Good Morning, Monday

wolverine western boots ♥ self-made skirt ♥ lacy shirt & old navy cardigan via crossroads trading company ♥ diy bracelet ♥ a.j. morgan sunglasses

The weather can't quite make up it's mind, so I've been wearing a lot of dresses and cardigans. A little patriotism in the color choices, a little Americana with the boots, but I tried to keep things in check last week on Memorial Day. 

Lady in Red

{ sheer skirt via Crossroads Trading Co. / drapey Wet Seal top / secondhand quartz pendant }

Lookin' forward/backward to the weekend, fancy dinner and flea market ♥
Happy Friday!

Purple Pizzazz

Happy midweek, everyone! I was hoping the beautiful warm weather would keep on through the weekend, but it doesn't look like that's the case. I keep forgetting it's only April. What do they say about April showers bringing May flowers? There's plenty blooming already! I love that my dress matches the ones behind me.

Feeling silly trying to pose for the camera, so I threw in a goof, modified tree pose anyone?

secondhand old navy cardigan and purple dress via crossroads
wet seal boots

My Eatin' Dress

Even though it really has nothing at all to do with the character's wardobe, I felt like the girl in The Secret Garden in this outfit. What's the key to the look for me? The boots. I get so much wear out of them, I just have to re-tell you that they were literally one cent. As in I scored at Wet Seal's usually unfortunate "Buy One Get One For a Penny" sale. The shoes are holding up much better than I expected and I wear them with everything, including this unbelievably wonderful coat I threw on for some unbelievably delicious sushi last Friday. Luckily the dress has, well pockets of course, but also a lightly elasticized waist, because we were soooo full we had to waddle home slowly, like bloated penguins.

♥ auburn brightly coat

♥ floral bdg dress from Crossroads Trading Co. {similar here and here}

♥ black straw hat from Crossroads Trading Co. {similar}

♥ lace up Wet Seal boots

♥ dotted grey Forever 21 tights

 

Even thought it's so luxurious and cozy, I took off the faux fur collar (see it here). When I go downtown it gets commented on by street people, and not pleasantly. Seriously, strangers are like "HEY what animal did that come off of." I usually say something like "a plastic one" or "a stuffed toy" but they still just glare and stare. What is with people? Good thing the jacket is already red, just in case one day some barefoot hippie with a cell phone and a drug problem decides to throw paint on me for my "morals." Psh!

Flowers & Fur

We're still enjoying the mild winter weather here in Santa Cruz. I mean, I'm still layered up, but there are plenty of people in t-shirts and shorts. I can't help loving the grey-and-rouge texture clash of the last picture. It's as though the cardi and clutch were made for each other. How mesmerizing! It almost takes the eye away from the happy psychedelic dress ;)

diy faux fur clutch // thrifted vintage dress // sale bdg cardigan from pretty mama

thrifted tooled leather belt // Cost Plus bead necklace // Wolverine western boots

Teal and Titian

I wish this blouse came in more colors! It's one of my new favorites, really silky feeling but warm and such a beautiful russet shade. I felt very much in the holiday spirit pairing it with teal green jeans and a little pastoral embroidered handbag, even though I didn't do anything Christmas-y besides eat hamburgers and a malt milkshake with Eric on my lunch break. I wore a Forever 21 top, UO sale cardigan, Kill City jeans and vintage purse from Crossroads (for sale here!), etsy boots and a handmade necklace.

Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple skirt giveaway!

Funky Friday

 

See, nature's enemies can get along in the name of fashion. World peace!

I traded in some items I haven't worn in many moons so I could get this bag I found at Crossroads. The chevron quilting is so cool, I love how it looks with the Chanel knock-off-i-ness of the chain strap. The blazer I also scored last week in a quick dash through Love Me Two Times, which is a little vintage shop off the highway. I adore the gingham print and three pockets; plus, the heavy knit will make this perfect for Fall and Winter layering. I couldn't help adding some illustrated pins to the collar, red cut-offs from a Crossroads in Oakland, an altered Fleetwood Mac tee, and a.j. valenti boots.

Marooned

I found this marvelous maroon number in the blue tag (*new*) section of Crossroads while I was trading in some clothing. I've had my eye out for a long sheer skirt that would work well into fall, and I'm happy to have found it! The vintage Western-style belt was another closet-warming find of the hour. The very next day I couldn't resist pairing my new treasures with my trusty self-made polka dot tee and wedges from Target. Thankfully the sun shone bright and the wind blew gently.

The nude underslip is a little long for me, I'm thinking of cutting it so it's at least an inch above my knees. Do you have a sheer skirt? Is a short skirt underneath too dangerous for real life?

Cool Summer

I usually wear these lacy tights over a solid colored pair in winter, but I figured this ambiguous summer fog layer would be a great reason to wear them on their own. Please don't mind my weird face in the first pic, it was windy, I had just sipped some iced earl grey with peach, then got hair in my mouf. I tried to catch a few more photos in the shelter of my boyfriend's place, but it still being breezy, I thought I'd go with the flow and make a butterfly mask. By the way, does anyone know if there's a separate word for the clinggg going on in that shot, or does it fall under the camel-toe umbrella?  Anyway, I'm wearing a dress I made years ago, a thrifted silk scarf, second-hand Heritage 21 sweater and boots via Crossroads Trading Co., and I think the tights were from Forever 21. The nice gal at the coffee shop who made my tea treat is also a wonderful artist named Stacie whose work I see all over town on concert posters and album covers.Check out some of her creepy/dreamy world at NotesFromBelow.com.

I envy I was the type to really practice things... If it's easy and interesting (like blogging), I'm good to ride, but not when things get tricky (like painting still life, or card weaving, or calculus). When what I create displeases me, I usually get discouraged and lose the desire to try again. Probably not the best quality, eh? That's part of the reason I love MakeUnderMyLife so much: not only reading about real gals trying to live their real-world dreams, but also getting practical tips and inspiration on how to get there, too.  

Reminder: there are still a few days left to enter Jess LC's Soc-Chic-Week necklace giveaway(s)! 

xo

 

The Colour(s) of Love

The past week was a busy one and I didn't get to update as much, thanks to the terrible first world problem of faulty wireless (why? Why?!?). But I saw Queens of the Stone Age for the I-don't-remember-how-manyith time and had a blast singing along with my boyfriend (and the packed sweaty Santa Cruz crowd, this was before the heat broke). Plus, I'm so excited to finally tell you that I've got some wonderful giveaways to share with you this week, so check back tomorrow!

I wore this last week, before the gloomy coastal fog descended. I haven't worn red and pink together before, so I tried to go for the full valentine's color spectrum: bright red, hot pink, pale pink and some white and gold accents. I'm wearing diy cut-off shorts via Crossroads, a thrifted belt, an H+M knit top, and my favorite Granny sandals from Ross. The sweater and belt would be really fun with colorful jeans or heels or patterned leggings, too! I'm still lusting after some aztec or snowflake patterned ones... Anyway, try to have a Happy Monday, and if you haven't, view the first time I wore those red shorts :)

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.