Personal Style: Retro Secretary

This outfit is mostly thrifted. I was planning on cutting this top up to refashion with a dress, but I just love it too much to cut. The fabric has a lovely raised texture, yet it's so silky too. I am usually against pairing silky blouses with cotton type skirts, but I felt that with the addition of the silky sash from my last dress that it would somehow work. Perhaps the bow and mega ascot ruffle is too much, but I sort of like semi-ugly fashion, and I don't have any belts that fit with this skirt.

For my hair, I'm trying to make a teeny 2 inch ponytail look styled, b/c there is no way I'm flat-ironing every time I go out. I let sections air dry in a slight fingerwave style and used maybe 4 pr 5 bobby pins on my ponytail in the back to muss up into a messy micro bun. I pulled out random sections on the sides and back as well for a soft effect.

I'm a tad lucky that my hair has a natural wave pattern. To get a similar look, Blythe Hopes Vintage has an incredibly easy youtube tutorial on a simple finger wave. Hers is a very subtle and modern wearable finger wave style that would even translate nicely into a updo for longer hair. The finger waves we had to perfect in cosmetology school had very distinct ridges and wrapped all around the head, a style that is more appropriate for formal events and period styling.

Autumn Rose Earrings: made by me, Jeweled Ambrosia
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft, thrifted
Skirt: H&M, thrifted
Sash: from a Forever 21 dress, thrifted
Shoes: faux snake print, Target

*Linked to Clothed  Much's, Rule Breaking Monday post.

A Jaunty Antiquing Tour

After living here almost a year now, I can't believe it took me this long to find a nice antique shop, The Red Queens Attic. And not only that, but it's on a small town square with about 2 other antique shops a few doors down. It's not as epic as my favorite one in Fort Worth, but still nice. So, here are a few of my finds on this visit. I kind of love this creepy paper mache' rabbit mask.

 Doll parts, baby shoes, an an antique baby scale in the back. Interesting, cute, creepy.

This room smells how it looks. Like fresh, white cotton and potpurri from a scented wax burner.

Hello, I so want this nifty carousel horse. It would be adorable under a vine covered garden arbor.

This was a fairly large statue, nestled in a room full of glorious aged vintage books, assorted by color. Love it.

I have never seen this artwork of Jesus and child before. But for $10, I can see it every day because I brought it home with me.

 This vintage beaded dress was absolutely stunning. And that chair! (but not the grapes)

 He is just so adorably mischievous. There is another painting of a girl in this series, but I didn't get a good pic.

 A mostly white room. I liked how this dealer used mini tea stained playing cards as the item's tags.

 I just love portraits and this one is precious. I wish I could bring her home.

 I actually think the bust would look better minus 50 seashells, but who am I to comment on someone's art?

Stereoscope, 3d photograph viewer, with lots of neat images. My in-laws have one, and thus, my husband quite naturally loves them.

There was an entire section of military and naval antiques. Medals, uniforms, photographs and so on.

Well, I have many more images to share, but I'll reserve that for another time. 

Do you have a good antiques shop near you? What are you usually drawn too?

Personal Style: Retro Chocolate Polka Dots

This may be weird, not sure, but matching browns is extremeluy important to me. This outfit may seem simple, but it almost gave me a panic attack because I couldn't find brown shoes that matched. Dark chocolate browns, burgandy browns, tans, cognac browns... it's an immediate eyesore for me when accessories don't match.

Fortunately, I had made this necklace a while back that pulls the shoe color in with that one amber colored bead. It's odd how that one necklace saved the outfit.

And oh! My final haircut reveal. I love it because it's cute and I dig shattered layers. I also like how it shows my peekaboo highlights I did several months ago in the interior section of my layers. I hate it b/c it really requires flat ironing, (and she cut the front shorter than the back... loathe that.) I usually only blow dry my hair about 10 times a year, so this is going to drive me insane and I will be doing a lot of deep conditioning now. But, as a hairstylist, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

   I changed up my Aquarius eye make-up, by adding some slightly shimmery chocolate shadow to the crease.

