Far Beyond

Details: Dress: Forever 21 (old)//Cardi & Boots: Thrifted//Hat: UO

This was just another sunny and cool afternoon spent with Albert hiking the backroads in our neighborhood.  We made it all the way to the other side where the dam lies so peacefully against the mountainous backdrop.  For the several times I've been here, no one else has remotely been seen around.  Except that is, for our friends and their lovely dog, Ingrid.  Fancy running into them on this day.  There's a concrete pad that jets out into the lake at the end of the dam and I do suppose this would be the perfect place to park myself with a book once summer is here.  This town is small simply put, so life lately has been about exploring the great outdoors.  No complaints here:)

On a different note, thanks so much for your sweet comments regarding my article.  It was positively encouraging to an average every day gal like me.  I know on Chictopia it upset some that they would have even chosen me and considered my body type to be put in this category since I am more just a curvy, fuller figured gal rather than plus size, but still I do think us "in between" ladies get overlooked in the world of fashion as well along with true blue plus sizes (18+), so I was throughly proud to represent on behalf of all curvy girls out there.  

Enough about me...how about you?  Any fun plans on the horizon this weekend??

See you soon!

Love bunches,

Dangerous Curves Ahead...some news.

So as I mentioned this past Saturday, I had some pretty nifty news that I was "like omg totally excited" about sharing with you all.  Recently, I was contacted by the editor-in-chief from Chictopia.com asking me if I would be interested in writing a sponsored post for their blog Everybody is Ugly in conjunction with Nordstroms dealing with dressing tips for a curvy body.  I actually couldn't believe what I was reading at first and reread the email several times to make sure I was seeing things correctly.   Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity and was pretty darn ecstatic to take on this task as the subject is near and dear to my heart.  

It's pretty easy to see that I am a curvy gal.  I've struggled on and off from adolescence to adulthood with body image issues and have fluctuated in weight (sometimes in unhealthy ways) from high to low and back high again for many years.  Even at a "small size" I was still never a "skinny gal" like many of my friends and this bothered me for such a long time (it sounds absurd writing this now)...that was until I learned to embrace who I am, curves and all and dress my body properly...and stop the crazy comparisons because as we all know, beauty comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes.  Geez, us gals can be so hard on ourselves at times!  So without further ado...you can read my article 5 Tips for Dressing a Curvy/Plus Size Body here at Everybody is Ugly on Chictopia.com. Hop on over and say hello if you feel so inclined.  It would truly brighten my day.

Catch you tomorrow!
Love bunches,
Marisa

The Hidden Bridge

Outfit: Dress: Vintage and Gee  - Etsy//Hat: Handmade//Cardi: Target (old)//Necklace & Tights: Modcloth//Shoes: UO 

Hello darlings, 

In our explorations this past weekend, Albert and I stumbled across a curious hidden back entrance to our neighborhood where an old abandoned campground used to be.  Our neighborhood is kind of rare in that it is both a summer vacation place where people own time shares and a normal every day community.  With it's woods, trails, beach, and mountain views, I guess it's kind of an ideal escape.  Anyhow, because it's a gated community, the hidden back entrance has now been blocked off to the road but Albert and I found it and I couldn't help but think we were explorers who uncovered their hidden treasure.  Rumor has it that there's a old Indian burial ground there and that's why it was mysteriously shut down.   Hmmm.  As no one was to be seen for miles, I hereby deem this the perfect spot for summer picnics.

See you real soon:)
Love bunches,

Up Up and Away

Outfit Details: Dress: Topshop (old)//Hat: Vintage Thrifted//Blazer: Forever 21 (old)//Cowl: Taylor House//Bag: Vintage from Grandmother//Boots: Vintage from Grandmother

A very sweet Saturday morning to you darlings!
Like I previously said, I am tied up to my hats this weekend with weddings, birthdays, and just a whole lot of celebration.  Not bad, eh?  I have some pretty exciting news - for me at least, about a recent opportunity I had...but I'll save that for the middle of next week.  Yesterday evening I was way up high in the mountains for a wedding rehearsal & dinner.  It's breathtaking up here, but the air is smack-you-in-the-face cold and unforgivably windy!  I was definitely a bit of a baby every time I set foot outdoors while there...I just don't handle extreme cold weather well at all, however the night of festivities put me in the most chipper of moods, so I was able to survive:)

That's all for now, gotta run and get ready our friends' big day!  It should prove to be pretty exciting as they decided to give their wedding a mob theme...haha.  Now this I can't wait to see!  Catch you later darlings!

