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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

A Pastel Paradise and 7 random facts about me!

Most of you probably know that I am crazy about bright colors, but I also really love pastels!  They're wonderful in the spring, but I also love to break them out in the middle of winter when everything seems gloomy and gray, they just instantly lighten up my day and remind me that spring is just around the corner!  (well, sort of).  Also, almost everything from this outfit was a bargain or a special find (don't you love those?).  The dress was off a $5 rack at Retrospect in Philly, the clutch was $14 at an Antique Mall, the bow was $3, and the belt was found at Goodwill for a dollar.  The coat was also on sale (it's actually from the Candy's collection) but I don't remember how much that was..style on a budget, yay!  Anyway, I had a lot of fun putting this outfit together and using all of my fun hodge podge necklaces to layer on top of it.


Dress: retrospect, Bow: Icing, Tights: WeLoveColors, Clutch: antique mall, Necklaces: vintage and forever 21, belt: Goodwill, Bracelet: Francesca's



Spring flowers remind me of warmer days <3



Do you like wearing pastels too?


And now onto the random facts!!

Thanks so much to Suvi over at www.sutuko.blogspot.com for nominating me for the versatile blogger award!  I like that it doesn't take too much work to pass the award along because I am horrible at reposting these things, but it's a really good way to share a little more about myself, so I appreciate it! :) 

Instructions are to
  • Nominate some other new bloggers
  • Let them know you have nominated them
  • Share 7 random facts about yourself
  • Thank the blogger who has nominated you
  • Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your post

The other bloggers that I would like to nominate are:

* Larissa from Ce n'est que de la chance
* Pati from Nebula in Bloom
* Sarah C. from Sarah J See
* Sofia from The Lovely Hunter
* Angel from Artsy Angel

7 random facts about me:

I came to the conclusion that it's hard to pick only 7, but here they go!!

1.  I grew up in the woods (and basically in the middle of nowhere), and had few neighbors.  It shaped who I am today in sooo many ways.  I have a deeply rooted interest in the outdoors, and in plants and animals.  I love dressing up, but I also love being outside- and yes, I mix the two all the time.  I've worn bow flats while hiking, walked through thorn bushes with tights on and waded through the creek wearing a dress (none of them were great ideas, but who I am nonetheless haha).  

2.  My favorite color is yellow!  I've been through a few favorite colors in my 25 years, but for the past 3 or 4 I have settled on yellow, I think I could say I've finally found my very favorite, unless "rainbow" counts, but it many cases, it doesn't :p

3.  I LOVE exploring abandoned buildings (which you probably could have guessed) and I used to belong to an urban exploring group.  We all sort of got busy with our adult lives but I still keep in touch with a lot of them- they are awesome people, and I went to some of the most amazing places with them;  abandoned mills, hospitals, military bases, power plants, and huge houses.  I find something so invigorating about stepping into a place that is frozen in time yet shows the wear and tear of many years.  They are so mysterious and full of history, and if the walls could speak, you better believe they would have a lot to say!  My love of photography really developed when I started taking pictures of abandoned buildings, and I did my senior art project on them in college!

4. I am just shy of 5"9!  It may be hard to tell (maybe it's not) in my pictures, but yes, I am tall :)  Since I got tall (which wasn't until half way through high school) I've felt a little self-conscious of my height, but personal style has really changed that.  Style has helped me to really embrace who I am and accept every part of me, including loving my height!  I am also a really lucky lady with a 6"7 husband, so I can wear heels whenever I darn well please! :)  

5.  My hair was once bleached blonde on top and black on the bottom.  Maybe I should post a picture of it sometime, haha.  It was really fun and I enjoyed having it, but it got expensive to maintain and was a little rough on my hair.  After that it was completely black, and then I dyed it red for a while until it said "enough is enough!" so I grew the dye out and am now back to my natural hair for the time being (besides some random feather extensions and color streaks), and hoping to grow it out longer. 

