LBD: Banana Republic Cocktail Dress

Fellow actors have always warned me against wearing my own clothing on stage. It seems like a good idea at first because you KNOW it fits and you KNOW you like it. But the wear and tear of quick changes and running around backstage can destroy your garments. Additionally, wearing the same thing, night after night, can work like aversion therapy. You never want to wear those items, again. I think that’s what happened with my cocktail LBD from Banana Republic.

I wore it while playing a 1940’s bar hostess (and former call girl) in Noir Suspicions, at a local dinner theater. And then I never wore it again.


It did get one wear (left) before the play.
The dress is still in good condition, but forgotten in the depths of my closet. Is the Little Black Dress Event my opportunity to remember it?

Global Warming

Is it global warming or global steaming? I’ll be wearing plenty of updos this summer in response to the increasing humidity.


Sweater, NY & Co. Dress, Jones New York. Belt, Brighton (thrifted). Bag, Mossimo. Booties, Fioni. Bracelets, Target and Garden of the Gods gift shop. Earrings, Swap. Sunnies, Betsey Johnson.

The plants are loving the greenhouse effect. My back yard is like a jungle. I haven’t seen any exotic creatures, but the deer certainly make themselves at home. It’s only a matter of time before an alligator moves into my pond.



Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Speaking of jungles, this outfit is the fourth in a series of animal print toppers over this zebra print dress.


I call it the Jungle Fever series.
P.S. There is a little gray tiger in the corner of the latest entry.

Roses Are Red

Roses are red, violets are blue, my bun is messy, and I know you like it, too!


Sweater, Forever 21 (sewn shut). Dress and belt, Studio I. Shoes, Gianni Bini. Bag, Massini. Earrings, Swap. Bracelets, Target. Sunnies, Girl Props.

I do so love the messy side bun. Last time I featured it on the blog, I had a request for a better picture of the roll. It’s messier than usual today because my hair is freshly trimimed and this location was windy. I reassembled the bun a few times during the day, but it’s a quick fix. The bun tutorial is here. (I place the bun in the center of my head during the video, but the technique is the same.) I love this method of creating a bun because it works with shoulder-length hair.


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

LBD: Steppin' Out Velvet Dress

This little velvet number is the first of my semi-formal LBDs. I don’t think I could dress it down for work if I tried.


The dress has a retro style, but is actually from the 80s or 90s. I rescued it from a costume shop and have worn it to two weddings (one not pictured) and a New Year’s Eve party. The velvet is unyielding and a little worse for wear, so I restrict the dress to dimly lit events. The Little Black Dress Event is being held at Moonlight Gardens, so perhaps I could get away with wearing it there?

Area 22

I spent yesterday afternoon at Area 22. Sounds ominous, no? It isn’t a secret government installation, just a picnic area at Mt Airy forest.


Dress, No Boundaries. Belt, swap. Hat, Charlotte Russe. Sandals, Aerosoles. Necklaces, Indian and swap. Bracelets, swap and Garden of the Gods gift shop. Bag, vintage. Sunnies, Betsey Johnson.

We had no alien encounters, just a thunderstorm and then some overexposed photos. (I'm fair-skinned, but not quite this pale!)



Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Runway

Yesterday, I finally got a chance to walk the runway.


Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Belt, Gap (thrifted). Leggings, Forever 21. Boots, Dan Post. Earrings, Monica D. Bag, Liz Claiborne (gift).


I’m cleared for take-off!


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

LBD: London Times Trapeze Dress

This little London Times black dress is probably the most versatile thing in my closet. I’ve worn it casually, to work, and for evening.


For evening, I tend to leave the dress unbelted (the better for consumption of drinks and appetizers). For day, I usually cinch the waist with a belt, vest, or jacket. The dress is made from a lightweight jersey and works well on its own in the summer heat or layered in the winter. I liked this dress so much that I bought its twin, in teal. And I’ve worn it so much that the black has begun to fade and the fabric is pilling.


I bought this LBD at a Marshall’s for around $25 and I’ve worn it 18 times. Surely, I can get another seven wearings out of it to bring my cost per wear down to only a buck. Do you think I’ll wear it next on June 3?