May 22, 2013

Savouring spring at Skaha Bluffs (in my Freddies overalls)






Outfit details


Floral print scarf: L.C. Fashions consignment store
White plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's
Pink button front shirt: Costco
Vintage reproduction overalls (dungarees): Freddies of Pinewood
Wee little yellow wildflower tucked in my pocket: Mother Nature :)
Pink beaded stretch bracelets: Forever 21
Striped purse: Jones New York
Black 1940s style shoes: Thrifted (Salvation Army)
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Antonio Cangiano





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Last summer, in a post entitled The Intrepid Urban Explorer, I touched on the fact that I truly love to investigate and enjoy as much of the surrounding area as I possibly can. This hasn't been the only post in which this subject was raised, nor will today's be the last, I'm sure - especially when you're blessed to live a part of the world that is nothing short of breath-takingly beautiful and which always seems to offer up a new corner to explorer.

On a gloriously sunny Saturday a few days before I went in for my surgery (yes, I know, I've said almost the same thing in my last two outfit posts, too, but as I knew it would be several weeks afterwards before I'd be well enough to leave the house and take such snaps, I made sure to have a few, like today's photos, waiting in the wings to use in the weeks to follow), after a morning of garage saling both in Penticton and Kelowna, Tony and I decided to cap off the day by venturing to the outskirts of town and up a rather traitorous stretch of road.

If you've ever seen the TV show Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads, picture the mind-blowingly narrow, straggly, precipice banked roads they traversed and you'll get a picture of just how dangerous the path we were on is. Lest you think I'm kidding, we have a medium sized sedan (not a huge car by any stretch of the imagination) and we could scarcely fit on the road, which I kid you not, is designed to somehow (miraculously) allow for two cars to inch past each other, one coming in either direction.

Not since I was a backseat passenger in my parents minivan on snowy winter evening trips up and down the Coquihalla Highway have I been so on the edge of my seat, muttering silent prayers of safety under my breath the whole time, as I was while we made our way up the road that one has to take if they want to go see the Skaha Bluffs.

Fortunately, it's not a terribly long road and once you reach the top, there's ample parking spot and a view of all of Penticton that is so majestic, you'd happily return again on a camel, if you had to.

Despite being a 489 hectare provincial park located just a few minutes away from town, this was the first time I'd ever been up to the Bluffs in all the many years I've lived in the area, and we couldn't have asked for nicer weather on the day when we bravely headed up that way (we had no idea beforehand that the road was so frighteningly narrow).

The warm-as-melted-butter sunshine had drawn plenty of other outdoor enthusiasts that day, some of whom had come to hike, rock climb, or bird watch, and others (like us) who just wanted to soak up fresh air and savour the view - and of course, if you happen to be a vintage fashion blogger, take some outfit snaps.

Having a new puppy in the house, my Freddies jeans and overalls have been getting more wear over the past couple of months than in all the time I'd owned them previously up until this point, as one does not want to risk having a very rambunctious dog accidentally damage a less durable item of vintage or repro clothing.

These overalls are also a great go-to piece for days when I'm yard saling (warm, comfy, sturdy, pockets - what's not to love!), and the two reasons combined is why I was sporting them that Saturday. We'd not begun the day knowing that we'd be headed up to the Bluffs, but the fact that we did added a third reason why they were the perfect thing to wear for a spot of wilderness fun.

A woven raffia bag, pink button front shirt, pair of iridescent pale pink stretch bracelets, cute floral print scarf, and my endlessly reliable 1940s style black shoes rounded out the look.

I love the fact that even though Penticton isn't terribly large, it - and it’s many surrounding towns, communities and off-the-beaten-path locations - offer up such an abundance of things to do and see - not to mention serve as fantastic photographic backdrops.

I'm really looking forward to the coming summer weather months and the numerous local places, new and old alike, that I hope we'll get to explore - trusty camera in hand every step (and steep mountain curve) of the way.

64 comments:

  1. Those overalls are fan-tas-tic! And I love the scarf! So pretty <3

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  2. Normally, I am not an overalls person, but you make them look very glamorous! The whole outfit is terrific, and I especially love your hair tied back with that lovely scarf.

    Roads like the one you navigated for your magnificent view are absolutely not my cup of tea. I have had more than my share of freak-out moments on such roads, most notably on a trip to Crater Lake, Oregon and on trips to Yellowstone National Park.

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  3. You look adorable! I love your overalls and have thought about getting a pair myself but I own two pairs of their jeans and neither of them fit me properly so I have been a little hesitant, albeit one pair I bought on ebay with the thoughts that they were a size larger than the pair I already owned, but getting them home, they measured pretty close to the same. I think the owner might have shrunk them in the wash actually. So, anyway, Ive hung onto them hoping I might lose a little weight. HA! Yeah right! I may just have to go on and sell them and try for another pair, I just hate to pay that shipping.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Denise. I completely understand what you mean losing what you paid in shipping. I've held onto things a few times over the years that didn't really end up working for me, for much longer than I should have (aka, should have just turned around and resold them) for that very reason (it usually costs so much to ship things to - and from -Canada, you very rarely recoup that money, I find, when relling).

