OOTD: All You Sinners, Stand Up

Okay so again with the whole "I'm broke and can't afford crap" approach to blogging- but it's so honestly true. I'm working on making it better, but it's going to be a long and bumpy road which means I've decided to make this current financial situation work in my favor.

The holidays were a little awesome and a little depressing at the same time. On one hand, it's the first time in ten years I've celebrated Christmas with my family and it was awesome. On the other hand, I'm broke and I'm in a new place, missing my old traditions and people. In an effort to cheer myself up, I did do a tiny bit of Black Friday splurging and got myself two 10$ tees from hottopic.com. One thing you've got to know by now is that I'm addicted to band merch. I love it. The problem is most band merchandise doesn't come in plus size unless you count men's shirts, and actually a lot of those are 'slim' cut for the skinny emo boys. So when I ordered my shirts, I knew that I was going to use one of my tutorials to refashion them.

This is the first one.

Cardi/Thrifted, Dress/Handmade, Leggings/Target, Shoes/Frye-Ebay

I was going through my breakup just a few months after discovering my love of Panic at the Disco. It was actually kind of appropriate timing since they'd just released Hallelujah and it kind of became my anthem to keep carrying on through the hard times. I tend to cling to music during any kind of difficulty. I remember when I first moved to Philadelphia, MCR's Famous Last Words was on repeat all the time (that's a different blog post altogether).

Anyway, when I saw this super pink shirt on sale at hottopic, I knew it'd be the perfect pick me up. It's rare with projects for me to immediately know what I'm going to do with something. I usually just mash things together and hope they work, but I had a bubble gum pink tee in my stash and a yard of thrifted pink striped knit and I just saw this in my head. I even knew which tutorial I wanted- the Calliope tunic since I seem to be living in that style right now.

I love how this project 1. Looks amazing on me but 2. Took a shirt which I knew even the biggest size would be too small and made it into a comfy garment I'll definitely wear all the time. I love it with my sparkly $5 necklace from Wal Mart (birthday present, thanks Mom!) and my tough-as-nails Frye boots.

There's a sneaky peak of an upcoming OOTD - This is from one of my favorite shops, Rainbow Alternative. She's a great Philly artist and I miss seeing her booth at the Punk Rock Flea (she's still there, but I'm obvs. in Maryland). Told you, I'm all about the Calliope this Winter/Spring.

So, as delicious as Hallelujah is, a few months after I was so into that song, my ex admitted that he had started listening to P!ATD on my recommendation and really clicked with that song. Which made me want to throw up a little because that was 'my' break-up song! But that's fine, because they also released Emporer's New Clothes, which might just be my favorite music video ever made.



I'm takin' back the Cirque, baby, one little blog post at a time. ;-)

PS: Guys, I can't even tell you how much I'm loving my new hair.

PPS: Special shout out to Sheila, Shawna, Megan and Trees. Without your encouragement, I don't know if I could even write these posts anymore. < 3 you guys give me life. 

OOTD: A Return (ish)

Look at me go! Another blog post and it's NOT six months later.

All is basically the same in Nowhere Land. I'm slowly getting my creative buzz back, although it's hard. I'm still looking for a weekend job to supplement my week day part time office job. But, after six long months, I randomly cooked up a new tutorial and I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Strangely enough, this was my inspiration.

Snapped Garters

I saw this beautiful image over on Snapped Garters and I mulled it over. There was something I loved about this strong stripe and bold color combination. I looked at both of the outfits in the picture and realized I'd wear both of them! Even now!

I didn't reference the pic while I was making my new tutorial, which is bad because I remembered the stripes a little different (I thought it was more patchy), but I'm so in love with the new tutorial I don't even care!

Etsy

Look at that beauty!

I LIVE for this look.  It's very comfy, very soft and has a nice v-neck style. This dress is so cute with leggings and winter boots- even though it's not exact, I love that it's still as 80's as the inspiration pic.

Details: Cirque du Frock Dress & Necklace, Thrifted Cardi, Frye Boots/Ebay

Look! It's the elusive Meghan Edge in her new natural habitat. I was so excited about this dress I just had to take an outfit pic to share. It's been a hard few months but I can still smile for the camera when I need to.

