Autumn Loves

Ok, so you all got the rant from my last post and now I'm going to give you a teeny glimpse into what I'm doing about it. What I feel I lack in my wardrobe currently are those surprising "that makes your entire outfit" pieces. I have them, but those I have bore me. Here are a couple of pieces I've found (mostly on asos)that will hopefully keep me inspired as I enter my favorite season.

I'm into weird headpieces right now. I really want an indian headdress, but they are crazy expensive everywhere I've looked. In lieu of that, I've found plenty of animal-like silouettes to give my outfits a little surprise factor.
It's megacheap on forever 21's website.

You just saw this in the previous post, but I think that it will pop up often during the cooler months of autumn. There is a bit of flair to it and I like the fact that no one can ignore me with this accessory atop my head.

A feather cape is just what the doctor ordered here. Melodrama (there's an overabundance of that in this post) and at a steal. How could a fashion concious girl resist?

Another sale find from asos, that is from the summer season. Too damn bad! The lace and the cat ears begs for the melodrama of fall, in my mind.

I'm pretty sure this bag, like some of my other items, was from the summer collection. However, something about the muted colors and the airy texture of the feathers has me visualizing it with chunky, oversized sweaters and short sequin skirts for fall.

This is one of my favorite finds. I actually looked on ebay for something similar and cheaper, but to no avail. They were all more expensive. This is en route to my house even as we speak and I think it is going to get overused this autumn.

Now, you tell me. Where are you looking for inspiration this fall? I'm dying to know. I need websites, magazines, whatever is hitting your fashion hotspot, right now.

Chains of Love

I've recently come under the spell of body chains of all kinds. Thanks to Melissa over at Chains of Love, I can have every and any manifestation of chainage that I could possibly dream up. Here are just a few that I bought. I think the bralette is particularly classy!

A Weekend of Kitsch

Today was one of those supremely perfect days. My sister and I went shopping before we head to San Antonio/Austin next weekend. My sister wanted to get some fun clothes so that we can enjoy the music scene of Austin and the Riverwalk scene of San Antonio.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), I found some things too despite my need to save for the trip itself (I'm on a mission for a really antique-looking turquoise ring bracelet). We went several places and then ended up in downtown Littleton where we ventured into The Chocolate Therapist's outpost (since she's remodeling), enjoyed a nice foray into a spice shop, and ended the day with a belini and chocolate chip scone with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam.
I'll try to get some pictures up of the things I bought.





Frank and Nancy Sinatra- Something Stupid

Leggings: Express
Blouse: Thrifted from Saver's
Vest: Target
Boots: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Kohl's
Brooch: madamebijoux.net
Necklace: Vintage from Ball Park Flea Market

The Bender

These shoes are completely impractical right now (what with the weather being only 9 degrees, currently), but I am on a shoe bender. Plus, how fortuitous that I would find yet another pair of 70' shoes, this time closer to what I wanted. These Michael Kors were at DSW. I never frequent DSW, as I am perpetually disappointed. However, I had an appointment to get my roots done and I was early. There happens to be a DSW across the street from my salon and so I ventured forth. These babies were originally over $200, but I got them for $28! They are so damn ugly no one else wanted them, but fortunately for me I love ugly things.

The Substitute

I have been pining for a pair of vintage 60's platform wedges (preferably in wood), but unfortunately, have yet to find one.
Well, during a break in my tutoring this evening, I stopped by Nordstrom Rack. I was super disappointed in their selection, but right before I was about to call it a day, I found these platforms.
I'm still contemplating whether or not to keep them, because, eventhough I love them, they feel a little bit 90's and not as 60's as I was hoping for.
What do you guys think?

Indian Summer

I've wanted a turquoise ring bracelet for an eternity. You know, that bracelet that has a chain with a ring attached?
Well, I still am on a mission for the perfect turquiose ring bracelet (have any suggestions?), but I did stumble upon a website called Bombay Fashions and I went a little insane with the purchasing. I got a pink ring bracelet, a head piece, and two armlets. I'm so excited to see how I decide to encorporate them into my wardrobe.

Funky What?

I spent the evening watching the Batman series on ABC family, going trick or treating with a three-year-old, and handing out treats to kids in my neighborhood while the dogs slept (I'm babysitting my sister's cocker spaniel).
I decided to hop on chictopia and peruse the "people" section for some style inspiration. This created quite the monster, as this is my fourth post today. I linked to about 6 blogs, but I also found this fabulous store.
It's called Funky Lobes, which is the weirdest name I think I've ever heard. Turns out, the name is perfect for the ecclectic and beautifully surprising items of clothing they carry.
Here is a delectable sampling:


They also have a vintage collection that's pretty sweet!

Long Black Veil

So, ever since I started talking to April about doing a shoot in an old cemetary with a white gown and a black gown, I have become consumed with black gowns. I am not in the market immediately, as I have nowhere to wear such an amazing gown and they're fairly expensive. Still, it is something that I will be adopting into my wardrobe in the next couple of months.
I would like something mysterious and ancient-looking.
Here are a couple of things I found while perusing Nordstrom; none of them quite hit the mark, but they're all pretty damn amazing.



and for this occassion... a long black veil

More Randomness

I broke down and purchased these Prada heels yesterday. It was the Art Deco feel. I couldn't control myself. They had to be mine!
Plus, they were over 50% off at yoox. If you are a 7 and a half, go out and get them immediately! Only one left.

