Long Overdue

Hello all! Wow...it has been far too long since my last post [as many of you have kindly brought to my attention!]. Well, the good news is I am back & ready to get back to talking fashion & sharing tid bits of my days with all of you. 

What have I been up to in the past month?

• Celebrating the thanksgiving holiday with family, loads of food, & tons of movies
• Finishing up school & the oh so dreaded finals
• Fueling an incredibly unhealthy addiction to One Tree Hill [I thank my lucky stars that this next season will be the last--no one wants the TV-coma version of me]
• Spending much needed time with my sisters
• Testing out new tasty recipes

& there's more...but let's be honest, bulleted lists of mundane tasks are far from what you are here to read. 

I'm glad I took some time away from blogging for 2 reasons:

1. I needed to re-prioritize, I kind of forgot why I even liked blogging, or even if I liked blogging [I swear it gets the best of us]. What I realized? I love blogging. I love sharing my life, with so far a little over 200 of you, and hearing about what you think of it. 

2. I realized, I'm tired of only blogging about clothes. "How could you get tired of clothes?! Who are you?! What are you?!" --Don't get me wrong, clothes are great. But still, I want to introduce another dimension, and that is real life. Now I get it, you're probably thinking "oh common...don't do that! blogs are my escape..don't go and make it all serious!" I'm going to continue with our fashion frenzy but I want to mix some substance! More on this later.

Now for photos! and NEW hair! 

Jeans, Top: Ross // Boots: Target // Blazer: Thrifted

Until tomorrow! [really, I promise.]

Isabel

Lacy frills

Shirt: Thrifted // Necklace: AE // Jeans: Thrifted // Shoes: Ross

This lacy top was a recent thrifty find, only four dollars! Yes, you read that correctly, four dollars! I was initially excited about the purchase, and then I began going back & forth on whether it was really a good find. It sat there, lonely & cold in my closet...waiting for me to accept it for who it really is--too far? Okay well it did sit there for a while & then I eventually decided that I should try it, and now I'm in love. I'll be pairing this with pencil skirts, high waisted jeans, slacks, the works. 

What's your latest thrifty find?! Comment & tell me about it or if you've blogged about it leave the link so I can visit & see!

Isabel

♥ Fall

I. Love. Fall. 

Shoes: Thrifted // Tights: Ross // Skirt: Romys // Sweater: Thrifted

Vintage Heels & Giveaway Winner!

Dress: Tj Maxx // Tights: Kohls // Shoes: Thrifted // Necklace: Chewlry

These shoes were a thrifty find of my sister & mom. Luckily, I am the only girl in my family with my size feet. Which means, all size seven finds are mine! One thing I love about older heels is that they aren't so dang tall. Don't get me wrong, I love me some tall heels, but sometimes it's nice to get a little height without running the risk of sprained ankles. 

I've begun the november challenge of listing three things you're grateful for each day. I'm pretty sure this has turned into one of those facebook fads that has swooped through the internet for years now, and you know what? I like it. Why not do a little extra to get into the holiday spirit?

To see what I'm grateful for, visit my facebook page & feel free to send me a link to your thankful fors!

The This Thing We Do Giveaway winner is....

Mary, from Finding Healthy Hope

So glad to have you as a new follower Mary! Contact me at blogfashionic@gmail.com to claim your prize! 

Isabel 

Misfits

From right to left:

Kristofferson [fox], Arthur [Rabbit], Henry [owl], & Herbert [owl]

It's not an outfit post, but you can't deny how snazzy these little Misfits look. 

Johnny, my friend Tara & I have been sitting around stitching up these quirky little creatures all afternoon.

More details about this to come on our little sweatshop but until then I just had to ask...

What do you guys think?!

I'm Stealing Halloween Back.

Last year, Johnny and I spent halloween watching a movie & eating all sorts of fall treats---OUT of costume. Unless you count to-lazy-to-dress-up-just-eating-my-weight-in-sweet-potato-fries a costume. 

This year things started looking all too similar. As Johnny was on his way home last night, I had had it with his, "I don't want to dress up, it's not my thing" deal. enough. I called him and said "I'm stealing halloween back. I love dressing up. You're going to be Julia Child & I am your short, adoring husband--your outfit is laying on the bed & we are leaving to a party in 15 minutes.

Luckily, he was a total sport about it. He got dressed up, & even fit into a pair of my old tights & a pencil skirt. It pays to have keep those clothes from 35 pounds ago--the perfect costume shop. He may not like that I share this, but he actually got so into character that I had to tell him to stop speaking like Julia Child. 

It looks like someone does like dressing up after all. 

Isabel

Just So Darn Cute & Engagement Advice

Okay so I didn't technically stalk these couples...but if I had indeed seen them dressed this well in a random field or canyon, I would have stalked them, for sure. 

The truth is, these are their engagements. Exciting huh?! 

Johnny and I have a side photography business called Simple Flare

He takes care of the actual taking of photos & I manage the posing/styling/primping end of it--in short, I make sure dresses stay unwrinkled, bangs stay in place, & ties don't go flying all over the place. It's a very complicated position as you might imagine. 

In addition to these two couples we are so excited to photograph a new client for her engagements, bridals & wedding this winter! [photos to come on that!] 

First up: 

Chase & Jessica

Getting married December 18th, 2011

Where are they from?

Her: Lehi, UT

Him: SLC, UT

Second:

Lisa & Austin

Getting married May 26, 2012

Where are they from?

Her: Sandy, UT

Him: San Diego, CA

I am so excited for these four & wish them the very best. 

