It'll be 84 F today, Oops.

I picked out this outfit last night and by the time I was wearing it and ready to snap some photos, my Guy said, "Oh, boy! High of 84 today!" Oops. I'll just sweat, I guess. I love the mix of black, brown, grey, color, texture. I think if it really were to be cold outside today, a pair of tights would make this outfit darn near perfect. Midi-nubby knit skirt, a little flowy silk in the blouse, color, scarf. Love.

Skirt: Thrifted...Blouse: Banana, thrifted...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: MaxStudio.com, thrifted...Scarf: Gap...Belt: thrifted...Bag: via Buffalo Exchange

Earrings: gift from friends in Tucson. I think these were made by a local artist, but I never got her name.

Two fun stories about my feet: 1. These shoes were my very first designer find at a thrift shop (MaxStudio). I bought them two years ago and today is the first time during fall months that I've felt confident enough in my high-heel walking skills to actually wear them. The black and brown combo, the cut-out, the peep toe, the thicker heel. They're so fall-chic.
2. My toenails are actually painted with a very dark purple and a plum colored crackle over, they're not gross and deteriorating. The crackle is a ridiculous terrible-for-you concoction I found at a discount market in Beijing. The formula is so stinky, you just know you should restrict use to once a year or risk cancer. I'm going to rock this crackle pedi for as long as I can, it's not coming back for a while.

I plan to thrift like crazy tomorrow because my next two weekends will be a total bust until the Gala is over. I have a day-long adventure planned out, I hope it will be successful. It better be, I have 4 shops on my short list.

See y'all manana. I promise to put clothing on. I can't afford another hideous repeat of last weekend's pajama fest. My guy was so embarrassed for me.

My shoes squeak

I am walking and laughing, walking and laughing. The top flaps of my shoes are new leather and they're rubbing and squeaking as I walk. Real life absurist comedy. I love it. The art hanging guy, who is beyond hilarious and cool, is here today and he just about snotted himself as I walked past for the first time. We've been making "couldn't sneak up if you tried" jokes all day.

Aside from squeaking shoes, it's a fun day today. The electrician is also here installing new art lights (he is also super punny and nice). I get to go shopping for light bulbs in a bit, nice guy helps me out at the shop. It's a happy day with nice people.

I also get to eat chili leftovers tonight. Win.

Dress: Gap...Cardigan: J Crew Outlet...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: MRKT via DSW...Necklace: Banana...Bag: Vintage D&B via Buffalo Exchange

Coral Pants, with a Fall Twist?

The jury is still out on my take on this color combo... I'm not sure if it's fun and complex or if it looks like sushi and poo. I've had some troubles with these Gap pants, I knew I liked them, but didn't really know what to do with them other than neutral tops. So...

I used some of Kendi Everyday's looks as inspiration... here and here:

And here's my version of it today:

Pants: Gap...Blouse: Odille via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: MaddenGirl via Ross...Bag: D&B via Buffalo

Here's my issues: this blouse is silk, a great print, lovely details like the knotting/draping at the neckline. Buuut, it has tie sleeves (go back and look at the photos- gun show? Or wadded bows in my sleeves?), it's sheer and the tie front is very low, which means whatever cami I'm wearing gets a major presence. The pants are a great color, but make my rear look like a pancake. Am I totally overanalyzing this?

Anyway, it's the end of a short work week that, in my opinion, is never going to end. I think I may get stuck working late, too, since my boss has had family stuff aaaall week and we really need to get a major mailing list settled and get the envelopes outta here! I'll be honest, I'm sick of the boxes of envelopes loitering, I will cheerfully stay until late evening if it means I have approval to print labels and get this stuff moving.

Happy Weekend, ladies!

Closet Orphans, 3 options

I began rooting through my closet looking for lonely, unused clothing and came to the realization that I really only keep what I know I'm going to wear. I did discover a treasure trove of items that I need to try to resell or donate for the upcoming fall season, so it's loaded in my car, awaiting an opportunity to do so! I hope some lunchtime this week allows me the opportunity, it would be so nice to get that stuff out of my hair.
Anyway, I did come across a few blouses and skirts that I feel less that fabulous in, so I tried styling them a different way. I wear them for only special reasons or a certain "type" of outfit, so they're Closet Typecasts. The Steve Buscemi characters of my wardrobe. The Keanu Reeves persona of my chest of drawers. Enough analogies? Well, then let's get to the break-down.

Late night try-on 1: The DVF thrifted blouse. It is so lovely and is a great silk crepe, I couldn't pass it up. AND IN MY SIZE! How many times does that happen while thrifting? Anyway, the silk, the gold detail, the ruffles, it's all so beautiful, but how does one wear it? I feel like if I tried to do a Fancy/ Casual thing with this blouse  and pair it with a pair of skinny jeans, the ruffles would make it look like a dressed up Rodeo. I don't really have a pencil skirt that would do it justice and match it's fabulousness. Thoughts? Opinions?

The white skirt was noooot right. Blouse: DVF, thrifted...Skirt: thrifted...Shoes: Kate Spade, thrifted

The detail sure is beautiful, though!

Late night try-on 2: the Target patterned skirt. I felt a little better in this outfit, but it was too casual for the work week. I'm also not convinced I got the shoes right when I styled it. Maybe oxfords. Or a wedge heel. Something with just a liiiittle more presence to give weight to my lower extremities. The tiny striped sweater is fun, though, huh?

Skirt: Target...Tee: J Crew Outlet...Sweater: J Crew Outlet...Shoes: Biviel, DSW...Belt & Bag: thrifted

That's a whole lot of texture!

What I really wore: Thrifted swing blouse. This blouse nearly made its way out of my closet several times. It is really really wide. It has never looked good in terms of fit, even though I took it in already so the swing silhouette wasn't comically large. It's just large now. I haven't been able to part with it yet for two reasons: The print is so frickin' cheerful and it will one day make cuuute maternity wear. Perhaps I should just choose not to wear it again until I'm at least 30 weeks along. Which may be a while.

Blouse: thrifted...Skirt: thrifted...Sweater: Gap...Shoes: Nine West, Buffalo Exchange

These are at the top end of my heel high tolerance.

Cloisonne cheapies from Beijing

What do you all think? Any good at all?


One last goodie: I can't keep baby hairs and clumps of loose stuff in my high buns, so I flipped my head over, began a french braid at the bottom and ended up with this:

Weekend Thrift Finds

I had a lot of success with thrifting accessories over the weekend and figured I should share my excitement. While in the real world, this makes me a kook, in the fashion blogging world, this makes me a rockstar. And I like that better.
THE LOOT:

Funny little leather bag with aaaall kinds of stuff going on: cognac croc embossed, smooth chocolate brown, dark brown woven leather details, and both Tiffany's-esque pendants and Western closures.

Yup. That glorious texture is all mine now.

Menswear belt with thick silver buckle and woven leather front face.

My three belt finds: dark brown, tomato red and navy. The two skinny belts came out of the kids section and fit nicely around my waist with pencil skirts.

I think my belt collection is coming along, I used to only have really safe options, like a nice camel leather and a thick dark brown leather... I'm gathering more options in the skinny belt category, which is so much better for the work week. Now, if I could only find more funky shoes, I could branch out and give outfits a real kick in the butt.
Look out for Orphan Outfits later on today!