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}

Oxblood, Ram Head

I suppose I was going for an old victorian west feel with this outfit. I find that era of fashion in the western United States to be so fascinating. The women took the European style of the time and transformed it into this beautiful and a bit more functional amalgamation. The leather, the gloves, all the delicate buttons, THE BOOTS....I could go without wearing a corset though.....ever...(please take this moment to notice the badass cowboy hat ring Jonny found for me at Buffalo Exchange).

This polka-dot low bow blouse is one of my favorite things I've ever found at a thrift store. It's timeless, soft and a perfect deep navy color. Is anyone else pumped about this Oxblood color trend happening lately? (Although I'm pretty sure Oxblood is the same color as human blood, but that name doesn't seem to have the same alluring aspect...not that Oxblood is alluring....errrr, you know what I mean).

Also, I found this Ram head necklace at a sidewalk sale in Venice. I'm always happy to find animal pieces. I have a whole collection of little totems, as you might recall from this post. 

Also worn in this post, a very special hat stolen from my very special husband gifted to him from a very special friend. To that friend: Thank you for equipping my man's closet with a great piece....that I can steal from him. 

Shirt, Jacket, Belt: Thrifted, Ring: Buffalo Exchange, Bag: Vintage Coach, Hat: Gited, Boots: Born (similar)

Western Ware (and the unveiling of horseface)

I know. Corduroys and a long sleeve denim shirt....We're still experiencing very hight temps, 

but this is what I wear to work. You see, I work in subzero temperatures at JCP HQ. 

Working in the styling room from 9-5 often actually gives me a runny nose. So...that explains it. 

I don't wear much make-up. Every now and then I'll bust out with some eyeshadow

for special ocasions. Thankfully I found a red lipstick that works with my 

fair skin tone and very neutral makeup stylings. I also found that during the day just piling 

on red lipstick requires a lot of upkeep, so I figured out a way to make it look more like a stain.

It's less of a hassle. I just dab it on and blend it with my finger then apply clear gloss and blot. 

Easy as pie.

(Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Royal Red...discontinued whhaaa whaaa)

My new thing=doubling up rings. The tri-stud ring on the left is from F21, and on the right

are my Nana's diamonds. The turquoise necklace is hers too. After she passed I had lots of bags of 

her jewelry to look through. A lot of Rhinestones, (She was a diamonds and champagne type of lady)

so imagine my surprise when I found a whole set of sterling and turquoise Southwestern craftings. 

I like to imagine her taking a road trip with my Poppy from Tampa to New Mexico in the 60's 

and purchasing this from some old Navajo. She would've thought it was so novelty. 

She probably wore it while it was in fashion, and tucked it away for me to find

whilst sitting on my parents driveway at a garage sale 3 weeks after she passed.  

Hey look !!! I made the DIY bracelets I said I was going to! It was very easy and I've already 

made 3 for me, 2 for my husband and a couple for my friends! Go here for the full how-to!

And just to prove that I'm really a huge dork, I will now reveal to you my ultimate huge horse smile

never seen before on this blog. This is actually a before and after sequence. Before is me pretending

to look at my Man Ray portrait book (ahem....first edition, not that you needed proof I'm cool)..

and the second is my reaction when Jonathan said, "loose the book, you look contrived"

CALLED OUT AND THAT'S WHY I LOVE HIM.

 

Cords: H&M, Shirt: F21, Belt: Thrifted, Bralette: UO, Sandals: JCP

The Clark Gable framed drawing behind me is by an artist...Jonathan Brooks....

maybe you've heard of him.

Have a Happy Holiday 

Say Hello to My Little Friends...

My hands were restless, the light was afternoonish, and I had the urge to showcase 

my little friends. I look at them every day when I'm accessorizing my limbs and whatnot. 

I say they're my little friends, and I kinda mean it. I have a special affinity for animal

jewelry. Finding special pieces like these makes me feel a little bit like a kid again.

What I mean is....

I find myself giving them personalities, or thinking maybe one gets envious 

if I wear another too much. When I'm sporting them, it's like I have a pal along for the ride. 

aside:

Sometimes I do get slightly sickened, however, when I see really kitschy, over-produced animal jewelry. 

