Amalgamation Nation

This look gives me a lady boner. Mostly because I feel like it honors the thing that has somehow evolved to become "my style". Sometimes when I'm putting something together, or even after I've left the house I don't feel like me. I might feel dainty, cute, rock n' roll, boyish or the like....but not like me. It might be a good idea to take a break from pinterest, or even from looking at other style blogs. It inevitably influences you. It's like you get this image stuck in your head of fucking Erin Wasson standing on the street in NY being all skinny, edgy and annoyingly perfect and bad ass, and you try to achieve a similar look, but it doesn't quite pan out. Whhhyyyyyyy???

When you have such a focused goal in dressing, it's easy to get distracted from what's important about it: expressing yourself. Instead of having fun you're trying to achieve some kind of "look" that's not you....that's why you end up in an irritable mood with a floor full of clothing. Usually you're left feeling awkward. Not to say that you shouldn't look around you to be inspired..you should! Be inspired by someone's bravery or boldness with color or the way they look totally sleek and put together...and leave it there. Avoid judging yourself or trying to place upon yourself some sort of expectation

.....of yourself. (By "you" I mean the "royal you", and by the "royal you" I mean "me" mostly).

If someone asked me to describe my style, one word that would come to mind is "amalgamation" .... When ever I go for anything too specific I feel like a fraud. So I suppose at my best, I go for everything. This outfit, for example, is what would happen if Betty Draper, Mama Cass, Ralph Lauren and a street punk had a baby. 

Please note the Beehive. This newly discovered hairdo (for me) took less than 5 minutes, and is my most recent favorite thing. How-to coming soon!

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