spring fashion

Everything You Need to Know About Buying and Selling Clothes on eBay

Published on March 22, 2018March 22, 2018 by PeculiarPorter4 Comments

eBay rocks my world. It allows me to make money without even having to move from my bed… okay, sometimes I do have to leave my bed to mail out a package. But other than that, it’s smooth sailing. If you haven’t tried to sell or buy clothes on eBay or you just don’t know where to begin, this is the post for you.

A few years ago my cousin started selling tons and tons of clothes, comic books, action figures, etc. on eBay and I didn’t think twice about it. It just seemed like unnecessary work for “little” return. Little did I know that he made way over a thousand dollars just from selling clothes on eBay. My green eyes turned a little bit greener when I thought of the cash I could make just by selling the clothes in the back of my closet. Not only could I make money from selling my clothes, I would be giving my clothes to someone who will appreciate them instead of throwing them away. After all, only 10% of clothes donated to charity get sold… the rest gets thrown away or shipped to countries who don’t need any more clothes. Also, if I wanted to donate money to charity I could donate my earnings directly to charities through eBay. So instead of throwing away your clothes let’s put them to good use.

Selling Tips

When I first started selling clothes on eBay, I was a little overwhelmed. Where do I begin? I called up my cousin and asked him for some tips and tricks and this is what we came up with.

Start off by looking what other people are pricing the same items for.

Before I list an item, I always look what other people are selling the item for and if they include shipping or not. I usually end up putting my item $1-$2 cheaper than what other people are selling their stuff for. This way people are more likely to buy my item for cheaper.

Measure everrrrrryyyythaaaanggggg.

One thing I was absolutely clueless about was making sure all of the measurements are listed on jeans, belts, and so forth. Make your life easier and just look at this guide to figure out how to measure your pants. For shirts, make sure that if you think it runs a little small or large you put that in the description. It’s all about behind honest on eBay.

Take pictures of every corner of the item.

Take pictures of labels, pattern, tags, buttons, hemlines… if you think of it you should take a picture of it then do it. Also, if you are selling something that has a rip or stain (which I personally do not do) make sure you take a picture of it so people understand what they are buying. If you don’t you could get a bad review and people will become more hesitant to shop from your store.

Add personality into your captions.

This is my absolute favorite thing to do on my eBay page. I love mentioning what someone can wear an item with and how fabulous they will look. I can just picture a total stranger reading my words and being super amused. Plus, this might make someone want to buy more because they can relate to the buyer. Make sure you include descriptors like “only worn once” or “it was the back of my closet since 2009 and has never been worn before.” The better the description, the better the outcome.

Shipping Tips

The hardest part about selling clothes is figuring out how to do the shipping. However, once you figure it out it will be second nature to you.

Don’t include free shipping with your jeans.

Jeans are typically heavy so they cost around $5-$7 to ship. This can be half of what you’re selling the jeans for so make sure that you calculate the cost of the shipping in the cost or just say shipping “$6.99” or whatever it is to ship. Sometimes I sell my pants for a super low cost because I know shipping is going to be so much. It all depends on if they’ve never been worn before or if you just bought them directly from J.Crew.

Shirts typically cost between $2.50-$4.50 to ship.

Since shirts are typically lighter you can make the shipping costs much lower. If you buy a scale (which I highly recommend you do) you can measure it the shipping cost before you put the listing up. It also helps when you do have to finally ship the product.

High priced items: include free shipping.

Personally, I think it is polite to include free shipping when someone is buying a big priced item. I sold a pokemon card for $150 and didn’t charge the customer shipping. Obviously, a little card didn’t cost that much to ship but I think it makes the sale go through that much easier.

Buying Tips

You know that awesome feeling when you return something that you weren’t really sure that you loved or not? You then get store credit or your money back and you feel this odd sense of power. Okay, maybe just me. The best part about selling clothes on eBay is that you have money you can either save or you can put back into finding something super cute.