I also did my own hair, but I'll make a post about that later. Even though I cut a few inches off of it and it turned out so amazingly well, I'd still like to take it shorter, like a pixie! But I'm trying to make it closer to spring for that cut.

Speaking of hair, I've made a few crochet headbands and I listed them in the shop. I really don't like to crochet much but I'm trying to use up a large stash of yarn I brought from Philadelphia. Wouldn't this blue one match my outfit?

$18 on Etsy

I'm excited for the upcoming holiday. This is the first year in a decade that I've been with my family during the holiday season. It's difficult because I'm not emotionally in a holiday mood and I'd like to be. Yuletime is one of my favorite times of the year except for my birthday and Halloween, and I'm hurting so it's hard to be merry. On the other hand, I'm looking forward to baking cookies with my mother and watching Christmas specials with the family.

As much as there are things I wish I had, people I wish were near me that will not be, I have to say I have a lot to be grateful for this Turkey Day. I'm especially grateful to be wearing that lime green skull dress to my grandmother's house.

OOTD: Mango

I've had a tiny taste of unpleasantness in my shopping world lately, and let me tell you, I'm flustered! I know I dress a little weird, but hey, I'm still a generally nice person and I like to treat myself when I can, so it always surprises me when people decide to treat me... weird. Sometimes it happens when I'm in a boutique or store and I feel like I'm being judged and watched. Part of this could be the anxiety. I hate being in crowds of people, so sometimes stores make me nervous. I'm willing to accept that responsibility on myself, to a degree, but there are some boutiques where they just assume you are too poor to buy yourself something there and immediately discount you as a potential customer. It's sad, really, because a lot of stores have lost me that way.

So to balance the bad with the good, I want to tell you about a store that I've fallen in love with near my house. It's called Mango and it's in Chestnut Hill. The shop people working there are lovely, they have an ever-changing stock of gorgeous garments and accessories, and I've never once regretted a purchase from them. Speaking of, take a look at my outfit below.

Top & Pants: Mango, Cardi: Thrifted, Collar: Buffalo Exchange, Mocs: Minnetonka

These pics were taken in an attempt to get myself psyched up for blogging again. The problem is that I get up too early for pics and the sun is always shining directly at my camera. There really is no other place for the pics (which also means messy kitchen table is included in my shot!). On the plus side, I really love lens flares, and at this angle I get bunches of them.

I feel so pretty when I'm wearing this outfit. Like some kind of weird fairy-tale princess. The shoes are so comfy and I love the color of the top. It's definitely one of my favorite new outfits and I have a wishlist a mile long of things I also want to buy from that shop.

The day I went in was during that rough week I had a while back, so I needed a treat. In addition to the top and pants, I couldn't leave behind this awesome statement necklace. I don't know where (or if) I'll ever wear it- I don't go out, except to work, and it's really not work appropriate, but that beaded sugar skull was calling my name!

I really hope to do more of these type of posts where I show you the awesome stores I like. I had a fantastic shopping experience at Mango and I look forward to going back.

Laurel Hill Cemetery (Part 2)

In an attempt to return to blogging, I'm breaking up my Laurel Hill post into two. The first post was the cemetery itself and all the gorgeous things I saw. Next is the #ootd portion of the day.

I've been very proud of my outfits recently. I'm beginning to feel more comfortable in my style and less self-conscious, and it really helps that I'm making things I'm utterly mad about. I love all the clothes I'm wearing! Last week was such a treasure, too, because I went out with friends which means I had an excuse to dress up.

Tracy took this pic after we'd finished being ghosts and went to a local diner for some lunch. She's friends with the girls that made my cell phone sticker (Rainbow Alternative) and wanted a picture of me holding it. I'm happy she took it because I worked really hard to get my hair cute! I braided my bangs to the side and pinned the rest back from my face. I felt super adorable!

I love this tunic. This was the first ever Calliope tunic that I made. It's a neon yellow Ireland T-Shirt with a striped knit blouse and a favorite fabric scrap along the bottom. I appliqued the little shamrock from the original tee on the front. It's worn here with my new favorite Minnetonkas, my ON Rockstar Jeggings and a favorite denim jacket.

