Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Dip-Dye













Tank: Steven Alan; Pants: H&M (similar save); Shoes: Steve Madden; Bracelet: Stella and Dot

I spend a lot of my day looking at blogs (and the Instagram accounts that come along with those blogs). Looking at bloggers with Celine handbags and Valentino rockstud heels in not one, but two colors. Ladies that travel to every corner of the tropical earth and through all of Europe, sipping and smiling their way through Switzerland and Cabo and swinging their Prada purses through the South of France. It can be disheartening to read their posts while sitting at my desk at work, wearing two year old slacks, eating my packed lunch from home and thinking it's probably time for another coat of nail polish. 

Elizabeth, at the lovely (and local) blog Delightfully-Tacky wrote this article on the idea of other bloggers' "perfect" lives. I won't re-write her post, nor will I summarize it, but it speaks to the very issues represented in the paragraph above and I'd definitely recommend giving it a read. 

I felt a bit of reprieve from that envy today when I came home and received my package from Steven Alan. I snagged this pretty dip-dyed blouse on sample sale and cannot be more thrilled with the purchase. It's a bright, colorful item that's entirely out of my comfort zone and an absolutely perfect addition to my closet. I feel like I'm wearing a tulip in it and like I could join those stylish bloggers on the beaches of wherever they are, sipping a drink with an orchid in it, instagramming my shoes. I think it's important to recognize that though things can seem perfect on the other side of that quiet lens, we're all going through separate fears, struggles, and trials, and we each need to slip on a blouse (or skirt, or pair of shoes, or new shade of lipstick) that makes us feel ultimately fabulous, if only for a second.

(I'm sure you all know Google Reader is saying goodbye. If you'd like to stay in touch, follow me on Bloglovin here. Linking up with Summer Style,  Friday's Five , Favorite Fashion Friday here.)

42 comments

  1. Gorgeous top, Kelsey! I'm glad you feel fabulous in it, because you look fabulous!
    It's so true that lives can seem perfect when only represented by carefully chosen snapshots - it's good to remind ourselves that no one's life is perfect, even if their instagram photos tell us differently ;) (I also read Elizabeth's post and loved it!)
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
    -Carley
    xx

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  2. Beautiful top, and beautiful sentiments. I myself tend to avoid those kind of bloggers, not because they're not fabulous, because they are, but because of my own insecurities and issues with how un-perfect my life is. Even knowing that their lives aren't perfect either, it's still hard.

    But, on the plus side, you look fabulous in this top. :)

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  3. Lovely outfit, especially the top, it's gorgeous! xx Maylis

    http://onelittlefrenchie.blogspot.com/

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  4. cute outfit... :*

    http://bayuradith.blogspot.com

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  5. I love your top! :) You have a nice blog. I just followed you via GFC & Bloglovin. Come visit my blog and follow me, too? I'll wait for you in my blog dear. See you around.

    Follow me via Bloglovin here
    Follow me via GFC here

    XX, IamJenniya

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  6. Great post babe<3 Love your outfit!

    Let's follow each other via bloglovin/facebook? Let me know dear:)

    www.facebook.com/weheartfashionblog
    www.we-heart-fashion.com

    xoxo
    K

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  7. I love that top! Looks so fresh and summer like :) Funny, I talked about that a few months with my cousin that owns a blog also, and we think the same way. :)
    Kisses
    Sofia G

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  8. Amen to that! I also drool over some of these perfect blogger women (pink peonies, atlantic and pacific) wondering what kind of life do they have and what kind of opportunities were they given? It makes you want to try to keep up almost, but then you have to pep talk yourself back into your world of remixing an budget savvy shopping. the struggle!

    LOVE this top, glad you purchased it because i'll be (much like i do blair) vicariously wearing it through you! Perfect for summer.

    xo, Nina
    afterthe40barfinish

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  9. ooo really loving that dip-dye blouse!!!

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  10. love love love love yellow and black! fab look!

    XO Meghan

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  11. That ombre tank is so fun! I personally don't enjoy reading blogs where their lives seem picture-perfect since it's not reality.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  12. I've semi realized that just like I don't always blog about the bad stuff, neither do my favorite bloggers. I always try and be real but yes, there is definitely a disconnect sometimes between blog life and real life.

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  13. Anything dip dyed just screams summer! Love it!

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  14. Lovely top and heels! You look stunning!

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  15. Loving that top on you - you look gorgeous in these photos!

