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. 

How to Make a Simple Dress more Unique

 I talk a lot about vintage clothing and thrift stores here on this blog-o-mine. However, I am fully aware there are occasions when you need something specific and quick. A LBD or a simple lil' number for a meeting or a baby shower... sometimes you can't just waltz into a Goodwill and find these things at the drop of a hat. Or more commonly...you don't have time to dig.

That's when those fast fashion retailers come in handy, amiright? The key is individualizing those fast fashion scores (and in my case a making them look a bit more grown-up). In this post I took two dresses c/o Charlotte Russe and made them all my own.

Here's some tips:
A badass statement neck usually does the trick for me. There's nothing that makes a look more special than a GIANT ELEPHANT BROOCH. Giant animal jewelry is a great addition to any outfit, actually. I always feel like I have a little friend accompanying me through out my day.
Here's a Pug brooch.  So comically adorable. 
These elk brooches are amazing...and cheap!

Vintage bags can also shake it up. Gold Lame? Mmmhmm. Yes please. I'll take two.

Layering a shirt over a dress works too! This is a trick that often slips my mind when styling out dresses. I'm sportin' some 90's Tommy Hilfiger here. Which is HILARIOUS to me. Am I the only one that sees the comedy in that?

And finally try a blazer! This is where the transformation really happens, y'all guyzzz.
I have a closet full of blazers with various details that set them apart from other basic blazers. Fringe and lace and strange patterns all up iiiiin the place. The fabric on this white one, for example, is snake print.

So there you have it. Sure, there's a chance someone else might be wearing the same dress as you, but 

you'll be wearing it better. 

{Dresses: c/o Charlotte Russe}{Blazer: Thrifted}{Tommy Hilfiger Shirt: Thrifted}

{Elephant Broach: Ebay}{Gold Nacklace: Thrifted}{Shoes: c/o Charlotte Russe}

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}

Gift Guides!

So, when I first sat down to create the charming little holiday gift collages, I was thinking, "Guys and Gals". Now that they are complete, that seems kinda silly. Honestly I would like anything on either of these gift guides. What guy or girl wouldn't like Django on vinyl? I could also certainly see a dude getting down with some Coconut Hibiscus Shea Moisture Body Wash as well. Literally. I've seen my husband do it. Daily. 

SO take the gender specific thing with a grain of salt, k? (Except for the beard softener...unless you know a bearded lady. In which case I wish I was coming to your holiday party, 'cause I want to know one too).

I really tried to include plenty of items from small and/or reputable companies. It's important to put in extra effort to support small and local businesses or businesses with good practices this time of year. 

1. Eels or Django on vinyl. Solid music across the board. Fail proof for a music lover. BUY VINYL AT YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE.  

2. Shea Moisture Beard Softener. I love this company. No animal testing, and no parabens! Find them at Target or Walgreens.

3. State shaped cutting/cheese boards by A.Heirloom. Most everyone is proud of their home state!

4. Doggie Bowtie by Papaya Pascal. organic and recycled materials. Any dog lover would enjoy dressing up their pooch for a special occasion. For example, on a Wednesday.

5. Sleek space heater by Crane. Keep your digits warm in the winter months!

6. Hot Sauce. THE BEST stocking stuffer for your favorite masochist.

7. Nostalgic Switchblade Comb

8. William Sonoma apron. Love the classic look of these, and the price is totally reasonable. 

9. Sandalwood Deo for his or her B.O.

10. Chapparal Studio Terrariums! This is a company I found at UniqueLA they are small and worthy of your money :)

11. Most importantly a Biggie necklace for anyone who has a sense of humor/loves hip hop. 

1. The most expensive thing in this post, but also what I personally want the most. Stylish Camera Bag from Ona Bags

2. Tortoise shell sunglasses. Find them at your local vintage or resale shop.

3. Sable and Snow greeting cards

4. Orleans No. 9 Candles from Orleans Candle Co. based out of Louisiana. This scent is particularly androgynous.

5. Quotation Mark earrings from ModCloth

6. Jane Austen Bandages for a book worm.

7. Zara Boots

8. Coconut Hibiscus Shea Butter Body Wash. No animal testing, paraben free. Their products can be found at Target or Walgreens

9. The Art of Haute Couture photography book with images by Victor Skrebenski

10. Frida Kahlo Necklace by an amazing jewelry designer, Melissa Loschy. Check her out.