To New Beginnings

Hi all! Long time no talk, huh? I am back at blogging, however, I am moving the blog to my own personal domain on SquareSpace. Blogger has been good to me, but I wanted something that could incorporate and help me manage my new store. Please head on over to shyscout.com to follow along.

See you there!

P.S. Feel free to follow along on Bloglovin' as well ;]

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Wardrobe Wears - Kizzzmet Dress

Hi all! I am glad this week is speeding by. I am excited to have Friday off for the 4th. I will be headed up to a family friends lake house. I am excited for some sun, smore's, and swimmin! Any fun plans for my fellow American bloggers? Anywho... today I am bringing back my weekly wardrobe posts and I thought I would kick it off with my (current) favorite dress.

A few weeks back I headed up to Dekalb for a change of scenery and because they have a handful of cute vintage shops that I wanted to check out. Normally when I go thrifting I have a list of items in mind so I don't go overboard - that day I was on the hunt for a bee brooch. The first few shops had beautiful items, even a few bee brooches, but all were a bit overpriced if you ask me. I was starting to feel discouraged that the trip was a waste of time and energy. After two veggie tacos, however, I was feeling reenergized and ready to try one more store. Walking up to the window - there it was. Alright, no, it was not a fluttering bee brooch - but even better! A dress covered in bees!!



Now I typically avoid yellow like the plague, but I had to try this dress on. I swear, this dress was made for me. It fit like a glove. Typically dresses are too large on top and too small on bottom, but this dress had everything going on...aaaaand the bees! I fell in love right then and there. Also, having recently gone blonde I don't hate the color yellow so much on me - triple score.

I think you get the drift when it comes to how much I adore this dress. It is perfect for summer and I have received so many compliments the few times i've worn it. What more can you ask for?

Have any of you found something extra special thrifting lately? I'd love to hear about it.

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Oh, hey!

Hi guys! I know, I have been m.i.a., what else is new? I have been a busy bee trying to get my brothers website up and running - among other things. Friday is my birthday. I am turning the big - 25. Quarter of a century. Not entirely sure how I feel about it. I am still young, but I feel like this is the age where you need to get you *ahem "stuff" together. I have been desperately trying to work on just that these past few months leading up to this week. I have a lot of things I would like to improve on for myself this upcoming year, and for that I am excited. On that list is getting back to blogging - big surprise. I just need to carve out a time to do it and stick with it. I have never been one for keeping up with routines but I am going to try my best to break this bad habit.

I have a fun little number to share with you all today. I had been eyeing this circus print dress from The Velvet Bird for some time and finally picked it up at the end of last summer. I am glad I did because it was the last one of my size in stock and it looks as though the shop is currently closed.



Outfit Details: Dress - The Velvet Bird, Cardigan & Shoes - ModCloth.

While it is a summery dress I had fun dressing it up for the cold Chicago weather the other day (I wore tights and switched in to boots after these photos). I look forward to wearing it out and about this upcoming summer. Summer get here soon!

How have you all been?

Wardrobe Wednesday - Booth Fifty-Nine

Hi everyone! Hope your week has been cruising along. I am looking forward to the weekend as usual. This weekend I am attending the flower show at Navy Pier and am pretty excited about it. I look forward to sharing some photos from that with you all on Monday. In the mean time - today I have something very special to share with you. My very good friend Angela has just opened up an etsy shop - Booth Fifty-Nine - which is full of vintage goodies and I am here today to give you a little sneak peak of what her store has to offer.

Booth Fifty-Nine first started out as a booth in an antique mall in Peoria, Illinois - hence the name. The booth quickly expanded and has now found it's way to internet. Angela's shop is full of a wide range of beautiful vintage apparel and knick-knacks. A week ago she was sweet enough to send me some items from her shop to try on and I honestly fell in love with it all.



For this first look I will be honest - this is not a dress that I would have typically bought out on my own, having said that I am even more glad Angela sent this piece my way! As soon as I tried it on everything just seemed to work. I was afraid with my body shape that it may look too boxy, but the neat pattern helped lengthen my body, aaaand can we please talk about the adorable collar? This is a dress I definitely look forward to wearing a lot more down the road.



As soon as I saw this blue and white striped dress I immediately thought of Margot Tenenbaum. I debated recreating her look but I don't think I am edgy enough - I also don't own a fur coat - but anywho... the yellow cable knit sweater went perfectly with the dress and shoes so this outfit was pretty easy to piece together. It is a classic preppy look perfect for work or a Sunday afternoon. The color palate also works perfectly for this upcoming spring!