Make sure you read all of the descriptions!

I almost bought a shirt that had a stain on it without even knowing. Just as I was checking out, I noticed the little description saying that there was a faint stain on the front of the shirt. That was definitely enough to deter me from buying the shirt. Also, sometimes the titles get mixed around when you’re posting so make sure that you’re actually buying the right size.

Play around with bidding wars.

This one is very new to me and it’s oddly thrilling to play the little dancing game. I’m currently in a bidding war on a beautiful Free People top. Fingers crossed that I win it because it is the cutest thing in the world. My tip would be to wait until the very end to bid the shirt up.

Search your favorite companies with descriptors you might be looking for.

Instead of just searching the name search key things you may be looking. This may be the textile-like “lace” or it could be a vibe like “edgy”. This will help narrow down the search and hopefully weed out the sellers that you’re not looking for.

What is currently on my watch list:

Free People Top, Vintage Belt, Feed Bag, Button Skirt, White Madewell Jeans

What do you think about selling or buying clothes from eBay? Have you ever done it or do you use sites like postmark? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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Rethink the Way You Buy Jeans

Published on March 20, 2018April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter19 Comments

Let’s talk about America’s favorite piece of clothing: jeans. I’m jean obsessed. Growing up my brothers used to mock me because of my different colored jeans. They even had a song for when I wore my pink pair… “Logan pink pants Porter” still rings in my ears to this day. Nonetheless, my love for the classic pair of jeans has never faded.

It didn’t occur to me how jeans were actually made until I watched the Trust Cost. I figured cotton and a little bit of stretch make the ideal jean. I knew so little about how much jeans and the cotton production ruin the environment surrounding the factories and cotton farms. I never knew that although cotton is only planted on 2.4% of agriculture land, it accounts for nearly 11% of pesticide sales in the world. I never even though of the beloved plastic elasticity in my jeans being the exact reason why it is so hard to recycle jeans. The more I researched the more I started to feel guilty about the cheap pair of $12 jeans I found at Marshalls. Who made those jeans and what conditions were they made in? I started asking myself more and more questions and found myself researching until the wee hours of the night. That’s when it occurred to me that needed to make a vow to stop buying cheap, fast fashion jeans and either thrift of invest in ethical jeans that will last. So when I was looking for a new pair of white jeans, I found Everlane.

Jeans | Boots | Sweater (Sold out… Similar) | Jacket (Similiar) | Belt (Same on eBay)

Everlane is a slow fashion company that focuses on basics with a touch of creativity. The reason I found this basic store so incredibly comforting is that they show the factories that make their clothes on the website and then break down the cost of the item directly (see their jean factory here). I know, wild. So let me take you through the process of making these jeans and explain to you why these ones, in particular, are the white jeans you need for spring.

“Belly” washing machines that are used in standard denim manufacture plants waste up to 1,500 liters of water per pair of jeans (about 132 Gatorade coolers).

Depending on where you live water may not seem that important because it always seems like it is raining or snowing (ex: these snowy pictures). But 35% of the world’s population doesn’t have proper access to clean water. Instead of wasting all of that water, Everlane’s factory, Saitex, uses a closed water system and super-efficient jet washing machines. The result? Only .4 liters of water is lost due to evaporation. By being conscious of the water consumption, Everlane is making a difference in jean production and the community around the factories.

Often times factories in developing countries dump polluted water back into the waterway, which directly affects the surrounding communities.

Saitex recycles 98% of all used water and when it comes out the other side, it’s so clean you can actually drink it. You don’t have to worry about Everlane’s factories polluting the surrounding areas. Instead, you can have a clear conscious buying a pair of wicked cute jeans.

Most denim factories use an insane amount of energy for their factories because they have to constantly dry the jeans.

Saitex airdries 85% of their jeans and the rest of the jeans are dried with energy coming from solar panels. This has allowed their factory to reduce energy usage by 5.3 million kilowatts of power and reduce CO2 emissions by almost 80%. Kudos for clean energy!

