What I Wore: A Spring Dress To Impress

 

How do you feel about dresses? Dresses were not my thing once upon a time because I thought they were too limited on how I could wear them. I had so much to learn! Since moving to Florida I began to wear them to keep cool, etc. BUT, my appreciation grew, when I realized the style potential each dress has.  Last week I shared examples on how to layer tops HERE. This week it's all about a new spring design, sent to me by Caite & Kyla Clothing. You're going to love all the design features contained in this one piece! 

A Classic Dress For All Occasions

Dress c/o Caite & Kyla (Use Code: GranolaNgrace for 20% off) // Cupcake Purse

Hello, my friends. I missed you last Wednesday. I hope today finds you doing well and enjoying some sunshine somewhere. As for Florida, we had several days of rain but were they were followed by plenty of sunshine to go around. In fact, today's pictures find me hiding in the shade of the palm tree located in front of a local church. I have to get those photos where I can! ;)

I'm head over heels in love with this classic dress from Caite & Kyla! The soft, silky feel is so different from the last dress I styled HERE, which was more casual.  There's not a piece from Caite & Kyla that I don't love. I hope you enjoy today's beautiful, print dress as much as I do.

Speaking of print, does the print look familiar? Andrea at Living on Cloud Nine and Jill at Doused in Pink styled their adorable peasant tops in this print, the week before! I love the whimsical print and elegantly, boho vibe Caite & Kyla achieved with this design. It's breezy and flowy with a button-up bodice and slits perfectly placed for a comfortable stride on a hot summer day.

And on this summer day I paired the dress with heels, bag and jewelry shopped from my closet. Also, look for a shoe and color change up at the end of this post.

The Tilda Dress by Caite & Kyla

Hello and welcome May! Does this month look different for you than last month? Not too much has changed over here. Wait. That isn't true. I'm changing. Some of what I valued before seems trivial now. I'm rediscovering the joys of the granola lifestyle with basic health principles such as: more greens, less processed foods, less sugar, no substitutes, vegetable oil, dyes and the list goes on.

In addition, I'm soaking up the sun whenever I can. I walk the dog, sit out in the back, and ride my bike through the neighborhood looking for photo spots. What must the neighbors think of this crazy family of six...

• My two older boys have the craziest head of curly hair going on. No eyes to be seen!
• My eldest takes out his long board and has the dog pull him down the road at full dog speed. It really is a sight to see!
• My twins ride willy-nilly on their scooters, bare foot without a care.
• My hubby, the most normal, makes frequent visits to the pond to fish. 

And to leave no question in their minds in regards to our weirdness, today my youngest road down the street on his scooter while I trekked along on my bicycle heavy laden with shoes, hats and other accessories. Once we found the perfect spot I began to set up the outdoor studio. Meanwhile some neighbors worked in their yard while others walked their dog.

"Hi. Just snapping some photos for the blog. Again. Twirling in my dress for effect, you know?" 

"Oh, no. You go on ahead. We still have a few more photos to take. Cute dog by the way."

And so on my friends. And so on... Life is short. Let's get our pictures and enjoy our dresses - or whatever clothes you're sporting this week!

Today's spotlight is on another lovely piece sent from Caite & Kyla. It's feminine, flowy, and features a one of a kind floral print. I love the tiered style along with the embroidery details across the front. I'm sharing ways I might wear this dress for mother's day. Let me know you favorite in the comments below!

Stuck On The Blues: Dressing Up & Dressing Down

 My dear Watson, it would seem this girl has an affinity for the color blue. I admit, I'm on a bit of blue color kick lately. Let's blame it on my casual bent toward blue jeans. From there it was a necklace, gifted earrings, shoes, etc and before I knew it my closet teemed with coordinating shades of blue. Admittedly, I've done this before with army greens, pink and grays.

And this blue outfit was my stay at home Easter dress. I woke up early, put together the boy's Easter treats, stuffed eggs, threw a casserole together and quietly drank my coffee while reading Psalms before anyone was awake. Even though we weren't going anywhere, I wanted to make the day feel as special as possible by dressing up, playing music etc.

