Floral Love

Tee - H&M, thrifted

Silk skirt - thrifted, possible vintage?

Pumdals - Xappeal, thrifted

Necklace - via Mom

Knockout Rose - from the garden

Okay, okay. Never say never. This is the first floral shirt I've ever bought and loved. It's bold, graphic print is very geometric and stark. The flowers are more of a sherbety pink than red, but I really liked pairing the red skirt with it. I've mainly worn this tee to my mom's since it's cotton and easy wash, which usually means it's weekend wear. This outfit was worn out to lunch. I later changed into some jeans because we're moving some stuff in and out of the house. The greatest thing about the shirt is being able to dress it up and down. My in-laws are planting tons of flowers, herbs and vegetables. I thought this red knockout rose made a perfect hair accessory.

Return of the

Top - NY&Co

Skirt, belt - thrifted

Wedges - Cole Haan

Bracelets - gifts from Sarina

Earrings - via Mom

Sorry for skipping out on blogging yesterday! I had a doctor's appointment (check up stuff, I'm okay!), and then I renewed my driving permit, which meant lots of time spent waiting. I even took one of my exams yesterday. Busy! But Productive!

Today was spent watching the Royal Wedding. Checked out online, was too lazy to wake up early. I got dressed to go browse Goodwill - even though I have been a bad girl and may or may not have just ebay'd some more shoes. Boots, even. I'll leave you in suspense on that though - because I haven't gotten them yet. The thrifting wasn't exactly on my side today. I found tons of great jeans, even a brand new pair of Michael Kors ones, and they were all a size too small or too big! I still came away with some goodies, but I'll probably be skipping over the Super Saturday for the month of May.

Speaking of thrifted goodies~! This skirt! I bought it in the dead of winter when I was pining for warm sunny days like this (yes, the rain has passed for now). It was a size too big, but I knew I needed it. I got my handi-dandi sewing machine and took in the waist. It actually left the A-line skirt a little fuller, a little more 50s.

SPAAAAACE

Speak Up

 Jacket - Thrifted

Top - Como Petites, thrifted

Pin stripe Trousers - Gap, thrifted

Shoes - Eject, ebay

Trying to channel the lovely Ee of Eek!'s professionalism today. I had my last speech for speech class, and I always try to dress up professionally. You can see my other two speech outfits: here and here. I loved this outfit. I felt so streamlined and lady-like (in a suit of all things). Even though I don't work in an office, I love having the inspiration from many levels of dress.

After my speech, the teacher asked if I knew about Naked Without Us: Fashion & Music Festival. No way! I hadn't heard of it, but it sounds like a fabulous event. If anyone in the Middle Tennessee (Or Southern KY) area might want to meet up and see some local designs - toss me an email. I'm going to try and go at least one night and write up a post about it.

Singing on a swing

Tunic - Just Jeans, thrifted

Tank, skinny jeans (thrifted) - Mossimo

Flats - United Nude

I stripped this sheer tunicy thing off the mannequin. I always feel bad when I do that, but they always put the cutest things on them! If you watched my blog last summer, you know that I shun sleeves. I got all excited over this sheer thing because it let me cover up a bit more while still staying cool. It's already miserably hot in the afternoons. But this sheer tunic is going to be heavenly over a tank dress later on. A little looking on the tag shows that this is from 10/08, and the tag says "Thanks for shopping at Just Jeans ".

Today I opted for skinny jeans, but I'm planning to look for more non-skinny jeans next Saturday (May Super Saturday). I only have 4 pairs that I really like wearing, and two of them are skinnies. Boo. I hope I can find another good pair of wideleg ones or even a nice bootcut.

I'm still working around growing out my pixie cut. The sides take forever to grow and the back grows like wild fire. I've been doing some minor self trimming on the back and bangs to let the sides catch up. I need to go find some headbands until it gets to a more manageable length. But I kind of like what it's doing today.

(Also for those that are the praying type - D and I have received some tentatively good news. And while I don't want to jinx it, I could use all the good vibes right now)

Happy Easter 2011

Dress - Casual Corner's Annex Petite, thrifted

Shoes - X-Appeal, thrifted

Happy Easter everyone! Whether you're in church or just celebrating tasty candy season, I hope you're having a restful, happy Sunday. I'm heading over to Mom's for Sunday dinner of Ham, green beans and mashed potatoes. Yum! (Jealous, yet? I'm jealous of me not being there already)


This whole outfit cost me under $5. The shoes were $4, the dress 99p. YEP! A little research has turned up this dresses origins - Closed down in 2006 (I've also found quoted 2009), Casual Corner's Annex Petite [Sophisticates] was a long running department store spin off of Casual Corner. So this dress is at least older than I expected. I should have guessed from the "size 8" tag. Anyway the dress reminded me of the super-saturated Georgia O'Keefe paintings I saw a couple years ago. I came across this dress during the Super Saturday but refused to pay $4 (I bought 4 dresses already. 4 x 4 = 16!)... I figured I was safe enough to leave this kooky dress until 99 p day, and it stuck around for me. I love when that happens.

