Can't Let Go

Dress, London Times. Vest, Charlotte Russe. Brooch, swap. Pumps, Victoria Spencer. Sunnies, Big Lots (I love these - can you tell?)

I just can’t let these shoes go! I pulled them out again because I thought the yellow was the perfect counterpoint to gray and black. Don’t judge me by my broken-down shoes.

This is a very bad picture of one of my latest swap receipts: a silver-toned bow brooch. I love it! I’m trying to swap away larger items (like a sweater) for smaller items (like a ring). I’m generally successful.

My forehead looks freaking humongous. I’m wearing my 40’s hair in anticipation of tonight’s dress rehearsal. I followed Casey’s tutorial, but I think I kind of look like the evil fairy in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent.

I’ll keep working on it. Reviewing the tutorial again, I see that Casey's rolls are much closer to the part than mine are. Maybe I can eliminate the "horned" look by moving the roll placement upward.

P.S. Come see my show, Noir Suspicions. We open on Sat.

I Bee Pale

Tartan dress, Frederick’s of Hollywood. Belt, Luxury Divas (via Amazon). Sandals, Etienne Aigner. Bee pendant, Bath and Body Works. Sunnies, Big Lots.

This bee-shaped pendant was attached to a Bath and Body Works gift bag I won at a holiday party in January. Actually, I won a molded monstrosity in the form of a moose holding a hunting rifle, designed to hold toilet paper. Thankfully, someone pitied me enough to trade. I’ve had the gift bag in my “regift” pile since then, but removed the charm today to wear as jewelry. I think I’ll keep it.

Sometimes I wonder if I am just too damn white to expose this much skin. Greens and blues, in particularly, emphasize how pale I am. I suppose glow-in-the dark skin just makes the whole redhead façade more convincing.

Classico

Striped shirt, Steve & Barry’s. Cardigan, Moda International. Skirt, Eddie Bauer. Belt, Luxury Divas (via Amazon). Pumps, X Appeal. Sunnies, Big Lots.


I went to Steve & Barry’s last week looking for the tartan SJP dress I saw in People Style Watch and 40’s style shoes for my show. The dress wasn’t in stores yet, but I did find the shoes (black peeptoe platforms with an ankle strap), white capris, and this striped shirt with lovely ruffle details. I’ll have to scan a photo of the dress. It is cute enough to drive me back to the store to look for it again.


My “willi” hands and “dog poo on my shoe” pose.

Those Capris Again

Asian-inspired satin dress, Forever 21 (via swap). Capris, Steve & Barry’s. Slingbacks, Delicious. Beaded necklace, Xhilaration.

Stand by to see me pair these capris with every short dress in my closet before the summer ends. I freaking LOVE them.


Speaking of short dresses, I’ve found this frock a little challenging for work wear because of the short hemline. I’ve felt most comfortable wearing it over pants or leggings. Tights still left me feeling a little exposed. Actually, the girl who swapped it to me referred to the garment as a shirt! She must be much taller than I.

Too Much

Jersey shirt with collar and cuffs, Forever 21. Waistcoat, H&M. Floral skirt, Talbot’s. Belt, Xhilaration. Zebra pumps, Delicious. Bag, Vieta.



This outfit started out a little tamer (without the bag), but I couldn’t resist throwing a third, black and white pattern into the mix! For those of you who find the look overwhelming, you may be comforted to know that I broke a heel on the way in the building and am now sporting blue-green, satin ballet flats. A smart, stiletto-wearing girl always keeps backup shoes at the office.

C'est Vrai

Blouse, Charlotte Russe. Strapless dress, Mossimo (via swap). Sandals, Etienne Aigner. Earrings, World Market. Sunglasses, Big Lots.

I used to find it amusing to see the astonishment on people’s faces when they learned I was a Marine. Perhaps I’m just getting old and cranky, but when the revelation was greeted by my castmate’s laughter today, I was seriously annoyed. Maybe his levity was sparked by the juxtaposition of the news and my camo dress?

Mike will tell you that I wear this dress way too much. It's incredibly comfortable. It isn’t unheard of for me to put the dress on Saturday, sleep in it, and continue to wear it on Sunday. That’s the kind of weekend I leave undocumented. See the dress without the blouse last April.

With Navy

Jacket and shoes, Forever 21. Missoni-esque dress, Lipstick. Bag, Franco Sarto. Charm necklace, thrifted.



Unfortunately, my camera battery ran down before I got any good or particularly flattering pictures!

White Capris

Dress, Forever 21 (thrifted and overdyed). Capris, Steve & Barry’s. Earrings, Urban Nomad. Bangles, swap. Sandals, Franco Sarto.

