You may be seeing this dress for the first time here on this blog, but I've owned it for many years now. You will come to understand that this is the case with a lot of the outfits I post on this blog. It was during H&M's spring end-of-season sale and I snatched it up for only $10! I was a huge bargain shopper back in the day when my college life ruled my wallet. I am still am now, but to a lesser extent. I've built my wardrobe from the ground up and it's full of the clothes I love. I cycle through my old clothes and wear the same exact outfits again and again - only I don't photograph them all the time. As to acquiring new clothes, I don't go out and buy much nowadays.

 We had happily sauntered off to the mall on Easter Sunday for this matcha soft serve ice cream I was craving. It's only served there and I had to have it. I was going to kill someone if I didn't get it. Yea, blame mother nature dropping her beloved gift every month. Like fools, we didn't realize most shops would be closed. We were astonished that the mall itself was open at all. We wandered (moped) around for a while until we came across this paper art installation.

 Remember what I said about owning 3 different versions of this dress? Well, on display for you today is her darling older sister! Sweet and demure grey with a familiar A-line shape. Scrunched cap sleeves as lovely as can be. Of course, hidden side pockets also run in the family. While not as bright and fresh as her younger sister, she's got all the charm to make up for it.

 What I love about this dress is how it cinches at the waist, which lifts the weight off my lower body. Thus, contributing to an overall more flattering look. I don't think I have a very defined waist. It's just kind of...there. Just imagine a pear and you've got it quite perfectly. I've learned long ago that anything that accentuates the waist is key for me. But sometimes, during those particular days, I just want to wear babydolls or shift dresses - essentially look like a blob because I feel like a blob. And that's okay, too. I don't think I could bear stuffing my bloated belly into a fitted A-line dress anyway!

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What I wore:

Dress: H&M

Bag: ASOS

Flats: Corso Como

Photos: John & me

 I went with an entirely different look with this outfit. It just screams 90s to me. But my eyes could be defective. You can be the judge of that. While I don't think I can pull off the iconic chokers and brown/mauve lipstick and still look like myself, I feel like one of those women in the old karaoke vinyl records my parents used to play when I was smaller. I find myself cringing at the thought of it.  The videos themselves were incredibly cheesy but they sure do bring back lots of fond memories. Not sure if anyone will understand but if you do, more power to you!

 Some days we find ourselves chasing after the last rays of sunlight with our hearts beating rapidly against our chests, wondering if we'll make it in time. And when we do, it's simply the best feeling. But we can't relax for long. Eyes scout out all the possible locations and lips paint the scenes. Sometimes it always doesn't work out and we just shoot continuously, hoping the bullet will hit dead center. Time is so precious during these moments, but I love it.

 As I walked hand in hand with my loved one, the soft, warm glare of the setting sun in front of us, I heard the unmistakable sound of crumpling metal high up on the bridged freeway. I let go of his hand, eyes wide open, trying to identify the scene of the accident over yonder. But I could see nothing. And soon enough, the cloying smell of burnt rubber wafted over to us. How fragile everything seemed then. 

 Wearing this bright orange shift dress reminded me of those childhood days eating icy cold orange popsicles under the blazing hot sun. I remember the grape flavor was the worst of the bunch. I hated that flavor with a passion. Blegh. I did get a kick out of my purple tinted lips and tongue though. Cherry was a great favorite among us kids and those were always the first to disappear. And while we're at it, didn't anyone else grow up eating those red/yellow swirly pineapple popsicles? I loved them as a kid. We'd always by the generic version but they didn't taste any different from the leading brands.

 Except I don't like watermelon. In fact, I'm one of those weirdos who find themselves gagging after eating a slice. I know how refreshing it is to bite into its crisp, juicy flesh on a hot sweltering day. When no amount of water is able to quench my thirst, especially considering how hot it's been this past week and will be this summer, this is what I want to eat to satisfy my parched throat. Only I'm unable to. I just can't! Believe me, I've tried. While John on the other hand could eat a whole watermelon if he's allowed to. And it looks so incredibly satisfying.

I never thought much of daisies until I met John. They were simple and unobtrusive. They didn't stand out the way sunflowers did with their sheer size and brilliant yellow petals opening up towards the sun (can you tell I like sunflowers?). But he liked them because they were simple and unobtrusive. They're the kind of flowers that are real easy-going and put a small, affectionate smile on your face. They're adoringly cute. They don't make you gasp the way roses do, but I like that. And they remind me of tiny sunflowers except they come in all sorts of colors!

Barely discernible from the distance, it appears to be a white, neutral kind of dress with a peculiar flutter perceived by the draft of soft wind.  However, upon closer inspection, one can see what a fun print this dress turns out to be. Dotted all across in gentle waves are confetti shaped prints in muted colors of jade, purple, orange, light and dark grey. It's the kind of dress you don't notice at first and the more you look at it, the more you see. Its presence is subtle, but certainly not quiet.