Workin' it, Friday.

 Top - BCX, thrifted

Jeans - NY&Co., thrifted

Belt - thrifted

Pumps - Poetic License, ebay

I've been quite the busy bee this week. I got my third comic done for the newspaper. I'm now working on the second to last paper I have for the semester. In case you were wondering, yes I'm all dressed up to sit in front of my computer to work. I needed the push. You may also notice I got annoyed at the hanging pieces of fabric and found a creative way to get them from flopping about. I previously wore this top during Stripes Week.

I also realized that looking through my outfit photos I haven't worn these pumps in awhile. They even fit now with the extra padding. Silly me!

Secondhand

 Scarf - thrifted

Top - Express, thrifted

Jeans - William Rast for Target, thrifted new-stock

Minnetonka moccasins - gifted, thrifted

Everything here was thrifted! I'm completely bogged down by work right now. Soft shoes, stretchy skinny jeans and a cottony top are what I need for busy times. Less than two weeks and I'll be finished with this semester of school.These jeans still need hemming, but so far I've mostly worn them around the house. I'm kindof getting over the skinny jeans. I'll hang onto these and the dark ones I have for tucking into boots, but I think I'm over them for summer.

Blue Star

Tee - Theme, thrifted

Skirt - B.B. Dakota, gift from Sheila

Clear bangle, Belt -thrifted
Pumps - Fluevog

The Blue Star by Philip Levine

"Show me the place," he said.
I removed my shirt and pointed
to a tiny star above my heart.
He leaned and listened. I could feel
his breath falling lightly, flattening
the hairs on my chest. He turned
me around, and his hands gently
plied my shoulder blades and then rose
to knead the twin columns forming
my neck. "You are an athlete?"
"No" I said, "I'm a working man."
"And you make?" he said. "I make
the glare for light bulbs." "Yes,
where would we be without them?"
"In the dark." I hear the starched
dress of the nurse behind me,
and then together they helped me
lie face up on his table, where blind
and helpless I thought of all
the men and women who had surrendered
and how little good it had done them.
The nurse took my right wrist
in her strong hands, and I
saw the doctor lean toward me,
a tiny chrome knife glinting in
one hand and tweezers in the other.
I could feel nothing, and then he said
proudly, "I have it!" and held up
the perfect little blue star, no
longer me and now bloodless. "And do
you know what we have under it?"
"No," I said. "Another perfect star."
I closed my eyes, but the lights
still swam before me in a sea
of golden fire. "What does it mean?"
"Mean?" he said, dabbing the place
with something cool and liquid,
and all the lights were blinking on
and off, or perhaps my eyes were
opening and closing. "Mean?" he said,
"It could mean this is who you are."

GLaDOS

Dress - made by MIL

Belt - Guess, gift from Keely

Trench - Hot topic

Shoes - XAppeal, thrifted

Why have I been working my butt off for free time, again? Oh yeah - PORTAL 2! Last night, D and I stood around two hours for the midnight release. I felt the need to put some effort in for the night. So I tossed on my favorite green shirt dress, and this freaking amazing belt that Keely gifted to me. I can't wait to pair it up with so much stuff.

Click to embiggen

These pumps? Sandals? Pumdals? I ran across them last Wednesday (99p day) in Goodwill. I really don't like to thrift shoes. Not because I find it squicky, but because the shoes at my local thrift spots are often banged up really badly even if they were new-stock. These were new stock. The soles unscratched and not banged up. For $4, these little bronze-brown shoes definitely came home with me. They're surprisingly comfortable too. I stood in the 3inch heels for the whole two hours with no feet complaints. I've almost written enough here to write a shoe post!

