What is with me and orange lately?

Apparently I love it. So why don't I marry it?

Shirt - thrifted vintage
Skirt - vintage via www.pangs.etsy.com
Bracelet - thrifted little boys beaded belt
Sandals - Frye

Soooooooo excited for the weekend! About 6-7 friends and I are headed up north to a cabin this afternoon! Well, actually, they call it the "summer house" because I guess it's not exactly rustic. Should be a blast thought! Lots of games, croquet, throwing the baseball around, and a nighttime trip to the local townie bar! Then we're high-tailing it back here Sunday in time for the May Day parade followed by a BBQ and bonfire! I feel like it's the official kick-off to spring weekend! Let's hope for some springish temperatures and no rain! Byyyyyyyyyyyye!

Bright idea

I hate taking photos where I am wearing wide leg pants... they always look insane. My camera is a crappy point-and-shoot and it takes two photos on the timer. I've got like 10 seconds to push the button and run to the stairs. Not enough time to straighten up my pants legs. Oh well, I assure you they look normal IRL.

Necklaces - made by me
Sweater - GAP
Jeans - Built by Wendy
Sandals - thrifted Nine West

I dislike purple. I don't know why. But it didn't stop me from buying purple lipstick apparently. I made these necklaces out of clothesline, and either handspun yarn (spun by someone else... I'm not that crafty... yet) or embroidery floss. I made about a million of them last summer but I've given a lot away as gifts.

The lipstick is Cover Girl Lip Perfection in "Divine"... why are lipstick names the dumbest things ever? Next to maybe nailpolish names... one time I flat out refused to buy a lipstick I liked because the name was "Diva" and that word irks me like no other. Geez, I'm surly today, I guess. So far I have complained about wide leg pants, the color purple, and my disdain for the word "diva"... I better end this post before I alienate more people by being a hater. I also hate puppies (ok, not really.)

I love ugly things.

There is something about ugly things (like this burnt orange striped cardigan and these dead flesh looking knee socks) that just gives my heart a little thrill.

Cardigan - thrifted vintage

T-shirt - Target

Shorts - thrifted Paul & Joe for Target

Socks - Target

Shoes - modcloth.com

My date last night went good. He was pretty cool and easy to talk with for two hours. He asked what I was doing this weekend, but I'm going to a cabin with some friends, so we'll see if we hang out again some time next week. Tonight is book club at my house. We read "The Master and Margarita" which was really good if you're into seminal works of Russian literature about the devil. It's actually pretty funny. Not much to say today, it is raining again. All day. I am tired of taking the bus to work, I just want to bike every day, is that too much to ask? I'd be on board with this April showers/May flowers business if it hadn't snowed so much in April. Boo.

A watermelon pencil

Knit shirt - JC Penney (a few years ago)
Bangles - thrifted
Skirt - thrifted vintage
Shoes - Jessica Simpson

Last night I went to go see a friend in the Chicago Avenue Project, which was super cute! They pair up local kids from the neighborhood with a professional playwright, and they write a short play! Then the child and a professional actor practice it for a few weeks then perform the show with costumes and sets and everything! My friend who is an actor volunteers to do it every year and it's fun to see! 

Sooo, I have a date tonight. A date with a younger man. It's official. I'm entering cougardom. Ok, ok,  so he's 27 and I'm 29... but still. I've generally dated guys who were 3-5 years older than me, so it's going to be strange. We shall call him Mohawk Boy (because at one point, he had a mohawk, I don't know if he does any more. And boy because, well, the cougar thing.) We are meeting up for a beer and to watch the Twins game but considering it's raining right now and supposed to stay that way all day and all night and all of tomorrow when it may turn into snow, I'm guessing the game will be canceled. Oh well. I was joking around last night with my friend Amber about how I am a cougar now, and as such this date can end in only one of two ways. 1.) Wild sex in the bathroom. 2.) I throw a drink in his face. Neither of these scenarios will actually happen, I assure you, which is why I am not, in fact, a cougar. Damn. So scenario three may occur... 3.) I will be really nervous on my way to the date, get the vapors, and fall in a sewer. Never to be heard from again.

