Cause You Were Only Wanting to be Friends

Saturday we met Tina and Rand for brunch. Or breakfast, really. I don’t know. At what point does it become Brunch? We ate at like 10. And I had oatmeal. To me that’s breakfast, but it sounds more like an event if I call it Brunch.

So let’s just say we had Brunch.



I decided to put on pants since I’d been wearing those shorts for 2 days*. And by pants I means nicer leggings. Or jeggings. (I can’t decide if I like that word or not.) And that’s the other new tee from Urban Outfitters. It is SO SOFT. And I’m normally not a blue with blue jeans kind of girl, but these were different enough I felt good about the pairing.



We had a great time at Brunch. Tina and I had hung out but we had never really all huing out together, so there is always that small chance that not everyone will get along, but we did. I really hope we get together again soon!

After Bruch I asked Tina if she minded taking a few casual wear pictures with me and she agreed. The pictures that came out of that session are some of my favorite pictures of ever. They are adorable. Nathan said a couple of funny things** and started clicking, and the rest was history…












I just love those.

*Do you ever see the shorts/tights (or leggings) combo in real life? I hadn’t thought about it, but I can’t recall ever seeing anyone in Dallas who isn’t me doing that. Is it a fashion blog thing? I just thought it was a normal sort of tending thing that was happening, but then my views on what’s trendy are sharply skewed by all the personal fashion blogs I read…

** ETA So we were standing there, thinking about posing and I think we did a few shots, just straight forward, smiling, whatever, and then Nathan said "Don't you want to do your SASSY? Do your Sassy!" ("Sassy" is what Nathan calls the classic hand on hip pose.) I don't know why, but it KILLED me. And if I recall correctly, Tina is basically just amused at what a dork I am, because she is classy lady.

Sweater, Thrifted, vintage
Tee, Urban Outfitters
Jeggings, ANA at JCPenny
Boots, GAP kids
Gloves, Target
Bag, Dooney and Burke, Thrifted

No More Dramas Leave Mascara On My Pillow

You know what? I don’t think that this is the best lead photo for showcasing my outfit, but it sure is a good one for showcasing my smile. I smiled right back at me just looking at it, so I thought I’d smile at you too, cause I just like you so much.



Here is a better one for showcasing the outfit.



This is one of those rare and elusive outfits that I will wear to work today, then wear out tonight. I’m going to a party at a friend’s house. He also happens to be my duplex neighbor, so I don’t have to go very far, which is super nice. I’ll try not to be late.



I know yesterday I was all “I won’t wear a denim jacket with jeans” or whatever, but it turns out I’m kind of a liar, cause I will, and can, and did!~ I noticed this morning that the dark bits of this jacket matched the wash of these jeans, and I thought about it, and decided they are so different that it’s not against “the rules”. I quite like them together!



I think this is probably my favorite of my husband’s thrift finds, ever. This summer I found a thick, sturdy almost brand new black leather biker jacket that fits him like it was tailored for him at a yard sale for $20.00. That’s my favorite second hand find I’ve ever scored. I really hope he will let me photograph him in it for the blog some day but he seems really opposed to being on the blog, which is a shame, cause he is SO PRETTY.

Jacket, Vintage, Thrifted
Hoodie, Old Navy
Jeggings, ANA at JCPenny
Booties, Target
Handbag, SMAK

Turn It Up, Turn It Up, Turn It Up

A few years ago a lot of the magazines were doing this sort of Grandpa sweater thing, and I loved it. I wanted one so bad. They would style it over flowy dresses or jeans and boots. But no one (in my price range) seemed to be selling them. Oh, they were selling what I’m sure was supposed to pass as an attempt at the trend, but they were thin, and not wool, and they just didn’t cut it. It had to be COZY looking (and feeling!) So I looked at thrift stores. FOREVER. It was a mission. And I was still having trouble finding what I wanted, because nothing was fitting. I found Grandpa sweaters, but they were so big they were not flattering. And then it hit me. Wool shrinks. So when I found this one, at 2 sizes too big, I bought it.