Sunday on Monday

 Top - La Belle, thrifted

Jeans - London Jean, thrifted

Boots - Frye 8R Harness in Tan

Sunnies - Fossil

Bag - Tyler Rodan Alabama Crossbody

Mondays are bad days for getting dressed. Hubs goes to class (and sometimes work too) and I often spend my Mondays like most people spend Sundays. I catch up on all my work for the rest of the week, do laundry, and generally run amok. So you get yesterday's outfit instead of today. Yesterday I met up with my mom and rode the bus all over. I decided boots and jeans would be nice for the 70F day. The black shirt however wasn't the smartest idea.

These jeans are quickly becoming my favorite pair. The fit is sublime, they're slightly stretchy so are comfortable all month long and hit right around my belly button so they don't dig like lower waisted jeans. This little coppery top was one of my Super Saturday purchases. At $2, I swooned. It's like someone threw copper paint at me.

I also touched up my hair color. Not sure if it's noticeable, I tried to stay around my current shade, but my roots were in dire need of a touch up. I'm pretty happy with it.

Friend Friday - Thankyou

Grey/Silver top - H&M, thrifted

Jacket - Target

Belt - thrifted

Jeggings - Target new stock, thrifted

Boots - Eject

Cuff - homegrown vintage via my mom

fabric swatch of the top

 

Stormy weather is back on the menu for today. It seems to have calmed down now, but we've had a couple more power surges. Hopefully they've over and I can get through my Reader for today.


1.  When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to: My best friend, Michael. We met in high school during a mutually rough patch and have been best friends ever since. He's been there through the best and worst times in my life and I thank him for it.

2. When it comes to me professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to:  My mom has always supported me to make my own decisions. I have to thank for my choices in how I finished my high school career and that she supported my year off to get married. She's never held me back from anything I've ever wanted to do.

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots: So many of you have helped me greatly so I'm sorry if I can't mention each person by name - because everyone has really helped me. Melissa has been a major sweetheart. Through all she's gone through she still takes the time to drop an email or tweet to check up on people. Keely has been a great sounding board and swap partner, helping to ease those "ease up on shopping times." Sheila has been a long time supporter of my little blog and is always one of my biggest sources of inspiration.

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was… To persevere through the burnout, the lack of inspiration, the body hate, the style confusion, the good bad and the ugly. I have come a long, long way from 2009 to finding myself on a personal and style level. This whole blog was created to bring more awareness to myself. I still have a form of disconnect but I find myself anew each day. Able to start from an outfit and build up my day into something more.

5. To my readers, I’d like to say…THANKYOU! My blog would be dead and gone the way of my cooking blog without you. I have been encouraged everyday by so many wonderful people and I thank each and everyone of you who visits, reads, or comments here.

Additionally I want to thank Wendy B for her post(s) at the Huffington Post, including yesterday's of Sheila's Leopard Week. Being included in the greater blogging community is a wonderful feeling.

Versatile Blogger

Tee - Theme, thrifted

Jeans - William Rast for Target new stock, thrifted

Scarf - thrifted

Earrings - liberated from my mom

Sandals - Michael Antonio

 I was awarded the Versatile Blogger Award by Amber Lena of Fashion Bargain Shopper Extraordinaire. I think I'm also supposed to give 7 random things about myself.

1. I LOVE thrifting. Not just shopping. I tend to get worn down while "just shopping", but I can dig through the racks at Goodwill for hours. It's just so much more exciting finding those special one of a kind pieces, the vintage, the brand new pieces for rock bottom price. And the most special are the few designer pieces I've come across. I've found a couple more than I've bought, but it's always a special feeling when I find them.

2. I'm lactose-sensitive, egg-sensitive, and caffeine-sensitive. It really sucks. I usually eat whatever I want, but I feel infinitely better if I avoid the above.

3. I'll spend $200 on shoes without feeling an ounce of guilt, but $4 for a dress will have me waiting until 99p day at Goodwill to actually buy it.

4. I'm a former goth, raver, nerd, rocker. I've decided to let all my love of clothes, genre, style and interests blend into me and not define myself as I did in school. I may not have the words to define me, but I'm working on who I am.

5. I don't really know how to do anything masterfully. I can do basic sewing. I can read music and play many instruments rudimentarily. I can fix my own computer issues if I really really have to. But I don't have a strong affinity to one topic where other people can turn to me for advice. Except relationships, I guess. Lol!

6. I'm a tv junkie. Not regular tv (though I always have that on too), but I love watching marathons. I've just finished Life on Mars (UK version) and heading onto Ashes to Ashes the sequel series this weekend. I'm currently on a British/BBC tv kick, but I'm also partial to True Blood, Blood Ties, Dresden Files, Charmed, Buffy, Star Trek TNG, or any kind of sci/fantasy show.

