I found this "crushable" fedora at Target. I'm not really a hat person, but lately, my scalp has been telling me to decorate it with headbands and baubles. This hat called to me, and hopefully it isn't reminiscent of Brittany Spears and her affection for fedoras, as this hat may be my new favorite thing. At least in the category of "things I am 90% sure I can't break," of which there are few.
Dress: from a Little Rock boutique several yeas ago Heels: Frye's on clearance Bracelet: my great grandmother's Cameo: my grandmother's Fedora: Target Town: Florence, Texas
The styles of these clothes look vaguely familiar... oh, maybe because they look like conceptualized versions of what I always cross my fingers to find in vintage and thrift stores.
There is a great article in the New York Times today about designer fashion taking its cue from the hippies and hipsters of yore, (and by yore I mean the 60's and 70's), who's bohemian pieces are now the fountain-of-youth-in-fabric... they don't age, and everyone wants them. So much, so, that designers have taken the liberty to sew replicas of these pieces and charge hundreds of dollars for them. Well, at least that takes the difficulty of digging through stuffed racks and bargain bins out of the picture, (but isn't that the fun part?).
In the article, "What's in a Label? Say it in French," the Critical Shopper, a self-proclaimed army surplus and vintage hunter enthusiast, describes her experience in Isabel Marant's very chic boutique:
"I pulled my own jeans and gray sweatshirt back on and hustled out of the store — an act of self-preservation that saved me nearly $600. Was my own wardrobe achieving parity or parody? Only my hairdresser knows for sure."
I'd say it's parody, but not on her side of the universal closet - on Fashion Week's. And everyone knows that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Aw, shucks, garment district.
But seriously - if you've got $800 to blow on an embroidered tunic - hands off my $20 ebay score!
Woe to any boy who dates me, I'm a flower fanatic. So when the J.Crew spring catalog arrived, I started drooling 40% over the girly clothes, and 60% over the use of flowers and roses as props.
Do I like those shoes, or the fact that there are pink flowers flanking them? Hard to tell. Well played, J.Crew...
This ornate headpiece is not in the catalog. False advertising!
I think bouquets of flowers in my bag need to become part of my regular accessorizing routine.
Or part of by belt buckle. Would I get weird looks if I wore cut flower stems like this?
Friday before last I went shopping with my step-mom and step-sisters in Austin which is a huge treat. Trying to be fiscally conservative, I begrudgingly decided not to buy these studded, high heeled, normally almost $300 Frye oxfords that I found at Nordstom Rack. Did I mention they were the only pair in the store? I've had dreams about them since then, and when I showed these pictures I took in the store to Michelle, she said she could find them online for me, no probs.
And she DID!
And I ordered them!
And I had to pay shipping. Boo.
Next time, I buy the shoes, no dilly-dallying. I intend to wear these every day this summer. I just hope they aren't left on the doorstep of the wrong apartment like my last mail order purchase!
Two bloggers I really like recently posted outfit photos with skinny pants - a pant I swore I'd never own.
But they both look so cute... and I have blazers... and heels... and scarfs... I may have to try on a pair. Are they only for skinny people? Hence the name? This is why I've avoided them for so long.
Krystal from This Time Tomorrow looking lovely in leopard (see what I did there?).
Katy from Kansas Couture looking equally adorable - and I want her shoes! Notice she is also working a black and white striped shirt, and it definitely doesn't look referee-ish. I should take notes.
So the question, that while not-so-important in the grand scheme, is putting pressure on my wallet: to skinny or not to skinny? My bootcuts might get jealous.
Ok, now for expending so much energy contemplating trousers, I shall go do penance and read CNN. (Actually, proper punishing penance would be Fox News...)
Having a boyfriend from Dallas and my dad and step-mom in Copperas Cove means Lennon and I get to make trips home easily and semi-often. We've driven to Dallas a few times now, and I've never once noticed this store until I started looking for it. Actually, that's not true. I noticed it after I started looking for it, turned around three times, and finally ignored Google maps and used the directions on their web site, (word to the wise: ignore Google if you go here, it lies!)
I'm 98% certain the building is an old gas station, which only adds to the charming Americana that permeates the store and everything inside it. The first thing you notice once you get past the exterior display is BOOTS. Boots and pearl snap cowboy shirts. We knew we were going to like the place when we saw, sitting on top of Art, the owner's, CD pile was an autographed copy of Hayes Carll's album Little Rock. Lennon didn't get much chance to browse, though. Indiana mentions Art talking your ear off: this is accurate. I slipped off after a while to browse and let Lennon be the sacrificial ear.
