The Regular She’d Rearrange, The Girl Knew How To Chop and Change

I want to take a moment to gush about my husband. Saturday night we had a birthday dinner for a friend planned. We had been saving for a few weeks, as the dinner was at a nicer restaurant than we can normally afford. And all week I had been really excited about it. But Saturday I woke up in a funk and had a wardrobe crisis. I didn’t have anything new* to wear. I felt fat. And nothing I had felt flattering. My amazing husband understood. And he took me to Buffalo Exchange, and he gave me the last of his credit (I think I left him 6 bucks) and I got a new dress and a new bag. I am sure most of you can identify, but that new outfit gave me SUCH a boost of both confidence and mood. I felt pretty. And fun. And I cannot thank God enough for giving me a man who would make such sacrifices. It might seem small to you, but in a household where money is tight, and new clothes are a luxury, he gave his credit to me, even though it meant no new outfit for him.

I am not wearing the new dress here, but I am carrying the bag.



It is a beauty. It is leather and such a roomy size for a clutch. The colors are amazing.



It goes PERFECTLY with the dress, which I promise to wear with it soon. But I brought it home and of course, I had to see what else it went with, and this blouse was one of a few things.



I removed a big bow from the front of that blouse, because I always felt it interfered with styling. And because now I could, I added a lot of necklace to the look.



We are getting a lot of rain here right now, which is nice, but it meant we took the opportunity to get pictures when it came, right outside my office. I hope my co-workers missed the show.





*I am not ABOUT to wear that Zac Posen dress to a restaurant where people will be eating red sauce and drinking red wine. Not even almost.

Blouse, Target
Pants, Forever XXI
Pumps, Target
Leather clutch, Buffalo Exchange
Watch necklace and bat skull, Etsy
Beaded necklace, vintage

Down The Street, I’m The Girl Next Door

So…against pretty much all advice…I shortened it.



Oh my gosh, don’t act like you didn’t know I would. And by “I shortened it” I mean, “I watched while my mother-in-law did it”.



My decision was based mostly on shoe options. Longer, I had one. Platform heeled sandals, and I love those sandals, but I also like to have more than one way I can style something. Otherwise, I get bored. And a boot with a frilly dress is one of my go-to looks. And I knew if I shortened the dress, I could STILL wear the sandals, but I could ALSO wear the boots. Also, be honest…I didn’t go as short as you thought I would, did I? I exercised some restraint (or else I miscalculated and when it was done it was a little longer than planned, whichever.)




The paparazzi. You just can’t get away sometimes.

So, have I ever mentioned that I am a pretty amazing cook? I probably have. I am a bit of a braggart sometimes. Anyway, I am. I am really good at making up my own things, but really bad at following your recipe with the measuring and the exactness and whatnot. And I hate baking. But I love making cake balls. But anyway, all of that to say (brag) that I made something really great and summery and fresh the other night and I took this picture for you to drool over:



1 Box Couscous (garlic and herb flavor), prepared as directed (but the lowfat directions) and allowed to cool to room temperature.
Julienne a couple or four handfuls of fresh, raw spinach
Currants (I had to ask the lovely people at Whole Foods where they were, they did not have them at Wal-Mart, go figure, turns out it is a very common question at the Whole Foods and I am not the only one who couldn’t find them)
Roasted Pine Nuts
Goat Cheese (I am 100% sure feta would also work)
Squeeze of lemon (or not. Nathan hates lemon and had his without. I think it adds a real brightness to the dish, but personal tastes vary and what not)

Honestly, it was SO Good.

Dress, vintage and altered
Belt and buckle, vintage
Boots, Target
Bag, LUSH, second hand
Earrings, Prairie Oats at Etsy

I Just Can’t Get Enough, I Just Can’t Get Enough

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting some great bloggers. Reiko from God’s Favorite Shoes was in town, and I asked her if she could meet up with me. I was so glad she said yes, because I just adore her. I invited Tina, since it had been FAR too long since I’d seen her, and Reiko brought Juanette. We met for dinner and had a great time. I can’t wait to do it again. Of course, we took photos!~

Now normally, the photo you would see would be something like this:


Tina, Juanette, Reiko, Me

Look How pretty everyone is! So stylish and poised! What you don’t normally see is what it takes to get pictures like that…


Tina races to get to the other side…


EJ: “I think it’s taking the picture now…”


Oh my gosh! Why is this so hard and ridiculous?! (But also fun!)


