So... it's been a minute, hasn't it? Well I have very good reasons as to why it's been almost five months since my last update, I promise. The last half of 2018 was a serious game changer for me personally because I moved into my VERY first apartment. I simply had no time to find inspiration to update as I was overwhelmed with creating my place into something I could call a home. I found that I couldn't spread that inspiration into another area of my life, so there was none left to sit down and create an upload schedule. I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been looking forward to the Mostly Lisa Holiday Gift Guide series. It saddens me to say this, however, I will no longer be doing that series in the future. It really no longer makes sense to do so and I hope everyone understands. That being said, I will still update occasionally when the mood strikes, like it has today!

The first post of 2019 (btw, Happy New Year's, everyone!) is something I am thrilled to share since it is part of my favorite series on this blog - My Style File - and it features this absolutely STUNNER of a dress from ModCloth. I came across it while looking for an outfit that would kill it at my work holiday party and it was one of the first things that caught my eye. While it was outside of my normal budget, I treated myself and have no regrets. When I first put the dress on, it made me feel like I had transported to Old Hollywood while attending a movie premier. The blue velvet is glamorous and the "kimono-style half sleeves, surplice bodice, and wrap-inspired skirt of this sashed gown will leave you feeling as though you've stepped into your own cinematic experience." 

The aesthetic of this dress also called for vintage T-strap heels that were easily found on Unique Vintage, a clutch from Torrid with stars adorned in glitter and these beautiful crystal embellished hair pins from Crown & Glory. With all of this put together, I was definitely ready to step into the spotlight.

My vision is complete!

There has been something about this summer. I can't quite put my finger on it, on what has changed and what has made these past few months so satisfying. Maybe it's that I'm actually content with life, at where I'm at and where I'm going and what I felt this time last year isn't relevant anymore. It just isn't relevant. What a pressure lifted. While I still hold some weight on my shoulders, probably always will, I have been able to enjoy things easier than I have in the past - like updating Mostly Lisa here and there, going on spontaneous adventures with friends and enjoying these luxurious summer nights driving with the windows down. Listening to Ella Vos, Exes, Bleachers. Singing and then talking back forth, especially about the perfect summer trends.

So many conversations in person and online about those trends. Since it is the end of the second week of August, I am trying to cram in one big trend of finding summer dresses to wear to work and on those adventures. Luckily, there have been many to choose from and I have only just scratched the surface of wearing and finding them. My last post included one of the finds, however, I had to talk about this black challis crochet maxi shirt dress from Torrid, which has easily become my favorite casual summer dress this year. The 3/4 length sleeves are perfect to keep the look casual and are my type of sleeve. I paired this look with the same boater hat and flats (yeah, I totally changed in the woods for this photoshoot) to tie it all together. Ugh, I love this summer and I do not want it to end. Who wants to be swept away with me into a romantic next few weeks? I'll be here waiting in my many dresses.

The last couple months have had me dreaming and envisioning hot, lazy, romantic summer days. The type of days that you can really enjoy from sunrise to sunset. Weekends are my particular favorite; staying up until the sky is pitch black, listening to music with the windows open and the cool (or slightly warm) breeze filling up the space of my room. These particular days have included wondering around lush, green fields and truly embracing how beautiful nature can be, even in your own backyard. Clothing can be optional, however, I mostly imagine myself wearing loose cotton or linen dresses that flow in the wind and reveal patches of skin underneath.

If you dream it, make it happen! The idyllic train of thought carried over into my decision to purchase this comfortable cold-shoulder dress from torrid. It is exactly the type of dress I would wear if I were to be on a date during a romantic summer night. I really enjoy this type of silhouette as it hugs the curves in the right places, and can show off your flirtatious side if you want. Since I was not on a date, sadly, I decided to go towards the comfortability of it. Pairing with a boater hat, a pair of flats and a kate spade new york crossbody bag, my vision was almost ready. To make it all come together, I found a second dress that will carry over into a part two next week.  Stay tuned!  P.S. I recommend checking out my IG for some smaller dreams that have come true.