6.  I am gluten and cow dairy intolerant, but this has only made me extremely creative in my cooking! I enjoy so many yummy foods, two of my favorites are peanut butter and avocados (not together) but separately I find them both quite delectable.  I am a huge fan of ethnic food; Asian, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern, there are so many wonderful, delicious options.   I am big on supporting local and organic farming practices, and eating delicious whole and fresh foods.  I also love experimenting with baking!    Quinoa stuffed winter squash with goat cheese and balsamic dressing is one of my favorite dishes, oh and homemade falafel with curried lentils and vegetables, and...ok, I'll stop there :)  


7.  I love yoga!  I take a class every Tuesday with my mom, in an old barn on a beautiful farm.  It's a really nice way to start the week :)

I hope that you found these random facts interesting and that they helped you to learn more about me :)  

xo,
Alyssa

39 comments:

  1. Everything you're wearing is perfect. I love it all, goes so well together!
    Oh and I can totally relate with points 1, 2, 3 and 5. Its hard just sticking with one fave colour, I love them all. And don't even get me started on what my hair has been through... I mean it's nice to look at coloured hair in pictures but theres so much work and time and money that goes into it and in then end you're left with dead hair. I just grew out my dead hair. All natural now and looking forward to it being long this summer.
    Also, thanks for nominating me for the blogger award thinger. :]

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    1. Thank you so much!!! And glad you can relate...I want to dye my hair a really crazy color like pink or purple but I know my hair can't tolerate it haha. Can't wait to see your answers to the versatile blogger award! :)

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  2. This dress is adorable! I need to find more bows like the one you're wearing. I've been meaning to and never get around to it. They look so cute on.
    I honestly would've never guessed your favorite color was yellow.. and I believe rainbow counts, in your case for sure. If you wouldn't have told me how tall you were I wouldn't have noticed. You are tall lady! I'm super short. I'm only 5' 2" on a good day. haha.
    Abandon buildings are the best and all of the ones you visited seem amazing! Interested in ghosts as well?
    You can't eat ice cream? Do you make dairy free? I would die I think..
    Thhhaaannnkk you for the award. It means tons to me. :)

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    1. Thanks so much lady :) And yea- I realize because my body is pretty proportional (I don't have dramatically long legs or a really long torso) I could be easily perceived as short. Actually, in person a lot of people don't realize I'm that tall either haha! And no, I can't eat dairy ice cream (I can get away with a little bit of goat cheese here and there because its easier on my body) but I do eat delicious coconut and almond ice creams! :)

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  3. I've always wanted to try ice cream! And you are tall - you are right I wouldn't have guessed! The pastel colors are so cute on you - I love that hair box and your rings/bracelet are so perfect and pretty.

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    1. Are you dairy intolerant too?? And thank you so much, that is too sweet of you to say :)

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  4. Hey!

    Thank you so much for nominating me!!! And I love that you are also into urban exploration! Thats so great! I used to do it alot back in Germany and now I am just slowly starting to find places here in the US (I am here only since a month).
    I love your pastels outfit! Beautiful colours and yeah, they do also make me feel that spring is just around the corner :)

    Much love!

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    1. Thank you Larissa! And it will be fun to see your answers :) I have heard that there are a lot of really neat abandoned gems overseas, but I have yet to make it over there, hopefully I will sometime soon :) We have some cool ones in the U.S. too. xo

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  5. Oh my gosh you're coat YOU'RE COAT! So cute.
    Trish

    www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com

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  6. Wow, wonderful colors! You look like a doll!
    Lovely blog!
    I think we should follow each other! What do you say ?
    Kisses!

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  7. Followed back, dear! Number 35. The picture with the eye. Kisses!

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  8. I really like your outfit here, so cute! I love combining pastels, too, as you can't go wrong with them!
    And thanks so much for your sweet comment!

    Hope you're having a fantastic week,
    -Kati

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  9. wow, these outfits are amazing! I LOVE pastel colors, they are so gorgeous!
    new follower, hope you have a great day!
    Juliet
    www.apurplesky.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Juliet :) I will have to check out your blog!