Work It!



I had SUCH a good time, and I hope we get to see each other again soon! Tina mentioned trying to round up ALL of the Dallas fashion bloggers. How many of you are out there?

And here are my personal shots from yesterday…



I love this dress, but have worn it all of twice, I think, because the sleeves are gorgeous but they don’t mix well with sweaters, and you never know when you might need one in Dallas, with all that overzealous AC!~



Dress and Sandals, Target
Earrings, self made
Bag, vintage

She Took The Midnight Train Goin’ Anywhere

People at work thought this was a Def Leppard tee. It’s not. That would also be cool, and I would totally wear that, so if you have one and you need to find a home for it, I’m here for you.



I can see how you might be confused. That is not a super clear picture and I mean, a hair band is a hair band is a hair band without a logo, right?



And the back is not a lot more helpful. I had to point to just where the band name is before anyone could really tell who it was.



I felt like an extra from “Dazed and Confused”. Those earrings are pretty great too, they are basically tiny wind chimes that tinkle every time I move my head. Very occasionally it is problem, and I miss something someone said because I moved my head while they were talking, but mostly it is just a really pleasant thing to listen to all day.

Can we talk about those shoes please? They are really pretty. And they go with almost everything. But they hurt. Right at the very front of the shoes they rub my toes along the edge. I think I am going to try putting some moleskin along the edge unless you all have a better suggestion. The shoes are suede but the lining where they touch my feet is, unfortunately, man made.

Journey Tee, Vintage and thrifted by Nate
Jeans (denim leggings), ANA at JCPenny
Shoes, Target
Bag, LUSH, secondhand
Bag charm, Tokidoki, gift from Alannah
Earrings, gift from Alannah
Swatch, vintage and thrifted by Nate

Money Can’t Buy Me Love

But it can buy you Marc Jacobs.



I know! That’s an OLD picture. But I wanted to let you guys know I am going to sell that Marc Jacobs bag. It is a gorgeous bag, but for reasons I can’t quite pinpoint, it doesn’t work for me. It is in good used condition.



It is a substantial size.





I have a full set of pictures over at my Flickr, noting all the flaws and wear. I wanted to offer it to you guys first, because I would much rather have a friend carry it, and I consider you friends. If no one is interested, no worries, I will Ebay it. If you are interested, just let me know. I am asking $150 plus shipping and I would be happy to list it in the Etsy shop if you’d rather do that than just PayPal me blindly.

Too Much Candy Gonna Rot Your Soul

When the Zac Posen collection for Target was first announced, there was a gorgeous pink dress, and all the magazines featured it. It was perfect. Floaty and flattering and just a bit edgy. I wanted that dress. I ripped the picture out and kept it in my wallet. I would lie in bed and think about that dress. And as luck would have it, I got that dress.



We happened to be visiting friends in Austen the day the collection debuted, and I asked if anyone minded stopping in the Target on the way home from brunch. When we got there, not only did they have most of the collection, already on display and ready for sale, but NO ONE was shopping it! In Dallas, I often have to go to multiple Targets to get a dress the day a designer collection debuts, and due to their popularity, even if I get there right when the store opens, it’s not a sure thing, so having the entire collection to quietly shop at my own pace was just magical.



I tried on several things. There was a navy blue dress with snaps that made my boobs look like works of art, honest. It was amazing. But not very practical. Mr. Posen really knows how to make a girl look great. But money is tight, and I can’t afford to get everything I want. Oh, cruel life!



But not really. Because I did get that gorgeous pink dress. I’m not sure why it took me so long to wear it. I took it off the rack and admired it often. But I never wore it. I think it might be a case of loving it too much. I was almost nervous to wear it, worried I might get something on it, or snag the skirt. But I didn’t. And I felt SO PRETTY. (Even though not a single person at the office commented on the fact that I was wearing the prettiest day dress ever made. The nerve! It’s OK, I totally called them out on it.

