November Purchases

I had free money this month, so, of course, I had to spend it!

Forever 21

Dan’s mom sent me some birthday money so I took myself to the mall. After striking out at Nordstrom, Loft, and J Crew, I found some things I liked at Forever 21.

1. Geometric print shirt, $19.80 – birthday money = free!

2. Mickey and Minnie sweater, $19.80 – birthday money = free!


ARC

3. Ashley sweater tunic, $5.00.

4. Pink Rose sweater tunic, $6.50


TJ Maxx

I had a $50 gift certificate from work to spend. Not for my birthday. Just for being super at my job.

5. Lauren Ralph Lauren boots, $79.99 – gift card = $29.99.


Madame Butterfly

I can’t afford most things in this store, but I was hoping to find another pair of tights like my polka dot stockings. There were no more awesome tights, but I did pick up a couple of things from the clearance section.

6. Lassie shorts, $19.99.

7. Hyde Collection belt, $19.99 (originally $130!)




October total: $81.47

Total spending for the year: $2264.01

Remaining 2013 budget: -$824.01.

I did a good job keeping expenses down in November, but December will be, as Beefy says, a shit show.

Fake Socks

I’m wearing faux thigh-high tights. I love the idea of an opaque “sock” and a sheer upper tight to simulate the look of thigh-high stockings (without the tugging!) I layered a pair from Urban Outfitters over plain red tights for warmth and modesty. Then, I put the tights through the "jump test."


Yup! No saggy socks!
Sweater, Charlotte Russe. Shorts, Lassie. Red tights, We Love Colors. Black tights, Urban Outfitters. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Sunglasses, Target. Necklace, vintage. Coat, Via Spiga.

Family Portrait

The day after a Thanksgiving dinner with 15 people and 2 dogs, we had our family portrait taken (minus one dog). I was sure to eat lightly and drink plenty of water so that I could stand to wear a real waistband (and fitted sweater) one day after our feast. (The scarf would have made great camouflage for a lingering food baby, but I didn’t wear it for the portrait. I thought the bold pattern would be too distracting since we all wore plain tops.)


Sweater, Charlotte Russe. Jeans, Express. Booties, Lauren Ralp Lauren. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Epcot Mexico. Scarf, thrifted.

Thanks, Natasha!

Thanks to my sister for taking my photos on Thanksgiving! It’s always fun to have another creative eye behind the camera.


Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Shirt, Forever 21. Belt, Hyde Collection. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, California State Fair.



Natasha insisted I post this last photo:


Happy Thanksgiving!

Out

I’m heading from Sacramento to Denver and experimenting with my travel wear. I already know I like flying in tights and shorts. I even like traveling in boots. (I don’t mind that they don’t slip off on the plane. I bet the other passengers are glad I keep my shoes on, too.) I’ve never flown in a poncho, though. I figured it would be like wearing a securely fastened blanket, and I was right. Soon enough, the airports will be full of folks in ponchos (over their pajamas, of course).


Poncho, Christopher & Banks (gift). Shirt, Forever 21. Shorts, Lassie. Tights, Madame Butterfly. Legwarmers, Apostrophe. Boots, Sam Edelman. Sunglasses, Target. Necklace, vintage. Bag, Canvas Boutique.

Now You Don't

This outfit was perfect camouflage for my photo location (near the train tracks crossing the Yolo Bypass). Am I hard to spot?

I’ll be even harder to find over the next few days. I will be without computer access, but I will be wearing and photographing a fabulous travel capsule to share with you upon my return.


Jacket, Heart Moon Stars. Dress, Talbot’s (thrift). Boots, Sofft (consignment). Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, gift. Bracelets, vintage and gift. Bag, Canvas Boutique.

Quite unintentionally, my travel capsule palette is the same as today’s outfit: black and white and brown, accented with tomato red. But, it’s far from boring. I’ll mix it up with layering and pattern mixing.

Gray Area

I'm standing in a gray area, but my outfit is strictly black and white.


Sweater, Forever 21. Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Tights, Urban Outfitters. Boots, Rampage. Sunglasses, Target. Necklace, Stella & Dot. Bag, Vieta.

Fedora, Not Floppy

I love those floppy, wool, 70's-style hats that have been en vogue lately, but I think wearing one would drive me crazy. I suppose it would be fine while walking, but driving would be a disaster. I imagine the brim would be constantly obstructing my view, pushing against the headrest, and colliding with the car door. For practicality's sake, I'll stick to a fedora.


Cardigan, Takeout. Sweater, Joseph A (thrifted). Skirt, Mossimo. Leggings, Dankin. Legwarmers, Apostrophe. Boots, Ariat. Hat, Nine West. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Night Owl Crafts.

Tricks and Illusions

Thomas Richards Barter's trompe l'oeil mural in McClatchy park is equally effective from the street and just a few feet away. Driving past, I struggled to keep my eyes on the road; the receding perspective in the mural is so effective that I was compelled to find the angle at which the illusion ceases. Up close, the slightly three-dimensional image is so unsettling that I became dizzy. Paired with the round canopied courtyard, the mural is like a circus trick.


Sweater tunic, Pink Rose (thrifted). Leggings, We Love Colors. Leg warmers, Sock Dreams. Boots, Matisse. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Earrings, Cuffs. Bag, Charming Charlie.

I'm, obviously, dressed as the circus clown and Jasper is a performing poodle. Our act is coming along nicely. He has mastered jumping through a hula hoop. The next step is to set it on fire.



Photos by Beefy Muchacho