FBFF and Favorite Finds Friday!

Finally getting back into the swing of FBFF questions! First, here is a favorite find of mine!

I got this skirt at the Two Birds vintage event that I told you about here and in more detail here. I can't wait to wear this. I feel like it is a "no tights" skirt and should therefore be worn in the spring. I can't wait to debut it!

Now for FBFF! If you want to know more or see other bloggers answers then head over to Modly Chic!

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot? Well, I have never done a guest post but I think responding to tweets asking for guest posters or wait for someone to ask. I'm not sure it's appropriate to go around asking to guest post. Those people don't know you or your blog so it would be odd. Plus, if someone emailed me asking to do a post and I didn't know them, I would think it was unusual.

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you
leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’? I think if your comment is genuine or shows that your actually read the post, that is the best way. I've done this and gotten some bloggers coming back to my blog and posting a comment. Plus, if you continually leave comments or send tweets, the other blogger (hopefully) will see that you have good things to say and follow you as well. I personally hate getting messages or comments that say "Great outfit! Follow my blog."

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd? First off, I don't think mass emails are the way to go to get your blog out there. I dislike getting FBFF group emails that are just asking people to follow or something. I have checked out blogs that have given great advice to someone else, posted an interesting weekly post idea, etc. I just delete all the other emails about following. If you really want to get your name out there, engage with me first through comments or a response to an email. Then, once people see that you are involved and want to help others, they will likely be more receptive to other kinds of email. I think the more personal the better.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure? I have a really hard time asking for exposure. I think people are able to tell if you just want them to follow you or if you are asking a genuine question. For instance: I had responded to 2 tweets about bloggers redesigning their blogs. I gave them kind feedback and expressed my excitement for their new designs. Then, when I recently redesigned mine, I mentioned them in my tweet and asked them what they thought. One of the 2 wrote really nice words back. I think this was much more of an honest approach than just asking them to look at mine.

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that? I am pretty shy and bad at promoting myself. My rule of engagement error is most likely not engaging enough. I have become a lot more comfortable responding to people's tweets even if I don't "know" them. I think (especially with more popular bloggers) you really have to engage them a lot before they will respond. This can be frustrating but I think you just have to prove that you are worth it!

What I've Been Up To...

So, I haven't posted that many outfits lately due to crummy weather and the loathing of winter. So, I thought I would share what I worked on the other day. Motivation struck and here's the result!

I should have taken before pictures so you could have seen how bad it was before. But, in terms of my dresser... it was really cluttered (not that I cured that habit) but it feels much more organized. I had an old dusty jewelry box that really didn't help when I was looking for earrings or rings. So, I put them all on these vintage plates and dishes and I think it looks really nice! Plus, I have my new print which I got here and I love how it looks. It is printed on an old map and what a great quote! She is super nice and has great customer service so I totally recommend getting one for yourself!

Then, I worked on my closet. I took all of my heavy scarves, sweaters and hoodies and put them in bins. I moved my "wintery" items to the left so the more springy things were front and center. Also, my thicker cardigans are off to the far left more out of reach while the lighter ones are right up front! I think this will really help me when I am getting dressed! Plus, I still have a couple of weeks worth of warm dressing ahead so I didn't want to take them completely out. MN weather is so fickle! My skirts and dresses moved to a more prominent position as you can see with the more wintery ones off to the left. Plus, I tried to put them in order of "fanciness" to help me. Now my t-shirts can be in 2 piles instead of one too. Patterned t-shirts in one stack and plain in the other. You can see that I also sort by color because, I'm me and I need to. I'm not super creative in the morning so when I have brown pants or something I want to know where all my specific shirts are that will go. Lazy is more like it!

Ahhh much better! Come on spring, I'm ready for you!

Inspiration Strikes

So, I was browsing my bloglovin' on Friday and I saw this post from Hannie over at Tea and Biscuits. Well, it goes without saying that she's adorable/British/fashionable. 3 things that I long to be. Well, especially the British part. :) Anywho, she posted this great outfit that she put together on Polyvore. Inspiration struck! I thought, "Hey, I have a denim shirt. I have a olive green skirt. I can do this!"

So, thanks for the inspiration Hannie! Here is my version :)

Everything is thrifted except the tights which are Target (I think).

Tomorrow is Ace's 3rd birthday party. Oh and you know I will post lots of pictures :)

Favorite Finds Friday!

Ugh sorry everyone. I haven't posted in a week! My (lame) excuse is that temperatures plummeted this week and it snowed a ton. Yesterday morning it was 14. 14?! This is the END of MARCH. Mother Nature is a cruel bitch. So, hopefully it warms up and I can wear some of my spring stuff!