P.S. The day I wore the dress? The kids on MTVs “The City” went to the Zac Posen for Target launch party on the show!

Dress, Zac Posen for Target
Sandals, Target
Bag, SMAK, second hand
Necklace, gift, older than dirt

She’s Instantly More Pretty and More Interesting Than Me

Ok. Here is the thing. I know there is a Black Out Challenge on, or at least, there was when I wore this outfit. I was not participating, but I swear, I was not trying to be a punk. What I was being was really lazy.



It’s not my best effort. It’s boring. And I think it’s actually a great example of why a Black Out Challenge is such a good idea. I didn’t feel bad in this outfit, but I sure didn’t feel my best.



The tassel on the back of that necklace seemed like such a good idea when I made it, and I do still love the aesthetic of it, but that thing basically ends up in front tangled up with the rest of the necklace most of the time.



I will say this, I was comfortable at least. This was basically the same as wearing PJs to the office.



I forget where I got that adorable mustache ring. If I weren’t so lazy, I’d look it up, but I AM.



Nathan found this at a thrift store for a buck fifty or something. I love it. I hope that all it needs is a new battery (yes, I wore a non functioning watch all day). The battery is a 396. We have looked at CVS, Target, Wal-Mart and Office Depot. No luck. I know they sell them at the Swatch store, but the Swatch store is in the mall. I used to love the mall, but now it’s just like, a big shrine to things I want and cannot afford. It give me hives just thinking about it so I am avoiding going there. It’s not looking like I am going to get out of it if I want the watch to function though. BOO.

Tee, AA
Trousers, Forever XXI
Belt, Target
Bag, LUSH, secondhand
Necklaces, self made
watch, Swatch, thrifted
Shoes, White Mountain via Amazon.com

He Moves, So I Don't Think He's Dead

My friends Kat and Jason are following Nick and Colleen to San Francisco soon. I have to admit, it’s been a little hard to deal with, because it has been so good getting to know them all and we have had such fun together. I will miss each and every one of them.

As a result of the move, Kat is doing a bit of purging and she recently listed these shoes for sale on Facebook.



They are stunning, and I said as much, and she offered to give them to me. For free! She said it was hard to find someone with a foot small enough. Just call me Cinderella. The leather was a bit tight at first, but it is so buttery soft it stretched out to a perfect fit by the end of the day. I think I’d like to replace the laces (or iron them). Do you guys have any ideas? I don’t want to be boring with the replacements, but I don’t want to make them less wearable by being too out there either.



Turns out I have the perfect dress and bag (and another dress as well) to go with them. I love that this dress has a bit of a vintage-y feel to the fabric and cut (I know it’s short, but overall, vintage-esque), but the overall look is still modern.



I look surly, yes? I was tired. I saw a news report the other day that said insomniacs are THREE TIMES more likely to just DROP DEAD. So that’s fun. I might just drop dead on you any day now!



It has been so humid here that hair only looks good up. Why, hello Texas Summer! I am not super pleased to see you. I preferred your friend Perfect Spring.

Dress, Target
Cardigan, AA
Bag, Lush
Shoes, vintage
Necklaces, various including Wendy Brandes Isabella Wolf Fang Necklace

Baby I’m Still Free, Take a Chance On Me

So we went secondhand and thrift shopping last weekend, and I was on the lookout for work pants, harem pants and ditzy floral dresses. I didn’t find any of those things. I think that’s pretty standard for me, though, I almost never find what I was actually looking for. I did find these gorgeous Ralph Lauren baby pink and black oxfords though.



I could only think of a couple things I owned that I could wear them with, and they cost $20.00 of my $40.00 credit. I wore them around the store for quite some time, trying to decide, but in the end, I decided that I loved them, and I would make them work. So I got them. Then I made it my mission to find something to pair them with at the thrift store. I decided it was a great opportunity to shop outside my normal style, since these shoes aren’t really my normal look anyway. And I found this dress…



Everything about it is “wrong” for me. The print is too conservative. I don’t love the color palette. And that cut is normally a disaster on my body type. But I tried it on anyway and was really surprised at how good it looked on. I’m not saying I didn’t suck my tummy in all day, cause you better believe I did, but that’s good, right? Sucking it in will tone it up!



