Tuesday, September 30, 2008

What Day is It?

Blazer and pumps, Mossimo. Dress, Max Studio. Belt, H&M.



Please don’t ask me what day it is because I don’t know. It’s all a blur of work, swimming, ballet, running, aerobics, home improvement, cleaning, shopping, cooking, and blessed sleep. I know the agenda for the day, but I couldn’t tell you what whether it’s Wednesday or Thursday. Or Tuesday.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Blues and Grays

Blouse, Forever 21. Skirt, Moda International. Peeptoes, Charles David. Purse, Target (via swap). Brooch, thrifted.

I love this blouse, but was wishing it had a bow at the neck during fashion show. Then I remembered the self-belt (that I never intend to wear as such) and tied that around my neck. I left the tails long, because I like the way the sash looks hanging past the skirt’s waistband.

Please forgive the hair; it’s still wet here. As soon as it dried, I swept it up into a ponytail for the day.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Butch Punk

Tuxedo jacket, thrifted. Dress, Forever 21 (via swap). Necktie, Mike’s USNA uniform. Open weave leggings (worn over solid tights), Forever 21. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Bracelet, swap.

Last time I wore a tie, it started quite a furor, both in the blog comments and on flickr. In anticipation of wearing a tie again this week, I poked around on the internet for current attitudes about women in ties. Not much has changed; it still isn’t a popular look. According to the ladies on the Purse Forum, if a woman wears a tie, she’s either butch or punk. I’m not sure which adjective I should claim.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

All About the Shoes

Waistcoat, H&M. Dress. London Times. Tartan pumps, Charlotte Russe. Brooch, thrifted. (In below pictures: Coat, Bebe. Purse, Naturalizer [thrifted and vintage].)


I realized today that this brooch has a subtle claddagh theme with a crown at one end and a heart at the other.

Today’s outfit is all about the shoes. I wore all black so that nothing would complete with their tartan awesomeness. But I did coordinate with my red coat this morning.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

On Trial: Ugly Pants

Denim jacket, Dalia Collection. Cami, Deep Los Angeles. Ugly pants, Express. Brown booties, Style & Co. Wooden bangle, swap. Brass bangle, World Market. Earrings, Xhilaration.


Detail of the trousers’ print

These are ugly, even fugly, pants. I’ve always know that, but I thought they were ugly in a good grandpa chic way. Here’s how I’ve worn them since starting this blog:


Today is the first time I’ve worn the pants in just over a year. I don’t think they are working for me. Time to go on trial! (I haven’t convened fashion court since last October!)
What should I do with the pants?
Keep them
Swap them
Alter them
Give them to charity
Other - I'll tell you in te comments
pollcode.com free polls

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Look At Me


Dress, Jones New York. Obi, Sugadaminka. Shrug, INC. Purse, Naturalizer (thrifted and vintage). Pumps, Pulse. Watch, Louis Arden.

I’m not even going to pretend people weren’t staring at me in this outfit. It’s loud and I’m unapologetic!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Pretty Pretty Princess

Satin blouse, Express. Velvet skirt, Herman Geist (thrifted and shortened). Sash, Mike’s USNA necktie. Brooch, swapped. Slingbacks, Linea Paolo.


I felt a little too “pretty pretty princess” in this ensemble. I think the rhinestone buttons, glittery brooch, shiny shirt, and bell-shaped skirt were a bit much all together.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Party Like a Pirate

Gar, mateys.

Striped sheer sweater, Banana Republic (thrifted). Black tank, My Spring Dress contest consolation prize. Jeans, M Denim. Cowboy boots, Playhouse. Scarf, Oriental Trading Company. Hoop earrings, Nine West. Mug, United States Naval Academy.

Yesterday was “talk like a pirate” day. Today has been declared “party like a pirate” day by the hosts of our MacBeth cast party. This is a pirate-y as I can get with only the current contents of my closet. Mike’s USNA mug is perfect for grog and my shipboard beastie, Bear, keeps the galley free of rats. (Neither the mug nor the cat came to the party with me, though.)





Friday, September 19, 2008

Holly Golightly


Dress, costume shop. Shoes, Chinese Laundry. Clutch, DKNY City. Hair ornament, Claire’s Boutique. Necklace, Newport News.

