Monochromatic for Fall (And: helloooo new Louis bag!!!)

Never thought I'd be posting a sweatshirt and jeans outfit on my blog...
but when an outfit is an outfit, then it's an outfit! regardless of how "unspecial" its elements are.

...right?  Do you agree, my lovely readers?

 

 

Wanted to sport my new Goodwill purchase with a casual outfit to really bring it to the front.  :)  Not like its multicolored nature doesn't do that, anyway.

Like my monogrammed aviators?  The rhinestone "C" might be a bit much, but I loved the personal touch.  What do you all think?  Too much or no?

Sorry it's been so long since my last post!  I've been moving.  You'll get photos of my old apartment soon (this blog needs to branch out a bit more than just being photos of me), and photos of my new apartment (when I feel like its worth posting).  The flavors of the two are COMPLETELY different!

Bag: thrifted Louis Vuitton || Coat: JouJou || Collar : DIY || Sweatshirt: Target || Jeans: old || Boots: old || Gloves: my late grandmother's || Aviators: Wal*Mart || Watch: thrifted Rolex

For your amusement...I lost my balance and laughed...  :)

 





Back home.

Two Fall trends that fit perfectly with my style: the long skirt, and the big coat.  I'm loving the longer-skirt trend that's in for Fall!  I can stay warm and ladylike and not look frumpy.  Love it!

Again, here are some completely unedited photos for your viewing pleasure (I hope, anyway), which were taken by my Daddy (who complained the whole time, hence the lack of photos) on my phone (hence the lack of quality) on a park path in my hometown right in my parents' backyard (hence the beauty of the trees). 

Two reasons this post is titled "Back home." 
First: because I'm back to more vintage-inspired style from the edgy look in my last post. 
Second: EXCITING NEWS!  The Hubs and I are moving back to my hometown at the end of this month!!! 

I think my hometown is really in my blood...my innate sense of style seems to match it.  That means that there will be many more and better places for photo ops...

I always say that my hometown is a trap: once you live there, you can't leave (for long, anyway).  It's too beautiful!  It's on the National Registry of Historic Places (or something like that anyway), and the people who live there all know it (little bit snooty), but I'm still in love with it.  I love to travel and experience new places, but I don't mind coming back home, either.  That's a very pleasant feeling.  :)

Coat: old || Sweater: old || Belt: Express || Collar: H&M || Necklace: old || Boots: thrifted GUESS || Beret and Skirt: Wal*Mart (feel free to judge)

Uptown-Downtown

What happens when I purchase a backless, sequined LBD at the thrift store?  Well...actually, it hangs in my closet for almost a year while I figure out how to style it.  But I finally did, and I feel that the wait was SO WORTH IT.

OH!  Self-timer, you caught me on my phone! ...not staged, I swear.  :-P

The whole super-dressy bottom/super-casual top thing has been a HUGE PHENOMENON recently.  During fashion weeks around the world, this combination filled the lenses of street style photographers.

I totally DIY-ed this collar.  :)  I cut it off an old shirt and put the studs on the tips.  I think it's too cute!!!  And cost me approximately $3.00 all told.

Whatcha think???

Sweatshirt: Target || Collar: DIY || Sequin Dress (used as skirt): thrifted || Sunglasses: Target || Shoes: thrifted || Bag: thrifted Nine West || Watch: old

Michael Kors Spring 2013

Obsessed obsessed OBSESSED with this collection!
It starts with a bang when the opener's shoe comes undone and she champions her walk anyway, ends with a bang when the one-and-only Karlie Kloss smolders up and down the runway like she does, and the collection itself is just FABULOUS!!!  Ladylike silhouettes with primary colors and retro fundamentals...so so so good.  And the menswear is drool-worthy, too!  If only my husband dressed crazy like I do...*le sigh*

Anyway: onto the look I wore for Day 4 of MBFW (And also to the mall...bought the best pants ever from H&M!  I have been looking for my perfect pair of patterned pants [say that 5 times fast...whew], and I finally found them!!!  Watch for them in the near future.).

Look!  SPORTY-CHIC! 
Never thought I'd be able to pull this off, but I think I did!  I got lots of compliments from strangers at the mall, anyway.  That's always the best!  :)  Makes a girl feel all glowy inside...


Also: you can kinda see my nailart in these photos...for a closer look follow me on Instagram (if you want to) and/or Twitter.  @spritzy88 
I'd love to connect with my readers on other levels, too!  I'd be flattered if you go and find me.

This look is one of the simplest I've worn in awhile...I just stole a t-shirt from my hubby's closet and added a detachable collar.  But I think it was the starkness that made it noticeable, you know?  Vast planes of color-blocking (also a fall trend) are pretty eye-catching.

Leave a comment letting me know your reaction to the video of the Michael Kors show that I posted!!!

 

Are you as in love/awe/lust as I am?

Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters || Collar: thrifted || Skirt: old || Shoes: thrifted || Bag: Forever 21 || Watch: Wal*Mart (yyyeah buddy)

Suspendered Animation

Photos by my lil brother (unfortunately taken with my phone: sorry for poor quality)

That's right, ladies and gentlemen: I'm wearing suspenders!  Woo!  And loving it.
Found these beauties at a thrift store for less than a dollar.  And they, plus a belt, turned a pair of styleless, hip-hugging shorts into some trendy, high-waisted shorts.  :)  My brother commented that I looked like a hipster.  I told him: that's OK; I just wear what I like! 

This outfit makes me really happy.

