Black and Blue

PLEASE REMEMBER TO

Sweet Tooth Suicide

Be prepared for a lot of photos in this post, 'cuz it's basically two looks.  "Basically?" you ask. "What's that supposed to mean?"  Well, here, I'll show you:

 



Coat on.

Coat off.

Haha  :D 
It's amazing how a look can change when you put on outerwear.  It's amazing what properly accessorizing a winter coat can do for a dreary day!  And it's amazing what wearing fishnets can do to a girl's self-confidence level.  AND it's amazing that black is the new black again this year!  There is no substitute for black.  Black is amazing.

Anyway, now that all that amazing-ness is out of my system, let's take this one more time, ladies and gentlemen.  Ready?  Three...two...one...

Coat on.

Coat off.

I called this post "Sweet Tooth Suicide" (lyrics from a song by Shinedown), because I loved the juxtaposition of the ice-cream sweet outerwear look and the black ensemble that lay underneath (like a sweet-faced person trying to hide a dark soul...or something a little less cliche).

Never thought I'd wear baby pink and fishnets together. 
Never thought I'd wear fishnets to church, either. 
Well, I did both of those things on this illustrious day.

Mmmm my backseamed fishnets...I feel like the high neckline and knee-length hem of this dress kept the overtly sexy nature of the fishnets from really presenting itself, which is why I felt comfortable wearing them out of the house (to church, nonetheless).  They added a little edge, but--more importantly--some neccessary texture to the outfit. 

Lots of textures, here: fishnet, patent leather (belt), suede (shoes), fine knit (sweater), silk (dress).

I took inspiration for this outfit from Audrey's all-black ensemble in "How To Steal A Million."

Expect to see a lot more all-black ensembles from me in the near future.  All-black is trending right now, and I'm of the opinion that there is never a chicer color palette.  So be prepared for me to take advantage of this fashion fad while it's around!

Really quickly before I go, I need to shine a special light on these, my marvy-fab new shoes:

Found them on clearance at JCP for $12.00.  $12.00!  Who lets shoes as gorgeous as these Cosmopolitain for JCP heels hit final clearance?!  Well, luckily for me, all the other shoppers at JCP did.  :)
Also: my coat was thrifted from Goodwill for $4.00.  Shop Secondhand First!

Dress: thrifted (orig. GAP) || Sweater: ancient || Belt: White House | Black Market || Tights: old || Shoes: Cosmopolitain for JCP || Coat: thrifted || Scarf: old || Hat: thrifted || Bag: thrifted

New Year = New Layout

What do y'all think? 

This new layout seems much more congruent...the other one had sepia and black and white, teal and maroon...It was kinda hard on the eyes...just wasn't feeling it anymore.

While I'm at it, I'll probably start posting different kinds of things...like, I've been dabbling in decorating my home, and so far I'm pleased with the results. 
I think I'd like to share them with you...  :) 
Would you mind, dear readers?  Let me know in the comments!

But before I got off on any more tangents, here are the outfit photos I promised (in the midst of yesterday's 2012 mash-up):

This outfit is making me laugh while I'm putting it against my new layout...such completely different facets of my personality are all mushed together!  But, hey, the ability to design and love both a grey-pink-sweetly-elegant blog layout and a gold-red-plaid-in-your-face-prepster ensemble makes a girl more interesting, don't you think?
Looking at these pictures, my constant inspiration--Audrey Hepburn--came to mind.  The sweater/men's shirt/high-waters/loafers combo was a thing she would do...but I have a bit more drama in my outfit! plaid and metallics...  That means it gives a nod to Audrey without being too copycat-ish.

Shoes and Sweater: Rock & Republic for Kohl's || Pants: Wal*Mart || Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters || Bag: thrifted || Headband: Bangles and Bags || Necklace: old

Brocade Babe

I've always loved brocade...It's so luxe and elegant...always makes me think medieval.  The medieval period has always been my favorite imagination playground. 

This dress is a little big (and by "a little'" I mean...about 4 sizes), but it's so pretty, I had to have it when I found it at the thrift store!!!  :)  And I was determined to find a flattering way to style it.

Instead of heels, I rocked some fancy flats with this outfit.  I wanted to add a bit of hipster quirk to the look.

Dress: thrifted || Sweater: Express || Tights: Wal*Mart || Shoes: thrifted

Found this lovely lady at the thrift store, too...

Wanted to show you all the whole dress, even though it's huge.

 

Pink Champagne puts a Feather in my Cap

I think we all know that I love me some glamour...

I wore this to my family's Thanksgiving party.  My hat was a big hit.  :)  Thanks for the inspiration, Anna Dello Russo!  Your fearless, fabulous example gives me the courage to put goofy things on my head, too!
I spent a long time on my makeup and used more than, like, the three products I usually use (concealer, eyeliner, & blush...woo fancy).  And I even curled my hair (I never do hair) so the hat would look its best.  I was INTO this look, people!!!

So, I've told you that my hometown offered some wonderful spots for photos...here's one right across the street from my building: the town's old train station.  They refurbished it into an office building, now, but left all its charm and a bit of the train track to boot! 
The next time I want to really pose some pictures, I'll have to find a steam machine and do some watery-eyed, retro, "farewell, lover"-type shots. heehee

I went shopping on Black Friday chiefly to get my paws on the above-pictured tennis bracelet.  I've always wanted one like that, buuut I didn't want to pay out the nose for my bling-bling.  And the sweater (that's so soft, it feels like bathing in pink champagne heaven a la Dita von Teese) was a bonus Black Friday find!

Did you have any luck on Black Friday/Cyber Monday?

Let me know in the comments! 
I hope to see your finds featured on your blog, soon...

 

Hat: Forever 21 || Sweater: Shopko || Skirt: Charlotte Russe || Tights: ? || Shoes: Payless || Tennis Bracelet & Cholker: Shopko || Bangle Bracelet & Ring: gift

Objects in Motion

 

Ever have a day when you're just totally feelin' your own look?
Like, you just sort of threw something on, and threw your hair all over the place, and it just somehow works, and you love how it looks/feels/makes your butt look, etc.?

Anyway, confession time: I am a purse whore.  I own waaaay too many of them, and I just keep buying more!  I can't stop myself!!!  Maybe I should join a support group.  Except the group would probably be mostly made of [already chatty] women, and we would just use it to talk about how cute each others' bags were, and it probably wouldn't help at all.
...
I think I'm a bit manic today. 
Possibly because I actually got some sleep last night.

I need to take a moment to ZOOOOOM  IN on the bag that inspired my purse-love today:

Little-known fact: I love (antique) maps and clocks.  So when I was looking around at Goodwill and found this lovely bag (which also happens to be great quality and the ideal size), I was more excited than when I found a Louis Vuitton just a few minutes later.

Fall is drawing swiftly to its close, but God gave us a beautiful, warm day today!  The air smells amazing, the sun is shining, and the leaves are blowing about and just waiting to be crunched underfoot...

Enjoy the season wherever you are, dear readers! 

THANKS from the bottom of my heart for stopping by!

 

Bag: thrifted || Shirt: old || Collar: DIY || Pants: Forever 21 || Shoes: old