On Wearing More Eccentric Vintage Pieces

Have you ever been in a secondhand store and found the most amazing-far-out-beautifully made piece, bought it with gusto then gotten home and didn't know how to wear it? Yeah, me too. However, thanks to maturity learning to not give a shite, I'm starting to overcome this issue.

Take this outfit for example. I knew I wanted to wear the 90's Betsy Johnson rose slip...just didn't know what to pair it with. When I finally layered it with this ridiculous Dynasty meets Marie Antoinette at Easter brunch peplum realness I felt like a super star (and a little bit like Ulyanna Sargeenko, yeah right... in my dreamzzz). However, en route to exit our house, I kept asking my husband, "I should just do the black leather jacket instead, right??" Classic. A leather jacket with a pretty little floral dress. Can't go wrong. Looks great on everyone else, right?

Then the whole "this ooonnnnneee? OR this one?" ensued. The switching back and forth from jacket to jacket while intermediately changing the hat. Eventually with the most kindness and understanding patience a husband could have whose wife's closet just vomited on their floor Jonny said, "Go with the Dynasty. You bought cause you love it. Fuuuuuck it."

My Hero.

He was right. The little black leather jacket would've toughened it up a bit, but I already accomplished that with the boots, right? Plus, that's the obvious choice. Sometimes you just have to say "screw it" and wear what you want. Who cares if you have a hint of crazy cat lady or a PTA mom or a character from Dynasty? (Key word here being HINT. Don't go full cat lady on me, now...not yet anyway).

Other outfit ideas for this badass blazer: 
With black cut offs and boots. 
Layered over a black pencil skirt or midi-dress with heels
White high waisted shorts and these cuties

Have a Happy Easter, Bunnies!

{Boots: Vintage, Dolly Python} {Slip: Betsy Johnson} {Panama Hat: Vintage (Similar)} 

{Blazer: Vintage}

Soft Tones and Smart Shopping

I'm laughing into my hair (eating it???)  in the first picture because Jonathan straight up called me out on making a "blue steel" face. He was all, "babe, don't make that face." I don't know what the big deal is. I was just trying to be a super model. 

Anyhoo, this is a casual look for me (a bit gussied up with the shoes. Honestly I put chucks on after these shots). I really love soft dusty tones because they complement my fair complexion. As opposed to neon. Neon makes me look like Jessie Spano. It's not the best. 

I saved a bundle on this outfit. The shoes were my mom's, but she is clumsy and falls a lot, so she gave them to me. Wedges just aren't the wisest choice for her. I love these Sam Edelmans 'cause they have little shoe collars, I can flip 'em up or down, depending on my sassiness. The sweater is Free People, but I found it at TJ Maxx while I was getting my "Maxxinista" on. The jeans are Helmut Lang, and I scored them at Nordstrom Rack for 65 smack-a-roos!!!! HELMUT EFING LANG. They were originally liiiiike $300. Booya! 

Why is it so satisfying to share your savings with the world? I feel a lot of people get satisfaction out of doing this. With so many high dollar fashion accessories and items being status symbols (i.e. the Loius Vuitton bag, the Hermes scarf, the Tory Burch flat (if you are a suburban soccer mom)) you would think one would be less inclined to tell you that someone else farted in their J.Crew pants but they got them on consignment SUPER CHEAP. I'm sorry I had to go there. A friend told me the other day, he didn't like buying second hand pants because he knows someone else farted in them...I laughed hard.  

For me thriftiness is a status symbol. Shopping smart and thrifting doesn't come easy for eveyone. In fact I would go so far as to say that it is a skill that is learned and perfected. 

Do you share your savings too? What is it about is that makes us so proud?

{Sweater: Free People (similar)} {Bag: Lula B's} {Jeans: Helmut Lang, Nordstrom Rack} {Scarf: H&M, (old)} {Shoes: Sam Edelman} 

Mixing Decades and Downton Abbey

As far as vintage wearing goes...do you guys like mixing decades as much as I do (apparently)? The skirt = 70's, the belt = 80's, the shoes = 20's, and the earrings = nowish (crystals are sooo having a fashion moment you guyzzzz) said in valley girl voice.

The sweater shirt? I'm not quite sure from whence it came, but wow. I'm realizing that tight vintage sweaters pre-80's make the girls look much larger than they really are, so uh, there's a fashion tip for you.

Let's talk about the headband. 

The leaf headband was a cue from Lady Mary (Downton Abbey) who aaaactaully took a cue from me, because I wore that shit in my wedding 2 years ago. 