Also, I was logging into Forever 21 to track my latest purchase from Faith 21 and I was greeted with this banner:

I immediately pooled all my Faith 21 outfits and found the one I thought was the best (though I think I picked it mostly because of the photography and not necessarily the merits of the outfit). Anyway, I hate to increase my competition, but I wanted to let all my ladies know about the contest. Have fun!
This was the photograph I settled on.

Fickle

When it comes to clothing, I teeter on a strange balance of designer clothing, high street mass retailers, vintage and otherwise ebay auctions, and handmade etsy picks. Oh, and of course there is the low of the low in garage saling and secondhand shopping.
I also cycle through these phases. This past spring and early summer, I could not get enough of thrift shops and garage sales. I was monumentally poor then. It makes sense. Then, when I got my management job at the pool this summer, I was making some more money and I also scored some more lucrative tutoring jobs. I became a Target, Ross, and Forever 21 clothes hound. I have not shown ebay the love in a long time, but about two years ago in the fall, I simply could not get enough of it.
I have noticed how tired of grown of the mass retailers after my binge this summer. I still try to stop in and I find the clothing boring and repetitive. Part of it is the economy (according to National Public Radio) and part of it is my overenthusiasm and subsequent overexposure to all things mass produced.
In desperation, I tried ebay, but it just wasn't doing it for me (I did bid on a pair of strappy Christian Louboutin's, but was quickly outbid and unwilling to fork over more cash). Feeling unhopeful and sure that I was about to slump into another anti-shopping haze, I decided to try etsy. I wasn't expecting much. I was mistaken. This is everything that I found and purchased on etsy. I went crazy. What always sucks me in with etsy is that I know that pretty much no one where I live would own what I purchase from there. There is an idealistic entrepreneurial spirit that I love about all of the designers on there.
Anyway, these are the items I purchased.

Derriere Down There

These are the backs of three of the pairs of shoes that are en route to my house even as we speak:
I love that these are a complete foot fetishists dream!

These, on the other hand, are far less hardcore and far more fluffy.

Finally, I am quite obsessed with the plexi glass heel of these shoes. I love the idea of the sun shining through them.

Lust List

Thanks, Rumi! Now I need these shoes. If anyone finds these or something like them (preferably cheaper), please let me know!

The Shoes Called to Me

An impromptu stop at Nordstrom Rack turned into an illicit love affair. These shoes are so wrong in every way, and the minute I put them on my feet, I had to have them. I was even embarassed to put them on the counter when paying for them.
Jessica Simpson truly has a knack for the exceptionally slutty. I've already got an outfit for them.
P.S. It is hilarious to watch young men my age shop. They look like they're thinking so hard.

Panic Room

Today has been a less than perfect day. I report for my new teaching job a week from today and I suffering some pretty severe anxiety over it. I couldn't sleep last night, and when I finally fell asleep, my dreams were convoluted and eery. Sometimes, I catch myself not breathing because I'm too busy freaking out about the unknown. Teaching is scarier than any other job out there, as far as I'm concerned. What other entry level job gives you nearly boundless freedoms and responsibilities on the first day? I'm obsessing about everything from how to arrange my classroom to every possible scenario for my first day.
Anyway, I didn't feel up for getting dressed today, so I went shopping instead. Shoes are notorious for making me feel better than any other purchase in the world. Hence, my trip to Nordstrom Rack and these lovelies. I love the putrid green color. So spectacular!
I am also stuffing my nose in a young adult literature series. The book I am reading is called Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas. Sometimes I get so consumed with reading all the classics that I forget how fun and sweet young adult literature can be. This one is particularly great because, while the author feigns commiserating with her angst-filled teen heroine, she also is blatantly making fun of her.

Also, a quick reminder about the contest with chic downtown.

It Was Love

So, impulse buy of the month (along with another pair of shoes from Aldo). I couldn't resist these shoes in the sky blue. Hopefully, they make me happy like almost all shoes do.

I am the freaking Sunglass Hut

So, in between pondering literature and love and all things existential and fascinating, I had a thought. I needed more sunglasses in my wardrobe. This intense revelation occurred about two weeks ago, but I hadn't really acted on it because I hate forking over 15 to 20 dollars for a pair of sunglasses. Then, I stumbled into Plato's Closet today and found the coolest glasses. They were two for ten dollars. This girl simply could not resist.
I also found two pair of sunglasses on super clearance at Kohl's and I snapped those up, as well.
The phone is my brand new phone, as of today. I am a technology neophyte so please excuse my excitement over something that isn't a Blackberry.

Selling on Ebay

I have some beautiful pieces that I would love to wear, but because of various reasons (heels are too high, dresses too tight, etc), I have to do a cleanse. I decided some of the pieces were too exquisite to donate or sell for almost nothing to a lightly used clothing store.
So, I decided to start a mini ebay store. There are only three items there right now, but please go and peruse... then buy, of course!
Here are some photos of what I am selling.
Visit my store here.