Playing dress-up

I love acting like I'm 8 when I used to love digging in the "costume barrel" full of my grandma's old clothes and random parts of old Halloween costumes. Then I would put on parades for my parents. However I don't do the dress up thing as much as I should to come up with interesting new ways to wear my clothes. I just hate the way it results in a big ol' mess in my room and I dislike putting clothes and shoes away. 

I found this crazy ruffle thing for $2 at a thrift store. Do I know what it is ? NO! Did I buy it anyway? YES! I think I may try to wear it this weekend, but I may have to rethink the whole outfit. I threw on the brown belt while playing to match the brown soles of the black Michael Kors shoes, but I don't think many people will notice that and just think I'm nuts. Perhaps I'll try it with a dress. Or in a different way all together. I have no idea how it's supposed to be worn, it's just a thick four foot ruffle. I overlapped and connected the ends in the back with hidden safety pins, but it can just be one long string. Any ideas?

Ruffle - Fake Target

Long sleeve - Target

Belt - thrifted

Jeans - Earnest Sewn

Heels - Michael Kors

Here is how I wore the new boots from Monday's post for a wee bit (aka to the boys house) the day they arrived...

 Headband - it's actually a belt, wrapped around twice

Long sleeve - Target

Tunic - Target (it's an XXL tank top)

Jeans - Earnest Sewn

Boots - Seychelles

and how I wore them to work one day...

Bolero - Fake Target

T-Shirt - AA

Skirt - Free People

Boots - Seychelles

Laterz, must go prepare for the parental units first visit to Minneapolis in a year, which requires much cleaning, stashing of shoes from my mother's frugal eyes, and acting like I'm a real grown up.

P.S. Bought some crazy pants at Goodwill yesterday, finished blind hemming them today, will find a way to wear them soon so you can laugh at me. I'm good for that at least.

stuff and things

Ok, so we all know I love boots but seriously, I'm done buying boots. As of now. I picked up an extra bartending shift that I wouldn't normally work so I didn't feel guilty about buying these. But really, they are perfect! I don't have any brown knee high boots and I love the laces, the round toe and the heel height! Plus, I had a coupon for $10 off DSW and shipping was free. Not bad boots for $115 (and look at how cute the lining is!). They are Seychelles and I have a pair of their wedge sandals and they are super comfy. So here are my new babies!

I can't wait to wear them tomorrow. Must find proper outfit to rock these babies on their first tour of Minneapolis. Is it wrong that I kinda want to wear this crazy '80s blazer that I thrifted to work? (obvs not tomorrow, AFTER BOOT DAY!) 

Remember how cute it was on Project Runway Season One when Jay McCarroll had all his models in those single color outfits? Note the quilted vest. I love you Jay and am sorry that I am insulting your lovely collection with my less than chic monochrome-ish outfit:

Quilted vest - thrift store
Sweater - Fake Target
Crazy pants - $1 on TJ Maxx clearance
Sandals - London Underground

Oooh, I found my ringmaster-like blazer. I wish it was vintage and will still hunt for a vintage one (this one is thrifted Luella for Target). Not bad for $6.

 Jacket - Thrifted Luella for Target
Tanks - little boys Fruit of the Loom
Jeans - Bitten by SJP
Shoes - Madeline

Parental units are coming in to town next weekend, and they will finally meet the boy (jeez, we've been dating for a year and a half, not bad considering the longest relationship I'd had before him was three months!) He is scared and I think it is funny and cute. My parents are SO nothing to be scared of. I'll let him worry anyway. Laterz, must go running!

Finalist!!

So we all know how much I love to dress up. I shouldn't be so excited about this but I am a finalist in the Daddy Likey Halloween story contest! Go read it and vote for my awesome story about one amazing Halloween in Madison. Here's some pics for you so you can really picture it! Sorry they are kind of crappy, most of the photos are "real" not digital. Must get around to scanning them one of these days.

Yes my friends are awesome. Mike is the Operation man (yes, I made the costume)! And Matt is a "chick magnet". Sheesh. Anyway, must go bartend! Laterz! GO VOTE FOR ME! NOW!

The list

So I have a list, it is not written (although there are MANY lists in my life, all over the house, on my desk at work, and generally one written on the inside of my wrist for REALLY important things). Anyway, I am talking about the mental list of things that are missing from my wardrobe. I am missing some MAJOR staples (the only black pants I own are my bartending pants, I don't own a white button down shirt, I don't own a black skirt, ETC!) however, I am not interested in these things, which is why I don't own these things. Two things that are on my list...

Military inspired coat (well, I do have that old Belgian army one from 1950...)

 Everyday cape/ponch (as opposed to a thick coat-like one, which I have)

Well, I found TWO military-ish jackets (I'm sure I'll wear the other one some time soon so you can see it, just not too soon) and my everyday cape!

