Tuesday, April 17, 2012

No Expectations

Sometimes the best things in life are the most unexpected.  Maybe because you go in with zero expectations, you can't be let down.  Maybe because it's fate that blindsides you leaving you giddy with excitement.

Of course this usually happens on a grander scale like a chance meeting with someone special or a dream job, but it happened for me this weekend when I met a dress.

Yes, I said a dress.

You don't understand.

I try to form friendships with more dresses. REALLY I DO. But they're all usually so boring. Or expensive. Or both. And those expensive dresses are so snooty.  They don't really want to come and hang out with me at the flea market or the beach or some hole in the wall restaurant we're testing. They want to go to da club. And I haven't seen the inside of da club in a looooong time. Not long enough as far as I'm concerned.

So anyway.  There I was on Friday: still kinda woozy from being sick most of the week, remnants of a headache lingering in the background, when suddenly I decide maybe a little fresh air is in order. Next thing you know I'm in the Free People dressing room lying down on the little sofa wondering why I decided to leave the house again listening to throngs of girls go on and on and on about they neeeeed this or that item because they're on their way to Coa-chel-la so 7 to 10 day delivery won't work for them. They're on their way now don't you know?? zzzzzzzzzzzz

I'm trapped. I can't leave. I'm lightheaded.

Despite the fact that we are in the midst of a torrential rainstorm complete with thunder and lightning, tank tops and skimpy shorts, bandeaus and bandonts are being tossed around like rag dolls. It's 48 degrees! What are these people thinking? Why is that girl's mother paying for a pile of what appears to be bras for her 15 year old daughter to wear to Coachella? How is that girl getting there?  She needs a JACKET. I've turned into my mother.

Somehow I manage to wait out the mob. You know, by holding up a fitting room for 30 minutes while the shopgirl laughs maniacally every time she slides open the curtain to see if I'm still alive. Thank goodness for being a regular customer or mall security might have been helping me to my car.  

As I'm making my way to the exit I peer into H&M: people people everywhere. Nope. Can't do it.

I glance across at Zara:  clothing lying all over the floor and lines reminiscent of Holiday. Uh-uh.

Just as I'm about to admit defeat, I see it.

After telling myself repeatedly: there is nothing in there for you, there it is hanging in the Madewell window:  the striped dress. I'm not even really on the stripe wagon, but something about these stripes is different. 

And my friend is working there now?  It's a sign.  

She tosses me into a room with the dress and a denim shirt  (a good friend always knows)...

Cut to scene and I've made a new friend. I want to hang out with it every day. And by hang out I mean wear it from sun up until sun down.  I love it so much I might need two.  Kismet.
~Details: Madewell-Dress & Denim Shirt, Brandy & Melville-Fringe Bag (similar), Joie-Booties~
~Vanessa Mooney-Necklace, Bluma Project (similar), Motif 56 and PANYC-Bracelets~

All I got was Instagram because I parked it on the couch for most of the weekend. I look forward to committing the ultimate blogging offense and wearing the dress on here again.  Perhaps even a couple more times. *gasp*

31 comments:

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

I likeee! That dress is definitely worth wearing a couple more times.

RosaLovesDC said...

The dress is stunning on you. I really love Madewell dresses, they can be a little pricey sometimes, but they are fabulous. I also love their button downs, perfect fit for petite girls like us.

Closet Fashionista said...

YAY!!! I'm glad you found a dress friend! They are lovely once you get to know them...I have many ;)
(Yea...I never want to see a club again and I've only been to one...if you can even call it a club XD)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Anonymous said...

Carrie,

I have to show Logan your blog... she is obsessed with Free People and she has very similar taste. xoxo

MerciBlahBlah said...

Um, HELLO adorable dress. And boots. And fringe (DURRRR). And I just have to say that everytime I see something by Brandy & Melville I think, "Huh - Brandi Glanville has a clothing and accessories line? Take THAT Leann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian!!!" and then I realize no, it's completely different.