I have a small obsession with slim white capris under dresses. I don’t know where I ever got the idea, but I love the way it looks. Last year’s capris shrank so badly in the wash that I’ll never be able to wear them again. It took me until recently to accept that fact (I assumed I was just to fat for them and they were SO darn cute) and to start looking for a new pair. I found these at Steve and Barry’s for the infamous $8.98 price.

I’m well aware that they do not meet Angie’s flattering length guidelines for cropped pants. However, I think this below the calf length works when layered under a short dress. And I would never wear the pants without a top that reaches to mid-thigh. They are for layering only, like leggings.

Safari Zebra

Zebra dress, Jones New York. Linen blazer, Forever 21. Sandals and bag, Franco Sarto. Wooden bangle, swap. Brass bangle, World Market. Necklace, Urban Outfitters. Earrings, Claire’s.

As I suggested to Fiona, brown is a fun accent for a black and white dress. A zebra-print dress conjures images of an African safari. Accessories in shades of brown and gold emphasize the ethnic feel and glam it up a bit.

Tribal

Dress, Max Studio. Cardigan, Moda International. Obi-style belt, Sugadaminka (ebay). Necklace, Xhilaration. Bag, Franco Sarto. Pumps, X Appeal. Sunnies, Walgreen’s. Bracelets, swap.

I’ve always thought this dress’ print was a bit art deco. With the right accessories, though, it more strongly resembles a geometric ikat pattern.

I bought this obi-style belt from ebay seller Sugadaminka in early 2007 and this is only the fourth time I’ve worn it. I really must wear it more often. Any suggestions on what to pair it with?

Cooler

Paisley wrap, Images (gift from Londyn). Top, Ann Taylor Loft. Skirt, Eddie Rodriguez. Floral pumps, Miss Me. Bag, Franco Sarto. Necklace, Enve Designs. Earrings, thrifted. Sunnies, free from the Camp Foster uniform shop.



After some intense storms last night, it is much cooler today. Cool enough to warrant a wrap this morning. As my office is always freezing, regardless of the weather outside, I continued to wear it for the work day. It came in handy once more for the frigid bus ride home. I love wrapping myself in this sumptuous “blanky.” It’s perfect for a nap on the way home.

More Alterations To Come

Jacket, Charlotte Russe (overdyed by me). Sheer blouse, Forever 21. Skirt, Japanese department store. Shoes, Wild Diva. Wooden bangle, swap. Brass bangle, World Market.

Overdyeing this jacket was another of last weekend’s projects. It was originally an unflattering “oatmeal” color. I wanted to dye it with Dylon dye (like I do my jeans), but the color selection of that product is too narrow. Instead, I purchased Rit liquid dye and used the washing machine method. When I first removed the dyed and rinsed garment from the machine, I thought it was ruined. The color was horribly splotchy. Hoping for the best, I washed it with detergent and some dark towels. The final result is a lovely, even shade.

I think this skirt is up next for alteration. I am definitely shortening it, but also considering dying it a mustard yellow. The current shade is just too boring.

P.S. I thought this outfit was horribly frumpy, boring, and predictable. I guess a loss of brilliance is to be expected when I don't get to play "fashion show" on the weekend. (Not that I would have rather played fashion show than hung out with my buddy Karen in Cleveland!) It will make a good "before" shot, though, after I do alter the skirt.

Cleveland Irish Festival

Dress, Dublin Ohio Irish Festival. Sandals, Etienne Aigner. Bag, Nine West. Scarf (tied to bag), swap. Necklace, Gyokusendo Kingdom. Hat, Wal*Mart.

This is my second summer performing at an Irish festival. Last year, we were in Dublin, Ohio. This year we’re in Cleveland. I thought it only fitting that I wear the dress I purchased at the last Irish festival today.


It seems I left this hat off of Thursday’s Wal*Mart Wardrobe post. I’ve had it for a year or two and wear it for any prolonged outdoor activity, like canoeing, attending festivals, fishing, or gardening. It keeps my face and neck shaded and doesn’t overheat my head.

Adieu, Yellow Shoes

Sheer blouse, Forever 21. Waistcoat, NY & Co. Skirt, G.J. Forbes (thrifted and shortened). Pumps, Victoria Spenser. Clutch, Apt 9. Earrings and brooch, thrifted.

It may be time to say goodbye to my yellow pumps. I’ve owned them for a year and worn them about 30 times. While new heel tips could be applied, it would be prohibitively expensive to have the sidewalk-chewed heels themselves replaced. The patent of rest of the shoe is marked and scuffed. My early attempts to erase the scuffs with nail polish remover were not entirely successful. The Cincinnati streets and sidewalks are absolute murder on heels.



This skirt was another of my projects last weekend. I found it at St. Vincent de Paul and shortened it from tea length. As usual, I had trouble with the curved hem, but it passes a casual muster.