All denim creates a toxic byproduct called sludge.

No matter how clean a denim factory is, jeans will still create a byproduct called sludge. This byproduct is nearly impossible to get rid of until Saitex found out that when you mix sludge with concrete the toxic material can no longer leech into the environment. The factory uses this method to make concrete bricks to build affordable homes. So far, Saitex has built ten homes with these bricks. So not only are they creating jeans but they’re actually creating homes from a byproduct!

My top four picks for your white jean wardrobe:

Everlane ($68) | Able ($128) | Amour Vert ($178) | DL1961 ($188)

So if you’re ready to buy another pair of white jeans for this spring and summer why not buy a pair that is better for the environment. When you’re buying a pair of jeans that are better quality make sure to check what the jeans are actually made of. Look for the ratio of cotton to spandex and make sure that you’re not just buying a cheap pair of jeggings that will only last a few washes. A good pair of jeans will be made out of either 100% cotton or 99% cotton with 1% spandex. Staples, like jeans, that you wear again and again deserve to be invested in.

What do you think about Everlane? Did you know how jeans were produced? Let me know in the comments down below. (Also, I’m very curious if you think it’s wrong to wear white before Memorial Day… I clearly have no shame).

As always,

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How to Style My Favorite Spring Trend: The Wrap Dress

Published on March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 by PeculiarPorter38 Comments

Ummm… is it spring yet? I literally cannot stand another northeastern. We’ve literally had a snowstorm every single week for the past three weeks and I’m so over it. Although I do admit, it’s March and I oddly hum Christmas tunes every time it snows. Hey, it’s never too early to be in the holiday spirit.

So unlike mother nature, I’m ready to bring out the spring outfits as soon as possible. Bring on the floral print, pops of color, and a whole lot of sunshine. If you saw my s ummer barn wedding guide, you know that wrap dresses are a curvy girl’s secret weapon. It hits you in all the right places and makes you look like a million bucks. Seriously, invest in one that you know you’ll wear again and again and you can thank me later.

Go for a bold color for double the impact.

To me, yellow isn’t that bold of a color because it’s just something I’m naturally drawn to because of my pale skin and reddish-brown hair. What I mean by a bold color is picking something that is bright as can be. This yellow is bold because of how in your face it is. It can easily be toned down with some neutrals like this black jacket and booties or it could be played up with a green jacket and white shoes. Regardless, it’s fun to play with something out of your comfort zone once in a while.

Don’t be boring, try something daring.

The fun thing about wrap dresses is that they have so much added texture to them. For example, this one has florals and ruffles so it creates this extremely dramatic silhouette. Just like I did in this post, I love mixing this edgy, studded jacket on top of a feminine dress. It’s an outfit that instantly makes me feel like I can take on the world. Plus, it such a mix of textures that no one will ever expect so you’ll look instantly chic.

Ditch the flats and wedges and grab a classic, black bootie for the perfect winter to spring transitioning outfit.

Don’t sacrifice your little toes just yet! I love pairing booties with literally everything. They will look perfect next to your feminine dress due to their inherent need to be edgier than flats. Personally, I love the comparison of the leather jacket and booties next to this floral dress because it adds so much interest to the look. You almost don’t know where to look without being super overwhelmed… my kind of outfit.

Try wearing your dress as a skirt to get double the use.

As you probably know, I’m trying to incorporate more and more sustainable ideas and principles into this blog. What better way to achieve this than bringing up ways where you can get the most use out of your wardrobe! The best part about dresses is that you can wear them in so many different ways. Throw a shirt over the dress and you now have a skirt (seen here) or throw a turtleneck under the shirt and you now have a warmer look (seen here). With different colors, graphics, and accessories, you can make so many interesting outfits out of one piece. To me that is the best part about style: you get to be creative with it.

