It's black, and it's white.

Coworkers and customers were all like, "What do you call that style?"  I responded, "It's the I've-worked-here-for-two-weeks-so-now-I-can-actually-dress-like-my-weird-self look."

Escapism

Soooo before I start the actual post, I'm aware that few [...or none?] of my readers live in my area, buuuuut I thought I'd throw this out just in case: 
I'll be walking in this fashion show for a local secondhand shop I recently discovered. 

Yep, I'm gonna be in a little fashion show.  :)  It's not like a big deal or anything--I'm not suddenly thinking I'm the next Karlie Kloss--but I'm still super-excited, because:

a.)Um, it's a fashion show and Imma be in it.
b.) It's for a great cause (the business was started to make sure all girls could attend prom/special events regardless of budget [they rent prom dresses/tuxes as well as sell them and other vintage/gently-used clothing]).
c.) I get to wear a fabulous dress from the 40s (a black, ruffle-y, one-shoulder number, WOO!).

So.  On the off-chance that anyone lives near Grafton, WI (not my hometown, but close),
COME AND SUPPORT Stephanie's Prom Closet
and see me strut my stuff! 
And I'll be attempting to white-girl shake my groove thang at the dance after the runway show (which--thrust me--will be enough entertainment to make the cover charge worth it).
If you can't come, then just do me a favor and pray that I don't fall flat on my face.



Anyway, on to the OOTD:

Preppy Gal

Here's a sticky-sweet prepster look for you all, my darling readers!  :) 

Like the photos?  My mama took them at Subway over lunch today hahaha... I'm so fancy.  -_-;;;

I do love this look though...I feel prettyyyyy, oh so prettyyyyy.  :D  My new (to me) floral embroidered carpet bag is magical!  Especially for around the holiday season; it holds SO MUCH STUFF while still being utterly adorable (and a semi-fad right now.  BONUS.).  I've been shopping and shopping and shopping lately...mostly for gifts for others, but I do give in to the [more-than-] occasional selfish purchase-whim.  *sigh*  I'm just a girl, after all. 
I've had a blast with this holiday season: writing and mailing cards, running to the thrift store for decorations, visiting the new Penzey's (spices and seasonings) shop downtown (ohhh the wonderful smells), shovelling snow (which we finally got!!!), singing at church and at concerts...it's all so quaint and lovely and gives me a legit warm, fuzzy feeling inside. 
I love Christmas time...it's so...I dunno...SPARKLY, I guess.

Headband: old || Pearls: gift || Rose Pendant: thrifted || Sweater: GAP || Tunic: H&M || Leggings: old || Boots: old || Bag: thrifted

 THANK YOU for reading! 

Sorry for so few pictures today, but just wait until Christmas Eve!!!  I have the cutest lil outfit planned...red, black, white and polka dots. with a hat, of course.  ;)  a fabulous "Sunday-go-to-meetin'" hat. 

HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS SEASON AS MUCH AS I AM! 

Eeeeeeee I LOVE Christmas!

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!   :)

City Slicker (or SICKer...read below...)

Hey all!  Check out my sick new kicks!!! 

I started seeing these hidden-wedge sneakers a few months ago in street-stle photos and such.  My first reaction was "ew"...ohhh how times change!  :)  The more I saw them styled and worn by others, I started to love the funky-casual vibe they add to an outfit.  Here's my attempt at styling them. 

I tackled a lot of trends in this outfit: dorky crewneck sweatshirt, leather skirt, metallics, and, of course, the kicks.

Semi-funny story:

These pictures were taken after Piera took me out to the cutest little diner up in Madison (I went to visit her for the weekend).  However, I'm surprized I don't look like a complete wreck, because just before lunch, I went hypoglycemic!  I fainted for the first time in my life!  It was crazy!  I sat on Piera's bathroom floor (in this outfit nonetheless) nom-ing on chocolate and an entire loaf of French bread for 15 minutes afterward.  French bread and chocolate apparrently have magical properties of healing!  But everybody already knew that, right?

 

Sweatshirt: thrifted (orig. Gap) || Skirt: thrifted || Bag: thrifted || Sunnies: Marshall's (orig. American Eagle Outfitters) || Shoes: Charlotte Russe

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!

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