Floral Dress + White Leather Jacket

Dress / Jacket / Boots

Is there such a thing as too many floral dresses? If you answered yes, you might be visiting the wrong blog. In all seriousness, though, floral is my absolute favorite print, which is a good thing considering it's very trendy for Spring this year.

Target is awash with floral dresses right now. I usually stay away from the Wild Fable brand as it usually feels a little too young and on-trend for me, plus the sizing doesn't typically work for me. But I'm glad I made an exception for this dress.

On the website, the dress is listed as white floral, but I think it's more yellow than white with green and light pink/purple mixed in. The pattern is what would be considered 'ditsy floral' because there's not really any negative space.

The buttons are non-functional so no worries about gaping. The sleeves are puffed, which you can't see because of my white leather jacket (which I didn't realize I needed until I bought it), and the cuffs are elasticized. The material is not see-through, which is hard to find these days. The bottom has a ruffle but it's not super pronounced.

As with anything I buy in this brand, I sized up to a large.

What I Read February 2020

February was such a busy month. Between multiple school functions, my grandfather dying, and my own minor surgery, the month was over before it felt like it really began. My reading was kind of all over the place. I would say two were definite wins, one was interesting but short, and the series started out promising but kind of fizzled.

The Titanic Secret
Author: Clive Cussler

Detective Isaac Bell helps a group of American miners keep a bunch of Byzantium out of enemy hands. This book is a kind of prequel to Raise the Titanic, a Dirk Pitt adventure (that I haven't read and have not been able to find a copy of). It's essentially Dirk learning about detective Isaac Bell through a sort-of shared adventure involving the Titanic, although the ship plays a pretty small part in Bell's side of the story.

The Designer
Author: Marius Gabriel

This was definitely my favorite book from the month. An American woman, Copper, follows her journalist husband to war-torn France where they end up divorcing when he doesn't stay faithful. Copper remains in Paris to pursue her own dream of becoming a journalist, gathering around her an eclectic set of friends including Christian Dior.

Lucifer
Author: Ava Martell

I'm not going to lie. I decided to read this book because of my love for Supernatural. Someone has trapped souls meant for Hell on Earth and the Devil ascends to figure out who and put a stop to the chaos. While there, he runs into Grace, the last living descendant of God. The two have an instant connection.

Order of the Akasha
Author: E.M. Moore

When Norah follows the tug of magic from New Orleans to Salem, it leads her to the local Order of the Akasha coven. She's the first female coven member in centuries, and someone has it out for her new family. I liked the idea behind this story, but like many of these newer authors on Kindle Unlimited, I felt like the story was spread out over too many books. I also figured out who the bad guy was pretty early so the 'big reveal' wasn't all that special for me. I was also disappointed in the ending. It felt too simple.

Remembering PawPaw

I’ve always considered myself lucky when it comes to my family, especially when it comes to my PawPaw and Granny. They accepted me as their granddaughter when I was 3 years old. That’s when my mom married the man who became my dad. They’ve been a part of my life ever since.

My PawPaw took his last breath on February 20. Even though he had battled several illnesses off and on for the last two decades, his passing was completely unexpected. He wasn’t sick at the time. He just closed his eyes in the middle of a conversation with my Granny and was gone. Peacefully. With no pain. But of course I’m selfish. Even though we had all just celebrated his 77th birthday two weeks earlier, none of us got to say a final goodbye.

I’m not sure what life looks like without PawPaw in it. I’ll miss the way he would squeeze my hand and kiss it after saying the blessing. I’ll miss his stories and laugh. I’ll miss the way his eyes lit up anytime he played with Alexis. I’ll never smell Old Spice or tobacco without thinking of him. Thanksgiving will never be the same.

I’m so grateful I had him in my life for 30 years. I’m so blessed he was able to know Alexis. He didn't have to accept me as his granddaughter all those years ago, but I’m so glad he did.

My heart is broken, but I’m so much better for having known him.

Red Polka Dot Wrap Dress

I shared this dress in an Instagram roundup back in October, but that post really didn't do it justice, and this dress is so good it deserves its own post.

As I wrote in that previous post, I almost returned this dress when I first got it because I couldn't figure out how to keep the top from showing too much at first, but a safety pin solves that problem.

The material is chiffon so it's nice and light. It's slightly higher in the front, which I normally don't like but it works with the wrap. It is a true wrap dress, not faux, so a good breeze can be a nuisance with the skirt. I love the ruffle hem, high waist, and flowy sleeves.

I'm wearing the wine red in size 6/8. It comes in one other print and several other colors.

Details
Dress
Shoes (similar)
Necklace

5 Outfit Ideas for Valentine's Day or Night

I love any excuse to dress up, so even though we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, I'll certainly be dressing the part. Of course, Valentine's Day makes most people think of red and pink, but for me it's more about dressing romantically. So today I'm sharing five outfit ideas with you that can take you from the office to date night.

