Spring is here, and out come the Easter hats and dresses! I was excited to don both of mine, as I opted for more of a 1950s inspired look...something I've really taken to lately.

I fell in love with the hat and dress the moment I saw both. I've been wanting a floppy sun hat for a while, but had not found one to my liking until I saw this one. It is so much more chic than any other one I've seen! I'm a bit bummed the adorable bow cannot be seen in this pic, but you'll see it soon. The dress had my immediate attention when ModCloth came out with it earlier this year. But none of the colors really appealed to me...until they finally released this one. The dress, fit, and color are perfect in every way imaginable.

A bit of a close up.

You can see the hat's bow in this picture. My feet, however, have gone missing. And yes, ladies and gentleman, I finally cut my hair. I no longer have an unmanageable mane...except the cloudy skies made my hair look more brown than the red it is. Oh well, I take what I can get.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!

What I'm wearing:
Dress - "Soda Fountain Dress in Ice" by Tropical Wear, purchased at ModCloth.com, size small
Hat - "French Riviera Doors Hat" by Something Special, purchased at ModCloth.com, one size
Wedges - "Ollie" by Unisa, purchased at Piperlime.com, size 7.5
Necklace and bracelet - Forever 21

I wouldn't really say this is something that is booming in the fashion world to the point where everyone is rushing out to get theirs. But there always seems to be a quiet and subtle popularity with personalized accessories, including accessories that memorialize a lost loved one. Who it can represent may very...perhaps a child, a spouse, friend, or relative. Maybe it is just a symbol, such a butterfly for miscarriage or stillbirth. Or maybe it includes the name of the person. Whatever it may be, this trinket ultimately represents unending love. A couple weeks ago in the Weekly Wish List, I featured a locket from J. Crew, and stated that I love how lockets allow us to keep a cherished picture of a loved one close to our hearts. I feel as though the memorial necklace has the same intention.

Back in 2004, I lost one of the most important people in my life after a 13 year battle with cancer: my grandfather. My relationship with him was not simply that of being his granddaughter, but rather him being like a father figure to me. He had introduced me as his daughter many times, and had actually taken offense when I tried to call him "grandpa" one time, and instructed me to call him the same thing his children did. I could sit here and write on and on about him. It is particularly difficult for me at this moment since today marks the 8th anniversary of his passing. And the fact is that 8 years later, I still haven't really gotten over his death...especially since there are so many things I want him here for.

Memorial Tear Sterling Silver Pendant
$33.95 - Memorialtear.com

This was my memorial necklace: The Memorial Tear. It was small, subtle, and bittersweet. I speak in past tense due to events where many precious possessions of mine are forever lost...including this necklace. It's funny how emotional one gets when something as material as a piece of jewelry is lost when you need it most. It became a tangible source of comfort.

I know this post sounds depressing. I deeply apologize. But I wanted to speak on this because trends don't have to be what the latest magazine or popular fashion blog insists you have to own. Sometimes a "trend" can be what YOU make. Sometimes a "trend" can be something that has personal meaning to you. And sometimes a "trend" can be a reminder to cherish every moment of this life. Say what you need to those you love. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Before I get started on today's post, I want to apologize for how quiet it has been on here. I explained in this past Sunday Style post that I took advantage of spring break week...and fully expected to be back this week. Then I received an email from my professor. She informed the class that basically four weeks' worth of homework would all be due by this Sunday...and about half of it (or more) wasn't supposed to be due until April 15th. To say I'm stressed is an understatement. Hopefully she won't pull another stunt like that again, and I can finish the semester in relative peace once all this stuff is done.

Anyway, I've decided to see how I like going another route with the Weekly Wish List. It'll still feature my favorites, but I wasn't liking the last layout so much. I just can't seem to get it to work in a more "professional" looking way. Maybe it's just easier to list them one by one. So let's get started!

Shape, Rattle, and Stroll Flat
$77.99 - by Shellys of London at ModCloth.com

First of all, I have been impressed with ModCloth lately. While they are still pricey, and they still have many designs that I kind of cringe at, they have been putting out more and more this season that I absolutely love. These flats are a good example. They're a retro and playful take on the Mary Jane. They also happen to be in my beloved mint green. I love Shellys' more whimsical designs! While ModCloth names this one Shape, Rattle, and Stroll...the official Shellys name is Confetti. And this is actually one of the few times ModCloth does not really charge more than anywhere else for the same shoe. This is at the top of my list.

