Sunshine and blue skies

I actually took this picture with a self timer!  Amazing! They usually look strange ;)

The full outfit.

 "What do I do, what do I do?!" I actually asked while said camera self timed and took a picture. (I think... I have a lot of personality)

It was a beautiful day when I went outside and took these shots.  It was Monday actually.  Our computer was offline for almost two days because the phone was down. That's why I'm finally now posting these pics. Weird, but a good break from the internet ;)  


A few comments on my outfit.  The necklace is actually my cameo necklace worn backwards.  It has a lovely gold toned design on the back.  I made the bracelet from an old pearl necklace, from my grandmother again, probably vintage.  


I love how I ended up with 2 plaids goin' on.  One in blue and one in red!  The ring I scored recently at a thrift store.  I did some research but I can't find it anywhere online.  I took it to an antiques dealer and she said it probably is what you call "brass and glass."  And since it has a chip it's not worth much.  My guess is that it's from the 1920's or 1950's. I saw rings like it at a vintage store in Richmond.  Around the edge of the setting of the rhinestone are very delicate etchings of flowers and delicate designs.  I also love that color, Amber.  


I did 2 sessions basically of my outfit. The first without the scarf and coat. I talked to my dad and was like the pics of me don't look that great?  And he said and agreed with me that that yellow is too close to my skin tone.  


I added a scarf because I was getting cool. The blue in it looks so much better next to my face :)  In this type of weather I get too warm when I'm moving around than I cool off if I'm still for awhile. So I put on and take off layers throughout the day.


wide leg pants: Gabriel brothers, Ann Taylor Loft
socks: Gabriel brothers?
blue suede shoes: target, sale $5
striped button up: Carriage Court, thrifted (probably vintage)
yellow sweater with blue bows: a brand I'm not familier with ;)  thrifted
necklace: backwards cameo, from my Grandmother, vintage avon
scarf: Christmas gift from Brother
jean jacket: Old Navy $25
glass and brass ring: $6 Goodwill
bracelet: self made, vintage beads 


It's actually 3:38 am right now. I just got home at 3 am from picking up my sister from the Baltimore airport. Wow! Yeah. I'm about to go to bed.

"POP" of red

I like red. The walls in my room are red. My comforter is red. I have a red fuzzy chair. (I didn't actually paint my walls red, my sister did and I inherited that fabulous color when I moved in.)

I actually don't have a lot of red clothes. I have 2 pair of shoes that are red, 2 red scarves, a belt, a coat and a sweater (I might not keep.) Sounds like a lot-ish, but I have a lot-ish clothes too.

I told a friend of mine today that I have an addiction to thrift stores. She told me, "At least it's not an addiction to high end stores." (hehe). True I can fork over $2 any day for a cute pair of shoes instead of $435 (big smile!).

I sometimes feel guilty buying stuff, or after the fact. I grew up not having a lot and really conservative so spending money can make me feel guilty. Or, like I shouldn't spend a lot. That could be one of the reasons it's easy for me to "drop" money at thrift stores, because it's not a lot. And it can feel more "ok" to spend a little than to spend more. Maybe if I saved money and didn't spend as much as I did at thrift stores I could buy some pieces that are better quality for more money. (But, where else than a thrift store, can you find Steve Madden leather heels for $2!!! Ok, to be honest, they did need some glue, and are a bit scuffed. But, They are so classy!)

These are a bit late night ramblings-esque. I'm tired, it's 1 am. I just watched Iron Man 2 with my brother. Fun movie.

I don't know if I can keep up with posting my outfit every day... it takes time. But I do want to do it more often than I did before, which was "not at all." It's also a good way to take my pulse on how I dress.

Any suggestions on how to make my face look "good" while doing "self shots?" On a number of the pics from today you're seeing the handiwork of my father. (He made me laugh. check out the 2nd pic, I'm reacting to him :))

p.s. I actually wore a different pair of boots to church, my "sexy" black boots, but we did a bit of shopping after church and they got to a point where my feet were HURT-ING! So I put on my loyal grey leather "pirate boots" and left 'em on for the picture taking. (Is it bad that I'm calling inanimate objects as if they are living creatures?)

Red faux patent leather purse, "Nine West": $2.95 thrifted

jersey grey dress: Gabriel Brothers $(guess $4)? cheap

black lace pattern tights: ?

"pirate boots": $2 vintage thrifted

long necklace (Avon?): vintage thrifted

faux crystal necklace: $1 jewelery store in Tx.

filigree bling bling earrings: $1 jewelery store in Tx.

bling bling ring: gift from my sister

super cozy sweater: gift from my sister

"...I hope you find a lot of beauty in your day..."

A friend of mine left me a comment on my FB wall this a.m. "...I hope you find a lot of beauty in your day..." Because of that I delibratly wanted to. Isn't that interesting how people can speak into your life and you want to do what they said, in a sense prophesied into being.

My dad has done that for me a couple of times while I was in Richmond. He would text me and text something to this effect "God has something special in store for you today." And I would live with that expectation and something would happen. :) It's awesome to sow positive expectations into others lives. We don't make it happen but that expectation can highlight a seemingly ordinary event and make it extra-ordinary.

I went with my family down to the tail end of our local Christmas Bazaar. Outside of the community center where it was held I had my brother help me in photographing my outfit today.

Ohhh! And a lady, who's our neighbor gave me the vintage brooch I have in my hair! I LOVE IT!

