Blown Out Bridge

Another attempt at a San Francisco backdrop thwarted. This time, it wasn’t fog, but the angle of the sun. The Golden Gate bridge is behind me, but the background is completely blown out.


Coat, Lilli Ann. Shirt, Mossimo (thrifted). Skirt, thrifted and gifted. Belt, Buckle. Bag, Fossil (gift). Boots, Rampage. Sunglasses, Target. Necklace, vintage.

With proper exposure of the background, I’m just a dark silhouette. Maybe I should start carrying my flash with me!

Nut Tree

Eventually, I’ll stop naming my posts after the photo location. But as long as I’m posing in new locales (and they continue to have names as fabulous as “Nut Tree”), I think I’ll continue with my current nomenclature.


Blazer, J Crew. Shirt, Old Navy. Skirt, Cynthia Rowley. Pumps, Guess. Sunglasses, Girl Props. Earrings, thrifted. Necklace, vintage. Ring, Black Hills Gold. Bangle, gift. Watch, Raymond Weil.


I took these photos near the Nut Tree Airport. Shortly after, I investigated what I took to be a dilapidated barn nearby . . . only to discover it was a dilapidated covered bridge! I’ll be back to Nut Tree.

Signature

By this point, everyone in the LA office must know me as “the one in the orange jacket.” I tried not to wear it all day today, but I still ended up with it on for most of the day. At least I got a picture without it.


Blazer, J Crew. Blouse, White House Black Market (thrifted). Dress, Richard Chai for Target. Shoes, Linea Paolo. Necklace and earrings, vintage. Bracelet, Tala’s Distant Treasures. Ring, Black Hills Gold.

Last time I was in LA, I also wore the “modern red” blazer nearly all week. I suppose it isn’t such a bad thing to have a signature item.

I Went to Church

No, I didn’t get religion. Beefy’s mom sings in a choir, so we attended mass on Christmas Eve.


Blazer, BSB Jeans (thrifted). Blouse, Charlotte Russe. Skirt, Ann Taylor (thrifted). Boots, Nine West. Purse and rings, vintage. Earrings, Julie’s Inspiration.

I was a little worried about what to wear to the church. It turns out that this was totally appropriate and even, maybe, a little over-dressed. There were folk in tshirts and jeans.



After church, we headed to Beefy's maternal grandmother's house for dinner and a gift exchange. I managed to drop something greasy on my suede skirt and score another box of Esther Price chocolates. A little baby powder fixed the former. For the latter, I prescribe plenty of swimming and running.



Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Business Creative

The dress code at my workplace is “business casual,” but I’d describe my own office wear as “business creative.” I try to keep things work appropriate, but I’ve got to add my flair!

Today, I’m wearing a blazer, dress, and heels. But the blazer is made of lace, the dress has a busy print, and the heels are peep-toe booties.


Lace jacket, vintage. Dress, Lipstick. Shoes, Fioni. Bag, Nicole Lee. Earrings and ring, vintage. Necklace, Urban Outfitters.



Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Junior Miss

I’m a big fan of this very prim blouse worn under a dress. Expect to see me try it with almost every frock in my closet.


Blouse, Judy Bond (thrifted). Dress, Merona. Shoes, Linea Paolo. Earrings, thrifted.

Everything's Up To Date In Kansas City

I was feeling very up to date, myself, in leopard print and clashing patterns. Both are identified as trends for this fall.


Sweater, INC. Dress, Lipstick. Boots, Nine West. Purse, Apt 9. Scarf, Hancock Fabrics. Tote, Wilson’s. Earrings, thrifted.

Damn Pants

Jacket, Odds ‘n Evens (thrifted). Shirt, The Limited. Trousers, Moda International. Lace-up pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Faux pearls, Newport News. Apple watch pendant, Forever 21.


My jewels.
Where are the feathers? Pinned to my coat. I attached my gothic cameo brooch (trimmed in feathers), to my wool coat this morning. I think it will stay there.


This is the last time I wear these pants. I like the idea of them: red/orange tweed, fitted through the hips, wide leg. However, they just aren’t flattering in reality. Buh-bye.

Gothic Cameo Brooch

I got crafty and tackled my January recession challenge this weekend. I am a cameo nut and I’ve been searching for a cameo brooch in the thrift stores for ages. I’ve also become lately enamored of moody, gothic-inspired clothing. And you KNOW I love feathers. I combined all three elements in my creation.

Ideally, I would have made this brooch with only the things I had on hand (like Deborah-Lee)…but I didn’t have a cameo or any black feathers, so I bought those items, along with some black felt, at Michael’s. I already owned the black ribbon, brooch backs, glue gun, and glue.

First, I traced the cameo’s oval onto black felt and cut out the shape. Then, I glued two of the fluffiest feathers to the back of the cameo face. Next, I cut four pieces of ribbon and doubled them over (joining them in the center) and secured them with glue. I later stacked the ribbon and sewed them together. (Alligator clips were handy for holding the ribbons together as the glue dried and as I sewed the stack.) Finally, I sandwiched it all together between the cameo and felt and glued the pin onto the back.


Don’t forget to send me a link to or a picture of your own brooches!

Miss Muffet

Black sweater, Moda Interational. Cream lace top, H&M (via swap). Buff slip (visible beneath top), thrifted. Black skirt with cream lace and ribbons, NY & Co. Black patent slingbacks, Audrey Brooke. Cameo earrings, thrifted. Faux pearl cuff, Forever 21. Patent headband, Claire’s.

I feel like a storybook character in this. Maybe I’m Miss Muffet? The ensemble is a bit overly sweet, but garnered multiple compliments, both at work and out and about Clifton this evening. I resisted adding any color with all my might, but gave in to just the slightest bit of coral in my cameo earrings.

Cameo

Sheer coral blouse, Worthington. White cropped cardigan, Express. Tan slacks, Moda International. Tan slingbacks, Linea Paolo. Gold-tone paisley chandelier earrings, World Market. Cameo choker, vintage.

It’s sort of ironic that the element I designed this outfit around isn’t really visible in the long shot. I’m wearing coral and white to complement my cameo choker. I went through a cameo craze two years ago and this is one of the pieces I bought. I’ve included a detail shot so that you can appreciate just how lovely it is.


P.S. That’s my neighbor, Jimmy, getting into his car behind me!