Mwah!
Shan

MerciBlahBlah said...

P.S. - I think you know how I feel about your aviators. Okay, maybe you don't know - but they are the SHIT. I have a thing against spending more than, say, $20 on a pair of sunglasses, and my aviators from Target are my favey thing. Aviators are so 70s fab. Anyhoozle - now you know.

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

You mean you aren't in da club nightly!?! My image is shattered ;)

17 Perth said...

It is definitely a cute dress---great buy. And I don't blame you for being a repeat offender---I would be.

Tanvi said...

I love the dress!

∞ © tanvii.com ∞

Courtney Erin said...

I think that dress deserves many, many appearances on here!

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

Lisa Griffin said...

yes! wear a piece you love on the blog repeatedly! and this one is super cute! i hope you are feeling 100% soon girl!
in dramatic fashion

LopezJennyLopez said...

Lovely pictures, the lighting is great. Love your look!!! xx

Tiffany Kadani said...

Love it! I have been SEARCHING for an easy dress like that. haha... Easy as in 'throw it on and look good no matter what.'

fshnonmymind said...

I saw that dress in an email and loved it, so I went to the mall this weekend to try it on and decided to buy it. :)
I totally know how you feel about wanting to wear it all the time. I rarely wear things right after I buy them for some reason and wanted to throw this on the very next day.
You look great in it!! We're dress twins. :)

Thelma Frayne said...

It's a gorgeous dress- I love the booties too!

Sparrow Lyn said...

Too funny...you are too funny....love the dress, bag, boots and the way you write! Enjoy !

Marie a la Mode said...

You and said dress were meant to be together because you look fantastic in it!

Anonymous said...

I like it!
I wish we had one of those retailers in Tulsa.

Anonymous said...

Please wear that as often as possible, and blog about it. I need a dress like that!

A Crimson Kiss said...

I definitely fall in love with a handful of items–a vintage silk skirt with velvet panels is my most illustrious mistress at the moment (she seems like a lady to me). I say wear that sucker as often as you can–it's heaven.

torrie said...

ohhhhhhh... i've got a madewell "hook-up"... emailing her right now... literally.

(also, LOVE how you styled it... & and guess what? just ordered my very first denim shirt!!! behind the times, as usual... but i do have a denim jacket :))

Kristen said...

awesome dress, Carrie! love the instagrams, of course!!

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

dress. boots. fringe bag. you. I'm on board in a BIGGGG way. Love it!

LyddieGal said...

you totally look amazing in that dress, and as usual, had me in hysterics. glad you two found one another!
Chic on the Cheap

little luxury list said...

Oh I want your dress too! I love how artsy your pictures came out - oh Instagram!

xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living

Josie said...

A. I'm obsessed with that dress. So cute.
B. I have exactly the same reaction 82% of the time when I go into stores. Ex: Forever21 and H&M. It's just too much to handle sometimes, okay???
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

ghulam sarwar said...

thank you for sharing

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

haha nice story, and i like your "nope, can't do it" about H&M. haha.

Coachella sounds fun but most of the people I know going are at least 26, so I dont know about sending off teens of people barely legal, crazy!!

either way, i love the dress... so much. and you are feeling bad about instagram and repeating outfits?? hell no, i love both.

TheChambrayCountess said...

Hope you are feeling better! The dress is a great find, it looks so "you", and I can see it being a wardrobe staple fo sho!
PS- I laughed so hard when reading about the 15 yr old with the bras and getting her a coat! I am glad I am not the only one (under 60)to think those things!

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

Holy smokes that is the perfect dress/friend/lover (dare I say it)! And you know what else is??? That pair of booties. WANT. So I can pretend I'm at Coachella (or not). I mean, so I can pretend I'm in California. Yeah. That's nice..

Jessica said...

What a fantastic wear-ever-single-day dress!

A couple of years ago, I was at a bar and was horrified to see girls wearing dresses that barely covered their lady bits. Why? Because I was afraid they'd catch cold.

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