Aliology

Its that time of year again – time to start wearing an oversized, chunky cardigan over every outfit. Not just because its like wrapping yourself up in a cozy blanket against the chill, but because I love their cool, laid-back attitude.

When wearing larger, less shapely pieces like these, I always think its most flattering to wear fitted pieces underneath. And, playing with bold patterns and proportions – like wearing an overlong sweater with a shorter dress or skirt – makes for an easy dramatic statement.

As someone who has a tendency to clutter her computer desktop with every random file she thought – at the time – she needed to keep ready at her fingertips, I took some time this weekend to clean off my virtual desktop. Hidden in that mosaic of files, I rediscovered this video of Matthew and I practicing our first dance.

We took one dance lesson – one and only one – to have our first dance choreographed and taught to us. By the end, our instructor took this video to help us remember the routine up until the wedding.

{ The Dress That Might Have Been }

After finding that video, I remembered a couple of other “behind the scenes” videos from the months leading up to the wedding. This time last year, I was picking out my wedding dress with my parents and two of my bridesmaids in Chicago. I had already done some shopping on my own – and more online shopping than I care to admit – and I had narrowed it down to these two dresses.

{ The Dress That Was }

Even though I kept asking for everyone’s opinion – and they all clearly had an opinion – they all kept quiet to let me make my own choice. So I did… after a night of watching these videos over and over, over margaritas. And, as it turns out, I picked everyone’s favorite – or so they say!

Yesterday was another crazy day at the office – got in early, stayed way too late. So I’m going to have to catch up with you more later. In the meantime…

I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy this dress. Even though my work environment is, well, more than casual, I guess I still like to dress “with style”. So, what do you think?

{ Matthew and I going up in the gondola }

{ snapping a few more bride and groom portraits before going inside }

{ trying not to laugh when our excited guests spotted us through the window }

{ bustling the train of my dress downstairs }

{ making our entrance upstairs }

{ the guestbook table }

{ groomsmen, Ben & Brian }

{ fathers of the bride and groom }

{ the little kids table }

{ my dad making a toast }

{ my family }

{ Matthew’s brother, Nick, giving his toast }

{ our college friends }

{ Matthew’s toast }

{ Matthew’s groomsmen, Ben & Brian, giving a toast together }

{ my bridesmaid, Becca, giving a toast }

{ our first dance }

{ watch a video clip here }

We may have had a little practice…

{ Urban Renewal pendant necklace from Urban Outfitters }

For me, there is no such thing as a basic accessory.

{ Vintage French ring from Silk Purse, Sow’s Ear }

Basics are staples in any wardrobe – a fitted tank top for laying, a pencil skirt, a favorite pair of jeans – but I always think accessories should be iconic.

{ Vintage earrings from Silk Purse, Sow’s Ear }

I tend to gravitate toward accessories that feel collected – like vintage-inspired or reconstructed pieces – with a touch of whimsy. Your accessories should make a statement and have personal meaning for you – or else, what’s the point of an accessory?