Partial Metal Jacket

Oxford - thrifted little boys
Vest - thrifted GO International SAMPLE
Skirt - thrifted Banana Republic
Clogs - Zigi Soho

My Easter weekend was really fun! My parents arrived on Saturday around noon and my dad replaced the bike tires on my commuter bike, which were so old they were getting dry and cracked. I had replaced the tires on my other bike last year, but it took me like an hour and a half and a LOT of swearing to get the job done. It took my dad like 15 minutes. My brother-in-law scored tickets for us to tour the Surly Brewing Co. (they are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get and they make my favorite beer of all time, Coffee Bender). It was awesome and probably the first time in my life I've ever seen my mom drink a beer. So we went and did that Saturday evening, followed by wood-fired pizzas at Mozza Mia. Sunday was church and brunch! Luckily it's time to start commuting to work by bike so I can burn off all this beer, pizza, and the fact that I ate everything under the sun at brunch (totally worth it!). Today's outfit was totally bikeable (with flats and bike shorts under the skirt! And a helmet, duh!)

Eggy

This might be the first outfit I've worn where nothing is thrifted! Crazy! This outfit also makes me feel springy TO THE MAX (even though it's still cold and I have to wear a sweater.)

T-shirt - Target

Sweater - Old Navy

Skirt - Future Paradise

Shoes - Bakers

This might be my favorite skirt of all time. About four years ago I was meeting a friend for happy hour. On my way there she called and said she was stuck in traffic and would be like 20 minutes late. So I stopped in a local boutique that was going out of business that was next door to the bar. This skirt was there and originally marked $480 (the lace work is all done by hand, from vintage lace). Everything was 80% off, so even though it was still almost $100, I had to have it! There was only one and it fit perfectly! 

This weekend the parental units are coming into town for Easter. I'm excited because while my mom was here like a month ago for my Lasik, I haven't seen my dad since Christmas. Plus, brunch! Delicious brunch! Sunday night I was supposed to go see TV on the Radio at First Ave, but sadly, their bassist, Gerard Smith, just died so they have canceled their shows this week. About a month ago they announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer and was not going on tour with them this time. He died on Wednesday morning. Luckily I've had the priveledge of seeing him live with them three times before. His story was pretty awesome too, he went from busking on a subway platform with a flamenco guitar to recording and touring in one of the most critically acclaimed indie rock bands.

Anyway, have a fabulous weekend internetz and go give someone you love a hug! I demand it.

Orange Crush

I am pretty sure the little kids at my work will not enjoy the avant garde nature of my orange lipstick today. I also suspect the high school girls will love it.

 Yellow "necklace" - Seoul Folk Flea Market in Korea

Orange necklace - Kohl's (a few years ago)

Oxford - thrifted J. Crew

Belt - thrifted

Jeans - Old Navy

Shoes - vintage via eBay (no brand)

The lipstick is Cover Girl Lip Perfection in "Temptation". It's a really pretty orangey-coppery color with just enough red that you don't look totally insane (orange lipstick can do that to a gal.)

I've never been one for make-up but lately it's been fun playing with lipsticks (so far just hot pink and red). I used to think I couldn't pull them off because of my hair, but now I realize that's just silly. I also bought a very purpley one, but I think I'll wait a few days to rock that one. I still never wear foundation, concealer, or eyeshadow, but maybe one day that will change too!

9 or 29

I dressed so fancy yesterday, I felt the need to be casual today.

 Jean jacket - thrifted GAP kids, overbleached by me

T-shirt - thrifted

Jeans - GAP

Boots - Seychelles

I finally remembered to take a coat and bag photo today... this is pretty much what I look like when I go to work every day (well since the beginning of March, when it started to warm up and I could put away the REALLY thick coats). I tried to rock this coat indoors, but I've come to terms with the fact that it's more of an outdoor coat and a good transition piece for when it's not freezing but not warm yet. Oh, yeah, it is snowing today. Snowing. Today. And I have a bad attitude about it.

