I Get This Feeling I'm In Motion

This is from Tuesday. Thank you so much for all your kind words. I got dressed and Nathan drove me to work today and I plan to try and hang for at least half a day. Not sure I'll make it much longer than that without my meds (can't take them and drive myself home and my car is still here from Wednesday!) but I'm giving it my best shot!

This is probably the most amazing outfit I will ever wear. It was perfect in every way.


To be honest, I was not originally pleased with the pictures, but then Alannah and Suze gave me just the boost I needed to see how well they actually came out.



Sunday I had an AMAZING day with my friend Taryn, who I had not seen in at least a year. We went to see “Country Strong”, shopping and then to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. While we were at Nordstrom Rack, Taryn found this amazing cape. I have been trying on capes ALL WINTER and none of them have looked right on me until this one. Just LOOK at those ridiculous shoulders, they are amazing.



It’s more of a Fall/Spring weight cape, but we were blessed with an unseasonably warm day on Tuesday so I sprang at the chance to wear it just once this season (oh, you know I’m trying to find ways to make it work before Spring, I will.)



The other thing I really loved are these Aldo cammo boots with the floral dress. I actually considered these earlier this year at full price, but just couldn’t justify it. But they went on sale for less that $40 and I didn’t even hesitate. I knew JUST how I wanted to wear them, too. They were just begging to be worn with floral dresses and I am happy to oblige.



Did you notice my hair is down? I really am trying to listen to suggestions (yours, my husbands, my co-workers...) and learn to wear it down. Having seen both a side and middle part now, which do you prefer? I think the middle is easier to wear and stays off my face better but perhaps the side is more flattering and I could train it to lay that way?

Cape, BCBG via Nordstrom Rack
Dress, Tucker for Target
Tights (ugh worst tights ever. I don’t know.)
Boots, Aldo
Gloves, Target

Now I’m Stronger Than Yesterday

I was super crazy excited to wear this outfit. I thought of it on a Thursday night, so I had to save it, because as you know, Fridays are casual. It’s some sort of rule. But I wore it first chance I got! And I loved it.



Sometimes you think of an outfit and when you go to make it work, you find you have to tweak a thing or two here and there. Maybe the shoes didn’t work, or the cardigan you choose is the wrong length for the dress, but this translated perfectly from inspiration to wear.



I do love to add a bit of edge here and there to my dresses, I know, but it was really fun to push the envelope of my personal style and just go all out lady like with this one. I loved the proportions of the cropped jacket and short dress, and I loved the way the nude pumps worked with the darker navy blue tights. The pumps are one of three pairs a co-worker recently passed down to me from her Grandmother’s collection, and the bag is from my Grandmama’s stuff.



I had so, so much fun wearing this! BUT, what’s even better is it was just the beginning of a week that went really well for me outfit wise. I am on a streak of getting it just right and just really loving the combinations I am putting together and you know WHY? FALL. That’s why. TIGHTS! JACKETS! CLOGS! YAY!~

Jacket, Target
Dress, Tucker for Target
Tights, Target
Shoes, vintage, gift from a Jessica G.
Bag, Grandmama Bea
Belt, Grandmama Bea
Pendant, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Yesterday I Got So Old, I Felt Like I Could Die

I am so excited to be blogging this outfit. The pictures are so pretty thanks to Nathan remembering the beautiful pink tree/bush around the corner from the house that looks lovely with the dress and boots.



I was largely unaware of the Tucker for Target collection, I had seen a couple things, and I knew I liked this dress the best, but it wasn’t until I saw Hillary wear it that I knew I had to have it.



It’s just so darn cute! And vintage-y, but modern. I love the cut on it. It is flattering but relaxed. And the patterns and colors are a world of tights, boots and shoe combinations waiting to happen.



And my co-workers complimented it. I always know an outfit is something special when that happens, and it wasn’t one or two compliments, it was a day long compliment fest! The best!



I am thinking hot pink tights, black knee high boots and my black studded and chained biker jacket when it gets cooler…hurry up cool weather, that outfit sounds PERFECT!

Dress, Tucker for Target
Bag, Thrifted by Nathan
Boots, Dr Scholl’s
Pendant, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Senator, Let's Be Sincere, As Much As You Can

I planned this entire outfit around new jewelry I wanted to wear.



For my birthday, Lara made me this bracelet, and I have not taken it off since. I love the combination of gold and silver tone and I love the way the wing weighs down the second chain so they fall at different lengths. I also love the way it goes with my collectible Buffy watch.



