Life In A Gold Plated Body Cast

I'm not sure where in the new house to take pictures. So I'm going to try a couple places. The first one I tried was my dressing room. I get dressed in there...



It's a pretty great room, but not, I think the right place for pictures as it turns out.

Whatever, who cares? Because it finally got cold and I got to wear LAYERS. And FUR and GIANT BOOTS.





Those boots. I love them. The beading, the suede, the ridiculous rabbit fur. I got them maybe two or three months ago and it was pretty rough waiting for the cold. But it came and it even stayed a few days.



And I STILL think you can never go wrong with a silk romper. Unless you also have on two cardigans and a pair of tights and you have to pee and the bathroom is occupied and you KNOW that even after you get in there you have to take off ALL YOUR CLOTHES before you can pee...but really, even then, I still vote yes on silk rompers.

Leather jacket, Wilson's Leather
Rabbit fur cowl, Buffalo Exchange
Cardigan, Target
Layering Cardigan, Alternative Apparel
Silk Romper, Buffalo Exchange
Tights, Target
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, self made

You've Caught Me And You Know Why

I have a couple new pairs of jeans that are flares, and I'm really excited about them being back on trend, but on the flip-side, I hope the jegging never dies. I know it's an unpopular thing to say among the trendy and cool, but I never claimed to be trendy or cool! I still hate the word..."jegging"...it's kind of gross to be honest. But I love the actual pant.



I bought two pair of these grey tie dye leggings when they were in stores and I'm already wishing I had bought a couple more for safe keeping. They are such a go to item for me.



And I love the new swingy tanks like this that are everywhere right now. Because I love my tight pants, I am always on the lookout for flattering but forgiving things to wear on top.



What's your favorite jean shape right now? I feel like pretty much anything goes! skinny, bootcut, flare, high waisted, wide legged, low waisted...I'd love a pair of high wasited wide leg myself! I've no idea how I'd style them but I'm sure I'd figure it out!




Tank, Buffalo Exchange
Jeans, Target
Clogs, Amazon
Bangles, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, self made with charm from etsy.

Rules are For Fools, And Fool's Paradise is Hard to Find

Shortly before the TxSCC, Jentine challenged herself to thrift me a sequined top. I hear she tiptoed dangerously close to the deadline, but she totally came through!



And I, of course wore it to work. With cutoffs. Because I'm classy. In fact I was working at the buy counter that day and I had a wonderful seller come in with some fun sequins and lace and even a Betsy Johnson dress (new! with tags!) and she talked about how she loved all her sequins and lace and fun things, but where could she wear them? And I just pointed at my top. "The grocery store" I said. And she laughed, but I think I may have planted a seed. Sure there are "appropriate" times and places to wear your fancy duds...but who wants to wait?



I can't wait to style it up different ways as well. Skinny jeans, a body con black skirt, who knows? Black sequins are my new neutral.



I also wore dark blue boots with it. Because they were new to me and I wanted to and rules are for fools. I have been trying on every single pair of these little fringe boots that have come in since I started working at Buffalo Exchange and these fit really well.



Nathan said he noticed them all over Austin and the thing was to wear them with cutoff shorts and super ripped up pattern tights. Have you seen this trend? Austin ladies? Was it a SXSW thing? I mean, I'll try anything once, but that sounds strange...

I wore my geode slice earrings...



And this beautiful new pyrite and sterling silver ring I got from My Own Little Universe.* I love Katie. She's so talented and she is also beautiful, and smart and really genuine. I love love love knowing a little bit about the artists I buy my jewelry from!



(I got al little carried away with the editing trying to obscure my dry winter hands! Sorry about that kids...)



I love pyrite. And I love the color contrast of the pyrite against the darkened silver. She has another similar ring in the shop right now, so if you love it, hop on over and grab one for yourself!

Blouse, gift from My Edit (blog)
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Tights, Target
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Earrings, self made
Ring, My Own Little Universe
Watch, Swatch

* I purchased this ring on my own, it was not a gift, and I was not compensated to promote MOLU. I just like Katie's work.

