When your dress has an uncooperative neckline

Do you guys ever deal with this? The dress is perfect... the pattern is on point.. the length is excellent... but the neck. It just doesn't work.  You try folding your bra down with a paper clip. You try the cute bralette. Maybe a cami? Dare you go bare? I've tried all of these, but I couldn't wear this dress until I learned to layer.

The thing about under garments is,  well, they are meant to stay under the garment. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of this new bralette trend - but with this dress, it just doesn't work. So, after the success I found layering a sweater with a dress that was a little too tight, I thought I'd try a warm weather variation. 

I will say, with this shorter dress, the layer worked best with a crop tee. But I have a lot of those :D 
What do you think? Most people thought I was wearing a skirt. But whether a skirt or a dress, at least I finally get to wear it!

Tee: via Madewell sold out | same via ShopBop
Dress: Free People via TJMaxx 2013 | similar for ruffles | similar for ruffles
Sandals: via DSW last year | similar  
Photography: Natalie Folchi of CincinNatalie

Slouchy Jumpsuit

Hello friends! Welcome to the start of a wonderful week. 

Life updates + musings + a question for you:
1.  I'm looking to invest in a new lens for my Nikon D3200. Right now I have the kit lens the camera came with & while it get's the job done, I'm hoping to cultivate my skills & would like to start with a lens to pull up my f-stop & blur the background up, re: above. Didn't Natalie do the best job with this? I think she has a 35mm -- what do you all suggest?

2. This jumpsuit looks like a dress. It has incredibly wide legs & is so slouchy you will literally feel like you're not wearing clothes. It is, in one short word, amazing. Last August, at my Papa's memorial service in Detroit, my cool-traveling-older cousin was wearing a jumpsuit, or perhaps pants, she bought in Spain in a similar style.  Oh how she was the envy of us all!

Sans European travel excursion in my near future -- I have been scouring the internet for something similar since.  There goes Curate again, making dreams come true :D

3. I'm in Kansas City! The city of fountains. Just two weeks shy of making it a year. 

4. You basically have to be dehydrated every time you wear a jumpsuit. 

5. Last but not least, I went pretty simple on the styling of this outfit. It has so much character, I really didn't want to detract from that. But if you're looking for other ideas to style your jumpsuit, check older posts here and here.

How's life, guys? Love you so much. I hope you spend the week pursuing your dreams. xo.

Jumpsuit: Elan Genie Jumper via Curate Boutique 
Sandals: Frye 2010 via TJMaxx | Similar via Asos
Earrings: Kate Spade via Nordstrom Rack | Similar
Photography: Natalie Folchi of CincinNatalie

Return of the Midi Skirt

Do you remember when I first posted about the midi? Shortly after I moved to Ida Street, I fell in love with this show stopping skirt. But I only wore it one time.

See, I had some trouble pairing it. The thing fits like a glove, so if I tucked in a shirt, it got very bunchy…  Plus, **** every time I pulled this midi out of my closet I thought to myself: "Wow, this is way too dressy." Off the list for Christmas, cancel the Thanksgiving plans, Work? Really? Who are you trying to impress?

I was wasting away precious midi skirt opportunities, until, one fabulous day, I found the answer to both dilemmas. The midi's high waist screams for a cropped top & that also brings my fancy level down a few notches.

All is right with the world.

Or is it? Rewind for a sec. See my ****'s? Re-read that sentence. Do you want to punch me in the face? No? Good. That was aggressive of me to say & I doubt I would take a punch to the face very well. But here's a more tactful question: Why did I keep talking myself out of wearing my midi? Was I afraid of what other people thought? I love this midi. & I've always tried to live by the rule, if you wear anything with enough confidence, it will always look appropriate. Wednesday date night, Monday work day, Weekend brunch -- aren't any (& all) a good occasion for a midi skirt?

Which brings me to this final thought: shouldn't we just wear what we love, because we love it?
Voices in your mind, & outside of it, be damned.

Food for thought this Monday morning. I hope it inspires :D
Now, everyone, go have a terrific week!  xox

Midi Skirt: JOA via Curate Boutique 2014 | same via SHOPBOP | Limited quantity via The Daily Look
Crop Top: Socialite via Nordstrom Rack 2013 | similar | similar via Forever 21 
Jacket: rag + bone via TJMaxx 2013 | kind of similar via Macy's
Booties: JCrew Factory 2014 
Photography: Jacob Heath

Spring Uniform: crop & high rise

HAPPY FRIDAY! Took us long enough, huh?!

Guys, we're in the middle of our event season & I am TIRED.  I know once we grow up we're supposed to start working a lot  & I'm for sure in the club. We're pulling long days and long nights at my day job. But I miss you!!!

Life updates: THREAD HH was a hit! Thank you all for coming! Thank you to Sundry & Vice for hosting -- your space is amazing & to Brown Bear for feeding us -- check out  this amazing spread she made!!!

Jack (my little brother) is graduating from college TOMORROW! Then he's off to Italy for a stint & then he's moving to DC to work full time & take on the world.

This outfit has been on my body pretty regularly. I know I've said it, but the high riser is a no brainer in my opinion. It is so comfortable to know everything that needs to be covered, is. But then you get to play a little flirty with the crop top! Oh man guys. I live in this outfit. 

My friend Natalie took these photos (right before she moved to Columbus! Ah!). Read her post on new beginnings here. I'll definitely miss her but am so excited for the new opportunities!

Lastly: If anyone has recommendations on beating the tired vibes I'm fighting -- I'm all ears. Love you!!! xoxoxox

Crop Top: Madewell 2015 (sold out) | via SHOPBOP
High risers: Madewell high riser
Booties: Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack 2014 | similar |
Photography: Natalie Folchi of CincinNatalie

THREAD Happy Hour

Moi! | Baubles to Bubbles | CicinNatalie | Alice and Karen of blancXnoir | Ninesto5 | The Style Sample | 26 & Counting | OUT + OUTFIT | Not pitctured Personal Bravery

Oh helllllo! Have you seen us running around Cincinnati?! We are the ten bloggers of THREAD Cincinnati & we're inviting you to a party :D

Who: You! Our followers, friends, supporters. Businesses, vendors, partners, Bloggers, entrepreneurs, fashionistas.
When: this Thursday, May 7th | 6:30 - 9 pm 
Where: Sundry and Vice [map]
Featuring: Cocktail deals from Sundry & Vice and TREATS from Brown Bear Bakery.
Why: Because you guys are fabulous & we want to say thanks. We're making this Thread thing official (finally!) & we'd love to share it with you.

See more details here & shoot me a note (anne.a.butler@gmail.com) if you'd like to RSVP!

xo

Photography: Annie Jagoditz