I found this vintage bag on Spool 72. I've been waiting for the PERFECT brown vintage leather school satchel for like three years. I kept being tempted to buy a new Cambridge one or something similar but waited and waited and waited instead. The shape of the bag looks a bit funny in the photo 'cause it's stuffed full of paperwork and my lunch and whatnot, so here is the glamour shot from Spool 72:

When I saw this one I knew it was the one. The girls from Spool 72 found it at a barn sale in Kentucky. And now I will carry it to work for THE REST OF MY LIFE. And when I die, people will fight over it. Which is too bad, because I'm going to be cremated then BURIED IN IT.

She sells seashells

This was the find of all finds from thrifting with Mr. T on Saturday. I seriously did a little jig in Arc's Value Village when I found this vintage pearl collar. Even better? Pink tags were 50% off so it was only $6!

 Collar - thrifted
Sweater - Old Navy
Belt - thrifted
Skirt - thrifted Banana Republic
Tights - Target
Shoes - MIA

And... here is the new screen I made! It took forever to finish because it was hard to draw accurately for a while after my Lasik. I think my vision is finally at 20/20 now (when I went for my post-op two weeks ago, I was at 20/30). So now the man with a beard of bees can join his special lady with a beehive hairdo and live happily ever after. Or something. I'll add both a yellow shirt with dark grey ink, and a dark grey shirt with yellow ink to the shop tonight! And one for men! Here is the test print of the dude... and his lady, to show what color scheme the final shirts will be!

Yay! Bees!

Red buffalo

I love vintage things that are this crazy bright red color!

Sweater - thrifted, vintage

Dress - Roadside BBQ Dress from Modcloth (I won a gift certificate from Divergent Musings!)

Tights - Target

Shoes - Bakers

I had a really fun weekend. Friday was the art show then I went out dancing at the gay bar. Then we went to my friend Matt's house and watched all the Scream movies until like 4am. Saturday I went thrifting with Mr. T then we went to "the worst place on Earth"... aka Toby Keith's I Love this Bar &Grill. We were always joking about going there because we both hate country music and it's gigantic and has a 95 foot guitar shaped bar, so we finally did it! It was actually really fun. We had lunch and a few beers while watching the Twins game and playing bags (or cornhole or baggo, or whatever you call it in your region). Saturday night I went to see Scream 4 with a bunch of friends. My potential date got canceled, so I'll keep you up to date on that. Yesterday I cleaned up the clothes tornado that destroyed my bedroom and finished a new screen! New shirts, coming tomorrow! Yay!

Pink swan(s)

No obscure references for you to decipher today... just a kick-ass swan sweater from the '80s.

 Glasses - thrifted American Optical, lenses replaced
Sweater - thrifted (no tags)
Pants - thrifted Isaac Mizrahi for Target
Shoes - Seychelles

Oh, you know, just perfectly matching shoes:

I'm going to a queer art show tonight with a few friends, then tomorrow I'm going thrifting with Mr. T.  He and I are no longer dating but we are still friends. Remember when we first met and I complained we had no chemistry? Yeah. So we pretty much agreed that we both kick ass, but we do not make sense as a couple.  But we still talk and thrift, and may get ourselves involved in another art war, so it's cool.  It's also his half birthday on Saturday so I may or may not be dragging him out to the worst place on earth (I'll tell you about it if it happens.) On Sunday, I've got a first date. Since all boys get a blog nickname 'round here, we shall call him The Tatttoed Vegan. Because that is what he is. If he sticks around, I'll give him a better nickname, but for now, it'll have to do. I'll be back Monday with an update I'm sure!

