Take Me to the Tropics

Printed top & wide leg pants: c/o HERE (size up + save with code "XOJOI")| Handbag: Kate Spade, older| Statement necklace: From my trip to Kenya

When I was little, I often went on road trip with my family during the summer. A constant question that I can remember asking while enroute was: Are we there yet? Fast forward decades later, I am constantly thinking: Is it time to go on vacation again yet?! LOL! Clearly not much has changed with me 😎
When I spotted this two piece set HERE I knew that it would be perfection for an upcoming island vacation. It has a wonderful print, is lightweight, and totally tropical. 
I think I will have the top altered a wee bit (it's supposed to be a crop) along with having the length of the pants shortened. That way I can wear them with lower heels/flats whilst island hopping 😉 But then again, I do love the billowy length- but I also don’t want to be forced to wear 4 ½ + inch heels all the time…hmmm. I guess altering the pants requires more thought...
Whichever way it goes, one thing is for sure: This 2 piece set will be on the plane with me in just a few short months!!!

Until next time,
XO
P.S. Is it time to go on vacation again yet?!

Making Appearances

Some have said that appearances don’t really matter, yet experience indicates something entirely different. For instance, what is the very first thing one generally notices when meeting someone else? Their appearance! Yes, skin color, facial features, condition of teeth, eye color, hair, clothing and even personal mannerisms.

Time and time again people draw firm conclusions based on the outer appearance of someone else. Of course these conclusions and or assumptions have a considerable probability of being inaccurate; nonetheless those conclusions can be extremely difficult to dismiss.

How often have we heard the expression, “First impressions are lasting impressions?” The way that we dress, look, and manner in which we conduct ourselves does matter.
I personally notice a considerable difference in how I am treated when I enter high end retail stores based on my dress being dressy versus casual. When I am casually dressed, and perhaps my hair doesn’t look freshly styled, I notice that sales people are more likely not to approach me to ask if I need any assistance.

In sharp contrast, when my attire is dressy and or upscale, I find myself inundated with sales people from multiple departments asking how they may help me. Point taken? 
Despite awareness of the fact that appearances do carry a considerable amount of weight, I dress according to my own personal preferences. I love to dress up most days, because it makes me feel good, and seems to align with who I am as a woman. However, there are times when I’m tired and or not quite in the mood to do the norm. On those days I throw on whatever takes the least amount of effort (example here), and I set about my day.

Over to you: Do appearances matter to you? Have you observed any noticeable differences in how you are treated based on your attire?

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunnies:LEITH| Vest: Coldwater Creek| Tank: Nordstrom| Jeans: NYDJ (worn here, here, and here)| Sandals: Giani Bernini (worn here)|Clutch: Vintage

Sequins Dress & Vintage Pinstripe Christian Dior Coat

Can you believe it is Wednesday already? I can, and I am happily rooting for the next two days to past by very quickly! 

Today's post features pictures I took over the weekend while on vacation. 

My outfit has an 'all black everything' theme, with the EXCEPTION of this fabulous vintage Christian Dior coat! This coat was one of those finds in the thrift store (for all my thrifty fashionistas) where you feel like music starts playing in a loud melodious tone, a bright spotlight shines on the item, and it seems to have been waiting just for you. You try to contain your excitement as you speedily walk toward it before anyone else takes a grab at it.

This coat, I mean, OH MY! Beautiful cream dyed wool with silver pinstripes, beaded buttons, and quarter length sleeves! I could not ask for anything more. It was originally marked for $20 (gasp), but being the nifty thrifty gal that I am, I insisted to the salesman that the coat was over priced. Did I fail to mention it is by Christian Dior from Saks Fifth Avenue?! The salesman fell for my routine, and marked the coat down to $9.00!!!! I pretended to reluctantly go along, repeatedly saying how much I didn't need it, just in case he was willing to go down even further on the price. 

But alas he didn't budge, so I nabbed it for the FABULOUS price of: $9.00 USD!! Whoo hoo!! 

Can you tell how much I love the coat? I forgot to take it off so that you could see the full detail of the dress! Tsk, tsk...

Here's the roundup:

Earrings: Vintage, thrifted

Beaded Necklace: TJMaxx (also seen here)

Sequins Dress: August Silk, thrifted

Coat: Vintage Christian Dior, thrifted

Riding Boots: Ciao Bella

Leather Purse: Vintage, thrifted

Gloves: Victoria's Secret, online (at least 5 years ago)