Introducing Polyvore

Polyvore is a site I've discovered that lets you create inspiration boards or sets by choosing from hosts of products across the internet. You can make your own from scratch or choose from pages and pages pre-designed templates they've created.

I actually discovered Polyvore quite some time ago, but I just never knew what I wanted to make or where to start, so I gave up. It was a little discouraging how much creative inspiration is required just to create an inspiration board!

I don't consider myself a very creative and certainly not artistic person in the first place, so this kind of thing can be real struggle for me. For instance, my initial impulse in creating the board below was to make everything proportionate in relation to everything else. Which obviously isn't how this kind of thing works. But after playing with it for a little while, I like how it turned out!

For this board I was too focused on simply finding things that coordinated and looked good together to worry about selecting things that I actually own or plan on getting for vacation next month. (Not to mention, a lot of the stuff you can choose from on there is designer-expensive.) The one thing I do own is the ruffle coverup from Target - but in magenta. Nonetheless, it was fun to make and gave the right side of my brain a good workout!

Beach Inspiration by abkauffman featuring messenger tote bags

Derby Style

I had a great time at this past weekend's Derby party! It was so fun to get dolled up and spend an afternoon with some friends, even if Mylute didn't win the race. Here is a recap of the afternoon in a few pictures.

 



















I decided to do my hair in a simple side bun - elegant with or without the hat. How easy was it? I blow dried my hair, pulled it into a side ponytail, teased it a bit so it would stay full and hold well, twisted it loosely in a circle around the hairband, and inserted bobby pins appropriately. After spritzing with some hair spray, I marveled at how my hair almost always turns out better when I do it in a rush for some reason. Go figure.

The linen dress I picked came from the depths of not only my closet, but my life. It's from high school. It was one of my favorite dresses at the time, and when I put it on again for the first time in years, I was taken back in time. It wasn't an altogether positive feeling either - especially since I now realize that it's a pretty boxy dress that on its own is cute, but honestly doesn't look fantastic on me. I could stand for it to fit a little snugger through the body and hit just above the knee instead of below. But it my high school days...what did I know? Regardless, it worked well for the Derby theme. That may have been its last hurrah though.

[Brooke calling Lindsay: I'm looking for that picture of us from your high school graduation. You know the one. With the dress. Help?]

Ah, here it is! This was technically after I had graduated high school. But...same dress.

(Thank you, Lindsay. Now back to the Derby party.)

   

My conclusion at the end of the party was...I think I could get used to the high life. For a little while.

And They're Off!

So like I mentioned before, it's going to be a busy summer! The festivities kick off this month with a Kentucky Derby party, a park picnic, a wedding, and a not-your-average Memorial Day weekend cookout. (I'll explain later.) I'll be sharing all the fun details with pictures throughout the month, but for now, how about those Derby hats?

I've always wanted to go to a Derby party or even attend Virginia's Gold Cup races. I'm sad that I didn't plan ahead enough for the latter this year (it always springs up on me before I have a chance to remember that I want to go!), but I'm really excited about today's Derby party my friend has been planning! Maybe I'll catch the International Gold Cup in October.

I honestly haven't given much thought to my outfit for this occasion, but at least I have a couple of dress options and a hat that I picked up earlier this week. The basics are covered! I'll also be making a homemade pecan pie to share, which I haven't done since Thanksgiving, so I'm pretty excited about that.

My goal for this month (the whole summer, actually) is to TAKE MORE PICTURES! I'm so bad at remembering to do this, but I really want to be more conscientious about it because I want to keep enjoying these events even after they're over. For now, enjoy these colorful sights from the Kentucky Derby website and read up on the history of Derby fashion while you're at it! Later this afternoon I'll be donning a preppy outfit of my own - however it comes together - with a mint julep in hand. Happy Derby Day! My own pictures to come.