I had this jacket on at Target and I got compliments on my 'awesome pins'. It was pretty sweet to hear!

Tracy also snapped these two action shots of me. She's the sweetest!

I felt so pretty in this outfit. I wish that jobs were more relaxed with their dress codes because I would wear stuff like this every day and feel so much better about myself. In regular clothes, for whatever reason, I just feel awful, but in weirdo patchy tunics with rolled up jeans I felt alive.

Here's to more days spent feeling like that.

'Best' Week Ever

When I wrote this post I mentioned how last week should have been the best week ever but because of the work situation it was not, and I said I would explain later. So since I've given you the emo points about last week, let's switch gears and I'll tell you all about my exciting week out.

On Monday I ordered a beautiful pair of Minnetonkas from ShoeBuy (before all the work drama). They are a perfect lilac color. 

They were kind of a necessity because I don't have any summer shoes, except Chucks, and sneakers aren't quite office wear so I thought I was purchasing them for work as well as just because I love them. They are the perfect lilac pink-purple and fit like a dream. In addition to that, they came with a free tiny moc keychain in it's own box! I love packaging surprises like that. 

Monday night I went to a poetry reading with my friend Tracy. (Who just dyed her hair the most perfect shade of grey, omg.) The main poet, Andrea Gibson, was new to me and AMAZING, but the highlight for me was the opening act. I've followed Amber Tamblyn since I was about fifteen years old. Her column for BUST is always a good read and her poetry is beautiful. I thought I was just going to go listen to her read, but OMG I got to actually stand in a picture with her! 

I was shaking so hard because I was very nervous, and she was the nicest person. She kept saying over and over again, "It's okay, it's okay!" I'm such a geek. 

I also managed to convince my boyfriend to start taking outfit pictures for me sometimes. I felt beautiful in this (it's what I wore to the poetry reading). Bandannas are my new favorite hair accessory. This Lucille Ball pin-up tunic was made using my Sideshow Dress tutorial, mocs by Minnetonka, and jeggings from Old Navy. I got the choker from Buffalo Exchange while Megan and I were shopping. Jacket is from DOTS. 

My mister is the best at getting me to smile. 

Speaking of OOTDs, I had some pretty great looks last week. I like to take selfies in the bathroom while I'm on my lunch break. There are days when the doctor doesn't see patients and he allows us to be pretty casual, so I was able to wear my Sideshow dresses and thrifted treasures. I love the new grey/black/orange one because it features a large velvety griffin on the front, and the MCR one in the last pic was made using the tee shirt I bought the day the band broke up, so it's super important to me. 

You can tell I love that necklace I bought when Megan was here. 

Even though the rest of the week went sort of sour, I ended it by exploring a large cemetery with my friend Tracy. I took so many pictures that I'm definitely doing a separate post dedicated to just that day, but it was amazing. It was a gorgeous day! We both want to go back when it's more overcast, though.

Some aspects of last week were terrible, but so many of these days had such positive parts! It was both giddy and terrifying, and all of it was wonderful. 

* UPDATE * Work is working with me on the aforementioned issues, so fingers crossed that everything is looking a little brighter than it was last week. 

OOTD: Purple Arrows

I'm back!

For this outfit, I'm showing off a soft purple dress I made a while back with some fabric from JoAnn's. It's a very cool repeating arrow sort of print. Usually I try to spend about $5-6 a yard when I buy fabric for new dresses (unrealistic, but I try). This fabric was actually about $10. But every time I walked past it I just couldn't help but stop and look at the pretty color and the gorgeous pattern and I didn't have anything quite like it, so in the end, I decided it was worth the cost and I got enough to make this dress.

Dress: Handmade/Me, Cardi: Thrifted, Booties: DIY/Me/Roxy, Necklace: Philly Aids Thrift

This is actually my second attempt at taking outfit pictures in it. The first time I wore this dress, I got all excited and decided I was going to 'be pretty' for work that day and I wore the most uncomfortable Mary-Jane heels. I did not take pictures before I left, and by the time I got home my feet were screaming (and the Payless brand shoes that I hadn't worn in three years were flaking, so into the garbage they went).