The weather in Minnesota for the past couple of months has been unbearable. It's supposed to be spring, right? With 20 degree temps, the white stuff deterring the green stuff from showing and just plain gloomy days, I am consistently looking for ways to make these long days feel a little brighter.

The age old trend of florals for spring will more than likely never stop bringing a huge sigh of disappointment from those high-end fashionistas. However, there are now so many different ways to wear the trend that options are limitless for anyone willing to try. I, for one, am never going to tire from this trend so I knew I hit the jackpot when I found this stunning Who What Wear x Target ruffle slit dress featuring a gorgeous floral pattern that I had not seen before. (similar).

This dress in particular has given me so many compliments from so many different people that I simply want to wear it every time I go out. It has become a staple piece for my wardrobe and it's so much fun being able to mix and match various accessories with it. For this version, I paired it with an adorable belt from Target featuring a fox head clasp. To complete the look, I slipped into these comfortable tan braided booties. Think work appropriate that can easily transition into a date night look. This one's for you, Miranda Priestly!

If you follow me on Instagram, you have already seen a few glimpses of a shoot I did a week ago with E.L. Photography featuring this stunning ASOS Curve floral tea dress. You may also already be able to tell, but I'm a tiny bit obsessed with how all of this turned out. I keep looking through all the photos and can't believe that the person in the photographs, is me. I've never felt so beautiful before, like truly beautiful and glamorous, even before the flash went off. Being a vain person is not in my mentality, but I had to say, "hot damn, Lisa!" after I saw this whole retro look put together. Wearing this dress definitely makes me feel like I've stepped into another era, and with the backdrop of the Union Depot - it all turned out exactly how I imagined this My Style File to be.

There was also a need to have the best accessories with this retro-inspired dress, and I luckily didn't have to look very far. My lovely sister had just recently purchased my birthday present - which was a new Kate Spade handbag - that matched perfectly with a pair of Wayfarer sunglasses from Forever 21 + black block heels from Torrid! In the end, everything came together perfectly and this was just the perfect excuse to dress up. I can't wait to wear it again this spring and summer!
What's been one thing that's made you feel fabulous lately? A piece of jewelry? A haircut? Or what about like me - with a particular garment?

It has been such a strange week that I wasn't sure if I necessarily wanted to post something like this during it. It's been a mixed bag of emotions - some happy, some neutral, but mostly sad. I figured I had to chin up and keep going because life is already doing it for me + everyone else. I hope that while we're all trying to get through these last few days of 2016 that you've at least been able to spend some time with family and friends during this holiday season. This time of year can be kind-of a lull between being so festive for four weeks to then realizing that midnight on January 1st is really just another day. I believe it's the night before that counts and that is what today's My Style File post is all about!

Actually celebrating New Year's Eve can be a hit or miss for me. There have been quite a few years past where I've made plans and had them abruptly canceled, to not having any plans and figuring something out last minute, to finally realizing that I may never get a New Year's Eve kiss at midnight in this lifetime. Luckily, this year has panned out to be something that I'm actually really looking forward to. Not only will I be able to spend it with some great people, but I'll be properly dressed to party the night away!
My absolute favorite trend for this year, one that I've talked about several times on here + my other social media channels, is velvet! There has been so much chatter about this deliciously gorgeous trend that I spent probably a month or so trying to find the perfect velvet dress that would make my style dreams come true. I just so happened to have found it through another favorite fashion trend of mine this year - the Who What Wear x Target collection. There were so many things to choose from the collection, but the Women's Velvet Wrap Slip Dress is finally all mine and I couldn't be happier. It's so comfortable, the perfect length and the best thing to layer with when you want to switch your look up. For today's look, I decided to make it a little more casual by pairing a striped tee (similar) from Old Navy underneath. I paired it with the best cheetah glitter clutch from Betsey Johnson, some cute flats and a big statement necklace  I'm thinking for New Year's Eve that I will put something red or sheer on instead to make it a bit more festive, so I'll be all set to watch the big ball drop!

What do you guys think of this outfit? Hit or miss? I'm pretty excited to switch up the top and a few other accessories. Also, let me know what you're wearing for NYE and/or your plans! Hope you all have a lovely time celebrating any way you decide to, we all deserve it this year. xoxo