Elm Mott must have had a riotous square dancing scene at one time (still?), as there was a large selection of vintage square dancing dresses and petticoats. Lennon found a white, James Bond dinner jacket he kept taking off the rack and putting back. It was slightly out of his price bracket, which gives me birthday idea fodder.
I bought the white dress on the right from Style Station with contemplations of having it altered, but after trying it on I decided the only thing I need done is to have the waist let out an inch, if that's possible. I need the same thing done to the vintage gold medallion dress I found at the Dallas Buffalo Exchange. That one is missing some sort of belt, so I bought a navy ribbon from Wal-Mart to go through the belt loops.
That Dallas trip was our Valentine's Day date, and if you missed my aquarium adventures and photographs, you can find those here. I loved the walk-through shark tank tunnel. It was dreamy and dark and surreal... until one of the fifty toddlers sharing the experience with us started screaming, (I need to go back on a week day - or work at Sea World).
Can we take a minute to talk about how much I love love loveBand of Horses, and Holly Miranda ever since I fell in love with The Jealous Girlfriends? If you've been with my blog for a while, you may remember how Holly Miranda broke my heart when she canceled her appearance at Mohawk, after I bought tickets just to see her open for some other guys I'd never heard of. All is forgiven though, because during SXSW she's playing in my church's sanctuary and I get to volunteer and thus be allowed to watch! OMG! So excited!
Speaking of church, this is what I wore to go there this morning. We have a new co-pastor, Joseph Moore, and he's very nice, and funny, and apparently has read my blog! I feel all famous now.
Today I had a difficult time getting dressed, as I only knew I wanted to wear these shoes, and couldn't think of anything to go with them. It's like writer's block, but more of a social hazard, as nudity is looked upon unfavorably. "Fashion block"? Seeing as services start at 11 a.m., by 10:48 it was time to wear SOMETHING, so this is what I haphazardly ended up in.
Shoes: Anne Klein via Buffalo Exchange Skirt: J. Crew Cream shirt: from a boutique in Columbia, MO Tank: Old Navy Necklace: from my mom's costume jewelry
After church I had a shopping date with Michelle, so I got to do an outfit switch-a-roo, and the fun challenge of this is to leave on as many original items of clothing as possible, proving one to be a master of wardrobe versatility. I give myself a 7 out of 10 in this church-to-Sunday-shopping transition, as I only kept on two original pieces. (It's Olympic season, perhaps I've caught the fever).
Shorts: Bitten, $2 from Thrift Town Flats: Target (big spender at $17) Cardigan: Old Navy Necklace: Sola on the Triangle
Michelle and I walked over to Sola, and I realized that unless they are having an end-of-season 50% off sale, I really can't afford anything but jewelry. But they have lovely Oxford flats that I so-so-so would like to buy myself for a mere $90... I appeased my wants with a $12 pendant reminiscent of this famous photograph. We then drove (I know, lazy us) over to Buffalo Exchange, where Michelle found swanky $50 Michael Kors heels, which if they were in my size, might have gotten "lost" in my car on the way home. We then hopped next door to Toy Joy where I got to try my first taste of vegan chocolate hazelnut yogurt. I'll probably be going back for more, soon. Next week we have another girl date and I'm so excited: Zara and Alice in Wonderland (with costumes!!!!)!!!!
Oh, and did I mention how excited I am about Band of Horses and Holly Miranda? Because I am.
And of course, the song I've been trying to learn to play on guitar for like, three months, but have yet to master, (plus I just love the video and the bottle breaking - just wait, I'll have a cover of this song... sometime... and it will make babies weep, for one reason or another):
I flash around my favorite tattoo like some people do diamond rings:
I've probably posted this picture at least four times before today. But did I mention I love this tattoo? It's recreated from this Frida Kahlo painting, and in honor of Valentines Day, it only seems fitting to find ways to accessorize it. Or, ways for someone to tell their honey that they've stolen their heart, (ambiguous pronouns - my fav!).
First, learn how to make your own heart card at Cheeky Magpie. You can decorate it with bling, deliver a stern message that resembles a restraining order, or tack it on your wall because it's nifty.
Continuing the theme of interactive anatomy, there is this heart locket that opens and closes, but probably won't hold a picture, unless you want it crinkled.
Heart or no heart, I really want one of these Earth friendly coffee cup cozies. Sadly, I'm not crafty enough to make it myself.
Lennon wants a messenger bag to go with his new bike... I wonder how he'd feel about this.
If I was in medical school I would use this ring to cheat.
And since it's Valentines, I have to include a "you hold the key to my heart" necklace. I'm just wondering when Kay will adopt the design, start encrusting it with diamond chips and selling it?
