Into The Skies

If a skirt can't be worn with freedom and comfort, it's probably not worth wearing (for more than hour). Not only does this little swingin' number from oasap keep it's cool with side pockets (my favorite) but it has little built in shorts to save you from any mini indiscretion! The summery turquoise color and sassy pleats caught my eye immediately.

I am so satisfied with how my first attempt at galaxy t-shirt using bleach came out. I turned an old band shirt inside out to give me a "new" canvas to spray with water/bleach solution. The sun has been shining it's hardest lately (cue the farmer's burn at the baseball game) but it helped the lightening efforts a lot. Next I want to lighten wavy stripes into some skinny jeans and tie-dye bleach some cut-offs. I knew I should have picked up the larger Clorox bottle! I used {this tutorial} ♥

retro ruffled skirt w/short c/o oasap

diy galaxy tee

thrifted necklace

target wedges

L(ong)-B-D

dress & sweater: forever 21 ♥ dollhouse loafers ♥ f21 & handmade bracelets

You can't call a maxi dress "little" but this one has quickly become a staple, like a little black dress but more comfortable, casual and everyday. And since I'm lazy, I found out how well it works as sleepwear. I might just have to try to bring back bed-gowns, my boyfriend seemed to like it. But before I slept in it, I threw a short-sleeve sweater on over it for a slow, sunny workday.

I'm both excited and bewildered that it's already May; excited for summer weather and making ice cream, but confused by how quickly this year has passed. Wasn't it just Christmas? Nope, apparently it was just Cinco de Mayo. I didn't "celebrate" but we ended up eating lunch at Chili's, which was offering a Coronitas margarita, which was pretty fun. I've never found a restaurant or bar that offers this delicious and airy combination of Mexican beer and margies.

Pink Tie

Who says people with short legs can't wear midriff tops? Well, normally I would say that. But then I also said to hell with it; ife's too short to worry about fashion optical illusions every day. Even so, I am always on the lookout for medium to high-waisted pants. This blouse is so long it looks even more disproportionate untucked, anyway. I loved pairing it's peachy-pinkness with this pale pinky-peach cardigan.

♥ thrifted (men's?) shirt
♥ Forever 21 cardigan
♥ Wet Seal black jeans
♥ diy'ed black Dollhouse loafers

Happy Dress

When I walked into Crossroads Trading Company recently after a little shopping absence, I nearly squealed out loud when I saw these grey and teal penguin print shifts in the front racks. Mine! Penguins are my absolute favorite animal, if I haven't mentioned. For those of you not familiar with Charlotte Taylor, she's a small Wales-based designer who decided to blog about her path into fashion week two years ago. I immediately fell in love with her blog, but most of all, her wonderful penguin silhouette prints! While I can't afford Charlotte's clothes, like this gorgeous penguin print shirtdress, I've been admiring them from afar/through my computer screen. And I'm super duper happy to have a penguin print of my very own. This is such a summery, lightweight shift dress but I couldn't wait for warmer weather. I pulled on two pairs of black tights and a black shirt underneath to keep warm, which I think makes the penguins pop even more.

♥ penguin print dress {similar}
♥ black Wet Seal booties {similar}
♥ Hue tights

Fall Flor-All

 { polyvore collage }

My friend just spent time in the Massachusetts/East Coast area and described the most stunning Fall vistas. Temps have been hovering in the seventies, and I'm really enjoying the deepening blue of the sky with the balmy weather. Not that there's much of a storybook "fall" in California. As you can see, some tree leaves are turning brown and falling but... a lot of them are not, and won't. 

I went to Tacos Morenos after work last week in appreciation of the gorgeous weather (I haven't eaten in that particular taqueria in years), then devoured them while watching the sky change colors. I really want to wear this dress every day, but I have to wash it because there's bean juice all over it now... It's from Target, it has pockets, it's black and floral with drapey lace wing sleeves. I tied the sash in the back to give my tummy some eatin' room, slipped on some trusty ole peep-toe flats from Mervyn's, and clasped a reindeer head around my neck. Good to go, Fall!

Blue Bowtie

Whoops, wonky sleeves, as usual! I'm wearing a second hand Gap blouse thrifted in Carmel, a jersey blazer from a sale at Macy's, Wet Seal jeans and red Target flats. I got so bored with my hair while it's growing out, I caved and tried the ombre thang. I like it! I might do a little more this weekend :)

Happy Hump Day!

Love is a disease of the heart

Rains have descended again, but I don't care because I'm wearing a Betsey Johnson dress! I love the floral bouquet pattern and yellow bows on this dress; when I saw it hanging up on the wall at Crossroads Trading Company, I just knew it was going to be mine. It's been hanging in the closet for a while though, since the black background just felt like it needed a wintry setting. Betsey is such a fashion inspiration, I'm so stoked to wear something of hers (besides that makeup bag I splurged on once haha) In addition, I'm wearing a thrifted 80's sweater with gold threads and Dollhouse flats that are falling apart and need to be replaced by a sturdier pair. If you know of similar pairs that are water-resistant, I'd love you for evah! 

Vested Development

 

Vests are going to be my thang this Fall! I just cut the sleeves off an old jean jacket, and I'm looking for a thrifted khaki trench to chop up, too. I never thought I would miss layering this much! And soup; I had spicy bean tortilla soup for lunch and it was heavenly with the season's first drizzle. The white sky actually looked pretty, almost as nice as this little kitty, whose name is Nova.

