See...My...Vest!

Whilst visiting my sister in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, we allowed ourselves about a 20 minute thrifting trip (yay forced self-control!) at her favorite nearby secondhand shop. She picked up a couple great pieces...I kept grabbing vests. I love vests. I don't really know why. But obviously because they are somewhat impractical, but always eccentric layering pieces (at least the ones I tend towards).

While standing in line at the register with this green, suede fringe vest in hand, I asked my sister what I was doing and how I got there. But most importantly, on what occasion was I ever going to wear this? She offered, "With some basics! It's too cool not to buy!" She convinced me, and I was so taken with it that I took it home, if only to hang on the back of my closet door to stare at.

Well, it's been a few weeks now, and I've worn this thing no less than 6 times. Always listen to your big sister...especially when vests are concerned.

Also, I sort of always feel like Michelle Tanner when I wear a leather jacket with shades...

You got it, dude.

I’m a Shadow Boxer, Baby

As a former art major, I am thoroughly unnerved by blank walls and twice as picky about with what to fill them. Although I’ve been out of the art game for awhile, I’ve recently begun taking refuge in the crafts section of the nearest art supply store. When I was younger, my grandma scared me with the phrase “idle hands are the Devil’s something something,” so I’ve started filling my walls with my own... creations?

I bought these shadow boxes an entire year ago, and finally decided to use them to house something. But what? Dead bugs, of course. Fascinated by lepidopterology, I wanted to make my own array of framed dead butterflies. My sister actually used to make jewelry out of “fallen” ladybugs…it was a very cool idea, but also sort of skeeved me out. So instead I obtained some fake dead bugs. Which oddly still kinda skeeved me out... ANYWAYS.

Butterfly Shadow Boxes

Materials: small shadow boxes, acrylic paint, paintbrush, printed origami paper (gift paper works too), rubber cement, picture frame hangers & fasteners, small hammer, and fake butterflies (or embalmed dead ones…you pick!)

Step One – Paint the shadow box in your choice of color. I chose gold, because I like gaudy, lavish-looking things. Be sure to paint the inside, outside, front, and back to make sure it all looks neat and uniform.

Step Two – Cut down your origami paper to fit snuggly along the inside of your shadow box. Coat the interior with rubber cement and carefully place the paper inside, making sure to align it with all the edges.

Step Three – Attach picture frame hangers to the back of the shadow box.

Step Four – Attach butterfly using rubber cement. Dollop a small amount on the back of the butterfly and let it set up for about a minute. Then firmly press the butterfly into the center of the box and hold for about a minute and a half until the rubber cement holds.

Ta da! A thoroughly girly series of frames perfect for those who love lepidopterology but are scared of all insects, dead or alive.

Swallow Magritte

A neat little set up in my new place, right by the front door, circa the 1970's door jam just to the left...

DIY framed Magritte print, gold swallows (ha) from a flea market, glass cherry blossoms from a thrift store, bowler hat from some Korean man on the street, stand from my mom.

Just a place to toss your keys and hang your hat at the end of the day. 

Also, I wish I didn't look weird in hats. Troubled.

Thrift Store Finds: Moving Week Edition

During my usual rounds around the secondhand spots this past weekend I was met with quite a surprise – the places were PACKED. Duh, obviously it was the weekend after Boston’s annual (dreaded) August 31^st/September 1^st moving days. But even though there was slimmer pickin’s than usual on the housewares front, I did manage to knock a few items off my list. Yeah, I make thrifting lists now. Budgeting makes you make lists. Good times.

I needed a better way to manage my now overabundance of jewels, so I found a couple of silver cake stands, and a-one, and a-two, and a-three:

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

Prest-o change-o! Makeshift jewelry stand. Take that, cheaply-made, overpriced Urban Outfitters versions!

The lady at the shop (who pinned me for a secondhand junkie as soon as I walked in) told me with a little polish and elbow-grease they would triple in value, but I kind of like the antique-y patina going on. Besides I have no intentions of covering these in cake anyways. Cookware and the like almost exclusively serves as décor in this abode.

Then there was this little guy, which I can only assume is intended as a fingerbowl. I actually have no idea what a fingerbowl is, but let’s pretend I know what I’m talking about. Anyways, its new purpose in life is to contain my rings. I’m sure that’s way more fun than whatever it is fingerbowls do.

At the end of the day, I’m always glad to add a little more gaudy-Italian-grandma-décor to my living space.  

The Dark Crystal

I've been on the hunt for a geode ring for awhile, but I've been a bit finicky about just what I want...

Enter Etsy shop Sparkle Couture.

A surprisingly unique take on the geode jewelry trend, Jenny Lee's pieces are perfect for us girls who are more interested in a...diamond-in-the-rough kind of bling. Her pieces remind me of these beautiful blue geodes my dad uses as bookends, and I love the contrast of the rough rock with the brightly colored stones.