That's alright, though, because my purple chucks are the same color as the dress, and thanks to Krista, I knew how to style them folded down.

I love those sneakers so much. Custom chucks - if I could, I'd make another pair. Also I love that belt I'm wearing- it's actually white and navy blue stripe and got it from Philly Aids Thrift. I had to take it in a bit, but I really do love it.

Anyway, that's all I've got to say for this post. Until next time!!

OOTD: Lancaster Picnic

And there I go, dropping off the radar again.

Not that I haven't been reading, I have, I've just not had a whole lot to say!

I've been trying to be productive, and that has taken a lot of energy. I'm trying really hard to keep my goals for myself while also trying to balance fun nights writing with my friend. Sometimes it works better than others, and I have to remind myself a lot that I am allowed to have fun. I forget that sometimes, when I'm so focused on trying to 'get things done' that I'm allowed to be, to quote my mother, 'frivolous'. I have a really hard time with allowing myself to be lazy or unproductive or just relaxed, and it's been really stressful inside my head lately. So, lack of blog posts.

Unfortunately I set a goal for myself that I would have one of my mini-books available at the end of May and while it is in the editing stages, it's also a week to the end of May and that's not happening, so I feel very disappointed in myself.

On a happier note, I'm here with a new dress that certainly puts a smile on my face.

Dress: Handmade/Me, Shoes: Chucks/Ross, Cardi: Thrifted, Owl Necklace: The Mister

As many of you who follow my blog know, I force my mother to take me to the Lancaster Goodwill every time I go to visit her. She tolerates this (lovingly so) because she knows it is the best Goodwill to me. I really scored the last time I went with her because I found all these handmade table cloths that were perfect for making dresses! There were three in each 'set' and just enough fabric for a dress out of each. This is a saturated soft blue with pink and yellow roses on it. It's so springy! I used my favorite dress pattern and I've already worn it twice. I'm rockin' the chucks here even though it's a work outfit because they are the only practical rain shoe I have (and that's not saying much). Also, chucks are super comfy and no one can really see my feet under the desk anyway.

I'm loving my new dress, my hair, and my owl necklace lately. Also, I've been experimenting with not smiling in photographs and I find I actually sort of like my face that way. It's always good to find things you like about yourself.

Well, I'm going to go try and edit a chapter or two before bed (even though it's already midnight here). Until next time!

OOTD: Hit the Road, Jack

I hope you all had a great holiday!!

I did! It was quiet, I wrote a lot with my friend, and I chatted to my other friends on Facebook. My mister and I always keep to ourselves for this holiday, and it's beautiful. No drama, good food and a quiet day off! We're both in retail so we tend to hermit ourselves away from people on our days off. There was a lot to be thankful for this season.

Skinnies: ON, Sweater: God Save the Qweens shop, Boots: Target, Tank: Thrifted

This is my "holding out for a hero" look. ;-D Even though I was wearing a Union Jack sweater, I kept dancing around singing "I wanna coool rider, a cool cool rider!" (Any Grease 2 fans out there? REPRODUCTION!).

I don't have much to say right now, but trust me, I will! There is so much going on and so much I want to tell you. And I will! Just, you know, later.

Until next time!

-Meghan

OOTD: I Can't Look At The Stars

I'm obsessed with the song Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and there is a line in the chorus of the song where she sings "I can't look at the stars/up on Heaven's boulevard". It's beautiful - if you haven't heard it, go look it up because it's wonderful.

Of course, I CAN look at the stars. I LOVE stars. I used to have moon and stars themed bedroom stuff (of course, who in the late nineties didn't? It was kind of a trend, I think). I even have a space/galaxy dress. Today's dress, however, is a little bit more primitive country inspired. I just saw the fabric and (with my love of stars) knew I had to have it. I feel like a witchy princess in this one and I can't wear it enough. On the unfortunate side, it has started to fade a bit, but that's alright. I'll wear it even when the stars fade.