Soda Fountain Dress in Ice
$44.99 - ModCloth.com

Another ModCloth item! I have really been loving retro and vintage inspired looks...particularly those of the 50s. I tend to be a bit more specific in what I like with this, preferring a more clean and simple look that says "inspired by," rather than something that says, "I need to update my wardrobe!" I think this dress falls perfectly in the former category. It is so flattering for many body types, and it is a brilliant color! This is perfect for a fun summer date!

A Delphinium Answer Skirt
$54.99 - ModCloth.com

Wait...yet another ModCloth item! And it appears I'm going with a green and/or blue theme this week. :) This high-waisted pencil skirt is just darling. The color is a real pick-me-up for the office, and the lace trim keeps it feminine. The removable belt is so mod. This is so easily paired with other light/bright pastels for color blocking fun. Or wear a fitted white shirt for a clean and sleek look. Or keep up with the femininity of the style by wearing a looser and romantic ruffled blouse.  I love how one item can complete several looks!

Walk Like a Crustacean Sandal
$29.99 - by Misbehave at ModCloth.com

Oh my word, another ModCloth item!! I told you I've been impressed with them lately! These sandals are just downright fun and cute! These should be required for beach vacations for me. I just can't get enough of that crab! Unfortunately they are out of stock, so I'm on a restock notification list. These are also near identical to a pair that LOVE Moschino put out a couple years ago or so...but for only a fraction of the cost.

Well done, ModCloth! Keep coming out with cute and fun items!

March 20th marked the first official day of spring!! Of course, that seemed to mean chilly temperatures and cold rain here. It has been gorgeous this past weekend, however, with temps going into the upper 70s and low 80s. It seems like I can finally put away my darker, warm clothes, and regularly don the bright colors!

Last week was also spring break for the schools here...so I followed suit and took a break from posting. I didn't do anything fabulous and exciting like the typical college spring breaker. But it's ok, I'm off to California in just a few weeks. :)

I tried to take this picture in the sun so the colors would stand out more, but it looked like I was part crying/part smiling due to being blinded. I thought you'd appreciate a more normal looking face. The top has a really lovely color to it, almost a cross between a light blue and mint. I believe the official color is "crystalline." I absolutely love Express jeggings, which I'm wearing here. Just some advice...if you ever plan to buy them, they are true to size, but they stretch out rather quickly if you wear them often. For this reason, I size down when I buy them.

I DID wind up buying these wedges after all! They make me tall...literally 6 feet tall. But they are way too fun! The color is actually more coral than this picture shows, but it's hard to get it just right between the sun and shadows coming into play.

I hope you're enjoying the start of the spring season!

What I'm wearing:
Top - Express, size small
Jeggings - Express, size 2
Wedges - Qupid "Burke-17 Strappy Colorblock Wedge," purchased at lulus.com, size 7

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Well...a day late, that is. I had a marvelous time celebrating. I spent my evening/night at a local Irish pub, and had a wonderful time filled with fish and chips, Hornsby's Crisp Apple (hard cider), fantastic music, and meeting new people that became quick friends. It all made me wish that the evening wouldn't end.

I ordered a dress from LuLu's specifically for the occasion because it was green (obviously), but also because they named it "Irish Breakfast." Perfect! The top part is more of a wrap style, but it wound up being a bit baggy. If I can get it tailored, it will fit perfectly. By the way...this, my friends, is exactly why I put up the sizes in the "what I'm wearing" section at the bottom as it gives you an idea of how an item fits. For example, this particular dress is a size small, but someone who normally wears a medium, or even a large, could easily fit into this. I wish every single site I order from did this so I'd have a better idea of which size to order. Size charts are not very helpful when a website has one general chart while they sell multiple brands/designers.

You can see the bagginess of the top half in the above picture. But I do love the kelly green shade. And it's hard to tell in this picture since it blends in, but it has an elastic waistband with a fabric belt that ties in the front.

A bit of me at the pub. If you did a bit of a dance while one of the bands played, you were given those fun shamrock headbands I'm sporting. The picture was taken with a super fun woman who also danced, but I didn't want to display her image without her permission since I had only met her that night.

I hope your St. Patrick's Day was safe and full of fun! And for the record...to prevent any true Irishman from giving you a swift and ugly correction, it is completely improper and downright insulting to use the term "Patty" as an abbreviation for St. Patrick. Paddy is the only acceptable spelling. And that is my lesson for you today.

What I'm wearing:
Dress: "Irish Breakfast" by ark & co., purchased at lulus.com, size small
Boots: Steve Madden "Miidori," size 7.5
Necklace: gift (unknown shop)
Earrings: Forever 21