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How to Make Sure a Maxi Dress Doesn’t Swallow You Whole

Published on September 5, 2017September 5, 2017 by PeculiarPorter8 Comments

Hello my lovely readers! Styling maxi dresses can be nearly impossible… especially when you’re 5′ 4″ or shorter. I’m at this awkward height that I can technically pass for petite sizes, but I’m also on the cusp of being an average height. As a result, I constantly ask myself if I should buy regular or petite sizes. So if you’re like me and have a difficult time making sure your dress doesn’t swallow you and make you look like you’re swimming in fabric… here are some tips for you.

Boho Maxi

Tip: Find pattern alterations or silhouette alterations that break up the fabric.

This cool thing about this dress is that the pattern helps break up the amount of fabric drastically. The bust of the dress is decorated in this beautiful orange pattern that matches the bottom hem. This addition creates an illusion that the middle part of the dress is much longer making me appear lean and tall. Although I’m only 5’4″ this dress actually makes me appear 3-4 inches taller.

Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of a good belt.

When dresses or long blouses are breezy they can make you appear much longer. A tip to help fix this is adding a simple or detailed belt. It instantly makes your waist look so much smaller. Plus, it adds a little bit of extra detail to your outfit and who doesn’t love that?

Tip: Try playing around with the pockets in front of the mirror before you decide on the dress.

Even though pockets on dresses and skirts are incredibly magical, sometimes they can make it add unnecessary fabric. I’m not hating on pockets in dresses, I absolutely love them (subject A ^). So functional! However, sometimes they can make your hips look wider than they actually are. Thankfully, these pockets are very deep so that can lay flat on my thigh where as shorter pockets would bunch up at my hip. But hey, sometimes function overrides fashion so if you love the fact that it has pockets go for it girl!

What are your helpful tips for making sure a maxi dress doesn’t swallow you whole? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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24 Hours in Mystic, Connecticut

Published on August 31, 2017September 2, 2017 by PeculiarPorter10 Comments

Hello lovely reader! This past weekend I spent the day with my boyfriend in Mystic, Connecticut. As many of you know, he lives in Long Island so I frequently visit the ferry in New London. Mystic is about 15 minutes north of the ferry and I’ve only been once when I was very, very little. So, I had the brilliant idea go to exploring this past weekend. It’s always nice to get out and explore even if it is only an hour away.

Shopping

Our first stop was in Olde Mistick Village located right off the exit. Yes, it’s really spelt like that I checked like 15 times, I swear. The adorable little village is definitely a tourist trap, but I couldn’t help but google my eyes when I saw adorable little Christmas shops and gimmicky stores that handed out tie dye sweatshirts with “Mystic” labeled in large letters. The tourist trap got me and I have no apologies for it!

If you’ve never been to Connecticut make sure you stop in the Munson’s Chocolate store. The chocolate is native to Connecticut and is so good that you’ll asking for seconds… and thirds. It’s a gift we always get my sweet-tooth mother for Christmas. The first store was located in Manchester, Connecticut in 1946. Ben and Josephine Munson started the store making batches from the sugar rations they received following WWII. My family loves the sea salt dark chocolate caramels and the milk chocolate caramels.

As for the popcorn pictured above, Pop on the Block, I was blown away. I purchased two bags on Sunday and the bags are already empty. They have insane flavors like Sour Patch and Bubble Gum and they also have incredible flavors like Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel. I’m already itching to go back for more… is that sad? Also, I didn’t have a chance to try the oreo cheesecake so it looks like I might have too… whoops!

Mystic, Connecticut

Eating

The main reason why you travel… right? Okay, maybe not but it is definitely high on that list! Rob and I ended up eating dinner at the Engine Room and it was only slightly legendary. No, but for real, it was plate-licking-good. The building was actually a restored Lathrop Marine Engine building, hence how it received the name Engine room. The decor is decked out in dark wood, low lighting, and an occasional deer skull planted on the wall. The Engine Room serves comfort food that features mostly burgers and breakfast food (menu here). They also pride themselves on having a wide section of craft beer and bourbon… drink on!

Rob and I both ordered a buttermilk fired chicken sandwich with chipotle hot sauce, house made smoked ranch, romaine lettuce and dill pickles. I got a side of fries and Rob got a side of potato salad. My suggestion… get the potato salad if you go.

If you don’t end up going here you might be mildly insane, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Other options in downtown Mystic include Bravo Bravo, S&P Oyster Co, and famous Mystic pizza (Julia Roberts ate there in a movie). You can also get an instagramable picture with ice cream from Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream located right by the iconic, you guessed it, drawbridge.

