Visions.

I'm engulfed in them to the point of restlessness. Visions of wanderlust and written words and spoken words and read words and fabrics and the outdoors and the split second of fear and uncertainty when the plane takes off and the knowledge that when you get off, for a moment, you can be whatever you want to be. 

These replay in my mind when I try to catch the stupid breath that's been failing me for weeks. How can my lungs be full of so many dreams and plans? How can they hold in so much youthful optimism, but when I push to release it all, what comes out is stagnant and uninspiring? 

I want to be out there experiencing life. I want to tell stories. I want to dissect beautiful minds layer by layer and share their knowledge with the world. 

I want to live without the fear of tomorrow. I want my breath to slowly fill me in with oxygen. I want to remember what life before anxiety was like. I want a sign - that this is where I'm meant to be. 

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

earrings: vintage store in Montrose

jacket: Crossroads Trading Co.

ring: Mexico

top: Aeropostale

bag: Bearded Beagle vintage shop

skirt: J. Crew

shoes: Crossroads Trading Co.  

Black Polka Dot Crop + Girly Trousers.

I understand the basics of marketing and product placements in magazines; therefore, I'm usually immune to them. However, every now and then, something slithers through and haunts my dreams until I cave in. It's all random, really - one time it was a pair of chunky Lulu*s heels that I came across in multiple magazines. I wanted them so much that when I couldn't find them online, I even Tweeted at Lulu*s and attached a photo, continuing to stalk until I got my hands on them. That's a lot of effort for someone who actively tries to not be an involved consumer. 

As it turns out, the shoes aren't particularly versatile (or comfy, for that matter), but the one other item of clothing I put nearly as much effort into purchasing is! This cropped polka dotted baby has put me out of my mundane wardrobe misery plenty'a times throughout college, where I paired it with anything and everything in my closet (see here, and in a surprisingly out-of-character setting, here). Aeropostale is part of those kinds of stores that most of us feel like we have no business scouting out after middle school, but there's some real gems in there, especially during sale season. I bought an amazing winter jacket for $5 a couple of years ago. Can't beat that. Really. 

This look was a bit more funky - maybe an Ariana Grande-type if she was more casual and not as set on wearing heels. Maybe it's the hair that makes me think of her? The pants are one of the few youthful impulse purchases that still linger around years later. They're a bit difficult to take on sometimes, but I find them really fun in this combination, don't you think? 

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

sunglasses: Warby Parker

necklace: unknown

top: Aeropostale (Map to Mars)

bag: Rebecca Minkoff (via Crossroads Trading Co.)

pants: Forever 21

sneakers: Adidas (via Crossroads Trading Co.) 

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

Backless Dress + Green Bag.

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

earrings: gifted from Portugal

necklace: Icing

dress: street vendor in Mexico

shawl: grandmother's

bag: Crossroads Trading Co. (orig. DKNY)

sandals: Crossroads Trading Co. (orig. Kathryn Amberleigh)

Back by popular demand one comment left on last week's post, this look features the lovely DKNY bag I snagged from Crossroads before my Eurotrip. One area of fashion that I've always been picky about is bags- I find them all to be such a commitment! Getting a decent bag is expensive and one of those things that you need to love before purchasing. While clothes come and go, a bag is a recurring star in one's look. That being said, this bag is currently one of the most cherished items in my wardrobe. We shot this look on the winding streets of Venice, a surprisingly quiet and relaxing town given its international popularity. The patterned dress mixed right in with the Venetian landscape, and the clashing shawl was perfect in keeping me warm and decent within all the basilicas we visited. This was by far my favorite look from the trip - I will never lot like an outfit created with this dress! Thank you so much for stopping by! 

Flowy Summer Top + Simple Shorts.

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

sunglasses: Warby Parker

necklace: handmade by my cousin

top: Zara

shorts: H&M

bag: Crossroads Trading Co. (originally DKNY)

shoes: Crossroads Trading Co. (originally Nike)

It's been about 3 days since I arrived back to the land of the free and the air conditioning (#blessed), and I'm still too jet lagged for proper functioning. It was a good excuse to avoid real life for a while, but I figured I should start somewhere. That somewhere is getting back to blogging.  We took these photos in gorgeous Budapest, the first destination where the weather was on our side. After wearing a linty top spelling out "Cat-a-strophe" next to a pair of whiskers for 2 weeks straight, wearing normal summer clothes was much appreciated. I purchased this top during sale season last winter and finally got to take it for a test drive - it's a lovely hue and material - I just wouldn't recommend it braless on a windy day.  Thanks for stopping by!