Well I do declare

In my office, there's this awesome little vintage dress on display. I eye it every time I come in. I mean, every time.

From the dainty little lace details, to the pearl buttons, I just can't get enough of how freaking adorable it is.

Well, in light of Ms. Jessica's post over at What I Wore, I decided to try it on, you know, just to get it out of my system, so to speak.

I can just imagine going to the county fair in this number. Perhaps with a pair of gloves and uttering my best, "Well I do declare!" in a southern drawl, of course.

Now, I'm back, sitting at my desk eyeing the dress from across the room. Somehow, someway, I'll forget about you dress. Until then, you'll probably haunt my dreams. Sigh.

Dress: Light pink vintage dress with no label, borrowed temporarily from office

Shoes: Black wedges, Kenzie

Purse: Straw clutch, vintage

P.S. I'll have a regular outfit post hopefully later on today. So much to do before I leave for the Weardrobe Conference in NYC! Stoked!

risky business

And so it begins. I finally got around to picking up a copy of "The Sartorialist" the other night only to flip through it briefly and exclaim (in the middle of Barnes and Noble, mind you!) "Oh, I have to try that!"

Thank God I wasn't in the self-help aisle. Or The World of Warcraft aisle. I was near the sex section, though. Either way, I think I played it off well.

The first photo here is, of course, the reason for this post, and while I tried and tried and tried to find a silkier version of the men's basic white button-down shirt, I just couldn't find it anywhere at Savers. Nevertheless, I like how the entire look came together, the main difference being a lack of the cute black ribbon.

Here's my excuse:

If you happened to be browsing through the men's belt section and stumbled upon a vintage Yves Saint Laurent belt, wouldn't you incorporate it immediately into your outfit?

That's what I thought.

Shirt: Vintage men's button-down shirt

Belt: Vintage YSL leather belt

Shoes: DIYed studded ankle boots, Payless

Jewelry: Random gold necklaces with rosary-looking necklace, don't remember where I got them

Oh, and Tom Cruise, eat your heart out.

maxi-mum comfort

I finally broke down. I. bought. a. maxi. dress. Now, don't get me wrong. I have been loving the maxi trend lately. On everyone else. And by everyone else I mean those taller than myself, who won't look overwhelmed with so much fabric draped over them.

But I digress.

Because obviously, I decided to give it a try. And obviously, am somewhat pleased if I have rambled for almost two paragraphs about it.

And you know what? It was perfect for somewhat of a lounge-like day in the office with the added bonus of being able to sit cross legged while typing without looking like a hussy.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make some zucchini corn bread. Yep, corn bread. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

Dress: Olive green maxi dress, Target

Shoes: Black wedges, Kenzie

Sunglasses: Vintage Wayfarers, Ray-Bans

Watch: Men's watch, $12 special from Wal-Mart

friday casual with silk pants

The past several months have been spent driving from one side of town to the other, between work, home and my boyfriend's house. Needless to say, this girl is tired of living out of the backseat of her car (a small backseat of a Honda Civic nonetheless!). At any given moment, I could probably reach behind my driver's seat, grab a pair of ankle boots and a dress and be ready for the evening. With a clutch purse and a dangly necklace somewhere hidden around my dashboard.

Of course, this poses problems. Who wants a going-out frock with car seat wrinkles? That's why I've started, as of late, conjuring outfits that would transition easily, and I mean, super easily between work and play without having to drive the 20 minutes back home. These silk pants are a perfect example. The BF and I went and saw "Julie and Julia" last night, which I'm still reveling in surprise that he actually agreed to my only kidding offer, and I sported this black lace body suit number with my new silk, paper bag waist pants from Express. I felt so Kansas Couture, it was great!

Then, for work, I threw on an understated white v-neck t-shirt with a snazzy bib necklace. Voila! No digging in my backseat and I only had to change one item, really.

Let's hear it for lazy, but fashionable days! Oh, and happy Friday everyone! We made it.

Shirt: White v-neck t-shirt, American Apparel; black lace body suit, Romantic Sensations (ha!)

Pants: Champagne colored silk, paper bag waist pants, Express (only $12!)

