Call Me What You Will, But Call Me Again

On this day I was running late, feeling rushed and frumpy and scatterbrained. I could not get it together. And then Nathan asked me to wear this blazer, which belongs to him. So I quickly changed tees to go with it, and had to go with the outfit because at that point I was late late late. And I didn’t feel good. In fact I didn’t love this look all day. But seeing it in pictures changed my mind.



Nathan was 100% right. That blazer looks great. I stand corrected.
And those are jeans I am not really comfortable in right now, but even they look pretty good.



Maybe it was just my mood. Or maybe I lacked perspective, but it’s finding out stuff like this that makes photographing daily outfits worth it. That plus you have all these pictures to access when you lack inspiration and you can look back and see “Oh yeah! That outfit! That was smashing” and re-wear it.



I sure hope he lets me borrow that blazer again! The arms were a bit tight at the top, because it’s a little boys blazer, but the discomfort was minimal compared with the look. And now that I know it looks so nice, I will be able to ignore the minor inconvenience caused by the sleeves, because it will be overshadowed by the convenience of feeling Fabulous.



Boys blazer, borrowed from Nathan
Tee, Black Angels show
Denim Leggings, ANA at JCPenny
Boots, Blowfish via Zappos
Bag, thrifted by Nathan
Earrings, self made

The Dreams That You Dare To Dream Really Do Come True

(Thank you so, so much for all of your support. You really backed me up and it made me that much more confident in my choice to slow it down just a bit knowing you'll all still be here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.)


So, Nathan and I live in a Duplex with another guy. We all get along. We have two separate apartments, but only one address, one mailbox. No “A” or “1/2” separates our address from his. As a result, anytime something gets delivered to “resident” there is an unspoken challenge to see which one of us can be the laziest about getting rid of it. The logic being that if my NAME isn't on it, it's not really my responsibility. Phone books are an especially challenging item to ignore as they are so big and bulky, but as evidenced by the fact that when we took our photos today, we totally missed THIS:



Big orange plastic bag full of phone book, Nathan and I ate dedicated to making a good run of ignoring this one. I'll let you know how it turns out, I suspect I'll crack first.



I really liked a couple of things about my look this day. One was my hairstyle. It looked so fancy and amazing. It's the same side braid I always do, sans bump, and rolled into a bun.



I was really pleased with how it came out, but I did have a couple problems with it. The first being the way it highlighted my gray. Now I've been at peace with my gray hair for a few months now. Nathan mentioned at some point he kind of liked it. But this picture made me feel like maybe it's a bit out of hand. I don't tend to look as old as I am. I like that. This makes me look older. I colored it this weekend, or Nathan colored it for me anyway. Not that there is anything wrong with gray hair, it just didn't feel right for me anymore. The other problem was that it hurt. I had a pin in there wrong, and it pulled so much I eventually had to take it down and just wear it in a braid. I'm pretty sure I found a solution though,. We stopped at CVS on the way home, and they had one of the elusive Goody Spin Pins in stock.



Oh. My. Goodness. These are amazing. No pulling, and for serious realsies, the two spin pins hold my hair as well as 20 bobby pins. It's amazing. I am super impressed. I looked for them online at first and honestly, most places are either selling them in a bundle with other products, or charging so much for shipping it costs more than the pins, which I got for under $4.00 at CVS. I can't recommended them enough. Amazing little things.



The other thing I was wanting to talk to you about was my necklace.



It was made by fellow blogger Katie, over at in my own little universe, and I bought it in her etsy store of the same name. Katie has been invited to come to the MTV Movie Awards Gift Lounge, which will giver her an opportunity of a lifetime, to get her pieces in the hands ,and on the bodies of, celebrities at the event. The only glitch is that she needs to not only come up with 100 pieces to give away, she also has to come up with an event fee of $5000 and pay for travel expenses. I believe in supporting not just our fellow bloggers, but artists in general. If you feel like you can help, Katie is taking contributions on her blog. I am not in a place to be able to give myself, so I wanted to offer her my support by sharing her story and asking you guys to help if you can. Any little bit. I think she only needs a little bit more help, and she has been working SUPER hard. You could literally be making someones dreams come true.


Tee, Target, customized by me
Denim leggings, ANA at JC Penny
Leather bow flats, Target
Bag, Nordstrom Rack
Necklace, My Own Little Universe at Etsy

An Eclair! Eat It!