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  16. love your outfit!
    would you like to follow each other on GFC? let me know :)


    I invite you and your readers to join Persunmall giveaway hosted on my blog: http://the-caramel-dream.blogspot.com/2013/06/persunmall-giveaway.html

    xx

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  17. That top is so pretty and feminine.... love it! You look really gorge in it.
    http://houseofadelaide.blogspot.co.uk//

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  18. I read Elizabeth's post and loved it. I feel envious too but I quickly remind myself to be thankful.

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  19. it's a lovely top and a perfect wardrobe addition for summer.

    i know what you mean about blog envy, i have dealt with it in the past but lately it doesn't bother me so much. if someone else's life makes me feel that bad about myself, i just stop following them. the main key for me is pretty much what elizabeth talks about in realizing no one is perfect no matter how much they appear to be. in fact, i once had a "friend" tell me she hated me for being so "perfect". i just laughed because if she only knew! of course people will always put their best foot forward if given a choice, it's human nature but everyone deals with struggles too.

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  20. Steven Alan is so amazing - this top is gorgeous and perfect for summer!!

    I completely understand you on the whole blog envy thing, I think I do it more with design than they're actual life style and fashion. But when it does come to life style and fashion (Traveling around the world, Celine's, and Valentino's) - I really believe the blog world is so big and has so many people reaching out and inspiring different types of people.

    I'll have to go read Delightfully Tacky's article :)

    Have a wonderful day!

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  21. Beautifully written!! Looking forward to reading the article. And you look gorgeous! Does not look out of your comfort zone at all!
    xo
    Boho Bunnie

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  22. Love this top! The yellow color is super pretty

    xo Ashley
    thetiniestfirecracker.com

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  23. I can completely relate to all you said about "perfect" bloggers - I'll definitely be reading Delightfully Tacky's post.
    Your shirt is fabulous, by the way - such a cool concept and gorgeous colors!
    xx Sarah
    sarah kate style

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  24. So so pretty!!! Love your top!
    www.shannonheartsblog.com

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  25. I am over those bloggers. I love reading real blogs...ladies just like me! :) I am loving that top so much, by the way. Great find!

    Jill
    Classy with a Kick

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  26. I agree with you so much about bloggers like that. I don't have the money to be spending on Celine bags this and a private roundevu there. Love your blog!

    XO,
    http://sororitygirlintherealworld.blogspot.com/

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  27. Really love your face! So special!
    Nicky

    www.mywishstyle.com

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  28. I feel ya Kelsey! You are one of those perfect bloggers for me and inspire me with your photographs in every post of yours! I love the top and especially love the 4th pic. Look at that perfect posture, with beautiful hair, heels, and flowy top! Love it!! :)

    Like you said, we need to be content with and be thankful for what we have and make the best of it! :) I admire many bloggers and hope to take pictures like them one day, but until I get there, I am gonna continue to admire their beauty and creativity and be inspired by them. :)

    - Sukhi
    http://happinesswinner.blogspot.com/

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  29. Love your tank!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  30. Ahh, yes the pretend vs the real.. I feel ya.. You look lovely..
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

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  31. I'm so so so jealous of your shoes :( and the entire outfit! especially the top!! I really love how all of your outfits are perfect for everyday life! very nice and chic but still wearable!
    Wonderful job :) you just won a new follower! and I don't think google reader is shutting down haha a few months ago the rumor went around it would shut in june but it's almost july now.
    I will follow you on GFC and bloglovin though :)

    Andrea xx
    savingsimplicity13.blogspot.com

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  32. Very pretty color of yellow! Love the boho-pretty feeling in this look! You are so beautiful! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
    -Jyoti
    Style-Delights Blog

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  33. That shirt is so pretty and I love your shoes!
    Haha, "sipping drinks with an orchid in them" :D
    I read Elizabeth's blog post a few days ago and I totally agreed with it. Obviously the bloggers who seem to have "perfect lives" won't blog about their bad days! I love Elizabeth's blog though, it's so down to earth.

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  34. That dip dye blouse is gorgeous! It's flowy and perfect for summer :)

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

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  35. Love love love the dipped shirt! Great new style

    Colour Me Classic

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  36. That top is just stunning! I'm loving the pick where the wind picked it up. I think many of us suffer from blogger envy...
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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  37. Amazing colours!!!!

    I also want to let you know I have a giveaway on my blog.
    Please feel free to enter.

    http://chicadvisor.blogspot.ca/2013/06/shabby-apple-50-gift-card-giveaway.html

    Cheers, Jacquie
    http://chicadvisor.blogspot.ca/

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  38. LOVE the dip dyed top! So perfect and summery. I'm going to check out Elizabeth's post now...

    Sarah @ Life As Always

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  39. That top is so cute. Thanks for linking up. Hope to see you back this Friday.
    Tara
    Penniless Socialite

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