Personally, I can definitely see this dress in a million and a half ways. I can see it being paired with a bright green shirt and a jean jacket for a more casual look. I can see it with a pair of strappy sandals for when it finally stops snowing. I can also see it without a jacket to finally embrace the warm weather. Don’t stop at just one look… find a few ways to wear it!

How do you feel about the wrap dress trend? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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A Day in My Shoes: Thursday Uptown Boot Review

Published on March 13, 2018March 13, 2018 by PeculiarPorter2 Comments

If you’re not already aware, I’m an Instagram fanatic. I love the pictures, the advertisements, and mostly the Instastories. I can spend hours watching my favorite bloggers do mini haul videos, talk about their day, and videos of them traveling. (My favorite blogger’s Instastories are Emma from Emma’s Edition, Mallory from Mallory on the Moon, and Juliette from Juliettiful).

A few months ago when I was scrolling on my feed, I found an advertisement for Thursday Boot Co. and their amazing Instagram. These sleek shoes have a buttery leather texture, a smooth finish, and they have the cutest styles. I couldn’t love a boot more. I decided to flip through their website and I was quickly distraught because I love every single shoe. How could I pick just one? I ended up deciding to get the Uptown boot in black because my suede booties from J.Crew couldn’t handle this rainy-snowy, New England weather.

Order a size up in the Uptown Boot.

When they finally arrived, I was super excited and literally couldn’t wait to slide my foot inside the adorable boot. Sadly, the pair I ordered was just a smidge too small so I had to send them back. The process was incredibly easy. I simply printed out a packing slip and sent it back to the warehouse. They then sent me my new pair of boots (in a size up) a week later.

After looking at the reviews, I probably should have known to order a size up. I’m almost always a 7.5 shoe in everything and I never listen to reviews because my foot always ends up fitting. This was definitely the one exception so make sure you order a size up!

Thursday Boot Co cares about the people who are making the boots.

Thursday boots are made in New York City, Arkansas, and Lyon. Thursday Boots believe in fair labor and environmental conservation. Once a quarter, each manufacturing factory is visited in person to ensure that there is appropriate labor, operational maintenance, and that the waste management protocol is being followed. Since the leather industry is constantly bombarded with unfair labor and environmental practices, it is so refreshing to find a company that cares about the repercussions of working with leather.

What is the quality of the leather and boot?

I am pigeon toed which means I pretty much ruin all of the shoes I own. What it really means is that my big toes face one another and constantly rub against each other. This often makes the side of my shoes wear out. Instead of constantly trying to get around the fact that my feet are destructive little animals, I decided to opt for a shoe that I knew would withstand such torture. Thankfully, these durable leather boots are perfect for the job. The buttery leather is made of such a durable leather that has been able to withstand my awkward toes.

Not only are they durable enough to withstand my devilish toes, but Thursday owns up the process of making leather. Leather can be a very taxing material because it requires tons of chemicals and waters that often affect the areas surrounding. Thursday only works with tanneries that can provide traceable material records and receive high marks from the Leather Working Group for environmental practices and chemical management. By creating this promise they’re changing the standard for other companies.

Also, the boots are handmade! Each pair of boots goes through over 80 different steps before you get a pair. Talk about hard work and commitment to make the best shoe.

Would I buy another pair?

Oh, heck yes. I’ve already been eyeing the Duchess Chelsea Boot in black. This boot would be perfect for Sunday errands, touring big cities, and going pumpkin picking in the fall. I would also totally get this boot in the brown because I’ve actually never owned a brown boot! I could see myself rocking it in the spring with all my lighter colors.

Why the Uptown boot?

