Suspense, Courage, and Truth (feat. Hank Green of the vlogbrothers)

Subtitled: COURAGE IN CREATION

I love this video. LOVE IT. 
Despite the fact that I wrote an entire essay in college about how "creation/being creative/creating" is not something that's actually possible for human beings, since there is "nothing new under the sun," but in the case of this video, it's not about the wording; it's about the concept.  The marvelous, truthful, terrible concept.
Also, jussayin, I love the vlogbrothers, too.  If you haven't already checked out ALL THE VIDEOS on YouTube, DO IT.

While we're on the subject of creation, I wanted to re-bring up this whole spiel:

I need your help for a series I want to do!

If you have a piece of art that you like, please tell me the name of it and its artist (you can email me or leave it in the comments below).
I want to do a series of outfits inspired by pieces of art (not where I try to look like whoever is in the painting, but where I wear an outfit in the same color pallette that attempts to evoke the same feeling). 

If I choose your idea, you'll definitely get the credit for it and a link to your blog/site in my post.

There's no time constraint to this thing, either...in fact, I'll probably be re-posting this little spiel for the next few blogposts so I get as many ideas as possible, because I've always loved art, but I'm not very knowledgeable about it, so I'm looking forward to getting your input and getting exposed to new artists.

 

 

Sooooooo...yeah.  Onto my outfit.

Just a quick peek at a casual thing.  I was going out for burgers and drinks with a big group of friends; it was a fun time!

 

That's my friend, Laura's cute bag: not mine (sadly...haha).

Again speaking of "creation," I don't know what came over me, but all of a sudden I was hyper-editing my photos!  I guess it's 'cuz my friend, Emilee's (who took the photos) crazy artsy angles just sort of make a person's brain go in a crazy artsy direction.

 

 

My legs have never looked so long!!!  Holy cow, Em! 
(She was definitely laying on the floor for this shot lol talk about dedication!)

There was one more photo that I couldn't settle on which editing job I liked best, so I'll let you decide, dear readers! 

 

Your two assignments for today (haha):

 

~Let me know which of these

two photos you like better. ~

 

~Let me know the title and artist of a

piece of art to copycat in clothing.~

 

 

 

Scarf: thrifted || Shirt: Target (old) || Suspenders: thrifted || Jeans: old || Shoes: Target

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

What I'm THANKFUL for...

This is amazing!!!  I have received not one, but TWO awards from the amazing Lara of Rocketraptor!  (<--Check out her blog; she takes fantastic real-life photos, and writes some great, witty prose!)

First Award:

So here are the rules:

-If you are nominated, you've been awarded the Versatile Blogger award.  WOO!!!!!

-Thank the person who gave you this award.

-Include a link to their blog.

-Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you've recently discovered or follow regularly.

-Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award with a link to their blog.

-Finally, tell 7 things about yourself.

Here is the list of blogs I'm giving this award to:

Ladylike Delicacy  Beautiful, demure vintage style.  She's also just started to showcase some of her sewing projects!

Living Out Louder  Fitness, deep thoughts, self-challenges, and just an all-around pick-me-up kinda blog!

Living Without Apology  Piera's musings on life, love, faith, and whatever else.  She's a gifted writer.
Vintage Vixen  Prettymuch self-explanatory.  This woman is amazing: she wears things that I never would've thought to wear and always looks amazing, like something straight out of your happiest imagination!
Bow Ties Are Cool  Wonderful photographs, amazing writing style!
the Dapper Bun  This blog is sooooo charming...there are often bunnies in her outfit photos (and who doesn't love cute girls and cute bunnies?).
Chic with the Least  Their shoe game is fierce, and all their looks are totally wearable!
Easy Outfits by Pip  One of the nicest bloggers out there (I feel the need to tell you she's on hiatus, but I'm STILL giving her this award!  What does that tellyou about the impression she made on me?)
Leather, Lace, & Eyeliner  Very versatile, fun posts!  Showcases that "style" is more than just clothes.Miss Simmonds Says  This lady is classy, clever, creative, and fearless!  Such a sweet and free soul.
October Rebel  Always written in the third person, this mostly-vintage style blog has a beautiful, personal, windblown feeling to it.
That's a Pretty Hat  I love hats, and this blog is all about them!
Butterfly Loves Snapdragons  She has such a happy free spirit, it flows out through her beautiful photos.  And she includes a Bible verse at the conclusion of each post.
Confessions of a Psycho Cat  Retro-fab at its quirky finest!

