All you need is love.





This dress has a funny story behind it. It was actually a gift from my boyfriend's dad. Don't worry, it's not as weird as it sounds. He picked it up at Goodwill for my boyfriend's Mum, but misread the label and got the wrong size, but they decided it would fit me- which it does!! We think it's an age 16 dress, which definitely accounts for the slightly strange fit. It's super-tight in the chest and the hips, but huge in the waist (hence the fact I'm pulling it back with my hand on my hip in half the photos), so I was worried it would look like I was swamped in it. It's an absolutely stunning dress though. When he told me it was navy polka dot and a vintage style, I knew I'd love it. It's a little longer than dresses I normally wear (however, that isn't saying much!!) and I'm contemplating getting it taken up, but I'm worried it would ruin the beautiful full style of the skirt. What do you think?




I'm a bit of a mess at the moment. I'm really trying to enjoy the moments I have left instead of thinking about leaving. It's hard. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with emotions and burst into tears over nothing. But I'm trying to stay focused. Erick doesn't want me to remember our last few days together as nights of crying. Last night he told me "I love you. That's all that matters." I know he's right, and I know we're going to be okay because we both want to make this work. But I'm going to miss my whole life here. I'm going to miss the freedom and the people and just living away in another country. Of course, I'm excited to go home and see my friends and family, but I wish I could just go home for a few weeks and come back again.




The last few days have been fun though. I bought Erick Dexter Season 3 for Valentines Day and it took us 3 months to finish it. On Sunday we borrowed Season 4 from his friend. We watched the whole season in 3 days. Maybe not a huge achievement, but I was really glad we found the time to watch it together. I'm excited for us to both watch Season 5 when I'm back home and talk about it on Skype. Today is my penultimate day at Erick's parents' house so I'm going to start my dreaded packing task and get some articles written (I feel like no matter how many articles I write I still have another million to write), and tonight Erick's parents are taking us to see Cirque Du Soleil! I've seen one of their shows before, but it was about 10 years ago now. I'm really excited to go tonight.



While I was in San Francisco, I really wanted the perfect nude-pink lipstick. That kind of soft pink you can wear with any makeup, that barely-there pink. Apparently, this colour does not exist. After trying on about a thousand lipsticks in Walgreen and spending 20 minutes with an assistant in Sephora, I gave up and went for this adorable bubblegum pink. Super soppy alert, but Erick hates it when I wear lipstick because it gets all over him when he kisses me, so I've decided when I miss him at home, I'll buy a lipstick. Something that reminds me of him, but something I couldn't wear when I'm with him. Something that reminds me that I have a wonderful boy in the States, but I also have my own independence and strength in myself. This is one thing I have to keep reminding myself about. Erick, much as I adore him, isn't the most open or emotional of people. He doesn't let things affect him, and he doesn't often tell you how he feels. This also extends to me. I know he loves me and thinks I'm beautiful, but he doesn't tell me all the time because he just assumes I know. I can find this hard sometimes and it can make me needy. But I've decided when I go home I'm going to develop my inner confidence. I'm going to reassure myself that I'm beautiful, because he won't be there to tell me when I'm feeling down. I need to love myself more so he can keep loving me.



dress- goodwill
shoes- charlotte russe
socks- H&M
lipstick- Make Up Forever


I'd better get back to packing. This is going to be my last outfit shoot for a few days now, but I'm sure you'll get some kind of emotionally-charged post tomorrow as I prepare to leave the country for good. I fly home on Friday morning and get back on Saturday morning so I probably won't get a chance to update again until Sunday or Monday. I just want to say thank you to you all for your wonderful support the last 9 months. You guys are amazing. Whether it's telling me I'm gorgeous when I'm feeling down, or reassuring me that my relationship will last long distance, you are all wonderful.
This blog is one of the best thing I've ever started, but I wouldn't be here without you all.

Charlotte xxx

photos by my wonderful boyfriend, Erick

Comments

  1. Goodwill is one of my favorite shopping haunts. What a great find! That dress is absolutely fabulous and looks like a dream on you! I'm in love with the socks in this look too!

    xoxo

    ~Meghan

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  2. That's a really gorgeous dress!! I love the polka dots and the flair of the skirt. I think the length lookw great as is! So pretty.
    I can't imagine how difficult it must be to leave once you've been here for a while, made friends and a boyfriend. It must be very bittersweet but you'll be okay!!
    XJennaD

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  3. That dress is beautiful on you! I'd probably not shorten it, but I personally love a slightly longer length, it feels so lady-like. Probably wouldn't hurt to have it taken in a little around the tummy though, if you feel so lost in it.

    I know what you mean about not wanting your last days to be all tears. My boyfriend lives over 3000kms away, and the last time I went to visit I kept having to fight myself not to cry when my leave-date came creeping up. It's rough, but you'll get through (and maybe like me have a giant cry once you get home and all your things still smell like him, sigh) *hug* If you ever want to talk to someone who knows EXACTLY how it feels to have the man you love being far away though, contact me! I'll always be an open ear :)

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  4. Lovely dress! Your bf's dad has good taste, and it looks darling on you. Goodbyes are always hard, and long distance is, for sure, tough, but it's definitely doable. My bf and I did long distance (5 hour flight away) for over 4 years, and now he's my fiance. :) You guys will make it work. :)

    http://blog.hercatwalk.com/

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  5. This dress looks so beautiful on you, Charlotte! Such an amazing find! I'll miss you and I hope we can see you again soon. :)

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  6. The dress looks lovely, I like the length as well! I know it's hard after so long to leave- after my year abroad I found it pretty hard even though my boyfriend was back in the UK, it was also the lifestyle and the life I had I knew I'd miss. Good luck anyway :) and make the most of your last few days xx

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  7. What a pretty dress!

    I hope you and your boyfriend will be happy together for a long time! I've had a long distance relationship too (not so long distance as you, but still) so I know it can be hard sometimes... Enjoy every moment you have together!

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  8. sorry that lip color doesn't exist that you are looking for. That's like how my mom had a similar color to that she wore in the early 70s and I loved it but you can't find it. sad. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress so much and think the socks with shoes rule!!!

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  9. I also love the length of the dress! Maybe the socks with sandals keep it from elongating your legs though? Not sure!

    Good luck the next few days, and have a safe trip home!

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  10. Please please please don't shorten the dress!! It's absolutely gorgeous and a shorter hem will only make the dress lose its grandeur. This is probably one of the most amazing vintage dresses I've seen so far.

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  11. Gorgeous dress girl and you totally make it work with the cool socks and shoes! Good luck packing and have a safe trip back home. I look forward to more posts soon!

    XOXO
    Amanda
    bspoke

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  12. I did a long distance a few years ago with me in China for summer and Jodie back at home in the south. In fact, one of the minor motivations for my parent arranging that internship for me was to find a girl...or at least she felt that way.
    ...and I felt weird at times when I'd call late at night after a few drinks and she's getting ready for work, or vice versa...and while we had a few testy phone calls and few periods no calls for a few days, in the end it gave great retrospective point of view for us to continue in to the future a long time... and we have.

    Anyway, hope your flight is ok.

    Later - Hunter

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