      I'm sorry that second pair you bought on eBay wasn't the right size. Isn't it frustrating when sellers aren't spot on with the accuracy of their measurements? Whether too small or too large, I run into that sometimes, too (interestingly, I'd say too large has been more common, but both happen for sure). Fingers crossed that if you ever decide to try your luck with a third pair, they'll be a perfect fit.

      ♥ Jessica

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  4. Yay for Freddies overalls! They are the only redeeming feature of an impending Winter....hope mine still fit!
    Yours show off your gorgeous waist to perfection! x

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  5. So cute! These adorable pictures make me wish we lived on a farm and you were my older sister.

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  6. I know just what you mean about adventuring. It's one of my favorite things to do!! It's exciting to be back home and re-explore all of my old favorite adventuring spots. Now if I could just look as chic and polished as you while doing it ;) Tell that sweet little puppy I said hello! xo

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  7. Great outfit! I've always wanted to wear overalls but I just can't pull them off. I look like some farmers daughter and not in a good way.

    One of the great things about moving to Northern Nevada is that there are so many interesting places to hike to or drive around. We're only 20 minutes away from Lake Tahoe and that has some awesome trails and views. There was one spot where I had to look at the floor as Jess was driving on a road that had absolutely no shoulder. You went over too far on the road and you would be rolling down a hill. it was frightful but worth it. We were able to see the lake and a wonderful waterfall.

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  8. What an adorable outfit and that unplanned trip to the Bluffs sounds fab! I love unplanned trips, they so often turn out to be dreamy days that go into our memory banks for many future visits! :D
    How is that new puppy doing anyway... we need to see more pictures my dear friend! :D
    Hugs,
    Beth P
    If some or all of this email doesn't make sense somewhere it is due to the pain meds I'm taking for the tooth extraction two days ago... ouch, ouch, ouch... and why did I think it wouldn't hurt afterwards? Thanks goodness for pain killers! :D

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  9. You wear pink so well, I´m a bit jealous :). I bet that forest hasn´t seen a more glamorous visitor for 50 years!

    Also: There´s sunshine in your pictures! It´s warming just to look at them. Oh my, I miss the sun so much. Why did it have to go on spring vacation?

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    1. Thank you very much, dear gal! I'm a firm believer that almost anyone can wear any colour, it's just a matter of finding the right shade or shades. For example, yellow and orange are both tricky ones for me, but in either case, so long as I stick with either really pale or really dark, rich hues (like saffron and pumpkin), I tend to be ok. If you like pink, I encourage you to keep trying different shades, chances are there's one out there that will look amazing on you.

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. You look fantastic as always! Those overalls look great and I bet are very comfortable to wear. I have a pattern for a pair of 40s style overalls but have yet to make them.
    I really enjoy your photos and outfit posts and find myself needing to do some of my own.
    -Emily

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  11. Your outfit is adorable! I love the scarf and pretty beaded bracelet!

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  12. You look so cute in your overalls. Ready for just about any adventure! The pink shirt is perfectly matched with your Freddies:)) Beautiful photographs!

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  13. You look fab, the Freddies really suit you, especially with the pink shirt and accessories - the pics/look remind me of 1940s pics

    xox

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  14. Ah you look adorable! I have these overalls too, aren't they a dream come true!

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    1. They really are! I had to hem mine (ok, safety pin hemming job technically) because I'm fairly short (5'2"), but they didn't look any of their streamlined appeal in the process, which is great.

      ♥ Jessica

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  15. You look splendid! I've been admiring those Freddie's for a while - they just look so great on everyone I see them in! I'm always so wary of throwing down $$$ when I can't see something in person first (or especially try them on!) But... so practical & flattering, I should save up.

    Regardless of how frightening the trek was, that scenery sure looks worth it! The shot of the sun coming through the trees is so perfect, I can almost smell the pine trees.

    xo Sara

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Sara! I hear you loud and clear when it comes to having trepidations at times about splashing out some serious cash on something you haven't tried on in person (I'm the exact same way). My one main word of advice about Freddies is that (at least the pants I've bought from them so far) don't have any stretch (and fit very true to the measurements listed on their website), so if you're between sizes, I'd probably go up one size.

      Huge hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. oh wow how absolutely cute and adorable you look! that dungaree is a dream on you and the pink shirt is the perfect match!
    and what a beautiful location! that picture where the light turns the trees into gold is so beautiful!
    love and kiss,mary

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  17. Gosh, between you and Jill, I want to go to Canada! It looks so beautiful up there. I love your Freddies! They are so cute and so flattering. I'm off to pick up some more fabric tonight to sew my wearing history overalls. Can't wait to wear them!!

