transitions and re-imagining

As a little girl, my mom spent a great deal of time reading to me. My favorites were always stories where the heroines "made-do" or were creative in times of trial. I still remember an episode in a Boxcar Children story, where Jessie--the oldest sister, made an apple pie using an old bottle as a rolling pin. Or who could forget in Little Women when Meg and Jo go to the ball sharing a pair of gloves, and I can't remember which girl it was, but one has to keep their back to the wall because their dress has scorch marks from standing too close to the fire ( I think it was Jo!) And of course Meg insists on wearing the cunning little slippers from the charity box even though they are too small. Similarly, in Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton Porter, Elnora makes a graduation gown out of lace and ribbons and a few carefully placed gardenias. These characters were my favorite imaginary friends, and even now, as an adult I sometimes wonder what they would do or how they would solve a problem. So in honor of these literary re-fashionistas, I decided to style my favorite summer jersey dresses for fall. It should be noted that these jersey dresses are absolutely the most comfortable and perfect for looking put together--without trying, a must when chasing my oh so active Everett.

Navy jersey dress--JCrew

olive merino wrap sweater--dyed, felted by me, from Banana two + years ago

vintage petticoat

wool paisley scarf--Ten Thousand Villages

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy wearing my boots? Pretty much with everything.
These are so much fun, I can't wait to wear them--Thrifted.
I LOVE this color! Originally this sweater was aqua, mossy green is so much nicer.

White frilly button down--vintage American Eagle ( I never shop there, but my mom picked this up for me, Thanks mom!

Emerald green jersey dress, worn as a jumper---JCrew, re-dyed by me. It was a really perky, perky green--a little too bright for me. Now it is perfect!

Grey, nubby hooded sweater--swap from Anne

vintage princessy petticoat

navy skinny belt--thrifted

Ummm, pretty much my favorite new shoes. I think, that like the boots I am going to wear them out this fall and winter. I love the dark grey.

I really love dying things. It gives them new life and it allows me to customize my clothes to the color I want, or close enough. Both the dress and the slip were originally different colors.
Jersey dress--re-dyed (3 times!) JCrew, two years ago

vintage slip--dyed and bleached

nubby sweater (with pockets!)--thrifted

cozy, ombre wool scarf--gift from Anne

I think that my heroines would be pleased, and might even wear a few of these combinations. And as if I needed to say it again, I think an autumn pallette is scrumptious. I should add that Milly certainly does a fantastic job of standing still and taking pictures--although hopefully I will have some photos of me actually modeling my own clothes eventually...