This dress actually belongs to one of the theater groups I work with. I was looking for poufy prom dresses (for MacBeth’s witches) and found this in the dress rack. As is my habit whenever I find a gem that might fit me among the costumes, I pulled it on over my clothing. One look at the rear view in the mirror, and I was sold.

I was going for a sort of Holly Golightly look with the French twist and pearls. At the wedding, I was told that I resembled the subject of a John Singer Sargent painting. What do you think?

















Who do I look like?
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly
Mrs George Gribble as painted by John Singer Sargent

pollcode.com free polls

Peacock and Plum

Cardigan, No Boundaries. Dress, Moth. Belt, swap. Peeptoes, Bitten. Faux feather earrings, Ali’s Boutique.


Not terribly exciting, I know. So, I gave you some goofy pictures below.



...and shoe detail as requested by Sheila.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Neck Bow

Leopard scarf, so so old I don’t remember where I got it. Dress, Max Studio. Belt, H&M. Shoes, Linea Paolo. Feathered headband, Forever 21. Watch, Raymond Weil. Kitty ear, Zoro. (Pictured below: Bag, Franco Sarto. Shrug, INC.)

I love tie neck blouses with big, poufy bows, but why must one be wearing a blouse to enjoy a gift-wrapped neck?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

New Yellow Shoes


Sheer shrug, Forever 21. Top, Moda International. Skirt, Banana Republic. Shoes, Delicious. Bag, Express. Earrings, thrifted. Feather pendant, Urban Outfitters.

I wasn’t going to buy new yellow shoes when my pair finally died. I was going to move on to new colors, like purple. But this pair was so perfect, and I missed my old yellow shoes so much, that I gave in when I found these mustard pumps at Shoe Carnival. (By the way, that store name cracks me up! Because what could me more fun than a CARNIVAL of SHOES?)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sassy

Vest and trousers, Forever 21. Blouse, Daytrip. Bag, Payless. Wrist cuff, Urban Outfitters. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Hair clip, made by me. Feathered earrings, Claire’s Boutique. Sunnies, Walgreen’s.



I just love the combination of carnelian and mustard, don’t you?

Monday, September 15, 2008

Super Kawaii

Waistcoat, H&M. Sweater, Body Central. Cami, Halogen. Skirt, Tulle. Peeptoe pumps, Charles David.

I’m not really happy with how this outfit came out (too layered), but I love the pose. I remind myself of Super Kawaii Mama. She just oozes confidence in every photo.

I took ballet at the Tomaki Dance Studio while I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I was the only American (and only white girl) in the class. I would converse with the other students using mostly hand gestures and silly facial expressions. They constantly told me I was “kawaii.” The compliment always made me duck my head and mumble an embarrassed thank you. Surrounded by those tiny, nimble dancers, I called myself “the great white whale,” and thought I was anything but cute!

Ah well, fake it until you make it, right?

Friday, September 12, 2008

That 70's Dress

Tie-neck dress, thrifted and shortened. Vest, Old Navy. Peeptoe pumps, Mossimo. Feathered headband, Forever 21. Golden half-hoop earrings, thrifted. Golden belt, swap.

I’ve put in hours of thrifting to costume post-apocalyptic MacBeth. So much so, that I’m sick to death of shopping. Before I became completely disgusted with digging through racks of clothes, I found this beauty of a dress for myself. It was a wee bit frumpy until I hacked the bottom few inches off.







I'm no purveyor of fine vintage clothing, but I suspect this is fairly old. The only tag labels the garment as a size 9…but the accompanying belt was not nearly large enough to encircle my waist. There is no brand label or fiber content tag. The fabric feels like some sort of synthetic and cotton blend. The buttons are made of natural material (most likely shell). The raw edges of the inner seams are pinked instead of finished with a serger. There is no lining. What’s your guess as to the dress’ era?

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Storm A Comin

Dress, The Limited. Waistcoat, NY & Co. Floral pumps, Miss Me. Clutch, Apt 9. Beaded necklace, World Market. Cuff, Urban Outfitters. Brooch, thrifted.




The rain is on the way. I think muddy puddles would ruin these shoes, so I was grateful to get home from the bus before the storm broke.




While it was warm and muggy out of doors. I needed my wrap for the frigid office and bus.