Shoes: Black wedges, Kenzie

Jewelry: Gem embellished bib necklace, Charlotte-Russe; Harmonica necklace, gift from Japan from the boyfriend; seahorse and peace sign charm necklace, Target

I have a confession

Confession: I really didn't wear this outfit yesterday. Actually, as long as we're being honest here, I probably had it on for eh, I'd say about ten minutes, long enough to snap some photos and sweat a bucket.

Instead, I opted for a much more comfortable, I'm-running-around-with-my-head-cut-off look as the day was spent at a photo shoot for the magazine I work for. What kind of outfit is that you ask? See any of the following: baggy, racer back tank with bandeau bra, skinny jeans and gladiator sandals. Sure, it doesn't sound all too much like a fashion dud, but when there are models lounging about in over the knee boots, military and leather jackets and pretty tulle skirts and dresses, you start to feel a little left out.

This little boat necked striped number though was in fact one of the outfits I had lined up for a model. Perhaps, one day I'll sneak some of those photos on here. Perhaps.

Shirt: Boat neck striped silk shirt, TJ Maxx
Jeans: Skinny Levis
Necklace: Gem embellished bib necklace, Charlotte-Russe
Shoes: Vintage jazz flats (laceless!)

stop taking your sweet time, fall

It is very likely that fall is rearing it's way into my closet already. Yes, it's still 95 plus here, but I couldn't help but sport these over the knee boots I picked up the other day. And it's also very likely that I spent most of the day shopping, and getting paid to do it. Sometimes, it's a beautiful world we live in, especially when you work for a style magazine and have an upcoming fall fashion preview shoot. 

But more on that later. 

Shirt: Blue embellished tank, Free People

Jeans: Skinny Levis

Boots: Black over the knee boots, Chinese Laundry 

hey babe, take a walk on the wild side

Feeling kind of tired and uninspired about what to say in regards to this outfit. All I got is:

ZEBRA!!!

Good night, everyone.

Shirt: Zebra print dress worn as shirt, gift from Japan

Skirt: Gym tank top worn as skirt, WalMart

Jewelry: Random vintage necklaces

Shoes: Black ballet flats, Old Navy

ballerina rocker

Happy news: My boyfriend came back this weekend from a month-long backpacking trip through Japan. One of his sporadic e-mails had informed me that he had splurged and bought a nice suit, tailored for him and everything. That's when I got the brilliant idea of sporting this new dress I had bought awhile back, so we could take on the town in style together, only to receive a text message from him en route that read: "I forgot my suit."

Shit.

Needless to say, I was glad he was coming home but terribly bummed about the suit ordeal. But am I one to waste a good occasion to wear a dress? Never. I frolicked around on Sunday in this number, messy hair, no makeup and these fake glasses straight from Japan. It was fun. I felt a tad like Alexa Chung, too, which made my day. I love her classy, yet spunky style. 

Oh, and I think I just had a fashion blogger revelation of sorts. Listening to music, as I did for these little photo shoot with some My Morning Jacket, makes a world of difference. Not only do you not give a damn about what anyone thinks about what you're doing but you strike a little more confidence in your poses. 

There, take that one to the bank and you can thank me later, ladies.

Dress: Black ballerina dress, Target

Shoes: DIYed Payless ankle boots

Jewelry: Random vintage necklaces

Glasses: Black rimmed glasses, from Japan!

P.S. Got some awesome loot from Japan from the BF. Can't wait to share with all of you! Sneak peak hint: harmonica necklaces, berets and zebra, oh my!

DIY oh my!

So do any of you remember these shoes? And I mentioned sprucing them up a bit, with studs and chains and glorious bling like that? Well I finally got around to it. Finally.

Why did it take so long you ask? Well a.) I couldn't find actual studs ANYWHERE. I mean anywhere. Craft stores. WalMart. Punk stores. Military stores. The bum on the corner. Nobody had them b.) I couldn't find a studding kit anywhere. See the previously mentioned stores for the places I looked and finally c.) I'm impatient. 

Long story short, I took an old studded belt I had lying around, tore it apart and started gluing them on with a glue that I was actually carded for at the store. Because apparently this 23-year old doesn't look old enough to buy cigarettes. 

Damn.

As for the end result though, I think I'm pretty pleased with my handiwork. Plus, I think the gluing worked out for the best as there were several spots on these boots that I would never be able to stud, unless I was a shoe cobbler of course. 