They literally go with everything! I could dress them up with a bold dress or style them down with jeans. I can wear these boots to anything! I personally love throwing on little socks and scrunching them down to create a really relaxed look. Here are just four ways I decided to style them:

New England Date Ideas During in the Winter

With socks at Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut

With a girly blazer at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas

With a flirty dress at Terrain Garden Café in Weston, Connecticut

Lastly, with a bold dress that will be on the blog very soon…

So how would you style these adorable little booties? Have you ever heard of Thursday Boot co? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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(This was not sponsored by Thursday Boot Co… I’m just in love with their boots)

5 Reasons Why You Need a Baby Pink Blazer This Spring

Published on February 20, 2018February 22, 2018 by PeculiarPorter17 Comments

Do you ever just get sucked into another dimension when you walk into a Marshalls? Well, it happened to me last week when I went to get a pair of white jeans and ended up walking out with this entire outfit. Talk about a major fail. I didn’t even get a pair of white jeans. (Still on the hunt so if you have any ideas on where to get a great pair white jeans for a curvy girl let your girl know). I aimlessly rummaged through the different racks starting at one end and ending up in the aisle where they sell welcome mats (btw, I don’t even have my own house/apartment so who knows why I was looking at welcome mats). While on my quest to find white jeans (in the completely wrong aisle), I found this adorable pink blazer and knew I needed to have it. Back when I was interviewing for jobs I would always borrow my mom’s blazer because I didn’t think there was a need to buy a blazer. Well, times have changed and I’m head over heels for this baby pink gem.

Jeans | Shirt (very similar) | Boots

A blazer can instantly make a casual outfit look more polished.

The great thing about blazers is that they can easily pair with anything. A graphic t-shirt, ripped boyfriend jeans, heels, converse… you name it and it can be paired. I personally love pairing this one with casual t-shirts like this peplum or even a graphic t-shirt like the one I made here. If you want to add an interesting flair to your outfit this is the way to go. Band tees also look so cute because you’re pairing edgy with preppy for an interesting outfit.

If you love cardigans this will be your next best friend.

Personally, I’m a huuuuuuuge fan of cardigans. I think they can make you feel like you’re at home even when you’re doing overtime or at a weird sporting event. If you love cardigans and just want to look a little bit more polished, opt for a longer blazer. This will instantly make you feel just as cozy as your favorite cardigan. It is the perfect staple for an interview or professional event.

If you are about to graduate or have recently entered the adult world… it’s time you pick up a blazer. This is the perfect piece for when you want to nail a new job interview or have a work event. Plus, it instantly will make you feel more grown up. Just be careful that your blazer fits your personality and age. It’s a hard line to cross but I have the utmost faith in you that you’ll nail it. To nail it just opt for a fun color… you can’t go wrong.

Don’t feel like you have to stick to neutral colors like black, white, or navy. Step outside the box.

The best part about blazers is they come in a million and a half colors, patterns, and materials. So why go the safe route? Pick up that bright red one or rainbow pattern one. Or you can meet me half way and pick up an adorable blush pink blazer. It’s perfect for spring and will match all the white/light jeans you’re about to pull out from the depths of your closet.

Instant confidence boost.

I put on this blazer like I’m putting on a superhero cape. I don’t know what it is but when I’m wearing a blazer I feel invincible. Blazers have the same exact powers as a good pair of booties (will be talking about the ones I’m currently wearing asap), a good mascara, and even the same powers as your lucky t-shirt. So why limit your blazer to your interview or work day? Feel confident in what you’re wearing every single day.

Blazer 1 | Blazer 2 | Blazer 3 | Blazer 4 | Blazer 5

So there you have it… I give you permission to go ahead and buy that blazer and rock it like I know you can. Stay tuned to my next post where I’m going to let you know where the heck I am in these pictures. If you’re impatient like me you can always check out what state I’m visiting on my Instagram here.

What do you think about causally wearing blazers? Do you own any colored blazers? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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P.S. I updated my “About Me” section and I’m super proud of the way it came out. Check it out by clicking here.

