Let the Sunshine in

Painting the World with my Kooky Paintbrush

It was 23 degrees this day, but
a.) I was in a colorful mood, and
b.) I could not WAIT to wear the shoes I had gotten the day before!!!

I'm a crazy person, yes indeed.

Where to start gushing about this outfit?  +sigh+  I just love every bit of it!  The blazer, shoes, and necklace are all brand new additions to my wardrobe, and I couldn't be happier!  I've been on the hunt for those things for awhile (a colorful blazer, a necklace to go under collars of collared shirts [specifically this denim one], and THESE SHOES). 

The shoes, OK, OK, we all know that I'm a shoe gal, so I'll really give them some typed lovin' here: 

I have been craving these shoes (in black) since before Prabal Gurung for Target even launched.  Of course, the black were the first to sell out, +sigh+ so instead I scoured thrift stores for something similar.  There were some shoes I found that could have been similar with some minor surgery, but they just lacked something that couldn't be fixed.  Like, too short of a heel, or not being minimal enough (it's the lack of actual shoe that makes these shoes so sexy and perfect lol), or whatever. 

So then, when I had all but given up hope, I found this pair at Goodwill with the tags still attached!!!!  I was amazed.  But then I looked at the size, and my heart dropped.  They were a 7.5.  I'm at LEAST an 8.5--usually a 9--but I couldn't help myself; I tried them on, anyway. 

Oh. My. God.  They fit.

No idea what face I'm making, here...

And then, of course, there's this necklace.  I was inspired by an Instagram photo posted by Forever21 awhile ago to find myself a necklace to fancy-up-but-not-fancy-up button up shirts.  ...You know what I mean? kinda? maybe?  Well, whatever.  This necklace is exactly what I was going for.  And it's not something that I would've just picked out in the store (if I didn't have a specific purpose)...which probably means that I will find myself wearing it constantly.

Anybody else experience that? 

The ironic, sort of unexpected bits of your wardrobe end up being worn the most?

Hat: thrifted || Jeans: H&M || Blazer & Necklace: JCP || Bag: Target || Shirt: thrifted (orig. Target) || Lipstick: Revlon || Shoes: thrifted (orig. Prabal Gurung for Target)

 

Sweet Nothin'

Here's something a little strange: I was doodling at work, and just sort of drew a girl in today's outfit.  I was excited about it, I guess.  :)

And please forgive the glaring anatomy errors: I was drawing in pen.  At least she has two of everything she needs to have two of.

Don't you love this faux fur vest I found at Goodwill???  I do. 

I wish you could feel it (...that's not creepy-sounding at all...); it's ridiculously soft!  Wearing it is like being hugged by a hundred chinchillas at once (...'cuz I totally know how that feels...).  Heavenly. 

And it has toasty warm pockets, too!

I hope y'all aren't getting sick of this bag, yet! 'cuz I'm obviously not...

Please don't forget to:

Vest & Top: Goodwill || Skinnies: Forever 21 || Boots: Charlotte Russe || Bag: Target

 

Nerd Life

 
My Secret Recipe for Nerd Life 
(serves many, but few well)

First mix together:
1 Canadian tuxedo
1 pr. big, awkward glasses
1 pr. loafers

Then add in:
1 netbook
A pinch of dorky Polaroids
1 big, awkward dog

The secret ingredients:
1 neck scarf a la Audrey (any color)
1 hair pouf that puts Snooki to shame

Saturate with confidence.
Frost generously with WI winter snow.

Kind of a bizarre look, but that's just how I was feeling that day!
What do you guys think?

Scarf: thrifted (at E'Collectique) || Top: thrifted (at Goodwill) || Tank: H&M || Skinnies: Forever 21 || Loafers: thrifted (orig. Target) || Spectacles: Forever 21

THANKS FOR DROPPING BY! 

 

COME BACK SOON!

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

Fall Mashup

Saying an official Goodbye to Fall,

and a Hello to Winter! 

Happy December, everyone! 

 

I decorated for Christmas yesterday, really trying to get into the holiday spirit!  How about you guys? 
So, in order to cleanse my seasonal pallette and prepare to start the holiday season afresh...

I'm clearing all the Fall outfits I had stacked up in the coffers of my hard drive 

and setting them all free

in one big blogpost explosion!!!

Kicking things off with a bit of leopard sass never hurt anyone, right?  Ready?  Here we go!

 Hat: H&M || Sweater: thrifted (orig. J. Crew) || Tank: H&M || Jeans: Charlotte Russe || Shoes: thrifted (orig. Steve Madden) || Scarf: gift || Gloves: vintage (grandma's) || Bag: Rosetti

And next, here's a comfy ensemble with the grey, ruffled suede boots that have never failed me, yet!

 Scarf: gift || Sweater: Forever 21 || Jeans: Wal*Mart || Boots: old (Payless?) || Jacket: thrifted (orig. Ralph Lauren) || Gloves: thrifted || Bag: thrifted

 

And now some fierce sequins and a red lip...

 

 Jacket: thrifted || Tank: old || Jeans: Forever 21 || Shoes: old (Payless?)

Wore this little ensemble to church to sing with choir.  Never thought I'd wear these shoes to church!  Much less in November...

 Shoes: can't remember || Dress: thrifted (orig. Mossimo) || Cropped Tux Jacket: thrifted (orig. Mossimo) || Fur Coat: thrifted || Belt: thrifted || Bracelet: can't remember || Bag: Rosetti || Sunnies: Marshall's (orig. American Eagle Outfitters)

Some crazy colors and the debut of my new statement necklace.  I've been wearing this necklace (I bought it in mint AND in coral) constantly since I bought it!

 Necklace: Charlotte Russe || Sweater: Wet Seal || Pants: Calvin Klein || Boots: Steve Madden || Arm Party: Charming Charlie

Here's a little bit of a blurry photo of a casual weekend look with boyfriend jeans, a furry vest, and flannel!  Woo, flannel!  Add some heels and the aforementioned statement necklace, and you're set!

 Sunnies: gift || Necklace: Charlotte Russe || Vest: old || Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters || Jeans: Charlotte Russe || Shoes: thrifted (orig. Anne Klein) || Bag: Rosetti

 

Finally, here's a look I wanted to have a real photoshoot with, but ran out of time.  I was pretty proud that I put this risky, colorful thing together the day after I had a minor surgery haha (just an endoscopy).  Me in a beanie; who'd've thunk?

Beanie: thrifted || Sunnies: old || Jacket: old || Sweatshirt: thrifted (orig. GAP) || Jeans: H&M || Shoes: thrifted || Necklace: thrifted

Hope y'all didn't mind the casual outfit explosion...did you have a favorite?  Let me know in the comments!   :)