'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. 

Tennessee Whiskey and Philadelphia Gin

You know, I always say I'm going to get back into blogging and then disappear for another few months! Gosh, crazy sauce. I should stop promising things. ;-)

As most of you know, because we've got so many mutual friends, my dearest friend Megan came for a visit last week. I've never met Megan in person, but we speak to each other every day and have so much in common. She lives in Tennessee (land of the whiskey and Elvis) and she's one of my favorite people. I was worried that we might not click in person as well as we did online, but I have to say, I had a blast!

To make the visit even more special, on Friday evening our friend Ally came down from NYC and spent the evening and Saturday day with us. The week was packed with good conversations, delicious foods and TONS of shopping (which is my favorite activity next to writing and sewing).

Megan and I ate at Moriarty's, because we're both Sherlock fans, Yummy Yummy bakery in Chinatown (where I had kimbap for the first time and discovered my new favorite food), a gorgeous little Chinese restaurant in Old City, a Greek restaurant on South Street, Trolley Car Diner (she'd never had chipped beef before!!) in Mt Airy, The Juice Room (apple, pear &celery= OMGGGGG) and Tiffin, also in Mt Airy. We didn't have a single bad meal!

Some of the places we shopped at: Philly Aids Thrift, Buffalo Exchange, Greene Street Consignment Outlet in Mt Airy, and Eyes Gallery (I really love Eyes but I did feel like the cashier was following us around too much and got uncomfortable and left). We also went in Passional and Condom Kingdom. I wish I would've remembered to take Megan in Urban Princess and Retrospect because I also love those stores, and we totally missed Garland of Letters but we were soooo tired. Next time!

Then on Friday night Ally took the reigns and took us out for a special  course taster dinner at Mica that was specifically designed around our tastes. One day I will figure out how to make coffee dusted fettuccine because it was the best thing I've ever eaten. On Saturday, Ally took us both to a delicious brunch at one of my favorite childhood memories- Longwood Gardens. I had the most amazing omelette with a delicious salad (I don't know what pancetta vinaigrette is but I'm going to figure out how to make that, too.)

We spent Saturday afternoon photographing all the pretty flowers at the gardens, and taking tons of pictures of ourselves. Then we wrapped up the day with consignment shopping in Chestnut Hill and dinner at my personal favorite place- Iron Hill Brewery where Megan and I both discovered a new love-- FRIED GOAT CHEESE.

There is really nothing more exciting than spending time with people you're close to. I have a tendency to push away my friends, and I have to say, I really did need some time with my buddies. ESPECIALLY shopping! I didn't actually buy much, but I got lots of inspiration. Megan went home with most of Philly in her luggage. ^_~

I can't wait until the next time Megan visits. We wanted to have a day to work on blog posts together, there are so many more shops to see, and I'd love for her to see Penn's Landing (it was cold and raining the day we tried to go), and we didn't have time to squeeze in Eastern State Penitentiary. Not to mention if I have my driver's license, I have MANY more thrift stores for us to visit that are hard to get to without one. Fingers crossed she comes back soon.

Project Post: Recent Before and Afters

I've been hard at work making stuff lately, mostly for the store, but after that very bad day I decided I needed to make myself a treat!

I saw this neon striped, zipper-back top at Philly Aids Thrift and I just had to have it! I thought perhaps I'd make it into one of my Sideshow dresses, but the sleeves were too small and it was just too gorgeous to use as a panel! A few seconds later I found this neon yellow (it's like construction-worker yellow) top on the rack next to it, and I knew somehow they had to be married.

I cannot even tell you how much I love this piece. It's very unusual for me, and I tried something new by making the bottom portion smaller than the top so it's got a drop sleeve, bubble sort of outline. It's possibly my new favorite thing. I'm super excited to wear it (and it looks fab, if I may say so myself).

And about that lovely milky necklace with it - my grandmother bought me that for Christmas. She said that because I wore so much color, she didn't know what to buy me so she bought white so it would go with everything. I loved it because it had a very milk glass feel to it.