Remember yesterday when I said Nathan was going to look for a denim jacket for me to make into a vest? Not only did he find one that was the perfect fit, the perfect wash and in great condition, he cut off the sleeves and washed and dried it so that it was ready for me to style when I got home.



Perfection, no? I guess I am officially riding the double denim train now. Where did I see this look? I know I saw it somewhere and immediately clocked it as something I wanted to do and something super thriftable, but I can’t remember if it was in a blog, a magazine, online elsewhere or in real life. If it was you, shout it out.



My main plan for this baby is to wear it with my floral dresses, ones I wear in the winter with my leather jacket. Don’t be surprised if I get bored halfway through the summer and trick it out with studs and chains.



I also plan to walk around acting like a Street Tuff. Popped collar and all. I will so kick over your trash can, Grandma. (But then I will totally pick it up, and put all the trash back in it, I am so sorry ma’am, I do not know what came over me.)

Why did no one tell me the answer to “OMG, what do I wear under this tunic?” Was “a sports bra”? It seems so obvious now, but I have to be honest and tell you…this is the first one I have ever bought, because I got tired of you k now, being all over the place when doing Pilates.



I am so looking forward to tonight. It’s my boy Shannon’s birthday and I get out of work at 6 and have to be up at his (30 minutes away or so) at 7:30, so it will be a mad dash to switch to flats*, eat, try and love on my dog and get going, but it looks like a good time. And I love me some Shannon. He’s a cool guy.

*I planned to wear my flat snakeskin sandals to work today but Nathan expressed and opinion that this outfit really called for heels, and I do like a man with an opinion on ladies fashion, so I wore the heels.

Vest, altered denim jacket, Thrifted by Nathan
Tunic, Urban Outfitters
Sports bra, Target
Denim Leggings, ANA at JCP Penny
Heels, Isaac Mizrahi for Target

I Want Your Love, Love Love Love, I Want Your Love....huh!

Lady Gaga tickets for Dallas go on sale in 15 minutes. I’m super stressed. I wore my Gaga for luck…



We’ll see if it helps. I really want to go. I can’t actually afford a ticket, but the girlfriend I am going with has offered to buy the tickets and let me pay her back in installments. THAT is a good friend. I am in charge of the actual purchase though, hence the anxiety.



Do you get all worked up about concert tickets or is it just me? I don’t want to go see a show very often, but when I do, I REALLY want to go. I like the pop shows with lots of dancing and lights and visuals and costume changes. It’s more theatre than concert, and Gaga promises to be the most theatrical of all.



The best part about this tee is how far down the graphic is, leaving room for lots of jewelry. The worst part about this tee is how far down the graphic is, making it kind of awkward looking and resulting in it wrinkling funny when I sit down.



This is pretty much my plan for summer hair this year. Hair sticks.



It’s so long I can’t do much else really, and this is so simple and easy. Fellow Blogger Jen has an Etsy store with very nice affordable hair sticks made by her husband, and I am planning on getting at least one of those. You can see all my grey in this picture. I colored it for years and years, but at some point last year Nathan said "I kind of like the grey." and that was the end of that. My mom said my dad always preferred hers natural, too!

OK kids. It's time. Wish me luck!~

ETA: We got tickets! Yay!

Cardigan, Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s
Tee, Lady Gaga’s website
Denim Leggings, ANA at JC Penny
Sandals, Target
Skull necklace, self made
Dharma Wheel necklace, found
Orb necklace, Tower of London Gift Shop
Isabella Wolf Fang Necklace, Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Earrings, gift from Pilar
Bag, Reby C at Etsy

Look at Your Paycheck…Where’s it All Goin’? To Jerks Like Me, Who Spend it on Nothin’

Hey kids!~ How are you today? Fabulous, I hope!~

Today, for Stay Fabulous or Get Slapped Friday, I decided to be bold, to take a risk. Because taking a risk is Fabulous. I decided to dip my toe in uncharted waters, and wear double denim. Now here is the thing. ..I’ve been anti-double denim for as long as I can remember. No discussion, just “NO”. But I feel like it’s everywhere now!~ And when Wendy asked for photos of people wearing double denim for her blog I thought “Why not”.

So here I am.



NOT BAD, am I right? I feel a little odd about it, but overall, I think it’s good. I don’t think you look at it and think “Texas Tuxedo” but Ladies and Gentleman that is EXACTLY what it is.