Exploring

Now the real reason you go to a new place! After visiting Olde Mistick Village, Rob and I ventured to Mystic Seaport. Located all throughout the seaport were these old ships that have gone wild distances and ended up in good ole’ Connecticut. The world’s largest viking ship was also there. Sine we ended up going to the the seaport Sunday evening, none of the exhibits were open. Luckily for us, we were able to walk the grounds for free. There was even a small band playing at a nearby restaurant, so we were able to putts around while listening to tunes. Plus, most off the ships had signs explaining the history of the ships. If you find old ships interesting and love history this is definitely a place you should visit. I mean even if you don’t you might want to go to see this view! If you want to go while the exhibits are open check the dates and times here.

Fun fact: Rob and I are always too awkward to flag down a person to take our picture. As a result oft his, I usually set a timer on my camera. This photo was taken by a stone pit. Haha! More pictures of this outfit here.

Have you ever been to Mystic or even just been to the state of Connecticut? It’s a small state, but it sure does have it’s beauty. Let me know in the comments down below what you thinking about Connecticut.

As always,

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Why You Need Olive Pants for the Fall Season

Published on August 29, 2017August 29, 2017 by PeculiarPorter17 Comments

Hello lovely readers! I don’t know about you, but for some reason Connecticut did a 360° this weekend and drastically dropped in temperature. Weirdly enough, I kinda love it. Fall is right around the corner and I cannot wait for the leaves to change color. I’m embarrassed to say, the one trend I don’t partake in the fall are spiced pumpkin lattes. Maybe one day…

As a result of the crisp, fall air appearing randomly in August, I had to break out my olive green pants. No worries, I tried to keep it as summery as possibly by keeping my light blue jean jacket and these adorable gold shoes from White Mountain. I especially love the subtle details on this white fringe tank. I found it on the clearance section at Loft so be on the lookout if you stop by anytime soon. Although olive green is meant to be a fall color, I think it fits in well with this chilly, August day. It’s a perfect transition color from summer to fall.

Tip: Mix and match blues, whites, yellows, browns, and oranges with olive green.

I’m a traditionalist in the sense that I’m a big fan of adding a classic white shirt with colored pants. However, I also love pairing fun colors that make the outfit more interesting. I have a fun orangy–yellow shirt that pairs perfectly with these olive pants because it adds interest to the look. Olive pants are great for the fall because they make a base for the colors you see in naturally in nature.

Tip: Don’t forget to have fun with your outfit by adding bold prints or an odd textures to your outfit.

Sometimes it can be a little nerve racking about playing with a fun print or a loud texture and a colored pant. Don’t fear! By thinking of colored pants as a neutral you add so much dimension into your look. If you’re aiming to create an interesting outfit, try a fun polkadot or a striped shirt over colored pants.

Olive pants are great for a number of reasons but the #1 reason why I think they’re perfect for fall is because they drift away from the classic blue denim. They’re still in the same color family and can be used as a neutral. They’re the ideal gateway pant if you want to try colored pants.

Tip: If you’re scared of a bold color start with neutrals.

Neutrals are classic and will never look go out of style. So aim for the traditional colors like white, black, brown, and dark blue. You can add little bits of personality into these neutral items by adding items that well a story. You’ve probably seen this jacket in my spring post, but I’ve added a few personal pins to the collection. I studied abroad my junior year of college and collected pins in every new place I visited. I added a few of these pins to my jacket to include a little personality to my look. You can do something similar with pins, paint, or buttons. The options are limitless!

No worries, I still have two more summer posts creeping their way into my upcoming posts. I just needed to break out my green pants as early as I could!

Blue jeans aside, what are your favorite colored jeans to wear? Are you just as excited as I am to break out your fall clothes? Let me know in the comments down below!

As always,

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How to Revamp Your Bedroom

Published on August 22, 2017 by PeculiarPorter6 Comments

Hello darlings! I hope your day has been as wonderful as you! This post has been long overdue, but I couldn’t be happier to show a little bit of myself through my room. In July, I decided the hot pink was not for me. After going to Home Depot and looking through 125 swatches, I decided on the color First Rain. I slapped on two coats of paint and BAM a totally new room was born.

Tip: Picking a light color will automatically make your room look much bigger and brighter.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go for a light gray, light purple, or light blue. I ended up with this light blue because not only was it a light color but it had a bright tint to it. Plus, the color gives a relaxing vibe unlike other colors. After I painted two coats of the blue, I repainted the molding and doors in a crisp white in order to make everything really pop.