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    1. Thank you very much, honey! How exciting that you're off to pick up some fabric for your news Wearing History overalls - if I was a sewer, I'd be all of that fantastic pattern, too. Can't wait to see the final product!

      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* I'm certain you would utterly adore Canada - please know that you always have an open invite if you should happen to be in my neck of the Canadian woods.

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  18. I love your overalls! They look so perfect for puppies, outdoors and just general comfiness.

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  19. Jessica you look fabulous, love the overalls too :) very country pumpkin look :) love it :)
    Hope summer comes very soon for you :)

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  20. Love those overalls! I would love to buy a pair, but with being so tall I would probably have to make them, and I have never worked with denim before.

    I actually went exploring today with my sister. It was fun even though we ended up with a bunch of ticks, but alls wells that ends well :)

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    1. Hi sweet Abbi Jane, being in quite the opposite boat (I'm barely 5'2"), I needed to hem these a few inches, but couldn't say for sure if they'd be long enough for someone of your beautiful, statuesque height. Adding an extra couple inches (or more) of trim or fabric to the hems could always be an idea (say, classic red flannel plaid or some cute gingham).

      Yikes about the ticks - that's frightening for sure.

      ♥ Jessica

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  21. You look so adorable in these overalls, match made in heaven! x

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  22. Such a fabulous look! I love your Freddies, I've wanted to have an overall like this for a long time.

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  23. You look adorable. Love your pants, I don't like to wear pants, but this one look so good :).

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  24. I'm freaking out about your precarious trip to get there! But it looks so serene up there..so probably worth the scares. I can't believe that you manage to make overalls look so feminine. I'm not sure if its the pink blouse or the floral scarf but you look truly girly in those most manly pants. xx Shauna

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  25. very cute outfit and lovely background

    kate

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  26. What perfectly fantastic overalls! They have a lovely vintage style and look very sturdy indeed, they should last you a long time. I do love your country look with the pink shirt and little yellow flower. These are really great photos too - that shot of the sun through the trees looks like a frame from a movie.

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  27. Hello dear Jessica,
    Wow...spring! It seems like winter was only beginning a short time ago. You look like you were having a wonderful day!
    I am so excited about the coming of summer and vacation time.
    I am enjoying your Pinterest pinnings...so many yummy food items!
    I am blogging once again.
    ♥Hope

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  28. I hope you feel as wonderful as you look :)

    Pink is definitely your colour. It loves you!

    Hugs,

    Kymberlee

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Kymberlee. Still very much recovering (these snaps were taken a few days before my surgery), but doing a bit better some days. Oddly tired this week though. I've slept for about 40 of the past 48 hours, for example. Hopefully I'll be a bit more awake this weekend - hard to believe it's the last one in May!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. Good to see an outfit that looks great, is comfy, is stylish and is still practical. What a beautiful part of the world you live in, the scenery is stunning!

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  30. Overalls never looked better ! what a great pair :)

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  31. This outfit is so darling, Jessica!! You make any outfit beautiful! :) I think that's why I want a larger quantity of pants in my wardrobe. With three dogs and two cats, I would hate for anything to happen to my lovely vintage duds.

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  32. Jessica, you are a doll and let me just say that you pull off overalls like nobody could. I for one could never wear the, but you are a doll in them. I love your spirit. Soft hugs, Beverly

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  33. What a great look! I adore your headscarf and the overalls are so fun!
    xx
    http://thescreensiren.com

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  34. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of overalls, but you look incredibly sweet and feminine!
    Wishing you a lovely weekend. :)

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  35. Gosh you are adorable. It's too much to handle. So cute! The last time I wore overalls they were of the maternity kind. As I only had two maternity outfits I was so sick of them I became determined to never wear overalls again....you have me reconsidering that plan!

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  36. You look adorable!!! You're rockin those overalls!

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  37. You were brave! I get really frightened on roads like that. I would call what you're wearing dungarees - are they any different to overalls? Anyway, they are one of my favourite items you own, as you were wearing them the first post I saw you in I think! They are so good for days when a pretty dress would get spoiled and to be honest they are so much cuter than my staple skinny jeans! One day I might get up enough courage to try some new styles, in the meantime I will enjoy looking at your lovely posts.

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Philippa! I have zero qualms with saying that I was a bit frightened that day, too. It was a gorgeous afternoon and I'm glad we went up the Bluffs, but knowing the road now, I don't think I'd be in a hurry again to do it anytime soon.

      Yes, indeedy, overalls and dungarees are one in the same. They're just known by different names on each side of the Atlantic.

      Tons of hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  38. Do you love your Freddies overalls? They look stupendous on you.

