A Diamond in the Rough

Physicist Erwin Schrodinger once said, "The task is...not so much to see what no one has yet seen, but to think what nobody has thought about what everybody sees."

I know it's a reach, but the ability to thonk what no one has thought about a thing everyone has seen describes thrifting to a tee.  Or perhaps it describes the sort of mind that loves thrifting.  To see an item of any sort and look beyond its current state to the potential buried underneath.  Sometimes that potential is deeply buried under grime and damage and it takes the right kind of eyes to see what lies beneath.  This Palava dress probably retailed for over $200, which is why I didn't buy it new.  But, without the belt it suddenly drops to $50.  Yes, please!  A gorgeous dress in excellent condition with plenty of life left for a fraction of the price and I get to accessorize it my own way; you just have to look with the right eye to find these hidden gems.

Outfit Info:  Palava Dress, belt, shoes, and bag are thrifted

Easter Traditions

As a child I loved Easter more than Christmas.  The traditions were similar in many ways.  They both meant new life, a new color, gifts and treats, and of course, a new dress.  But Easter also brought sunshine and warmer days and it was also the only time of year I could wear a hat and carry a basket as my accessory without getting rueful stares.  How could I not love it more?  I'm in it for the 'fits not the gifts.  In keeping with the spirit of Easter traditions, I've got my bunny dress and my basket purse.  I'm ready for the egg hunts and gooey marshmallow based treats.  Bring on the pastels and florals, the hats and baskets.  Let's celebrate! 

 

Outfit Info: Instant Energy Faux Wrap dress in Strawberry Meadow from ModCloth

Bright Colors and City Sidewalks with Voodoo Vixen

All dressed up today in this perfectly coordinated mustard corduroy dress and striped top.  This sweet combo comes from today's collaboration partner, Voodoo Vixen and really I couldn't have paired it better myself!  An outfit this pretty puts me a cheerful mood for some holiday shopping.  I know the holidays are technically over, but there are still lights up everywhere and it really does make my winter a little warmer to see all the decorations.  A part of the holiday cheer has always been walking down the busy streets and seeing the shopfronts decorated with lights and garland and watching all the busy shoppers bundled up and bustling in and out of the stores.

It may be something most people don't notice, but for me this is just as much an important part of this holiday experience and yes, I do dress for it.  Growing up sooooo long ago, I remember that going to the mall was a really big deal any time of year and we were always instructed to put on our nicest clothes "for town."  And we always did because going to town was a really big deal and dressing nicely only added to that excitement, it was that mental cue, that, "Hey! This is something special."

That doesn't necesarily mean you have to wear the traditional red and green combo or even silver and gold to celebrate the winter holiday season.  All it really means, and bear in mind that it can be this way any time of year, is that the only difference between something being special or ordinary is our own observance of it.  Another way to say it is that things are special if we decide to celebrate them and make them special.

So, make it each day joyful and merry, stylish and lovely, as much as you possibly can all throughout the year and if you ever need a little help, the lovely people at Voodoo Vixen can always give you a very stylish helping hand.

 

Outfit Info:  70s Green Stripe Sweater-£28, Corduroy A Line Sleeveless Pocket Dress-£44

Comfort Clothes

I don't think it's fair to buy a dress and have it sit on the shelf.  But, I have so many dresses that it's hard to wear them all.  That's not a brag; it's the Pareto Principle that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.  It's also an embarrassing statement of fact to say that I have more dresses than I can wear and I am slowly trying to remedy that.

You see, as much as I love my dresses, my life is changing.  My body and style are also changing and I suddenly find myself reaching for linen trousers, cotton tank tops, and slouchy cable knit cardigans more often than dresses.  It could just be the summer heat talking, but I think it's more than that.  I am weary.  And craving comfort from my clothes, my home, and my food.

Comfort clothes are a real thing, and this particular Mae dress from Ivy City Co. has been worn twice a week ever since it arrived because it is both pretty and comfortable and takes less time to iron than most of my dresses.  It's also pretty but not lavish, so I feel comfortable wearing it at all my jobs.  This is the sort of dress that I wish I owned ten in all different colors and just wore them all the time so I didn't have to even think about my clothes.

More than anything, I am just tired.  I am tired of ironing, tired of special care instructions, tired of special bras so the straps don't show, tired of being cold with bare legs in the A/C, tired of mud spatter stains from having to feed pigs in pretty dresses as I rush out in the morning or drag home in the evening.  

My summer ritual of tea time has not manifested this year.  Instead I try to go outside one to two evenings a week after work with a cocktail of sparkling fruit juice and vodka and listen to the cicadas and birds to help me wind down.  Whether it's the sounds of nature or the strong alcohol, (which I really do drink in moderation) it really does make me feel more relaxed for a while.

Ever since life hit the fan, I have felt like I was useless, languishing, and to that end, I have enjoyed the busy schedule, it's given me purpose and goals again.  And, I am looking forward to the changes ahead, a new career and new possibilities.  I am also looking forward to gutting my house and making into something that I actually enjoy being in and am not ashamed to have guests in.  But, all these things take work and I am definitely starting to feel it.

So, I'll keep reaching for this dress and a couple of other like it while I just have to swallow the gnawing guilt that all my other pretty things are going to gather dust for a while, and content myself with quiet moments when I can find them and the hopefulness that this too shall pass and open the door to something far better.

 Shopping Info:  Mae Dress-$118 from IvyCityCo.com.  Use my link to save 10% off your purchase.

Classic Stripes

Summer is without a doubt the most inelegant of all the seasons.  It is difficult to feel sophisticated while breaking a sweat.  But, where there's a will, there's a way.  So at times like this I simply ask myself, What Would Audrey Wear.

Audrey Hepburn is the epitome of style in any season or era and at any age.  If she can do it, I can do it, even when it's a million degrees outside and I am starting to have more gray hair than color.

Let's start at the most timeless of patterns: basic black and ivory stripes.  Stripes are chic; I don't know why, but they just are.  So, I started with a simple strip pattern and chose it on this Folded Off-Shoulder Rib Knit Top from ChicWish.  Now it's timeless, but not basic (i.e. Boring) when it's on this neckline. 

Next I added some high waist paper bag trousers that are light and because they sit so high on my waist, they are also comfy for lounging or walking around.  These trousers are so flattering, I wish all my jeans, shorts, and trousers fit like this! And the final touch, and a style tip that I learned from looking at Audrey's most famous photos, is to wear ballet flats instead of flip-flops or sneakers for a more polished look.  Make it even better by wearing flats with a little sparkle instead of basic black. Voila!  A sophisticated style to beat the heat.  

Shopping Info:  
FOLDED OFF-SHOULDER RIB KNIT TOP IN BLACK STRIPE-$29.90 from ChicWish, MOUSSE Rhinestone Pointed Toe Slip On Flats-$42 from NEWBELLA  Use code BLEU to save 18% off your purchase