I think her name is Debra

 If you know why this t-shirt is awesome, you and I are going to get along just fiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

 Cardigan - antique store (info here)
T-shirt - beck.com
Cropped pants - Target
Sandals - Charles David

 Cardigan detail:

I've seen Beck in concert several times but his show in 2006 blew my mind. He rocked a few songs then said that the band and he had pulled into town kinda late and so he was gonna sing a few acoustic songs while the back-up band ate dinner. A dinner table full of food was brought out on table and all the musicians ate while Beck sang a song alone, just him and his guitar. He started singing a second acoustic song, when the drummer started hitting his water glass with a spoon. Then another guy started banging his hands on the table. Then pretty much this happened:

Sooooo amazing to see live. Seriously one of the top 10 concerts of my life (and I've been to HUNDREDS). Awesome.

Sunshine and rain

It is supposed to rain today, rain tomorrow, and snow on Friday so I'm dressing extra cheerful today! I'm also experimenting with wearing my hair half-down. I just pinned back the front so it's not in my face all day. That is my main beef with wearing my hair down in general, it's always in my eyes and getting in my way, especially when I spend so much time at work crouched down helping kindergarten and first graders.

Sweater - Target (a few years ago)

Polo - from when I was a bev cart girl at a golf club

Belt - thrifted Frye

Skirt - Brooklyn Industries

Shoes - vintage via eBay

Shoes:

These shoes were a steal at $10 a few months ago. They don't have a brand, they just say "Made in Brazil" and they're so comfortable! Score!

The Max

No, not the Saved by the Bell hangout, maxi skirts TO THE MAX!

Oxford - Target

Vest - thrifted

Skirt - thrifted handmade vintage

Sandals - Jessica Simpson

Ridiculously tiny little boys fringed suede vest:

I'm glad the choice this month was maxi skirts because I've had this one sitting in my sewing pile for a couple months. It was handmade and a bunch of the stitching was coming out. It was an easy fix, but this challenge motivated me to fix it in time for spring! 

Some previous wearings of maxi skirts or maxi dresses (click on them to go to my flickr if you want the outfit details):

I'm only 5'3" and maxis get a big thumbs up from this girl! Conventional wisdom be damned!

Kelly Navy

Spring break, I miss you already. It was a relaxing 10 days off. I finished up some drawings, cleaned out the garage and killed about a hundred spiders, painted my bedroom from avocado green to light grey, had an unexpected ceiling leak due to my incompetent upstairs neighbor, cleaned the whole house, and watched an awful lot of 30 Rock. All in all, it was great!

 Jacket - thrifted vintage

T-shirt - belonged to my mom in 8th grade
Belt - thrifted
Skirt - thrifted Banana Republic
Socks - ? super old
Shoes - thrifted unworn xhiliaration

But, as much fun as having a week off is, I'm happy to be back at work. I think I do better with a structured day. Having no agenda just causes me to slack off and waste time. Now that free time is precious, I get more things done. Strange. The important thing is, SPRING IS HERE! I've had my windows open for days and almost all of the snow is gone! Bare knees and biking to work, wahoo!

A black and white affair

Well, so far my spring break has not been going according to plan... I live in a condo and the person who lives above my bedroom has a leaky pipe! It is leaking through my ceiling and into my bedroom. Boo. So I have been up since 3am and now get to spend the day with plumbers. On a happier note, I took one outfit photo (believe me, you don't need to see my "clean out the garage and kill all the spiders" outfit from yesterday. One of my neighbors actually thought I was a teenage boy.)

Here is what I wore on Saturday, to my friend Susan's 30th birthday party. The party was called "Zebras and Zubas: A Black and White Affair" so everyone had to wear black and white. Which is double funny because my friend Susie is black and her husband is white so she generally refers to their marriage as a black and white affair. Anyway, I used the opporunity to wear this insane vintage dress:

Cardigan - Nine West

Dress  thrifted vintage Romantica by Victor Costa

Shoes - Seychelles

Previous wearings of the dress here and here. Yes, I always wear it with a cardigan because the sleeves are patterened too (of course) and I can handle wearing a dress with the volume turned up to 10, but this dress without the cardigan is at volume 11...