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  10. Beautiful outfit and congratulations on the award! I just gotta say that I am envious of your height. I'm quite short and would like to be a little bit taller. I think it is so elegante!

    XO, Simona

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  11. OMG...You look so delicious in that outfit. so beautiful

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  12. I totally love those aqua tights, especially with that yellow coat! Super cute.

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  13. I love your outfit and I love these random facts! I love yoga too and I never would have known you were that tall :). I also really want that hairbow and your mint tights. You really know how to wear color well!

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

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  14. You look like a cheerful rainbow!

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  15. I absolutely love this look! So cute! Thank you so much for the nom! How sweet of you!

    Sarahjsee.blogspot.com

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  16. haha, I actually went and measured myself right now to have an idea of your height (after 9 years in the States I'm still stuck in meters/centimeters) and I'm 5.8" I've just never really felt tall though, because back home I was considered short/average (Dutch people are freakishly tall!)

    That jacket is so pretty, and yes...rainbow should be considered a color :)

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    1. Yay! Were're almost the same height! (I'm 5.8 1/2) lol! Daniel and I always joke that we would feel normal in The Netherlands, or the "Dinaric Alps" lol, apparently that's where the tallest people on Earth live. You know, it's funny, I never feel tall until I get around people who are much shorter than me, I think at our height it could go either way haha. And thanks so much, I think rainbow should be considered a color too :)

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  17. Retrospect!!! My favorite shop on South Street! I am actually going to try making it there later on today if this nor'easter turns out to be a bust.

    This is the most perfect outfit ever! I'm a sucker for pastels & wish I packed some for this weekend to wear right now!

    I'm right there with you exploring & hiking in bow flats & dresses :-)

    I can't remember if I ever answered your question but I live 1.5 hrs away from Philly, close to Scranton. My inlaws live here, so the Mr. & I visit on the weekends as often as we can.

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    1. Marisa, omigosh!!! Haha, that's so funny I am actually going to try and get to Retrospect tomorrow. We have some friends who were going to meet us up in Philly tomorrow night so we planned to spend the day there. It would be awesome to meet up with you some day or just run into you at Retrospect! We live about 40 minutes from Philly right now but are planning to move a little further north so we'll be even closer. So cool that we both live close by! :) Hope you enjoy your weekend!

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  18. Super cute! I love pastels too! Your yellow coat is just amazing and how fabulous is that cute dress! Loved your facts about you, it was nice to get to know you better! :)

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca

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    1. I followed you on bloglovin too! You can follow back if you like! :)

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    2. Still figuring out Bloglovin' haha! But I should be following you now :) yay!

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  19. Oh my goodness- I LOVE your style! I've been scrolling through your blog and your bright colors are so fun! I love how pastels can look so bright too, like in this way you've styled them. I wish I was close to this Retrospect store- it sounds amazing ;) I would've never guessed you were 5'9" from the pics, you're lucky to be tall!

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    1. Aw thanks so much! So flattered since I think you have amazing style too :) And thank you! I like to pretend that I'm shorter but I figured people would want to know for reference, haha! No, but I am trying to learn to be more appreciative of my height :)

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  20. I love pastels! They definitely make me wish it was spring!

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  21. This coat! I'm in love with it, it's such a great color and shape. Thanks for sharing these facts about you, it's nice to get to know you better :)

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  22. I love your outfit, especially the color of your tights :)

    tulip-agate.blogspot.com

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  23. how sweet!


    www.brenda-lu.blogspot.com

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  24. I love your colorful/ wonderful pastel outfit! SO cute.

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  25. I really love this! The mint tights, yellow coat and pale pink bow are so pretty together! Awesome to get to know more about you too!
    -Jessi
    haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com

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  26. You are like a walking rainbow! Love it.

    Rachel

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  27. Would you share which colour of tights these are? I have such a hard time finding the perfect pastel tights! The colours are so hard to see true-to-colour online. :)

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    1. Hey Jana! Sorry for the late reply, but I believe these are the "pastel mint" tights from welovecolors.com :)

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