...annnnnd of course ROCKETRAPTOR (Are there tagbacks in this game?  Whatever: I don't care if it's allowed or not.  Obviously you already won this award, but I'm double-awarding you back anyway, because you deserve it!)

All of you bloggers are fantastic!  It was extremely difficult to choose just 15 to receive this award...I've been blessed with so many wonderful friends since starting blogging.

Moving on to the 7 random facts about me. 

This is going to be difficult...finding things you don't already know about me through my random babble in all my posts...Well, here goes...

1. I am a classically trained Soprano.  (Anybody know of any operas that are hiring? lol)

2. I will be going back to school to get a degree in Speech Pathology.  (...I think?)

3. Ireland is my dream vacation spot.

4. I'm currently watching Star Trek: the Next Generation.  (But you already knew I was a nerd.)

5. I pretty much only shop secondhand.  (I've been doing that for about three years, now, and don't plan on quitting anytime soon.)

6. I love to take long walks.

7. I drive a stick shift car and am ridiculously proud of that fact.

Second Award:

This reward isn't, like, a "real" award...but love is darn important! 

I'm gonna do what Lara did 'cuz it was cool, and say that this award is for anyone who wants it!   Spread the love!!!



Plaid is not a fad: it's always rad, and I'm so glad!

Please pardon my title...

Looking at these photos trying to figure out what to say about them, one thought kept running through my head: my gosh, I've had these pants for soooo long!

They were a gift from my BFF, Piera.  :)  Back in the day when I wore pretty much only black, red, and grey they were a completely neccessary edition to my wardrobe!  She bought a matching pair for herself in blue, purple, and green plaid.  I'm sure we coordinated wearing them a couple times, 'cuz we were really cool kids.
Unfortunately, when I posted this outfit on Instagram, she informed me that she has long since gotten rid of her pair.  No more matchy-matchy twinsies days.  Shucks.  :P

HEADS UP!  Here come some kooky poses: 
(I was wearing kooky pants; I think it's only fair to do kooky poses then, right?)

Pssst: you're getting sneak-peaks of my new apartment in these photos!  It's totally a WIP, but I painted yesterday, so you'll hopefully be seeing photos of it soon.  It'd be nice to post something besides my outfits that I got creative with...maybe I'll do some makeup craziness sometime soon for a change of pace, too.  Thoughts?  Would you mind that, my darling readers? 

Also: I'm officially as of this second just deciding to ask for your help for a series I want to do. 

If you have a piece of art that you like, please tell me the name of it and its artist (you can email me or leave it in the comments below). 
I want to do a series of outfits inspired by pieces of art (not where I try to look like whoever is in the painting, but where I wear an outfit in the same color pallette that attempts to evoke the same feeling). 

If I choose your idea, you'll definitely get the credit for it and a link to your blog/site in my post.

There's no time constraint to this thing, either...in fact, I'll probably be re-posting this little spiel for the next few blogposts so I get as many ideas as possible, because I've always loved art, but I'm not very knowledgeable about it, so I'm looking forward to getting your input and getting exposed to new artists.
For a bit of a preview: the first piece that I'll be tackling is "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt:

 

Anyways, I just want to show off my accessories one last time...

 



...and then I'll sign off!  :)

'Bye all my loves!!!  Talk to you soon! 
(And please don't forget to comment with an idea [or several] for my upcoming series!)

 

Beret & Sweater: Wal*Mart || Pants: gift || Purse: thrifted || Shoes: Target || Bracelet/Necklace: Charming Charlie || Earrings: thrifted

 

 

Haute Faerie Dust

This outfit didn't translate into photos very well...That's always so depressing.