4 Ways to Transition Your Winter Clothes into Spring

Published on February 6, 2018February 13, 2018 by PeculiarPorter16 Comments

Okay, so maybe the groundhog saw his shadow but that doesn’t stop me from wearing my spring colors proudly. I’ve been breaking my spring clothes out one by one in hopes that it will change the weather. I mean, a girl can only hope. Luckily, I’m actually in California escaping the brutal cold. But eventually, I’m going to have to go back to east coast and face the facts that it’s still pretty chilly. To prepare myself and you… here are four tips for transitioning your clothing into winter.

Jeans (Sale!)| Shirt (Similar)|Bag (Similar) | Jacket (Similar)

Brighten up your dark, winter clothes by sprinkling a few light pieces in.

During the winter, I always get into a funk that is just waiting for the day where I can throw on all of my light colored pieces. I literally couldn’t handle the dark hues anymore so I broke out this awesome white, bucket bag to curve my craving. So pack up the dark hues and break out the light colors. If you think it’s too early, you can gradually do it one piece at a time.

Play with florals.

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. I know, you’ve heard this line a thousand times, but in reality, it makes sense. Flowers pop up all over the place during spring so it only makes sense to celebrate by wearing them. What you can do is wear florals in different ways in order to stand out. Wear a scrunchie, scarf, shoes, or embellished pants with florals to change it up in your spring wardrobe. Plus, you can mix and match these samples with some of your old winter wardrobe. Ahh, versatility in it’s finest.

Layer with a chunky sweater to keep you warm.

Spring is very similar to fall in the idea that the temperatures drop all of the time. You can wake up in the morning and it’ll be below 10°F and then by mid lunch it will be 40°F. You never know what you’re going to get so that is why you should be prepared for anything. Throw on a t-shirt under a chunky sweater so that if it does get too hot you can instantly cool down. Plus, another way to layer a chunky sweater is to tuck it into a maxi skirt or belted over a maxi dress. The possibilities are endless.

Bare a little ankle.

S-c-a-n-d-a-l-o-u-s! Be a little rebellious and show a little ankle. Okay, not quite rebellious but it’s a great way to ‘warm’ up an outfit. By showing a little ankle you’re practically screaming “go away winter!” Hey, maybe if we all do it winter will go away for good. Worth a shot. Cuffing up your pants or wearing a low bootie instantly makes your outfit look spring ready.

What are some of your favorite ways to transition winter into spring? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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The Ultimate Schedule to Surviving Your Commute to Work

Published on January 11, 2018January 11, 2018 by PeculiarPorter11 Comments

Now if you saw my last outfit post you’re probably wondering why there are leaves on the ground instead of two feet of snow. I must admit, these pictures were taken before we were pummeled with snow and the temperatures dropped to a staggering 5°F. So if I were to be dressed for the temperatures now I’d definitely be throwing on some boots, a hat, and a scarf. Luckily for me, the temperatures have been rising this week (50°F today and 56°F Friday) and this outfit seems like it almost fits in… okay, fine maybe I’m just crossing my fingers for an early spring. Nonetheless, let’s get into the real reason for this post.

As some of you already know because of this post, I commute an hour to and from work each day (sometimes longer). I constantly get asked how I survive this insane commute so I decided to come up with a day by day guide on how I survive.

Monday: Radio

Monday morning moods are a serious thing. After having a fun or relaxing weekend, I like to just not think in the morning. So I turn on the radio and start listening to the morning banter of the talk show hosts. If you live in Connecticut, my favorite radio stations are KISS 95.7, HOT 93.7, Country 92.5, STAR 99.9, and KC 101. STAR 99.9 is my favorite radio station to listen to in the morning because of the two radio hosts, Raven and Anna, do a segment called “couple’s court” where the audience picks who is right an who is wrong in a fight.

