course love that nice high belt hitting at the skinniest part of her body and the longer length skirt that show just a bit of leg. Of course, you could go shorter with the skirt if you don't like this length.

Let's start with polka dots. ModCloth really nails it for the polka dots, I think. I have loved these polka dotted flats for a long time

and I just saw these thick heeled beauties, too! One reviewer says they're the most comfortable shoes she's ever worn.

If you're petite, this skirt hits in just the right place, but it might be a tad too short for anyone that is not petite. For my pants and shirts friends, this menswear-inspired shirt does such a nice job of mixing formal with whimsical. Wear it with trousers or skinny jeans.

Or what about polka dotted pants? I would love this look from Asos with a leather jacket over it, a larger necklace, and some ankle boots. Pant sizes 0-14.

Via Asos

What about t-shirts? Chances are, you have some. If not, I like Etsy for whimsical, dorky t-shirts (Hogwarts!), which is what I think graphic tees should be about. Anything too witty can come across as mean. I like a graphic t-shirt to show off something truly dorky about myself. This one is a perfect example for women like me who watched My So Called Life in our teen years.

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My mom has a beautiful tank top with the moon on it that I'm still looking to recreate. This one comes close.

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In a similar vein, I love this Giving Tree tank for spring/summer.

What about this mermaid stunner with the flattering neckline? If you have this hair, I hope you're wearing a big, beautiful braid, too!

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Update: Thanks, Hannah, for the question about plus size graphic t-shirts! Here are a few favorites! It's pricey, but this star t-shirt looks super soft and is to-die-for. Asos, SimplyBe, and Torrid have fun options for t-shirts, like this sugar skull t-shirt! I also love Forever21 for cheeky t-shirts, too! This one could go easily from winter to summer with the right layers.

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Quite a few Etsy shops also carry a wide variety of sizes, too, just ignore some of the weirder options that you can find on Etsy. For example, this shirt is cute and comes in sizes XL to 3XL unisex, but the others in the store are just strange.

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If you're looking for options, try Cafe Press, which has thousands of t-shirts in many sizes. You can even design your own there! I'm not a visual artist so I used to find that overwhelming until I realized that I could browse Pinterst for inspiration for t-shirts. It makes it very easy!

FYI ModCloth is a sponsor, but this isn't a sponsored post. I chose them as a sponsor for their cute, vintage-veering styles, their free and fast shipping, and their variety of sizes.

For the Love of Polka Dots: Boden USA

 For the Love of Polka Dots: Boden USA

My name is Ella, I have a bit of a polka dot problem. Here is a photo of one of my Sunday night outfit-making sessions where I put together outfits for the whole week. I had just received a navy and white polka dotted button down from my mother-in-law when I realized that I could wear navy and white polka dots for the entire week...

So imagine my excitement when you all reacted so well to my inclusion of a polka dotted skirt in yesterday's post! This is something I can get behind! Polka dots for EVERYONE! Here is the number one place that I think do polka dots really well:

Boden USA

Maybe it's because of their British roots (and, ahem, colours), but Boden does great modern dots like no one else. I love their quality, too. 

Via BodenUSA

If you prefer a smaller dot (I think both are fun! Playing around with proportion is a fun way to create your unique style) then they've got that in this same pullover here, too.

Via BodenUSA

They also do classic shapes for dresses and skirts very well-and with dots! I love a polka dotted pencil skirt (like this incredible one or this larger scale dot), but if you'd like something that flows away from your body more while still accentuating your waist, that's a gorgeous choice.

Via BodenUSA

Ok, so, this model makes this dress look like it would only work for someone very young and very skinny, but the shape really could work for a lot of women. I love the sleeve length, and the high waist would be very flattering! Check out the other colors and don't be sad by how dowdy they look off a model; I think you'd really like this dress.

Also cute from Boden are this denim skirt with dots, this jersey skirt with dots, these cropped trousers that also come in longs so they won't be capris for the taller ladies, this classic shift that also comes in petite sizes, and this best seller that has long sleeves and comes in sizes 2R to 18L. Or, if you're more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of woman, why not spice up those jeans with these amazing desert boots? I have the wedge version, and I would wear them every day if I could.

And no, Boden is not a sponsor. I wish!

Also, my dear friend Love Always Hannah just posted her tips for having fun while preparing your home for a party. She says

"Styling a party or space isn’t an exact science.  If you approach it as something you “have” to do you’re most likely not going to feel that creative.  If you can remove some of the “have to” and realize that there’s no “wrong way” to it then I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself so much more.  You never know the great ideas you’ll have!  Have fun!"

Isn't that what it's all about? You'll see how she set up my house for our holiday party. I loved seeing our home through her incredibly creative eyes so be sure to check it out!