It's a simple outfit, but in person I promise it packs a lot of visual punch. I know it's pale in color, and very plain, but it's all about the movement!  This top is so light, so ethereal, it flows around the body like water.  I was walking, and the "wings" of the top were billowing out on either side of me, and it made me feel like one Haute Faerie.

It was nice to have my legs out again for this 65 degree weekend in November.

Playing tourist in my hometown with a cup of hot chocolate from our local Roastery.

Annnnnd the sidewalk is now my runway.  I should work on my "model walk" hahaha I'm so good at it when my hubby isn't snapping photos of me with my phone, and then I simply suck at it when he is...What's the sense in that???  Come on, self!  I used to act on stage in front of a live audience and not get as nervous; how come I get stage fright in front of a little camera?  Anybody else suffer from camera shyness?

 

Top: old || Tank (underneath): Gap || Shorts: Marshall's || Shoes: thrifted (Anne Klein) || Sunglasses: Marshall's (orig. from American Eagle Outfitters) || Coat: Forever 21 || Bag: thrifted (Louis Vuitton)

 

Keepin' it goin' with the "faerie dust" motif, here's a detail of my mani:
two layers of Sally Hansen "Red Carpet" with a layer of Milani "Silver" glitter polish in between. 
Got the idea from Pinterest.  Yaaaaay! Something off of Pinterest I actually got off my butt and did!  Although...I'm pretty sure I was sitting while painting my nails...buuuuuut you know what I mean.

 

THANKS for reading!

I Shop Secondhand First.

Lots of photos with my dog lately, I know, but she's just such a great costar!

This past weekend it was so warm that I wore a skirt this day, and shorts the other (post to come)!!!  All of us Wisconsinites couldn't believe it was November!  Buuuut our lovely state cured our doubt yesterday by snowing. 
This is why I love good old WI: it always keeps me on my toes, I'll never be bored.

I love the colors I got to wear in this outfit...jewel tones are so rich and beautiful, and the pattern on this skirt is one of my favorites.  It's the same pattern my grandma has on some wallpaper in her house that I've always loved. 
And this tweed hat is the first hat I ever thrifted.  I've had it for years.  It's definitely a man's hat, and very old, and I love it.

Hat: thrifted || Sweater: Target || Skirt: thrifted (orig. from Express) || Shoes: Target || Scarf: old || Bag: thrifted (Louis Vuitton) || Belt: H&M

 

Speaking of thrifting, I wanted to share a pledge I've recently taken.  I hope you, my dear readers, have all noticed the new widget on my sidebar.  Please, join me in taking the pledge below, if it's something on your heart. 

This whole thing was started by Bella at the Citizen Rosebud, a wonderful blogger who has inspired me for quite awhile.  Check out her original post regarding this pledge and see how you can get involved!  :)

 

 

the Dogwalker

On what I suspect was one of the last sunny, warm-ish days we'll have this year, I decided to take my dog for a walk.  The outfit was nothing special until I passed my new straw hat sitting on top of a pile of boxes (still in the process of moving in), and impulsively decided to plop it on my head.  I got stopped along my way so many times for compliments, it just further proves what I thought all along:

Hats are Magic.

Do you agree, my lovely readers?

 

 

 

Like I said, it's a very simple outfit (hopefully a bit Audrey Hepburn in feeling--I love that she was always very demure and understated in her day-to-day dressing, as opposed to her films when she was draped in Givenchy couture).  There's a timeless, classic quality to the boatneck sweater, cropped pants, and flats.  I added a bit of myself, too: the straw hat for sweetness, and the distressed white denim and the cutout metallic flats for a bit of punch. 

Sweet, sassy, and classic: I want it all! 

And who'd've thunk just a basic sweater-and-jeans combo could say so much?

 

 

THANKS FOR READING!

Come back soon...

Hat: thrifted || Sunnies: Marshall's (orig. American Eagle Outfitters) || Sweater: Gap || Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters || Shoes: thrifted || Watch: thrifted (Rolex)

Penny is such a good girl.  <3