05 September 2013

A Convenient Blue Dress

blue striped  blue striped

(Random Thursday rambling alert!)

I consider myself lucky to live in a time where there are multitudes of tools out there to help make living my life easier. But as much as I embrace my evolution into a Wall-E era small-boned-no-muscled-blob-on-a-floating-La-Z-Boy, there are still some things that I think my life may do just fine without. Case in point -
  • Geo locating. No one needs to know exactly where I am except me.
  • Watch-on-demand. Because my nephew needs to learn how to wait for his fave shows to come on TV and not be able to just watch his fave episodes of Pokeman and Sponge Bob at any time.
  • Microwaves. Yes, I used mine almost every day. But think of what a better cook I'd probably be without one, and how much better food I'd be eating!
  • Gel manicures. I don't think I could stand staring at the same color nails for two weeks straight.
  • Proactiv vending machines. If a person's got a severe acne problem, are they really going to amble up to one of those things at the mall - where everyone can see - to pick a big ole box of "look at me, I'm got zits!"
  • Smart Cars. I'm not sure how much of a convenience they are, but they're too tiny to be a car. Quit pretending.
blue striped  blue striped

But don't think I abscond away from the modern world. There are some great conveniences that I hope will never go away - 
  • Google Maps. Both for directions and to be nosy and look up someone's address via street view.
  • Camera phones. Now that I have a usable one - I'm looking at you, Blackberry, for years of camera phone fails - I can't imagine not taking a quick pic of a good meal or cutie animal.
  • E-readers. I'm reading more books with more frequency than I ever did sans Kindle.
  • That bank app that lets you take a pic of a check and it deposits the money into your account without you having to drag your butt to the bank. I'm so lazy.
  • Treadmills. I so know that running is a thing that I can do pretty much anywhere, but I don't. Unless it is to run on my treadmill so I can justify its existence in my house.
  • Online shopping and free shipping. I'm all about helping my fellow Americans by making sure my local delivery guys keep their jobs by staying busy.
Are there any modern conveniences that you can (or can't) live without?

blue striped

Dress: J.Crew maritime (worn here - deal, sim, bodycon, not sim but too cute)
Scarf: J.Crew voyager (check stores - sim, simpler, black)
Bracelets: J.Crew wildflower (sim, pricey), factory chainlink, factory stone (sim), Betsey Johnson watch (sim)
Sunglasses: Target
Shoes: Toms (worn here - red version, patent, slingback)
Bag: J.Crew biennial stripe (worn here - same in solid, sim neutral)

Linking up with Tara at Mix & Match Fashion.

85 comments:

  1. I want to recreate everything about this look! Love your scarf with the striped dress! (And I'm with you on Smart Cars. To me they just seem WAY too small to be safe!)

    Lauren
    Fizz and Frosting

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    Replies
    1. They look like glorified shopping carts to me - apologies to anyone who owns one!

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  2. Ditto what Lauren said!! Totally want to steal this look - so bright, fun and comfy too :)

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  3. I totally agree with you on the geo tracking and smart cars. No one needs to know where I am (and I don't care where you "check in" at) and smart cars seem so...dumb. One car hits you and that is it. However, we just went 3 weeks without a microwave and let me tell ya, it was not fun. I didn't think it would be a big deal, but it just ended up being a huge hassle and TONS of washing pans to re-heat up things. Even all my healthy cooking needed to be reheated and doing it with a pan was awful. SO...long live the microwave :) High five for the internet, free shipping and reading your blog!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I whine about a microwave but I do use that thing almost everyday. And complain that it "seizes" up bread products sometimes. And then continue to use it.

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  4. What a gorgeous blue striped dress! Really love the color on you!

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  5. Very cute bag! Black Fleece has a few similar ones on sale right now that I am drooling over.

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  6. Lisa I love and adore this cute look


    Will you like to follow back
    http://sandysandhu.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-flowers-and-butterflies.html

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  7. I wish Elodie couldn't turn on the iPad, load up YouTube & find Thomas the tank engine to watch. More accurately, she watches videos of people unwrapping Thomas kinder surprise. I mean come on, ppl film still stuff?! Anyway she laps it up but she isn't even 2 yet, I'd rather she wasn't a YouTube pro...