Which, I am most certainly not. 

Jacket: Jean jacket, Old Navy

Shirt: Black and white striped v-neck shirt, Volcom

Skirt: Coral mini skirt, thrifted

Boots: DIYed Payless ankle boots

Purse: Black wannabe Chanel purse, vintage

suit me up in lace, please

So I've had this particular outfit in mind for hmmm...ever since the July Free People catalogue arrived in my mailbox. It was chock full of ladies layered in lace with floral dresses, boots and fanciful pretty things. From that eventful day on, I've been pining away for a lace bodysuit of my own. 

Today, I found it on my lunch break. (Quick jaunt to Goodwill always does wonders on a Thursday.)

Only drawback is I wasn't completely satisfied with the chosen floral dress. It actually has sleeves and I thought I was being brilliant by tucking them away to the sides into the incorporated tie belt. Soon after though, I was left feeling somewhat disappointed by the end result. Do you guys ever do that? Try so hard to get a certain look only to feel like you've fallen a tad short?

Or perhaps I'm just being neurotic and really deep down wanted to get the $48 counter version of this body suit from Free People.

C'est la vie.

Bodysuit: White lace bodysuit, vintage

Dress: DIYed vintage dress

Shoes: Black lace-up ankle boots, H&M

Jewelry: Gold multi-layered necklace, Wet Seal

P.S. Check back tomorrow. I should have a lovely little DIY project for you that I'm rather fond of. Oh, and extra big thanks for all the great feedback about the previous fall fashion post. Keep 'em coming guys!

calling all fashionable bloggers (that means YOU!)

Inquiring minds (namely my own) would like to pick your brain a little, particularly in regards to fall fashion. So let me get right to it...

"What are you favorite picks/outfits/items/looks for this fall?"

Please feel free to leave a comment with a link to a photo of either your own or someone else's outfit, a description, a word, a reference to a time period, a haiku, BASICALLY WHATEVER that best represents what you're looking forward to wearing for this lovely season we call autumn.

And, in good time, I'll show all you lovelies what I'm working on. But enough small talk. Let the survey, BEGIN! 

(As you can see, I'm diligently taking notes. That and I was super lazy to do an outfit post today. Please accept this in its place.) 

Thanks guys! Can't wait to hear what you all have to say!

good grief, good closet

Was just browsing through the ol' Nikon today for any straggler photos that had yet to be uploaded when I stumbled upon these pictures of my old studio apartment. I recall a few previous comments inquiring about my chaos of a closet and decided this was as good a chance as any to prove to you all that I'm clearly....

UNORGANIZED! 

But before you all shun me for not color coding or hell, even folding most of my clothes, I will say this: sometimes there's nothing more comfortable than burrowing into a pile of some of your softest clothes at 3 in the morning after a long newspaper deadline night. Does that make me weird? Probably. 

Damn, I miss this room.

My closet: circa May(ish) 2009

paperback writer

True story: I originally intended to take today's outfit pictures in front of (surprise, surprise) a painted and graffiti covered wall but happened to stumble upon the backside of this old, used book store en route. The storage shed was open and I couldn't help but peek in at racks and racks of used books, sprawled notes indicating what each row contained and cardboard boxes lining the already busting at the seams space. 

Of course, I stopped to appreciate. First, I checked their fiction section for any old, musky smelling Hemingway. No dice. Second, I set up tripod shop and snapped a few photos, that is until the somewhat disgruntled book shop employee came out for a cigarette break, who tripped up a bit when he realized he wasn't alone with the books. His name was John. He had somewhat messy bed head dark hair and had a brooding demeanor about him. 

The entire time of our limited conversation that consisted of "Hey, how's it going?" I couldn't help but imagine how much our situation seemed like the beginning of a cliche romantic, indie film. Girl who likes taking photos of somewhat obscure book stores meets slightly introverted and quiet book shop boy. 

Right up Ms. Zoey Deschanel's alley, right? 

Tank top: Cream colored racer back, Old Navy

Skirt: Floral pencil skirt, Charlotte-Russe

Bra: Black bandeau bra, Charlotte-Russe

Shoes: Black wedges, Kenzie

Purse: Black Chanel wannabe, vintage

Bow: Black satin bow, Target