In English, Please.

I'm working at 3 today so I thought I would get my outfit up beforehand while taking a break from a work project.

I feel a little exposed writing my blog in a public place, but I figured I would multitask by eating lunch, having my tea and getting my work done all at once.

I haven't eaten here in a while but sitting here for the past thirty minutes or so reminds me why I love this place. There is a conversation entirely in italian being spoken between the owner and a patron, a loud conversation that almost begs for a little eavesdropping. If only I spoke italian. I bet the conversation is quite interesting (it certainly sounds so).

The place is Pappalecco in Hillcrest, and you can read about why I love them so dearly here.

On to my OOTD. Whenever I wear this dress I feel like a young girl, its flirty style and vibrant colors evoke a certain girlishness lost in the quest to become a woman. Or maybe that's just me.

 I'm fully aware San Diego is boasting bright blue skies and the most glorious weather in the western hemisphere at the moment, but I'm just not ready to bare my legs yet (hence the tights).

Deets:

Dress- Maeve, Anthropologie 2010

Tights- Hue, Anthropologie 2010

Shoes- Totem Heel, Anthropologie 2009

Necklace- Contrived To Charm

Ring- Miss November Studio

I made this ring from a piece of Anthropologie hardware. I have one in yellow too!

Tiki heels! Sometimes accessories can are more fun with unexpected details.

My friend Tiffany (of Contrived To Charm) gave me this necklace she made with found objects for Christmas when we had our vintage store together.

The vintage name charm is my favorite part.

I wonder what the note in the bottle says?

Sterling Filigree Giveaway Contest Question of the day:

If you were to send a bottle to sea, what would your note read?

Cheers!

PS...The conversation in italian was about tourists coming home and receiving multiple traffic tickets in the mail from driving in Italy. I guess if you're going to visit Italy, do not drive! Pappalecco owns a travel company that sends its patrons on exciting trips to Italy. They have been hearing back from a lot of their patrons about the tickets they have been receiving in the mail once they are home. Four tickets and $1500 Euros later, the poor guy sitting near me (topic of conversation in italian) having his lunch seems dejected and finacially drained after having a great trip. There are cameras at intersections you may not be aware of. Yikes!

$50 Going, Going....

Don't worry, I haven't blown my January Anthro budget just yet, but I did purchase a new dress:

 $9.95 STEAL: Nathalie Lété Paris for Anthropologie Marine Mural Dress 

I picked it up after work for $9.95! Someone made a huge return of summer items and I saw this little number hit the return bin. I know the last thing I need is another dress, but it will be so comfy in summer with heels or sandals! 

Here is my OOTD:

I don't know what the motivation was, but late last night I was pulling together an outfit really late and I had to be up really early.  I guess I was feeling playful (as you can clearly see)!

Deets:

Blouse- Anthropologie, summer 2010 (previously unworn)

Pants- Vintage LEE Frontier Woman Denim Cigarette Pants (late '50's/early '60's) $5 at Frock You Vintage's Huge Frocking Sale (in San Diego)

Shoes- Anthropologie, Miss Albright summer/fall 2009

Belt- Contrived To Charm, The Muse, current

Necklace- Vintage, sterling and copper

Ring- Miss November Studio, sterling silver and turquoise

My headband is a chiffon sash tied around twice and knotted.

I'm a silversmith, check out my shop Miss November Studio on Etsy!

vintage necklace gifted on Valentine's Day by my Mother in Law

More on those pants...

Frock You Vintage is a FANTASTIC little vintage haven in North Park in San Diego. They carry some high end, some rare and collectible, and a ton of wearable vintage in really good shape. Every so often they have a "Huge Frocking Sale" where they fill the yard next to the shop with racks and racks of $1-$10 vintage clothes and accessories. They also invite guest vendors to sell. Its like a free for all and I have found some really great, super cheap stuff. You can check out some of their amazing vintage at www.frockyouvintage.com, but I suggest you visit their store if you can!

...and that belt...

Contrived to Charm is owned by my supertalented friend Tiffany who is amazingly crafty. After Tiffany and I closed our co-owned vintage clothing store, I started silversmithing and Tiffany picked up leather tooling. Her business took off immediately, people love her belts, especially The Muse. We have spotted Contrived to Charm on Margaret Cho virtually anytime she is on television, and there's a rumor that Kat VonD is a C2C fan, although she never seems to cover her midriff... Tiffany's belts are featured in Etsy treasuries and she has been on the home page of Etsy more times than I can count. She has definitely found her calling. I remain her biggest fan and at last count I own 7 C2C belts. She can be found selling her various belt and handbag designs at www.contrivedtocharm.etsy.com and her blog www.contrivedtocharm.com, or shop her wares at Home Mercantile (yelp profile link) in North Park in San Diego.

"The Muse," handmade by Contrived To Charm

Cho LOVES her Muse belt by C2C

I need your opinion...

I showed off my supersweet dress deal to Blake and he thinks $50 is a baloney budget. Maybe he just has no idea of what my clothes cost (from years of sneaking things into my closet), but he thought one piece of clothing a month is better. With a $50 budget I have to stay within that set amount, regardless of what the item is. I think $50 is a good, manageable budget. What do you think? 

Day two down...only 363 days to go. 

Piece of Cake.