Dress: Handmade, Boots: Gift/Target, Cardi: Thrifted, Necklace: Gift

 I might link up to Bella Q's Shoe Shine party because even though you've seen these boots, and they are nothing fancy, these are my favorites. (I just ordered replacements in black and as I write this I'm sitting here waiting for the delivery guy.) These boots have seen a lot in the two years I've had them - I've worn them to college, I've worn them to work, and I've worn them in several thrift stores. We've had adventures, as you can tell by the rugged appearance and scuffs.

It's hard for me to trust people. It's hard for me to get attached to people, and sometimes that means that I treat inanimate objects as my friends. These boots, these boots are definitely my friends. They feel like an extension of me, and they are the most comfortable thing (they weren't at first, it required breaking them in just right).

Some seriously well-loved shoes there. You don't have to own a million pairs of shoes to be a shoe-fiend. (Although, to be fair, I probably own waaaaay too many pairs.)

Speaking of friends, let me show you my necklace:

I know I've worn it a bunch but I can't recall if I've ever shown a good close up of it. My boss Angela, the person who gifted me the brown boots, also gifted me this necklace. It's got a bunch of random stuff on it and I love it. When I first got it I think I wore it every day for like a month. I had to take a few things off - for instance there was a giant A on it and a pick-up truck, and as I don't drive and my name starts with an M I replaced those pieces with new charms. The two antique buttons I got from work, the diamond looking thing my boyfriend's Aunt gave me, and the rest came with it.

Well, I'm off to do things. I've got a lot on my mind and not a good way to word any of it. I will tell you this much, though. The next two days will involve a massive amount of coffee, sewing and writing. Hopefully I'll be able to show you something soon.

Until next time!
-Meghan

OOTD: The Brenna Dress

Everyone has THAT FRIEND. You know, the person you're going to get tattoos with (or piercings). That person who will bail you out of the worst shit, sit on the phone with you when you're crying over absolutely nothing, and that person who will read seven copies of the same novel you wrote that no one will ever read just because they love you.

My friend is Brenna. And you, my blog buddies, have met her.

A few years ago I was in a rather .... bad place. I'd ended a toxic friendship and felt utterly alone, and you know, Brenna was there for me. And we became super close. So you'd think that I'd have made an outfit based on my buddy sooner - and I HAD. MONTHS AGO. I just never posted it because of my great blogging hiatus. So, here you go. My "Brenna" dress.

Dress: Handmade/Me, Dr Martens Triumphs

The reason I picked this fabric was similar to the Ally dress, I was just walking through JoAnn's and I heard it. THIS fabric. It screamed to me. The tie-dye raver-kid lookin' hearts reminded me of her (for some reason). Maybe just because it was bright and colorful and black all at the same time. Either way, she is the person I think of every time I see this dress and it makes me so happy.

I brag about my friend Brenna to strangers and my co-workers. She is super smart, ambitious, has a master's degree and has achieved every goal she's set for herself. She's funny and she tries to make time to see me whenever she comes to town. She's just the best. I'm very lucky to have a friend like her.

That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoy the dress.

OOTD: Buggin' Out

One of the coolest things about my job is learning new things. I get to spend large portions of the day researching vintage items, what they were used for and how we can re-use them into something else. It's a pretty sweet gig.

I always knew what a botanical print was, but I never knew  how common or varied the style was. All of them are beautiful. I love them because they remind me of medical illustrations- I love those kind of clearly labeled art pieces.

So when I found the most amazing insect fabric, with bees and moths and flies, I fell in love! I had to make a dress.

Sorry about the wrinkly front. Hate ironing!

Dress: Handmade/Me, Cardi: Thrifted, Boots: Dr Martens

What is even cooler is instead of insect names (well there are some of those) this fabric has printed quotes from authors and other people about bugs. It's really neat! Anyway, that's all for me on this dress. I love it, and I'm really loving this pattern. I like how I can get away with wearing the same thing, just in different colors.

(And by "get away with" I mean "doing it no matter what".)

Until next time!
-Meghan

OOTD: Keeping Warm

Good golly is it COLD here this week!

AND I LOVE IT!

