I'm so excited to announce the winner of the Wolverine 1000 Mile Dream Outfit Contest! She's already been notified (hi, Alison!) but I thought it would be super fun to show off her board and idea that won the contest of a $500 gift card and a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots. I think both Wolverine and I fell in love with the story behind her board at first glance. "Inspired by my grandma's birthplace in Liverpool, England. My gram and pop met during World War II after my grandfather was stationed out in Liverpool with the U.S. navy. During the bombings, he would sneak food off of his ship to bring to her starving family. They fell in love. She moved to America. The rest is history." Doesn't that just make your heart melt? Her photos, beauty/makeup and clothing choices went so perfect with her story and idea. She honestly blew us away + we think she was so deserving to win. Congrats, Alison! Peep her photos + captions, and shop the look she chose to win below!

This week's giveaway is from Boutique Onze! 

They are offering one of my lucky readers a $75 gift card.

I chose some personal favorites above, but you can choose anything you'd like!

(links: jacket, dress, bag and earrings) 

 To enter, you must: 

1) Like Boutique Onze on Facebook 

2) Leave a comment with your favorite item from their shop 

 Bonus entries! 

1) Follow them on Twitter 

(Please leave an additional comment) 

 Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, June 19 at 12PM EST. 

 The winner of the Reader Appreciation giveaway is...

Please email me to claim your prize!

Outfit details:

ModCloth At First Lighthouse Dress
Nautical Earrings c/o Onze Boutique
Forever21 red belt
Sweet Soiree Flat in Candy Apple c/o ModCloth

This past weekend was pretty amazing. I decided to forget the stress of searching for apartments and just enjoy life doing the things I love. Eric and I took a trip out to Ludington and Manistee on Saturday to see two different lighthouses I hadn't seen yet. We made our first stop in Ludington to see the Ludington North Pierhead. This lighthouse was so amazing! It had one of the most unique walkways to get to the lighthouse. This is a three-story pyramid-shaped tower at the edge of the pier on Lake Michigan.

Everyone along the way loved Winny. It was so cute when little kids would ask if they could pet her. Of course, she loved the attention. She's always a bit crazy though and lunges at people as they are walking by. Haha, what a puppy. I can't believe she's going to turn one in August already! I'm really excited for her first summer though. One of my biggest priorities is to take her to the dog beach and try to get her to dive into Lake Michigan!

I absolutely love the photo below where she's looking up at Eric. They truly are best friends. He's too good to her though. I'm always the one that has to discipline and say "no, Winny!" when she's carrying around dirty socks or chewing on the edge of the coffee table. Haha, oh well. She's been one of the best adventures. And I love that we're able to take her on adventures with us.

It was pretty chilly out on the boardwalk, so I'm really glad I wore this sleeved dress from Onze Boutique. It is a super thick quality, so it kept me warm in the wind. Plus I love the solid navy color. It's going to be perfect for remixing different nautical outfits this summer. I have so many planned! I have at least eight more lighthouses planned. Plus, I have some other nautical posts scheduled like Coast Guard Festival, an exposed shipwreck and a few Lake Michigan posts. Plus, we're taking a trip to the upper peninsula, so I'm sure a ton will come out of that. I'm excited. It's going to be a good summer!

Outfit details:

The Be Mine Dress in Navy c/o Onze Boutique

ModCloth Compass Rose Necklace

ModCloth Bow to Sterns Scarf in Navy

Emma Flats in White c/o B.A.I.T. Footwear

I'm kind of all over the place in terms of what I want for June! All we've had so far is June gloom weather, so I'm feeling pretty neutral. I'm looking for more tops/bottoms to remix in my outfits. This flounce back top is too cute, and I love this chevron pattern tank. These would look cute with a floral skirt, for sure. I've been looking for a cute nude/pink clutch or purse and this one from Red Clover is too adorable. Plus, a classic pair of Clubmaster Ray Bans would be perfect for summer too. I'm also excited to feature a tank from Nude Voice. Nude Voice is an apparel company that designs clothing that helps spread awareness for causes, and social issues. Be sure to check them out! What are you guys in the mood for this month?