But it just needed something. I don't know, but something. So I decided to try out a pinterest idea and nail polish the center stone! Here is what I did: rubbed a little nail polish remover over the center piece to rough it up a bit, painted two coats of my favorite OPI gray shade, and then sealed with a clear coat of NYC brand polish.

I mean, look how elegant that is now! And I wear it all the time, because it really glams up an outfit. Seriously one of my favorite presents she's ever given me (next to my Fiestaware mug, of course).

Anyway, that's all I've been doing lately. Craftin' and working hard at the 9-5 and then coming home to do my online thing. I try to keep busy because I like being busy.

Project Post: New York, New York

In a more coherent post, I thought I'd like to show you some recent projects! I realized, unfortunately, that I didn't end up getting any pictures of my outfits over the weekend and I was super excited for them. So, even though I'm not wearing them in these pictures, here are some recent projects of mine that all involve my recent New York trip.

This adorable little black and red number is my new favorite. It's an XL black gathered shirt top with a tee shirt and vintage red tourist shirt for the bottom. For the first time ever, I had a person compliment me on my dress! I wore this up to NYC because it was very comfy and I knew would still look good by dinner time, and while Ally and I were being super chic shopping ladies one of the boutique people said they loved my dress! I was stunned! But I have a witness, y'all, it really happened!

I wish it weren't dirty, I want to wear it to work tomorrow.

The above dress is a new favorite of mine, too. It's got a vintage table cloth and concert tee bottom with a soft gap tee on top. This was me trying to make a bad memory better- I got the tee shirt at a Lindsay Stirling concert. I was very excited to see the show, but it was horrible. Miss Stirling herself sounded amazing and played very well, but the venue was waaaaay oversold and they turned off the big screen, so if you were under 6 foot and didn't arrive SUPER early to fight towards the front, you didn't see any of the performance. I spent the evening in tears that I paid that much money and still haven't actually 'seen' her in concert.

Still, I bought the shirt, and I do still love her music. Even though the concert was heartbreakingly disappointing. So I tried to make the memory a little better and make a dress! I wore this on the way home because it's very comfy and loose, so I was cozy for the train ride from New York to Philly. I love the floaty colors and blue/purple scheme.

Finally, because it's been getting cooler here, I've been WAY into sweater recons. This sweater was a men's purple crewneck from Philly Aids. I took the bottom and used it to re-trim the neck and make a band for a hem. I also sewed on some snaps for closure. It's supposed to be a loose, cropped, lagenlook-inspired sweater and it's also super warm. I loved the contrast of it with the red in the first dress, and then how it complimented the purple in the second dress, so I wore it all weekend.

I know I've been quiet on the blog. It's because sometimes the things I do IRL don't translate well to the internet so I've not had much to write about. I'm working on it, though. I've been sewing up a storm but most of the things I've been making were for myself or for friends lately. I've been concentrating hard on my writing and I really hope that I can reveal some of that to you soon. ;-) Until next time!

A Long Island Girl

I thought this was a pretty view.

On a beautiful, rainy, cold morning of the very best kind, I woke early for an adventure. Winter had descended on us over night, bringing with it a downpour that made everything shiny and slick and cold. With a large coffee in hand, and a breakfast of raspberry and cheese croissant devoured, I boarded an Amtrak train on my way to New York. A city that makes my nerves jitter and jangle, my heart beating fast. I'd had no sleep, laying awake hoping I would make my train (I did manage to miss the first regional). The excitement was enough that I got no sleep on my train, either, watching out the window as New Jersey passed by in a bleary autumn-colored collage of scenes.

I was greeted with a smile and a hug, and bustled up and down staircases, learning. Observing. Too many faces passing to keep anything straight, just remember one way is up and the other is down. On another regional, this time to a friend's house, the conversation worth the long trip, I glance around at the travel-worn seats, the faces of the other passengers. Realizing that maybe Philadelphia and New York aren't as different as I thought when it came to trains.

Whisked.

