Creeping Myrtle

       (Top: American Eagle, Skirt: Typographie Vintage, Jacquard Messenger Bag: Pendleton Woolen Mills, Boots: Decree)    

"According to English folklore, myrtle will only grow if a woman plants it. Best beloved by the goddess of love, Venus, myrtle is surrounded by myth and legend."

The sea of Creeping Myrtle in these photos is located at my uncle's house in upstate New York. My grandmother used to live in the house before moving to southern Pennsylvania, and the myrtle was grown off a clipping from my great grandmother's house down on Long Island. It's in such a mythical spot, located between a waterfall and a fruit orchard. 

I couldn't have dreamed of a better location to shoot this adventure-inspired outfit. I had bike shorts underneath the skirt (which acted as a wonderful mosquito net- pretty spots like this one are well loved by many other species besides us), comfy boots for trekking, cool top, and a bag that is as beautiful as it is tough. I love that this satchel, which is designed with padding for a 13" laptop or a tablet, looks so rustic and outdoorsy. It brings a little bit of the adventure aesthetic to the more mundane moments.

All pictures were taken by John McGuiness, and edited by Grace Lind.

*This post is sponsored by Pendleton Woolen Mills, all opinions are my own.

Western Wool

(Hat: Minnetonka, Tank: Charlotte Russe, Bag: Pendleton Woolen Mills, Skirt: Typographie Vintage, Boots: Express)

The feel of wool on my fingertips is something I equate to only perfect days. My mom is obsessed with wool blankets and sweaters, so we always had them piled up on us both before and after sledding. I had horses that needed wool saddle pads, feet that needed wool socks for long hikes, and fidgety hands that needed something to do while relaxing on the couch afterwards.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found a way to wear wool during the hot summer months. The jacquard bag I'm wearing in this shoot was nothing short of awesome. Beautiful color and pattern, soft to the touch, and although light and small, large enough to carry a big clutch wallet, phone, headphones, and some makeup!

P.S. This shoot was one of the coolest I've been involved in so far. It seemed like everything just fell in to place. As I drove around with my uncle/photographer to find an interesting spot, he thought of checking out the county fair grounds to see if we could get a few shots in the grandstands. The universe was apparently on our side that day, because we stumbled upon a Western Quarter Horse show that ran all afternoon. I was even lucky enough to get that gem of a picture with my new horse buddy, Kneely. 
All pictures were taken by John McGuiness, and edited by Grace Lind.

*This post is sponsored by Pendleton Woolen Mills, all opinions are my own.

P.S. How To Style a Felt Hat

     I love felt hats. They are the perfect accessory for a wide variety of looks, and help cover up the snarls of hair left by too much fun on a windy day. I was going through photos that Jason Sexton took of me a couple of months ago and found two shots demonstrating different ways to style a floppy hat.

    The first one is an easy bohemian look, and the second is a more refined and glamorous ensemble. The key to both get-ups is that they are paired with pieces that mimic the volume and shape of the hat. The first look has a top with sleeves that have a slight bell shape as well as a handkerchief dress that adds volume. The second look, although paired with a form-fitting top, has a full mini skirt which flairs out in a similar way.

As long as at least one of the other elements in your outfit balances the shape of a floppy hat, it's a surefire way to ramp up your look!