Love's Old Song

I love the dotty print and floaty skirt of this vintage dress. I bought it for my shop and listed it, but I'm kind of secretly glad no one has bought it yet. So far I've only been able to wear it layered under a cardigan, but today I was imagining myself bringing it on my honeymoon and unleashing its full sundress glory on southern California. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be disappointed if someone else snaps it up...I've had my time with it, and would be happy to see it go on to another home. (Though Joe doesn't quite agree...when I told him someone might buy it he said very definitively "No. Wear it on our honeymoon.")

I've always gone with a feminine heels and sweater combo with this dress, but as I'm currently making my way through My So-Called Life on Netflix, there's a great temptation to go the flannel shirt and Doc Marten boots route. Since I don't own any appropriately grunge-era boots, I'll never get to pull it off. It's just as well, anyway. Being engaged in in my twenties doesn't lend itself to a style most at home on moody teenagers drowning in ennui and unrequited infatuation. Also, embracing grunge means I might have to consider allowing overalls back into my life. I've made that mistake before, friends, and I rather hope never to make it again.

Nordstrom cardigan, vintage dress here, vintage belt, New York and Company wedges, vintage necklace

Country lanes lead to fields

Spring is so often seen as a time of beauty, growth, and life. While this is certainly true, I think there's a sort of inherent struggle and darkness to this time of year. Growth always comes slower than we want, and there is an impatience and frustration in the days just before summer's lazy warmth. Clouds crest and scatter, taunting us with sun one moment and gloom the next. Hope and despair come easily, and in ever-changing shifts. Days I insist on filling run empty like a sieve, momentum swells only to slam against the wall. Victories are small, their joys fleeting. A warm patch of sun cannot overpower the constant chill of gusting wind. My mood refuses to equalize. A dress with pink flowers is stubbornly, unwaveringly optimistic.

American Rag cardigan, American Eagle dress, mom's old belt, Chinese Laundry shoes, purse available here

Dude Style: Part Three

He's back. Yep, it's Joe again. And not only is he wearing a rather glorious brown grandpa cardigan, but he's paired it with a pale yellow cable-knit sweater. Honestly, I cannot decide which is more resplendent. And the double sweater action? Totally his idea. Our aim in shooting this ensemble was to highlight the fancy boots, because we both loved them. Honestly, every guy should have a pair in his wardrobe.

It was kind of funny having Joe hang out with us, since he and my fiance have the same name. I almost never call my Joe by his name, usually we just call each other "hon," but having both of them around caused a few minor confusions. I think most of us have to deal with these sorts of multiple friends with the same name issues, and resolve them in various ways. Back in high school my group had a girl named Erin and another girl named Eryn. Inevitably, someone would call to Erin and Eryn would answer, and the person would say "no, not you." So she started referring to herself as Eryn No Not You. And answering to it. Not the most elegant of solutions, but hey, it worked for us.

And that's why you always leave a note

Joe and I have started to watch Twin Peaks on Netflix. They've gotten a lot of good new stuff on streaming lately, like Twilight Zone, and I hear Mad Men will be coming soon. They've also gotten a lot of really random old stuff, like Wings. Remember that show? From the nineties? It had Tony Shaloub pre-Monk, Thomas Hayden Church pre-Sideways and Spiderman? If you don't you actually score points. I used to watch that all the time when I was younger, but I'm pretty sure if I tried to watch it now I would consider it pure drivel.

 I've been putting on Ally McBeal at night when go to bed (yes, I have the bad habit of falling asleep to tv shows), and Joe is not too pleased about it because it messes with the recommendations generated on his account. For example, currently the "Top Picks for Joe" starts with The Secret Life of an American Teenager. If I ever watched an episode of Glee on streaming there's a good chance he would break up with me immediately.

Express cardigan, Old Navy cami, Macy's skirt, JC Penny tights, Steve Madden flats

The slow fade of love

Today was a pretty big deal...my first day of work since November! I finally got a job, and will be making money again. Not very much, but anything is better than nothing. Back to library life for me, though in a different job, and in a very different environment. I'm such a nerd, I get really fascinated my the inner workings of libraries now, how each is so unique. Today was mostly paperwork, but there were four of us so it was a little less boring than it could have been. After months of unemployment, I'm kind of psyched to be around so many new people all the time, though I'm sure that will go away. The introvert in me will always win in the end. And being in a bigger city now, I'm sure I'll have lots of fun, weird, and/or annoying stories to tell you.

(Pssst...skirt available here, and the purse too!)

