Playing, playing....opinions?

So, I made this grey shirt out of a turtleneck from J Crew I never, ever wore. I love itp today I've paired it with my hubby's white t-shirt. (sorry, babe)

I got the idea to do this from an Etsy store, and hope to make a dress when I can convince Matt to give up just one more t-shirt.

I didn't sew the sleeves (or, pockets, rather) shut yet. I kinda dig it. I may shorten it? Or does it just look like some girl wearing her hubby's Hanes white T-shirt as a skirt?

(and yes, I do own an iron...)

Maybe I'll try it in grey....

The old blue dress

I've been wearing this dress since 1994 when I bought it in San Francisco. I've always received many compliments on it. I was told it was from the 1930's, and it could be. It's always been in excellent condition.


The last few years, I've been unsure what to wear under it, as it is crocheted and thus, totally see through. Tonight I took a chance and decided to try it.

I don't want it to look too precious, so, I wore my dangly gypsy earring I thrifted about 5 years ago, and my Born heels. The purse is vintage. I bought it up in the town I live at an antique store, then had a friend repair the very worn straps.


I wear the dress backwards. The real front has a quasi-collar of sorts with cute buttons, but the neckline is very awkward. It originally came with a shrug I unfortunately got rid of years and years ago.


Red lipstick as per usual. Hair was not cooperating, but, thats ok. It's just hair.

Camping is not condusive to fashion.

Oh, there are pictures of me camping, but, not in the spirit of this blog. They are more appropriate for a blog about wilderness survival, or perhaps mixing cocktails. Plus there were 10 kids with us. We left Tuesday, driving further into the void than we already live, to find a lovely spot near a stream where no one would complain about our combined mob of children. It was lush and cool in the water, and the kids left the moms alone for the most part.

Good times, really. But no fashion. Forgive me.

I hope to come up with something later on today! Especially if I can get Matt to take a good picture of me!

I got hold of the scissors today.

I'm going to need a new pair- mine are dull from so much use.

I have hacked away at a dozen pieces of clothing. Some are done, some need further thought or some sewing.

Here are some of the unfinished things:

A vintage pantsuit, or jumpsuit- whatever, it's old and ratty. I posted about it last week. I could NOT see myself wearing it as-is, so, I hacked it into a romper. I'm going to replace the gold buttons for something more laid back. Then I'll roll the sleeves and tack them so they stay. Then hem the shorts. THEN you can tell me whether it was worth doing!


Another jumpsuit. This one is HUGE, so, I chopped the legs off. It's very comfy- needs a belt. Maybe brown? It's navy with yellow. We'll see. I need to hem off the shorts.


The nautical tank! I hacked off the arm holes and the neck. I DO like it now- theres something about it I just dig. I'll have to use it soon and post a photo. Here's a quick shot of it- excuse the no-makeup.


I made a head-wrap thing out of the leg of the teal jumpsuit. I'll get some use out of that!

Then, I made a whole outfit! I hacked off a pair of stretch flares I had laying around. I so glad I did!! And I found a white t-shirt of my sons that I've decided he didn't need anyway, so I hacked it, too.

I tried the whole thing with a scarf. I just don't know if I can pull the scarf thing off. Maybe it's the scarf's fault, here. I just feel like I'm trying too hard. (and yeah- I shouldn't get in front of the camera without lip color, at least)


So, I took off the scarf and threw on one of my favorite necklaces- bought in Morocco.

Ok, Morocco in Disney World...but it IS cool.


I'm wearing my Anne Klein sandals.

My husband promises to take some actual good pictures of me after seeing some shots on Weardrobe- I think he's ashamed of my photography. Frankly, I can't blame him. Maybe he'll just take my shots from now on? So, soon we'll see come decent pictures of my better outfits.

Still too hot. Some outfits...and some shoe dreaming

Really, this heat is ridiculous. I'd like one day under 90, please?