(Owls for example....what a pity).

The Elephant Broach has his own special place in my jewelry box. He's no nonsense. 

The Leopard is just nappin'... mad chillin' and what have you.

The Pelican earrings were found at a shell shack in St. Augustine, and are very special to me even though they were only $2...Actually, especially cause they were $2.

The Seahorse and the Fishy were both gifts from my husband. I relate to these two, because they are long and lean and have goofy faces....remind you of anyone? yeahme.

The birdbath ring I found on ebay so it lacks any sentimental value...except I wear it everyday. Also, I feel safer when walking in parking garages with it on. It could really tear a hole in somebody's face. 

Now for a night of tombstone pizza (ooohhhh the shame), and cuddling with fur child and husband. 

Good Vibrations

So everyone in North Texas is snowed in. (Note the TX definition of snowed in is it was sleeting last night for a hour, and the highways have ice patches on them). I decided to sift through some old photos of summer and spring and list allllll the things I miss about the warm weather.

1.) New York City in September and straw hats.

2.) Starbucks plug! Yummy ice coffee with EXTRA ice.

3.) Tuna Salad Sandwiches from the deli next to Buffalo Exchange on Greenville Ave. ...Also, my man in tanks. 

4.) High waisted vintage gym shorts and tube tops, and legs being brown enough to rock them HARD. What's up Farrah?

5.) My lady Chere dressing like this......

(note: I bought her those leggings at SXSW at the American Apparel Flea market...another thing I love about spring).

6.)Tank Tops with giant necklaces and pastel nail polish.

7.) Outdoor Flea Markets in Austin.

See ya later!

Shoot! I forgot my camera...get it?

I know it must be boring seeing pictures of me at my place...post, after post, after post...if anyone even looks at all... This past month I've been pretty cooped up. I might actually be going a little stir crazy. I haven't been working much, have started a few books, learned Ice Dance from Edward Scissor Hands on the piano (jealous?), washed the sheets, made dents in piles of clothes on my floor where my closet vomited into my room, and hung art on my walls....Alright, now that I have successfully articulated my eventful holiday season, I can show you some more photos...of me....at my place. ha!

My parents bought me some pretty sweet constant lights to shoot portraits with. Yay! I got one all set up and realized I left my camera at their place. Balls! So I messed around with my point and shoot. 

My 2 fave elements of this little ensemble are my napping leopard MiMi D neckalce, and my orange and navy printed scarf. 

I luv u. enjoi. (remember that skate brand?)

This is a picture of Del moving in front of the camera while I was trying to have a moment..Deeevuh! 

It reminds me of those creepy instants in deep sea thriller films where the sea monster nonchalantly swims by the window of the submarine as if to say "I know you're in there, and I'm gonna eat you" and everyone inside is all like, "what was that?!?.....Did you see that.??..." and then the power goes out...You know what I'm talking about, right?

Wearin' UO red tank, DKNY jeans, Thrifted belt, watches, MiMi D Leopard Necklace, and head scarf, Forev Cardigan, Diamond pinky ring from NaNa and Ebay found Birdbath ring. 

elefant

This weekend was maximally relaxing, not too much movement, not too many purchases (trying to ease up on those). Finished a great book by Ms. Cintra Wilson. Found about 6 Woody Allen movies at a garage sale, and spent plenty of time snuggling and watching them. We win. Here's an outfit post, in hopes to aesthetically please you. muah!

My elephant broach I very clumsily attached to a chain and transformed into a necklace, and my very special cameo ring j bought me for balentimes day.

Oooooh, here's a good one. My ridonk-donk collection of funky-chunky-totem spirit-charmy-necklaces hanging on the wall.

Wearing vintage Evan Picone blazer, thrifted pleated giant pants, Target leggings, thrifted braided leather belt,Steve Madden brogues

I looked everywhere for these kindsa pants. Big ol' black ones with pleats. (Which I had to reiron into them, because they were at this junked out thrift store). I only wish the waist band went up a little higher around my mid section.

And here is a loverly Sunday portrait of me and my doggie. Mad chillin.

This post was composed to the sounds of the band, Madness. Yum.

Happy end of February.