twentythree

I can't believe that, once again, it was time for my birthday and I'm a year older. I find that each year I meet the looming birthday with less and less enthusiasm. Maybe this is a mid-twenties funk or learning the realities of getting older, but all I know is that if I feel this way when I'm 23, I'm going to be camped out on the couch with a bucket of ice cream and a box of tissues at 30.

I did realize however that putting on a cute outfit, going to share time with family, and eating some really yummy food is a great way to sneak out of that dark place of "OMG, is this where I thought I'd be at this age??" I guess I can use this post as reference when 30 is upon me and I'm gearing up for my sad night of self pity.

Teal Dress - Forever 21

Flower Necklace - K&G (my newest bargain shopping heaven)

Shoes - Stuart Weitzman via K&G

I loved the back lace detail on this dress. Anything that adds a breezy-ness to clothing is a good thing. It has been sticky-hot here and the night of my birthday was no exception.

I'm mildly obsessed with these right now. Paying 1/3 of the original price may have something to do with that.

I want to eat is all again.

Chris carried my purse and gift for me when we were leaving. The wind was blowing quite hard and since my dress was the length of a night gown I really needed to focus on not flashing the nice patrons who choose to eat outside. I had to capture this because 1) what a great boyfriend and 2) it's my new Marc by Marc Jacobs bag that I bought "hand me down" from a friend at work. It's giant and beautiful and I love it. (that box in his hand holds the gift from my parents. A kindle! I'm so excited about it and, so far, I would recommend that everyone have one)

my sweet parents

my sis and brother in law

The whole crew. Notice that the Luckett ladies know how to pose :)

All in all I had a great birthday. I'm glad that I embraced the day and had fun with it. I'll have to remind myself of that next year except for maybe a whole week in advance this time.

rosie.

My birthday is still two months away, but I've already started looking for a dress to wear. I want to wear pastels and get some sexy nude pumps to go with. I'll be shopping around over the next few weeks and checking thrift stores, but as of now this is the one I've picked out.

We'll see how long that lasts. GO here to see the Orchid Tint color, very Meep!

sparkle.

so about a month ago i went thrifting in search of the perfect birthday dress. yes i could always go to forever 21 and pick out something (tight budget these days) but i wanted something with character i.e. something vintage.

in one of the stores i found the most beautiful vintage dress ever. it was floor length and had long sleeves, but i could see a lot of potential. i tried it on and it fit but the $20 price tag seemed a little much for a used dress that i would need to have altered. the shopping day came to an end and i was still empty handed.

i couldn't stop thinking about it. this beautiful, overpriced vintage dress. after a week of trying to remove it from my brain i went back for it. i went in on half price day without even knowing it and got the dress for $10 (and the clerk told me that the dress had been in the store for six months and started out with a $100 price!). she added the icing to my cake and i became so relieved that i went back to claim it.

i wasn't able to get very good before pictures because i was at the alteration place when i realized that i had forgotten to take them. the dress is a nude color with a sheer overlay of some very interesting sparkle fabric. you really have to see it in person to get it. these pictures don't really do it justice. i had the dress shortened and the sleeves removed. it ended up looking perfect and i liked it even more after the changes were made.

i wore this dress to my wonderful birthday dinner. my boyfriend gave me some beautiful jewelry that was perfect with my dress (more on that in a later post). i hope that i can keep this dress forever. enjoy!

before.

after.

i carried the banana republic velour clutch

one of my fav pair of shoes: white lulu guinness heels with gold polka dots

heart.

i

birthdays!

super sweet update to come tomorrow.

photo credit: le love.