 

I've been meaning to do this for a while now, and I'm excited to finally host this fun giveaway! I am (and have always been) super appreciative of the (nice) people who read Selective Potential, and friends I've made because of this blog. I have readers since the very beginning who have seen me go through the best and worst times of my life, and have stayed through all of it. And some have gone, and that's okay. I feel like my readership is like a loyal friend. Some will come and go, but the ones who stayed are the ones that are worth it for me to continue publicly blogging. So, thank you for that. I just wanted to do something special for one lucky reader, and something continuous for the rest of you.

Each month, I will be offering three spots of free small ad space on my blog for bloggers. I'm assuming there will be a waiting list, but three will be approved each month. Just use the code "bloglove" at my sponsorship page if you're interested in signing up to promote your own personal blog. Note: this code only works on small ad spaces. Please, no businesses/Etsy shops. I hope in some small way, I can help out any bloggers just like other bloggers have helped me out over the years.

For the BIG grand prize, I'm giving away a fun package containing an Epiphanie camera bag (in teal), a Flip Mino HD camera, a $20 iTunes gift card (I'd hugely recommend the A Beautiful Mess app), along with a package of jewelry, accessories, and other fun goodies like notecards, journals, etc. I am also including a one-month LARGE ad space on my blog for the winner, if you choose. I'll just need a 250x250 ad from you.

To enter, you must:

1) Subscribe to my blog on Bloglovin, Feedly, RSS or email

2) Leave a comment, tell me your favorite thing about my blog or a favorite post

Bonus entries!

1) Follow me on Twitter 

2) Like me on Facebook 

3) Follow me on Instagram 

4) Follow me on Pinterest 

(Please leave additional comments for each)

This giveaway is open to everyone, both U.S. and international.

Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, June 12th at 9 PM EST.

The winner of the BonLook giveaway is...
#106 // Margaret
and
The winner of the May edition giveaway is...
#26 // Laura is Thrifting Through Life

Please email me to claim your prizes!

We are only a few weeks away from the start of summer! I always consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start though. Michigan is still pretty chilly (wearing knit tights today) and there is white fuzzies floating all through the air. Talk about allergy city. I have the worst sinus headache today, so it's definitely still spring. Every season though, I love to share my favorite outfits from seasons past. I had three summers to choose from. Eep! Selective Potential is getting up there! Summer isn't my favorite time for outfits, but it's 1000x better than winter, let's just say that. We get really humid and muggy weather here, so sometimes all you feel like wearing is your birthday suit, except you can't do that in public. Ha! So most of the time I'm wearing a loose-fitting tee with a floral skirt and flats. Not that exciting. But! We'll see what I can come up with this year. I have a fun content calendar planned. ☺

(city beach, a country road)

(summer marsh, an old silo)

(cherry festival, big sable point)

(dairy queen, the winchester)

(tawas point lighthouse, summer of change)

♥

May was honestly a great month, my favorite month so far this year. We had Eleanor visit us from New Zealand, which was so fun. We took a few trips west to see lighthouses, visit a carnival, eat the best food, show Eleanor around, and spend time outside. We spent a ton of quality time with good friends (and some new friends)! We were able to enjoy time with our families, and get through a surgery on a good ending with Eric's sister. We enjoyed cold weather + perfect hot weather (gotta love Michigan Mays). I got majorly caught up this month, including launching my new blog design finally and getting back on track with regular outfit posting. All in all, honestly, a great month. Recap of my photos...

Unfortunately, we just received the worst news yesterday, that we have 30 days to move out of our apartment. It came as a total unexpected shock, as our landlord was just asking us to sign another year lease just a few weeks ago. We just finished getting enough furniture to fill the place, and finally hung some frames on the wall, and now it's time to move out. I was in the process of saving to purchase my own home in a year or so, so this just totally throws off my plans. But honestly, I have to remember that everything in my life has happened for a reason (I truly believe this) and this is just another one of those situations. We'll find a better place, and I'll still buy a house in a couple of years. I just hate renting. This next place is going to be my fourteenth place I've lived in throughout my life and I'm so tired of going from place to place to place. The next time I move (after this one), will hopefully be my last for a long time. So yeah, June is going to be a bit insane. We're frantically looking for new places to live (so if you know of any leads, let us know) and we'll be moving by July 1st. I'll keep you updated and thanks to everyone who has sent notes + support. It means a lot! We're just super thankful for the good people in our life right now (especially me). At least I get to still live with Eric, and Winny. That's pretty much all I care about.

