Sorry Not Sorry

I feel a little bad posting these photos of me with bare legs and only a light sweater to deflect from the fact that it was 80 degrees when I took these photos yesterday. Everywhere I turn on social media, my friends are posting photos and statuses of snow storms and negative temperatures as I complain about how short lived tights season was.

Okay, fine. I don't feel that bad. After four years in the Midwest and living through the hell that was winter last year, I'm pretty damn happy to spending this January in Southern California. I miss the seasons, and I'm glad that it's going to be a little colder next week, but I can't deny how great it is to not have to worry about my face falling off every time I walk out the door. Sorry, guys. But not really.

I got this dress from a J. Crew Factory sale a couple months ago, but I didn't love how it looked on me so it sat in my room forever. I decided that I was being crazy and that a polka dot print this good deserved to be shared with the world. I still prefer an A-line skirt, but it's nice to try something a tiny bit different every so often.

Do-Gooder

Look, I don't mean to brag, but I'm getting smarter. Since I am a hoarder of clothes, I end up taking my items to Buffalo Exchange pretty often in hopes of the store taking them off my hands and giving me store credit in exchange. Usually, though, they ended up passing on all but one or two items if I'm lucky. A couple of weeks ago, though, I used my college degree, did some critical thinking, and called the store ahead of time to see what kinds of items they were looking for. I know, I know. I'm brilliant. You don't need to tell me. This time, I brought in just what they were looking for, the store ended up taking a bunch of my items, and I walked out with a pretty decent amount of store credit. Because of this, I returned last week with a friend, and I walked out with this dress, jacket, and another jacket, because a girl can dream that one day it will get cool enough to wear layers. Until then, I have to limit myself to wearing this jacket at night, like I did last Friday when I went to a nearby Oktoberfest. I really love this jacket because it's a little different than I normally wear (it even came with a detachable hood), and it has the ability to make pretty lace lace dresses like this one a little more casual and appropriate for a night of drinking a lot of beer (or if you're me, a night of drinking one beer and then staying sober to play designated driver). And while I certainly don't need yet another cream or lace dress, I couldn't resist this one. Do you really expect to pass up a $6 dress with a sweetheart necklace this adorable? I didn't think so.

I also picked up this necklace the same day at a little store in downtown Fullerton that I just discovered called Share & Do Good. I fell in love with the shop at first sight, and my love for it grew as I talked with the owner and learned that it was filled with items that support good causes. I eyed the 31 Bits pieces for a long time, but once I saw this beaded necklace from International Sanctuary, a brand that employs survivors of human trafficking, I knew it had to be mine. It's lovely, different than anything I own, and it helps support a great cause AND a local business. Sold. If you live in or near Orange County, I highly recommend checking out Share & Do Good, or just check out International Sanctuary's items at Purpose Jewelry. This post isn't sponsored in the slightest; I just really love and believe in these businesses.