Lady Mary + Me = Practically Soul Sisters.

Duh.

As I watched the much anticipated Downton Abbey wedding episode, I totally fist pumped the air as Lady Mary descended the stairs in her laurel-ish headband. (Of course her's was encrusted in precious stones, and mine was/is cheap metal painted gold and most likely cancerous. Whatevs). Anyhoo, like the giant dork I am, I felt the urge to rock my gold leaf headband the very next day. 

And let's face it: the headband really ties the room together. 

{Shoes: Kenneth Cole (old)} {Headband: Target (old)} {Earrings: Brandy Melville} 

{Everything else: Vintage}

Rock Refined

I feel as if this outfit is the younger me tryin' to peak out. I'm not one to say no to a child, so I just went with it. The younger me, however, didn't know the magic of Bruce Springsteen and I probably would've been wearing a Misfits or a Sloppy Seconds T instead. (adding Misfits and Sloppy Seconds T shirts to a wish list in my head as we speak..errr type).

Even though this look is a little dressy, I really felt comfortable in it. There's nothing like taking your favorite vintage T and surrounding it with well-fitting long lasting staples. (ie the pants, the hat, the black pumps, the jean jacket). It's not just that though...I suppose I just really feel like this is a prime example of my youth refined. Also, I would be just as happy bustin' out a pair of chucks to pair with this ensemble.

I found these tartan plaid pants on sale at J. Crew, and had to have them...along with a plaid skirt...........and a cardigan. Can someone please tell me WTFuuuu is up with sizes at J. Crew?! They are WAY too kind. Seriously, 1/3 of the reason I bought these is because they are 2 sizes smaller than what I usually wear. GENIUS.

{Hat, Jacket, T Shirt: Vintage} {Plaid Pants: J.Crew} {Cuff (old) and Belt: JCP} {Neckalce: Old Navy (old)} 

{Pixie Pumps: Sam Edleman, Neiman Marcus} {Sequin Sweater: Cremieux, Dillard's Discount Location}

Topanga Dressin' and How to Wear Thigh Highs

Well, this is what happens when you start getting dressed and you just. don't. stop. On Sunday we were heading up to Topanga for our friend Seth's birthday party, so I got a little inspired. Topanga is woodsy and mountainy and hilly and green and that's what was on my mind when I was putting this little ensemble together. I guess I was also thinking about Blair from The Facts of Life, cause this looks like something she might wear. But then Mrs. Garrett wouldn't let her leave the house 'cause thigh highs, well, they're pretty damn tantalizing. 

Aside:

Ladies, don't even act like you don't know thigh highs aren't the sexiest thing a girl could possibly wear besides a man's over sized shirt with no pantaloons...(and that doesn't happen in real life, but only in Mila Kunitz/Jennifer Anniston rom coms. Vomit.) That's not to say I don't like romantic comedies, and that's not to say don't wear thigh highs. I'm only suggesting to be aware of the balance of your look. If you're wanting to retain a bit of modesty, keep the rest of the look a bit less revealing. 

In conclusion, I'll go ahead and say this is full force dressing. We've got a theme, we've got thigh highs, suede, layers, stripes, cat glasses, side ponytail.....an actual rendering of a pony and finally, as displayed in the images below, I'm still digging the "broach as a bow tie" thang.  

{Striped Shirt, Suede Skirt, Sweater: Thrifted}{Broach: Vintage Heirloom}
{Cat Glasses & Earrings: Dolly Python} 

{Thigh Highs: Target (similar)}{Boots: Born}{Lips: Mac, Viva Glam}

Mixing High and Low

My husband recently revealed to me an advantage women have in dressing themselves that men have more difficulty relishing in. Mixing high end and low end clothing. He brought it up over dinner....at a french restaurant...over a prohibition era cocktail....on our romantic date night...don't make a big deal about it....and I was wearing this outfit which happens to be a prime example of mixing expensive, inexpensive aaaand midrange clothing (I'm an over achiever).

I audibly laughed at how on point he was. I mean look at this. My Forever21 ($4.00) vest is missing every plastic rhinestone, and honestly I bought it that way! I don't even give a care.

  (I actually think it's kinda funny).

 My bracelet? Not only is it assisting me in the achievement of tha' mixed metals action going on here, but it was also found on the ground. However, this look would fall short if it wasn't for the more high end Enzo Angiolini stilettos (I get that $120 shoes aren't really "high end" but it was certainly a splurge for me). That gold heel detail is all,

 "You're welcome for making any outfit you wear look like a million bucks."

I'm just not convinced that dudes have pieces that can transform them like that....Am I wrong?

