aboard the orient express.


Xhilaration floral sweetheart dress | Asos leather tassle belt | Zara canvas slingback heels | Asos lace parasol | Essie nail lacquer in Watermelon

I made two decisions for this upcoming spring/summer season. One of them is to grow my hair longer than usual and the other one, which most find quite peculiar, is to stay fair skinned. Everyone is like, "What? You look great tanned." People are so eager to bask for hours in the sun. Me? Not so much this year. The dilemma is, I tan way too easily (my sister and I got that gene from my father), and I can become very dark quickly even if if I am not outside a lot. Don't want to become a victim of the sun's harsh rays. Nor am I amused when I go back to L.A. to visit my family, and my parents who pretend not to recognize me because I have turned so dark, are like, "Who is she??? Is she our child?" (giggle.)

So to my delight, I found this parasol. It doesn't look as oddball as an umbrella, but it's still somewhat acceptable to have open when walking around town. Sometimes sunscreen isn't enough, right? Also, I usually veer away from the brown palette. I don't know why I am so drawn to black hued apparel. But then I saw this dress. Um, hello! It caught my eye in an instant, and the price tag was quite pretty as well. I buckled down and decided to give the doll of a brown frock a chance. So glad I added it to my closet. I'll take a chic bargain anytime.

P.S. To the curious folk, it was nearly 90 degrees when we did this photo shoot. Don't feel too envious though, we will have a return of colder weather for the remainder of this week. So back to dressing in layers again!



79 darling comments:

Sandra D. said...

Absolutely lovely! Great outfit!

www.redhotcupoftea.blogspot.com

LyddieGal said...

Good luck staying pale this year! I'd have to say the adorable parasol is a good way to go.

And I will be jealous of your warm weather. And there is nothing you can do about it.

Chic on the Cheap

Unknown said...

haha i have the same weird desire... fair skin is in! plus its so boring sitting in the sun to tan! cute dress, i love the floral!


<3 steffy
Steffys Pros and Cons

Andrea Reh said...

I want that parasol!

Just discovered your darling blog - would love if you stopped by mine sometime.

Andrea x
andreareh.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

So pretty! Love the floral print and the colors are so cute, parasol was such a lovely find!

Cess O. <3
The Outfit Diaries

Miranda said...

Great dress, I'm loving the tan color and the floral print. So perfect for spring!!

Miranda
www.indcfashion.com

Lea said...

I tan super easily too. I remember in high school, I would always end up being so so dark after band camp every year. Love the parasol though; it's so cute :) It'll add whimsy to any outfit.

<3 Lea

The Small Traveler said...

Love the shoes and parasol!! Great outfit overall, like always! :)

In A Dolly's World

Gawgus things... said...

Super cute parasol and I love the dress :)

james said...

long hair dont care ;) youre so pretty! love the umbrella <3

Please may I? said...

That whole outfitis stunning! I adore the umbrella. Lucky you having such fantastic weather. Roll on the summer I say! Not that good old Britain gets much of one usually so we don't have to worry too much about staying pale.

X x

Nettie S. said...

Pretty! Love your dress and your umbrella!

Anonymous said...

loving the umbrella!
come visit my blog this week to see an in-depth look at the runway shows from Nashville Fashion Week!

-COSMICaroline
www.COSMICaroline.com

MARIE said...

Amazing dress ! Kiss xxx
http://marieblogueuse.blogspot.com

Carolina Krews said...

umbrella <3 love it

xo,

Carolina

EevvaStyle said...

great dress!

marvelloussecret said...

Great dress! :) Nice outfit. :)

Miss Woody said...

gorgeous dress !

Anonymous said...

Love your appearance)


i started to follow u baby
it will be great, if u will answer me in following and do it too <33

http://polinamuse.blogspot.com/

Velma Williams said...

Awww! the whole look is just so cute. :)



Fashion Rehab

Sophie said...

Really cute dress :-) what an adorable Spring outfit!

http://ninety2wo.blogspot.com

LA said...

Adorable dress!







LA

Barbro Andersen said...

Oh my god, I LOVE your lace parasol! Must be the most beautiful thing ever <3

Lizaboo said...

beautiful photos! That dress is so cute. Love the floral print and you have styled it soo well xx :o)

http://lulubbeautyandfashion.blogspot.com/

Nicol T. said...

Great style girl!!
check out my www.fashiontnt.com
if you like it follow, I always follow back!

kisses

Sabrina said...

You look absolutely adorable! I kind of wish I was a little more fair skinned as oppose to having an "olive" tinge. You totally make me want to channel my inner Asian this summer :)

Fashiable | Nanne said...

That's a beautiful dress. Looks good on you!

http://fashiablee.blogspot.com

New York Don't Leave Me said...

LOVE the umbrella and dress! You have great style! Check out my blog if you get a chance, I'd love it if we can follow each other xoxo

www.nydontleaveme.com

Ninjagaiden78 said...

You look fantastic!
I love the colors of the dress, the shoes, and the umbrella.

windowshopz.com

Melissa said...

i love your umbrella and the prints on your dress is awesome!!
x

Unknown said...

Just gorgeous, that parasol is heaven!

Please vote for me to win Westfield's blogger style competition!

pearlslaceandruffles said...

I love your style. I'd love to interview you for a "blogger spotlight" type post on my blog sometime, let me know if this is something you'd be interested in - my email address is on my blog. xoxo

Diane Dupres said...

love the parasol and dress! DD.

LittleMissLee said...

awesome outfit, love the parasol, its so cute!

http://blogoftheprettythings.blogspot.com/

xxx

V A N E S S A said...

Nice and sweet outfit :). You look really cute. Lovely blog.