To accompany this Valentines post, I decided to include my personal soundtrack for every potential VD setting:
Scenario One: Forget Valentines Day, singledom is superior.
Daniel Johnston: True Love Will Find You In The End
Scenario Two: Valentines Could Have Rocked But You Ruined It I Hate You
Brand New: Okay I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don't
Scenario Three: Broken Hearted and Nostalgic
Jack Penate: Pull My Heart Away
Scenario Four: I love you, I love you, I love you
City and Colour: The Girl
Have a happy Valentines, Sunday, however you prefer to look at it :)
I'm going to Dallas and hope to take Indiana's advice and stop here to check it out. How are you spending the weekend?
I love pretty table settings, and watching Julie & Julia over and over has only added to my desire for an open air dinner lit by fairy lights, candles, and the reflections off colored glassware. My Austin apartment might not be conducive to dining al fresco, but it doesn't have to hinder my search for pretty tableware. The thing that does hinder it, though, are two male roommates who have already broken several pint glasses and a few pieces of my beloved Fiestaware. Sigh.
I've been reading blogs, though, that focus on thrifty shopping and yard sales. Indiana at Adored Austin frequently mentions her love of Savers for clothes, and living nearby the North Austin store, I decided to swing by and make my own assessments. When I got in, I was too distracted to even notice the clothes, because look at what I found!
First, there were these blue glass tumblers that look exactly like the green ones my Ma Maw Mary from Pine Bluff, Arkansas had in her cupboards when I was little. With the casualties of my Bed, Bath & Beyond pint glasses in mind, I didn't feel bad picking up the lot of six, especially after I saw the price...
.99 cents! That's right up my alley. It's especially sweet when I do a little internet searching and find this:
I was also drawn to these cute dessert cups. They'd be perfect for holding soft boiled eggs, candy, decorations, ice cream, or...
berries and cream (yogurt for me), just like this similar dessert cup from Crate and Barrel. I could pay $25.00 for a set of twelve from them, or I can be happy with the price I paid:
.99 cents a piece again. I got six and could still afford to buy myself dinner out.
The last thing I found may need a little work:
I've seen several blogs post craft ideas for silver serving trays, mostly to turn them into chalk board wall decor, like at Bless Our Nest. I'll have to hold on to this and report back once I decide what to do with it, but for this price:
I couldn't just leave it sitting there. So, for a grand total of $15 and pocket change, I got all of the following:
I think I may have caught the thrift bug beyond just the clothes rack. This is potentially dangerous and potentially wonderful. Right now, the wonderful outweighs any potential risk.
When I first got out of graduate school and started teaching, I took outfit photos almost every day to remind myself how to put together the pieces I had in my closet. Ten new pounds and two years later, I have long since abandoned this habit and suffered from a case of "the sloppies," which I partially attribute to the weight gain. A lot of my "cute" clothes no longer fit or were donated to Goodwill before the big move to Texas.
Working in after school programming facilitated a jeans and t-shirts phase of my life, one I am now completely bored with and ready to abandon. One of my favorite discoveries about Austin is the over-whelming enthusiasm for vintage stores and clothing, which is way more affordable than the sorority-boutique-look that was/is popular in Arkansas, and also allows for way more creativity in dressing.
I believe one of my first orders of business for 2010 should be to adopt the creative mindset, and as much as I love my solid, Target t-shirts, perhaps I should not wear them the moment they are out of the dryer...
One of my first super-exciting thrifted finds: Seven jeans from Buffalo Exchange for $18.00. I love bell bottoms, and I love designer jeans. I'm not so sure if I love how much longer my hair has gotten since my self-portrait days, but I'm too cheap to cut it. And yes, I also love orange, (and Target, that shirt and cardigan... and oh, my sparkly One Star shoes, are from there).
Anyway: 2010, bring on the cute outfits! And do it for cheap! I've got my camera ready and I might even dust off my high heels.
My family likes to make Kaboodle lists long before Christmas, and then go physically shopping for presents with frequent stops for snacks and Starbucks. While I'm all about some snacks, (and family), I much prefer to sit and home and let my mouse do the walking. I also love supporting home-grown, hand-sewn products, which is why I browse Etsy as opposed to the rest of the web. Because of this, I am super sad that I missed the Austin Etsy Craft Riot this past weekend, but staff parties (and sleeping in) commanded my attention. All that over-blown lead up finished, here are my favorite Etsy finds for, oh, the past twenty minutes.
Creamer in Spring Green by AbbyTPottery - I actually like all of the pieces that go with this set, but something about a fat, squat jar with a handle and spout screams "must acquire NOW" to me.
