In Threes

One of my favorite people ever, Angelina, has been visiting, which coincided with my being sick and bedridden so I only got to see her a few times. Ange's one of those friends whose presence is always warm, fun, open and an inspiring gift.  I hope she moves back here in the near near future... though I also want to visit Brooklyn before she leaves! I need to raise money... does anyone need help with their blog layout??

 The night before my girl flew back to New York we got to hang out and go to dinner, stopping to take a few photos before the light left. She's coming back in a month, so I was able to happily cavort a bit for her in my stripey H&M sweaterdress and pink vintage velvet embellished loafers (both picked up from different Crossroads Trading Companies) topped with a cardigan/dress from Target. 

Happy weekend ya'll! 

I'm excited for a family bbq tomorrow and the one day off Eric and I have together.

Nuts For Knits

I basically lived in this sweater over this lovely weekend, cold and crisp yet sunny and clear and full of girlfriend and tamale dates, new cocktails, sleeping in, and more eats. I found this striped knit sweater on the super sale table; it's super soft and woolen and I wish they had more colors! Worn with my favorite beanie and some vintage velvet loafers, I was set and feeling snazzy. My good friend Ange is visiting from Brooklyn and we met up Friday to eat outrageous food and drink at Betty Burger, pop through the Gap (see sweater above), and lock down our favorite side room at a small local bar for fizzy champagne and Gambit cocktails plus good friends. More of that and more knits, please!

All Striped Up

I am in luuuurve with my recent vintage coat find at Crossroads. As the giant label proclaims awkwardly from the inside of one lapel, it's made of authentic Scottish wool, and wouldn't ya know, I feel a little bit warmer every time I think about how I'm not on the icy moors (I'd love to go in late Spring, though!). I was so happy to find that the sleeves weren't overlong; it must have been made for vintage shorties in mind. It looks like muted magenta or deep raspberry from afar, but up close the variegated weave is just so cool. On such a chilly day I wanted to be nicely layered in case it rained, so I wore another sweater and secondhand H+M sweater-dress (from the Crossroads in Oakland), blue tights, Kimchi Blue purse, and Wet Seal boots.

Last weekend while doing some Christmas shopping at the mall, I was a wanker and went into Wet Seal even though no one on my list needs anything from such an establishment. I am apparently a very fortunate wanker because I found two pairs of boots in my size that satisfy two items on my everlasting "closet wishlist." Deciding I couldn't justify or afford to buy both, I took one pair to the register. I don't know if you're familiar with such craziness as "Buy One Get One for a Penny" sales, but they do exist, and the other boots I liked were part of the clearance, so all in all I got two pairs of shoes perfect for the coming season, for only $25. I suffered a little remorse because I should be saving all my cash, but don't worry. I didn't suffer too much ;) 

P.S. The winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway is... Julie L.! Email me at outoforderdesign@ymail.com to claim your prize and talk sizing and address!

backpetal

I saw the latest Planet of the Apes movie wth my boy; have you seen it? I'm not a fan of the classic film, but I got suckered in by the big ape eyes. Poor Cesaer... when he drew a chalk outline of his attic window on the cell wall, I nearly lost it. And the first time he spoke, I went "Oooooh!" along with the whole theater.

I'm wearing a striped top from Forever 21, a second-hand no-name skirt & reindeer necklace from Crossroads, random sandals from Ross. I've neglected this pink skirt for too many months, I forget how absolutely fun and floaty it is to wear. Here are some other times I wore it:

...and don't forget to enter the Vintage Road-trip Giveaway, you have 'til the 18th!

  

Neutrals

 no-name skirt \\ top via Crossroads \\ thrifted belt \\ Dollhouse flats via Ross \\ UO purse

I was drawn to this grey top but then rarely wore it, until I discovered how much more I liked it with its flappy unflattering short sleeves tucked inside to make it look sleeveless! I wanted to dress this skirt up a bit more than last time. Do you think ruffles, crochet and stripes counts as pattern-mixing? Either way, it was a lovely sunny day in Santa Cruz, I spent it mostly inside at work, but I got out for some photos in the warm sun on my lunch break in the afternoon.

I'm having trouble finding balance between ten-hour shifts, sleep, and personal fulfillment. So often I find myself following a long list of "have to's" each day, and resenting that there's not always enough time for "want to's." I wish I wanted to work and do laundry and dishes -hah! At least I'm getting to blog my heart out!