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    1. My nephew is a black belt with his (his dad's) iPad. It's amazing to watch how long he can spend mesmerized on it playing games, watching videos, etc.

      Delete
  8. I agree that my e-reader is something I wouldn't want to live without! I've also heard a lot of bad stuff about microwaves, so I wish I could manage without one, but I doubt it.

    Great look BTW! :)

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  9. Love this look! Now that I have a smart phone I can't imagine not having one, no maps, Internet, etc on my phone? Now that's just crazy!
    Ginny

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    Replies
    1. Since I upgraded to the iPhone, I can't remember what it was like to be without moving maps on-demand. Ah, first world problems.

      Delete
  10. Okay I totally think the same thing about those Proactive vending machines.....I mean, really?!? Who wants to walk up and buy Proactive in front of everyone????

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  11. I agree with microwaves (I have one and never use it) and gel manicures, don't need them. But I do like watch-on-demand...I want to watch shows when I want to, not when they're on TV!

    Also, are Proactiv vending machines really a thing???

    Love the blue stripes. Covet them for myself. :)

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    Replies
    1. I've seen those vending machines at airports too. Right next to the vending machines selling iPhones and iPads, etc. Though I guess the electronics vending machines make more sense - though I'd feel weird about handing over several hundred bucks to a machine.

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  12. I love google maps, especially street view! It just keeps getting better and better!

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  13. I couldn't live without Skype. Having all of my family living overseas, I couldn't appreciate this invention more. For years the only way to communicate with my loved ones was through letters or phone calls. I wasn't able to see my sister growing up, until Skype was created.

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    Replies
    1. I've got fam that swears by Skype - even my tech-not-so-savvy dad has it (though I'm not completely convinced he has ever used it).

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  14. I envy your ability to make an infinity scarf look chic and not look like you're being strangled (not like I speak form experience or anything). Also, that color looks stunning on you.

    And I could not live in a world without a/c, global warming be damned. ;p

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    Replies
    1. I feel the cool breeze of A/C blasting in my home right - thank you!

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  15. Having kids, I totally think about this a lot! One day, I found an old VHS that the kids wanted to watch. It confused the hell out of them! "What's rewind?" "Just go to the menu!" "Why does it look like that?" LOL I think we have much more appreciation for patience than they do because we grew up with libraries instead of internet, VHS over Netflix and mixed tapes over Pandora. I love your striped dress!

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    Replies
    1. I know. One of the reasons that Saturday mornings were so cool was because all the good cartoons were on - new episodes!

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  16. Nicely worn !
    I could do without a microwave too, I think geo locating is actually dangerous!
    and I recently in a psychology class we were told that children had to be taught to wait - so no video on demand for your nephew!

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    1. I've seen other people's kids get confused when they do watch actual television - what do you mean they've got to watch the commercials?!

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  17. The maritime dress is literally the best.

    Sorry, but Netflix is a lifesaver. We cancelled our cable and now our daughter only watches TV via the internet (Netflix and Amazon Prime Streaming). She waits for plenty of things and I prefer commercial-free television, and not having to dash into the room because the channel's gone from Disney Preschool to Disney-Tweens-Full-of-Attitude.

    Also the internet and smart phones. And having the internet on your smart phone. And being able to get turn-by-turn directions on the internet, on your smart phone! GOD BLESS YOU technology!

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    Replies
    1. Haha, that's true re: the Disney channel - used to happen all the time with my nephew when he was younger and used to spend afternoon at my parents' home (i.e., no on-demand). Suddenly my dad would turn around and be all like, what the heck is that busty girl in a crop top doing with my pre-K nephew watching?!

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  18. I love the striped dress and scarf! Blue looks great on you.

    -Vogue&Heels
    www.vogueandheels.com

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  19. Ah this outfit is so coastal and fun! Loves it!

    http://chelseypatti.blogspot.com

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  20. I don't use the microwave at home like I do at the office. My kindle is amazing.. I really enjoy traveling with it because before I would load my checked bag down with books and now I don't have to!

    You look great here Lisa! :)

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    Replies
    1. I honestly don't know how I traveled before having my Kindle. What did I do with all that time I now spend reading?!

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  21. Love your dress, it looks so comfy! I totally agree with your rants and raves on modern technologies, especially the pro-active vending machines and e-readers!