Next up... tall medium brown boots with a chunky heel (I finally found and ordered my dream pair, well, not my dream pair but the closest I will come on my budget, which does not involve Ann Demeulemeester boots)

Now I must stop wasting time and go do the dishes (how glamorous!)

P.S. Last night saw TV on the Radio at First Ave (for the 3rd time) and they were AMAZING as always, as were The Dirtbombs, who opened. Laterz.

A shortie

The lovely E has tagged me with Eleven Little Things. Here they are...

1. Clothing Shop: I pretty much only shop at thrift stores and Target (or both - the glory that is Fake Target!)
2. Furniture Shop: Um, I don't really shop for furniture. My couch is from my aunt, my mom bought me two chairs at IKEA (which I reupholstered), my kitchen chairs are mismatched thrifted chairs that I painted (a la Friends), my bedroom set is from my grandma from Norway in the '50s, my bookshelf was found on the side of the road... you get the picture. If/when I get money to pick out my own furniture, I will buy it from my sister, an interior designer at the very fancy schmancy Gabberts.
3. Sweet: Not big on sweets - eating sugar gives me a stomach ache, but I do eat Haribo Gold Bears from time to time.
4. City: Minneapolis obviously
5. Drink: If we're talking day to day it's water, coffee and hot green tea. If we're talking cocktails, it's red wine or Absolut Mandarin and soda water.
6. Music: Um, I own over a thousand CDs... the four concerts I am going to this month are Beck (w/MGMT), Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, TV on the Radio, and The Hold Steady.
7. TV Series: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock, and Project Runway (Good thing Ryan has cable!)
8. Film: Wes Anderson is my hero. I'm still a sucker for '90s movies like Empire Records and Reality Bites.
9. Workout: I try to run 10-15 miles a week.
10. Pastries: odd question, but ok... I like croissants on Saturday mornings (with cheese and fruit and Ryan).
11. Coffee: No cream, no sugar and very cheap.

Here are two outfits for you! Are they boring? YES! Do I care? NO! I spent most of the day yesterday at a boring work training (man oh man, most school nurses are decidedly unhip! Spending the day with a bunch of finicky middle-aged ladies who don't know how to work computers sucks!) I don't know why, this little sweater vest reminds me of Sesame Street. I guess cause it's kinda '70s and a little Ernie and Bert-ish.

T-Shirt - Target

Sweater vest - thrifted

Pants - thrifted Express

Shoes - Rampage

and I have today (and tomorrow!) off! Today will be spent making soups to freeze and eat for lunch all winter! Tomorrow is etsy update day! Laterz! I'm off to enjoy my days off!

Scarf - thrifted

Jean jacket - Target

T-Shirt - Target

Pants - thrifted Express

Shoes - DSW

Matching, my decor, and free stuff! (in that order)

I've been trying to get over my fear of being "matchy" in my clothes. I'm not always a huge rainbow, but I always wear 3-4 colors (or more!). Maybe next week I'll try to stick to two colors at a time. This will be hard, but we'll see. What's the point? I'm bright and I like it. I also have this matchy issue in my house. I definitely have color schemes in my house and in each room. But I still don't want things being too much of the same... know what I mean? No? Here are some examples (I may do a whole house photo session for a future post, it's just that it's hard to photograph rooms - or is it just me?)

No matching silverware allowed (yeah, some people think it's gross that it's from thrift stores, but hey, it's no worse than restaurant silverware!)

Again, hard to photograph but I have all different drawer pulls in my bathroom (yes, the walls are robin's egg blue, with yellow cabinets and brown and red accents but I don't think you can see any of the red... but you can in the background here)

Ooh, speaking of the house, I am in LOVE with this little cabinet my grandma gave me. It's old, Norwegian and you're supposed to put like potatoes and onions in it. Mine is full of screenprining ink and FutureLint tags and tag making materials!

I also LOVE this old and beat up book shelf that I found for free on the side of the road (along with three very French looking mirrors). My mom thinks it is gross but I dig it!

Oh, and here is me trying to be a little matchy this morning (and in case you forgot, here are the stairs!) Alright, so I'm still wearing green, grey, gold, and brown. But two gold things = matchy to me, ok?

Tank - little boys Fruit of the Loom

Sweater - Fake Target

Belt - thrifted

Skirt - thrifted

Shoes - Steven by Steve Madden

Meandering thoughts

There is a crazy outlet store near my house that I rarely let myself go to. Like four times a year, they clean out all the inventory in their Sale Annex and everything is $2. I only go like once or twice a year but last spring I found this awesome butt bow skirt there.

Cardigan - Fake Target

T-shirt - Target

Skirt - Crazy $2 outlet store annex. 