I think maybe I should keep my mind open to the whole thing. Pairing this jacket with dark denim jeans not only works, but opens up a whole new section of my wardrobe to wear it with. It takes it from a work piece to a weekend piece and even an evening out piece.

I even carried a denim colored bag.



And because being Fabulous is not something that is limited to the ladies, a rare appearance of the man in my life…



This is a pretty classic Nathan look. A band or vintage tee, skinny jeans, and a jacket. The jacket was our friend Bill’s University Choir jacket, and came with a tux, but Nathan gets the most use out of the jacket.



Fierce.



We can’t remember where I got this tee, but we think I got it online. It was before they got back together for the tour last year (which, if you missed it, I am sorry, it was an experience of a lifetime). Nathan went to see them twice on that tour. He flew to NYC to see them play in, what 2008? And then they hit Dallas last year and we went together. I have to say I’m not a huge MBV fan as far as recordings go, but live, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, like the experience of seeing them play.



Those are my favorite man shoes of EVER. They are classy and rock and roll in equal measures. They are apparently not the most comfortable shoe ever, but why should we be the only ones to suffer for beauty, ladies?

Stay Fabulous this weekend, kids, and have a good one!~

On Her:
Jacket, Forever XXI
Blouse, hand me down from Berry, Target
Denim Leggings, ANA at JCPenny
Shoes, Old Navy
Bag, Dior
Necklace, Wendy Brandes Jewelry

On Him:
Tuxedo Jacket, Secondhand
My Bloody Valentine Shirt, Gift
Jeans, ODYN (procured at Buffalo Exchange)
Zippered Ankle Boots, Thrifted
Belt, Aeropostale
Swatch Watch, Gift

Happy Birthday, Dear Alannah, Happy Birthday to You

Today is my BFF’s birthday.



She is the yin to my yang, my soul sister, my girl. We met…10 years or so ago? We met online, which I think used to have a bit of a stigma to it, but I don’t think does anymore. We met on a Tori Amos* message board, where we bonded over a shared love of Geri Halliwell and The Spice Girls. She is always there for me, she is on my side even when I am wrong. She is beautiful inside and out. She is smart and kind and she has great taste in music. I love you, Alannah, and I hope this is a wonderful year for you. Happy Birthday.



So I wondered why there was such a big size difference in this and the other blouse I have from the line, but according to the pic online, it’s because I’m doing it wrong. It’s much more fitted on the model online, but to be honest, I don’t think I would have liked it at all if it were all fitted like that. So I’m glad I got it oversized.



These shoes were a gift from another dear friend I met on that very same Tori Amos message board. I am 99.9% positive she got them on sale at ASOS, though. Back in the day when we were both much more flush we used to trade random fashion gifts overseas, things the other girl didn’t have access to, just for fun once in a while. It was really fun and I hope I will someday be in a place where I can do things like that again.



I honestly could not figure out what it was they expected me to do bra-wise with this shirt, because no matter what I tried, the straps peeked out. I don’t think you can really see it in any of the pictures, but I decided if they were going to show, they might as well look good and I went with a leopard print.



I always feel a bit weird without a necklace, so I tried to compensate with serious earrings. They are delicate, but crazy long. I made them sometime last year after seeing a couple movie stars wearing crazy long shoulder dusting earrings. They are cool, but the drawback is they sort of flow with my hair, which means I sometimes yank my earring when I flip my hair. Which hurts. But I’ll deal with it, because I really like these.

So, Wendy has been discussing the whole Double Denim/ Head to toe denim thing over at her blog. I firmly stated it was not for me. But then she asked for contributions for a future blog entry about it and I decided to go for it. It may not work. I may end up in the “don’t” column but come Friday I am going to give it a try anyway. It’s a pretty big deal, really, because I have been anti double denim for as long as I can remember. Wish me luck.

*I have to say, that while I still love her older stuff, I have not bought anything she has put out in years. I followed her To Venus and Back, but after that I sort of got off the ride. She got a tad too crazy for me along the line somewhere.

Jacket, Forever XXI
Blouse, Liberty of London for Target (recent)
Denim leggings, Target
Heels, ASOS, gift
Gold link bracelet, gift
Gold filled bangle, Etsy
Earrings, self made
Bag, Nordstrom Rack

Take Your Body to the Floor, Your Disco Needs You

So this morning as I was walking up the stairs to the office I was thinking about how I basically wore these pants yesterday. I have two pair, so I didn’t literally wear the same pants*, but as far as everyone else is concerned, I might as well be. And then I started thinking about my collection of denim leggings. I have 2 of every kind I own with the exception of a blue pair I got a long time ago at Target. The only reason I have only one pair of those and not two is that they only had 1 pair left, and they never restocked.