I had to dig back a few years to find the "before" post for this jacket. Oh, cheap boring ole black trench, how glad am I that I never gave you away? You were first cut into a short sleeve jacket, then a vest. I added some studs at the collar this morning, and it's all new again! I'm wearing a secondhand gingham blouse from Crossroads, Wet Seal jeans, and Dollhouse flats. I also recently made the chunky studded bracelet, you like? I'm thinking of making another with plum and wine thread...

Happy Tuesday! I'm already counting down for the weekend: relaxation time in Carmel! Fooooood!

New Boots

thrifted shirt and skirt, AJ Valenti boots, H+M purse

I'm so tired right now I don't know what to type... I just loved this outfit, the blend of stripes and lace and leopard felt really fun. Happy Tuesday! *snore

Fringe Appeal

Skirts and summertime were made for each other. So were sunshine and Sweet Tea. I am considering drinking another tallcan of the stuff already... I kept it simple because of the weather, though a brightly colored belt or hat would have been a fun addition...but I just don't mix well with warm weather and cinched waists. I wore a thrifted gingham skirt, diy fringed tank, and Target wedges. To add some swingin' goodness, I undid the bias trim on the front of a plain black knit tank top, pinned a length of fringe underneath, and re-sewed it all down together. Voila! Insta-statement-neckline, for those days when even a necklace can become an unwanted extra "layer."

P.S. Just writing this post and title is making me want to cut my bangs. 

I must resist! Must resist until the end of summer weather at least!! Aaaaah!

Red Rover

Woof, it was even too warm for this binding black blouse (bonus feature: it has pockets!). Next time, I'll be sure to pair these fun bright shorts with a cool tank top or short sleeved lacy top and flat sandals—perfect for limeade popsicles and a summer game of Red Rover, perhaps? I'm wearing cut-off shorts via Crossroads, Target wedges, an H&M bag and an old black shirt.

Count Your Blessings Before Your Shoes

I had a lovely weekend with my boy and my other love, Oreo. Saturday was wonderfully sunny. We went for a little walk until Oreo got overheated and we headed back to the cool indoors. Then Eric and I headed to lunch and Target, woohoo! I found a new shelf thing for my closet (it's a mess) and a cute purple dress on sale. Plus, I got to wear this sweet polka dot dress I found secondhand at Crossroads, my floppy hat from Rite Aid, and granny sandals from Ross. The dress is a little too "playful" for me, so I wore shorts underneath, but I love the polka dots, bell sleeves, bow neckline, and of course the pockets!

We had an amazing dinner at Hula's (passion flower soda and pulled pork!), and watched The Misfits for the first time. I wasn't impressed by the first 7/8 of the film (sexist drunken debauchery much?) but Marilyn looked so pretty and young... Seeing photos or movies of her always makes me melancholy, even when she's adorably running around the outback in tight jeans and a white shirt.

This weekend reminded me how lucky I really I am (I'm a negative Nancy). It is not a given to have a safe place to live and work, enough food to eat, a loving amazing boyfriend, friends and family, and the freedom to indulge a love of clothes and blogging. I hope you all have a lovely week and hope you will remember to take a moment with me to concentrate on something you are thankful for and really feel the joy it brings you.

What are you thankful for?

Good Good Things

On Saturday my boyfriend and his Descendants cover band Descendage played at a bar in Oakland with an all-girl Turbonegro cover band called Turbonegra, and a popular local Misfits cover band called Plan 9. Beforehand, I got delicious Sicilian pizza around the corner and had an embarrassing not-a-big-drinker moment when I learned that ginger beer is really just ginger ale, not ginger ale-flavored beer.

I wore a thrifted and heavily altered shirt, Wet Seal jeans, Target socks and wedges, self-made bracelets, and sunglasses like these. Once it got dark and chilly, I pulled on a black jacket over a neon yellow hoodie.

This outfit could have used some cool color, like a bright pink lipstick (forget the cliche pinup red, ladies!) and maybe a hat. I definitely didn't know there were still bars that don't stock energy drinks, but I was learned. I almost rarely drink, but we were there for a while so I tried to get my favorite concoction: a shot of Jameson + Apple Pucker and a half-pint of Rockstar. Sounds heinous, is surprisingly drinkable and invigorating. Well, they only had the whiskey part so I gave up on that and just went to sing along to such classics as "I Like Food" and "Silly Girl."

Painted Black

 worn \\ dress: Ross \\ Forever 21 sweater-vest: Crossroads Trading Co. \\ black wedges: Target

I had to add a little vogue to show how my intense matchy-ness manifested itself in a tiny handmade yellow, black, and turquoise bracelet as the piece de resistance. It's been rainy and weird for a few days, but before that I wore this comfortable, flowy dress and vest. So far this outfit has felt the most summery to me, besides this one. Black and yellow, like the sun or an eclipse, right?

I just got paid, and immediately ordered these same wedges in nude, some ruby red flats, a few clothing items, and a host of other stuff on amazon that I needed. Like four-color pens. VERY important. Did you know they now come in "fashion colors"?

I need to try very hard not to be broke by Monday morning ;)