Outfit | Rustic Sparkle

Ruffle-necked sweater dress & belt - thrifted   //  Olive circle skirt - eShakti

When the afternoon breaks out with a stunning azure sky, the softly piled snow shining like a sheet of the most brilliant diamonds underneath a icy, sparkling sun, and your heart just sings with the sheer joy of being alive in such a world of matchless beauty, there's nothing like a walk in the woods with a camera for creative inspiration.

I probably should have done a more elaborate hair style to match the rustic glamour of my theme, but the sun was setting fast, so I ran out the door as I was, sporting a simple messy braid tied with a bit of eyelet.  I tried to capture the radiance, the magical, woodsy glamour of an icy world set on fire by a sparkling sun. 

I've been meaning to feature the details of this plum ruffle-necked dress in a post ever since I first shared it here, and I definitely have some knit tops &/or dresses with that wonderful gathered detail ruched in a zigzag pattern all around the neckline on my sewing list!  It's is the perfect detail for this style - not overly dressy while being very fun and fancy.  I'm sure it would be as easy as pie to add this detail to a simple tee, as well!  Have to try that soon...

The fullness of the silky rayon skirt is delightful to wear, also - most conducive to dancing and twirling!  A full circle skirt is really a foolproof way to add a dash of feminine charm to your ensemble, and you can set the mood from there by how you style it - in this case, a heavy suede belt, a soft braid, a string of pearls and some diamond clip-on earrings are meant to embody the whimsical, sparkling, rustic mood of a snow-laden late February afternoon.