That got me started thinking about multiples, because I also have this top in reds and pinks. And I have dresses I have in twos. And shoes. And two black leather biker jackets with spikes. And so I thought maybe I would talk about multiples today on the blog. And then I got online and you know what? Sal and Winona already covered it. Today. How strange is that? Talk about multiples!



What are your feelings on multiples? Do you buy things in multiple colors? Or multiples of the very same thing? Clearly my outfit today proves I believe in both!~



*I don’t wash my pants every time I wear them, heck I don’t wash them every 3 times. I wash them when they need it. But I still wear a different pair of the "same" pants if I am going to wear the “same” pants two days in a row. I’m not sure why other than to have something to counter with when a co-worker accuses me of wearing the same pants two days in a row. Not that that has ever happened, it is apparently just a fear of mine.

Jacket, Bona Drag, customized by me
Blouse, Wal-Mart
Denim Leggings, Target
Ankle Boots, Payless
Necklace, self made
Bag, Nordstrom Rack

All The Lights Came On At Sunset

I had a pretty good weekend, I did not do any of the things I should have. I did one load of laundry. And I did not clean the house. I did not buy groceries. Instead, I went to a dinner party, laid in bed, went to dinner and watched several bad movies on the TV. I’m not sorry, to be honest.



It is possible I am addicted to adding hardware to this jacket. This weekend I added those chains to the side, and Nathan has me almost convinced it needs studs in the little panels where the zippers open on the sleeves (I never zip those shut; it would totally cut off my circulation!).



But look how fun the chains are! And it was so easy. I connected the chain to a large jump ring in three places to get the lengths I wanted and then used a safety pin to attach the chains to the underside of the epaulet (I hope that is how you spell that, I know how to say it, but never dreamed of a need to write it.) It took less than 10 minutes.



I’m not sure I’ll be able to wear this jacket much longer this year. As of right now, it’s chilly enough to wear it in the mornings and evenings, but way too hot to put it on mid-afternoon. I’ll miss it. It is one of my favorite things to wear. It’s so perfect for me. Normally I would get bored with something after as long as I’ve had this (a couple years, lots of wear) but I don’t think I will ever get bored with this jacket.



How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun? I skipped the St Patrick’s Day Parades, I am not sure I’ve ever been to one. I’ve been out to celebrate at night, or afternoon, but never in the AM. I’m not sure I could handle drunk people so early. Did you brave one?

Jacket, Bona Drag, customized by me
Blouse, Liberty of London for Target (recent)
Denim Leggings, Target
Snakeskin heels, Target
Bag, Nordstrom Rack

Groove, Slam, Work it Back, Filter That, Baby Bump That Track

So I read more than one book at once, do you guys do that? In addition to my novel, I am also reading a GEM of a book by Winona Dimeo-Ediger (AKA Daddy Likey).

“Closet Confidential (Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way)” is a style guide. Normally I am not a style guide kind of girl. I feel pretty confident that I know what I am doing. But I will read them if they offer more than just style advise. I’ve read “That Extra Half an Inch” by Victoria Beckham because, well, OK, because it was written by Posh Spice. And I picked this one up because who doesn’t love Daddy Likey?



“Closet Confidential” is great for even those of you who, like myself, already know everything. It is insightful, it is funny and it is packed with personality. My favorite chapter so far has been Chapter Six, which is devoted to handbags and which opens by explaining that “A purse, more than any other accessory or item of clothing, is laden with deep emotional and personal implications”. Girl. PREACH. And also, can I get an Amen? The chapter goes on to include a limerick about the dangers of over-sized clutches*, a look at the “Superlatives section of the Handbag High Yearbook”, and a rant about the wrongs of backpacks.

This is not your typical style guide ladies. This is a must read. Fashion 101 and plenty of wicked good humor.



Loving this outfit. I feel so skinny! I love the combo of the ankle zippers and the platform shoe.