All of the items came in great condition and looked practically new. I highly recommend you all check out Booth Fifty-Nine. I am currently eyeing the Periwinkle Vintage Belted Tanktop myself. Also, Booth Fifty-Nine has an Instagram account you can follow HERE to see even more vintage goodies that could be headed your way very soon.

Outfit Details: Dress and Sneakers c/o Booth Fifty-Nine, Brown Heels - DSW, & Purse - thrifted.

I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Disclaimer - The items in todays post were gifted to me, but all the thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own. I would only ever share items with all of you that I stand behind, and I stand behind this store. That is all.

Seeing Red

Hi all, happy Monday! The weekend sure flew by, huh? Losing an hour yesterday threw me off a bit, but it is so nice to have more sunshine - so ready for spring. My weekend was pretty low key. I went out with a group of friends Saturday night which was a fun change of pace. I feel like I have been cooped up way too much this winter. It was nice catching up with everyone. Other than that I don't have too much to report.

I am still in a bit of limbo when it comes to my blogging. I am trying to get back in to the swing of things while planning out new things to cover. Once things warm up a bit I would love to do a ongoing series about neat places to visit in Chicago. There are so many interesting shops, parks, etc. in my neighborhood alone that I would love to share with you guys, so I am hoping to make that happen soon.



As for today I just have some random snapshots. I go through strange phases. Over the summer I was obsessing over crazy prints and now I find myself drawn to the color red. I am not sure what it is or why I get on the kicks that I do but right now it is all about red. My life is currently valentine themed, and I am a-ok with it.

The color red is the color of energy, passion and action. I suppose my wardrobe reflects my current state of mind. I sure could use a little more of the above going in to this new year.

What are you currently drawn to?

Have a lovely day everyone!

Wizard of Awesome

Hi guys! I definitely hi-jacked todays post title from the dress I am wearing in this post - just a heads up - too darn cute to pass up. Speaking of Awesome - last week I won a $100 gift card from ModCloth for taking one of their surveys - how lucky am I!?! I am saving the funds for a rainy day :] Aside from that, how is everyone's week going? I am frankly exhausted and it is only Wednesday. I am really looking forward to the weekend, however, because a few of my close friends are coming up to the city Saturday night and I don't see them enough which needs to change - ASAP. I am hoping once spring weather hits travel will be easier.

Anywhoooo... today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite dresses that has me desperate for spring. Isn't the poppy pattern pretty neat? Feeling sleepy? I can't help but think of that scene from the Wizard of Oz every time I put this dress on, sorta weird...not going to lie. Maybe avoid wearing this dress while operating heavy machinery...haha, alright, I am just rambling here since it is nearly past my bed time.



Outfit Details: Dress - Bernie Dexter via ModCloth - Wizard of Awesome Dress, Boots & belt - ModCloth.

Please excuse the hair straightner on the floor in these photos - whoops, blogging fail. It is just too darn cold out to snap outfit photos so I have brought the show indoors. I still haven't worked out all the kinks. Does anyone have tips on combating overhead lighting? I haven't mastered my flash yet...

Until next time my lovelies! Have a beautiful day :]

Dear Summer, please come soon!

Hi All! How are you doing? I have survived another polar vortex. It was negative 20 with the windchill, brrr. Due to the weather I have been avoiding the outdoors at all costs. For todays post I thought it might be fun to do a throw back to an outfit I shot this summer but never got around to posting. Warm thoughts and photos will make the world just a teensy bit warmer, right? Who am I kidding.

Anywho...



Outfit Details: Dress - Modcloth, Dotted Dessert Dress, Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters.

Diner dude Gus: Get a load of that car outside (old school cadillac).
Me: Uh, cool.
Diner dude Gus: I will take pinup photos of you on it any time you want.
Me: *Blushing* Uh, cool, can I have the tuna melt?

This dress warrants the above happening apparently, haha. I was on a date with my boyfriend wearing this dress and the owner of our local diner asked me to take pinup photos for him. I don't know the guy from a hole in the wall so I politely declined, but it was still a nice compliment. This dress is a lot of fun to wear and twirl in :]

Have a wonderful weekend my lovelies!

Pie in the sky

Hi all! Hope you had a lovely weekend. Mine was spent relaxing and practicing with my new 50mm lens and gear for the wedding next weekend - pretty excited. I also attended the opening of Expo Chicago and returned again on Saturday, if only I had thousands of dollars to spend...

Anywho... I need to keep this post fairly short today because I have some work to catch up on tonight - wah, wahhh. I took these photos a month or so back when the weather was warmer. I can't believe it is already officially fall, but I am so ready for sweater weather and apple picking. In order to say goodbye to summer and hello to apple and pumpkin pie season I thought I would share my pie dress with you all.



