sparkling wednesday

Today's post is about taking a break. Taking a moment in the middle of your week to say "okay... here's what I need right now." Today I needed some freaking chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. So when I gave myself a break around 2pm today I made sure that they happened. 

I am teaming up with Ozarka® Sparkling Waters to help you relax this Wednesday, so how do you like to treat yourself during the week? Do you have a midweek ritual that helps you make it to the weekend?

Every hump day Ozarka® is sharing some of their favorite ways to feel good and escape the midweek hump.  Head over to their Facebook page every #HumpDay to have a feel good moment and share your own!

Happy Hump Day!

This post is sponsored by Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Waters.

flock of seagulls

This dress reminds me of Chandler's wonderful 80's hair in the flashback episodes of Friends (which were always my favorite). I saw a trend report recently that told everyone to throw out their bird prints and embrace "non-floral, natural prints," which I clearly listened to. Not really.

Truth is that this is the FIRST bird print thing I have ever owned and I just got it, so I'm not about to let it go that easily. Those lists are stupid anyway; who wants to sheepishly follow all fashion trends? Except for the bird print one. That one's okay because I like it.

be a little brave

Today I rode my bike to work, and for me, that's brave.

I only live about 15 blocks from my shop, but I was wearing a dress (with shorts underneath! Always!) and carrying a super heavy backpack, so the 15 blocks were plenty long. When I made it to work I felt like I have really accomplished something.

Then later on this morning a sweet girl came in to the shop to buy her sister a present. This sister, she told me, was constantly trying to conquer her fears and she did that by repeatedly skydiving, despite the fact she hates both heights and falling. When the girl checked out she had finally decided to get her sister a set of three charms that featured Thor and the two words: Jump now. 

Fitting, right?

So what's that little thing that needs some bravery to conquer? Whether it's biking to work or sky diving, showing off some white Irish legs or facing an upcoming presentation, be a little brave and jump now. Conquering fear is always worth it.

first day

Two weeks ago I got offered a job I was so excited to take and I am bittersweetly happy to take a step back from working full time for Favoring Brave. Today was my first day and I am excited! I think I will really love being back at work full time - especially somewhere with a super fun dress code! I will have a lot more new outfits to share now that I have to be dressed for the public everyday.

twice around dresses

I wore this dress to a Spring event at the Garden Center a few weeks ago and a sweet older lady came up to me to comment on it. "I had a dress pretty much - no - exactly like that one in the early 1970s... I should have just given it to you so you didn't have to buy it." "Well next time you come across it," I said, "Look me up! I'll take it off your hands!" 

I love how trends seem so new to us, when they've actually been around one, or more, times before. I've realized it's been over a year since I bought a piece of new clothing off the rack because I can find just about whatever style I'm looking for in a lot better quality at the thrift store, leftover from it's first round on the trend wheel.

This dress, however, was a notable exception because it was $1, newish, but badly damaged at a closeout store - so, since I basically rebuilt it, I don't have to count that, right?

mini bit of glam

Nothing like a little bit of glam for your Wednesday. I wore this to a sales event at the University of Tulsa last week and I put the outfit together while asking myself "What will look cute even if I have to run with huge boxes in the rain?" Nothing like quality 90s synthetic mini dresses and some red lip stain to keep you covered in all situations.

Hope your midweek quickly speeds into the weekend!

sunrise

There's nothing quite like a little yoga in gold wedge sneakers and a vintage cutout tunic. All these colors make me feel like a sunrise, and this happens to be one of those few outfits I have actually worn a couple times already. These wedges were my present to myself at the end of the first week of Revolt and I love them.

I'm off to the Tulsa Garden Center this afternoon for their Spring Fest preview - if you're in the Tulsa area and have been looking to get yourself some Favoring Brave, this is the time to get it!

do work

Shirt, Dress and Belt: vintage and thrifted, shoes also thrifted, Necklace by Favoring Brave 

I am not working an office job anymore, but every once and awhile I like to dress up like I do. This shirt screams 70s like few things do, and this dress is just the bomb. I am such a fan of high necked dresses where the straps really hug the neckline too - great for someone with my build.

I am continuing to go through the Revolt Now fitness program and it is kind of kicking my butt. I have been sore every day for the last 5 weeks, and I have 7 weeks to go. I am starting to notice some more definition in my arms and legs, which has literally NEVER been the case before. I'll keep you updated on how it's going as I reach the 1/2 mark!

Happy mid-week!

new old-fashioned way

Dear Readers, Google Reader AND Google Friend Connect are going the way of cassette tapes, so make sure you don't lose your favorite blogs - Especially Favor the Brave, which you can follow on Bloglovin' HERE! Import all your fave blogs from Google Reader to Bloglovin' here.

I cannot believe I haven't blogged this dress before. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of 1960s vintage I have ever seen (much less owned!) and I adore it. I found it at the Tulsa Antique Show in February and it was love at first sight. The lady gave me a great deal on it and it had the ORIGINAL, 1960s department store tags on it. Literally like-new vintage. Sometimes life just tosses you those easy ones so you can feel great about knocking it out of the park.

This outfit is basically all the weird things in my closet that I love. And I love that about it.

What to call this piece of clothing - a shawl? a shrug? a cape? a cardi? I really don't know - but I like it! The proportions are tricky though, and this dress seems to just work so well with it. Happy accidents.

blue jays

Dear Readers, Google Reader AND Google Friend Connect are going the way of cassette tapes, so make sure you don't lose your favorite blogs - Especially Favor the Brave, which you can follow on Bloglovin' HERE! Import all your fave blogs from Google Reader to Bloglovin' here.

Dress: Birdseye View Dress c/o Eshakti, Booties: Maurices, Thrifted cardigan, belt, and scarf, Earrings by Favoring Brave.

Friends of ours had a party the other weekend with a "Noah's Ark" theme, and they told us that themed couples animal costumes were "encouraged." So after I spent an entire day racking my brain for ideas for a couples costume, my husband came up with a winner in three seconds - we wore all blue and went as "Blue Jays" since our names are John and Jill. Way corny, but we got to wear normal clothes, and we were all for that. This was my blue jay outfit.

Hope you're smiling and ready to have a good week! I know I am!

birthday frock

Dress: Graphic Colorblock Frock c/o Eshakti, Heels: Charlotte Russe

Isn't "frock" the best word? We should use it always. I can hear it now - A friend says, "That's cute!" and their stylish compatriot replies, "Oh, this old frock? It's nothing." Let's make this a thing.

So today is my birthday! I'm 23 - which finally sounds grown up. And unlike last year, when I was totally lame and didn't care about my birthday, this year I am getting into it! I've been on a pretty stringent diet lately so I am looking forward to cake WAY more than usual, and I am generally just looking forward to treating myself today - to sunshine, sketching, new kettlebells, and maybe even a manicure, if I'm feeling crazy.

When Eshakti contacted me about reviewing an item from their spring line, I was pretty excited, because I had already decided I really wanted this dress. If you've been eyeing something from Eshakti, or if you just need something new for Easter (cause this is for sure going to be my Easter dress!) stop by their site and check it out. And - BONUS - get %20 off now through 3/20 with the code FVRTHEBRVE.