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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

skeeters, 10; Carrie, 0

     On those days when the sun is like a baleful eye glaring down from the sky, all I can think about wearing is an easy cotton dress that skims the body. I just added a little jewelry and shoes in a punchy hue.

dress, Esprit, very old
pearl bracelets, HauteLook
Softspots "Ventura" sandals, Ross

     My purchasing pattern seems to be: buy something nice, ignore it for years, dig it out on a whim one day, and fall in love with it.

     I kind of like this photo spot. While it's fairly close to one of the campus dorms, there are some trees and bushes that I've fooled myself into thinking render me invisible to residents. It's part of a garden, but a less-trafficked area. The bench and a rock wall offer a place to rest the camera for photos, since I'm working without a tripod. The worst part? I can spend 10 minutes here and walk away with 10 mosquito bites. Mosquitoes love me, but it's a one-sided affair.
     Many years ago, I foolishly went off to a weekend camp without repellent, returned with probably 70-plus bites all over my legs that necessitated a trip to the dermatologist, and had to wear pants for two weeks (in very hot weather) while I got over the allergic reaction I had to the mosquito bites. Since then, I've figured out that a Bounce dryer sheet tucked into my pocket will drive away the bloodsuckers ... but a dress without pockets makes it a little hard to hide the dryer sheet on my person.
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18 comments:

  1. fashionforgiantsAugust 15, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    I've never heard the dryer sheet trick before; I'll have to try that!

    And I think my purchasing pattern mirrors yours. I won't wear something forever and then suddenly just adore it and wear it constantly. I think that's why purging my closet was such a struggle. Just because I hadn't worn something in a year didn't mean I wasn't going to. Give me another year and I'd probably wear it constantly!

    Gracey

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  2. KatherineAugust 15, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    I'm the same with mosquitos they seem to be my best friend of all time!! That is something I'm not looking forward to in summer haha

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  3. CarrieAugust 15, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Gracey - this dress was hanging on the side of the closet designated for possible donations, so I know what you're talking about. :) I'll have to buckle down and purge my closet sometime ... you set such a great example for purging! :)
    I've tested the dryer sheet in skeeter-ridden botanical gardens, and walked out with 0 bites. Just don't get a Bounce sheet with some fancy new fragrance ... only the original version seems to work.

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  4. CarrieAugust 15, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Kat- there are definitely some benefits to winter. :)

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  5. Hems for Her, a.k.a. KatieAugust 15, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    I'll keep the dryer sheet on hand from now on. Mosquitoes love me too! And those shoes?? I am in love with them :)

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  6. respect_the_shoesAugust 15, 2012 at 4:31 PM

    I seriously spray myself off with repellant just to take my pup to the dog park - I stood in my garage for about give minutes one evening and had to run inside because I was getting attacked by mosquitoes!

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  7. Mini Me StyleAugust 15, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    Hi Carrie! Thanks for swinging by my blog and saying hi. I love your blog description - I was a hard core yoga pants girl, myself. ;) That mosquito bite incident sounds horrific, and the dryer sheet solution is brilliant - so much less smelly than spray. What a pretty, summery dress and I love those sandals!

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  8. CarrieAugust 16, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    Thanks for dropping by. :) The only problem with the dryer sheet is where to hide it when I don't have any pockets, but yes, it's amazing how well it works. :)

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  9. CarrieAugust 16, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    Lisa - I'm not sure what makes us so attractive to mosquitoes, but it seems to be a pretty common problem, judging from the comments. :)

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  10. CarrieAugust 16, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    Katie - I'm starting to love those shoes as well. Pink shoes are surprisingly versatile ... :)

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  11. NukeAugust 16, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    I just love being in the sun too. Love the shoes dear they are adorable, Following you on GFC. Lets keep in touch


    www.girllilikoi.com

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  12. Always MayleeAugust 17, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    I'm pretty allergic to bug bites too. Does the dryer sheet trick really work?! I must try it! Love those shoes!


    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  13. CarrieAugust 17, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    Thanks for the follow and sweet comment. :) Will check out your blog!

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  14. CarrieAugust 17, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    Thanks, Yi-chia! Yes, I've tried the dryer sheet trick out while taking photos in botanical gardens here, which tend to be mosquito havens. Just make sure to get the regular/original scent from Bounce - I tried using a lavender scented version and it didn't work at all. :(

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  15. bravoerunwayAugust 18, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    This is a pretty dress, I like the pattern! I am also the misquitos dinner/lunch so I'll have to try the bounce dryer sheet remedy you cited.

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  16. dottyAugust 18, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    that dress looks to be quite PRETTY! i'm glad it's made a comeback!

    dash dot dotty

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  17. CarrieAugust 20, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    Thank you, Dotty! :)

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  18. CarrieAugust 20, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    Thank you, Bessie. The nice thing about the dryer sheet is no chemical smell from repellents ... you just smell like a load of fresh laundry. :)

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