Old Navy denim jacket, Old Navy top, Kensie girl heels, mom's old belt, vintage skirt and purse in my etsy store

I made them into a dream spider

Here's me posing in the corner of the deck/outside entrance of my apartment building, with sane looking hair and clothing:

And here's me trying to take pictures out in the open:

I may look like I'm twirling about, but I assure you I am not. The last one is my favorite, it's looks like I'm wearing a bustle in the front of my skirt. I've been contemplating a major, MAJOR haircut (though not until after Joe and I get married), but days like this remind me of how much more difficult super short hair can me on windy days. I chopped everything off down to about half an inch once in high school, and the awkward growing out phases means a lot of time in the "too short too put in a ponytail, long enough to blow around in front of my face every day of my life" zone.

American Rag cardigan, thrifted Anne Taylor top, Goodwill dress, Delias tights from Joe, Rampage heels

Doubt is the big machine

Even though I came across this shirt in the women's section while thrift shopping recently, I'm pretty sure it's a little boy's size. I guess pink and blue plaid didn't intimidate boys back in the day this was made...I'm guessing the seventies by the look of the tag. I'm enjoying the boxy cut and jaunty hemline, and was even prompted to mix it with this white jacket that never gets much play. 

Yesterday I was out and about a bit with Joe. We walked the college campus he lives next to, and later ended up at the mall for awhile. I couldn't help but notice that girls everywhere were cuffing their skinny jeans. I also couldn't help but remember that I started doing the same thing last year, so your welcome, new spring trend. I'll be awaiting my official recognition.

Oh, and one more thing...Joe and I got engaged! We have been talking about it for over a year, so we're very excited for it to be official. Below is a shot of my ring, a pretty silver and marcasite piece from an antique store. I'm not big on the traditional solitaire, or even diamonds in general, so I picked this out a few months ago. It's totally perfect, and I love it!

Old Navy jacket, vintage shirt, Charlotte Russe jeans, Roxy canvas flats, vintage bag available here, vintage rhinestone bracelet, Charlotte Ruse bracelet

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

This rock-tunnel shall henceforth be known as the place I take pictures when I'm wearing red and yellow. Okay, not really. I don't think I have enough red or yellow to keep that going very long. But last time I wore such a blatantly condiment-tastic combo I took pictures here. I apologize for the inexcusable whiteness of my legs, and I'd love to tell you that they will become more palatable as summer descends. But the truth is, I am very pale, and though my brother can go out and spend and hour mowing the lawn once in like March and come in looking like he spent a month in Mexico, the best I get is a few minor shades darker and, most likely, various sunburns in the minor spots I happen to miss with my (totally necessary) SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.

Oh yeah...and the shirt is available here.

Dude Style: Part Two

I like to think I'm gaining a skill or two in taking pictures after over a year of style blogging, but let's face it: when it comes down to it, I'm a girl with a point and shoot camera and no training. A good picture is a bit harder to come by for an amateur like me, so here's a couple of pointers I've picked up. 1. An irreverent subject never hurts. Thank goodness Joe doesn't mind looking a bit like a fool. 2. Lighting. Duh. 3. Props. Let a character emerge out of your ensemble, and go with it. For example, a wall can always be leaned against for a seductive look, and a toy King Kong says "I'm sensitive and childlike, please take care of me." The scarf says the same thing. 

And if I may say something about newsboy caps...or even if I may not, I will. In my experience, they go perpetually in and out of style, so any guy wondering if he can get away with it should just try it. Pulling off a newsboy cap is more about liking the way it looks on you and being able to mix it in with your established style than whether you'll find one in GQ this month. In general, they look best with long pants and sport coats or other types of jackets, so if your a t-shirt and shorts guy, I'm gonna go with no. 

You are my sweetest downfall

My first instinct when I put this top on today was to go full boho and wear a long skirt and sandals, maybe put some braids in my hair. But I'm too petite to get on board with a boxy top and long skirt, plus to be honest I don't even own a maxi skirt. So I went semi-boho instead, with a shorter but still flowy skirt and slightly oversized cardigan, but mixing in the modern, neutral ankle boots that seem theoretically wrong in the context of this outfit. I felt great, though I kept imagining how amazing this top would be in the summer with a pair of cutoffs, a bikini, and some major espadrilles. Does that sound good to you too? Well, great news...I've just put this top (and the purse, which I've loved so much I've been loathe to part with it) in my store. Links for the shirt here and the purse here.

Value Village cardigan, vintage top, Billabong dress, old tights, Kenneth Cole Reaction boots