I think I've solved my camera issue- it was a white balance problem. Thanks to Matt, my husband for figuring it out!!

This was our test shot, thus proving that most of the time, I'm just bumming around in something I found on the floor of my closet. This is a thrifted Patagonia dress. I wear it all the time because it requires nothing- no bra, and no worries about getting dirty. I would imagine I'd be more style conscious on a daily basis if I lived in an urban setting or even a suburban setting. I could wear heels all the time. Very cool. That being said, I do love it up here. I'm not moving.


This morning, my mom took the kids and my husband and I got to go on a long run. We are training for a marathon in December, so, weekends will start including a longer mileage run from here on out.

After the run we got some lunch, so I threw this trapeze dress in my duffle. Its from Old Navy a few years back. I've been belting it because of my fear of maternity clothes.


I would say I over accesorized here. I didn't actually wear the necklace all day- I threw it on for these pictures. Then, upon inspection of the pictures realized it was too much. I like either the belt OR the necklace, but not both. The belt was $2.50 at Ross last week- I like it, but not necessarily with this dress. The necklace was made locally. My black gladiators are here again- they seem to have endless applications right now.

(and one shot withOUT the necklace)



I find myself dreaming of booties for fall (or now, really). I can't think of any other footwear that would stretch my clothes budget for fall. With a family of five, I really can't spend more than about $50 a month on clothes- more if I need new shoes or a coat. I am on the hunt for the perfect booties. I'm thinking of a color- red, if possible. I'd love a stacked heel. I'd love it if they were comfortable, as well.

Second place would be some brown wingtips. I can't find ANY online in any price range, it seems. I have my eyes open for vintage mens shoes. We'll see.

Tights! I need to replace my favorite tights. I think I will buy the same kind- nubby grey cotton. I just need to find some.

Spam me on shoes. Where are you buying them? If ou could only buy one pair, what would they be?

Some MORE thift-goodies

Please excuse my lack of full-body shots. My camera hates me. I could get it to focus for my first few posts and now...it wont. It hates me.

So, anyway.


You saw the crazy green jumpsuit in the last post- a possibility. At least a possibility to be risky.

I got this awesome purple leather skirt at the Salvation Army yesterday. I was wearing this little short dress, and one of the employees was quite taken with me. I seem to attract men between 40 and 60 who don't have all their teeth. As a rule, don't "pop" into the thrift store on the way to dinner in heels- you'll get more attention than you want.

Anyway, about the skirt. The label says size 10- and I got all worried that it would be too big on my "small frame". Not that small.

Yeah, well, I should know better about old sizing. I've been buying vintage for years This thing is SOOO tight on my waist, but, thats ok. I still love it. I'm going to pair it with things to bring out a more casual side.


I made Matt take this picture of me in it late last night. I'd already gotten ready for bed- so, no makeup, and hair all put away for the evening. Our bedroom is...well...not quite perfect at the moment. Deal with it- keep your eyes on the cute skirt in the foreground!!

I got this dress at the Goodwill last week. I LOVE it!! I have tons of styling ideas for it. I tried a few but the pictures were all crap, of course. This was all I could get. It's a little weird around the waist. Or, perhaps it's me that weird around the waist. Anyway, it HAS to have a belt. I like it like this and with a black belt, denim jacket and black studded gladiators. VERY cute.

This next dress is sort of cool- a little too big. (aso happens to be red and white..)It's thrifted but not old- its from Dress Barn. I could pass it up for 50 cents. My cats like "Hmm...maybe with a padded bra?"


There are more, but I've got so much to do right now- I have to get a move on. Later...more later...

And todays outfit, complete with proof that our blower is broken and I should get off the computer and work on the yard.
And the outfit that wowed the old guy at the Salvation Army:

Vintage Skimmer I bought in New Hope, PA for my birthday. Pretty cute and ruffly.

Treasure or Trash? That is the question.

It will need to be washed and ironed before I can answer this.

It's sort of an 80's monstrosity, but the fabric allures me somehow. I like paisley.

