Inspired

I have been inspired to blog about and take pictures of fashion because of a few new blogs I discovered not that long ago. Lulu Letty was one of the first fashion blogs I stumbled upon after Modcloth posted her as "Blogger of the Moment". Then from there, I found Calivintage, Tick Tock Vintage, The Crimson Owl Kansas Couture, and Goodwill Huntingg, who mimics runway designs by combining thrifted & vintage pieces. There are so many more on my blogroll. I love catching up on everyone's vintage finds and how they are wearing them. I am so glad I stumbled upon these blogging wonders and discovered that this process could and would bring me great joy. I am a bargain shopper and I will make an adventure out of finding what I want. I once had a friend who would joke about how I would go all over town just to find that exact pair of shoes/shirt/pants/whatever I was picturing in my head at the moment. At times I wish I could make my own shoes because most of the time I can't find what I'm thinking of.  I will....learn how to sew...eventually. As for shoes...I will just have to rely on the professionals, I guess.

I will be thirty-(something!) in just a few more weeks and I finally feel like I am growing into myself. I am figuring myself out. I know what I like, what I don't like, what I want in a mate and what my hobbies are. I know I have only conquered a small part of knowing myself - I have a lot more to learn. And I've got a long way to go. But finding things I love like blogging and fashion just lead me closer to myself. I feel the best I ever have about who I am and where I am.

 These are the only ALDO shoes I own. My feet are very wide and I can't seem to fit very well into European sized shoes. :(

   Photos by: Brian- love you!

Shirt: Kmart

Skirt & Belt: thrifted, Goodwill

Shoes: ALDO

Diptych #30: Vespertine

Happy diptych Wednesday! This week's diptych is "Vespertine" which means of, pertaining to, or occurring in the evening.
I like the way the arrows of light coming from the lamp echo the arc in our holding hands. I wanted to capture what you might feel while taking a late evening stroll with your sweetie.
The creator of this little project is taking a break next week. Next up will be "Bijou", something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought, on August 12th.

Keeping Cool

Looking for another way to stay cool today. This whole outfit was thrifted - yay! Total cost was about $15. I was so excited to piece it together. Stay cool out there everyone!

Photos by: Neal

Shirt, shorts, shoes: Goodwill, Brevard NC

Belt: local vintage shop "Twice Round"

Shades: Ray Ban

Earrings: local, handmade

Mid-week Thoughts

I'm heading towards a weekend where I have nothing planned. There is absolutely nothing on my calendar to do. This is quite amazing. One thing...just one thing...that I would kind of like to tackle this weekend is taking the sewing machine my dad bought me (over 5 years ago) out of the box. And plug it up. And try to sew something. I have a pile of thrifted things that need to be hemmed or taken in or overall adjusted. Plus I got this Van Gogh inspired pillow case that needs a throw pillow stuffed into it and sewed up. I am not the type to just grab the manual and dive right into something. I would really like someone to show me how...hands on. But I don't think that's going to happen. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I'm also trying to get a family beach trip planned and off the ground. I'm looking at August 5th - 8th. Very excited to get close to the ocean. I get a recharge every time I see it and hear it. Mind you, this trip will be full of sand in a 3 year old's hair....swim suit...mouth...everywhere else. "Family" beach trip. No "Oh! Yay! Let's walk down to that little Irish bar and do whatever we want!". More like, let's pack 10,000 pounds of stuff that we need to drag all the way down to the beach and then not use half of it, get sand in our sandwiches, and forget the sunscreen and have to walk all the way back to get it. All in all, I will still love it. I know Riley will too. He has only been to the beach one other time and he was in awe.
Have a happy Tuesday!

Polka dots

I toyed with the idea of wearing this dress as the skirt it really is with a white ruffled blouse and red heels. But I really wanted to wear leggings for a change so I belted it high and threw on my heeled sandals. It was a fun outfit for downtown Asheville and dinner at Zambra's. Brian's birthday celebration! It was miserably hot and we had to walk a bit after parking the car. I do do do love my town and all the exceptional photo opportunities it holds.

Photos by Brian. Thank you!

Dress (skirt): Goodwill

Belt: local vintage shop Twice Round

Leggings & camisole: NY&CO

Sandals: Steve Madden

Glasses & Earrings: Kmart

Lipstick: L'oreal "Red"

Feeling Coastal

I am feeling coastal today even though I am nowhere near an ocean. I like the blue in this top. I think it has a calming effect and naturally makes you think of a cool ocean breeze. Since it got to 96 degrees today, I think it came in handy! I am vowing to stop saving my large straw hats just for the beach. I got several compliments on this today. I think they might have wanted a piece of my shade!

This outfit was lots of fun today for my cousin's baby shower. Especially considering I got most of it at the Goodwill. Happy Saturday everyone!

Top: Goodwill, Eddie Bauer

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Crop Pants: Goodwill, no tag

Hat: probably Walmart

Espadrilles: Chadwicks

Earrings: Dollar General

Ring: Etsy, Nomsa

Lace on Lace

Green is my favorite color but I seem to wear a lot of purple! I feel like purple and my skin tone get along fairly well. I love this lilac lace tank. I got it in a bag of hand-me-down clothes from a woman my aunt knew. I will never turn down a chance to sort through some recycled clothing! Most of the clothes were not my type, but I thought this little tank was precious. I've paired it with a smokey gray tank underneath and a lilac open cardi with some chunky jewelry. This was for a casual day at work but you could take this in another direction with some flowy short shorts, flats and delicate jewelry.
 