And then Sunday my friend Mikal brought over a chest full of old costume jewelry that had belonged to various members of her family. Some was hers, some her mothers, some her grandmothers, even her daughters. I combed through it (SO FUN) and she let me take pieces I liked! I got some really over the top stuff I cannot wait to wear, but I wanted to wear this beaded necklace and bunny pendant NOW.



The pendant I just dropped on a chain, but the beaded necklace was a part of a longer and much more over the top piece. I separated it down the middle and Mikal and I split it. She rocked her half as choker, which looked great, but I always feel like chokers are, well, choking me! So I added in some extra chain and split up the beads for an asymmetrical look. I also pulled that cuff from the box, but I guess I didn’t get a good picture of that. Another time, I swear.



The weather over the weekend was so warm I didn’t even need a jacket at times, but this week we are back to the cold. I am pretending it’s not happening and wearing this lightweight jacket, but it’s supposed to snow again. Not as much as last time, but it will be cold.



And you can see the length on that strap on my new bag in these pics. *Sigh*. That bag is so freaking perfect. I LOVE it.

Dress, Thakoon for Target
Jacket, Forever XXI
Tights, Target
Boots, Steve Madden
Bag, Nordstrom Rack
Watch, Fossil
Wing and chain bracelet, Gift from Lara
Cuff Bracelet, vintage, gift from Mikal
Beaded necklace, re-worked vintage, gift from Mikal
Bunny pendant, vintage, Gift from Mikal

I Gotta Feeling We Should Work This Fast

More training. I don’t think I’ve had this much caffeine on a weekday morning in ages. I’m just this side of jittery, but otherwise I have so much trouble paying attention.

Last night we went to Pizza Lounge (PIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZA LOUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGE), because it was Nick’s birthday and they have some deal where you get a PBR, a shot of tequila and a slice of cheese pizza for 6 bucks. This is a real winning combination with the men in my life. It was fun. Coleen made a vegan chocolate cake that was so moist and rich and delicious you had to eat it to believe it. It was also very pretty. But at 9 PM I started nagging Nathan because I have to be at work pretty early for these training days and, well, I’m old. Plus I had to wash my hair, which as you know, I consider An Ordeal.

Also, OMG, have you guys seen this (like 10 of you will care) I saw it on Twitter, a girl auditioned for American Idol with a Girls Aloud song! So exciting.

Amazing.

None of that has anything to do with fashion or what I’m wearing. It’s just random rambling. It's a result of hours of sitting still and quiet in a conference room ~*learning*~

Sorry!~


I have not worn this dress is FOREVER. I don’t even know why, probably I over-wore it for a while because it’s so freaking awesome.



Bunnies, Bunnies it must be BUNNIESSSSSSSS (or maybe midgets)



I have a couple of REAL topics (ok, real for me) I can’t wait to have time to blog about, so hang in there. Have a great Thursday!~

Dress, Erin Fetherston for Target
Jacket, Forever XXI
Leggings, Target
Boots, Steve Madden
Handbag, Hoakon Helga
Necklace and earrings, self made

A Little Bit Stranger, A Little Bit Harder, A Little Bit Deadly

There seems to be much debate in the fashion blogosphere regarding comments. I’ve been reading a lot but not saying much. I don’t want to get too much into the whole thing here (Sally and her amazing readers cover it really well here) but I will speak to my personal feelings about comments. I like them. I admit, I get mostly positive ones here, and who doesn’t like a positive comment? I don’t care if it IS the same thing 20 people before you have already said, it’s nice when you say it, too. That said, I do get some negative ones. Sometimes I like to pull them out and address them in a later post. Sometimes I ignore them. Once or twice, they’ve made me really think. Sometimes they really bother me. But I’d rather have them once in a while than not have honest readers. And I love to get comments about my titles, which are song lyrics) as much as my clothes! I love when you guys get excited about that.



This dress is hands down my favorite silhouette for day wear. A short, floaty chiffon dress with a tank and leggings underneath mean you can see my shape, but not every bump. I feel confidant and pretty every time I wear this dress. I just wish I had 10 more just like it!



You know what I really like about wearing heels, and these boots in particular? The way they make everything jiggle just a little more when I walk. With every step, my thighs, my butt, my boobs, all the bits that make a lady a lady, wiggle and jiggle. I can almost hear the burlesque music in the background all day each time I so much as walk to the office kitchen for a cup of tea. Shake, Shake, Shake. It makes me feel sexier than just about anything else.



