OOTD: Post Holiday Plaid & Print Play

Holy shoot, y'all, it's 2017. It's winter, the weather is finally acting like it, and we're officially moving out of the year from hell for most people. I'm pretty stoked on what's to come. I've been focusing a lot the last few days on feeling grateful for all the best parts of my life currently, some of which include: my supportive family, my super rad coworkers/company, hard personal work that is paying off both career-wise and financially, and an expanding circle of amazing friends.

Sometimes those new friends are even talented photographers, who also then become your latest coworker at your super rad company! I met Lily Voss last year, and she just started working with me this week. Outside of her new voyage into the email marketing world, Lily is a photographer with her own business, which you can find more on here. We met up last weekend so I could hop back on my outfit post wagon in order to start 2017 off strong. This past year, my blog fell a little (okay a lot) to the side, and I'm prepared to revitalize it, bit by bit.

Something I used to be totally, utterly terrified of was print-mixing! I feel like so many people can pull it off effortlessly, while I hem-haw in the mirror wondering if I look like a dweeb. However, I simply need to remind myself that I shouldn't give a flying flip what people think of how I dress. Another thing I'm focusing on this year (call it a resolution, if you must) is to actively work on pleasing myself first and foremost. That includes wearing whatever I want, whenever I want. Especially when it comes to fantastic vintage blazers and secondhand shirt dresses.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - sometimes I feel like "meeting" a piece of clothing is meant to be. I was having a "treat yoself" day on Christmas Eve, and popped into Parsimonia Vintage, where this lovely little number jumped out at me. I slipped it on and knew immediately that it was coming home with me.

Because I'm a certified weirdo, I find wearing just one item boring, and that's why I couldn't leave well enough alone and wear this shirt dress by itself. It was a find on the site thredUP - an online resale shop and giant consignment marketplace. Because I'm dedicated to only buying secondhand or ethically/sustainably-sourced/USA-made clothing, this is the PERFECT place for me to shop online. You'll find anything from fast fashion to designer digs. Y'all know I'm not really a dress person, but the collar, length, and stripes on this piece screamed my name.

I finally also joined the Ray-Ban band, too. I've been eyeballing these on just about ALL of my friends. The rounded shape and size is flattering on just about everyone. I have to give a major shout-out to Simon Premium Outlets for inviting me out to a blogger shopping spree last month, which gave me the opportunity to afford these bangin' shades. I know, I KNOW - Ray-Bans are no longer USA-made as of the late '90s. I broke my rule with these babies - but I did spend the rest of my shopping spree on holiday gifts for my family. So for that, Premium Outlets, I am indebited to you!

Thanks again to Lily Voss Photography for these snaps!
Find her on Facebook here.