Shoes - Madeline (Nordstrom's Rack)

I don't specifically have anything to post on, but here are some thoughts for you

- there are spiders living in my car. For about 3 weeks, every morning there is a web across my windshield (on the inside). I am okay with this. I break the web every morning and there is a new one every morning. I will be angry when a.)one bites me b.)one jumps down on my bare ankle while driving and I crash c.) there is an "egg sac" somewhere.

- speaking of things that are gross, I am a school nurse (well, assistant nurse but am alone there most of the time). Kids are gross. I am okay with boogers and scraped knees and loose teeth are kinda gross to look at, but I'm pretty okay with everything. Yesterday we had a little girl who came in with Impetigo. It's pretty common but pretty gross. Basically you get a blister rash that OOZES. on your face. Ickers. Today, we had a little boy come in with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (yes, that is it's official name, and yes it makes me think of mad cow disease and all the Hoof-and-mouth Disease talks - they are in no way related). Again, blister-like sores on lips, in mouth and on tongue, on palms of hands and feet. Ickers. This one is really gross cause, how do you get it in the first place? By placing something infected in your mouth. How does something get infected? You can't get it from touching the sores, the only way it is contagious is the fact that the virus works it's way out of your body through feces. Yeah, little kids don't wash their hands after dropping a deuce then touch all the toys and crayons and once everyone in the class puts the toys and crayons in their mouth... Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease for ALL! Gross.

- ok, substantially less gross, I want to rant at you about thrift stores (yeah, even I'll admit, sometimes they are a little gross). GO TO THRIFT STORES NOW. Find the Halloween rack and fulfill all your vintage dreams. Seriously, they hoard all the vintage stuff all summer and then shove it all on the costumes racks. It's ridiculous. It's awesome. It's ridiculously awesome.

-Do you like cucumbers (I do! especially sliced nice and thin!) Do you like raw almonds? (I do!) Have you ever put sliced almonds (like from the baking aisle) on cucumber slices? It is AWESOME. I discovered this accidentally while eating a salad I made at Kowalski's and now eat it at lunch like four times a week. Go try it and if you hate it, put those almonds on something else and leave me and my cucumbers alone.

-I have Thursday and Friday off next week and I can't wait!! I have a ton of stuff to photograph and measure for my etsy. I'm excited to do a big fall/winter stocking (and I have a few new summery things. Suprisingly, I sell a lot of stuff in Australia and it is spring there. I've heard they have like no decent vintage there. Sad!)

-Totally random but here's a little tidbit for yous. I'm a ditz. Seriously, I'm just kind of a flake. I work really hard to appear intelligent (cause I am! Really! Do you want to see my ACT scores and college GPA?) I just forget things a lot, I get lost A LOT, and just like it when things are fun and cute and neat, and well, yeah. I'm a ditz. So, I'm very hyper organized at work and have to write things on my calendar and make myself notes and reminders or I just forget stuff. But sometimes, when it's slow and I'm bored, it's nice to just let it all hang out and be my own silly little self. Today was one of those days. Go me. OOH, which reminds me, one of the sixth grade girls told me I was "the youngest, cutest nurse ever" BOO-YAH!

Being a grown up

I signed up for BlogLovin'... we'll see.

So I had to meet "the mother" this weekend. Ryan and I have been dating for almost 1.5 years and he has not met my parents and I have not met his. Well, now I met his mom. She is super nice and cute. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. Spent all day Saturday at a diabetes training thing, then out to dinner with Ryan's mom, then to Mike's house to celebrate our friend Jim taking his LSATs. Sunday I pretty much wasted the day watching football and lounging around with a few friends. Pretty boring weekend plus I got a cold (being a school nurse, it's bound to happen a lot). Here is the meeting the mom outfit:

Sweater - Fake Target 

T-shirt - Fake Target

Skirt - Future Paradise

Shoes - Chinese Laundry

and what I wore today...

Sweater - thrifted H&M

Jeans - ??? very old and I removed the tag years ago cause it was itchy

Shoes - Chinese Laundry

Tomorrow I am taking a girl I barely know (who is new in town) to one of my favorite thrift stores. I'm excited to go there, it's been a long time since it was SO hard to get to when the 35W bridge collapsed (and the year+ it took to build a new one). I watched a few minutes of some show on people who are addicted to shopping with one of my gay boyfriends this weekend. It was really sad to see these overly tanned and made-up girls with these closets full of $300 jeans they had never worn and were in all this debt. I think I might be addicted to thrifting (hey, at least it's cheap and I'm not in debt as a result!) It's just so exciting when I find something AMAZING. Meh, there are worst addictions.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

DAY OFF! Survived my nutso week! So, I rewarded myself with a trip to the "Fake Target". What is this Fake Target? Ok, so the Target headquarters is in MPLS (that's the hip way to spell Minneapolis for you people not from Minnesota). They take all the samples from Target as well as anything that's been on sale and didn't sell and donate it to one Salvation Army. It has SPOILED me. Here's me at regular Target "TWENTY DOLLARS FOR A SWEATER, hell to the NO." And then I go to Fake Target and get it for four dollars. And when I buy sample stuff, I can have it before it even is on shelves at Target. Want to know what the new GO International collection is? yeah, I already bought some of the samples.