This stalagmite ring has my name written alllllllllllllllllll over it:

Photo courtesy of Sparkle Couture

I would even possibly battle a Skeksi for it...

Okay, sorry...BAD JOKE.

Balayage is NOT Just for Blondes...

I've been whining about it for awhile, but after seeing Drew Barrymore's new haircolor in her spread for Neiman Marcus, my craving for fiery balayaged locks has been reignited.

So, bored with my monotone mane, come birthday-time I'm going for it. Red lips too.

I mean, come on, wouldn't I look supremely autumnal with hair reminiscent of a big ol' pile of leaves???

Fall 2011 Wishlist

Okay, I’m ready for fall. The shopping list starts here and now, because come September 1^st I will be (hopefully) successfully moved into a new apartment that will essentially act as an enormous walk-in closet. And…go!

Fancy Sweats

Rodarte Sweatshirt via Opening Ceremony

I will easily live in this come fall. And it will make hangover Mondays just so much more bearable.

Vintage Collar

Vintage Collar via Etsy

I get teased at work for my love of the Peter Pan collar. I’ve been a fan since kindergarten and show no signs of stopping. So it is only cost-effective to have a lovely, bejeweled little buddy to attach to any old tee I want. Or maybe even my new sweatshirt. Hangover Mondays just got reeeeal fancy.

Architectural Wedge Booties

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Mary Belle Booties

Still not over this. Wedges have now become my version of sneakers. What exactly classifies a “walking shoe” anyways? But also...

Hiking Boots That You Wouldn’t Actually Wanna Hike In

Privileged Ally Hiker Wedges via Lulu's

To wear with floral skirts, lace dresses…any time I need to butch it up just a little bit. Or also with...

Horse Print Jacket

Vintage Horse-Print Jacket via Etsy

I saw one of these in a thrift store last month in a size XXL which prompted me to text three people asking what is considered “oversized” and what is considered “crazy bag lady too big.” And so Etsy, you’re my only hope for proper-fitting equestrian themed clothing.

Okay, it can start getting nippy out now...

I Came, I Saw, I Copied.

Backstory: Once upon a time, a young red-haired lass was browsing the internet, not really looking for anything in particular, when --

WHAM!

She spied this baby:

Photo via Refinery29

Since then I've searched high and low for this spearhead necklace by Madewell. Okay, I mean I went on their website and it wasn't there, and then I briefly checked Ebay and couldn't find it, therefore concluding it does not exist in real life. It was quite the trek.

Anyways, I'd been on the hunt for something similar when I saw an emaciated sad little version in a Forever21 ad. It wasn't quite right (as F21's stuff tends to be...seriously, what's with all the rhinestones???), but then I had a brilliant idea!

I picked up TWO of the pathetic little wannabe's and, kelly clamps in hand, Frankensteined my own version.

Okay, so it might not be Madewell (or, you know...made well), but for a grand total of about $13 and the duration of a Seinfeld rerun, I'm pretty happy with my little creation. Extra points because it jingles whenever I move, something sure to annoy all passersby. 

Yes, Mom. I will go to Macy's with you.

...on August 31st, when Karl Lagerfeld's line for Macy's comes out.

And here are the pieces I will be after:

Photos via nymag.com

A crisp, super-high-collared button-down, with sleeves puffed in somewhat random places. Just thinking of the big ass ascot you could tie around this baby is making me drool. Also good for hickey-coverage.

Last year it was the military trend. This year? A preview for the military trend circa 2057. Dresses that somewhat resemble alien overcoats? Yes, please.

Okay, so this is basically what I wear to work every day in the wintertime anyway. But this is the Karl version, so it's a big step up.

Keep Karl somewhere between your heart and your wallet at all times. 

I mean, if I could dress like Wednesday Addams every day without it being considered some sort of social disorder, I probably would.

I think these are all reasonable requests. Mom, take me shopping? Yeah?

Citrus Fruits

You know my deal with popsicles. I love ‘em, but I only like the citrus flavors: orange, lime, maybe a lemon here and there. (I’m particularly partial to boxes that only sell these flavors, like Shaw’s Citrus Sticks, which have been mysteriously absent from the frozen section as of late…) Well, now this taste for sweet acidics has begun to translate to my tastes in threads. And for someone who has still not imbibed of traditional American lemonade (I promise to try it by the end of the summer, guys!), this is highly, highly bizarre…

We all remember Jil Sander’s citrus takeover this spring. The lemons, the limes, the oranges…even venturing into grapefruit…

Images via style.com

And yes, these shoes are calling to me. Fruit bowls are just generally appealing. Even if these Jeffrey Campbells sort of remind me of something my grandma might have worn while serving chicken salad on her front porch in the summer…And the cutout platforms? Not sure if I’ve quite graduated to these yet, but I can only dream…

via NastyGal and Indie Fashion Market

Okay, this next one is not citrus-themed, but I couldn’t resist!

from Etsy

Green apples always provide my tastebuds with the tang I desire. And come on, it’s only fitting.

