Catching Up

Sweater & Shoes: Goodwill
Vintage Fedora: Estate Sale
Skirt: American Apparel
Tote: Modcloth
Necklace: Saver's
Nude Heart Tights: Forever 21

Things have been pretty busy around here despite the fact that finals have been over for more than a week now. I still don't have a Christmas tree up or anything remotely festive around the house, and I haven't even thought about buying a single present yet. I'll be scrambling to get all that together this weekend (wish me luck).

The good news is that I have a couple of new outfits to post! I haven't found much time to edit photos until now, so there were a couple of sets just hanging out on my camera waiting for me. This one is pretty recent. Kristi and I met for lunch and a trip to a few local boutiques, and she was sweet enough to take some photos for me. I've been carrying this Moby Dick tote around non-stop for the past month, and the sweater pretty much carried me through the second half of the semester.

I fell in love because it reminded me of a combination of two shirts I wanted from Urban Outfitters in 2007 or 2008. I never bought either one of them, but I did cut them out of the catalog and glue them into my sketchbook. I was ecstatic when I finally found something similar at Goodwill, and it's cropped too which is perfect because I can wear it over most of my dresses.

Inspired by WHIT

This is the outfit that I wore to the Juicy Couture after party in New York, but I was so busy and everything was so rushed when I was there that I never found any time to photograph it. It was inspired by an outfit from a great new label called Whit from Whit Pozgay. The entire collection is, dare I say, cupcakes for the eyes! It's actually the real reason that I searched down this skirt on Etsy back in August. I said before that the skirt is versitale, but I think this may be one of my favorite ways to wear it. Too bad I didn't have a pretzel hat lying around when I went to take these photos!

Striped Tank: Memphis thrift store // Skirt: Etsy // Cardigan: Hand-me-down // Hat: Estate Sale // Boots: Modcloth

The lighting was incredibly inconsistent when Corey and I went to take these photos, so you'll have to forgive us for that. We're really still trying to figure out the best picture-taking time since the time change back in October! Of course we didn't leave without taking a million sun-filled shots though. We got some great photos of Corey just before we left, so I figured I'd through one of those in at the end, too.

Photos by me & Corey!

Polka Dot Trend, Accessory Binge

I've been an accessory feen this past week spending every last dollar I could on creative necklaces, rings, and sunglasses without any regard for my bills or my groceries. I suppose it's not all bad seeing as it was the one area I was lacking in as far as my wardrobe goes, it just scares me when I disregard my responsibilities like that.  I had been having a lot of trouble 'finishing' my outfits without any good jewelry, so I decided to splurge on a few good pieces until I had the time (and money) to get my collection growing.

After USPS lost my Nasty Gal sunglasses (RIP sunnies), I decided on a cheaper pair through eCRATER.com. The tortoise shell frames weren't exactly what I was looking for, but I'm always so inspired by old beach photos from the 40's and 50's and this was pair was the closest thing I could find. I think this steampunk style is a little less 50's beach and a little more aviator on the verge of mad scientist, but I like them either way. Maybe I'll come across some more beachy ones at an estate sale.



The necklace was a really good purchase from Modcloth that not only satisfied my accessory needs, but also my one woman band desires too. You see, it's an itty bitty harmonic, and whenever I feel like playing (...ahem --attempting to play--) a tune, I just reach down around my neck for that harmonic. I might annoy my friends, but I entertain myself while doing it.




I can't remember where that earthy stone ring is from, a thrift store for sure, I'm just not certain which one or what I paid for it.  The scary face Polynesian ring was another Modcloth purchase that I've sort of been obsessed with ever since I got it. I've been wanting a fierce statement ring that covers a huge area of my finger, and I got just what I was looking for with this one.

Of course I already devoted a whole post to these Saver's clogs (yes Rosie, we're twinks; mine are MIA too), but I didn't tell you about this dress that I picked up at Saver's on the same trip. I nearly left it behind because I had already found so many great things, but I was relieved that I didn't after getting home and safety pinning the long hemline up. It's really sort of the perfect dress for this polka dot-obsessed season.

The bottom photo on the right here isn't a particular favorite by any means, it just reminded me so much of the Almost Famous cover that I couldn't leave it out of the batch. Who doesn't love that movie!?