I felt whisked around in a flurry of beautiful activity. Meeting new people, making eyes at the deep-voiced waiter where I ate huevos rancheros, delighting in the detailed beauty of a small town within a big city (there is no 'small town' but the streets echoed that sense of community, that idea of somewhere everyone knows your name). Good conversations, excellent conversations. Talks of worry and advice, love and hate, the words, the words, the words, on repetition even now as I mull them over in my brain. Same subjects resurfacing while two friends caught up with each other.

The wind whipped my hair in a frenzy.

Alex and Ani Phoenix Bangle

A present for the non-birthday girl from the birthday girl. A talisman. A gift that reminds me to be strong, to rise from the ashes of my life and be reborn anew, to continue to struggle and fight for my dreams and my friendships, while reminding me that one day we all will learn to fly. Strength in a little reminder that jingles on my wrist every day.

My fictional character in my ear, reminding me that we are one. I will never escape her ambitions to become reality.

Long car rides with good friends seem shorted. More talking. Talking over the GPS until I am hoarse and my throat is raw from laughing and questions. Meeting new people who have my name, bonding over silly jokes and female ritual over dinner inside a champagne bottle. Bubbles are everywhere.

Dessert - Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

Desserts are meant to be savored.

Desserts that have pink sugared sculptures calling at you, the art of the things we eat, begging to be crunched. Chomped. Chewed. Berries and whipped cream should be a sin.

It's a worthwhile sin.

Flying through the damp wintery night, a memory to be treasured. The trees lit with holiday lights, their brightness reaching up to shatter the pitch black sky. Magical. Magical in the way an upside-down lamp hanging from a ceiling is somehow magical.

An early morning train ride alone reveals letters you never know you wrote to a twelve year-old version of yourself. The version of yourself that was scared but somehow now, doing this trip alone, you feel the need to reassure. You are overcoming anxieties, behaving the way most people behave (they take their own bravery for granted; there are people like you that cannot board a commuter rail alone). To celebrate these small triumphs made (while listening to a new favorite song) I devour a fresh, cakey blueberry doughnut. Coffee in hand, smile on my lips, I bury my nose in someone else's adventure. The view from the fancier train car looks the same as it does from coach.

(On Saturday I went to visit my friend Ally for her birthday. We ate at a fancy, delicious restaurant and I made a new friend also named Megan. I'm currently obsessed with this song called "Cecilia and the Satellite". Instead of writing a typical blog post, especially since I've written about visiting Ally before, I thought it might be interesting to share with you how I actually view the things that I do. Welcome to my writing.) 

Cookin' With Meghan: Noodles and Company Mushrom Mac

A few months ago I visited my mom, and we went to this amazing chain restaurant in Lancaster (I know they're all over now) called Noodles and Company. One of the cool things other than it being a restaurant entirely dedicated to noodles was that it let you add stuff to some of the dishes. So I got this amazing cheddar mac n' cheese with mushrooms added.

Fast forward to last month when I would at random just get a craving for this mac n' cheese. Finally today, I decided that my mister could have leftovers (another recipe I will probably share with you in the future - sausage and beef mushroom spaghetti) and I was making myself some heart attack worthy pasta.

I texted this pic to my mom, who requested a tutorial! So this is for her. Love ya, mom!

Sorry for the Instagram photo, it was all I had!

I am not good at making recipes, so this is more of a loose guide. I grew up making fettucini alfredo with my mom, so I basically used that theory only subbing my parmesan with cheddar.

You'll need:

1 box of spiral noodles (they might be called rotini but I might be making them up. Is that the brand?)
1 large brick of sharp cheddar cheese SHARP SHARP SHARP
1 package of portobello mushrooms
4-5 cloves of garlic, grated with a zester into a paste
1 large carton of heavy cream (you won't use all of it, but you will use most of it)
A stick of butter. YES THE WHOLE STICK.

OK. So start a pot of water boiling and cook your pasta. I like mine to be a little al dente, and that works well with this recipe since you will cook them part of the time in the sauce. Basically, just follow the directions on the box because someone already wrote those for you and I don't have time to teach you to boil water.

Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, melt half a stick of butter and then add your garlic paste to that. I use a paste because I like a smooth consistency but if you just want to chop your garlic into little pieces you can do that as well. After a few minutes, when the butter and the garlic (maybe some salt and pepper in there to, to taste) have become friends, add your mushrooms and cook them until they are sort of soft. Put them to the side once cooked because this is a topping to your mac.

While the noodles are boiling away, shred your brick of cheddar. I won't lie, I like the Giant brand generic bricks. I used a big one- but two of the smaller ones would probably work. Once you've drained your pasta, put it back on the burner. Set the heat to low, and then add your other half stick of butter. While the butter is melting into your hot noodles, also add (slowly) your heavy cream. Use about 50% of the large carton, and then judge. I like saucy noodles so I ended up using closer to 80% of the carton, but if you like drier noodles you might not need as much. Stir the butter, noodles and cream together and then start adding your cheese. I go slowly and use handfuls. I start with two handfuls, and stir while cooking over low heat. I used the whole brick, but I recognize that might not be the healthiest option (look, it wasn't turning yellow and I thought I had to have yellow mac). It's also about how cheesy you want your mac to be!

As soon as the cream, cheese and butter have all become one with your noodles, kill the heat and grab a bowl because you're done. Put your garlic mushrooms on top and maybe a little pepper (because I like things spicy).

That's it! That's my recipe for the most delicious mac n' cheese I've ever had.

OOTD: Jeans and a Tee Shirt

holding

That's how I start draft posts.

holding

holding

holding

and then between the posts, I put pictures so later I can go back and add captions or whatever commentary I want. In an ootd post like today, it would read holding (photo) holding (photo) holding (photo) because sometimes the goal is just to get the pictures in and then write when I have the time. I used to just upload the pics but a few glitchy blog posts and several frustrated sighs later, I learned that just a word between the pics would 'hold' me until I was ready to talk.

I've just not really felt much like talking lately, thus, radio silence on the blog.

My life is kind of in a holding pattern right now, even at work where certain things are preventing me from doing my job properly. For someone like me, someone who prides themselves on working hard, that is difficult. Even my coworker yesterday said it - "So, you're like in a holding pattern right now". Yes, I really am.

I'm just sort of stuck. And haven't been very nice to be around.

Every minute of spare time has been spend dealing with a never ending string of dentist appointments which will probably continue well into the fall, as well as a lot of pain or being too drugged/tired from the dentist to even do anything productive with my spare time. It's been difficult.

But I know it will get better, and eventually I'll resume blogging like I never quit and I'll pick back up with writing (because I'm sooooooo close to finishing sooooo many things). I've even taken teeny steps towards my dreams of an online store. I've started making things that make me really feel like an artist again, and that's been kind of important because I lost that feeling for a long, long time.

Anyway, enough whinging. On to the outfit post.

Shirt: Recon/Me, Shoes: Target, Jeans: DIY/Me/American Eagle, Necklace: Target/Recon/Me

I got this cool as hell Cape Cod Whale Watching tee shirt from the 5 for 20$ bin that Captain Vintage always has at the Punk Rock Flea Market. I LOVE it, and it fits my travel tee collection. It was a little boring, though, so I made it into a skirty bottomed tee. I also reconstructed my gold-tone deer skull necklace from Target, putting it on a contrasting gunmetal chain.

It was a perfect outfit for one of the few Saturdays I've had lately without a dental appointment. Seriously, who knew one tooth could be so much trouble? And now, even with the root taken out, I'm still in pain. It's so strange. Hopefully a permanent crown will be the end of my misery and booked-up weekends.

I almost didn't put this picture in the post, but I feel like it sums up my mood so well. Sort of disenchanted, entirely uncomfortable and generally pessimistic. ;-) I'm a charmer, as my spouse would say.