Love bunches,

The Everyday Simple

Outfit Details: Top (Dress): Topshop (old)//Shorts: Anthropologie (old)//Floral Crown: DIY//Necklace: Gift from Mother//Cape: Vintage from Grandmother//Shoes: Thrifted

Hello darlings!

It's quite often that as the weather is warming up, all I really want to do is go outside and play.  This was just a simple little evening spent at home and after dinner was had, my little family and I went outside just to catch a bit of fresh air.  These photos were literally taken at the bottom of my driveway.  Nothing too exciting but very relaxing indeed.  Living in a small mountainside town is kind of like this.  As I wouldn't be so inclined to play around in foo foo dresses and heels, this is more me on a typical day when I'm not out and about.

This whole month I am on a shopping ban...so I have been remixing the life out of my closet.  A another big weekend is ahead - a rehearsal dinner, a wedding, and another trip back to my hometown.  I am busy as bee.  Hoping you have time to catch a bit of fresh air too:)  Any fun plans for you ahead?

Love bunches,

The Other Side

Outfit Details: Top: Via swap with The Modest Muse//Skirt, Scarf, Bag & Shoes: Vintage//Hat: Target

I'm back from Pittsburgh and what a whirlwind of a trip it was!  Being on the other side of the state is so different...I don't even know if I could explain what this means except for I do believe Pittsburgh is the most peculiar city with it's jungle gym like layout...I feared for my life several times while my husband navigated over and up around the hills, through the tunnel, and under the bridges.  Yes, we got lost...several times...and it snowed to boot!  Life is always an adventure.  

The only photo I got to show for it is cozily nestled away on my instagram, however I did manage to snap a few on our pitstop at my parents house to drop off the kiddo.  The weather that day was a glimpse of spring and so sad to say it didn't stick around.  Oh but here's a fun little tidbit...while at a local thrift store that evening before we got back on the road, a group of middle schoolers parked themselves in the next aisle over and were making fun of anyone who passed by their way.  "Oh great", I thought, just wait till they see me.  Sure enough 5 seconds later I began to hear the chitchat and the snickers..."Oh my gawd, look at her...bahahahaha....you gotta see what she's wearing....bahahaha."  Nice, right?  Better yet, as I shopped through the racks, they were critiquing everything I was looking at.  This went on for at least five minutes and I just ignored it.  It was pretty annoying but so hilarious at the same time.  Here's hoping my photo or video didn't end up on Facebook somewhere. The whole thing quickly brought me back to my school days...and I just had to laugh.

Wishing you a week full of laughter!

Love Bunches, 

Apples, Pears, and Birthday Cake

Outfit Details: Dress: Modcloth//Cardi: UO//Scarf & Necklace: Antique Marketplace//Blouse: Thrifted//Shoes: Amazon.com

Hoping your weekend is off to a magical start darlings!  This one finds me off and away to the far of land of Pittsburgh on business with my husband, so today I am leaving you with photos from two weeks ago on the day of my little man's birthday.  It's hard to believe I have a two year old on my hands already.  He's quite full personality and a strong will, but very sweet and affectionate indeed and I couldn't be more proud of him!  Lately he's been loving inviting me into his Thomas the Train tent to read Dr. Seuss to him and play cars and he also loves cuddling and giving his mommy a back massage.  All I can say is, I have it pretty darn-tootin good!

Thanks so much for all your sweet comments regarding my new Etsy, it's been so encouraging to get such positive feedback from so many lovely gals like yourselves.

Well I must run...lots of packing to do and a long trip ahead!

Talk to you soon!

Love Bunches, 

Little Hoot

Outfit details: Dress: Swapped with The Modest Muse//Bag: Vintage available in my Etsy//Hat: Target//Cardi (old) & Tights: Topshop//Shoes: Vintage

A long walk, the winter sun when it shines all yellow and warms you up a bit amidst the cool air, the tickling soft touch of my sons little fingers, holding on tight as we cross over the rough gravel and stone.  These are the things I love about the every day.  Things may seem monotonous at times...but if this is what monotonous is, I truly don't mind.  Spending time with both Albert and my little guy is quite the hoot.

pssss....my Etsy shop is up:)  Say hello to Allyhoot Vintage.  I'm not into doing huge amounts of promoting here on my blog, however I will tell you that this week I am offering 20% with the code "NewHoot".   Here's a lil ol peek...

Catch you later darlings!

Love Bunches,