An Experiment in Extreme Weather Photography (Part I)

{tank: express | shorts: nordstrom - on sale! | sandals: birkenstock via zappos | necklace: baublebar (similar) | purse: sole society - on sale now! | sunglasses: target}

So, Hawaii is beautiful. Sun, sand, surf, tropical scenery, beautifully warm… but it can get super windy. Taking outfit photos when you can't even stop the wind from blowing your clothes off (metaphorically - mostly…) is super difficult! Plus, my trusty photographer (thanks, mom!) can barely get a look at the viewfinder when her hair is blowing in her face, too! (100 bonus points if you're old enough to even know what a viewfinder is.) We did our best. ;)

On Saturday, we took a little ride from where we are staying (Kihei) down to Lahaina… we walked around the shops (I got a vintage-inspired tourist-y Maui tee that I'm sure you'll be seeing here soon!), grabbed some Lappert's ice cream (a Hawaiin staple!), and basked in the shade of the 100 plus-year-old giant Banyan tree!

{the beautiful banyan - one of my favorite spots on maui since i was a little one!}

Then we traveled to Kapaula to visit some family friends, and we saw this stunning rainbow on the way! I mean, it doesn't get any better than this… I don't think you ever outgrow the magic of seeing a real rainbow in person!

{heart eyes emoji}

Though it was POURING RAIN by the time we got to Kapaula (hello, temperamental weather!), we enjoyed some pupus (Hawaiian for appetizers) and some perfect homemade Mai Tais!

{yum!}

More to come soon! :)

Favorites & Sorries

{blazer: forever 21 (similar) | shirt: target (similar) | jeans: target | wedges: modcloth (similar) | necklace: baublebar}

These are some of my favorite pieces ever. A classic blazer, boyfriend jeans, and my comfy "Dani" wedge booties! Throw in a men's camo tee and pretty emerald-accented necklace, and you've got an "insta-outfit" in the world of The Daily Dani!

I read once that, as a blogger, you should never apologize for anything (i.e. what you wear, your absence, etc.). However, rules were made to be broken (this is comical coming from me, as I'm a strict rule-follower at all times...) and I'm going to say: I'm sorry my presence has been a bit scarce on here! I never realized how exhausting my life would be while student teaching (which is, essentially, a full-time teaching job in which you do not get paid...), along with grad school, along with homework and papers and state certifications... along with attempting to have a LIFE! Oh, and sleep. Sadly, sleep is what tends to take a backseat to everything else lately! So, from time to time, I am just far too busy or far too exhausted to blog! Sad, but true! Please bear with me, my sweet and wonderful readers, while I try to figure out how to devote time in my schedule to everything I want and love to do!!

First Lady

{coat: kohl's (similar) | sweater: forever 21 | jeans: forever 21 | flats: tory burch | pearl necklace: forever 21 (similar) | monogram: baublebar | watch: nordstrom (similar)}

So, I wasn't exactly feeling like myself when I put this outfit on. Yes, I wear pearls. Yes, I love monograms. Yes, I go through stages when I live in my Tory Burch flats. But something about this outfit was much more preppy and classic than my usual style, right down to the hairdo. (I copied this hairdo from Hayden Panettiere's character on Nashville, by the way. What do you think?)

Anyway, when I got to work, I was feeling slightly Hyannis Port until my coworker laid this one on me: "You look like Barbara Bush." Now, I don't know about you, but I don't know any world in which this is a compliment. Now, I'm not knocking all of her great work with as First Lady or anything, but let's get real: does anyone want to hear that they look like an 87-year-old woman? No. No they do not.

That'll teach me to wear this particular combination ever again...

Pink + Paisley

{dress: lulu's | blazer: forever 21 (similar) | necklace: bauble bar | booties: forever 21 (similar)}

I've had this blazer for quite awhile, but I've only ever worn it once! The bright color and the length are challenging for me! I don't wear a lot of pink, so I was a little clueless about what to pair this with, and because I'm fairly short, this longer, mid-thigh length makes me feel even shorter when paired with the wrong proportions!

Still, I think these pieces worked well together! I picked up on the hints of pink in this bright paisley print dress, and then topped it with this statement necklace. This necklace may have been a bit much on top of the pop of color and busy print, and truth be told, the tortoise shell was a bit less obvious and matter than I expected, but I think it was a fun touch.

How do you incorporate pops of color into your looks?

"I'm running out of polka dot blog post titles."

{dress: asos | sandals: old navy | bubble necklace: ily couture | monogram necklace: baublebar | watch: nordstrom}

I wore this over Thanksgiving weekend when I (1) took a final and (2) met Elle from Living in Color!

First, who holds a final on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend?! My school, apparently! Ridic. Oh well, at least I was complimented on my outfit and aced the class! ;)

Second, Elle and I have been blogging buddies for quite some time now, and since she's originally from the OC, I was so excited that when she came home from Thanksgiving weekend, we were able to meet up! We got coffee and shopped around South Coast Plaza! We were so caught up in being obsessed with each other that we forgot to take a photo together! Can you believe it?! Oh well, next time! :)

P.S. As we were shopping, I was, of course, attracted to everything polka dots! I told Elle, "I can't buy anymore polka dotted items because I'm running out of polka dot blog post titles!" And there you have it. Haha.

Feddas.

{Dress: Old Navy | Belt: Target | Flats: Shoe Mint | Chain Link Necklace: derng | Monogram: BaubleBar | Watch: Nordstrom}

I love feathers. Did you know? Always have, always will. I know feathers are super trendy these days, and I hit the feather hair extensions trend hard a couple years ago, but I've really always loved feathers. I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to feathers. I think it began with my love of Tiger Lily in the Mary Martin version of Peter Pan that I used to watch excessively when I was little. Followed by my love of Tiger Lily in the Disney version of Peter Pan. Followed by my love of Pocahontas. Let's just say, I'm into feathers.

[Reason for this post title? A few years ago, there was a boy at my work (I'm a preschool teacher) who pronounced feathers as, "feddas." Now, every time I think of or say feathers, I am always inclined to say, "feddas." Come on, try it. You'll like it.]

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the eye-eye-ye-ye-ye-yeyeyyeeeee...

{Blouse, Jacket, & Watch: Nordstrom | Jeans: Urban Outfitters | Moccasins: Minnetonka | Bracelet: Luna | Necklace: BaubleBar}

I wore this to the Florence + The Machine show at the Hollywood Bowl last weekend! My last Bowl show of the season was spent with good friends, eating cheeseburgers, and sharing a bottle of wine on a comfortable Southern California night (I actually got to put on a jacket! Omg!), and dancing to the beautiful music of Miss Florence Welch! Not only did Flo put on the most amazing show, but holy cow is she STUNNING! I tended to think she always looked a little too awkward and old for her age - but in person, oh my word, was she beeeautifulllll! Anyway, a wonderful night was had by all, especially me and my new military + leather jacket!