Thursday, February 28, 2019

Cape Crusader

I've only recently become a fan of capes.  It's not that I hated them before, it's more that I didn't think of them at all until this year.  Now, I can't imagine how I got along without them.  They're quite unique here in the country.  Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing any on the streets of London, Tokyo, or Paris, but there must have been a few.  I may be the only one wearing them around here, but I intend to keep at it until this trend catches on.  Everyone has to have a cause to fight for, right?
This little black wiggle dress was too cute to pass by.  It had a very vintage chic feel to it.  I added the belt to really draw attention to my waist and frame up my figure.  A LBD is always the right choice for any occasion, but with all black accessories I really wanted something unique to make this outfit amazing.  What better way than with a red plaid cape?

Everything for winter is going on sale right now, so this cape was only $16, and I considered holding onto this outfit until this autumn, but in the end, I love it too much to keep it to myself that long.  Though, now that I think about it, I may need to re-post this look in October.  You won't mind will you?
Shopping Info: Cape from: SHEIN $16, Vero Viva Women Ruffle Sleeve Elegant Bodycon Midi Shift Dress Solid Zipper Back $22.99, Gloves are vintage, Nine West Heels are old

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Spring Storms

Spring is in the air.  It's not here quite yet, but those terrible windy storms that signal tornado season are definitely making their presence known.  I dislike those storms.  They're dangerous and unpredictable even if everything is so much lovelier after they pass.  This morning the creeks are rushing and the sky is still overcast.  It was a perfect morning for  photos but it was also a perfect morning for sleeping in.  Fortunately I didn't have to choose today.  I slept in an hour or so and thanks to the gray clouds hovering, I still was able to go out and snap a few pics.  
You may remember this shark skirt from last May when I wrapping up my sewing for the year and getting ready to enjoy some nice weather.  Sharks don't exactly seem in season, they're more of a summer thing, but if the outfit's cute does it really matter what the print is?
Shopping Info: Vero Viva Womens Plaid Puff Short Sleeve Sweet Blouse Flower Patchwork Shirt, Dear Stella Dark & Stormy Sharks Indigo Fabric, Necklace handmade by me, tights, Steve Madden Boots, and Floral Cardigan are all old

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Ruffles With a Bow on Top

    If I've said it once, I've said it a million times:  at a certain point a girl gets tired of waiting for Mother Nature to bring back the green and she just has to do it herself.  So this is me, giving nature a little nudge to get back to her verdant loveliness.  Every time I step outside, I can hardly believe it's nearly spring.  
    Everything looks just as it did in November and it's only that the days are a little longer and the weather is occasionally a little warmer that remind me that March and her mad winds are on the way.  If I want a taste of spring, I have to leave the mountaintop.  It's slightly warmer in the valley and all the daffodils are blooming down there.  But here, we're still waiting and trying desperately to be patient just a little longer.
Shopping Info: Dress from: SHEIN, gloves are vintage, beret and heels are old.

Monday, February 25, 2019

In Perfect Sync

I don't always have a lot to say.  Remember those studies that came out years ago that said women use an average of 13,000--20,000 words per day compared to men at 7,000.  I don't if that's true, but I definitely feel that I have a certain number of words that my brain allots each day and once they're gone, they're gone.  I remember noticing it especially when we moved to the Pacific Northwest.  Our tiny little town on our tiny little island wasn't the warmest place in world whether referring to the climate or the friendliness of the locals.  Those first few months, in the dead of winter, we didn't get out much.  Often, if I needed conversation, I spoke with a friend, my mom, or wrote in a journal, but interestingly enough, never all three.  If I'd spoken with a friend, I had nothing to write.  If I'd written six pages in my journal before a friend called, I was a particularly good listener, but found I had no interest in talking about my day.  
ModCloth Live uplifted Mini Skirt, synchronized swimmers, novelty print
I don't know if all people are like that or if I'm just a person of fewer words than most.  For example I have an acquaintance of whom I've often said could have a lively discussion with a tree stump, and that the reason I used to like chatting with her is because the pressure was off me.  She did all the talking and it didn't really matter if I was there or not.  She's an introvert's dream!  It had been several years since our last visit when I met up with her for coffee a few months ago.  I found that her chattiness has become rather boring.  She was the same as she's always been, talking about herself and her children, but our "conversation" went on for several hours during which time, she did not once ask about my life, job, or children.  She barely paused for breath.  I used to find her delightful in small doses, now even a few minutes has me looking for an exit.
Maybe I'm too judgmental.  Or maybe I say less because I'm too self conscious, but I dislike talking when I have nothing to say.  Which is why I sometimes only attach a sentence or two to a blog post.  Not every outfit warrants a 500 word essay about my day, my feelings, or even fashion advice.  Some do.  But, definitely not all.  And this post started out as one of those less is more kind of posts and somehow turned into a full on novela.  That could all be due to the fact that I've spent the last two days with a house full of giggling, squealing, crying, fighting, back to giggling again little girls.  Ah, yes, it was a slumber party weekend and other than the occasional "why don't you go outside and play?" or "Dinner's ready!"  or "Who's ready to watch Princess Bride?" I've spent these two days in silence and now I need to talk.  Of course, my head is pounding so hard I don't really feel like talking and not even a piece of triple chocolate cheesecake eaten in secret while crouching in a dark corner of my room so that the girls wouldn't discover me and demand their share has done much to ease my headache.  
I guess I just need to get all my words (only 616 by my count) out today in a quiet way rather than talking someone's ear off about how limited my words are each day.  I suppose if I use them all up here, I can go home and continue the quiet atmosphere now that all my giggly girly guests have gone.