I hope you all, my darling readers, don't get bored with black/red/white...they're my favorite colors to put together: you'll probably see it a lot on my lil blog.  In fact, you probably already have lol...
I like wearing super-contrasting colors because I have super-contrasting hair and skin.  My hair is nearly black and my skin is nearly translucent haha (these photos have been taken at a time when I still have very perceptible tanlines, soooo I'm usually even whiter than they show!).  


What are your favorite colors/combinations to wear?
Or do you think a bit more outside the box than I do?  ;)

You can kinda see my mani: pale pink with b&w stripes on the ring finger.
Love this color coral for lipstick!  It makes even my tiny mouth really POP. 

Shirt: thrifted || Collar: H&M || Tie: DIY || Suspenders: thrifted || Shorts: TJ Maxx || Bracelets: thrifted cuff & wrapped necklace from Forever 21 || Shoes: thrifted || Belt: White House | Black Market || Bag: Forever 21

Goodness, I didn't really realize how many pieces are in this outfit!  haha  It seemed like I just kept writing and writing and writing the Rundown!

a Short(s) Story

A very casual look.  I'm still attempting to master understated elegance.  (Which is an especially difficult concept to master, because it involves two qualities which I don't really have: a mature understanding of clothes and MONEY [generally]...so I'll just settle for having icons to look up to/copy and thrift stores!)

This silk blouse was an indirect birthday gift from my folks (it was purchased with the giftcard they gave me).  I was going for that pajama top kind of look that's so big right now.  Super-comfy.  :)

making a funny face in this photo...sorry

Blouse: thrifted || Collar: H&M || Shorts: old (I think they're from Target?) || Cuff: thrifted || Bag: thrifted Louis Vuitton || Shoes : thrifted

It's a Mary Tyler Moore thing.

 My mama was snapping some shots of this outfit at the strip mall after we had a lunch date (hoity-toity ladies-who-lunch, that's what we are), and a gentleman walking into a shop called out, "Looks like a Mary Tyler Moore thing!"  I shouted back, "I do my best!" while thinking to myself, YES, now I don't need to think of a title for my blog post!  That's always the hardest part for me.  Don't know why.

The fabric is light as air (and quite sheer WHEE).

This outfit is a pleasure to wear.  And it made a couple of little old ladies very happy to see it, too!  :)  That's my favorite.  I'm hoping it reminded them of their past...

I've noticed that, while some fashionistas would take this dress and try to update it and make it modern, I'm not like that.  I'm aware of fashion and trends and stuff, but there're several reasons I call this blog a personal style blog and not a fashion blog.  One of these reasons is that when I wear vintage, I try to keep the rest of my outfit as authentic-looking as possible.  I don't mix time periods.  And I don't feel costume-y when I wear this stuff; in fact--I'm proud to say--I feel most comfortable wearing vintage and retro styles.  It makes me feel pretty and happy.  So why throw on a leather biker jacket and ruin that [just to be hip]?  But, that's just me.  :)  If you're one of those fab fashionistas who likes to twist things to modern, go for it!  I admire those sensibilities, 'cuz I don't have them.  (Never fear: there IS a biker jacket in my wardrobe; you'll see it some other day.)

 This dress is a new favorite for sure.  I don't wear a lot of blue, but this periwinkle shade is a winner!  Especially when my skin returns to its typical pallor--er, excuse me--alabaster state, I think the result will be quite an ethereal aura.  Well, I hope so... At least, a girl can dream.

Beauty in the details...

Dress: thrifted || Collar: H&M || Hat: Forever21 || Shoes: gifted || Purse: thrifted || Gloves: Forever21 || Sunnies: Marshall's || Watch & Cuff: thrifted

Before I sign off, I just wanted to thank everyone who's helped get me to 40 followers on GFC!  I've only been blogging (part-time, as I can) for a few months, and already I've got 40 people who care to read it.  :)  I'm flattered...

Well, I'll see you later!  If you want to see me sooner (haha) go ahead and follow me on Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest!  I'm kind of especially addicted to Instagram right now...  @spritzy88

Little dots in a big world.

Only two photos of this outfit: sorry!  I had a busy day [so my grandpa snapped these in his living room].  :)  Work, errands for work, a haircut (after these photos were taken: sorry), and then dinner and a movie with my Mama.  We saw "The Artist," which I knew was going to be incredible, and OH was it ever!  I loved it!  So did my mom.  Have any of you guys seen it???

Anyway, I was slightly nervous that this dress was "costumey" somehow, but then I thought, well, I like it, so I'm going to wear it!  The old adage "Feel good, look good!" is continually proven to me; this dress was no exception and was [happily] very well-received.  Plus, wearing your highest heels in your favorite color, a beret, and "Coco Mademoiselle" by Chanel (my new favorite scent) is just a total recipe for feeling fly! not to mention toting your vintage Louis Vuitton...


...I just read over that last paragraph. 
I feel the need to explain something: for a plain little girl with not much money living in the middle of hicksville, it's a dream come alive that I can say things like "Chanel" and "Louis Vuitton" without adding "-look-a-like" or "-knockoff" on the end.  So I really hope my name-dropping isn't all snobby-sounding...I just never even thought that someone in my financial/geographical situation would ever be able to have those sorts of things, so I can't seem to help myself!  :)
THANK YOU thrift stores!!!

Dress: thrifted || Beret: thrifted || Shoes: Target || Coat: ? || Handbag: thrifted || Sunglasses: H&M