I'm really excited to bring you a fun interview with a friend and local musician, Kari Lynch! I was introduced to this sweet lady through Eric about a year ago. The first weekend Eric and I started dating actually, he was running sound for her band. It's been a pleasure getting to know Kari a bit more this year and seeing several of her shows! She's one talented gal and I absolutely love her music and style. And of course, I thought you guys might too! I asked Kari a few questions (which you can read below) but be sure to check her out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram as well! All of her music is also available on iTunes!

I have been singing since I was old enough to talk, truly. My mom always tells me that as soon as I could talk, I started singing, humming melodies I would hear and making up my own little tunes. When I was about 5 years old, I started putting on concerts for my friends and family. I would make tickets out of construction paper and put together a show. My family, bless their hearts, would sit and listen to the whole concert. I sang in front of my first "big" crowd when I was about 7 (Bonnie Raitt's "Something To Talk About"). I started writing my own original songs when I was 7 years old and never stopped.

I started the Kari Lynch Band three years ago. Before the band formed, I had been playing regularly with my friend and acoustic guitar player, Matthew Kok. The two of us played shows for two years before we met the other guys and decided it was time to be a full band. We sort of all met by chance. Our fiddle player, Jeffrey Niemeier, was passing by an acoustic show Matt and I were playing and liked the music so he stopped in. At that time, he was playing in a cover band with our now drummer and lead guitarist, Sam Briggs and Ryder Jones. We all met and everything clicked. I think you just know when it feels right. From the very first rehearsal we all knew that we had something special playing together.

There are so many cool things about being a musician. I know I have an amazing job and I never forget that. I am deeply crazy in love with making music. I write and play music because I have to; there's nothing else. I often can't believe that I get to do it as my full time job. I am eternally grateful to the folks that support us and listen to our music. It never fails to blow my mind that I can truly connect with people through music. When someone comes up to me and tells me that a song I wrote helped them get through a situation, or even just made them smile...that's the greatest feeling in the world. And I LOVE performing. I am most at home on stage. There is nothing better than looking into a crowd of people and seeing them sing your song back to you. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. Music is and will always be my first love.

I would describe my style as vintage, hippie and country/rock. I wear dresses most of the time. My mom and my close friends would tell you that I have an old soul. I've always loved old things, houses, music, and definitely clothes. Most of my outfits include mixing vintage and modern. I'm really into sweetheart cuts, full skirts, cardigans, jean jackets, maxi dresses, cool headbands and old hats. If I'm wearing jeans, they're generally skinny jeans with a vintage tee and flats or boots. I like wearing band t-shirts with skirts as well, feminine with a little edge. On stage, I almost always wear dresses and boots. It's the most comfortable outfit to perform in. You will rarely see me in any sort of heel on stage. I have to be able to rock out. I think no matter what I am wearing I always like to have a little bit of edge to my outfit, whether it's with the clothing itself, accessories or makeup.

I'm excited to bring you a new giveaway from three of my sponsors this month! ONE lucky winner will win this entire package. This giveaway would be great to enter if you're a girl looking for a new spring outfit! You would receive a floral crown, a dress (size medium only, sorry!) and a gift card for something vintage. Read below for more details.

1. K is for Kani is offering up one of her pink floral crowns (the exact one I have!). I was so excited to work with Kani on styling a crown this spring. They are the perfect (bolder) accessory and I love mine. It fits with so many of my spring/summer outfits and floral prints.

2. Dear Faithful is offering one of their last remaining Lovely You dresses from last year's collection. I also received this very same dress, and can't wait to wear it in the blossoms. Please note, the only size available in this dress is a medium. If you aren't a medium, but wish to still enter, maybe you could give this to friend or relative who might enjoy it? I'm guessing it could also fit a small gal; it doesn't provide a ton of stretch and you could easily belt it.

 

3. Millay Vintage is offering up a $50 gift card! I love their vintage pieces, and they offer a really great variety. This horse-print tee is one of my favorites. I can just imagine that with a navy polka dot skirt for some reason! To qualify for the Millay Vintage gift card, you must also like them on Facebook.

One of you will get to win all of that! To enter, visit all of their shops and leave a comment with your favorite item (it can be one item between the three shops). *Millay Vintage also requires that you like their Facebook page. Only one entry per person, please. Giveaway will be open until Wednesday, June 5th. Good luck! xoxo