Valentine's Day 2016

(Dress: Unique Vintage/ flower crown: Forever 21/ necklace: Michal Negrin/ the bodysuit that wouldn't stop showing: Figleaves.com)

This year I was lucky enough to spend my third Valentine's Day with Elijah, which included dressing up to take these pictures before eating our home-cooked lasagna. Elijah isn't big on pictures, so it is truly a testament to how much he loves me that he got dressed up and smiled for the camera despite being able to smell the lasagna, fresh out of the oven and calling out names. I am so grateful to him for all the other little and not so little things he does for me that make me feel so loved. We're each other's best friends, and Valentine's Day really is a day to reflect on how wonderful and special that is.

Another wonderful thing I really enjoyed about this Valentine's Day was the amount of my friends who happily chose to celebrated Valentine's Day with their friends and family this year. I think it's so important to remember how many people love us and are there for us in so many ways. Nothing is as important in our lives as the people that help support us and make us who we are. Love is essential to our happiness, but it's also essential to realize that love doesn't have to come from a partner or a significant other. The deepest loves are those based on friendship and family, and if you have that (and chances are you do), celebrate it!

On a more materialistic note, how cute is this Unique Vintage dress? The style is very 1950's but the bright, almost neon pink really makes it more modern and super fun. The color exactly matched my pink rose garlands, and my hair exactly matched my purple rose garlands. 

I have really been loving pink and purple combinations, and last week I actually tried unsuccessfully to introduce some pink into my hair. Turns out the drop of purple was too strong though, and it simply went back to purple. Not that I'm complaining though. I love my purple hair, and I was nervous how the pink would look anyways.

A Very Vintage Christmas

(Dress: vintage from Ebay/ bow: Forever 21/ shoes: Target)

This Christmas Eve I was lucky enough to get to wear one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen and which I am lucky enough to own. I was quite overdressed for my family's humble gathering at my abuela's house, but I always take the chance to take out some of the fancier pieces in my closet on Christmas. Otherwise they would barely see the light of day, other than when I throw them on in my apartment on the days when I'm overcome by the beauty of a particular vintage gown. Besides, isn't it right to wear some of my favorite dresses on my favorite holiday?

This dress is by far my favorite in my closet now and maybe ever, because it has everything I could ever want in a dress. I love sheer bishop sleeves with cuffs, details like belts and buttons that add to the design and remain consistent with it, chiffon and velvet combinations, sheer layered skirts that I can twirl in, cinched waists, and romantic floral detail. This gorgeous gown has it all, including registers and registers of roses, my absolute favorite flower.

This dress even looks very similar to this beautiful dress featured in the Katy Perry cover story of Vogue for July 2013, which had the most beautiful and romantic dresses in shades of red and black that I have ever seen. I'm still dreaming of the day I find a similar dress to this Dolce and Gabbana one, which was my favorite in the whole article. Maybe Santa will bring it for me one year, if I'm really good...

On this Christmas Day and everyday, I hope you enjoy your family and friends and wear the things that make YOU happy, even if they are dressy or different or even super casual. And remember that you don't have to wait to be invited to a ball to put on your favorite gown and feel beautiful! I certainly never do.

Love,
Michelle

Sunflowers at Sunset

(Shirt: thrifted from my momma's closet/ shorts: Modcloth/ flower crown: Claire's/ earrings: Sale Rack in Miami/ necklace: the National Museum of the American Indian/ Yoda backpack: Amazon)

It's no secret I am obsessed with flowers, whether are little wildflowers next to the sidewalk in my neighborhood, flowers planted into the landscape or in gardens, or even simply in a vase. It really is so stunning though to see a whole field of flowers, especially ones as tall and as beautiful as sunflowers (my second favorite flower, after red roses). I had been once before to a sunflower field in Homestead this past summer, but only very briefly, and I wanted to go back with some of my girl friends.

I was kind of worried at first that the light might be bad since we went so late in the day. When we arrived though, I realized that the skies were still a gorgeous blue and the descending sun was making the whole field golden, so I was actually very happy. We had a lovely time walking through the field and just taking it all in until the sun had set. As per usual, I dressed up specifically for the occasion, with a sunflower crown and sunflower shorts. I also brought my new Yoda backpack, which I have become very attached to.

For anyone who can that lives in Miami, I recommend going if you can. It truly is an amazing sight and an almost magical experience. I myself hopefully will go back very, very soon!