Something Old...Vintage Anthro and Entomology Taxidermy and I Might be a Cheater.

Yesterday was my closing shift so my picture was taken at appoximately 1am by my groggy hubby.

I adore this dress. I loved it when I saw it for original price back in 2006, but I found this gem just a few months ago at a fashion swap store. It has an itty bitty stain, but other than that its perfectly worn in.

And so comfy! 

I decided to go quirky and paired it with my victorian-esque canvas and leather lace up boots from Urban Outfitters. I fell in love with these in the catalog and purchased them right away. They aren't very versatile but they get tons of compliments.

My accessories for the day were a victorian inspired jet button ring and a green japanese beetle taxidermy necklace.

I bought the necklace from a vendor in Old Town for $10. Its an unusual accessory for a grown woman to wear, but I love beautiful bugs and sometimes I can be a little weird.

I embrace my weirdness!

As I was walking to Pappalecco for a pre-work panini, I found a japanese beetle laying in the mulch of a planter. Luckily I had my journal because suddenly a story sprang into my mind about an unusual girl of 12 named Clara who wants to be a boy and wears a japanese beetle pendant that she and her apothocary father made. I'm probably a little inspired by Edward Gorey since it has a macabre twist, but I certainly can't draw like E.G. so for now the story is playing out in my mind and in journal form. Hopefully I can keep up with Clara and eventually have a full story to share. Right now I'm writing about how she uses a linen bandage to bind her budding breasts and mimics the lumbering walk of the coal boy to practice being a boy. She has also stolen breeches off a clothesline and sometimes wears them in place of her petti-breeches. 

Annnnywhooooo......here's my "Apothocary's Daughter" OOTD...

Deets:

Dress- Odille, Anthropologie 2006

Boots- Urban Outfitters 2010

Socks- Anthropologie

Ring- Anthropologie

Necklace- Purchased in Old Town, San Diego

Michael Kors Watch

Oh...I have a major confession to make. 

I bought a dress and dipped into my February budget by $20.

I HAD TO. 

Last week at work we were talking about the Twinkle Twinkle dress by Girls From Savoy from last spring, there's a new version of it in stores now. I had purchased this immediately at full price and returned it due to shoppers remorse within a few days. I was in love with this dress and by the time it went on sale my size was gone. I'm just not the type to go searching for things, I'm too lazy, and I took it as a sign that I didn't need it anyway. 

Back to last week's conversation...I had said if it ever magically appeared in my size I would buy it no questions asked. I always felt like this was truly "the one that got away!" Anyway, a few days ago a coworker brought it to me and I bought it then and there. FOR $39.95!!! You all know I have been so good this month and still had $20 left in my January budget, so I borrowed from February and I refuse to feel bad about it. Yes I cheated a little, but let's call it bending the rules. Its not like I borrowed from February, March and April to buy the AG Farrahs!

Don't judge.

Can you ever forgive me for fudging a little?

Now I only have $30 going into February. Is it weird that my palms are sweating and I feel a little light headed at the thought?

Cheers!

Vintage Saks

Hey Friends,

Was it just me or was everyone incredibly sleepy today? Gravity was bringing me down!

I spent the entire day yawning my way through work and practically dragging my feet.

But at least I looked good!

I bought this vintage Saks Fifth Avenue tunic at a local fashion swap store as soon as it hit the rack. I think it looks very mid-century and is incredibly well constructed. Yay for geo-prints and turquoise!

All I need is a bouffant, a headband, a charm bracelet and a tray of lemonaide!

Deets:

Tunic-Vintage 1960's Saks Fifth Avenue (Park Avenue Room)

Denim- AG Leggings in black, Anthropologie 2010

Shoes- FarylRobin platforms (older)

Necklace- Vintage 1960's copper and enamel

Ring- Miss November Studio

 The Necklace:

I found this in a thrift store. Still kicking myself for leaving the matching earrings behind.

Looks familiar?

Joan Holloway from Mad Men (S2P1)

Its not the exact necklace, but it sure looks similar!

PS. I want to live in Sterling-Cooper.

Question of the day:

Who's your favorite Mad Man or Mad Gal?

I think I like Joan best. Her style is phenomenal and I secretly want to be buxom ;)

Cheers!

Ack-ses-o-rize!

Welcome back from the weekend! I'm into day three of my 365 day challenge...so far, so good.

Does anyone else stay up too late, pull their outfit right before bed and throw it on at 5am without a thought? I'm not sure I love this outfit, but I received a ton of compliments on the poncho and I was warm and comfortable all day, so I guess its a win. I had it shrugged up and cowled at one point today, the buttoning and slouching scenarios are endless!

The poncho was previously unworn and sat in my closet since early summer. It was one of those $9.95 Anthro purchases I just couldn't pass up at the time, but each time I came close to wearing it, back into the closet it would go. I ripped the tag off and finally committed to keeping the poncho this very morning. 

The skirt was a pre-owned find, I usually find black, red, or brown suede miniskirts, but lavender? I couldn't pass it up! It was purchased at a fashion swap store around late summer and again, it sat in the closet until I tore the tag off this morning. It has a high waist perfect for tucking fitted or blousy tops. It wins for versatility within my wardrobe. I'll be wearing it again soon!

These Steve Madden boots were an impulse buy early in December, but I have already gotten my $188 out of them. I was lusting after a Sam Edelman military boot in a Free People catalogue a few months back, but they sold out quickly. The lace-up military styling of these makes them extremely versatile in my wardrobe and magically they fit my skinny calves! Hooray!

Size 9's with thin calves. Boots are not an easy fit for me.

Deets:

Knit Poncho- Pure Handknit, Anthropologie winter 2009

Tunic- LA Made, Anthropologie summer 2010

Leather Miniskirt- Cayenne Leather

Leggings- Eloise (fleece lined, yuummmmm), Anthropologie, current

Boots- Steve Madden, current

Coral Necklace- Anthropologie in case, 2006

Boot Necklace- Anthropologie in case, 2008

Ring- Anthropologie in case, 2006

Watch- Michael Kors Rose Gold, Nordstrom, current

I bought this December 2008 as a gift to myself for a promotion! MK should be giving me a sales bonus for selling to people admiring it!

boot necklace

glass and brass ring

I'll be going out to a bar for a bit tonight to say Happy Birthday to my dear friend Celestina! I'll probably change up the outfit a bit so I'll post any wardrobe updates later!

Question: 

Boots are one thing I struggle with fit-wise. The calves are usually too big for me, and with size 9 feet (make that feet-slash-swim fins!), I think boot designers automatically assume the average 15" circumference will work for everyone. What wardrobe item are you forever hunting for worthy of public dancing (touchdown! Yessssss!) when it fits just right?