I brought it home and washed it in hot water and dried it in the drier. I knew it was a risk, but it worked! The sweater shrunk evenly all over, and it fit. And it was now extra warm because the weave was tighter. I don’t normally feel like I need a coat or jacket over it, even when it is 32 degrees out, like today. And because it’s wool, when I get indoors, it breathes. It’s a bit of a deviation, maybe from my normal style now, but it’s still one of my favorite looks.



So my friend Kelly and I were talking yesterday about jeans. I don’t really have any I love and feel great in at this point. I won’t go into how hard it is to find jeans, I feel like that’s been covered, and covered well, by others. But I will say that personally, I’ve given up for now. I have not been able to find a good pair second hand. And the thing is, in my experience anyway, the jeans in the 100+ range really DO fit better. I’d rather wait until we are in a place financially where I can just go to Barneys and get fitted and find THE jeans, than continue to try on pair after pair at the second hand stores, Old Navy and Target. It’s defeating and I quit.



Not that these are horrid. I don’t think they are. They just aren’t perfect, and I bought them during a time when I was pretty thin. I was unhappy, and not eating (it was years ago! I’m much better now.) and as a result, I was really small. I’m not anymore, but all my jeans think I should be! Ha!~ So they look OK, but feel a bit tight. And I don’t want to get back down to that weight. I won’t lie, I looked GOOD. Really good. But I like eating, and contrary to the popular saying, LOTS of things taste as good, and better even, than thin feels.



Anyway, if you just happen to find the perfect mid-rise, cigarette pant, dark wash, stretch denim jean* at a really great price, let me know…but I’m not going to hold my breath!

*I also tried on like a billion pair of the boyfriend jeans and I swear those fit even worse!~ They are supposed to be BAGGY, why don’t they FIT? My waist is not all that big, yo!

Sweater, Thrifted
Gloves, Target
Vneck (under sweater), American Apparel
Jeans, Steve and Barry’s
Boots, Matisse
Bag, Banana Republic, Thrifted by husband
Diamond Necklace, gift
Talon Necklace, Talonalia

It’s Up To You...

We have a short day today at work, and have been allowed to wear casual clothing this week. So I thought I’d take advantage of it.



Nathan got me that sweatshirt at a thrift store and I am pretty sure that it is a child’s size, but I love the shrunken fit. It is much more flattering than an oversized sweatshirt and I think it classes it up just a bit.



It was actually pretty cold today, and to be honest, I should have worn those fabulous gloves!



These are the Doc Martins I was talking about last week, having so much trouble breaking in. I've had them for at least a year. I’ve taken some of your advice and I added heel pads to the back of the shoes. That took care of the weird seaming issues that rubbed my heel raw. I’m also wearing thick, black athletic socks (which I have to borrow from my husband!) and I am only zipping the side zip halfway. So far this seems to be working and I’ve worn them several days in a row. They still are not the most comfortable shoe ever, but they are getting there and at least I’m past the blister stage.



Oh, come on now. I’m not even going to wear a sweatshirt without at least a LITLLE bit of jewelry! And I love the way these two pieces fit together.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving if you are celebrating and have a great rest of the week if you are not, and I’ll be back to REGULAR updates next week!

Sweatshirt, vintage, Thrifted
Tank, Target
Jeans, Steve and Barry’s
Shoes, Doc Martins
Scarf, ½ American Apparel Circle Scarf
Diamond necklace, gifts, ages ago
Talon necklace, Talonalia

Walk, Walk, Fashion Baby

Hello!~ I missed you! I will check and repond to my comments later today.

I had a great loooooooooong weekend with Alannah. We watched more Girls Aloud than you think possible We watched “The Passions of Girls Aloud” (Nicola, Cheryl and Kimberly, and to be honest, Cheryl’s episode was by far my favorite, Push 10 baby, Push 10), The Tangled Up Tour, The Out of Control Tour, The entire “Off The Record” series and some of the What Would The Neighbors Say Tour.