And for those of you who are engaged, or about to be engaged I thought I'd leave three little pieces of advice that I found useful during our six month engagement.

1. Your engagement is (or will be) a very stressful time. Especially if you have other things like work, or school going on. Don't sweat the small stuff while planning your wedding. You know that whole, "every little detail matters" BS? Throw it out the window. Make sure you're equipped with the essentials, and if there is time in the end--then you can put your energy towards the tiny details--otherwise, forget'm. 

2. Get a good photographer. [no, this is not a sales pitch)--if you're in UT, there are tons of good photographers with great prices, and if you're not, this is the main thing I recommend splurging on. The day will seem like a total blur, and by the time it's all over you'll thank your lucky stars that you invested in incredible photos that document one of your most special days with your most special person. [ALSO: make sure the photographer has time before the reception/wedding to take photos of decor...these things can get overlooked if time is not allotted!]

3. Do not get fake nails.  Just kidding, but really. My last bit of advice is to go natural--you want your wedding photos & memories to be as timeless as possible, so if you prefer to go trendy, then go trendy with decor & food, but as far as the styling goes, I believe it is best to look like yourself--granted, a more dressed up & elegant version of yourself--but if you are not someone who fake tans, don't fake tan for your wedding, if you never wear straight hair, don't wear it straight for your wedding, if you wear very little make up on a day to day basis, then only wear a little bit more on that special day. You want to remember who you were on that day, not your favorite styles in a magazine.  

Isabel

check out Simple Flare & let me know what you think!

GIVEAWAY: Handmade Mittens [made from vintage sweaters]

Hello! 

 This Thing We Do is offering a lucky reader one pair of their mittens!

Can I just tell you I am really excited to announce this giveaway? I got these mittens this past weekend and I have worn them every day without fail. My sister may have even tried to steal them...luckily she was unsuccessful. 

A bit about

 This Thing We Do ...

We are a mom & three daughters who spend our free time making crafts. Our Grandma taught us to quilt, craft, sew, bake, garden, & how to feed cows. Now we spend our free time sewing...mittens are our latest hobby.

Hope you like our mittens!

Allison, Melissa, Lindsey, & Robin 

What I love about these mittens?

well, they are...

-Made from recycled thrift store sweaters

 -Made from wool

-Machine washable & dryable 

-A true, "one of a kind"

-& Most importantly, they actually keep your hands warm!! 

Sweater: AE // Jeans: Pac Sun // Boots: Tj Maxx // Glasses: UO // Mittens: This Thing We Do

 Some of my faves:

How to win yourself a pair?! 

MANDATORY: You MUST be or become a follower of A Dose of Lovely & Comment telling me which pair you would buy if you won!

[1st entry]

click here to find out how to Follow a blog

additional entries [Please make sure to comment separately for each entry]:

+Like my facebook page here

+Check out  This Thing We Do & like their store! 

+Follow Allison on twitter here

+Follow me on twitter here

+Facebook OR Blog about this giveaway and comment with the link! 

This giveaway will close Thursday, the 3rd at noon! Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn. 

Good luck!

Isabel

Fall "Goals" & Giveaway winner!!

This fall, I am making it my goal to compile these outfits, for CHEAP. I'm talking goodwill/hand-me-down/dumpster-diving cheap. Okay, maybe scratch the dumpster diving....maybe. I think one pair of brown boots would work with each of these ensembles....so it's mainly the accessories, tops & bag(s) I'll be searching for. I'll keep you updated as I go, & let you know where I can find the best deals...because I know you ALL want to flaunt these looks too! 

Want to join me?

Whether you already have these looks in your closet, or are joining me to search for them starting tonight, make sure to send me updates on what you find! 

I'll try my best to tweet each piece as I find them including price & location--you do the same! 

Twitter: @adoseoflovely

Email: blogfashionic@gmail.com

Isabel

Winner of the giveaway: Michelle Hagewood

congrats girl! contact me at blogfashionic@gmail.com 

You have to send us a photo of you in those 1970's Leather Heel Knee High Black Boots so we can see how great you look!!

Secrets Make Friends.

Necklace: Uganda, Africa // Turtle Neck: Shade // Jeans, Shoes: UO

Want to know a secret?

All I want to do for the rest of the week is watch dramatic tv shows & read fictional books while wrapped in gigantic blankets and surrounded by delicious desserts.

Tell me I'm not alone here.

Also, don't forget to click here to enter the giveaway for $25 e-credit to the Ande Mönster vintage clothing shop! 

Just So Darn Cute: Take 4

Meet Hannah Utley

From: Irvine, CA

Favorite Place to shop: Nordstrom, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters

Engaged

Meet Annie Baird

From: Salt Lake City, Utah 

Favorite place to shop: Nordstrom, Anthropologie

Single

Sorry for the delay on stalking stranger posts! But here it is, and aren't you glad you waited?! No? You think I should stop making excuses & just post already? Okay...fine. 

I snagged both of these girls after my spanish class & they were total troopers about letting me take photos of them in front of tons of people....as it was passing period. PLUS they looked adorable while doing so! 

First outfit: I love black & brown together. I also love floral. Hannah threw together these two loves perfectly. The skinny belt around the cardigan only flatters her more in showing how teeny tiny she is!

Second outfit: I love the simplicity of this outfit. Those shoes are crazy cute & paired with skinny jeans & a slightly cropped top---so so right. I also loved her necklace, super simple, but still noticeable--don't get your hopes up though, she got it in hawaii.


Also, don't forget to click here to enter the giveaway for $25 e-credit to the Ande Mönster vintage clothing shop!