Unfortunately, I'm the only one of my co-workers that would totally keep the door open and the heat off when it's 50 degrees outside. Even some of my consignors who know me well have been commenting on how they are miserable but they know I'm loving this weather.

Dress: Handmade/Me, Shirt: Goodwill, Belt: Philly Aids Thrift, Boots: Gift

More men's shirts!! I love these things- they are so soft and they keep me super warm! This one I got at the Goodwill in Lancaster when I went to visit my mom. Which reminds me, I do need to do a write up of this cute little town we visited.

Well, a shortie post from me today. I've been super tired this week- busy, as always, and then on top of that I'm thinking about some things. ;-D I'll tell you more later, if I get the chance. Until next time!

xoxo
-Meghan

OOTD: God Save the Qweens

When my mister and I went to New Hope a few weeks (months?) back, I got to chatting with this fabulous lady that has a store called God Save the Qweens. If you're looking for a wall of England made docs, check her out. (I tried to take a pic but my camera is super dumb.) Anyway, this rad shop had a super cool (and super warm) sweater hanging outside and I just had to have it. I mean, if you know me at all you know of my obsession with Union Jacks. I don't know why, but the colors and geometric pattern on the flag just make me smile. ;-)

Sweater: God Save the Qweens, Dress: Handmade/Me, Boots: Gift

It is finally cold enough that I can wear it! I normally wouldn't go for this style but just something about this sweater screamed out to me. I love it over my dresses and I can't wait to try it over jeans, too. What do you think? Too much or just fabulous enough?

I wore this outfit on a surprise diner breakfast trip. We have a great local diner called the Trolley Car and their breakfast specials are wonderful. I love their banana pancakes. Well anyway, happy Monday and I'll see you later!

Updated 8/8/2020: Gosh, I'm so upset that the Trolley Car near where I used to live closed! They were the best! RIP Trolley Car Diner. <3 nbsp="" p="">

OOTD: The Things That Make You Feel

So, I made a thing. And I love this thing tons and bunches. I thought perhaps that I would show you what I'm calling "The Bag Dress" (alternatively, "Radioactive Dress").

Dress: Handmade/Me, Boots: Target/Gift, Necklace: Thrifted, Jacket: DIY/Me

Sometimes, no matter what it is, you just slip something on and you feel like you. That's what this dress was. I put it on and I smiled. Then I got nervous and called my mister in, who also smiled. It passed the boots and the chucks test. It passed the jacket test. This dress is like me, if I could be a dress. The things that make you feel beautiful are just that. To make you feel beautiful. Not someone else, not something else, just you. This dress makes me feel beautiful.

And I'm about to make like six more. I'm not joking. Day of the Dead FABRIC, guys. As my mister says, I never do things in moderation. ;-)

I guess that is one of the reasons I've been sort of silent over here. I just haven't really been doing a lot, and I wear the same outfit every day (Lisette, jacket, shoes) and I feel bad! Like, you guys don't want to see the same damn dress every day! And you're all so fabulous! Of course, that being said, get ready because I'm not exaggerating - I'm making like twenty of these suckers.

I got a few questions about my jacket, too. Someone wanted to know what is on it, so I took a few close ups.

The Philly Aids Thrift button is because I love that place. I've had the I Need A Nap button since high school. The Broad Street Butchers is my friend Jill's favorite roller derby team (mine is the Philthy Britches) and I like to wear things that remind me of my friends. The Kangaroo patch is because it reminds me of Stacey and Desiree and my other Aussi pals. I used to have the Kiwi button Trees gave me on there but I  moved it to a different jacket. (Ditto for a certain purple bee pin.) The studs are off of my old belt. The American Flag ribbon pin came from a consignor that brings me pins. The eagle patch is from a military jacket I wore in a play back in 2006. The skull is my own design and the anatomical heart I got at the Punk Rock Flea. On the back is a doily from where I work and a Crash Bang Boom! patch that I bought when I was with Brenna on South Street.

Every time I start a jacket it becomes a scrapbook of the places I've been and the people I've seen. Every single one of them becomes something sacred. :-)

Well, that's it for me. Until next time!