What's your favorite way to relax after a long day at work? I tend to just rush home so I can collapse on my bed and try to unwind by reading or turning on the computer...

Purple Rain

"First you must cleanse yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka."
Oh gosh, I watched that movie a few weekends ago, sooo ridiculous!

worn \\ thrifted + altered blouse \\ Kill City jeans via Crossroads Trading \\ Dollhouse oxfords via Ross \\ self-made bracelet

 

 Hello and happy Tuesday! I walked by someone's front yard recently, and they were growing artichokes complete with purple flowers! So I just had to incorporate my purple jeans into the moment. Plus, I found this bold striped blouse at The Salvation Army that I'm pretty sure Prince would wear. I had to alter it a lot, but it has gold and black snap buttons and I just had to get it. I love the tied look, but am not about to wear it that way to work, so I saved it for later in the day. I've rediscovered friendship bracelet making and am amassing quite a bit of colored thread. Next I want to wrap a bangle with colorful threads and make "adult" friendship bracelets.

 I'm amazingly chipper still from my weekend. So many beautiful flowers of different colors, warm sunshine,  fam, boy and Oreo time, crafting frenzies, meatball subs, falafel, beet juice tonic (no, it's not wine), watching Archer, and sleeping in. Have a wonderful week!

California Poppies + Stripes

 Restyling ideas

• warmer: switch to a brightly colored sleeveless top & gold sandals

• cooler: add red tights, an orange belt & swap the wedges for boots

Yay the sun is shining! The color of the sunlight = my shoes/vest = poppies! I picked up this long vest at least a year ago and have had serious trubs styling it. Lately I've become enamored of vests again, so I was stoked to dig out the old yellow gem to spruce up a graphic black and white striped outfit. Threw on some sorta-striped wedges and some funny new glasses to greet the day. Had a lunch date with Eric, and my best friend returned to town that night. We went to Chili's for some celebratory catching up and queso. Orange and yellow seemed to be the color of the day! Also, I'm starting to notice more of the beauty around town. It's hard to not see at least one tree everywhere you look.

Worn:
cheap sunnies
top \\ Crossroads
skirt \\ Pretty Mama
F21 vest \\ Crossroads
Michael Kors wedges \\ Crossroads
necklace \\ Forever 21

Stripe Hype

I found this H+M sweater-dress in pristine condition at a Crossroads in Berkeley recently but haven't worn it yet. It was too cute to pass up, but I was worried it's too much of a fall/winter dress. Well, it's been raining here in the Bay Area, so I guess it all worked out. I was toasty enough at work with just the long dress (which will double as a great winter nightgown, wink) and a light jacket. I can't wait to pair the dress with boots, long necklaces and vests!

I can't believe I haven't had an outfit post-worthy outfit for a week! I've missed this. Last weekend I saw Bridesmaids and enjoyed my favorite sushi roll, which depending on the restaurant, involves salmon, cream cheese, garlic, macadamia nuts, basil, all tempura battered and fried. Oh yum my stomach feels heavy just typing this. On Sunday I had the BEST Thai iced tea I've found; their secret was to use coconut milk! It adds such an amazing creamy flavor and sweetness. I feel like while the past week I've been pretty uninspired closet-wise, I've eaten lots of amazing, inspiring food! A friend had a vegetarian bbq on Memorial Day, and while the wind and weather got cold quickly, the company and food was delightful.

H+M dress \\\ Crossroads
Dollhouse flats \\\ Ross
jacket \\\ Wet Seal
bag \\\ Kimchi Blue

Beat Around the Bush

 Whoa it's been windy! Even though it's short-sleeved, this woolly wrap sweater sure kept me comfy, and I really love the colors. I forgot to photograph the back, but there's a cool Navajo design on the shoulders. I was so excited because this was also the day that Eric came back from his trip to San Diego for his lil sister's graduation, and because I'd managed to stretch these old shoes enough to be more comfortable for long wear.

P.S. Eric brought me back an adorable penguin t-shirt I'll have to show yas.

shoes \\\ Target
jeans \\\ Wet Seal
earrings \\\ Claire's
Heritage 21 top \\\ Crossroads

Also, the winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway way Brittany! Check your email :)