The gold buttons? Well...they are a struggle for me.

The fit is ok...I don't have an actual waist, so, I'm not sure this is such a good idea. I'm a risk-taker, though. It may show up in real life.


Again, the photography is crap-tastic!! I need to figure out how to do this better.

A few goodies from the thrift store

I went in on a mad dash with $9 in change in my purse. I ended up spending about $4, though.

I got a purple striped blouse- super comfy! I think I can make it work- I just threw it on here with my fave belt.


I got this funky old nautical tank top that makes me look chubby in most of the full body shots I took, so, this is the only one I'll show you. I'm not sure I like it enough to keep it.

I did try tucking it into my jean skirt (which is a tad too big and bulky), belting it and adding my trade beads. Better, I think.


Not pictured (yet!) is a navy rayon jumpsuit (sleeveless, long pants) with little yellow triangles- pretty big on me. It's a size 12. Also, a pretty, pretty dress from Dress Barn, probably not very old, but a good choice. I picked up a seersucker 3/4 sleeve blazer. It's ok, we'll see. I got a navy belt and an olive suede belt as well as a little navy purse. You'll see, eventually. Right now I've got a bunch of people begging me for food.

A lazy day of domestic duties

No real fashion required, really, but I thought I'd snap a few anyway. I'm using my webcam today. My camera is totally pissing me off.

I got some layers put in my hair and I'm sort of digging the wavy thing that it's doing. The necklace was made by me from a collection of antique African Trade beads. I love it.



Today I'm wearing a super comfy tiered plaid dress by American Living at JCPenneys. I know- you're thinking "Hey, my MOM shops at Penneys."

Well, so does my mom. :)


The jacket...oh, the jacket. This thing has been with me since 1993. And it was with someone else for a decade before that, I'm sure. 95% of the embellishments were on it when I bought it. I found it in Berkeley and I've loved it dearly. Even did a self-portrait on the inside one day in high school.


And yes, that IS the Enterprise on my shoulder.


I'm mostly doing laundry today- I may reward myself with a trip to the thrift store. I'm looking for a colored belt- preferably red, maybe green or blue. I want some blouses- sleeveless or something. I also want a leather skirt...may the the thrift-gods be with me.

The one dollar outfit

I'm not sure what the #$%& is wrong with my camera. It may just be the fact that I suck at photography.

Anyway, yesterday was a hot day with nothing really special going on. I did get my hair layered, that was cool- after these pictures where taken, though.

I decided on a thrifted skirt and thrifted JJill tank top. I started out with the belt, but got too hot eventually and took it off as well as my turquoise necklace. The necklace was one I made a few years ago with the intent to sell, but, could never go through with it. I love it too much.

Wore my Wal Mart shoes again. I should just lie and say they're from the mall or something, huh? I'm a terrible liar, though.

The shirt was probably a quarter, the skirt, fifty cents and the belt was about a quarter. One dollar fashion, folks.

Re-fashioning a favorite

I live in the mountains, like I've said- and there's a lot of long skirts, t-shirts and Birkenstocks. I dig that.

So, as you can imagine, I own several long, flow-y hippie skirts. But, I'm moving away from them.

I became obsessed with all things south-east Asian when my husband went to Cambodia a few years back. He brought back some fabulous jewelry and some woven scarves. I went on the hunt for anything from Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam. I stumbles upon a great store in Nevada City (California) that sells such imports.

I have two skirts made from vintage Hmong fabric, but they are so long and heavy, they tend to look a tad frumpy. So, my brain began to perk.

I started with my first one- a blue one with a wonderful batik, and embellished with crazy florescent yarn. This was the result.


Eh...I think this is one of those "what NOT to do" things. It just doesn't work. The skirt is too heavy for this. I'll have to keep thinking about how to make this one work. Maybe long hippie skirts will be cool soon.

Next is my favorite- the green one! This has fantastic cross stitch on it that looks so cool against the muted green. And I love the way they pieced all of it together.


