You can never go wrong with a free flow colorful dress and Sam Edelman sandals. Shop these off-the- shoulder spring dresses below. I'll be posting more of my spring finds this month so stay tuned...

                                       







Ok, so I just got a new Nikon, well not really new, I bought it at a vintage fair. I know, I know,  it's like I have a partially vintage style blog so I gotta have a vintage camera! Just can't stop ha.  When I first started blogging I only used my phone because I thought what the heck, they look fine, the pics are pretty clear, and if socialite barbie can use it, so could I.  Remember her? The barbie that had the most amazing Instagram, well she only used her iPhone. This is how I think sometimes people. Clearly I had no idea what I was doing. I'm still learning!

So I got this new camera and I did all this research on what lens to buy. I purchased this sweet new lens and it takes pictures that are ten times better than an iPhone. Take note above, although I still have to actually get another lens but I won't get into too many details.

I've been working with professional photographers to take my blog photos, but I really need to start taking my own. I don't always have the time to schedule in shoots. So I bought this awesome new camera and had no idea how to use it!

If you live in Chicago you probably know Blair Staky from her chic blog The Fox & She and Jess Keys from her fabulous blog The Golden Girl Blog. These two have a site together called Blogging For Keeps.  They have advice, tips, classes, workshops, basically everything on being a successful blogger. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it if you are new to blogging, interested in it, or even if you already have a thriving blog.

Last weekend was perfect,  they had an awesome class at Jess's home in Wicker park on photography. Just what I needed! Lets just say I learned a lot on what NOT to do anymore ha.  They had a slideshow at one point and it said "What's wrong with this picture?" I honestly in my head thought, "Absolutely nothing, its beautiful." Ha!  I clearly had a lot to understand.

Blair and Jess said they're always learning too so I didn't feel so bad.  They also went into detail on how to have your husband, bf, or fiance take a photo. Teaching them to understand a few things, such as not cutting off your feet etc.

Jess's fiance helped out with a little slideshow about that.  I wasn't aware of how many bloggers have their significant other take their photos. I always feel bad for Tim when he's struggling and trying to take my picture and worried that I'm going to get mad. I would wonder if I'm this horrible vain wife making this poor guy take photos of me. It felt nice to connect with other girls who are doing the exact same thing and that its completely normal. So I guess Tim just has to get use to it, and I of course need to be patient with him. We have fun with it but sometimes it could get a little annoying (I'm sure more for Tim).

The class was from 10am-5pm so we had a lot of time to learn, play with our cameras, test, shoot, drink mimosas, and ask questions.  I met some awesome Chicago bloggers and I'm so glad I went. I'm really looking forward to connecting again and for future events.

Hope everyone had an awesome week, looking forward to this coming weekend, vintage fair time! I'll be sharing my new finds from that in my digital diary next week.

XO

Amelia

One of my favorite things to wear are flats.  If I don't have to wear heels I definitely wont!  Loafers are perfect for dresses, jeans, or any occasion. I especially love the shiny ones, you can really dress them up or down.

Chicago is still struggling with it's weather for spring. It changes every few hours, so I always bring a blazer instead of a coat this time of year. My friends actually always make fun of me because I'm always the girl with the blazer.  Even in college, we'd go to night clubs and they would be wearing short dresses and I'd walk up in my jeans and black blazer. It's like my staple piece, I can't get enough and there are so many different gorgeous and cute ones. It really makes any outfit look sharp.

My dress is a vintage Sue Wong fashion dress, I'll be selling it soon. Handbag is also vintage, jewelry is Paul Miller DeZigns silver tube ring. Shoes are Ralph Lauren Barrett Loafer in Burgandy.

Shop this look and similar styles below!

This weekend in March was rainy and cold on Saturday and then rainy and warm on Sunday. I never know what to wear so I usually count on Tim to tell me the weather before getting dressed each morning. I literally call him my personal weather man.  If he isn't home or went to work already, I text him and ask.  I could just as easily go on my phone and look it up, but for some reason I still do it. He gives me accurate details; how it's going to be in the morning, how it's going to change mid-day, and if it will stay that way or change again.  Sometimes he even goes into the whole 7 to 10  day forecast, but I usually stop him there, ha!

Anyway! The point is, I had a baby shower to go to! My friend Katie is due in May, she's so sweet. We already knew that out of all of our girlfriends that she would be the first.  She's a principal at a school, adores children, and I know she's going to be such an amazing mom. Along with her husband Todd. They're having a baby girl and are naming her Vera. Isn't that just so beautiful and classy? Sorry but I love it.  Todd said little Vera is going to be daddy's little girl. (So freakin cute, both of them, ALL OF EM!) jk...losin it..

I can't wait to meet Vera and I'm really looking forward to see how the dynamics of our friendship plays out. Not just with Katie but with all of us one day, when we all have little ones running around.  I'm hoping it will be more fun.  I'm sure it will be very different, but a good different. Just like a new chapter that's all.

So back to Tim telling me the weather before Katie's baby shower. It was supposedly rainy and cold. I bought this gorgeous dress from H&M which I thought was absolutely perfect for her shower.  It has a design on it, but it's somewhat subtle and even though it can seem busy, it actually isn't. It felt elegant and comfortable.  My absolute favorite part of this dress is the lower v back that comes down just enough. Just enough sexy but not too much where I didn't have to feel weird in front of Katie's entire family.  I was going to wear open toe heels since I'm still trying to pretend that spring is really coming! But I created a way to still wear that springy vibe with the chilly Chicago cold, I opted for my simple black booties. Always works!

Then of course, we get to the restaurant, I step outside and its super warm out. I could have worn those open toe shoes. But I'm glad I didn't because at the end of the shower we ended up taking these photos and it worked out really well.  This is actually one of my favorite outfits to date.  We took a stroll down Glencoe beach, and ended up at the little coffee shop on Vernon for some lattes to finish our lovely day and weekend.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and stayed warm, or cool? Orrr I don't know lets ask Tim...


The gorgeous lapis lazuli stone ring I'm wearing with a sterling silver band is hand-made by my father Paul Miller. He creates stunning statement pieces and is truly a master jeweler. He's pretty humble about it so you have to hear it from me. :)

 Follow him here, and check out his work here. Need the artist to repair your jewels, create something outrageous? email me ragemycloset@gmail.com

The dress is from H&M and I looked all over for it, it's no longer available, on-line at least. You could try going to your local store and check to see. Since I only purchased it a few days ago.


Below are some spring finds to wear to a baby shower or any family occasion. With booties or without. Go barefoot if thats how you roll. But these dresses are definitely some of my favorite finds.

Until my next post, have an amazing week!!

Amelia