Outfit Details: Dress - My Kind of Pie Dress by ModCloth, Headband - Modcloth, Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell.

Haha, pea was not amused to be in the last shot. I feel a bit like Betty Crocker in this dress. When I saw that this dress was back on sale at ModCloth I knew I had to add it to my wardrobe. I have seen a lot of fellow bloggers with this dress - don't you just love it? I have been drawn to crazy patterns this year.

There is a Toy Army Tuesday post headed your way tomorrow debuting my new lens! Have a good day everyone :]

Cheesin'

Life has been great lately. Seriously, I have had a huge smile plastered on my face for the past few months. Moving to the city was the best decision I made this year, hands down. It has been a slightly bumpy road at times, but I have met so many new and wonderful people. I have also gone outside my comfort zone and experienced new things, ventured to new places, and feel, well...alive. I am falling in love all over again with old interests and hobbies that I had let slide for far too long and it is very exciting. Anywho... expect to see these positive changes reflected in my blogging. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head to improve Shyscout and to get back in to the blogosphere.

Sorry, I am just slightly excited about everything. Speaking of excitement - I am helping shoot a friends wedding in two weeks! I can't wait to help out on her big day. This will be my first time helping shoot a wedding and will be an awesome experience. I just bought a fancy new lens for the big day and can't wait to use it. With all the cheesin' lately and upcoming wedding shoot I thought a camera dress would only be suitable for this post ;]



Outfit Details: Dress - Poise and Click Dress by ModCloth, Shoes - DSW, Camera - thrifted.

I mayyyy have to wear this dress to the wedding - just incase anyone gets confused as to who is taking their photos. Ha. On top of everything else this fall weather has me excited for apple picking, pumpkin patches, and hay rides.

Have a good day everyone!

Your hip bone's connected to your...

Hi guys. How's your week going? Mine is dragging on a bit with work. I am looking forward to the weekend and heading home to see my pup. My mom's birthday is tomorrow so we will be celebrating together Friday night. Can't wait to see the fam.

Anywho... I have an interesting dress to share with you all. It is covered in bones and glows in the dark! Anatomy was one of my favorite classes in school so I couldn't pass up this dress when I saw it on ModCloth.



Outfit details: Dress - Rad to the bone dress by ModCloth, Shoes - DSW, Bag - Thrifted.

Unfortunately, I have only worn this dress out and about once in New Orleans. Not as many occasions call for glow in the dark bones as I had hoped. I am, however, excited that Halloween is right around the corner so that this dress can be worn more often. Speaking of Halloween (my favorite holiday) - have any of you decided on what you are going to be? I am thinking Poison Ivy from Batman...

Hope you all have a beautiful day!

Love you to brunches

Hi all! Wednesday already - phew! I am pretty darn excited for this weekend. A group of twelve of us are headed up to Starved Rock to camp. I haven't been camping since prom weekend 6ish years ago. I have been trying to round a group of people up to camp for the past few years and finally it has come together. I look forward to forcing my room mate to listen to 90's music and show tunes on the way up and then making smore's and telling ghost stories at night. Yep. Like I said, pretty excited. I am trying to take advantage of the last bits of summer we have left. It sure flew by.

It's been awhile since i've posted a Wardrobe Wednesday post, so here goes nothing. I recently went on a bit of shopping spree - ever have one of those days where you hate everything you own? Well, put away your credit card when that happens! I love this dress though. A girl needs a little pick me up every now and then.



I wore this dress to work the day I got it and everyones response was, "you look like a 50's house wife... and an elementary school teacher." I'll take it!

Outfit Details: Love you to brunches dress - ModCloth | Shoes - Blowfish.

Sweetpea wanted to play dress up as well so she hopped in a few shots. Haha. That poor dog will let me do anything to her. She did make it up on ModCloth though for National Hotdog day!

Have a good day everyone!

National Hot Dog Day

Hey guys! How's it going? I know I have been MIA yet again. I had a wicked cold last week and have also been commuting to dog sit this week - sorta crazy. I am also headed to Rhode Island and New Hampshire this Friday for a whirlwind trip - I am going to see my brother in Les Mis (he is playing Marius) and as much family as I can cram in before I head back to Chicago Sunday night. It is going to be wild. I will catch you all up on everything next week.

Today I am here to let you know that it is National Hotdog Day!! ModCloth is celebrating by offering 15% off your order today only! Get your shop on ladies. Or upload a pic with your pup in their Style Gallery or on instagram #hautedog.

