prom 2016

Nordstrom dress, choker and booties via Masons

Prom includes spending hours getting glam, dancing like crazy in a dream dress, and staying up until 3 am laughing with friends, so I’m a definite fan. The concept of prom as a whole is pretty overhyped, but getting down to Gold Digger with my friends in pretty clothes is never going to get old. 

Here’s a photo diary that begins with our bare faces and pajamas and ends with Beautiful Young Ladies, all captured by the lovely Ana Estrada.

We spent Saturday afternoon alternating between doing each others hair and makeup and having dance parties to Britney Spears’ Greatest Hits (when I was in charge of the music). It rained in the morning, but by noon the sun was shining. Helen’s solarium gave us the most perfect natural lighting and the illusion that we were spending time outdoors.

 

For my makeup look, I did dramatic liner and emphasized my brows. Laurel gifted us all with access to her makeup collection and did my contour. Ana helped take my sloppy daily hairstyle to a more glam level with loose curls and a more structured mini bun.

I found my dress at the Nordstrom in Portland over Spring Break and had been daydreaming about wearing it ever since. It’s simple but has just the right amount of detail to add some edge. The slit and the low neckline were pretty daring for me, and I felt so good in that dress! I wore my absolute favorite little black booties for some height and left my Birth of Venus art socks peeking out. Since there’s all the neckline drama going on, I kept jewelry simple with a gold choker that I’ll probably be wearing all summer. 

Everybody’s look ended up flawless! It makes me smile so big to see everyone so pretty, especially since we’re all in school uniforms half the time. 

matched most with Gaby <3

stunning, floral Ana

Laurel is a real life princess

I want to be Helen when I grow up

my very best pal Georgia and her dress from Ireland

beautiful best friends!

love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com

angels and denim

Topshop tee, Abercrombie belt (similar), thrifted hat, mom's old Seven For All Mankind skirt, socks, Dr. Martens Mary Janes

Spring in Fayetteville is the most beautiful time, and I have been soaking it up. Georgia took these photos of me on the town square today while we're enjoying a nice four day weekend. School has been really busy lately with AP tests approaching and all of that mess, so it's been nice to have a few days to just chill out and watch Gossip Girl in bed. 

These shoes had been on my wish list for almost a year, and I finally caved in when I was in Portland. I've been wearing them out, especially with all of my art socks and skirts. A couple weeks ago I was going through the closet where my family keeps old clothes, and I found this skirt. It's absolutely perfect and makes plain tees about ten times cooler. I'm sure it will be stuck on me all summer, so fair warning to you guys!

love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com

Portland part two

In my last post, I wrote about the first half of my Spring Break trip to Portland, so I couldn't leave you guys hanging on the second half! It was equally wonderful and full of distinctly Portland-y adventures.

On Saturday morning we ventured out to the Portland Saturday Market, a sprawling group of vendors selling various handmade items. We also stopped for the famous Voodoo Donuts because that seemed to be everybody's number one recommendation for the trip. I certainly wasn't disappointed, though I was shocked when a homeless man mooned us during our breakfast. I was informed that's not a typical part of the experience. The sun was shining that day so we soaked it in and walked down the river front.

Sunday was my favorite day by far! It began with a visit to the Portland Art Museum, which had a captivating modern art showcase and a few Monets and Van Goghs, which you guys know I'm a fan of. There was also an incredible exhibit called Ride, focusing on Paige Powell's photography and life/ culture in the Andy Warhol era. Then I met up with Allison and Marian (my fantastic cowriter at ZCM) and they took me on a full day of surprise adventures! I got to try out an authentic Mexican food truck, play around at a nickel arcade, and eat at their favorite diner with the BEST milkshakes. We ended the night with watching Stuck in Love, one of my all time favorite movies, projected onto Allison's wall.

Now that I'm writing about Monday, I'm not sure which day was my actual favorite. After we woke up we headed downtown to have breakfast and coffee at Case Study. I finally got a taste of "real" Portland weather (drizzly rain). We decided to see Radiation City's show at Skype Live Lounge, and I fell in love with them during their quick set. Please check them out because they have wonderful music and phenomenal passion. It was only two and all of this had happened, but then we went to a MAGAZINE STORE! There were rows and rows of titles I'd never even seen before, pure bliss. Because of the rain, we finished off the day with some shopping, and I found my prom dress at Nordstrom! I mentioned last post that the first day of the trip was one of my best "first days of vacation," and this was also one of my best last days of vacation.

We had to fly out early Tuesday morning, but I had a perfect vacation to reminisce on and edit pictures from. In that short time I fell in love with Portland, and I can absolutely see myself there in the future.

much love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com