Linen & Camo, Community & The Style 6 Link Up

Hello. It's spring break, but it's not a typical spring break is it? I know these days are unsure. Schools, restaurants, and store fronts are closing, while churches are choosing not to hold services. It feels so weird. I'm grateful for our health and pray for the health of others as well as the effect these closings have on businesses and their employees.

I'm also grateful for this blogging community. I want to hear how things are near you. Do you know someone personally that's infected with the COVID-19 virus? Are you fearful? Angry? I think we can share each others burdens, while lightning the mood when we can. The momentary distraction is a blessing.  This community is an encouragement and I'm thankful for each and every one of you.

That being said, in addition to this dress, I'm sharing a few things involving community today!

Cotton Embroidery Dress, Styled Two Ways

Hello! Did you score some amazing deals on Friday through Monday? I grabbed as much as I could for the boys and kept myself in check on clothes, etc. This week I also shared another Gift Guide round up to help you fill those stockings for the ladies. There's one more round up coming next week, so be on the look out for "Guys & Games"! As for today I'm sharing this embroidery dress, styled two ways for the Style Six Link Up! 

Another masterpiece, crafted by Caite & Kyla, features a stretchy cotton that feels soft on my skin, I wear this baby all day long. I lay on my couch in it. I run errands it, dress it up for a date in it, etc! This dress is all versatile with many ways to style, but let's start with two different but subtle looks, geared toward boho casual! 

Eva Trends: The Queen Lace Dress

Queen Lace Dress, October Jaipur Clutch, Deco Disc Earrings

I finally pulled out this gorgeous dress sent to me from Eva Trends! It was but an ordinary date night, only this time my hubby and I were invited to a coat and tie Christmas dinner. I couldn't be more thrilled to have the perfect dress waiting for it's debut! Now pray tell, what was my reward for being ready on time? I had to pump the gas. Of course I'm kidding, but when the weather's been uncooperative for pictures, you take lighting opportunities where you can get it! Now let's chat about this dress!

Superhero Shirts & Random Thoughts

Please allow me a throwback to our family Christmas at my Mom's for just a moment...The kids are frantically tearing through packages. The rest of us open our own gifts, while attempting to figure out who is receiving what. Distractedly, I open my next gift and see a Superman symbol. What? This must be for Caden, our lover of all things Superman. Double-checking the scrawled name on the tag, I continue and pull out a blue sweatshirt with a large Superman crest in shiny red and gold.  Was it a gag gift or for real? Gauging by the laugh coming from my mom I assumed it was a little both.







Would I wear it out?? Oh yes. Do my boys think I'm cool when I wear it? Picture this...Me in my superman shirt, Evan in his Batman shirt and Caden in his superman shirt. We all step out of the mini-van, in slow motion of course, and stride into the grocery store ready to take on WHATEVER may transpire amongst those apples, bananas, and pears.  That's cool right there.

*********

Now while we had our snow-in last week I decided to try another take on this sweatshirt by pairing it with a striped dress I have. Just ignore the Dr. Quinn hair style I seem to be going for in these pictures...

Outfit Breakdown:

Sweatshirt: Khol's
Dress: LOFT
Boots: Nordstrom Rack
Purse: B Makowsky (gift)
Necklace: Premiere
Bracelets: Charming Charlie (Christmas gift)

Closing Random Thoughts...

Of course I'm no superhero and I try to explain to my growing boys that although in their young minds Superman, Batman, etc seem real there is actually only ONE man who ever lived that was and is a Superhero to many.  His name is Jesus and before the eyes of thousands, performed the greatest of miracles - not one being an illusion. Reliable, historical records have eyewitness accounts to the incredible MAN who healed lepers, the born-blind, the deaf, the mute, raised dead to life - including Himself! That's pretty amazing.

And in His grace, he allows those who believe in Him to take part in His superhero agenda to lovingly save the whole world from the miseries that living apart from our Creator brings.  I'm humbled and baffled that He would choose such an imperfect side-kick like me. Truly there are far more qualified, but boy am I grateful.

Chrissy

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."