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    1. Thank you very much, darling gal! I really do adore my Freddies overalls (and the other Freddies pants I have) something fierce. The denim I've bought from Freddies has been the only vintage or repro trousers/jeans to date that have ended up fitting right on my short, curvy body. I'm a loyal fan because of this for sure! :)

      Thank you for all of your awesome comments today, I really appreciate them!

      ♥ Jessica

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  39. Oh you are just too cute for words in this outfit! Love the scarf and you look down right huggable in your rosy pink tones!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  40. you look so great in pants. casual but lovely.

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  41. Beautiful outfit, elegant woman, gorgeous setting! Yet another splendid outfit post from you, Jessica! Love it all, as i do every time. Especially your overalls. Classic. :) And i love your pink button down blouse. The shade looks divine on you. And goes with the overalls and your floral scarf perfectly. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

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  42. You look fabulous, actually you fabulous in every vintage outfit... And I also love my Freddies overalls, everything of Freddies is just so wonderful!

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    1. That's awesomely lovely of you to say, thank you very much, my dear gal.

      Freddies are tops in my books, too. I have three pairs of pants (including these overalls) and some tops from them, and adore each piece to no end.

      ♥ Jessica

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  43. i love the way you wore these overalls! if someone gave them to me and asked me to style them i wouldn't have a clue how to do it and feel comfortable in them at all, but you look fantastic! this is such a perfect, laid back outfit for a day out on the weekend, i love it!

    little henry lee

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  44. This outfit is so sweet! Love it! I've been on the hunt for more cotton headscarves these days...they just stay put so much easier, don't they?

    Nick and I love to explore Manitoba and visit new parks and towns. We always try to bring the pup with us when we can. He loves car rides.

    Lisa.

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  45. Adventuring on those sorts of roads certainly bring about an appreciation for the flat and wide ones, doesn't it? You look positively stunning, as usual!

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  46. You look phenomenal in those overalls! I've never seen such a girly and retro take on this trend. I totally dig it! I love the slouchy fit, and your head scarf is so cute.

    May the force be with you.
    Emily

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  47. I love your outfits! Always looking stunning!

    fashionistainthedark.blogspot.com

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  48. That head scarf is so cute.

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  49. Jessica, you are always an inspiration! I don't comment so much in the blogs that i follow, but everytime that i can, i visit one by one, and yours is one of my favourites. You have a wonderful taste to choose outfits, they are always fabulous. xo

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  50. I have been wanting a pair of Freddie's for ages!! But as I am so very short, bleh, I have been afraid to try them out. This post is motivating me to finally make the purchase!!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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    1. I'm a petite lass myself (barely 5'2") and with a bit of hemming, I've had no problem getting my freddies (jeans and overalls) to work wonderfully on my short legs (don't let these snaps fool you, I do not have long legs at all!!!). I think that because most of their pants are designed to be high waisted, it doesn't affect their overall appearance very much (if at all) if you slash/hem a few inches off the bottom.

      I'd love to hear what you think of Freddies pants if you do get some one day, dear gal.

      ♥ Jessica

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  51. Hello dear, after pinning after those dungarees ever since I saw those pictures of you, I ordered them today! I am so excited about them and hope to get a lot of wear out of them for autumn.

    I put on a lot of weight on the past couple of years and was surviving only wearing the few clothes that still fit me from before, but I was miserable doing that, with a full wardrobe and most of them didn't fit me.

    On the past couple of months I have been putting clothes aside for donation and I am still not ready with that. And finally I am investing on a vintage wardrobe.

    My best friend in Brazil is the one that introduced me to vintage fashion on our late teens (we have been best friends since we were 10 years old and studied for 6 years on the same school and always on the same class) and it was love at first sight, but even though everybody knows we have incredibly similar taste on most things (once we even arrived with the same costume for a zombie walk we organised, and we had no idea what the other one was dressed as, we even bought it on the same place and everybody thought we had planned for both to be flight attendants), I restrained myself from starting to buy clothes on that style, as I thought it would be perceived by others as imitating her.

    I moved to Germany in 2010 and now, two years and a half later, living away from her, I finaly dont care anymore if when I do go to Brazil to visit and go out with her if anybody will think I dress like that to copy her. I know I love the style, just as she does, and we are the best of friends and just have really similar tastes, which is pretty awesome if you think about it, as we could have grown up to be complete opposites of each other.


    So, now I am building an wardrobe that not only fits but is the style that I have been admiring for almost 10 years. I am happier than I remember being with my clothes, EVER.

    You have been a source of great inspiration, but the two pieces from you that left me drooling were this freddie's dungarees and the navy pinafore dress from Jitterbugin (I dream to have it in green and in navy someday).

    Thank you so much for introducing me to so many amazing brands and being a source of inspiration.

    xo,
    Uila

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