Pretty Feminine Dress

I love a good wear-anywhere dress. This pretty floral dress is perfect for work, a Galentine's outing, or even a casual date night. I love that it feels romantic even though it's not pink or red. The puff sleeves and v-neckline give it a flirty feel, and the buttons down the front are fully functional. You can wear it with heels, flats, or boots, and layer a sweater or light jacket over it for more warmth.

Date Night Dress

One section of my closet is devoted to date dresses like this one. It's a little more form-fitting and shorter than what I would wear for a normal day. This one is a couple years old, but what I like about it is the deep v-neck and open back. It's also purple, not red or pink, but still feels romantic because of the print. I've paired it with my favorite black Jessica Simpson pumps to keep it classy.

Skirt & Embellished Sweater

This outfit is perfect for the office. The pink skirt is a subtle nod to the holiday and the pearl detailing on the shoulders of the sweater add a romantic vibe. You can achieve the same effect with nearly any type of office-appropriate skirt. Just keep the sweater chic.

Jumpsuit

You guys saw this jumpsuit in one of my recent Instagram Roundup posts, but I wanted to share it again because it really is perfect for Valentine's Day. The cut of this jumpsuit is a little more tailored so it adds a more polished vibe to the outfit, and the floral print adds that dash of romance expected of the holiday.

Jeans & Sweater

This is the perfect outfit combo for those of you who want to participate in the spirit of the holiday but don't want to put a lot of effort into it. Jeans and a red or pink sweater. So simple, and great for a day spent watching romance movies on Netflix.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Red Gingham Dress

Being the good Southerner that I am, I have a soft spot for gingham. However, I don't own much of it because I don't think all gingham looks great on me. This dress, though, was irresistible. I love the buttons, blouse-style collar, and flared skirt. The waist is elastic so I was able to adjust it to fit at my natural waist easily. The tie is just decorative and doesn't actually adjust anything. The skirt is lined, which is nice because the skirt is pretty flowy in the breeze.

I ordered my usual size M instead of sizing up like I do with most Amazon dresses. I had plenty of room in the chest and arms. The sleeves were roomy, and I don't thin they'll draw up too much in the wash. With a large, I'm pretty sure I would have been swimming in material.

Speaking of material, it's 100% cotton but feels kind of silky smooth against the skin. It was wrinkled from being folded in the shipping bag, but the steam cycle on my dryer smoothed everything out nicely, and I didn't notice too much creasing from sitting throughout the day.

I decided to keep everything else pretty simple so that the dress could be its own focal point. I love these lace-up booties. They have kind of a witchy vibe to them that I can dress up or down depending on my mood. They're suede so of course I've already scuffed them. I'm wearing my usual size 7. There are still several sizes available.

Outfit Details
Dress: exact
Boots: exact
Necklace: exact

5 Valentine's Gift Ideas for Couples

The countdown to Valentine's Day is on, and if you're tired of the same old routine of flowers, candy, and dinner out in a crowded restaurant, this post is for you! Here are five out-of-the-box gift ideas that are perfect for couples at every stage of a relationship.

Love Language is a card game that's perfect for new couples struggling to start conversations or those looking to reconnect after several years together. These 101 conversation starters are divided into five categories: Family, Intimacy, Couple, Individual, and Past and Future. Pick a card, read the question, and start (re)discovering your significant other.

The Couples Bucket List contains 100 date and idea starters. There are three categories to choose from, and it comes with dividers to keep you organized: Things to Do, Doing, and Done.

Truth or Dare for Couples is filled with 50 naughty truths and 50 risque dares for couples to have some after-dinner fun. The cards can be used with all orientations. They're perfect for couples looking for kinky inspiration, naughty games, or a new way to connect and play together.

The Date Night Cookbook is filled with themes for setting up your next romantic endeavor, including Indoor Tent Night, Dining in Paris, and Dusk Beach Date. The concepts included in this book aren't limited to evening or late-night dates. All recipes can be prepared in less than an hour.

Our Adventures Book: Bucket List Journal for Couples is inspired by the Pixar movie Up. It makes for ongoing shared activities for couples to dream, chat, and record ideas for exciting, adventurous, romantic, or just plain fun events. The book includes writing prompts to help generate ideas, motivational quotes, and planning prompts.

**This post contains affiliate links.

Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup

Chili has always been my go-to comfort meal for a cold, rainy day, but sometimes I find myself in the mood for something non-spicy instead. In the past, if we wanted soup, we ate it out of a can, but I had seen several recipes for vegetable beef (or hamburger) soup on Pinterest and decided to try my hand at it. I looked at a few variations before I planned my own version. I've made this three times since the start of the year, so I'd say it's a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 4 Cups Beef Broth
• 12 oz. Canned Tomatoes (do not drain)
• 2 Large Potatoes
• 5 Small/Medium Sized Carrots
• 14.5 oz. Can Green Beans (drained)
• Minced Garlic
• Italian Seasoning

Directions

1. Using the saute function on your Instant Pot, brown your beef. I like to add my minced garlic to my meat so that it's nice and flavorful. I just do it to my family's taste, probably about one-and-a-half tablespoons. I use lean ground beef so there's not usually a need to drain it, but if you have excess grease you'll want to.