Bed

Tip: This is the focal point of any bedroom because of how much space it takes up. Pick a bedding that you are madly in love with. If you want it to be a loud pattern you might need to tone down the rest of your room. if you want the room to speak for itself you might need a neutral color.

I’m obsessed with this white bed covering from Tahari. The neutral color helps tie everything in the room together while the ruffles add a pop of personality. The fun ruffles on my bed tie in the fun pattern on my curtains while the decorative pillows tie in my funky rug. When decorating a room it is all about balance and making sure everything lives in harmony. Thus, make sure nothing swallows up the room. Both the comforter and pillows were purchased from Marshall’s. The dream catcher was made by me two years ago in college. Boy, do I love that thing.

Bedside Table

Tip: Don’t overlook items found in other home decor sections. All types of furniture can be used in different areas of the house.

This nightstand was actually found in the bathroom section of Marshall’s. You might have seen a peak of this granite top in my past post because I’m absolutely in love with it. The nightstand appears to have three drawers but it actually only has two. I keep my every day make up in the top drawer, books in the second shelf, and random nicknacks on the third. This might be my favorite addition to my room just because of how convenient it has been.

Storage

Tip: When planning your room think about storage/function first and appearance second.

I’ll admit it, I accumulate a lot of ‘stuff”. I have a ton of clothes and had nowhere to put them all. As a result of this, we decided the more storage the better. I had shelves in my closet so we decided to take them all out and just have two places where I can hang cardigans, dresses, casual coats, and skirts. For clothes I also have one book shelf, two brown bureaus, one white shelving unit with wooden baskets, two large clothing bins that fit under my bed, and two shoe bins that fit under my bed. Now that is a mouth full! Basically, everything in my room is designed to store something. Sometimes its all about function.

Rug/Floor

Tip: Think about cold winters when you’re buying a rug. Do you want to step on something that is ultra soft?

I was really lucky. No, not ‘really’ lucky… incredibly lucky. We were able to find this navy, abstract rug for $49. This huge 8×10 rug was originally $200 and we were able to get it for $49. Actually unheard of. So, don’t be afraid to look in the sales section because you will find prizes like this rug. Also, the fluffy, white rug was on sale for $57 originally $171. Shop around before you end up dropping a lot of money. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a winner like these two rugs.

Decor

Tip: This is how you add personality into your room. Pick things that talk about who you are as a person.

Guys, you know me by now. You know I’m obsessed with cacti so obviously they had to be peaking out in multiple corners. We have the cacti painting on my wall, multiple cacti themed candles, cacti stuffed toys, a cactus ring holder, and a scented cactus. Through my decor, I was able to showcase my semester abroad in Italy and my family that I love dearly. I was also able to showcase my beloved jewelry. There are so many ways you can showcase your style and your passions through your room. Just think of what you love most and you’ll be able to find a way.

If you look closely you can find another slight obsession I have on my bookshelf. Comment what you think it might be!

There we have it! Thats my big, bad, blue room. I can’t even begin to explain how floored I am about this beautiful room. A big thanks to Papa Porter for helping me figure out everything and going through all the crazy trips. You can only imagine how many times I turned my head to him and asked “do you think this goes?” Hey, its always good to get a second… or third opinion. He sure is a trooper!

What do you think of my blue room? Have you done a recent room tour post? I would love to check it out. Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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What to Wear to a Summer Barn Wedding

Published on August 15, 2017August 15, 2017 by PeculiarPorter17 Comments

Hello darling! This past weekend my cousin, Sarah, got married. It was a wedding straight out of a fairytale. Everything was done perfectly including the live band, flowers, food, and out of control dancing. My family busted more moves than one and moved in directions I didn’t even know existed. As my mom says, we really did ‘bust a rug.’

I’ve only been two other weddings, one where I was a flower girl and one where I was a guest. So, you may say I’m a wedding amateur. As a result of this, my outfit tips are from the experience I had at this Virginia barn wedding and hot days in general.

Tip: Pick a material or silhouette that can breathe.

Whatever you do… do not wear cotton. Cotton holds in heat and will be sure to make you a hot, sweaty mess. I purposely decided to wear this dress because of how the bottom of the skirt moved. If this was a tighter dress 1. I wouldn’t be able to eat as much as I wanted later on and 2. I would be a sweat monster. Thus, when looking for a dress make sure either the material itself can breathe or the style of the dress is breatheable. By the way, this dress is on super sale right now for $15.

Tip one: Pick a light color so that if you do sweat no one can tell.