I feel like I can wear these shoes with about anything

Photos by Brian, thank you!

Lace lilac tank: free hand-me-down! yay!

Grey lace tank: NY&CO

Open cardigan: UO

Necklace, earrings: NY&CO

Jeans: probably target ?

Shoes: Target

Polish: UO; Purple 1

There is a very large free street festival going on here this weekend. I used to go a long time ago but it has gotten so tourist-y that it is hard to bare the crowds and the heat. So I will probably be at the pool instead. Suppose to be 91 degrees! Hottest summer on record. Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday Diptych #29: "Crooked"

I missed last week's diptych but I have caught up! Yee! This week's word was "crooked". To see an explanation of the original project you can catch it here at Photographerkelle's blog. To see some other examples of crooked check it out here. It's been a lot of fun. Next week will be....Vespertine!

Tuesday

Today is Tuesday. I missed work yesterday so now I feel a bit off for the week. Today is Tuesday. Let's see. Wednesday's diptych is "crooked". I missed getting last week's posted. I had it, I just couldn't quite seem to get it to the blog. So I need 2 pictures that are somewhat related to "crooked". Next, Wednesday is Brian's birthday. He already knows one half of his gift. I got us tickets to go see Amos Lee this Thursday night at the Orange Peel. I am very excited about that. They only thing that could put a cherry on top is if I had Friday off. I'm not looking forward to getting up for work after a night at a concert. Ewww. On a different note, I tried to watch The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie and just could not do it. The subtitles just wear me out. I'm not completely giving up but I am pausing on doing two things at one time while I am suppose to be having R & R. And, on a final note, it is totally inhumane to make the human race start work before 9 am. I am soooo over getting up at 6 am. Have a great Tuesday/Monday-to-me!

Saturday

I woke up and made blueberry strusel muffins and a big pot of coffee that I lazily drank until the afternoon. These shorts are a classic dark navy and they reminded me of my blueberry muffin breakfast! I love these shorts! I could wear them every day. I did get a lot of things done today. We wrapped up the evening visiting some friends and bringing the dog for a doggie play date. It was a great Saturday.

Photos by: Brian

Hat: Modcloth "Graham Cracker Cloche"

Shirt: Urban Outfitters

Shorts: Modcloth "Spry as a Firefly Shorts"

Shoes: Target

Earrings & Ring: Etsy

Bracelet & Shoes: Target

Polish: Urban Outfitters, Purple 1

ready for the show

Choosing what to wear to my first fashion show was crazy fun. This is what I finally went with.

photos by Brian

Dress: Modcloth

Boots: local vintage shop Twice Round

Hose: Target

Hat: Modcloth

Earrings, bracelet: Premier Jewelry

Purse: I've had it too long to remember!

Lipstick: L'oreal Red

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Missing

Happy Bastille Day. Happy birthday to a friend that is long left my life.

My dream last night was filled with excitement. It was her wedding day. She was wearing traditional wedding dress of Eastern India and her husband-to-be had a large circle of flowers around his neck. She was beautiful. Just like I remembered her in high school. She had big almond shaped eyes and mocha skin. She was talking to me and telling me she was getting married that day. And could I help her. Of course, of course. I couldn't believe she was asking me. I was thrilled to be reunited just in time for her wedding. In a brief moment, we were back in the halls of our old high school. Plans were being made, ideas were being told to me. I wanted to be involved in all of the bridesmaid hoopla. I was asking her question after question. She was calm and well organized. The wedding had already begun. Someone in charge was whispering "They've started too early! No!" People dressed in fancy frocks with worried looks on their faces were pushing and shoving to get into the event. I was sitting on left of the high school gym watching her hold the hands of the groom while saying her vows. She was smiling. For the rest of the dream I tried frantically to keep up with her. To talk to her. Then, I was asked to go up to the podium and make a speech about her. I got up there and remember looking down, choking back tears. I knew what I wanted to say, I just could not get the words to come out. My voice crackled and I said "Nita and I...." I wanted to say that we had been friends forever. But we haven't. I lost her after high school.

This morning when I got in the car, the radio voiced told me it was French Bastille Day. July 14th.

Today is her birthday.

Nita, I wish you a beautiful birthday. Wherever you are....

What I Wore: White on Black

Tank: NY&CO

Blouse: Thrifted: Goodwill

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Target

Sunglasses: Rayban

Let The Show Begin!

I got my tickets and I'm pretty excited about the PUSH Asheville Fashion Show thats coming up Friday night. I don't think I've ever been to a show of fashion...beats me why I haven't. It's only like one of my most favorite things in the world!! Gasp! Who knew? The mission of PUSH seems to be to bring local fashion designers, shop owners and fashion-aholics together into one spot/website/hub and showcase new artists or give you advice on where to go for what. Super cool right? I know. I could kick myself for not thinking of this. Always a step behind. Anyway, the show is this Friday at 9:00pm at the Orange Peel. There are still some tix...