Red Hair, Green Dress...It's a Cliché, I know.

First I put on the dress. Then I started feeling very Mad Men, so up went the hair, on went the chunky jewelry, and out came the sassy one-liners.

(Dress - thrifted, Shoes - F21)

...and the awkward posing ensued. Sometimes it's nice to dress like a real grown-up lady, and pretend you're the type who throws dinner parties and doesn't believe an entire box of Cheez-Its counts as a meal.

(Chain Cuff - Vita Fede, Necklace - thrifted, Watch - Michael Kors)

Unfortunately (and I only say this because it's not Grey Goose) this is what my dinner actually consisted of. Cheers?

It's so nice, I wore it twice.

Now I just need to save up for this coveted little baby...

Gone Apple Pickin'

I look forward to Sundays all week, every week. Right now mostly because True Blood is back on...

But aside from that, it's the one day I usually have no commitments and nothing but free time. So of course my favorite thing to do is walk around town, headphones on, scouring secondhand stores for goodies. Because I'm so often asked about my thrifting adventures, I will share with you a few of my weekly rituals, just promise to use them to add only vital pieces to your wardrobe and not Ed Hardy crap. Seriously that shit is everywhere. Everyone collectively decided to sell/donate it at once. Wtf.

1. Have some good tunes at the ready. After all, most places will be playing Top 40's...from 1973. And although I do love the song "Bennie and the Jets," those musical morsels are hard to come by in your average secondhand shops.

2. Pick a day that isn't going to be crazy crowded. The number one type of person on my shitlist is the one who crowds me while I'm shopping. And they usually smell like urine or McDonald's. Or some kind of rancid combo. For realsies, step off.

3. Be patient and have a game plan. You're way less likely to find buried treasure if you aimlessly browse around. Pick a section and scour. I usually look at actual clothing first, then housewares, then shoes and bags, then jewelry. That way you can hit up the fitting rooms (if there are any) before you gather up anything that you can't bring in.

Which brings me to my next little tidbit...dress the part. A lot of times there aren't any fitting rooms, so wear things you can slip clothes over or slip off easily. Be comfy, but dress cute, perhaps in past thrifting finds. Call it "wishful dressing" or something. It can help inspire ideas.

(Lace-trim Tee - thrifted, High-waisted Shorts - American Apparel, Braided Belt and Platform Sandals - H&M, Black Patent Bag - recent thrifting treasure)

The tee and shorts are easy to slip on and off or throw something over. The bag is my "inspirational piece" because I loooooove it and found it for $4 in a thrift store. 

The sandals are comfy and slip-off-able, but can be easily paired with outfits, giving me some ideas in the fitting room.

And over-accessorizing my arms is just what I'm all about these days. Weigh them doooown.

Now, get thee to a Salvation Army!

The Training Birkin

If stealing intellectual property is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. Okay, well like…to a reasonable extent.

Patrice knows all about my quest for the perfect structured kelly bag. And yes, ideally it would be this:

But for the time being, I’m always on the prowl for my aptly named “training Birkin,” a title I give only to the worthiest of inspired-by bags. For instance, cue my Marc by Marc Jacobs Ozzie Square Lucy Bag:

But the little baby below was an ideal fit for this prestigious position — a perfect mini-version, by Neiman Marcus and a $4 thrift find. Whuuut. A little soapy water and some black shoe polish later, and we got a beaut — coming to a dive bar near you (well, depending on where you are…), on the shoulder of yours truly:

A Day at the Museum

I love it when my mom comes to visit. Sunday we went to check out the Chihuly exhibit at the MFA, and it totally quenched my current thirst for more and more color.

And then of course there was the WALL OF NAVAJO PRINT BLANKETS.



I kept wondering how obvious it would’ve been if I had just slid one off the wall…
As we were scoping the gold aztec jewelry section, my mom seated me on a bench and whipped out a small box. Inside:



And that made me feel the need to do a Senora Applecore arm tribute:


(Chain bracelet from Mali; Cut out bracelet from Toledo, Spain; Watch from Elgin)

I mean, I wouldn’t call her an enabler so much as…fashionably aware.

Sugar Fix

                              Isn’t everything better with sprinkles???

                          

Speaking of which, it seems I’m fully abandoning my usual all black, all the time ways for more and more color. I’ve got to have a sugar fix at 5 o’clock every day…and now I need more of this in my life:


Shoes - Haus of Price, Dress - Josh Goot for ASOS, Eye Glitter - Makeup Forever

Break the Rules, Even the Real Old Ones

When I get into something, I tend to go overboard. But that’s how collections happen…right? And I don’t wanna stop till this shit hits both elbows.

And I know, I know…

“Before you leave the house, take a look in the mirror and take one thing off.”
- Coco Chanel

Sorry, Cokes, just can’t stand behind you on this one.

She knows the deal.