Polka Dot Memories that Spark Joy

This series of photos was taken from my last studio session with Lydia Hudgens. I’ve been working with Lydia for a while- She is the first professional photographer I worked with when I decided to become a NYC fashion blogger. I met Lydia at NYFW through a mutual friend, and she took time away from her literal job to assist me. This may sound silly, but I have consistently worked with Lydia ever since, primarily because I love the way I look through her lens. In years of selfies, and self-timers, and my husband of Instagram, I have never truly loved an image of myself before working with her.

This was only my second studio shoot ever. Fashionista, maybe? Fashion model I am definitely not. This was a great day! Though I’m just a style blogger and a far cry from a professional subject, I had a lot of fun and remember looking forward to the following week when my friends Alison and Kate would be coming up to NYC to do their own studio sessions. I decided to go thrifting since I was already in Brooklyn. Visiting two Beacon’s Closets in one day? Already a delight. I also hit up L Train and Urban Jungle. Immersing myself into vintage and thrift shopping is actually not that unusual of a day for me. Just another day in my world: blog photo shoot followed by vintage and thrift shopping. This was a normal day, but I remember feeling extremely content and relaxed, and it sparked joy. Even ordinary days can spark joy. I think that I remember this one so vividly, is because a week later, the world came crashing down around us.

Lately, the most joy I find is in Starbucks and Sugarfish. When I finally found a Starbucks that was accessible, I felt like I was floating on air for a week.  I miss normalcy. I miss my every day, ordinary life. I wanted some joy today. JOY.

I look at these photos, and that’s what I feel. JOY. Hats and tulle and polka dots. Bright joyous yellows. Feathers and brightness and light.

I found this adorable dress at one of my favorite boutiques in Old Town Alexandria. The shoes are from the Oscar de la Renta sample sale, and they are one of my all-time favorite pairs of shoes. The hat was a rare find from Cure Thrift Shop. Earrings are Sachin and Babi, and the necklace is from the amazing Sparkle Bomb. All of these things without a doubt spark joy. They also remind me of my regular life and routine. Sample sales and thrift shopping and hats and statement style and joy. Today’s message is simple. I’m not trying to dwell in the past, but I wanted to find a spark of joy, and this was it.

Looking forward to a world with shopping and NYC fashion blogging and delightful style occasions and Starbucks being a part of the scenery and not the most special thing in my life. For now, I’m going to bask in the glow of a perfectly ordinary day, where I got to wear a hat and polka dot tulle and feel as joyful as these photos show.

Xoxo, Mary

Outfit Details:

Dress: Periwinkle Boutique

Shoes: Oscar de la Renta (Similar)

Hat: Vintage

Earrings: Sachin and Babi (Similar)

Necklace: Sparkle Bomb (Smaller version)

Clutch: Valentino (Found one on Mercari)

Bracelet: Loren Hope

Ring: Loren Hope

Photography by: Lydia Hudgens | Lighting by: Tayler Smith