Has anyone had a transition in style recently? I feel like all of my spring stuff is not my style anymore and I really need to get rid of most of it. I hate that feeling. I need someone to come in and tell me what pieces would work in my wardrobe and loan me some money. I did head over to Savers the other day thanks to Beth and her awesome post here. I wish I had her eye for what works and what would look too ugly/crazy/old lady. However, I did keep a lot of her tips in mind and I think I did pretty well. The Savers that's closest to me just had a total redesign and is now nice and open and organized. No longer the scary thrift store of my youth :) So, I tried on about 30 things and only came out with about 6. Due to a) not fitting and b) a little overpriced for my taste. I did score a bunch of things that I'm excited about and might go back to get one shirt I'm still thinking about. I will for sure show you my scores in another post. Probably tomorrow :)

Here is a shawl I got a couple of weeks ago. I have NO idea how I will wear it but I really liked it. Even the cashier told me it was pretty. EPIC WIN! I think it will be a nice spring cover up to wear with dresses and skirts. I have to figure out how to wear it and not look like a hippie. Any suggestions?

New hair!

I had the day off today and it was awesome. I slept in, Ace and I went for a run (that went terrible), then I went and got a haircut! Yay! It's been like 6 or more months at least since the last time I went. My hairdresser was super awesome and it was the most fun haircut I've had in a long time. I go to the Aveda Institue so you get students who cut your hair. It is really nice to have a person who is really excited about what they are doing cutting your hair. Plus, they have instructors that have to approve the color and cut and they check the cut before you leave. I've never had a bad cut before and it is so inexpensive. Haircut and all over color was like 50 bucks.

Anywho, this is what I wore today to get my haircut. I had planned on taking pictures by the tracks today but I didn't get home from my haircut until 10 minutes before the dog trainer was supposed to come. So, I snapped some quick pictures in my place before she got there.

Outfit Details:

Dress - Lohemans

Cardigan

Tights - Target

Boots - Thrifted

Necklace - handmade (sort of)

I made this necklace, kind of. It is a charm that I bought on Etsy and then I just put a chain on it. So, it's handmade. :) It's a little stag or something with kind of this jointed blob body. I like it! It came with 2 identical charms so I was thinking of giving the other one away. Why do I need 2 necklaces that are exactly the same? Would anyone be interested? I also am planning on doing a giveaway of one of my own necklaces or rings too.

New hair close up!

Parades and Patty's

In case you live under a rock, I will let you know that today is St. Patrick's day. Being Irish myself (my name means Ireland too) it is one of my favorite holidays. It isn't serious or full of high expectations. You just go out and have fun with friends and wear green. Green being my favorite color... it's a good day.

Today marks a banner day on this blog as well. Not only am I taking pictures outside, I had a photographer. Thanks Shawn!

Shawn and I went downtown to the "other" parade. If you don't live in the Twin Cities, you may not know about this. St. Paul is known for their huge parade on St. Patty's every year. However, it's always at like noon. Needless to say, I've never been. The parade in Minneapolis takes place on our pedestrian mall downtown and it was really fun. Once the sun set it was really cold though! Here is my outfit and a little collage of some highlights of the parade.

(I liked the pose on this but I forgot to change the white balance so it's super blue. Oops!)

*Oh and this is totally not my house. It is this really cool mansion right next to Shawn's apartment. Isn't this door fab?*

Outfit Details:

Coat: Old Navy

Scarf: ?

Dress: The Limited

Tights: Target

Shoes: UO (old)

Necklace/Earring (that you can't see): Ireland

Ring: made by me

Slainte!

PS Take one long look at my hair because it will be totally different tomorrow. Off to the salon I go!!

Dreaming and Doggie Dates

I am not much on the words this week I guess. It was nice and sunny out today but still only about 38. Tomorrow is supposed to be 50 (!) so I think I will head outside for a much needed change in photo scenery. I'm sure you are all sick of my messy condo by now.

This outfit I threw on when I got home from work. It was super bright and sunny like the day but still winter-ized. Spring come soon! I'm sick of tights!

Outfit details:

Cardigan: Loft

Shirt: ?

Skirt: Thrifted and shortened

Tights: Target

headband: Target

Ace and I went to my friend Laura's house for a doggie date tonight. He got to hang out with his friend Retro. The training is going pretty well and he only got angry once or twice. All in all, success!

Aren't they the cutest?! This photo took about a million tries but we got it!