Sunday, February 24, 2019

A Colorful Take on the Bardot Dress

A couple of years ago all the fashion boards were buzzing about the Bardot dress at Target.  I didn't indulge, but I heavily considered it.  If you're unfamiliar with the concept of a Bardot dress, it's a little off the shoulder number reminiscent of the classic style of french actress Brigitte Bardot.  Bardot's films have never been a favorite of mine, but her style is undeniably stunning and at the same time effortless and isn't that what we're all aspiring to?  Looking for something unusual, I spotted this dress at SheIn and thought it would be perfect as we transition out of winter and into spring.  It's flannel, so still warm enough for the weather, but the cheery yellow plaid reminds me of all the daffodils that are raising up their heads to meet the sun.  The bows at the shoulders have a little elastic for stretch, and create a comfortable fit, though I did have to add my own belt to create a nice break in so much plaid.  I think Ms. Bardot would approve
Shopping Info: Dress from Shein

ModCloth Flash Sale

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Keeping Up With the Seasons

I'm baffled by some of these bloggers who immediately have seasonally appropriate posts.  September 1st, they have beautiful leaves.  December 1st, they have snowy wonderland pics, and March 1st, they have fields of beautiful blossoms.  I have brown grass, brown leaves, and gray skies.  Still.  I've considered the possibility that they're taking photos in advance, but by the time another year rolls around, anything I'm wearing will likely be long since sold out.
And some bloggers are just brilliant photo editors and can make any place look amazing.  My photo editing skills have their limits....I know I shouldn't compare myself to who other people are today.  Instead I should focus on comparing myself to who I was four years ago when I started this blog, and when I do that I see that I've come a long way and I'm really happy with my progress.  So, pardon my chilly backdrop for a few more weeks while I wait on the world around me to turn green and flowery again.  It can't be too much longer now......hopefully.
In the mean time, I thought this earthy floral dress looked lovely with a tan top, cogniac belt, and coffee heels.  This outfit practically put itself together.  I knew from the moment I saw this dress exactly how I would style it and it came together even better than I'd hoped.  This may be another look that I re-post in the fall because I absolutely love the way it looks against this fall-like background.
This floral headband is handmade and I bought it years ago from a fellow dance mom.  But, then I never got to wear it because it was immediately confiscated by my tiny dancers who've only recently loosened their grasp on it as they move on to make-up, mousse, and things decidedly less boho and decidedly more Emo.   Well, I've waited patiently to wear this headband for seven years, perhaps I can wait as patiently for a few more weeks for spring to arrive.

Shopping Info:  Vero Viva Women's Spaghetti Strap Floral Print Casual Midi A-Line Dress Backless $13.99, Forever 21 top from ThredUp, heels from ModCloth

Vintage Suede

Whenever a fellow fashion maven gets a cleaning bug, they call me.  Typically they say it's because I'm the only person they know who actually likes vintage fashion and could fit into the things they wore 50 years ago, but I think it's also because they know I'll love and care for everything just as much as they have all these years.  Today's outfit is a vintage suede pencil skirt.  I can't be totally accurate about the age, but I'd say it's from the 1970s.  I paired it with lots of colors and a floral print top to give it that extra bam!
Vero Viva Women's Floral Print Round Neck Summer Tank Tops Casual Cami Tee Shirt
Shopping Info:  Vero Viva Women's Floral Print Tank Tops, Heels from ModCloth, Nila Anthony Purse, Skirt is Vintage

Friday, February 22, 2019

Picnic Attire

No, it isn't exactly picnic season yet, as you can tell by the decidedly dreary woodland scene behind me, but the look of red and white gingham always makes me think of quiet days in the sunshine.  Today as I write this post, the temperature has dropped 30 degrees again, literally overnight and I'm back in my layers of wool and tights.  It helps on days like this, when winter seems like it will nev-er! end to start planning my summer.  So, let's see, I'll need a basket, some strawberries and white wine, smoked almonds, and a little brie to go with the fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and baguette.   What do you think?  What's your favorite way to picnic?
Shopping Info:  Gingham Heart Pocket Skirt from Collectif, Eyelet top from Shein, cardi and wedges are old.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Collecting Fox Tops

You know I love to mix prints, but something in my brain viciously rejects mixing themes.  One theme and lots of neutrals to go with it--that's my strategy.  But today I'm feeling fashionably frisky, so why not pair cats and foxes?  They both have offspring called kits or kittens, so there's common ground.  And they both like to catch mice, so it all makes sense, right?  
ModCloth, cat skirt, novelty over quantity, review
Our chicken population has seen a stark decline this winter.  Last year we escaped unscathed, but this year, the wildlife must be particularly hungry.  Hawks have been the main culprit, although one day as I was taking my evening walk I saw a quick wisp of pale orange fluff disappear into the woods, so I don't feel the hawks are entirely to blame.   
As sad as I am when one of my hens gives up the ghost, I also know that it's kept some other creature alive and I don't begrudge them that, especially in a winter this cold, though I do wish they'd take the mean hens instead of the sweet ones I've given names.
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