Have a wonderful day everyone :]

Outfit details: Dress - ModCloth & Shoes - Blowfish.

Ok, so I was slightly (BEYOND) excited to be on ModCloth's main page and IG today :]

Americana

Hi all! How goes your week? Mine has been slightly uneventful and ordinary but there are still a couple of days to turn things around. I finished the latest season of Arrested Development last night. The season didn't get good until the last few episodes in my opinion. What did you all think? I am just rambling. Like I said...it just one of those weeks.

I took these photos a couple of weeks back and was feeling slightly patriotic at the time. Let's be real though - I feel patriotic practically any time I wear blue with my red hair and deathly pale skin. I need some sunshine - stat!



I could not get the wrinkles out of this dress. I tried! I need one of those fancy steam machines, pronto.

Outfit Details: Dress (worn previously here), ice cream pin, & bag - thrifted, shoes - DSW.

I wish I could raid June Cleaver's closet and that all my dresses were cut like this. Cute and modest with enough twirl potential.

Friday - please come quickly!! Have a good day everyone.

Crazy Miss Daisy

Hi all! How goes things? This week seems to be slowing down - I am probably just too excited for a three day weekend. Any fun plans for the holiday? I plan on sleeping. I am also working on possibly making a mini road trip happen. We will see. Anywho... instead of posting a Wardrobe Wednesday post yesterday, I thought I would combine it with today - partially thrifted, mainly wardrobe.



Do any of you remember this top? I picked it up at the designer charity sale last fall. The weather is finally nice enough to wear it. I love the crazy daisy design and cute cut out in back.

Outfit Details: Top - Thifted, Milly of New York, Bag thrifted, Jeans - TJ Maxx, Shoes - DSW.

Recently I have been spending a lot of time scheming up new tattoo ideas. I think it is about time I added another. This one will be quite visible - be on the look out ;]

What is new in your world? Have a great weekend everyone.

Oh... and for giggles - a cute candid shot. Stocked up on Benadryl - may allergy season commence!

Childish Tendencies

I had a great childhood. When I think back to all the crazy road trips my parents dragged my brother and I on and all the stupid things I did as a kid I can't help but smile and laugh. Some days I wish so badly that life were still as easy and carefree as things were back then. When your five you don't care about how you are perceived - you're just you, and that's that. Take it or leave it. You also didn't know genuine pain, heartache, or loss (hopefully) yet. It was a beautiful way to be... Can you tell this weather is getting to me? The trees need to turn green already.

Anywho, let's turn this back around? What I was trying to get at is that although life can get rough at times we all hopefully have some sweet childhood memories to hold on to and cherish. There are also some things we just won't grow out of. That five year-old you lives on in one way or another. When I was a little I dressed up as a princess every day. I kid you not. I didn't own a pair of jeans until the 4th grade! While I may not dress in sequins (every day) anymore, I still love to dress up. This pinafore outfit makes me feel like a kid again. All I need now is a pinwheel and some pigtails.



Outfit Details: Pinafore & purse - thrifted, Tights - Target, Shoes - Urban Outfitters.

When I saw this dress on a rack a the local thrift store I thought that it looked neat but I was afraid it was too "groovy" for every day wear. This dress sat in the back of my closet for a good part of the year before I decided to give it a twirl over Easter weekend. As soon as I put it on I fell in love. I felt like a grade school girl all over again. What makes this look even more special is that it was handmade. Someone put a lot of time and love in to this dress and I am so glad that it found a new home with me.

I am all over the place today, aren't I? The rain and season change has my head stuck in the clouds. I will get back in to proper blogging groove shortly. I just felt like rambling today.

Have a good day everyone! Tomorrow I plan to share with you all my 1972 Schwinn Breeze estate sale find :]

They say it's MY birthday...

Hi guys!! Yes, I am still alive. I know I keep taking breaks but I fully intend to keep things up this time - *ShyScout's honor! I have had a lot of crazy going on in my life and I have been coping the only way I know how - by being a hermit, haha. I think I finally have my life together (as best I can) at this point. I couldn't think of any better way to kick off my blogging return than by starting on my birthday - to new beginnings, am I right? P.S. notice anything different? I did a bit of spring cleaning and tidied up the blog a bit. I also revamped my about me page. Be on the look out for even more changes coming soon.

Today I am twenty four years old. Wahooo!! I had a lot of ups and downs while 23 and I am hoping 24 is smoother sailing. For my birthday a group of my friends and I are going out to dinner and a bar (or two) Friday night so that more people could be on board - I can't wait. While I will not be wearing this dress out on the town tomorrow night I sort of wish I had the guts too...or that I had turned 24 in the 80's...