I started first with just tying it on. I thought the tier-ing might be enough to look good. Then I through on my trusty jean jacket. Not too bad.

Heres the thing. I've had three kids...so, I'm very phobic about anything resembling maternity clothes. I sort of think this look says "I'm about 4 months along."


Yuck.

Belt? YES! I tried on a few, but keep coming back to this great thrifted one that *may* be vintage, I'm just not sure.


Why is it my cute pictures are always blurry? Ugh.



Oh no...this post made me go on eBay and check out more...now I think I want this one:
eBay Auction

Hot, busy days.

This week has been spent shuffling around doing mom stuff I wont bore you with here.

Wednesday was hot as all get out, and I was supposed to go to the lake, so, I through a vintage scarf on my head, jean shorts and Crocs. Here's a shot:


The shirt was $3 at TJ Maxx, the necklace, thrifted for a dollar, the scarf, one of many I got as a kid in estate sales in New Jersey.

Today is also too freaking hot. I hate hot.

Look, I'm actually NOT wearing dark lipstick...this is new to me. I kinda dig it.



I'm wearing a vintage dress I bought in New Hope, PA a couple weeks ago. Not super flattering, but I just love it. I'm wearing my black gladiators, but couldn't get a good shot of the feet on this busy day. I'm also wearing Thai silver earrings- I'm addicted to these things, I have like, four different pairs from eBay.

Rompers for the over 30 crowd? I think so.

Because it's like wearing pajamas all day. I snapped some shots in my backyard before heading out today.



The romper is I ♥ Ronson. Its very cool and comfortable. I mostly wear it without the belt- but today, I felt like having a waist. (though nature did not bestow one on me)

The belt is thrifted- its says "Fob Trading" on the inside. I got it for 25 cents. The shoes are....ahem, Wal-Mart. Shut up. And my earrings are thrifted from long ago.

And I totally ripped off this hairstyle from other bloggers. I freaking love it! Like I've said...still getting used to the bangs. I'm just not sure.


My feet in their natural environment- in the dirt, moving hoses, tending to my meager plants under a constant cover of cedars. Not too much need for anything fancy up here.


A good day, over all- too freaking hot, though, even in the mountains. Maybe I should move to Canada or Alaska or something.

Interesting prospect for 25 cents.

I don't usually do gold- nothing against it, I just don't have any. But this...this was too interesting to pass up for a quarter that the thrift store. The middle is all crazy metallic stretchiness. I'm hemming it before wearing- it's a little dowdy long, I think. And my legs are my best feature. I need a great good necklace....

A beauty, re-made so I can actually wear it.

I found this dress somewhere in one of the Vintage shops in San Francisco- probably in 1994? I was immediately attracted to its colors- navy and red. And loved the skirt and its perfect white cuffs. I bought it for $35, and was crushed to find I couldn't fit into it once I tried it on at home. My arms barely went into the sleeves, and it was hard to button the neck up.
So, I kept it on a hanger, in my closet. For all these years.
Three days ago I decided I was going to do something about this forgotten dress. No, not sell it. I could have- and let some super tiny person wear in all it's glory.
I cut it. I just chopped the arms off- and cut out the collar.

I was nervous, but I tried it on to see how much damage I'd done. I was surprised to find the dress was still adorable and that now, it actually fit!



So, I turned the raw edges, and sewed them- crudely, but done, nonetheless. Then I decided to add some buttons- not the original red ones, but a mix of white ones a friend helped me decide on.



I added a wide vintage belt- the tag says Neiman Marcus, "100% Natural Straw, Made in Italy". Its the first time I've ever worn the belt, as well as my Frankensteined dress. On the feet of course are my Born's...making my feet super happy.



Not bad- we were on the way to a brewery for a drink, then a barbecue after.

I wore thrifted gypsy earrings, and my pendant that's made from an antique spoon (bought at an Art fair).