Renaissance Fair

Floral Skirt - Thrifted, Velvet Bustier - MinkPink, Gold Cross and Corno Pendents - Thrifted,
Sandals - DV Dolce Vita, Drawstring Dooney and Bourke Bag - Thrifted

My mom insisted I get this skirt when we went shopping in Portsmouth last month, and now I'm a little obsessed with it. The fabric is this sorta-shiny, almost curtain-like material (and it's fun the swoosh around). Then I found the MinkPink crop top. I'm still trying to master all the different ways I can wear this before summer hits...

To The Bitter End(s)

I’ve been struggling to grow out my hair since a rash decision led to a post-break-up, chin-length-bob back in 2009. Before that scary chop occurred, I had cleave-length strands and loved loved loved ‘em. Who knew it would take so long to get back to where I started?

Then once I had enough length, I started up with the flat-iron waves again and so began the heat torture that has prevented the return of my mermaid hair. After a year of crying to my hair stylist, I’ve finally found a few products that have helped me get back on track in the hair-growing department:

L’Oreal Professionnel Absolut Repair Cleansing Balm

This sulfate-free balm is part cleanser, part conditioner and is super gentle on sensitized hair. The best part is that it temporarily seals the ends of the hair, which help to keep them from breaking off. Since I start to see split ends about two weeks after a haircut (I know, yikes), this keeps my ends looking healthy until the next one.

Kerastase Fibre Architecte Serum

The serum is extremely lightweight and not only protects hair from thermal damage, but again, helps to temporarily seal fired ends. If you use a flat iron on your hair AT ALL, this is a must.

Super Solano Blow Dryer

I finally bought myself a nice dryer as a treat and then realized whoa…this makes a HUGE difference. Drying my hair goes waaaay faster, plus this dryer has three heat settings, zero heat to high heat. I usually blow dry on the lowest setting until my hair is mostly dry, then finish with the medium setting. No way am I ever touching the high setting. My hair’s singed enough, thank you!

Primarily Mondrian

I've always been a Mondrian fan - something about blocking out primary colors really appeals to me.

So when I saw this Cosby-esque sweater while shopping with my mom, we both knew it had to be mine.

Mondrian Sweater - thrifted, Disco Pants - AA, Buckled Boots - Deeny & Ozzy

While I'm usually against the "butt-sweater," who doesn't love loud, lounge-around winter-wear?

Winter Drugstore Finds

In almost all scenarios, you get what you pay for – especially when it comes to the wondrous world of cosmetics. But sometimes a drugstore brand will come out with a product that wows without the hefty price tag. During these chilly (yet still snowless) winter months, there have been a few products that have dug me out of the cold-weather blues:

Psst! Dry Shampoo

This is my favorite cheap-y dry shampoo. Amidst this dry atmosphere, static wreaks havoc on my hair (like, mad scientist-scale havoc). So shampooing every day is sooo not an option. This stuff gets rid of the grease and adds a ton of texture and grit – perfect for chicks who like volume or beachy waves. Just makes sure you REALLY rub it in so you don’t get any tell-tale white spots or the formidable George Washington wig effect…

Con Air Bun Maker

I hate wearing my hair up, but when the weather outside is frightful, it’s often a must. Instead of just throwing my hair in a bun, I like to look like I’ve put at least SOME effort into my updo. Enter the hair donut. Slide your ponytail through, wrap around, pin – and you’ve got yourself a picturesque ballet bun. I also use this little guy as a base to make for more volume on other such updos. It’s the easiest way to get perfect buns (at least of the hair variety).

NYC Lipstain

I’ve found that this cheap-o lipstain lasts longer and looks better than so many other brands. And I’m particularly fond of the color spectrum it comes in. The more opaque ones last a lot longer than the sheerer shades, but all in all I usually only need to reapply once a day (after lunchtime). My favorites are: Endless Spice, ____ Red, and ____ Nude.

Milani Blush in "Luminous"

This Nars Orgasm knock-off is the closest to the real thing I’ve found thus far. It’s pinky-peach color with gold-toned shimmer mixed in gives a nice rosy cheek in lieu of the natural frost-nipped look only achieved by walking around Boston in January. Since the price tag is about ¼ the Nars price, this is one of the only times it’s a good idea to “fake it.”

You Can Check Out Any Time You'd Like...But You Can Never Leave

Okay, so maybe The Eagles aren't a super-cool band to be into, but they were my favorite group around years 11-13 (which was a big step up from my pop-R&B phase of years 9-10...yikes). My Dad and I bonded over the likes of Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Don Henley during my formative years, and I've had a special place in my heart for them ever since.

Eagles Tee - Chaser, Faux Leather Shorts  & Snakeskin Boots - H&M,
Eagle Totem Pendant Necklace - Thrifted, Marion Bag - Alexander Wang

But the song "Hotel California" has particular meaning to me due to the fact that it was the first song I heard as a kid where I really listened to the lyrics and followed the storyline in my head. It was a dark night in rural Maine, the power had gone out, and the fam was circled around our (really, really old and tinny) radio as we ate dinner by flashlight. "Hotel California" came on, and my Dad recited the lyrics as the song played in a spooky voice, as if he was telling us a ghost story. It was pretty scary, and I'm pretty sure it gave me nightmares BUT, to this day whenever I hear the song I'm taken back to that night and the visions of a dark desert highway dance through my head.

Plus, come ON - the guitars at the end? Shut up, it's awesome.

Getting Down to Brass Tacks

Last year, I lived in a pair of little black wedge booties from H&M. The poor things have some battle-scars, and since now my shoe collection has quadrupled, they mostly just sit, lonely and ignored, on a shelf in my closet.

Instead of tossing 'em, I decided to turn them into a project and give them a quick polish and 

a new lease on life...on the cheap. 

Inspiration:

Jeffrey Campbell Studded Wedge Boot

By the way, you know you have a shopping addiction when you get as excited in a hardware store as you do in a shoe store. But ANYWAY... after rifling through many bins of tacks, nails, and fasteners, I settled on some brass tacks. Well, 320 of them, to be exact.

And using my trusty kelly clamps, I push-pinned my way to some new studded booties:

I can't say they won't still sit in my closet (after all, they don't meet my now-standard of 3.75" from the ground), but with this little rejuvenation, they stayed out of the trash to once again see the 

light outside my closet.

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?