Hot Pink Felt Texas by LoveCalifornia - My heart may belong to Arkansas, but Austin suits my soul.
Magical Exploding Frog Soap by HowardsHome. 'Nuff said. (although, it's also worth mentioning that sales go to benefit their son's hospital bills).
Japanese lunch bag by Little Sappling - it's a draw string bag, no, it's a lunch sack, no, it's a placemat... either way, no crusty crumbs permanently stuck in the bottom of the bag!
Alice Cullen wool gloves by BoopieCreations - as I type this, my hands and fingers are freezing. I wish I had these so I could both type and not have icicle fingers.
Animal Pastimes 2010 calendar by SadlyHarmless - I liked almost every calendar that I found when I searched, but this one had the cutest pictures. It also reminds me of the paint licking giraffe at the Little Rock zoo that I am so very fond of.
Gin and Tonic Moustache Wax by MansFaceStuff - mostly I think this is funny because it fits a stereotype, and second, because Lennon is all about his hair goop and always proclaims, "I'm a Dapper Dan Man!" Plus moustaches should be the new beards. Or I just like nifty containers. It's a toss-up.
Poofy Tutu Skirt by Oblivion Clothing - a tutu for adults!? I'd wear it everyday.
And if you were lame like me and missed the Austin Etsy Craft Riot, then you can still check out the pictures here. I can't believe I missed out on Santa! Did anyone go and find anything they love?
If you like to romanticize the act of writing in the same way that I do, then you probably have fantasies about parchment paper, black ink fountain pens, and antique typewriters. And this fetish isn't limited to the writing utensils themselves, but extends to all kitchy things that incorporate my favorite writing utensils as art deco add-ons. I'm sorry pink Sony Vaio, for as much as I love you, I would totally have an affair with a dashing gentleman dressed daringly all in black and named Oliver. I also have no fear of unleashing my inner "nerdy secretary" and decorating my walls with risque pin-ups of vintage machines that really know how to "push my buttons." This, of course, means that the man sporting a well-inked necktie around me would quickly find himself not wearing it anymore.
But, for the typewriter enthusiast who has everything...
Cormac McCarthy's portable Olivetti typewriter circa 1963 is going up for auction at Christie's on Friday, and is expected to fetch a paltry $15,000 - $20,000. That's a pretty $250 per word he ever typed on the machine. I bet it never gave him the blue screen of death.
I used to have two old typewriters that I never replaced the ribbons on, so I ended up leaving them with my ex-fiance when I moved away. Regrettable, now, as one was a gift from my mom purchased at an antique store in Florence, Texas. Perhaps one day, when space allows, I'll go shopping for a new mechanical muse.
In the near future, I'll have to settle some of my cravings and pay a visit to the Typewriter Museum here in Austin over by Rio Rita. Has anyone been - is it really a typewriter exhibit space?
I'm also curious if anyone else prefers typewriters to computers? Or, (gasp), writing long hand?
Having grown up as a military brat, I've done a lot of travelling. Maybe not enough to qualify as an expert, but close enough to know how to travel well. So, to celebrate one of my talents - travelling - I'm going to do a few posts with travel tips, just in case your holidays involve cross country treks, continental skips, calculated avoidance of relatives, or all of the above.
First up on the agenda: packing clothes that are both casual and dressy enough to not look like a miscreant in a nice restaurant. It's also important to not look like one of those harried airport patrons wearing sweats with "Juicy" across the butt while sitting next to a woman in a pencil skirted-business suit with her legs crossed away from the pink mess beside her. Trashy.
The easiest and most versatile way to pack, for warm weather or cold, is to take skirts and boots. Boots keep your legs warm, skirts always look nice, and regardless of stereotypes, skirts are way more comfortable than jeans. To pair a skirt with boots, I recommend going with flared, a-line skirts that can be matched with plain t-shirts, sweaters, or nicer blouses.
2) "Little Birds" skirt from Etsy seller alejandrina.
3) Cashmere "Working Girl" skirt from Etsy seller Econica.
4) Shirred wool skirt (available in four colors) from J. Crew.
Being anti-leather, all of the boots I picked out as favorites are vegan and cruelty free. A long list of animal-friendly, skin-free online retailers can be found at Peta's website (don't be scared off, it's just a list of stores) under Compassionate Shopping Guide.
These boots, going clockwise, can be found online:
I haven't gotten around to buying a new pair of boots yet - all the pairs I own are either leather and I feel too guilty to wear them, or they make my feet look too big because I didn't size them right. I've got my eye on that slouch pair, though.
What do you like to pack for travelling? Are you an anti-sweats-in-airports person, or am I alone on that...