Hugs from:
www.fashionsaveur.blogspot.com

Phuong said...

you look uber cute

Travel In Style

Flaviana Boni said...

Love the dress!

VISIT MY BLOG: DRESS UP FOR ARMAGEDDON

Tatis Zavala said...

Lovin' it!
You look amazing, what a great style;)
Im now a follower...
Dont forget to visit me and let me know what u think!
Kisses from mexico.

Young Gucci Purse said...

I. Love. Your. Parasol. That is the best thing I've ever seen! And I admire your determination to stay fair skinned! (My mother is fanatic about this and would probably insist I follow your lead, were she ever to read this.) Ironically in my family it's more of a joke when you have really bad tennis tan lines because we all play--maybe I'll try to stay fair as well because fair is better than only bits and pieces of your skin being tan!
xoxo
Leah

christin said...

I too have learned to "embrace my paste". My dermatologist told me that unless I wanted to start getting botox at 30 that I should chill out on the sun. Point taken.

Anonymous said...

Such an adorable outfit and amazing photos. I love your little lace parasol too :)

Marissa said...

I love this brown floral dress! So unexpected and definitely sets it apart from the typical pinks/blues that pop up every spring :) xoxo Marissa

http://happiness-is-the-little-things.blogspot.com/

letiziabarcelona said...

adorable outfit, this dress is very cute!

Marta said...

such a cute outfit! Umbrella <3 :)))

sara l said...

cutest outfit ever!

xx said...

how cute is your umbrella?? xx

Alison Kinsey said...

i love your style (and beautiful photographs!)
i am the opposite as you. i burn way too easily and am ghostly pale, but i only do sunless tanning sprays :)

Clara Campelo said...

OMG! you're amazing and I love your Umbrella! *-*

Fashion is for idiots [like us] said...

This is absolutely gorgeous. AGAIN! :) wow! lovely dress and wonderful shoes xx

fashion is for idiots [like us]

fashion is for idiots [like us]

THE said...

The dress is not my style, however, it looks lovely on you. Greatly styled!

xo www.thefashionguitar.com

Loanne et Fanny said...

Great pics, love the lace parasol and your shoes!

We're now following you :)
xx

rosapelsblog said...

love ur dress ! this is a nice blog ! i follow u !

oona said...

Oh my that umbrella is just too lovely! It looks so delicate. Gorgeous (:

I am Folklore said...

Like the flowers, lace umbrella and overall lovely read..you look gorgeous! xx V

Meggstatus said...

What an amazing parasol, such a perfect addition to this look. I love it!

Holly said...

I tend to gravitate toward black too, but brown looks great on you! The parasol is awfully fancy too (how appropriate!). Where did you find it?

Anonymous said...

Girl, I love your dress!

Unknown said...

Cutie umbrella!! I love it!

Sandy a la Mode said...

LOVELY outfit! i LOVE the colors/patterns on the dress and your hot shoes!! the umbrella prop is cute too!!!

Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...

Adore your parasol!!! So so beautiful! :D
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

sherri lynn said...

that parasol is so beautiful!

and i almost bought essie watermelon nail polish last night - it's the perfect color for spring

Carissa said...

that parasol, I'm in LOVE!

Mrs Vintage said...

Wow, hello from Hong Kong. I love yr adorable dress. Lovely! I have followed your blog, do you mind follow my blog as well?

Cheers/Mrs Vintage

http://mrsvintagehk.blogspot.com/

A Fine Balance said...

I found your blog while commenting on another. YOU have made a follower out of me!

Looking forward to seeing what else you have in your closet :)

http://theartfulbalance.blogspot.com

Yonosoyunaitgirl said...

Nice dress!! XOXO

Ivy said...

wow, I love these photos :) and your umbrella is very cute.

samantha rae said...

you're adorable! and so is your style! that umbrella is soSO cute. i want one!

i'm following you -- would love if you would follow me back!

much love,

http//foolsrain.blogspot.com

S said...

Cute dress :)'


http://sophiefashionstorm.blogspot.com/

Anula said...

Wow!! Wyglądasz super!! Sukienka jest piękna!!

danielle said...

congrats on your fabsugar win for this outfit! well deserved!

The Fancy Teacup said...

@indie.electronic.alternative: thanks hun!

Ju said...

wow you are absolutely beautiful!!
and your style - i really don't know what to say about that, i'm just so amazed by your blog. really really love it! absolutely amazing!!
consider me as your newest follower!!

xx ju -- juBook

Ju said...

and also love your hair!!
aaah everything's just sooo pretty :D

Catherine said...

I lovelovelovelovelove your parasol. And your blog is überly cute. I'm gonna follow you!

<3 Catherine

http://catherine-oneway.blogspot.com/

camille said...

Love the parasol. I'm so happy to have discovered your blog. I love your feminine fashion style - so chic and exquisite. And the name of your blog is lovely as well. Adding you to my daily reads :)

Hugs from your fan in Paris xx

Camille @ Paris in Pink

Mandi said...

All I have to say is: omg @ that umbrella!

xx

FrouFrouFabulous.blogspot.com

AlbeeLucky said...

Ugh, I'm dying...I just love everything that you wear. I totally regret not picking up the same dress now :( Loving your blog and now a new follower. Come by and visit my blog to say hi.
xo-AlbeeLucky.blogspot.com

Sara SHOEmaker said...

Wow that dress came from Target?? Who knew! Well.. you did of course :) I love this whole outfit, umbrella included! And good for you for not damaging your skin this summer :)


if you feel so inclined, check out my fashion blog at
www.makersofshoes.blogspot.com :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful dress and shoes
xx
lilithfashion.blogspot.com/