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

Nerdy Skirt

This was a beautiful day: both weather-wise and event-wise.  I took a nice long walk with my hubby and visited his family to watch the Packer game.

My burnished silver metallic cut-out shoes originally from Aldo. I had to buy new laces, but otherwise I'm pretty sure whoever had them before I did hardly wore them! Her loss, poor, unfortunate soul.

 I love Fall layers...denim shirt, leather coat, plaid skirt, and fun pops of color in my accessories!

The skirt is kinda nerdy, really, but I love the pattern and texture! 
I'm trying to dress like me, again. 
I know it sounds silly to blame a thing like this, but Lookbook really started to mess with my personal style; I thrifted thinking in my head, "Ooh! I don't really care for this, but it would get a lot of hypes on Lookbook!"  Whenever I catch myself thinking that kind of thing, I back off of whatever is causing it.  [I've said since the start of this blog that it's not primarily a FASHION blog, but rather a STYLE blog.]  So, I've stopped going on Lookbook completely.  Lookbook could have been a wonderful fashion and style tool, but I'm tired of seeing all the emaciated women wearing slutty clothes getting all the love! Ripped fishnets are not innately stylish; showing off long, thin legs does not mean a woman has pinache. Yes, of course I am jealous of those legs and the money required to buy all brand new designer denim to clothe those legs in, but that is not my chief qualm with Lookbook: my biggest problem is the lack of originality.  There are so many women who are regarded as international fashion plates who I respect and admire and so many pictures in magazines that I really don't believe would get majorly hyped on Lookbook (if they were unknowns like me).  And really, what are hypes to tell you what is cool and what is not?
Sorry for the rant, but it's been on my mind since I read similar thoughts on another blog I really like recently. 

Has anyone else had a problem with Lookbook?

or something similar?  

 

Skirt: thrifted || Purse: old || Scarf: old || Shoes: thrifted (orig. Aldo) || Shirt: H&M || Sunnies: Marshall's (orig. American Eage Outfitters) || Belt: White House | Black Market || Jacket: gift

 



The Simple Things (subtitled: Neon Me)

Every so often that illustrious day comes around: that summer afternoon when you allow yourself the luxury of wearing just a simple, comfy tee and shorts.  What makes that kind of day even better?  When your shorts are neon and fabulous!!!  :)

Neon was HUGE this Spring, but I never figured myself a really "neon" kind of person.  And I staunchly declare this to be a "style" blog, not a "fashion" blog (I don't have the money to keep up with trends; plus, why ignore your personal style/opinions just to wear what you're "supposed" to wear?).  Buuuut when "fashion" can be found at your local Goodwill for $2.00, how can any self-respecting dresser say 'no?'
Plus, it gave me a means to finally style these blue lace-up wedges I found awhile ago at H&M.

Speaking of H&M, that's also where I found those fantastic sunglasses.  Here is a detail shot of my sunnies and bracelet:

All-in-all, though I thought I wasn't a "neon" type of gal, I was quite pleased with my purchase of these shorts, and had fun with the styling thereof.  Lesson learned:

Your personal style (in fact, your personality, I believe) is bigger and more expansive than you even think it is; experiment with fashion fads! 
Never be afraid to surprise yourself.

Tee: American Eagle Outfitters || Shorts: thrifted || Belt: thrifted || Bracelet: gifted || Sunnies: H&M || Shoes: H&M || Necklace: gifted || Clutch: thrifted

Leather, Denim, and Tweed

Textures detail...

Awesome tweed! Love rough textures...

This is actually a shoulder bag with the strap tucked in.  I like it better that way...but maybe someday I can find a clutch I like that's meant to be a clutch!  ...I'm thinking colorblock...

Like my piggy tails?  ;-)

Was checking out some online photos of slick London street style (since it's London Fashion Week); it was very inspirational! 
And I, being the slight Anglophile that I am, have been watching black & white Sherlock Holmes episodes. 
These two influences combined in my brain, and out popped this outfit of leather, denim, and tweed!

Still trying to master the "messy cuff" on jeans...mine always turn out too crisp, like they're folded rather than rolled.  Any tips?

Sunglasses: thrifted
Jacket: JouJou
Vest: thrifted
Shirtdress: H&M
Jeans: Charlotte Russe
Socks: ?
Boots: Charlotte Russe
Bag: thrifted

So...word on the street is that white and NEON are in for Spring...I'm SOOOOO down with white...but NEON isn't exactly my thing.  But, I don't wanna be a hater, either, so here's my NEON contribution:

 

WOO!  This is a bit much, I think...but it sure is a bold statement!  heehee  A girl's gotta have fun with her nails.