The 1940's and Our Late 20's

I'm glad my husband tells me I look like a 40's movie star when I wear my $5 dress found at a pile sale. I'm also glad that 1940's silhouettes are having a fashion moment right now. The 40's shape is friendly to a woman in her late 20's. It's sexy but modest. Chic...but basic enough to make one's own; which I attempted to do here with purple sunglasses, bright lips and a gold collar necklace.

In 1939 the war changed everything including fashion. Designers stopped designing. There were restrictions on amounts of fabric women could buy. Adornments were frowned upon. Because of the war, fashion became all about DIY. Improvising. Reworking what you had in your closet to create something fresh and new.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure my entire LIFE is having a 40's moment right now.
Aside from the whole frowning on adornments thing.

As I get closer to my 30's the blue prints of my future are becoming more visible. Tell me I'm not the only one who is just now starting to sort things out. (And by sort things out, I mean start to freak out I'm not where I thought I'd be at this point in my life). I find myself taking pieces (skills) in my closet (skill set?) and figuring out how to utilize them to build towards my goals. You're welcome, world, for that genius metaphor! Since moving to LA, J and I have certainly had to learn to improvise. And the expense of living out here has forced us to flex our DIY muscles more than once or twice.

A real wartime effort, y'all. 

But women in the 40's ended up doing some pretty rad stuff: headscarves, military style, wearing mens suits aaaaaaaand a little thing called THE ALL AMERICAN GIRLS PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE, bitch! A sports entity which was the inspiration for the best chick flick/best sports movie of all time: A League of Their Own. So I guess the moral of the story is these wartime gals, out of their scrapping and improvising, created a beautiful movement in history. One worth replicating.

With that in mind, at this some what uncomfortable transitional period in life called "my late 20's" I have to keep telling myself two things:

1. Ya' gotta have faith that everything you have to do for yourself...all of your improvising, will pay off and the end and one day, you will look back on this time endearingly.

2. There's no crying in baseball.

{Dress: Pile Sale. ModCloth has some awesome 40s style dresses: Here, here and here}

{Shoes: Old (similar)}

{Glasses: Venice boardwalk (similar)}

{Neck: F21 (similar)}

Stuart Weitzman Sandals · Topshop Cocktail Dresses · Urban Decay Lip Gloss

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}

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