 As you know by now, at this moment, I've already left California for a week's visit with family in Texas and Kansas. This outfit was shot some time ago in this quaint little heritage museum. We wandered in and discovered this old wagon, which we thought was pretty neat. I didn't think the dress I wore was out of place in that it was dated - thrifted vintage to be exact. It reminded me of an older, perhaps traditional, island attire. I adore the lapel of this dress and it's got a lovely square dotted print. I can't help but think of a village in the countryside in which women wore this. And I also see fields of rice paddies for some reason. Please do feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I claim my ignorance of the story behind this dress.

This post's title makes a mere passing allusion to the actual novel by Wilkie Collins. I always meant to read it but it turned out to be one of those novels that I'd pick up and put down soon after. And since I was donned from top to bottom in white, I thought, "Why not?" This dress is super old. It's been in my closet since my middle school years (I've already graduated college!). I beginning to think it's about time to let this one go. It's such a lovely dress though!

 The wall in which I'm pictured standing in front of here belongs to one of my favorite sandwich shops known as Lovebirds Cafe. I always get the "Love That Basil" sandwich. The basil pesto sauce is so yummy. But the thing that keeps me coming back is their Dr. Snyder bread, which consists of a sort of wheat bread with raisins and walnuts interspersed throughout. So each bite is a pleasant surprise and goes so well with my favored sandwich. Much to my disappointment, they were out of the Dr. Snyder the day I went. I really need to remind myself to call beforehand because this isn't the first time it's happened. It's a good thing because they make their breads fresh!

 I discovered Larmoni not too long ago from some of my favorite bloggers. As someone who adores retro styles, I instantly fell in love. I do think the clothing are a bit pricey, but the styles are fairly unique. It seems as though they've been carefully selected. I do not feel the dress I am wearing in this photo was cheaply made at all. The zipper is sturdy and the fabric is nice. I love that there is a cotton lining inside so that it's light and breathable. I detest polyester linings, especially in the summer - they're the worst!

I tend to avoid shift dresses because my large bum usually turns it into something else - a loose, ill-fitting bodycon dress, if you will. But once in a blue moon, a darling dress like this comes along, waiting for me to snatch it up. I found it in the sale section of Forever 21. No more than $10, if I remember correctly. It's an old dress but it's held up well over the years. I was drawn to the floral crochet lace overlay pattern that allowed a bit of the soft blue lining to show through. I can only ever see myself wearing it in the summer time, but we'll see. I thought I'd mix it up with this mustard polka dot print blouse. It's another one of my purchases from Japan. The boutiques there sell the cutest things. If I had room in my luggage, I would have come home with so much more.

Now that I'm older (and wiser), I am able to discern the quality of product. I learned a lot about the quality of fabrics and the construction of clothes when I was working in the Fashion District. I wish I had that knowledge when I was younger. I would have carefully examined the fabric and stitching before buying. If it met my standards and the price was reasonable, I would allow myself to buy it. Of course, this also applies when I go thrift shopping. These days, I've developed such a critical eye that it makes shopping almost impossible. What have I done...!

 "Not keep a journal! ...How are your various dresses to be remembered, and the particular state of your complexion, and curl of your hair to be described in all their diversities?"

-Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey (1817)

 Yes, how are they to be remembered? I suppose the modern day equivalent to that quote would be the blogger's photo-stream of collected outfits. Whether or not the clothing is worn for a specific purpose, it is photographed - an instance of a living memory captured forever on camera. And always, a story is written in memorabilia. A snippet of one's life unlocked and shared with eyes other than one's own. There is a vulnerability and strength in that kind of exposure. That is what I think, anyway.

 This dress has been with me for quite a long time now. I bought it off eBay for a fairly good price. At the time, I was not familiar with the brand Free People. I knew only that it was vintage. I was smitten with the blue plaid pattern and the fact that it was a button-up. I eagerly awaited its arrival and when I put it on, it was instant love. It's a fairly simple dress but it has the most amazing cut. Nicely flattering, I must say.

Remember what I said about wearing white? Well, I was lured in by the lovely embroidery and the light, airy material. It was the perfect summer dress. The fact that it is such an immaculate white is reason enough for me to fear for its life. We often go out during the weekends and one of things we love to do is eat. And I am a rather messy eater (I believe I've mentioned this before). Wretchedly so. It's atrocious. John often wonders how I possess such an unsightly habit of eating when I am diligent in grooming myself. Certainly, I wonder, too. I might as well just use the dress as a napkin. It'll end up getting dirty somehow even if I'm being super careful. I was quite fortunate this weekend though. I can say, it's made a clean escape...!

What I wore:

Dress: Forever 21

Sandals: Vince Camuto via Burlington's

Hat: Forever 21

Backpack: Target