Tuesday: Singing in the Car

By Tuesday morning I’ll most likely take a break from the radio and listen to some of my favorite playlists on Spotify. I literally have my own playlist of “Singing in the Car.” Yeah, embarrassing I know… but if I ever go to karaoke with you be sure to bring your A-Game with you because I’ll know most of the words. If you want to survive the commute I suggest making a playlist for singing in the car. Trust me, it’s embarrassing but it’ll keep you entertained while you’re in traffic for two and a half hours. If you want a quick singing in the car playlist this is mine. Warning: you may get Adele or you may get ScHoolboy Q.

Coat | Sweater (Similar)| Jeans (Same Style Different color) |Necklace

Wednesday: Audio Books

I am a member of Audible that allows me to get a “free” audiobook every month. It’s not really free because you’re spending $14.95 on just that one book. Most audiobooks are pretty expensive due to the amount of time and editing it takes to actually make an audiobook so it is a pretty good deal in the end. So far the audiobooks I’ve listened to are “Content Inc.,” by Joe Pulizzi, “Tales from the Back Row” by Amy Odell, “#GirlBoss” by Sophia Amoruso, “Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job, Kill it in Your Career, Rock Social Media,” by Aliza Licht, and “Over-Dressed The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion,” by Elizabeth L. Cline. I’ve loved each and every one of these books for different reasons. If you’re into fashion and blogging all five of these books would be a perfect match for you.

Thursday: Small Town Murder Podcast

Thursdays are my favorite day to commute because my favorite podcast releases a new episode every Thursday. Okay, I admit it’s a totally morbid and sometimes rude podcast, but I’m obsessed with Small Town Murder. James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman make an invincible team that goes into depth talking about murders that occur in small towns. Plot twist: they’re both comedians who make fun of the murderers while explaining the story. It sounds so morbid but after one episode you’ll be hooked.

Friday: Free for all

Friday really depends on my what is going on that upcoming weekend. Sometimes I’m in the mood to sing to songs and sometimes I’m ready to dive deeper into my audiobook. Fridays are usually the best days because sometimes people take a long weekend and take it off. This means the traffic is light and my tunes are tuning.

Let me know how you survive your long commute in the comments down below.

As always,

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Lavender By the Bay- Long Island

Published on July 5, 2017 by PeculiarPorter18 Comments

Hello darling! Was your Fourth of July full of spark and fizz? Something about the parade of red, white, and blue fills up the cheerful patriot in me. I spent this past weekend like a true American in good ole’ Long Island. If you follow me on my Instagram you probably already caught a glimpse on my weekend where I fished in the bay and in the ocean, ate delicious food, and learned how to shuck an oyster thanks to Robert/Finest Tide Oysters.

Part of this weekend was spent exploring the beautiful Lavender by the Bay field located in East Marion, New York. I’ve passed this little site for quite some time on my way to and from the Orient Point Ferry. My excitement was over the roof because instead of smelling the flowers from the road, I actually got to see all of the purple glory up close.

Decorated all around the lavender fields are these adorable crafted signs saying things like “Lavender is Bliss,” “Live Life in Full Bloom,” and so much more. Some my older readers might remember this old post from 2015 talking about the importance of bees. I have a huge soft spot in my heart for bees despite being stung by a hive when I was little. Some of you may know that the bee numbers have drastically decreased due to pesticides. It’s up to us top plant bee friendly plants, such as lavender, to make sure that these lovely creatures don’t go anywhere. Without these sweet little friends, say goodbye to delicious foods such as apples, blueberries, cherries, broccoli, leafy greens, cucumbers, pumpkins, almonds, avocados, and so much more. Planting lavender not only helps the bees but it also helps keep mosquitos away. So it’s a no-brainer plant some lavender and help the bee population!

Now some of you may think it’s weird that I wore an all black outfit to a hot, lavender field. Yes, I admit it may not have been my smartest decision, but I needed to show you guys this adorable dress I scored at American Eagle. It’s currently on sale right now for $20! I’m really just obsessed with these side ties. There is nothing like a dress that is totally unexpected and a little out of my comfort zone to force me to pull out my wallet. I paired this bold dress with a huge statement necklace from Forever 21 and these Steve Madden shoes that aren’t pictured in this post (my bad!). If you end up going to this adorable lavender field throw on some sandals and a light colored dress… you’ll be much happier than if you wore a black dress.

