Long days, long dresses

Summer days are naturally long- we all know this! Not only because the sun is out for longer, but I feel like there is more to do in the summer. I am constantly jumping from one coffee outing with a friend to a meeting with my boss to grabbing dinner and drinks downtown. Lately, my days have been packed and for that reason I brought this longer, black dress. Its simple silhouette allows me to dress up or dress down for whatever my lengthy day may bring. 

dress & necklace & shades: H&M / jacket: J.Crew / belt: Target

Back in Business

Welcome to Always Gold Blog! My name is Melanie and I'm the founder of this little blog. If you've been a reader for a while, you'll remember this blog was originally called Faith & Fashion. Now after a year break, I'm starting over with a new name and a new purpose. Currently located in Denver, Colorado I love to document my daily outfits, latest recipes, and videos I've made. I thought it would be appropriate for the first Always Gold post to be an outfit one. I love spring time clothes because of the bright clothes and flowly style of skirts. I got this skirt in a thrift shop in Kansas City and have loved its length and structure from the moment of purchase. With finals just around the corner, I resort to doing a crown braid ponytail for the unwashed hair. I adore this time of year and all that comes with it. 

Summer of dresses

I'm a big fan of dresses and I'm glad it's finally summer. During the summer, there is no surprise snow, which gives me the freedom to wear dresses almost every single day. Since I feel cheated out of spring due to late May snow storms, nothing is holding me back now. I got this dress on sale earlier this year and I've been loving it's red color blocking and sleeve length ever since. Let dress season begin.

Long Time No See

It's been a long time since my last blog post. In the midst of my busy schedule, I've hardly had time to blog. However, I've made it a point to start blogging more even with finals quickly approaching. Another thing I haven't seen in a long time is spring type weather. In Colorado it has snowed at least twice every week.  Now that it is finally melting, I'm looking forward not only to the end of the semester, but springtime without snow.

Hot and Cold

Last Thursday, it was sixty degrees outside. Two days later, we got a snow storm. Colorado is famous for the phrase, "if you don't like the weather wait ten minutes." I don't mind the sudden changes but it does make it hard to pick out an outfit. I've come to find that no matter if it's snowing or sunny outside flannels are the way to go. Paired with a cardigans and boots, I am unstoppable for any weather change. 

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Effortless

This past week was rough. It was midterms week and on top of my studies I had a busy ministry and personal life. The week was so difficult  I ended up getting sick. On a brighter note, when my studying took up most of my time, my effortless style kicked in. When I have no time in the morning, my go to outfit is a easy dress that can be paired with cardigans for snowy days. However, my least favorite part of this effortless style is wearing my hair up. I've always preferred to have my hair down but I've come to love a braided updo for the mornings I study instead of curl. My effortless style was the only part of my life this past week that seemed to work with ease. 

I'm gonna pop some tags

Even before Macklemore made it cool, I really enjoyed thrift store shopping. I have special methods of shifting through what would fit and what my grandma would wear. When I use my techniques, I always walk out of Goodwill with some treasures. Recently, I wore my J.Crew wool sweater that I got for only two dollars with my Patagonia ski vest I got for ten. At these prices, I am always ready for the snow. 

polka dot pants

My first half marathon is almost five weeks away. My nerves are heightened everyday I train but my love for running is increasing more and more. One of the many benefits of training for a half is the weight I've lost. However, I didn't notice till a friend had to have an intervention with me about my pants. All pants have become too bagging that my friend said it's embarrassing. Although it was a surprise to me, I found it as an opportunity to buy new pants. I adore the latest trend of patterned pants and luckily I found these polka dot pants on sale. They're not too big or too small but fit just right. 

Embrace it

 I've been called a hipster a lot lately. Whether it's my new glasses or the way I dress differently, the word is thrown at me daily. Instead of brushing off the stereotype, like most hipsters do, I've started to embrace it. Going beyond the normal flannels, I have come to love layering. When finding the perfect sweater to layer with a collared button up, I will admit I do look like a typical hipster - which I'm okay with!

Street Art

One of my favorite parts about living in the city is finding cool art that just cannot be found in a suburb. A couple weeks ago, my friends and I went to the Denver Mint when we run into these tall structures covered in bold shapes. I instantly loved it! They also matched my blue pants very well. It's the small thing in the midst of Denver that I've come to love the most.