If I were young, I'd flee this town.

I am experiencing a desperate longing for Summer. Must it be so very far away? But, considering the Southern California weather, Summer weather is only a few weeks away. So I don't find it too unreasonable to be bathing suit shopping. And even if I were dwelling in a very snowy place, like North Dakota for instance, I do think I would make an exception for bathing suit shopping in Winter for this little beauty.

Purchase Details:

Modcloth: http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Swimwear/Bathing+Beauty+One+Piece+in+Blue+Velvet

How often does one stumble upon a navy blue velvet bathing suit? It is so stunning, and my favorite color to wear is navy. I am in the process of scrounging up funds to purchase this suit, but it is a slow process (considering the price of an intimidating $89.99). Feel free to donate.

This suit is featured in one of my favorite Modcloth photo collections, Swim Noir. I lust after all the swimsuits as well as the funky vintage hats and swimcaps. Here are some of my favorites.

So beautiful.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=157918&id=9481787170

There has also been a rather noticeable reflection of my desire for the presence of Summer in what I have been wearing lately. Although it is not necessarily cold outside, I would not yet go as far as to say it is warm. So these last couple days have consisted of sun dresses and severe goosebumps, an accessory I did not intend upon.

                                               

Outfit Details:

White Crochet Dress: Forever 21

Yellow and White Sundress: Charlotte Russe

Jewelry: Forever 21

Hat: Target

Heels: Aldo

Oh Summer, come sooner.

-Valerie Joy

Wouldn't It Be a Lovely Headline, 'Life is Beautiful' On the New York Times.

To put it bluntly, my outfit today was adorable. My darling had bought me a cute floral dress that I was dying to wear. I donned it proudly with black tights, blue flats, a pink braided belt, and a red cape. It may sound catstrophic, but believe me, it was not. I was very anxious to take pictures of said outfit to share them with you when a man approached dear Jesse and I at our local Starbucks and implored if he could photograph us because we were both dressed so well (looking good pays off yet again!). So we sat and continued our conversation with clasped hands and goo-goo eyes in an attempt to be candid as Jeff (the photographer) snapped pictures of us. He then took us outside and posed us and took even more pictures (much to my dismay because I am very awkward in front of the camera [problematic considering how I write a fashion blog. Oh well]). After this spontaneous shoot, Jeff told us he would upload the pictures on his website (http://creamabuscarodotcom.wordpress.com/). How overjoyed I was to realize that the job of taking pictures of my outfit had been taken care of for me! But as the hours wore on, I came to the realization that, like myself, Jeff is a procrastinator. That means, no pictures. Boo. But I promise I will post them as soon as Jeff does!

In lieu of my outfit, I shall give you a peek into the other passion of my life: dance.

Ah, dance. The embodiment of unspoken emotion, of fathomless feeling which words cannot express. But dance has also become an inspiration for fashion and art. Dance has inspired Valentino's ball-gowns, stunning photography, Chanel's iconic ballet flat as well as Lady Gaga's pointe heels. And with such films as The Black Swan, dance is receiving more attention than ever, and it is very well deserved.

Dance allows one to be feminine, powerful, and alluring. When a dancer dances well, it stuns the audience and makes it impossible to take their eyes away from you. How could it not inspire fashion, which we strive to use to accomplish the same means that dance does. It seems that they almost go hand in hand.

-Valerie Joy

I want to be, under the sea, in an Octopus' garden, in the shade.

MY BLOG, OH MY SWEET PRECIOUS BLOG! I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!

Now, dear readers, my lack of posts has not been due to my exceeding laziness. In fact, I have been internetless for about two weeks...two horribly long, excruciatingly painful weeks. You see, my three-toothed cat, Holly, decided that she wanted to have a bad case of cat throw up. She then decided to deposit that lovely gift right on our internet modem, which caused the hardrive to literally disenegrate. After three hours on the phone with the Verizon company, my father finally ordered a new modem. After a week, it had not arrived. So we called back and so it seems that someone had stolen our modem from our front porch. *sigh*. So it was another long week of inpatient waiting before the glorious modem FINALLY arrived! I was so happy at its arrival that I screamed "Thank God, I have internet again! I have never felt so civilized and connected to the world! My strange overwhelming longings to drag my knuckles on the floor and don a loin cloth have dissipated!" (I was quite proud of myself for coming up with that on the spot). And now, I can finally return to you and continue to share my love of fashion.

But I will confess, I got a tad lazy with picture taking the last couple days. So rather than posting dozens of pictures of outfits of the past two weeks, I shall share with you a smorgasbord of photographs of recent days that will hopefully give you a synopsis of the past half month. Do enjoy.

Yes, these past two weeks have consisted of bike rides, cuddles with my cats, the most delicious milkshakes, a battle royale with my friend Ryan, and an instructional book on everything about cats. All in all, I would say it has been a good two weeks.

But wait!

There's more!

In my absence, I also had Winter Formal at my favorite place ever, the Aquarium of the Pacific! I wore the dress of my dreams, and Jesse looked oh so handsome! So naturally, I have even more pictures to share of one of my finest nights alive.

He is beautiful.

And Finally, I have pictures from my outfit today! So now I would consider myself back on track!

Outfit Details:

Shirt: French Connection via Buffalo Exchange

Skirt: Buffalo Exchange (a gift from the boyfriend)

Earrings: Buffalo Exchange

Bow: Handmade

Purse: Gryson for Target

It feels good to write again. I've missed this.

-Valerie Joy