Maybe one of these days I will wear this crazy number out and about. What occasion calls for such a dress though?
I bought this dress at the designer charity sale back in October and it was a tad too small for me, thankfully, (down nearly 15 pounds) it fits just right now. Wahoo. Seriously, bring on 24! I will be sure to update you all on Monday about the birthday festivities.

I am back people!! Aaand I have missed you all :]

Have a beautiful weekend!

Wontcha be my Valentine?

Hi all! Happy Valentine's day to each and every one of you!! While I am not necessarily in a mushy gushy mood today, I love a reason to dress up. What a better excuse to wear all red and hearts, Am I right?



Outfit Details: Dress and Cupid Pin - Thrifted, Shoes - Target, Glasses - Jason Wu.

So here is my Vday look. I thrifted this dress a while back and it was missing the middle button. Being sort of lazy I never got around to sewing on new buttons - this is where the cupid pin comes in - I thrifted the cupid pin a few months back as well specifically for Valentine's day, and viola! Instant button!! I really like this new to me look. It would be perfect on a date with a cute boy, but alas, I will be eating the chocolates my mom sent me on the couch tonight. At least I will look cute doing it ;]

Have a lovey dovey day ya'll.

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VALENTINE'S DAY GIVEAWAY WINNER:
Oh! Also - very exciting news!!! Let's spread some love today. The winner of the Maine Coon Crafts Valentine's Day Giveaway is Laura Huey! Congrats Laura!! I hope you enjoy your cute new Teeny Tiny Heart Hair Pins. You will be contacted shortly so that they may be sent your way.

For those of you who did not win I have an exciting giveaway coming to you next week and I will be selecting three winners this time! Be on the look out.

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A Year of Style - 2012

Hi guys. How is your week going? My first week living in the city has been pretty good. Monday I figured out how to take the bus, haha, there is an app thankfully for that which I figured out after having missed the first bus. Monday night I was also able to catch up with an old friend who was moving back to Scotland the next day. It was so good to see him. Tuesday I started catching up in the blog world - I missed you all! It is soooo nice to go from a 2 hour commute to a 5 minute one. Tomorrow night I am headed to a friend of a friends album release show and am pretty excited about it. This weekend is also full of fun plans - trying out as an extra for a movie, house party, aaaand hopefully finishing decorating my room.

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Anywho... since my world was put on hold for a moment at the end of the year I never got to do the fun end of year posts everyone else seemed to do. I am now playing catch up for lost time. I thought it might be fun to look back at my favorite outfits of last year. Last year I started this blog not entirely sure where I wanted to go with it, but I am happy with whatever it has transformed in to. I learned a lot the past year when it comes to blogging. Routine posts = good, long absences and forgetting to check email = bad. ShyScout is still a work in progress as am I. I would never say I am a fashion expert, heck, I wouldn't even say I am stylish most days - but I try. Documenting my outfits the past year was fun and helped me feel more comfortable and confident in myself and what I wear.



Last year was all about dresses from the looks of it. I also embraced my waves. I swear, if you met me two years ago I would have been in blue jeans every day with a pin straight bob. At lot can change in a year. I look forward to seeing what this year brings.

Have a lovely day everyone! Also, did you enter my Valentine's Day Giveaway from Maine Coon Crafts? If not you should enter now before it is too late! The contest is open until next Wednesday the 13th.

Right meow

Hi all! How is your week going? Mine has been a busy one at work, no complaints though :] I wish I had some fun news to share but this week has been pretty ordinary. I hope once I move things will be shaken up a bit. There will be so many new places to explore and people to meet, it is all I have been daydreaming about. I need change. Routine is nice and predictable but I need to break free.

Today's outfit is one of my new favorites - mainly because of the coat - one of my favorite purchases. I know many of you around the blogosphere own it, but it doesn't make it any less cute, haha. For those of you who follow me on IG this may look familiar. I meant to share this last week but the flu kicked my butt.



This outfit is by no means weather appropriate. Some days I just don't care though. I picked up the dress and shoes on sale at TJ Maxx and I wanted to give them a spin. I only lasted 5 minutes outside, but it was worth it...or maybe this is how I caught the flu? Ladies - seriously, bundle up!!

Outfit Details: Dress & Shoes - TJ Maxx, Coat - Lauren Moffatt, Pin - Thrifted, Bag - Koi Story.

Eeep! I neeeeeed a haircut! Can anyone hook a lady up? I am out of excuses. It is bad. Anywho, have a beautiful day everyone!