Saturday we went to see an art show, because our friends from Giggle Party were playing, and there was a full on punk rocker there. His motorcycle jacket was all studs and cones, so I went over to talk to him about it. I have some cones (and studs) that I bought a while back, but last time I tried to use them I got blisters and it was all in all too hard and unpleasant, but I’ve been wanting to put some on one or both of my biker jackets. He explained there was a very cheap tool that punched holes for the cones, and where to get it. So I’ve ordered that. Thanks Punk Rock Boy!



I’m forcing myself to wear something other than my Wendy B piece at least twice a week, since I own SO many perfectly wonderful pieces, but I got to tell you. I miss it when I wear something else. I just do.

Jacket, Old
Sweater, Proenza Schouler for Target
Dress, Target
Leggings, Target
Thigh High Socks, Sock Dreams
Boots, Matisse
Bag, Thrifted by husband
Dharma Wheel necklace, found by husband on the patio at Club Dada
Tassel Necklace, self made from craft store parts

Sometimes I Wish. Sometimes I Wish I Was Like Mariella

Sorry for the silence yesterday. My team at work moved suites and as a cost saving measure, we did it ourselves, so I basically wore a grubby tee shirt, flared leg jeans and sneakers, if you can even imagine that. I normally wouldn’t leave the house like that so I for sure wasn’t going to blog about it. I felt sloppy and blah.

But today is better!



Check it out. I totally wore the same shirt in a different color pattern on Monday. We are still unpacking boxes and it was one of the only blouses in my wardrobe that wasn’t’ chiffon and was work appropriate. So I went with it.



And I’m still carrying that bag, and still doing it because my lunch, which is exactly the same lunch today as it was Tuesday, fits in it. What can I say? I’m working really hard this week and as a result I have a case of the lazy when it comes to my handbag.



I haven’t worn this Erin Fetherston jacket in a really long time and I couldn’t tell you why. Well, I could. I mean let’s face it; I have an awful lot of jackets to choose from. I have a super whole lot more jackets than any girl from Dallas, Texas really needs. Because I love jackets. And I neglect a fair bit of them because I have so many. So, I’m sorry little velvet jacket, you are an awesome jacket, and it’s not your fault that I happen to prefer anything moto inspired to blazers right now.

And I am not going to wear it buttoned pretty much at all today, but I know one of you is going to be curious about how it looks buttoned up, because that’s how you guys roll. So here you go:



I hope you have an awesome day. I’m going to go listen to the Ke$ha CD my wonderful next door neighbor made me and see what all the fuss is about.

Jacket, Erin Fetherston for Target
Blouse/Tunic, Wal-Mart
Denim Leggings, ANA
Shoes, Blowfish via Zappos
Bag, TJMaxx
Isabella Wolf Fang Necklace, Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Don't Sew Beelines to Anybody's Hide

I had a really weird dream this weekend. I dreamed that Nathan and I and everyone we knew lived in these big government housing buildings a lot like university dorm rooms. I’m not sure why, or what had happened, other than we were all really poor. We had all the same stuff, just in a different place. And everyone worked some shift job that paid very little, but we weren’t all that sad about it. And since everyone was poor, the thing to do was go over to someone’s room and watch a DVD, because we still had our DVDs, and at least your friends had something different to watch, and none of us had cable.

So Nathan was working his shift, and I had friends over, watching a DVD, and we were trying to scrape together enough money for a frozen pizza. But what was really interesting was that I was working on a swap. I had organized a clothing swap that worked entirely through the mail. You mailed me your measurements and style and a few items, and I sent you back that many items that someone else had sent in, according to your tastes and size. In the dream it seemed really easy, but of course that would be a really difficult and daunting task.

Anyway, I woke up. And Nathan made pancakes, and then I went to Laura’s house and we worked on her Spring wardrobe. It was good times.



I woke up super late today. I didn’t sleep well last night and that always makes it hard, so I was grateful for easy pieces I knew I could just throw on and know would work together.



I wanted to wear my new Target boots with this, but I’m still having issues with the insoles. I have tried putting a good insole in, but I’m going to have to get out the big guns and get a serious insole today. And if that doesn’t work I’ll try the cobbler, because they are such good boots outside of the one flaw. That one very painful, distracting flaw.