Blouse: F21 via Goodwill $3

Polka Dot Dress: Saver's $7

Socks: Target $5

Shoes: Saver's $7

Sunglasses: eCRATER $12

Polynesia Ring: Modcloth $14

Harmonica Necklace: Modcloth $16

Mushrooms & Monkey's

I hope you guys don't think I'm Monkey-obsessed after seeing the photos from today's post, it's just that she always wants to hang when I'm in the middle of getting my shots. I figured since she was there, I'd pull out one of my favorite coffee table books and pretend to read it to her. The book is really a fascinating read. I first fell in love with the textured linen paper the pages are printed on, and then I noticed the spellbinding calligraphy and illustrations. It tells all about the history, the science, and the mythology of mushrooms along with the important facts of which are ones edible and which ones are poisonous.

If you remember when I first got Monkey back in April, I said I was going to find her a boater hat by the end of the summer. I pictured a very regal portrait of her looking like a lady in a teensy straw hat adorned with a little white ribbon, but I wasn't exactly sure how attainable that would be. I'm usually not one for dressing my pets (I think it's quite ridiculous actually), but for some reason my thing for important-looking animal portraits got a hold of me! I found a little straw hat at Goodwill a while back, but unfortunately it's always going to be a tad too big for her head. It's cute to play around with though.



Modcloth was kind enough to send me this dress while I was away at Bonnaroo, and I couldn't have been more satisfied with the fit when I got home to try it on! I've heard a lot of complaints about their dresses not fitting correctly, so I was certain to look at the measurements of everything I liked. I'm sure it's difficult running a boutique like that with different pieces from all over the world; sizes are bound to be a little different every now and then, but I promise you'll be much happier with your purchase if you just take the time to check out the measurements (plus this one is great because it's stretchy)!




I hope no one freaks out and thinks I'm gross because of this kissy-kissy photo. I promise we don't make out or anything, just a little love peck every now and then.

Dress: c/o Modcloth

Blazer: Goodwill .75 cents
Lace Bodysuit: AA $45

Shoes: Modcloth $55

Vintage Turban: Estate Sale $2

Inspired By Mama

Today's inspiration came from my Mama's style in the 70's. I pulled this photo out for my mother's day post, and one of my buddies and blog readers, Amanda, from Dishevelled Stars recommended I do my own version of it.

"I can't get over how much you and your mom look alike! And those combat boots with a white dress are rockin - you should totally do a mirrored outfit and post the pictures side by side ."

So, I took her advice, and here are the results.

I got a little cut on my knuckle just before taking these photos, and I didn't want any blood to get on my white dress, so pardon the band-aid.



I think Mom told me she used to have a phone like this when she was a teenager, so I thought it would be cute to include it in the photos.



I'm finding out that Monkey really likes indoor shoots. I think she enjoys being in front of the warm light, so she kind of took over at one point.

Since I'm a horrible daughter and forgot to do a Father's Day post (and here I am doing another post for Mom), I'm going to do an outfit in honor of Dad's style in the 70's too. I've already got the whole thing styled and ready, just gotta find the time to shoot it.

Petal Hat: Alabama Thrift Store $3

White Lace Slip: Goodwill $3

White Muslin Slip: Estate Sale $1

Nude Slip: Estate Sale $1

Boots: Modcloth $ 55

Vintage Phone: Alabama Thrift Store $15

Monkey Cat: Rescued from the streets, Priceless

Bringing it indoors.

When the Miley Cyrus line first dropped at WalMart a couple years ago, I laughed at the thought of ever purchasing one of the tweeny designs. I was so-not-about the Miley Cyrus hype and was a little annoyed I was going to have to deal with her when I shopped for groceries too. Little did I know that in just a couple years I'd have not one.... not two.... but three of her pieces hanging in my closet! I'm going to skip the face of the line and go ahead and give credit to Max Azria for this though. I drool over BCBG pieces at Dilliard's, and WalMart is just about as close as I'm going to come to owning anything like it (I'm cheap, sorry). I realize that when I purchase my WalMart garb I'm choosing price over quality, but I can't honestly say I care. I've got enough good dresses in my closet, so sacrificing a few shitty pieces for the sake of trends is okay with me. I found this Miley Cyrus denim shirt hanging on the sale rack at WalMart for $5, and since I hadn't found one at the thrift store I wasn't about to pass it up.
 

On a side note, my outdoor shoot was a colossal fail yesterday. I can't get any decent shots when the sun is shining directly overhead and the temperatures are melting my face off. I brought it inside for what may be my new summer spot for photos, or maybe I'll move around the house a bit, we'll see.

Shirt: Miley Cyrus for Walmart $5

Shorts: Saver's $6

Socks: Target $5

Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target via Ebay

Fanny Belt: Modcloth