2. While your beef is cooking, peel, wash and cut up your carrots and potatoes.

3. Once your beef is cooked so there's no pink remaining, add in the carrots, potatoes, drained green beans, tomatoes with juice, and beef broth. Stir so that everything is covered by the broth. Add your Italian seasoning, about one tablespoon.

4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is closed. Using the manual setting, cook for 8 minutes.

5. Quick release the pressure and serve with crackers or cornbread.

I like how versatile this recipe is. You can add in more vegetables, like corn or zucchini. We've even added in elbow noodles. The first time I made this, I added two tablespoons of tomato paste. While it didn't change the flavor any, it did make the broth thicker than I prefer. So if you want thicker broth, add in some tomato paste.

What I Read January 2020

January just didn't want to end, did it? It feels like we should already be at least three months into 2020, when in reality it's only been a few weeks. My reading was kind of all over the place this month. A few series I had been waiting on released their final books, but in all but one I just couldn't get pulled back into the story. I also forced myself to read something a little more grown-up this month, as I feel like I've kind of exhausted the contemporary romance genre for the time being. In fact, my current Kindle Unlimited list looks drastically different than it did just one month ago!

The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury
Author: Marc Levy

Alice Pendelbury's life is turned on its ear when she lets her friends convince her to see a fortune teller at a carnival. The mysterious woman tells Alice that she's living two lives and must encounter six people before she finds the most important person in her life, in Turkey of all places. After confiding in her curmudgeonly neighbor, Mr. Daldry, Alice decides to take the fortune teller's advice, and Mr. Daldry insists on paying for the trip. On this journey, Alice learns that everything she thought she knew about herself and her family is a lie.

This was probably my favorite book from the month. I loved going along for the ride as Alice uncovered the past and discovered things about herself she'd forgotten as a child. Alice, as a character, was well-written and I loved her snark, especially when dealing with Daldry.

The Cardinal Bird & Cardinal Caged
Author: Mia Smantz

These books kept popping up in my Kindle recommendations, so I decided to give them a shot. Callie was kidnapped when she was 11 and trained to be a hacker. Then she was kidnapped again by a truly terrible organization. Somewhere along the way, she begins corresponding with the good guys, and believing she's about to be killed, gives them her kidnapper's location. Callie is rescued and taken in by a secret government organization called Delta, but her kidnapper wants her and the knowledge she holds dead.

What made this book interesting for me was watching this girl who's spent her entire teenage years as a captive forced to do illegal things try to find her way in this new reality. The unusual dynamics between the Delta teams provided enough comedic relief to balance out the heavy. I didn't realize this series was incomplete, so now I'm impatiently waiting for the next book.

The Secret Girl, The Ruthless Boys, & The Forever Crew
C.M. Stunich

When Carlisle's dad becomes the new headmaster of Adamson All-Boys Academy, Carlisle refuses to attend the school as a female. Instead, she dresses in baggy clothes, gets an androgynous haircut, and forgoes all makeup to become Chuck. Unfortunately, she gets on the bad side of the student council and pretty soon they figure out her secret. That's not the crux of the series, however. Someone is trying to kill Carlisle, and the crew think it has something to do with Ranger's older sister's death from when she attended the all-boy's school many years prior.

This wasn't the most involved story I've ever read, but I did want to know who was behind everything. All of the characters had surprising quirks (Ranger's is my favorite but I won't spoil it for you). I started this series last fall, but the final book wasn't released until mid-January, which is why I included all three books.

The Peer and the Puppet
B.B. Reid

Let me start by saying that the two main characters of this book have weird names. Four is a biker girl. She works in a garage and illegally street races the bikes she fixes. When one such race ends in her almost being killed by a gang, Four's mother moves the two of them in with her new boyfriend and his son, Ever. Ever doesn't want his father to get remarried and sets his sights on Four, getting her sent overseas to an all-girls reform school, but after a year Four returns with a plan for vengeance.

I really had to admire Four's resilience in the face of everything she goes through in life. Likewise, Ever's not quite as bad as he's been painted, but you'll have to read the book to find out why. There are two more books in this series, but I haven't decided if I'm going to read them yet.

To be read...
The Titanic Secret by Clive Cussler
Year One by Nora Roberts
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
The Whisper of the Moon Moth by Lindsay Jayne Ashford
Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
Agent of Enchantment by C.N. Crawford
The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shein
The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch
The Designer by Marius Gabriel
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual by Bella Forrest
The Rejected Writers' Book Club by Suzanne Kelman
The Night Crossing by Robert Masello
Relative Fortunes by Marlowe Benn