So first I dragged my bags of stuff to donate out to the car. I've had these bags cluttering up my closet for like two months. I get there and it's "oh, hai, guy with a tattooed face. Yes, you can help me unload all these bags! Do I want a receipt? Sure, tax rebate! Good luck sir, and did I mention what a fetching tattoo that is all over your face?" Is this a different guy than the one with the tattooed face who works at the Goodwill Outlet store and fights off the old ladies? Yes. Anyway, back to Fake Target, there is SO much stuff there. I was seriously angry because this one dress was SEVEN DOLLARS (ok, but then I realized it was a Richard Chai for Target dress and forked over the cash). Seriously, it's so cheap, I just randomly throw things in the cart. Garish orange sweater? Yes. Little boys plaid shorts? Sure. Maternity dress? Why not! Size zero dress? Hmmm, I can lose weight right? It is AMAZING. And if you aren't ready to leave behind your boyfriend and cat and move to Minneapolis right now, I will tempt you once more... SOMETIMES they get stuff from J. Crew. JAWS! So, if you are lucky enough to live in MPLS, get there now, cause someone needs to buy this stuff so I don't! And when you get there, if you see a girl standing in the aisle holding a maternity dress in one hand and a tiny size zero dress in the other, deep in contemplation, say hi to me and tell me neither one is worth it.

Ahhh!

Ok, I swear I will start posting like 3-4 times a week again soon. I'm just SO busy! And I know that is everyone's excuse for everything (from not working out, to not eating right, to neglecting their children (or blog).) So, here is my schedule for this week...

Monday - up at 6:30am and work till 3:30 then CPR class until 10pm

Tuesday - up at 6:30am and work till 3:30, then quick trip to bank and post office, then to drinks before the MGMT and Beck show, home on bus at 12:15am (FUN, yes! but you know, it was still a hectic day)

Wednesday - up at 6:30am and work till 3:30, then CPR class until 10pm

Thursday - up at 6:30am and work till 3:30, then work with a client until 8pm

Friday - WHOOOOO! No school! Day off! Much photographing stuff for my etsy, perhaps picking up a few things at Goodwill when I finally drop off the donations that have been in my trunk for MONTHS! Making soups to freeze and eat all winter!

Saturday - up at 6:30 for "Diabetes in a Backpack" training till 4pm, immediately go waitress until midnight to 1am-ish

Whew! So forgive me and my lack of posts. Ok, and I need to go to CPR soon, so if you feel a burning desire in your soul to see what I am wearing everyday, but do not have the privilege of seeing me everyday, go look at my flickr... and here is today!

Glasses - US Air Force issued, given to me by, you guessed it, someone in the Air Force

Tank - little boys Fruit of the Loom

Long sweater - thrifted Express

Necklace - thrifted vintage locket, still containing the photo of an old man 

Jeans - Earnest Sewn

Shoes - thrifted vintage Aerosoles

With scarf (my office is cold!)

Ooh, also, favorite thing about my new job, well like 50 things but the BEST is that I have time to read! while being paid! Already finished...

Three Cups of Tea (awesome true story of a mountaineer who gets lost from his sherpa coming down K2 and winds up in a little town in Pakistan. Through much dedication and effort he builds TONS of schools (for girls! even!) while the Taliban is in power. Amazing but makes me want to smack all the kids who don't appreciate education...)

When You Are Engulfed in Flames (David Sedaris, 'nuf said.)

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (meh, it was okay. It was good, then it was boring, then it was good again, then it was just okay, then it was over.) Not worth the hype it got, I think.

What is the What (AMAZING true story of one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, so heartbreaking yet funny and hopeful. I couldn't put it down and was seriously crying at my desk A LOT. It's written by Dave Eggers, who I love and it's a really inspirational book that makes you SO appreciative of your life and past. Go read it!)

I just started reading The Raw Shark Text. From what I know about it, it's about a man who wakes up with no memory and this keeps happening over and over. He remembers history and movies and etc, just nothing about himself and his life. The idea is that in the waves of your mind (you know, brain waves) there are conceptual little fish that eat things (like when you lose your keys or have no idea what you ate for lunch yesterday). Well, this guy has a conceptual shark in his mind eating his memories and it all has something to do with his psychologist and the mysterious death of his former fiance. Odd, but great so far!

So, you can all go on being jealous of me and my awesome job where I get paid to read!

Boo-ya!