So, what did you dream this weekend?

Jacket, Go International house line at Target
Blouse, Wal-Mart
Denim Leggings, Target
Boots, Vintage
Earrings, Silver Jewelry Club
Various Chains, Thrifted
Isabella Wolf Fang Necklace, Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Some Girls Won't Dance To The Beat Of The Track

I am joining the ranks of bloggers before me who have embarked on that great and noble challenge known as the “no buy”. *Sigh* It seems I got a taste of shopping there for a minute with Christmas, and it may have gotten a little out of hand. Not a LOT out of hand mind you, but enough. And I have enough things. So from today until Feburary 28th, I vow to purchase no new clothes, accessories, cosmetics*, or, and here is the real hurt for me…books.

I’m not excited. I don’t really want to do it. But I feel like it’s what I need to do to get control. AND I might add it’s a pretty weak challenge compared to some of those who have gone before me.

That said, I think I dressed for tomorrow’s cold, today. Today seems to be the one odd warm day this week (highs in the 40s!) and I’ve dressed for the days in the teens. I even paid attention to the weather report! But it was cold in the HOUSE when I was putting my outfit together, so that explains it.



I am always so proud when I manage to layer dresses. It’s a skill others seem to have in spades, but I am seriously lacking. I just don’t get it very often. But this black lace dress seems to be the exception and if fact, I only wear it as a bottom layer or with a jacket or sweater.



I think boots with a high heel would have been more appealing visually, but I just wasn’t feeling it. For some reason cold weather makes me want to wear flats. And these are lined with flannel and exceptionally warm in the leg.



Sugar Free Red Bull. It’s the first thing I have every day. My stomach is too sensitive for coffee, I don’t really like Diet soda and there isn’t really enough caffine in it to get me going. But Sugar Free Red Bull is love. It’s sweet and fizzy and sharp and perfection. When I gave up soda for Lent last year, I said “soda, but not red bull”. And I missed soda SO MUCH. But I could never give up my Red Bull.



How cute are those together? I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before!



I love how LONG these are. They look great with short or long hair, up or down, and are light as a feather but make quite a statement.

*the exception will be concealer, foundation and mascara if I run out and only if I run out. No upgrading or changing.

Top dress, Xhilaration at Target
Bottom dress, Jovovich Hawke for Target
Jacket, Vintage
Hoodie, Old Navy
Leggings, Target
Belt, swap
Socks, Sock Dreams
Boots, Vintage
Bag, LUSH
Purse Charm, self made
Bullet necklace, self made
Crystal bullet necklace, prairieoats at etsy
Earrings, Misketch (Hey Toots) at Etsy

Happy As A Girl That Swims in a World of Magic

When the Rodarte collection came out at Target, I wanted one thing. The skelly sequined shift dress. That’s it. I got up that Sunday and got online at 10:30 to discover it was already sold out. I tried a couple stores, but no luck. I wasn’t that shocked, remember that Alexander McQueen jacket I have sold out between 9 and 11 AM the day it was released. But I was disappointed. Cut to last Friday. We went to Target to pick up a crock pot of all things and right there in the entrance was the Rodarte display, and they had a skelly dress, and it fit. Excuse the cruddy blackberry pic, but I really just took it for Alannah. I cannot get over how excited I am to find this dress.



Also? I earned enough money selling various things and saving my Christmas money from Alannah to get my Wendy B piece. I honestly thought it would take months. I am super surprised and delighted and my order has been placed.

I’ve been having a run of good luck in 2010. I’m hoping it will hold out. Friday I found the skelly dress. Saturday a cousin gave me two sets of antlers he had so that I can mount them and hang them in my living room. Now some of you might not think that’s so cool, but to me it’s the coolest ever. Sunday I earned the money for and ordered my Wendy B piece. Plus we had a crappy Ikea coffee table and really needed to replace it. The surface was all cracked and peeled and ugly and one of the legs was broken, and then last night Nathan’s aunt gave us a really nice solid wood coffee table! I’m not hating 2010.



I know I need a new camera. My pictures just get sadder and sadder. I have a Cannon, and I think I am going to suck it up and buy a lens soon. And then learn how to use it!



Please, please feel free to make fourth grade style jokes about the way my skirt is falling. I did.