7. I love tiny drink cans. The squatty 8oz Cokes, Jones GABA tea cans, those little slim sodas. They're so cute!

Tag you're it: Theresa (style tree), Rebecca (MinnChic), Cara (Cara's Closet), Keely (Casual Chic Kiki), Christine (Futurelint), Melissa (Working Mom's Closet), Sheila (Ephemera), Hillary (ByHillary), Erin (MyClosetShouldNotBeScary)... And anyone else wanting to be tagged!

Angelic layers

 Dress - All Saints

Cardigan - Rugged Warehouse

Shoes - Eject, ebay

I've fallen head over heels for white-out looks. This dress was the first white piece of clothing to ever capture my heart (except my wedding dress). I think the reason it DID is because it was like someone took the elements I loved from my wedding dress (full skirt, lace-up, fitted bodice) and made it into a cotton day dress. I promised myself if I bought this pricey frock that I'd make up opportunities to wear it.

Click to embiggen

I've yet to find a pair of light colored shoes (white, gold, silver?) that really steal my heart the way this dress did. I'm still on the hunt, but it seems all the shoes I find are last season and therefore sold out. It's apparently not easy to find a white/light metallic shoe that's got an edginess to it. Buckles, straps something to make me feel like I'm not wearing priss-prosh shoes.

But today is all about the black and white. I have another presentation tonight, but my night classes have learned to expect more over the top outfits out of me.

Speech Makin'

Jacket - Thrifted

Toria Top - All Saints

Wide leg pants - Express

Necklace - borrowed from Mom

Louboutin Mumbai flats - ebay

With jacket

D and I had speeches to present today. I spoke about blogging - hooray! I like to dress up on days where I know I will presenting. It makes me feel extra prepared. I went with a navy and grey look instead of my planned white/grey/yellow. After the rain the air has just a bit of nip. I pulled out CL flats in protest though. Open toe shoes ftw!

I could have sworn I've worn this exact outfit before, but my outfit history shows I've worn these trousers with these shoes and these trousers with this top (and another top layer) but never all three together. 

I have another presentation for tomorrow - Wish me luck!

In Print

Lace tank - eberjey, thrifted

Vest - All Saints

Jeans - NY&Co, thrifted

Moccasins - Minnetonka, gifted thrifted

Necklace fall - All the chains I own

Sorry I've been sortof MIA this weekend. D and I visited a new game shop and wound up in a new game of D&D over the weekend. I also had lots of catch up this week with school work. I also got one of my comics printed in the MTSU newspaper! (not where I attend school fyi)

This outfit is what I wore Saturday to game. It was 91F! I wore loose sleeveless layers, but I wish I had even gone with a skirt or cut-offs. The building we were in had a busted a/c, we did have fans though.

I was going to double post again today - but we've got 'severe storms' rolling through again. So I'm staying safely tucked inside and trucking through my Thoreau book for class and catching up on my Google Reader.

Sew Sunday: Changing a Strap

click to embiggen

 Sometimes designers just don't think about women actually wearing their clothes. I love a good sleeveless dress or top as much as the next person, but I can't do without a bra most of the time. I thrifted this Old Navy new stock (tags still on: $36.99 new, $4 thrifted) dress and knew that it would need to be taken up and something done with the straps. In this case, the dress had a lot of raw edging and a crinkly over fabric. I cut a sortof ragged hem up to my knee. I took the leftover fabric and sewed them in half. I then layered the fabric strips underneath the 'rope' straps. I ran the machine over both ends to attach then ran it down the braid to attach them to the fabric. I now have a more modest dress. Now if only I can work around it's very pale color!

I should warn those attempting this - measure, measure, measure. You can see the edges of a cami next to the dress. I tried a similar technique, but did not measure correctly. So the leftover piece is now in my pile of practice fabric.

Friend Friday: Spring Trends

 Flower - from the yard

Top - Oscar by Oscar de la Renta, thrifted

Trousers - Express, thrifted

Pearl Hart Pumps - Fluevog

This was an outfit originally planned for Stripes Week, but due to 

weather constraints got pushed back.

1. Lingerie inspired - This is a look that can go really wrong, but I want to dip my feet in and try. I thrifted a very pretty (honeysuckle! shade) tank with lovely lace details. I'm hoping to find some more femme pieces like that.

2. White Out - I've become obsessed with white/cream/eggshell looks. Rather I always have, but my goth roots have always held onto black to strongly for me to pursue it. I'm now looking into incorporating more white, but with an edge. See my banner photo!