I have had my first lazy shaver injury of the year. I wanted to wear these shoes, and I shaved just the bit of leg from about mid calf down to ankle (I know we have talked about this before, but for those of you who are new, I am the laziest leg shaver ever. I shave only what shows, period.) And because I forget how bad an idea it is every single Spring, I dry shaved it. It feels like I went over my legs with a cheese grater, I swear my legs are on FIRE. Lesson learned. For this Spring, anyway.

* In fact, I wanted to carry one today in honor of Winona, but she’s right, they are ridiculous. It is a gorgeous GAP oversized black leather clutch. It’s too big to carry at nightclubs and yet too small for me to make it work for day.

And P.S., I pay for most of the things I review. I review them because I think someone might be interested. If I ever get something for free, or get paid to write a review, I will totally let you know.

Book, Closet Confidential (Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way) by Winona Dimeo-Ediger
Cardigan, Alternative
Blouse, Target
Denim Leggings, Target
Sandals, Me Too via Nordstrom Rack
Bag, Nordstrom Rack
Earrings, self made
Big beaded necklace, vintage , gift from Mikal, refashioned by me
Key necklace, made by me

Been Saved Again By The Garbage Truck

I took a sick day yesterday. I haven’t been feeling super. I still feel kind of meh, but there is only one day left so I can make it!



Yes. It really is that warm. It was in the upper 40’s when we were taking pictures, but they are predicting 70’s by next week!



The Coupland read is going OK, better than before. Hillary and I talked about it a bit, and I explained the reason I am giving him a third chance is basically Chuck Klosterman. I tried Chuck Klosterman a couple times and he just got on my nerves. I really didn’t like it, but he’s pretty much the only thing Nathan reads (that and books on the history of various record labels), so I really wanted to get what all the fuss was about. And on the third try? I did. And I am going back and re-reading the books I didn’t like and loving them. Hillary said she had the same kind of thing happen before, sometimes it just takes a while for an author to click.



The tee is a recent birthday gift card purchase from the men’s department at Target. I prefer dark colors and the men’s department had more of those. A snip here and a snip there and I ended up with a tee in the colors I like in a more flattering, less boxy looking cut. Plus…



LOOK how perfect the colors are for a little pattern mixing with my new wedges! I saw these during the first round of birthday shopping and I did not get them, but I could not stop thinking about them. So they are the one thing (OK, OK, and a $5 lip gloss) I broke the ban for, and I am not sorry. When I went back a week later, they were on sale for an additional 25% off! The foot bed is padded, and they are so comfy. Plus you know I love a snakeskin shoe!



Tons of necklaces make for an automatically dressier outfit. I made the bead and key one yesterday while Nathan watched some show about hip hop feuds on Fuse . I did not understand a single word. Once in a while Nathan would explain it to me, but I swear they were speaking a foreign language.

Cardigan, Alternative,
Tee, Target, men’s department, modified by me (recent)
Denim Leggings, Target
Sandals, Me Too via Nordstrom Rack
Key and bead necklace, handmade by me
Large mixed bead necklace, vintage, gift from Mikal, remade by me
Skulls, Etsy
Earrings, made by me

My Type Hibernate In Bedrooms Above

Well hello there casual! I’ve missed you.



The tassel necklace is one of the things Mikal brought over, and if she had said “you can have one thing”, this is the one thing I would have taken.


(I know that is an awkward, scroll-y crop, but the smaller picture just didn’t show the details)

What’s really funny it that it seems SO versatile and yet I had a super hard time coming up with an outfit I could make work with it. I could have worn it with the black and white dress on Monday if I had had super glue on hand (I had to go get some this week to fix this necklace) but I didn’t, so I wore the bunny pendant and gold beads. I had a couple of dresses it will look great with when it is warmer, but as for the weather right now…I don’t seem to have much*. Granted a grey v-neck and jeans is the ideal way to show off just about any accessory anyway, if you ask me, but I can’t wait for it to get warmer so I can dress it up a bit!



That crotch length necklace looks good for photos, but I ended up having my office mate wrap it around my wrist really tight as a bracelet before too late in the day, it was fine standing up, but really awkward sitting down!

*I noted some time ago I need more “plain” items. Solid color dresses in black and grey and tees to properly showcase my vast collection of accessories, I just have not had the money to do anything about it, you know how that goes!

Jacket, Forever XXI
Tee, Alternative
Jean Leggings, ANA at JCPenny
Boots, Target
Tassel necklace, vintage, gift from Mikal
Long beaded necklace, self made
Bag, Nordstrom Rack