The only slip I had to wear with it was a good bit shorter than the dress, but I found it didn’t really matter. It still looked nice. I didn’t wear my pettipants (which I wear with almost every dress and skirt combo I own now*) because I needed to keep as clean a line as possible due to the unforgiving cut, but that’s OK. The slip was long enough to preserve my modesty.

I’m only posting this picture because my hair came out so nice, ha!


I’m glad I took a chance on the dress, because I felt really classy in it. And I’m super glad I took a chance on the shoes. I love them.

*Oh my gosh. I wore them under that sequined skirt on Saturday. NOT a good idea. They made the skirt slide down my legs as I walked and as I result I had to stand very still and hold my skirt up when I did move. I will not be doing that again.

Dress, Thrifted
Shoes, Ralph Lauren via Buffalo Exchange
Bag, Steve Madden

Better Leave Her Behind With The Kids, They're Alright

I wore this outfit on an ill-fated Saturday night. First, I burned my hand making dinner. We had set plates down. On the stove. On a burner. That had been boiling pasta 5 minutes ago. So that was not awesome. But I put my hand in a bowl of ice water immediately and avoided any permanent or even temporary damage. Then I got all dolled up…



And we went down to The Handsome Kitten (which is what our friends Jason and Kat’s apartment becomes when it is used as a show venue) to see our friends Giggle Party play. Now I knew before hand that that crowd would be on the younger side. OK? I understood that. What I didn’t understand is that we would be the ONLY people, besides the band, who were over 18. I am not kidding. It was wall to wall teenagers in there. So I stayed for maybe 20 minutes, panic building in my chest, and then had Nathan take me home. There is almost NOTHING I find more frightening than teenagers*, and that many of them in one place at one time? A big no thank you to you.

But I really liked this outfit, so I goofed off and took a few poor quality indoor shots for you before I took it off. And I added antlers in case you got bored.






*I’m not saying they are ALL bad, OK? Just most of them. You know it’s true.
Tee, Target
Skirt, Buffalo Exchange
Boots, Thrifted

My Mama Told Me, You’d Better Shop Around

I took Friday off and we finally had some time to do a little thrifting. We had a credit for Buffalo Exchange* as well, so we hit that first. I did not find what I was looking for, but I did find some things I didn’t know I needed until I saw them…you know what I mean!



It was hot. So hot I wore shorts. And that’s hot, because I am not actually a huge fan of shorts. I mean, shorts by themselves. I love them layered with tights, or leggings. But just me, shorts and my bare legs? Not a fan.



(Look. I’m so tiny.) We also hit a few thrift stores, and again, I did not really find what I needed, but I got a couple things anyway. I ended up with baby pink and black Ralph Lauren oxfords and a sequined skirt from Buffalo Exchange, and a dress to match the oxfords and a pair of red cowboy boots from thrifting. Total spent less than 7 bucks. Because we had a credit at Buffalo Exchange, remember? So it totally doesn’t count as money spent. It counts as a trade. I mean, they got a better deal in the trade, but they always do.



It was fun even though I didn’t find any dress pants, or harem pants or cute floral dresses. But it always make me so tired. Is anyone else like that? I don’t know what it is, but thrift shopping is so draining. I come home and just crash.



*Ok, can I just take this opportunity to be an old lady and tell you a pet peeve of mine? I see people refer to stuff they got at Buffalo Exchange as “thrifted”. And you are totally free to do so as I have not yet been appointed the Official Word Police, and also, I make up my own words and break all kinds of word laws all the time anyway, BUT, stuff purchased from Buffalo Exchange is second hand, not thrifted. Because Buffalo Exchange is a second hand store, not a thrift store. I have no idea why I need to differentiate the two, but I do.

Tee, thrifted
Belt, Thrifted
Buckle, Vintage
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Boots, Target
Bag, thrifted, vintage
Earrings, gift from Alannah (but they are from H&M)