3. Saturated Colors - Alternatively, I'm busting out the colors. Pastels look terribad on me, but super red, royal blue, marigold yellow, burnt orange - love color.

4. Wide Leg Pants - Okay, Skinny to wide leg. I can appreciate both for their funtionality. I think I'm going to look for more pants with the cut of the trouser I have on today. I really like the fit of the wide-leg, non low waist. Finding those right pairs are going to be tricky though.

5. Wedges - Boo, is this even a trend? Oh well, I'm still hunting a good white/silver wedge sandal that has some sort of edge-y feel to it. I don't really have a lot of shoes that will "go" with the above white out trend so that's definitely on the list.

Five trends I will not be partaking of: Maxi dresses, playsuits, Midi skirts, Clogs, and Crochet/Tassels. These are really not fitting with my current wardrobe. I feel they would be misfits in my closet.

All wrapped up

Top - LOFT, thrifted

Leather skirt - thrifted

Paris Pumps - Fluevog

Oh glorious 80F day! I think Spring is finally here to stay. This wrap top was a surprising find on my thrifting Super Saturday haul. It's got poofy sleeves that I actually like. It will be fabulous to layer over dresses, but I couldn't resist pairing it with my cognac leather skirt (Yes I know it looks rather burnt orange). I'm very much in love with brown and black combinations lately.

I also finally hunted down some cloth heel grips - so these 'vogs fit sublimely. I got got some to go in my CL flats too. So now all my shoes are back to full wearability (That's totally a word).

Top - Express, thrifted

Necklace - rugged warehouse

Jeggings - Mossimo, thrifted

Pumps - Fly London

I've actually worn this second outfit a couple of times for short outings, but only just snapped a picture of it. So I thought I'd go ahead and share it too. Today was full of lots of errands - post office, grabbing drinks, etc.and it was so nice to be able to do it in the bright sunshine.

Belted Blazer

Linen Blazer - Sisley, thrifted

Loose Tee - Theme, thrifted

Belt - Rugged Warehouse

Skirt - A.Byer

Amelia boots - Miz Mooz

This blazer doesn't really even need a belt, it's so perfectly tailored. But I thought the belt helped pull in the darker browns. I have no idea why I'm drawn to cream/white/tans this season, especially since they wash me out. It's super gorgeous and sunny today. My spirits have lifted. Spring is definitely here to stay. What are you most looking forward to as the weather turns warm/cold (depending on your location)?

I even did a red lip today inspired by Hillary's latest post. I'm usually very paranoid about my lips looking small. I got this lipstick for a costume a year ago, but it's actually a pretty fabulous color.

After the Storm

Dress - Old Navy new stock, thrifted

Harness - Audra Jean

 Boots - 8R Harness Frye

Jacket - target (years and years ago)

I picked up this fab little dress in my Saturday Super Haul. It wasn't really outstanding in terms of cut or color, but the crinkly gauzy fabric had me drawn straight to it (and summer). It was also a great piece to try some alterations on. I hacked off the hem and added a thicker strap - look out for the sew sunday on how I did it.

Today the sun is blindingly bright, as if yesterday's storm didn't happen. We came out fine: only some downed tree limbs and stuff blown into the yard. Hope everyone in the South Eastern area is okay and safe. I know some areas are still experiencing storms, take care!

Severe weather

Hey all, I won't be posting outfits today, and possibly not tomorrow. I'm currently sitting in the hall waiting for tornadoes to pass through the area. I'm alright, but am currently sporting a lovely blanket as my functional fashion.

Friend Friday: Exposure

Vest - Fresh Brewed, thrifted

Tee - Old Navy

Jeans - Fire brand, swap

Boots - Eject

Hi everyone, I thought I'd answer just a few of the FF questions. I'll be sparse today because of D&D. Hope you all are enjoying your Friday.


Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?

Get to know your fellow bloggers. If you just communicate and become friendly - they're more likely to think of you when looking for guest posters.
 

Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?

Just comment with what you feel. I don't always leave lengthy comments, but I try to always say something when I can. I like people to know I'm reading, checking in on their blog, and enjoy their content. If someone decides to follow me, I want it to be because it's beneficial and enjoyable to them, not because I begged it.
 

In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?

Speaking of begging - seeking support is asking for small tips or joining in with people who ask, starting up projects with bloggers. Begging is begging. Don't leave comments that are just links back to your blog. Nor leave comments asking me to follow you. I just post who I am and what I'm wearing.