Real quick, can we talk about the detail on the shirt? It looks like rhinestones birthing metal rods which are vomiting black yarn. I'M IN LOVE!

{Riding Pants: American Apparel}{Shoes: Enzo Angiolini, Nordstrom}{Vest, Earrings: F21}

{Belt, Shirt, Bag, Bracelets: Vintage, thrifted or found}{Blazer: Zara (similar)}

All Ears

I love the idea of wearing brooches in place of bow ties or bib necklaces. Obviously with this outfit, a bow tie would look ridiculous because there is no collar, but you get what I'm saying. A brooch right in the center of a sweater or collared shirt (or even better: a collared shirt layered under a sweater) is a pretty eclectic style statement. 

I had my doubts on whether or not this outfit was too much (the headband, the beehive, the dotted tights, the giant elephant brooch) but then I was all, "Grow some big ole' balls, Ash! Who gives a care?!"

I'm glad I listened to myself. I encourage you to do the same when feeling shy about that muumuu you're wanting to wear out on the town, or even something less statement-y like pattern mixing, or simply wearing heels! It feels good to reach your toe (even ever so slightly) outside your comfort zone. 

On the brooch: I found it on eBay through an arduous process of typing "GIANT ANIMAL JEWELRY" in the search engine, then flipping through pages of results. This highly difficult technique is also how I obtained my birdbath ring, which you might recall from this post. 

{Vince Camuto Boots: Nordstrom Rack} {Belt, Hair Scarf: Thrifted} {Shorts: Vintage, Girbaud}

{Free Press Dot Tights: Nordstrom Rack (similar)} {Elephant Broach: Ebay} {Sweater: Vintage} 

{Lip Gloss: Estee Lauder, Plum Divine}

Floral Frenzy

The bold floral pattern on this dress is such a refreshing alternative to ditzy floral. SRSLY....I feel as though ditzy floral has been shoved down our throats by major clothing manufacturers for the last 6 springs. Even the name "ditzy floral" has mutated from sounding cute and fun and maybe something I'd like to be a part of, to tedious and annoyingly "tween" like. 

Whoa. I don't know where all this resentment came from. 

Anyhoo, I feel this look is actually seasonally appropriate...it's a challenge to stick to what's seasonal in LA. Ya know, 'cause there are no seasons here. It's also somewhat difficult to parade around in florals without feeling too springy. (That's what I do. I parade in them). So, when I'm feeling bloomy in the gloomy months (you're welcome) I try to pair the print with leather. Furthermore, flowers on black can be fall-ish and fun....fun like a funeral!

 On the braid in my hair: do not ask me how I did it. I could probably never do it again. All I know is I was going to do that braided crown thing, I got lazy half way through and put the rest in a side pony.

The boots I'm wearing in the photos were one of my favorite Christmas presents. (THaNkS mOM I lOvE YoUUUU!!!!) Also, those awesome buckle earrings were a gift from my awesome husband, from the awesome vintage store, Dolly Python.

(Oh laawwwwd please disregard my tacky chipped Christmas themed fingernails)

Floral Dress: Kensie, Boots: Vince Camuto, Sequin Cardigan: Cremieux, Belt and Fringe Jacket: Vintage, Earrings and Cat Eye Glasses: Dolly Python

Merry Christmas, Y'all

We made it! Drove 22 hours with 2 dogs from LA to Dallas, or more specifically Grapevine, TX. It has been a good break. Making fart jokes with my brothers, shopping with my Mama and new future sister in law, visiting old haunts.  Speaking of old haunts, me and J were able to make it to Dolly Python (which if you don't know is the best vintage store in Dallas). J found a pair of size 12 cowboy boots. He had been searching for them in LA, but he's happy he found them in Texas. 

I figured my candy cane pants would be festive enough to sport for a holiday outfit post. I found them on sale at Free People. I'm not a huge fan of low rise pants because I have an obscenely long torso, and they make my legs resemble stumps, but I couldn't resist these. I'm wearing them with layered charm bracelets I stole from my mom for the day. When I'm away from her for long periods of time I come back to her house and am reminded of what incredible taste she has. Her things that I took for granted, or never really noticed seem more pronounced and precious now. 

My best wishes to everyone who reads this thing. Hug your loved ones, play with your new toys, drink coffee, watch Home Alone, most importantly be thankful. 

It just began to snow here. In Texas. What a gift. 

Jeans: Free People, Boots: Born, Sweater: Nordstrom, Bag: Vintage Coach, Polka Dot Shirt and Belt: Thrifted