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  22. I love this striped dress...and the bag is awesome!

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  23. lmao...on demand. I can't live without my DVR though. I work two jobs, so I'm never home but I have to keep up with my shows!
    -ash
    www.thestylizedwannabe.com

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    Replies
    1. I'm tech-stupid. I'm pretty sure my cable box thing is also a DVR but I have no clue ...

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  24. Loving this easy, breezy look -- the scarf really makes it! One good thing I think about when looking at smart cars -- they would make stressing about parallel parking a thing of the past! ;)

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    Replies
    1. True! But I'd be scared that they get no respect on the road!

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  25. Online shopping has changed my life :)

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  26. I love this dress and it looks really comfy too! The scarf is a perfect pairing with it. I am the type of person who could do without many of the things in our modern, technologically advanced world, however I couldn't live without the internet. I totally agree with you about Smart Cars...aren't they just glorified golf carts? :)

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  27. I definitely agree with the need for Google Maps! I'm pretty sure I've used it every day this week!
    Online shopping is also quite necessary for me, as I love to window shop online at several stores before I decide to buy a specific item.
    A new thing I just recently discovered is mobile check deposit. I may never go to a bank again!

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    Replies
    1. It was really hard to comparison shop before the Internet. Think of all the driving and asking around ...

      Delete
  28. lololol i definitely cannot live without online shopping!!! and bahaha i totally buy my proactiv from a vending machine.. i think sometimes i actually prefer not to have to interact with salespeople HAHA.

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    Replies
    1. Ah, you're one of the reasons they have those vending machines!

      Well, at least that's proof they actually serve a purpose.

      Delete
  29. You're right - geo-locating is a no! Creepy!
    I love the internet and am constantly amazed at all the things that are just a "google" away. I am probably showing my age but I just cannot stop marveling about it!
    xo,cynthia

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  30. I agree with the geo-locating. I HATE those people that feel the need to check in every where with Facebook!
    Thanks for linking up for Favorite Fashion Friday. Hope to see you back tomorrow!
    Tara
    Penniless Socialite

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  31. I'd love to say I agree about the gel manicures because I do get a bit tired of the color, but they're just so great because they're instantly dry and you don't have to worry about them chipping the next day....which is a huge pet peeve of mine.

    Wow, talk about being ridiculous about first world problems!

    xoxo Jackie
    somethingaboutthatthing.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. I agree, gel manis are a nice convenience, but sometimes I want to take the color off myself and put a new one on and it is a freaking mess to try to remove gel manis at home!

      Delete
  32. gosh that dress is so pretty on you and that scarf paired with it is genius! :)

    ~Chioma
    C's Evolution of Style

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  33. I hate geo-locating as well and I'm a bit of a microwave-a-phobe. We actually didn't have one in our last house for about 3 years - you just get used to it, for better or worse. As for things I can't live without? Probably a camera, the internet and A/C.
    FashionEdible

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  34. I love that blue dress, and love the way it is styled with the bag and scarf. I will be getting an I-phone soon, and will be able to take great shots wherever I go: I think I will love that.
    I don't like phones that are smarter than I. I actually want to remember telephone numbers, and I like to know where north and south are...Call me old fashioned!
    Loved this post!
    XX, Elle
    http://mydailycostume.com/

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    Replies
    1. Oh I'm lucky I can remember my own phone # nowadays. If I ever got lost with no phone, I'd be screwed.

      Delete
  35. My mind has gone to mush since iphones. I used to remember phone numbers know how to read maps. Now this thing is attached to my fingers! So bad but so good. I am really glad of Skype so my parents can see and talk to my son every weekend and watch him grown and develop a relationship with him. I also do love DVR so I can skip commercials!

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  36. I love love how the stripes are working together here! Such a pretty blue colored stripe too!!

