Daily Outfit(s): Beach Fun

(As I’m adjusting to a new work schedule this week, and as my tripod is broken, this week will be another set of scheduled topic-related posts. Next week, I’ll get back to regular daily outfit posting)

I’m getting into the swing of work again.  I’m starting a new job later this week as a temporary media specialist at an elementary school (basically a school librarian).  This is set to last until Thanksgiving, at which time I’ll go back to my old job if I don’t get a permanent position.  I’m really excited about it, because I’ll be gaining valuable work experience.  I’ll also be working full time for the first time in awhile, so I’ll have to really learn how to budget time.  I’m finding that I’m enjoying my blog reading most when I have a solid block of time to read, which is usually on Thursdays or on the weekend.  So if I comment on your blog several days after you posted, that’s probably why.  I’m still managing to get posts written, but the biggest challenge will be getting good outfit shots.  I have to be at work at 7:00 am, so I leave the house before the sun rises.  I’ll have to adapt to taking pics in the afternoon I guess.

Anyhow, I promised you a beach trip re-cap, and this is it.

This was the view from our hotel room.  We stayed at this beautiful and quirky hotel, the Nordvind at Treasure Island, FL.   Everyone there was super nice, and the location was perfect, because there weren’t insane amounts of tourists on this part of the beach.

We frequently crossed the bridge to Madeira Beach and John’s Pass Village, a fun and somewhat touristy destination.  The above image is a view of some construction debris from the bridge.  For some reason, I find industrial things really beautiful.

I love to get in some good beach reading, and this time it was Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions.

Swimsuit: Target
Tube Top: Target (thrifted)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT
Sandals: Born Savory
Tote: Old Navy
Bangles: Jill Popowich

I try to vary my swim suit top necklines so that my tan lines don’t get too strong.  Normally, I don’t like bohemian styles, but there’s something about the crazy casualness of the beach that makes this paisley top fit in perfectly.

Dress: Busch Gardens (really)
Sandals: Born Savory
Tote: Morelle Charlotte
Brooch (on tote): Ann Taylor LOFT
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Necklace: June Designs

My boyfriend got me this dress for my birthday back in February, and I always get compliments when I wear it.  People never believe me when I tell them it’s from Busch Gardens, a Tampa theme park.

And you’ve already met my new Keen Sarasotas a few days ago.  Best beach shoes ever.

That’s it for my beach re-cap.  Hopefully I’ll get back into the swing of regular outfit posts soon.

Etsy Vintage Love: Beach Chic

Since I’m at the beach for a few days, I thought beach themed Etsy Vintage Love would be appropriate.

Vintage Blue Bathing Suit  $20

Vanille Vintage

Vintage Wheat Straw Hat  $28

Small Earth Vintage

Vintage Sunglasses $19

Just Kitsch

Big Starfish Post Earrings  $6

Pinguim

Boho Bag with Wooden Handles  $12

Embersidhe’s Girly Shop

Lilac Vintage Beach Bum Shorts  $15

Lazuli Blue Creations

1970’s Butterscotch Huarache Sandals  $32

Erstwhile Vintage

Daily Outfit: Day at the beach

Well, I’m slightly behind on posts now, since my vacation is officially over and I’m back to work and school today.  At the end of my vacation time last week, I got to spend a day at Fort de Soto beach with family and friends.  I usually don’t like to go in the water when I’m at the beach, so I decided to wear a cute and lightweight cotton sundress with a hat to beat the heat.

The dress was a birthday present from my boyfriend.  It’s yet another one of my duds from Busch Gardens (the hat too).  The theme park is a surprising place to find decently priced casual wear.  My only rule is that I’m not allowed to wear the items in the park, as that would be far too tacky.  The dress is a bit revealing, even for the beach, so I wore a black camisole underneath.  It would probably work nicely with a swimsuit top too, but I didn’t have one that matched the cut well.

I chose to take wear the tote with the outfit for three reasons:  I think outfits tend to look best when they have at least two different non-neutral colors, in this case red and blue.  This certainly isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it often works.  Also, since the rest of this outfit is predominantly warm colors, I wanted to pair something cooler with it.  Finally, this tote can hold all the stuff I wanted to bring to the beach in it.

This is the last of my vacation posts, so tomorrow it’s back to work-appropriate outfits.  Get ready to see some sewing and knitting too.  I’ve finally cracked the code on a skirt pattern I’ve been revising, so you will certainly be seeing it soon.

Dress: Busch Gardens
Camisole: Old Navy
Hat: Busch Gardens
Bandana (tied on hat): Thrifted
Shoes: Clarks Rime
Purse: Thifted and re-coned
Necklace: Kira Ferrer
Bracelets: Jill Popowich
Earrings: June Designs