Dress: Forever 21, via goodwill
Necklace: Jeweled Ambrosia, made by me
Earrings: vintage brass sailor knots
Shoes, can't remember
Tank top: it's maternity... sad

So, if you like my outfit, please vote for it here on Clothed Much's rule Breaking Monday post! Thanks :)

Inspired Color: Grey and Pink

Not surprisingly, I've been attracted to grey again. But instead of my yellow/gray fascination, it's come to pink and flesh tones pairings. A perfect summery treat for the ladies and gents such as myself, who shy away from loud colors and keep to the shadowy confines of familiar and flattering gray, whilst grabbing pops of pinks. Interestingly enough, florals also start to show up when I gravitate toward this color combination.

grey zen garden desk organizer by karolinefelixDream

grey mist ruffled tulle cuff by karolinefelixDream 

pink and black house

starlight by the dreamy giraffe

vanilla layer cake, buttercream frosting and sugar spray recipe by bakerella

the home of Jane Atla. I am just loving this chair. All boringified revamped in doilies, paint and embroidery.

I don't know who makes these epic floral tights, but I am quite desperate for a pair. Any ideas?

grey  bow detail, ted baker dress. I could probably wear this every day.

 the white house for moooi by marcel wanders via mocoloco.

Shabby Apple's Summer Sale

 

I love, love, dresses, especially vintage inspired ones. But even more than my love for dresses, are finding them for a good deal. So I had to pass along the Shabby Apple Summer Sale info. Especiallay, since it includes SALE ITEMS and the PRACTICALLY PERFECT SECTION! And I've looked at the practically perfect dresses, simple things like a missing button or ribbon or loose hem... easy fixes. That makes some of their dresses as low as $40.

20% off nearly everything, (excluding swim). Enter sale code SUMMER20 at checkout.

One thing I like about Shabby Apple, is they have a body type guide, then a list of items that work with your body type. I'm totally an apple. 

So, some of my summer favorites?  (The Ponderosa dress is a fall favorite though.)

 gondola dress

trade winds dress         *     seven seas in seersucker     *         lost at sea skirt

*As an affiliate, I do get a teeny commission if you purchase through one of my links :). Also, affiliates get to participate in little giveaways every now and then or get little incentives like a cute bracelet. So, if you think your readers would enjoy shabby apple deals, then here's some affiliate program info.

Personal Style: Stripes, Pencil Skirt and a Haircut

I love the loose, blousy, boxy, off the shoulder striped thing going on, but those styles don't seem to work on me, and the ones that do, are a little too pricey. So, I went for the blue and white classic vneck that I love, and this cute, pale gray pencil skirt. Earlier, I paired this top with some thrifted, jcrew, light linen city trousers, but I didn't get pics of that day. I guess I really like this top in light colored, unexpected pairings.

As for the haircut, I was giving length advice to another mom who asked, "Does anyone ever really regret cutting their hair?" As a hairstylist, I have seen grown women cry over getting 1/4th an inch cut off. Another woman chimed in, "My hairstylist said that if you spend 50% of the time with your hair in a ponytail, it's time for a new style."  Bingo, that did it for me, and besides, my ends were looking shot and needed to go. I went, grabbed some scissors and cut at my shortest layer for a completely straight and unlayered look. I added an angled bang and bam, was done. A few days went by and it felt heavy still though. I know I can layer my own hair, it has an odd texture and wave pattern that i trust with no one but myself... but I decided on a whim to walk into a salon and have some choppy layers added. I have a love/hate relationship with them now. You will find out why and see the new-new haircut in the next outfit post.

(yes, it was very windy while taking these pictures)

shirt: abercrombie
skirt: banana republic, thrifted
belt: calvin klein, thrifted
watch: fossil
shoes: thrifted
necklace: made by me

Unintentional Pairings: White Warmth

adas art filled apartment therapy

I have been drawn to these images and I couldn't figure out why. But when I pulled them all together, it hit me. There is a common theme of a varied coral hues, spikey flowers, vintage charm, competing textures, natural themes and lots of casual muted white backgrounds. Almost a natural history type of flair, with a bit of eccentric fun thrown in.

It's amazing to see how fashion, flowers, treats, books and interior design can be combined to resemble one another in such an obscure and unintentional way.

brooke white & summer bellessa. the girls with glasses show

glitter cookies recipe via the  purl bee

jcrew 2010

portrait by Emma Corcoran of blue day designs. Emma turns child portraits into edgy works of art.

indoor teepee via moozle home