I got 4 pair of NICE jeans yesterday at the Salvation Army, $2 a pair. Two were Levi Strause and one pair were Calvin Klein and the 4th were dark wash skinny jeans! Score. Maybe 3 pair are too long but I can hem or just cut 'em off and have the frayed edge look.

My leather "men" shoes were scored yesterday too! I'd seen pics of other fashion bloggers that had ones like it. They make my feet look so little. But they are cold :( not much too them and I found out one already has part of the sole coming off... nothing a bit of glue can't fix!

little "men" shoes-leather thrifted "new" to me $5

Calvin Klein jeans-"new" to me thrifted $2

long sleeve thermal grey shirt-Gabriel brothers (the "gloved part is sweet!)

long sleeve button up sweat shirt-Gabriel brothers, actually juniors size (one of my faves, had for years!)

magenta scarf-walmart $5

giant ring-gift from my sister

vintage brooch/used as barret-gifted TODAY!

purse-from Christian Freedom International's import store in MI, $15? (made in Nepal?)

pin striped with cameos

This is my 2nd day of photographing what I wear. I was even in bed last night (early am) putting this together in my head. I started with a different cardigan but tried this little school teacher one instead. As an artist it's fun getting dressed (as a human, sometimes FRUSTRATING!), Instead of the colors being "matchy matchy" they have to work together. I would have never paired the red scarf with the sage green cardigan but I'm making it work.

I like camel with blue. I've worn my belt, pictured, with cobalt blue before (and some amazing 2 toned Steve Madden pumps!) but now it works with chambray blue.

It's hard to say what colors things are. I don't wear a lot of primary colors. Ok, it's easy to say the scarf is red. But what about the color of the background of the cameo? Would you say the cardigan is sage green? I actually googled sage green images, and that's what I got. It looked the same. :)

I need a new camera. I may be getting one free or I might have to spend a bit and go buy one. I've been thinking about one at Walmart that has a charger with it!! I have to practically wrestle with my batteries to make the camera work/upload to the computar. The flap that holds the batteries in place is held there with tape!

I also need to work on my facial expressions and poses. (shucks) I've seen fashion blogs where the girls (almost) always look good. It takes practice to stand in such a way that's interesting and looks good.

camel boots: christmas gift, Steve Madden

cream knee high socks: $2 Gabrial brothers

skinny jeans: Ross, $15

men's pin striped button down dress shirt: hand me down from a guy!

sage green and argyle cardigan: christmas gift, Target

stamped camel belt (I love!): vintage thrifted

cameo necklace: from my Grandmother, vintage avon

red wool scarf: christmas gift from my brother

fish earrings: thrifted (vintage?) they remind me of the goldfish crackers:) $2

corduroy blazer: YMI thrifted, still had a tag on it, it was a sample $2

As you can see I thrift ALOT. It's a bit of an addiction for me. I find the coolest things sometimes for not much! For example a pair of leather stamped women's cowboy boots made in spain for $1! But I can also waste money and not get items that are in the best of shape.

I grew up not dressing well and not having a lot. I was brought up very conservatively. I didn't wear pants regularly until my early 20's. I didn't get my ears pierced until I turned 20. Now I have a total of 4 piercings (all in my ears ;)

I have dreamed about attics/storage areas full of clothing. I even dreamed once about a rich lady that had a big closet with vintage stuff. It seems like I couldn't get to that closet. I think some of my dreams were because I haven't always had a lot/or the nicest of things. I do enjoy clothes and figuring out what I can do to be creative and stylish. Fashion is an extension of my creativity.

Limeade and blues

I really enjoy fashion, clothes and colors. I do own it, I am an artist and as such I love to put outfits together. With this outfit I put together blues and lime greens. And a touch of burgundy.

Yesterday I browsed many fashion blogs. There is one http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com/ Kendi everyday that I looked at ALOT yesterday. She is doing this really cool challenge called "30 for 30." What you do is pick 30 pieces from your wardrobe and wear only those 30 pieces for the next 30 days. You also cannot buy anything for your wardrobe during that time. It is to make the most of what you have and to also learn how to "remix" your pieces. I want to do it, but my camera isn't in the best shape.

But I did find some batteries that worked, I ended up using 4... they all had a little juice left and photographed what I'm wearing today.

So this is my first "fashion blog" about what I personally am wearing.

Fashion bloggers also post where they got each piece. The prices are guestimates.

grey leather boots: thrift store (vintage), $1

blue/teal tights: Gabriel Brothers, $2

mini denim skirt: thrifted (?)

lime green Anne Taylor sweater: thrifted $2

long sleeve turquoise and dark blue striped shirt: Target sale

lime green gradient scarf: $2.50 K-mart

earrings: thrifted $1

burgundy belt: thrifted, vintage

As you can see I LOVE bargains.

the updated version

I took some pics of this vintage dress and had them posted on my etsy. (Yes I "self took" these pictures. Just give me a kitchen stool and a self timer setting on a camera!)

I got advice from a very active vintage seller. She suggested I shorten the dress to a more modern length. So I did and re-shot it. I think it's so much cuter this length. I still don't have a buyer for it.

I started shortening another dress, black with white polka dots to sell in my Etsy shop. I need to hem it, photograph it and post it also.

This is my version of a not so mini "Mini dress." :) If you look at the previous blog you will see this dress before it was shortened.

Here's the updated version of the "Eva Girl Dress."

the vintage vantage

I finally started posting some new items in my etsy shop. I have 4 new Vintage items up. Great pieces for moving into the cooler months. The flamingo pink shift isn't posted yet.... but will be coming soon. www.mariesmiracles.etsy.com