Valentine's Day Outfit

SORRYYYYYY I haven't posted in so long! 

Yes, I am just now posting my outfit from Valentine's Day.  :)  I didn't do anything romantic-looking, 'cuz I didn't see my husband, but I love holidays, so I at least dressed in red.

I struggle with ways to wear these bold pants; they're just TOO MUCH AWESOME to style easily.  ;)  But this is my favorite way I've styled them so far.

They're oh-so-punky, and not really in a couture way, 'cuz they're Abbey Dawn--Avril Lavigne's line for Kohl's.  Anyone remember Avril???  Where has she gone???  I loved her music when she first emerged onto the American music scene (in her awesomely baggy '90s grunge pants).  I'll admit it!  I was obsessed with the songs "Sk8tr Boy" and "Complicated."  Dude, I'm pretty sure I still know all the words. 
#guiltypleasures

 And these equally awesome shoes are definitely going to see a lot of wear, so be prepared, my dear readers, to see them up on the blog a lot!

They're right on trend right now: a pointed toe, ladylike silhouette, and metallic cap-toe.
 
<3  Love at first sight...

I lusted after them when they were at Target, but didn't want to splurge (they were like $39 or something, and I have what I call "Secondhand Syndrome:" if the price is double-digits, it's high.  lolz).  So I drooled and drooled to myself while watching the price drop as they first went on sale, then clearance, then final clearance, and then--lo, and behold--I found a pair in the color I wanted in my size with the tags still attached at my local Goodwill! 

Don't get me wrong: the shoes are definitely worth the original asking price, but God saw fit to let me get them for $6!

Hat: thrifted || Button-up: thrifted || Coat: oldie but goodie || Pants: thrifted (orig. Abbey Dawn) || Shoes: thrifted (orig. Target)

THANKS FOR READING!

 

Tell me what you did for Valentine's Day! 

Hope it was sweet!

Bummed-out face. 
(It was right after choir rehearsal, and I just really missed my Valentine.)

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

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

All-Out EDGE---the day of Dance

 

Can y'all handle this little change of pace?
From your normally vintage-lover poster girl comes a taste of the extreme other side...the wild side.

 I haven't gone out clubbin' with my girls in awhile...but we heard about free cover and cheap drinks at a local club if you were to show up in an LBD.  IRRESISTIBLE.
Since the dress was pre-decided, the rest of the outfit needed to pack the punch.  
I bought new shoes for the occasion.  Quite the shoes, eh?  Inspiration for this outfit comes from Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj (I was thinking the theme song for these shoes is "Pound the Alarm"), and Anna Dello Russo.

My kicks are siiiiiiick!

Loving my Arm Party.

Edge isn't something you see from me a lot, but--as with anything--I stand by the old adage  

"GO BIG OR GO HOME," 

especially if it's something unusual.  

"There's nothing sexy like excess." 

--Anna Dello Russo--

Did my nails to match...you like?

I've got crazy nails, a fierce topknot, studs 'n spikes, dark eyeliner, and two-tone lips.  I'd say that qualifies as "excess."  What say you, ADR?

Anyway, the reason this post is subtitled "the day of Dance" is because I danced from 5:00PM until 1:00AM!  It was soooo much fun...

I used to go Swing dancing downtown twice a week and clubbing on the weekends, but when I got married to a non-dancer my own dancing streak kind of came to an end.
Luckily I can get my dancing fix now that my friend, Emilee (who has been featured on this blog before) is taking ballroom dance lessons!  On this illustrious day, she got me into her studio for an individual ballroom lesson, a group line dance lesson, and a dance party (and remember, all this was followed by going out clubbin').

Before I sign off, I want to share the following two photos of my girls and I us at the studio's dance party.  It was a Wizard of Oz theme.  Can you guess what our costumes are?

ANSWER: I represent...the Lullaby League!

ANSWER: Em is Glinda and
Piera (who also has been featured before) is the Witch of the East (lol)

You should've seen me Cha-Cha and Rumba in this makeshift tutu...it was poofing and flipping all over the place!  (Fear not: there were no wardrobe malfunctions.)  Phenomenal.

EDGY LOOK

Dress: Forever21 || Belt: Express || Arm Party/Rings: thrifted & gifted || Shoes: Paparazzi || Earrings: ShopKo

LULLABY LEAGUE COSTUME

Tank: old || Skirt: Forever21 || Petticoat: Hot Topic || Tights: thrifted || Shoes thrifted

Audrey-Gone-Rock (Subtitled: a Little Bit Chanel)

Apparently also Subtitled: Fun Poses for You!!!

I love this outfit.  It gives a nod to high fashion with a mixture of texture (bracade shoes, tulle skirt, cotton tee) and unexpected juxtapositions (pearls + AC/DC = what?), but it's totally wearable!  Miraculous.  Soooo happy it jumped out of my closet today. 

JUST NOW also Subtitled: Classy and Sassy.

SO.  After I took my shoes off to snap this shot, a gust of wind blew one of them off the deck railing, and it toppled into a flowering bush below!  Poor thing; and this was it's first outing, too!  Hopefully it won't be too scared to come out and play again, soon.  So I had to go on an excursion to find it.  By the end, it and I were covered in little white petals and pollen, but the whole thing was worth it, because I got to pull a 'Holly Golightly' in my Audrey-gone-rock ensemble and say "There you are, you sneak!" to a black kitten-heeled shoe.  Too perfect.

Did some baby-doll makeup to go with this outfit: plenty of blush, plenty of shine, plenty of mascara!

L-O-V-E this new lipstick!  It's the perfect shade of coral!

Also: real quick: I need to feature my nails!!!  I took these polishes:

both are by Sinful Colors
(the one in back is just a generic clear topcoat)

And created a metallic gradient effect on my tips.

Sweet, huh?

Anyway, I've put you guys through enough this post.  I mean, you had to deal with TWO photos of my face; I realize the usual one is rough enough, so I'll just throw the Rundown out there and sign out!  Love you all! 

Tee: ? || Skirt: Charlotte Russe || Sunnies: H&M || Shoes: vintage || Bag: Nine West || Belt: Express || Collar: H&M || Necklace (worn as bracelet): gift

Hope you had a fantastic Memorial Day [long] weekend.
Hug all the American Heroes you know EVERY day!

My Colorful Life

I find it interesting that an all black & white ensemble can be one of the more "colorful" ones I've ever created.

Inspired majorly by KARL by Karl Lagerfeld.  Wish I had the technology/skills for a proper photoshoot...

I'm feeling pretty punked out...listening to some hardcore dubstep while driving [too fast, as always] suited me today.

detail of accessories

detail of pattern on pants

I've wanted a chic pair of pants like this forEVER.  Found them at Goodwill yesterday.  I never thought I'd fit into them, because they are a much smaller size than I've ever worn...but, lo, and behold!  So that made me feel good, too!  And I picked up four new AMAZING pairs of shoes...it was such a lucky day!

Blazer: thrifted
Button-up: Express
Pants: thrifted
Boots: Charlotte Russe
Gloves: Forever21
Bracelets: thrifted
Necklace: ?
Clutch: Payless

Kiss My Art.

THE END.

___________________________________________________________________

Makeup tutorial HERE.

Denim button-up: H&M
Tee: Kohl's
Skirt: ?
Leggings: ?
Boots: thrifted
Bracelet: Maurices
Duo-Ring: ForLove21
Pinkie Ring: Booth at Festa Italiana 


my new favorite scent
It's from Bath & Body Works.

detail of jewelry