We were mostly casual. Way casual. But we are still adorable.

(We don't match on purpose, we are just both super cool and wear moto jackets all the time.)


We also went thrifting and had dinner with friends and such. When we went thrifting I wore this:



Which is a great out fit to thrift in. I have on a black tank under the tunic which means I have on leggings and a tank and can try on just about anything anywhere sans dressing room. The boots slip off easily to try on shoes, and I have on socks. I am also wearing minimal jewelry so that things are easily off and on without lots of snags.



To be honest it was TOTALLY wasted this particular trip as I found NOTHING to try on. I found nothing in general. I was actually super disappointed at the Goodwill because they tend to get Fossil bags from somewhere and they had two of the styles I had been most interested in finding there….but someone had taken the straps to both of them!~ It was so disappointing, I know I could have straps made, but it would cost so much that I couldn’t afford to. Oh well!



Better luck next time I suppose. At least we got out of the house. Ha!~ We needed a bit of time away from the TV, I suppose.



Top pic on me
I know Alannah’s fabulous jacket is from Forever XXI but that’s all I know!)
Jacket, Bona Drag
Smith tee, Husbands closet
Jeans, Steve and Barry's
Shoes, Doc Martens
Scarf, Half American Apparel circle scarf

Other pics:
Tunic, Vintage
Leggings, Target
Boots, Vintage
Bag, Vintage
Earrings, Target

Amazing Grace

This is like, the week for bad pictures. I know these are sort of eye-bleedingly bright, but I really loved this outfit. I had to take indoor pictures (which never works well in my house) and then color correct the yellow (which I'm not good at).



I’m clearly just really into this hoodie and jacket right now. Sometimes I force myself to change it up so as not to bore my readers but now is not one of those times. I love the way they look with the super girly flouncy blouse.



The reason I was too late for outdoor shots is because I went to see The September Issue with my friend Kelly. It was SO good. I really enjoyed it. And as much as it is a movie about Anna Wintour, the real star of the film is not Anna, but the relationship between Anna and Grace Coddington, the creative director of Vogue, and a total and utter genius. Kelly and I want to have drinks with her , maybe every day for the rest of our lives.



If you have not been to see the film yet, I really encourage you to do so if you can. It was so enjoyable and I can’t wait to see it again!~

Hoodie, American Apparel
Shirt, Target
Denim Leggings, Target
Boots, Vintage
Bag, Hoakon/Helga at Etsy
earrings, Forever XXI, modified by me

Interchanging Mind Control, Come Let The Revolution Take It's Toll

The problem with taking your own photos is that no one tells you your lapel is all jacked up until it’s too late. I mean, really. I can’t believe I didn’t notice that. I was running late, again, and it was about to rain, and I had on suede shoes, so I admit I did rush through my pictures. But still.

But I’m posting the pictures anyway, because it was my second run at wearing a vest and I thought it came out all right!



I mean even with the lapel like that you can tell it worked. I love the way the vest and shoes go together. The vest is a bluish grey and the shoes were just the right color to bring that out.



I don’t love the way the vest is creasing there in the middle, but in it’s defense, I was sitting at my desk all day, so it never stood a chance!



I give you the Silver Dream Catcher Earrings of Fabulousness from Forever XXI! These things are bu-na-nuhs, y’all. Bananas.



They are so long, I have to take the left one out when I drive so it doesn’t get caught in the seatbelt and rip my earlobe open. Sweet, right? No? OK, it’s a hazard, but they are worth it.




These are still the best deal I ever got at an Old Navy. Real suede, and real wood for the heel. Plus they were way ahead of the curve with the stud detailing. They are not the most comfortable shoes ever, I would never wear them anywhere I was not 100% positive there was going to be a chair, but they ARE gorgeous.