You Know That I Could It To The Next Level Baby

I have a bruised heel, a blister on my pinky toe and I have 8 more hours on my feet today. Physically, this is not the easiest transition, to be honest. But I also logged a couple hours behind the Buy Counter yesterday and got to do full on role playing as part of my training so the fun of the job still makes up for the pain.



I started breaking in these new Docs yesterday. I promised myself I'd wear them half a day and I managed to wear them from 10 to 3, so I call that a success. I'm paying for it today but that's the way it goes with Docs sometimes. You have to really want it. And I do with these, because, well, LOOK at them! Gorgeous!



I brought a back up pair of flat Docs to change into and they saved the rest of my day.



This will most likely be my last post before TxSCC. I am working a mid shift tomorrow and then grabbing Suze at the airport, and we head out with Elissa for Austin first thing Friday AM. Oh. And I still need to pack.



I can't wait to meet everyone. I am SO EXCITED and I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Jacket and dress, Target
Sports Bra, Forever XXI
Tights, ?
Boots, Docs
Bag, vintage Coach
Necklace, self made

I'm Fierce And I'm Feelin' Mighty

After Day 1 my feet were like "Eh, we don't feel so great but it's not so bad." But after Day 2 they were more "We hate you, please die". Oh my gosh. I am so glad I have today off. My co-workers promise my feet will adjust. Let's just hope they do it fast!



I had an exciting day though, with my fist training session behind the buy counter. I learned a lot. I spend most of the day right now working the floor, which means direct interaction with customers and lots of back and forth between the dressing room and racks. SO MUCH FUN. I seriously get paid to talk to people and handle clothes.







Plus I had a co-worker remark that she noticed that I was doing really well, and that my customer service skills are excellent. Feedback from managers is nice, sure, but feedback from fellow staff members is priceless. I don't mean to gush (OK, I do) but I have at least 3 moments every day where I just take a deep breath and breathe it all in. I am so happy. I don't remember the last time I was this stress-free. I'm focused when I'm there, and I don't have to struggle to pay attention, because I'm interested. It's interesting.



Jacket, Old Navy
Smiths shirt, Everything English
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Tights, ?
Boots, Docs, thrifted
Watch, Swatch
Bead bracelet, self made

Interview Interlude

I interrupt this edition of 30x30 to bring you my interview outfit. I did not wear 30x30 items to my interview the other day. One of the skills that is required for the job I was applying for is a sense of style and a working knowledge of fashion and trends, so I needed to really let my personal style shine.



I went with a thrifted red leather pencil skirt, black tights and boots and a satiny top. I'm not sure the detail come through in the shots, but the pattern on that top is actually a print of sequins. I thought it was so clever (and so did Elissa, she got the same one!)



I also went with almost all DIY jewelry because I think the jewlery I make for myself really showcases my personal style.



I felt stylish, confident, classy and just sexy enough to be appropriate.



For my second interview I went with this:





I'm a big fan of a mixing casual with dressy so this combination of a band tee and blazer worked really well.



AND...I got a job offer, which I totally accepted. I start Wednesday. I'll be working as an entry level buyer at Buffalo Exchange, a clothing and accessories store where you can buy, sell and trade. Basically it recycles within the community. It's a concept I really believe in and I've been a longtime seller and shopper and am really excited to be starting as a buyer. I'll be getting paid to be around clothes and people all day and stay up to date on fashion trends, which as you may have noticed, I really enjoy doing.


Outfit #1
Blouse, Forever XXI
Skirt, thrifted
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Docs
Necklace, DIY
cuff, Target
Bag, LUSH

Outfit #2
Blazer, Forever XXI
Tee, Hot Topic
Skirt, Forever XXI
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Docs
Earrings Forever XXI

Day 11 (4 + 18 + 5 + 24)

+ + + =



Yeah, I wore three prints. Three strong prints. And it's maybe a wee bit crazy pants. Maybe a bit over the top. And I don't care. I love it.