So it’s probably going to be inevitable that you’re going to sweat on a hot day in August. So, do yourself a huge favor and buy a light colored dress (not white!) so no one can tell. Regardless of this dress being breatheable, I was still sweating. So, aim for a light color with a pattern on it so it is even less noticeable. Black and navy are also a great options to hide sweat marks but it will make you hotter due to the dark hue.

Tip: For a purse, carry something small but not too small. You don’t want to lug around a huge tote bag, but you also want to make sure you can carry around the essentials.

I actually purchased this envelope clutch the day of the wedding at an outlet directly across our hotel. The clutch was originally $122 (yikes!) and I purchased it for $35. I couldn’t find a link for this clutch online so if you want it (and you want to put a ring on it) hop on over to an outlet near you. It comes in black too!

Don’t forget to pack the essentials: sunglasses, chapsticks, small change, wedding card, and cell phone.

This one is important…

Tip: Take as many pictures as you can with your family and friends.

It isn’t very often that I get to see my whole family at once, so when we do get to see each other we try to make the most of it. One of my brother’s lives in Arkansas and another lives in New York. Now that I’m living back in Connecticut, it isn’t very often that I see my brothers. Make the most of the wedding by taking pictures, dancing up a storm, and celebrating the loved ones getting married. You’ll want to remember everything by these wonderful pictures. P.S. Don’t forget to use the wedding’s hashtag!

Virginia Summer Barn Wedding

But really, how beautiful was this wedding location? They had it down to a science from the band to the ceremony. So here is to Sarah and Justin for moving onto their next chapter. I couldn’t be happier for them.

Do you have any tips for attending a hot wedding? I’ll be attending two weddings next summer so I’ll definitely need a few tips for next year. Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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What to Wear to a Horse Race

Published on August 8, 2017 by PeculiarPorter8 Comments

Hello darling! This past weekend, my college hosted a 100 days post graduation event at the Saratoga Race Track. I know it sounds insanely early, but our class needed it. It was so refreshing hearing how well people are already doing and how eager they are to take on life.

For those who have never been to a horse race, it is quite an experience. The pure joy people get just by placing bets as low as $1 is phenomenal. If you’re like one of my friends you may win $80-$300 in a day or if you’re like me you’ll win $5. Regardless how much you win, it’s a blast.

My first time going was last year and I was thrilled that I was able to go again. This time I didn’t wear a floppy hat but instead a cute dress from Loft and this fun little necklace from J.Crew. (The necklace is on sale online for $24.55, but I purchased it for $14.99. Check the outlet store for a cheaper price).

What to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, alcohol (no glass bottles are allowed), water, chair, and lunch.

You’re going to be out in the sun so make sure you hydrate and keep your skin protected! Alcohol is allowed to be brought in coolers but glass is prohibited. Most people go to the track very early and claim a table or area with chairs/table clothes. If you want a good spot, get there very early and bring a few chairs. You’ll thank yourself later in the day.

Tip: Go for lighter colors because it will keep you cool. Add a bright color accessory if you think your outfit is too dull.

I made the mistake of wearing a navy dress last year and was seriously regretting it. I was incredibly happy in this light colored dress. Plus, I was able to wear my fun new necklace! Rob kept telling me that it looked like a fishing lure… oh well, I like it!

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes.

There is a solid 50% girls who wear wedges/heels and another 50% who wear flats/sandals. I definitely recommend going for the comfier option because you’ll be on your feet most of they day placing bets or watching the actual race. The shoes I’m wearing might be super weird looking but oh-my-god nothing is comfier than these sandals. I talked about them two years ago and still am madly in love with them.

Tip: Wear something that is lightweight and you can easily move in.

Luckily for me, this adorable dress has a little peep hole in the back of the dress. The fun dress, romper, or skirt might be a great idea at the time but if you’re constantly pulling it down or having to readjust it you’re going to have a bad time at the track. Plus, don’t you want to focus that time on actually winning some mulah? Go for the option that you’re comfiest in.

Tip: Saratoga hotels are super expensive. Try staying in a neighboring city.

We actually bought our hotel super late so we weren’t able to get a hotel closer to Saratoga. I would recommend Malta or Ballston Spa. We ended up staying in the Hilton in Albany. We really enjoyed it mainly because we were able to eat brunch at Iron Gate. The Uber ride is about $47 to Saratoga, but we actually lucked out with one of our friends driving there. Definitely not that bad considering you’d save $100-$300 by staying further away.

