I wore my Otis and Maclain maxi dress, inspired by the romance of a very special Hallmark Signature birthday card.
Photos by Kate Doherty
Otis and Maclain Carley maxi dress via Madison Los Angeles | JustFab heels | H&M earrings
It's interesting how birthdays take on different meanings through the passage of time. When I was young, they were a once a year getaway to get away with eating bottomless amounts of forbidden fruits like cake, pizza, candy (basically anything BUT fruit) and to unwrap a bounty of toys from Mom and Dad. Then I got a bit older and it was about indulging in debauchery, breaking curfews, and doing things that got me grounded for the next 364 days. Then came the me, me, me period. Birthdays became excuses to indulge in everything from spa treatments, extravagant vacations, and birth month dinners that shot off like fireworks on Fourth of July. And now, I've reached a different stage. My own birthday holds less meaning than it once did as I'm much more happy to celebrate the birthdays of people I love and care about than my own. It's a deeper happiness to be a witness to someone else's special day.
A few weeks ago, it was the birthday of a person who never ceases to inspire me to become a better version of myself. I cherish our moments together and on that special day, I picked out an ethereal Hallmark Signature card from Walgreens with a simple yet poignant message that perfectly conveys how I feel. The front of the card, a 3D creation of leaves falling from a tree, captures the light and fluttery beauty of nature. The image was so striking that it inspired an outfit! On that special day, I drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the card and wore a silk floral maxi dress from Madison LA to celebrate our past moments, the fabulous present, and endless future possibilities. Similar to the card, the dress is dramatic in its simplicity, a black canvas sprinkled with dots of flowers. Maxi dresses are my signature style, particularly during the summer, and this one is definitely a new favorite. Elevated by the criss-cross back and maxi length, it's perfect for every special occasion, just like Hallmark Signature.
To celebrate all your special moments and for a dose of inspiration for your signature style, visit Hallmark Signature and follow them on Instagram @HallmarkSignature!