And of course… what is a trip without a little perusing around a gift shop? The lavender field has this adorable little gift shop filled with lavender scented pillows, oils, lotions, soap, and so much more. The shop even sells lavender in large bundles and big lavender bushes if you want to take the field home with you. Fun fact: unlike other flowers, when when lavender is cut you don’t put it in a vase with water. It is actually better if you dry them so that they don’t rot and keep their smell.

If you’re ever in the north fork of Long Island or catching a ferry in Orient Point this is definitely a spot to check out. What did you do over the Forth of July weekend? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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Spring Outfit Recap 2017

Published on June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 by PeculiarPorter13 Comments

Hello darling! Guess what day tomorrow is? The first day of summer. It is crazy how fast time flies. I’ve already graduated a little over a month ago… and guess what… yesterday, I accepted my first job. I’m incredibly thrilled and excited to start my new position as a social media coordinator in two weeks. I’m so happy I can finally delete the ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn apps off my phone. Bye-bye job search and hello working girl status.

Styling Jean Jacket

Billie Jean is Not My Lover

I was extremely excited to buy my first jean jacket. I know, it is probably super embarrassing that I’ve never had one before and I should hide all evidence that I never had one before. Luckily for you, I’m pretty open with you guys and I show how I made this jean jacket my own.

DIY Blake Lively Jeans

Okay, I’m completely biased but this post is 100% my favorite out of this spring collection… maybe even my favorite post on my blog. I show you how you can turn a cheap pair of jeans into this chic, boho pair of painted jeans. If you need some spunk in your current wardrobe definitely check out this post. You could even do it to a pair of shorts.

How to Get Away With Wearing Pastels, Pleats, and Polka-dots

If mint pants aren’t your cup of tea these ones are about to. Sometimes polka-dots can be tricked to pair with other elements, but I show you how you can add the perfect amount of sassy to your favorite polka-dot pair of jeans.

What I’ll Remember Most About Siena College

Okay, so if you click on that link be prepared for a tear jerker. I think back on all of the amazing times I had at Siena college and try not to cry my eyes out. Also, I show case all of my friends rocking their best formal gear.

Senior Cruise

This senior event was a little bit more casual than our formal but all the seniors still killed the game. I’m already counting down the day until the next time I can wear this blue dress. P.S. it is on sale right now and comes in black!

Siena College Champagne Toast

Take a sneak peak into one of the best traditions Siena College has. Plus, I show you a peak at all our graduation caps.

Siena College’s Graduation

Ahh, yes the dreaded moment where we all enter the real world. I’m not going to lie I balled my eyes out at graduation when they played a sappy video of all the moments the class of 2017 shared together. 63 days until 100 days post gradation where I get to see the lovely class again.

How To Spice Up a Graphic Tee

Let me show you a few of the tricks I have up my sleeve when it comes to styling a graphic tee. Graphic tees are definitely a key fashion piece for any fashionista.

Stripes that Flatter

I’ll admit, finding the right stripes for your body can be a tricky adventure. Check out a few of my tips on how I find the perfect stripes for my body.

Why You Need Pointed Flats in Your Life

If you don’t already own pointed flats in your life check out this post on why you’re making the biggest mistake of your life. Nuff said.

Now one of the biggest updates I did this spring was create a Facebook page where you can keep up to date on my blog posts. I’m going to start posting more on it so I’ll hopefully see you stay up to date on some of my fun posts coming up. But if you want to see the best inside scoop on what my day to day life is I would check out my Instagram. I’ve been on a following frenzy so I’ll be sure to check out your Instagram as well.

So what was your favorite look? I’m between my DIY post and my Graphic Tee post. Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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