Have you ever been to the track? Do you have any betting tricks up your sleeve? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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July Favorites 2017

Published on August 1, 2017 by PeculiarPorter3 Comments

Hello darlings! Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard this weird superstition, but I was told that you’re supposed to say rabbit three times on the first of every month. Try it out, I swear it’s good luck! So back to this post, I haven’t done a monthly favorites in such a lo-o-o-o-o-o-ng time. Since I’ve been trying a lot of new things out, I thought I’d give it a try.

Beauty

Face mask: I usually do a face mask once a week because a girl needs a little r-e-l-a-x-a-t-i-o-n if you ask me. I was very curious about sheet masks so I purchased this Korean face mask pack from T.J.Maxx. The box came with five different masks that make you look like a scary monster for about 25-30 minutes. The directions recommend leaving the liquid on your face after you take off the mask so that it sinks into your pours. I wasn’t about that life, so I just washed my face after. I’m a fan of this because it really rejuvenated my skin after I had sun burn. I would buy it again.

Dry Shampoo: Go buy this now. No, literally. Hop in your car and drive to CVS. You’ll thank me as soon as you smell this cucumber and green tea dry shampoo. I’ve been trying (very hard) to not wash my hair as frequently. Typically, I wash my hair every day (please don’t scream at your computer, I know it is bad). This dry shampoo has really been helping me ease into the process of being a dirty, grease ball. I highly recommend this.

Yes to: This was another product I found wandering around T.J.Maxx. Honestly, no sponsor needed, these two products have drastically changed my skin’s completion. I feel so much more confident not wearing make up because how it evened out my skin. I would buy this a thousand times.

Eyebrow Pencil: Okay, I’m about to get super personal. Are you ready for this? I’m 22-years-old and I’ve never owned an eyebrow pencil. I’ve never really felt the need to get one. I would sometimes fill out my eyebrows with light eyeshadow if I felt it was appropriate. I definitely like this it cosmetics eye pencil, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it. I know the make up bloggers are screaming at their computers right now. I’m sorry!

Fashion

Braceletes: I’ve been really liking this combination of bracelets. They’re really interesting because I received them all at different special times. The Tiffany peace bracelet was given to me as a high school graduation present, the middle Alex and Ani bracelet was given to me at my college graduation, and the top manta bracelet was given to me by one of my best friends for our college graduation. The mantra bracelet stating “live what you love” really speaks to me because my friends and I are all going on this path where we’re trying to find out what makes us happy as adults. It is a constant reminder that we’re not working for money but instead working for something that we really enjoy. I know many students come out of college with the mindset that they just want to make a ton of money and don’t care about actually enjoying their job. I feel the complete opposite. I just want to love what I do.

Perfume: While I was cleaning my room, I found 20+ mini perfumes. So I’ve been trying a new scent every day and so far I’m really digging these three.

Technology

Cacti phone case: Okay so obviously by the three pictures surrounding this text you might think I have a light blue-green vibe going on. You’re totally right. For the longest time I’ve been obsessed with cacti. It’s just something about how sassy they are. So when my other cacti phone case broke, I obviously had to get another. This wonderful case came in the mail yesterday. (I actually bought the bigger one by accident but thankfully amazon is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l when it comes to returns.)

Personal

Project: My big project this month was redecorating my room so it would have more of an adult vibe. Since I’ll be commuting to work from my home for the next two years, I decided I needed a more responsible color. My room was this hot pink color that swallowed up the room and made it look like I was living in a candy box. If you follow me on Pinterest, you probably saw my plethora of room decor pictures. I ended up going to home depot and collected a book worth of paint samples. I finally decided on First Rain. Expect a room tour post very soon (I’m just waiting on a mini rug to come in from amazon).

Girl on the Train: I just purchased this book from Amazon last week. I’m so excited to crack the spine open and start reading. Let me know if you’ve ever read it before!

Three songs I’m totally into right now:

Podcast I’m listening to on the way to work:

Anna Faris is Unqualified. For the love of all humanity: listen, cry, laugh, smile, scream… you’ll do it all listening to this podcast.

Events

Her Campus: Honestly, I’m incredibly sad I didn’t take this opportunity earlier in college. I think it is definitely an event that anyone who wants a great job/life one day should go and see.

Fourth of July: I was lucky enough to spend Fourth of July weekend at with my boyfriend. We did a good amount of fishing, laughing, and swimming. What more could you want in the summer? We also were able to check out Lavender by the Bay, which is definitely a must see attraction if you ever visit the North Fork of Long Island.

What do you think about these types of posts? Since I haven’t done them in so long, I’m not sure if people really want to see the weird items I’m trying out. Let me know what you think about monthly favorites, if you have any ideas on what I should post about, or even have any questions. I’d be all ears.

As always,

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