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  37. I really love this look! Amazing scarf!

    http://simplysassysstyle.blogspot.com/

    dawn

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  38. that bag! that bag! I want that bag!!!!
    http://sepatuholig.blogspot.com/
    IG @gracenjio

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  39. I can't live without my phone esp when holidayin need to stay connected to my family ;)
    Katattack2000.wordpress.com

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  40. I am with you on your list, gel manicures ugh! Great dress, fresh!
    Simona Lake&Moon

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  41. LOVE that dress and scarf together - so cute! And I love that you can take photos of checks to deposit them now...so easy :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  42. This dress is too perfect! I love the simple elegance of it. :)

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  43. Yes! Thank you! Geo locating is just creepy. Victor's family now have this google thing where you specifically track family members - I mean, can your family *get* more controlling? He assures me it's "a Chinese thing". But he hasn't joined it! ;)

    We've lived without a microwave for over five years, and it's been great. Basically, we had no space for one, and it turned out to be a blessing. Just try banning yourself from using yours for a while, the food really does taste better!

    Anyways, you're looking seriously adorable in your nautical ensemble. That scarf really makes the outfit. And I love the little pops of coral. You're totally going on my Pinterest. ;)

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    Replies
    1. I should be glad that my parents are too old to want to fully embrace all that technology then - no geo locating for me, haha.

      Delete
  44. I agree that the geo-locating freaks me out a bit. I don't need to be stalked, thankyouverymuch. I couldn't live without my DVR though!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  45. LOL, I so enjoyed this post! Love this look especially the scarf as I am looking to purchase a few for the fall/winter months. I feel as though I couldn't live without my electronics: ipad, iphone and laptop!
    -Natasha @ Lovely You

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  46. Without my computer life would certainly be different.

    I love the convenience of the microwave.

    Caller ID...best thing ever!

    The only kind of manicure I can get is a gel one. Otherwise I literally cannot make it out of the salon without ruining at least 2-3 nails.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    Replies
    1. I'm always 50/50 when it comes to my pedis - thankfully the gals at the salon I go to are so patient with me, haha.

      Delete
  47. What a great outfit - great colors and accessorizing.

    I like geo-location apps for a purpose: noting a great place for future reference. It helps me to not have to remember - or write down and remember which paper I wrote on - yet another restaurant or store name. I can simply save the place to a list in Foursquare.

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    Replies
    1. You've just gone way over my head with geo-locating, haha. Maybe I need to read up!

      Delete
  48. Lovely outfit! My favorite part are the accessories... oranges looks great with the dress.
    And I'd have to say my new driver's license is pretty convenient... not having to wait for parents to take you everywhere is so nice.
    Hugs & Kisses,
    Olivia

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  49. what a pretty dress! i love the blue/white stripes. and i definitely cannot live without the bank app that deposits checks via a picture -- you can't beat that for convenience!

    cute & little

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    Replies
    1. I know, I usually hate dragging my butt to the bank just to deposit a check. Yep, hate going to a place where I can turn a piece of paper into money - how lazy am I!

      Delete
  50. Love the simple dress with the scarf! I wish it would get cool enough for me to wear a scarf! And I'm still living without a smartphone so I feel like I don't live in the modern world...haha.
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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    Replies
    1. It's not really cool enough for me to wear a scarf yet, but this one's linen blend and I kept it really loose! ;o)

      Delete
  51. I am just loving that scarf! There's nothing like an infinity scarf to change up an outfit. Super cute!
    Nikki
    Fashion Finds on a Dime

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  52. Love the dress and scarf. Love JCrew.
    Cannot miss an iPhone anymore.
    Greetje

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  53. There are things off both lists I've never heard of ... note to self, must craw out from under the rock more often.

    I haven't used a microwave oven in years and doubt I'd ever use one again, even to heat up leftovers. Watch-on-demand is a must. I know looking forward to a favorite show has its own excitement that shouldn't be missed but if I didn't have that, I'd probably never get to see So You Think You Can Dance.

    Love your outfit, so fresh and pretty!

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    Replies
    1. My parents are old-scool and either use a little stove top steam to reheat leftovers or their toaster oven even though they have a microwave. So their idea of convenience is different from mine, but they eat way better than I do and their reheated foods taste better too!

      Delete
  54. I love the look you created, I would wear it without changing a thing! The scarf I think is my favorite element!

    Lauren,
    http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.blogspot.com/

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  55. Great stripes Lisa!

    Can't live without my iPhone - seriously has changed my life ;)

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  56. Loooooooooooooove the stripes. I have a very similar dress from Target.

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  57. So cute! Love that striped dress and it looks great with the scarf! And love the bag!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

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