That little lock on the necklace came on my bag, but it banged up against the key that's also on there and was really clangy and noisy and so I removed it. But it was too cute to toss, so I just added it to the chain with the bullet.



Today when I read this poem:



I replied in my sleepy voice “Is it a PLUSH PIZZA?”

And you know what? It was.




I have the frosted pink donut as well, and I keep it on the couch like that is a normal adult decorating choice. I’ll do the same with my new pizza!~

Cardigan, Target
Tank, Urban Outfitters
Jeans, Target
Cammo Boots, Aldo
Bag, Fossil
Gloves, Vintage, gift
Scarf, Target
Necklace, self made

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful

Frightfully warm!



Yep. It is THAT warm. I drew the line at having to give myself a fresh pedicure but I did give up and go back to open shoes.

So, HEY, it’s been like, really hard for me to get back into the routine of taking my own pictures. I miss the time with Nathan. Plus it takes longer to do it yourself. When Nathan went back to work, he was leaving much earlier than I was so I shifted my hours forward and as a result I had to adjust to getting up an hour earlier or so, and now I’m trying to get up even earlier than that to make time for self portraits. I can’t believe I used to get up even EARLIER than this when I had an actual commute to work! Who WAS that girl? That early rising, self portrait taking, outfit planning MACHINE? Anyone else taken an extended break from blogging? How did you get your groove back?



My outfit mojo is very much in winter mode right now. Even though I’m from Dallas, where we go from balmy to freezing and right back to balmy within the space of days not weeks or months, I personally have trouble switching back and forth. I get in a groove. I’m all about sweaters and leggings and leg warmers. WHAT IS THIS?



Anyone else struggle with this?



(That sounded so complain-y. I’ll make a note to be less of a complainer tomorrow. I mean hey! I don’t have to shovel snow! The streets are safe! I am not frozen to the bone! It’s not so bad.)

Cardigan, Target
Tank, hand me down from Alannah
Pants, Target
Shoes, Aldo
Necklace, self made
Watch, Swatch, gift from Nathan

Who Wants To Come In My Candy Shop?

My new camera arrived and we are slowly getting acquainted. I know most fashion bloggers upgrade from a point and shoot to a DLSR, but I like to do things a little different and downgrade from a DLSR to a point and shoot.



Yesterday I took the day off work to lounge, read and go to a book signing. One of my favorite authors, Richelle Mead was near town, up in Allen and I was super excited to get to see her in person.



I had to carry two bags as no bag could contain both all of the books I wanted signed as well as my everyday things.

Behold: the books I wanted signed:


That’s the first book from each of the series by her that I read as well as the hardback of the book the actual tour is for. She technically only signs three books person, but my girlfriend only wanted to have two books signed so she carried my fourth through the line for me.



I wore a tee shirt that my BFF Alannah sent me that I got Saturday and have already worn twice. You know how I do.



I also made a necklace for Ms. Mead based on a design that is important to the characters in the Vampire Academy series. Of course I made one for me as well. I really like that it’s subtle but also very specific to the books. I can be a fan-girl without wearing something silly like an “I love Dimitri” necklace, which might be great if I were 15, but is not so cool at 34.

(IDK what I'm doing here but I like my hair cape)


After seeing the pics, I wasn’t super excited by the way the leggings looked and changed into black and white patterned tights.

And to cap things off, a lovely picture of the super friendly and amazing Ms. Mead..



Is she not ADORABLE?

And a slightly horrid picture of me in which Ms Mead is signing my books.



I had a great time with my friends, sitting around talking waiting for the signing to start and Ms. Mead was so friendly and accommodating. She read from the new book, did a Q and A and signed up to three books for around 350 people and she did it all with a smile.

Sweater, Target
Tee, hand me down from Alannah
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Leggings, Target
Boots, Doc Martins
Black leather handbag, Steven
Book bag, gift
Necklace, self made due to extreme nerdiness