Vest, Target
Tee, American Apparel
Denim, Forever XXI
Sandals, Old Navy
Earrings, Forever XXI

These are my skinny jeans.

I bought them at my very thinnest. Some days, they won’t go over my thighs. Some days they do. I feel so thin and wonderful when they do. I used to feel REALLY bad about myself on days when they didn’t fit, in fact I avoided trying them on for a few months out of fear of a bad self-esteem day. But I’ve started to let it go. It’s just a pair of jeans. I still weight the same as I did before I tried them on.





But I am not going to lie. As much as I’ve decided not to feel bad when they DON’T fit…I still enjoy when they do.





I have a hard time getting shots of my various rings, but this one came out really well! I love the contrast of the classic almost vintage style of the sapphire ring next to the playfulness of the skull ring. The sapphire was a Valentine’s day gift from Nathan one year, and the skull was from my best girl Alannah.



Tee, American Apparel
Jeans, Dear at Steve and Barry’s
Sandals, Victoria’s Secret
Bag, GAP
Necklaces, Haute Hardware at Etsy
Sapphire and diamond ring, Target fine jewelry
Skull ring, Road Kill at Etsy

Friday Casual Wear

This is about as casual as I get.



I like my tees basic. I’m not a huge fan of graphic tees. I like a band tee here and there, mostly vintage and I occasionally find a graphic tee that I like, but it’s very rare. I prefer plain, because I like to accessorize, and I think that’s just cleaner with a plain tee.





I designed a few new things last week, and these earrings are one of them. They will be going in the shop this week, but unfortunately I only have the materials to make one other pair. This pair is mine though, and I love them!



This necklace is also something new for the shop. I debated it, because much like the key necklace and wing earrings, it contains gold toned elements that are just base metal and not brass or gold filled. In the end I find I can design so many cute things cheaply if I embrace the more costume-y pieces. And keeping costs down for both me and the buyer is a top priority right now.



The little circle is a snake. It’s actually meant as a toggle clasp, but I liked it so much I used it as a focal element.





Someone asked last week what color this polish is, and I keep meaning to look and tell you. I’ll try and remember tonight. But it’s a combination of two Sally Hansen colors. I know my feet look rough, but I got a pedicure the very next day so it’s all better now.



These shoes are great, but they have that gross foot bed thing going. Where the foot bed gets dark and looks really dirty and you can see the shape of your foot? So gross, and it always makes me think I need to replace them when I see them on the shoe shelf, but they are actually in great shape and probably have a few summers left in them!

Just so you know, I wore basically the same outfit the next day, with a black AA shirt instead of the teal. It’s just really comfy!


Tee, American Apparel
Jeans, Seven
Shoes, BC
Bunny pendant, Haute Hardware at Etsy
Snake pendant, Love Erin Designs at Etsy
Earrings, Love Erin Designs at Etsy
Snake bracelet, Urban Outfitters
Wood Bangle, Target

T-ball Trophies and Baby Slings

I went home to visit my family this weekend and while I was there I had the privilege of attending Zane’s (4) t-ball team trophy ceremony. We did a little shoot for the blog of course!~



That is hands down the most comfortable baby sling I’ve ever used. It wasn’t super HOT like some of them can be and it was really intuitive and easy to use, and lightweight.



That’s my newest niece, Quinn in there, isn’t she adorable?



She is just over two months old and such a good baby.





And those are her brothers, Zane (4) and Seth (6). I’m told that shirt Seth is wearing is some sort of baseball shirt and is what all of the really fashionable young men are wearing in kindergarten right now.



Tee, Alternative Apparel “Debbie” flutter tee*
Jeans, Dear at Steve and Barry’s
Sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target
Key necklace, Love Erin Designs at Etsy
Chains, Thrifted
Baby sling, Jelly Bean
Children by Bobby and Jessica Chandler

* you can get a great deal on these at Amazon.com. I got mine for $10.66 USD each, versus $32.00 at alternativeapparel.com