When I bought that sweater, I was 50 pounds heavier and it was a fitted sweater. I don’t wear it as often anymore, and I tend to prefer it straight out of the dryer before it’s had a chance to stretch out a bit, but I do still like it. It’s well made and a great color for my wardrobe.



Almost every time I carry this purse, someone tries to buy it off me, but it’s not for sale!~ I think we paid all of a couple bucks for it at an estate sale, and it is the tackiest thing I own, but I adore it, and it adds a great splash of color to an otherwise all grey and black outfit.



This necklace is a great, affordable way to get in on the studding trend, and it’s super wearable, even if you feel you are more conservative. It’s also really well made, even with all the studs, everything lays very flat and there is no puckering. Plus it’s just really awesome.



I don’t wear rings as much in the winter, since they are kind of uncomfortable under gloves, but these felt OK, and I feel a bit more dressed up!~

Tee, Urban Outfitters
Skirt, Target
Sweater, Proenza Schouler for Target
Jacket, had it since high school
Boots, vintage
Socks, Target
Gloves, Target
Ear muffs, stolen from husband
Bag, vintage
Earring, gift
Snake ring, Ebay
Studded necklace, myownlittleuniverse at Etsy

I Know It’s Hard to Achieve, But Can’t a Girl Believe?

My pictures today make me look like I’ve been living hard, but really I’m just not sleeping well. It’s true what they say, you look better when you are well rested. I’ve had trouble sleeping for years now. I am one of those restless sleepers who wake up several times a night. To go to the bathroom, to worry, to think. I am not sure why. I’ve tried over the counter pills but so far it has never gotten bad enough to move to prescription pills. I have to be honest, those scare me!



We are supposed to get our first freeze tonight, so I broke out the over the knee socks. I actually tried wearing them with some chunky leather platform sandals, but just was not feeling it. I still really want to try that look, I just think I missed the mark this AM.



That’s a scarf made to look like a vintage fox stole. I have always loved the look of vintage fox stoles, but they are…well…creepy. I am not a huge fur person. I had a mink once that I got for $20.00 at a thrift store, and it was really nice, but kind of gross. I know that makes no sense at all because I love any and all leather goods. But fur just gives me the willies.



When I saw this on the front page of Etsy I just could not resist, even though it cleaned my paypal account right out. I’m hoping to open Love Erin Designs up again soon, but I just have not had the time yet.



It has a little clip under its head, and you can clip it to its own tail, vintage style, but I clipped it to the jacket collar for today. I just thought it super cute and kind of funny to wear it on the jacket.



Tail…





A reader recently asked if there was a trick to layering necklaces, and I personally have a couple. One is that all the chains need to be different. Two necklaces made of the same chain tend to tangle really badly for me. Another is that the pendants need to fall at different lengths, even if just slightly, like with my diamond and talon necklaces, so that you can see each one. What are your tricks or tips for layering necklaces?

Jacket, Bona Drag
Dress, Temperly for Target
Leggings, Target
Socks, Target
Boots, Steve Madden
Foks, celapiu at Etsy
Talon necklace, Talonalia
Diamond Necklace, gift

Should Have Come With a Body Map, So I Knew Where The Night Would Take Me

I’m back!~ That was the longest I’ve been sick in years and was zero fun. I have never been so glad to be back in the swing of things. I went grocery shopping yesterday and was giddy at the thought. Then I cleaned out the fridge, and rearranged the cabinets. I would have powered through the whole house but Nathan reminded me to take it easy.

This is what I was wearing the day it all started to go wrong. I actually went home from work early on Tuesday because I was just feeling really run down. I didn’t know I had one at the time but a 100% fever will do that to a girl!

I’ve always had trouble with this dress. It is GORGEOUS, but it is also a sundress and I’ve had trouble finding a jacket that works really well with it. But this jacket is perfect!



The wide set, v-shaped front of the jacket ensures that you can still see the detail of the bust and neckline, which is my favorite part of the dress.



And once again, thank you SO much to all of you who pointed out that it was a travesty that I did not own a studded belt. I love it. It can take an outfit from a little too sweet to just right in no time.



I do think I will wear more delicate shoes next time, but these are just so comfortable that I wore them in spite of the fact that they are a bit too clunky for the dress.



I love a dress with pockets!~ I carry keys at work to get into the different suites and I just love when my dress has pockets I can toss them in.

Dress, Target (I think it's Richardf Chai for Target)
Jacket, Forever XXI
Belt, Target
Tights, Target
Shoes, Target
Earrings, gift