I do really, really love this outfit and I have already started chopping up ALL of my tee shirts. I could also see this being a good layering piece in the fall, which can't get here soon enough in my opinion. I'm always miserable in the summer but happy in the winter. Come on, fall, I'm waiting for you.

Until next time. <3

Cookin' with (Drunk) Meghan: Pulled Chicken Sandwich

This post is dedicated to my mom, who I think will find this not as funny as I do.

Today I'm going to share a new recipe with you. I made it up! And did not use an exact measuring method. It's a pulled chicken sandwich recipe. You see, pulled pork is one of my favorite foods, but I really suck at making it. I had a kind of wretched week and I thought I'd make some comfort food to cheer myself up, only, I couldn't make what I really wanted, so I made this instead.

I might like it even better.

What you'll need:

* Half a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce (I think it's Hickory Smoked?) I know this because it's all I had in my fridge.
* third of a stick of butter (dude, this is not healthy for you at all)
* Three tablespoons (or more) of Worcestershire sauce (I can't spell that. Auto correct did it for me)
* Half a cup to 3/4 cup of apple cider vinegar (Or less. I was aiming for super sour) 
* whole wheat rolls (I like the super cheap ones because they are bad for you and tasty)
* some sliced Provolone cheese
* spices. I don't know which ones.
* 3-4 boneless chicken breasts (I almost forgot to write this as an ingredient)

Directions:

Ok, so basically what you want to do is poach your chicken first. This is super important and really how I make so many of my chicken dishes because it's stringy chicken goodness. You put your chicken in a pot of water, sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder and pepper (I also add Cayenne and Cajun Chicken Spice). Bring it all to a boil-y-simmer-y-thing and let it cook through. Once it's cooked, pull it out and let it cool. You can expedite the cooling process by cutting it into thirds.

At this point, you should make yourself a drink. This is drunk cooking, after all. I can definitely recommend a gin and tonic with the following ingredients: grapefruit juice, peach gin, tonic and ice. Mmmmm.

Look, Ma, I'm Sandra Lee. 

Once your chicken is cooled and shredded (DO THAT BY HAND) move on to the sauce process.

In a sauce pot, pour your half bottle of store-bought BBQ sauce. Add to it the vinegar, butter, Worchest-wordces-WORCHESTI that other brown sauce, and your spices (same as the ones you seasoned your chicken water with). Add in the shredded chicken and turn the stove on low heat, letting it all mix up together. Once it's warm enough, remove the mixture from the heat.

At this point, you might be on your second drink. Depends on how hot it is outside.

So like, now onto the plating process. What you want to do is preheat your oven to about 400 degrees (maybe less, mine runs cool). Put some parchment on a cookie sheet and then put your bun on the parchment. On the bottom half, put as much chicken as you'd like. Then place a slice of provolone over it, so the cheese will melt all over the sandwich. Place the top half of the bun, rounded side down, on the sheet next to it so it can toast, and then put it all in the oven.

I've never written a recipe before, this is hard work. (Sips gin.)

Okay at this point in sandwich assembly you might need to put the drink aside as this is about the part where I almost burned my sandwich because I forgot I was cooking.

Only leave the sandwich in long enough to melt the cheese. Maybe two minutes. Then, pull it out and carefully put your top bun on the bottom bun, and put on a plate and eat!

***

I hope you've enjoyed this drunky cooking segment. I actually have a killer pancake recipe I can't wait to share with you, and now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a mess in the kitchen to clean up and a drink to finish. 

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: Embellished Shoes

I'm back!! It's been a crazy busy week, with tons of patients and lots of writing. I'm working hard to get one of my books ready to share with you guys in the next month or so (I've set goals!!). In the mean time, here is this dress I made!

Dress: DIY/Me, Shoes: DIY/Roxy/Me, Cardi: Thrifted

I'm very excited over this outfit for many reasons. I love this dress, even if I feel kind of fluffy wearing it. It's a skirt I bought when Brenna and I went thrifting, and I kept trying to make it work but I really don't like skirts. So I made the top to one of my Radioactive dresses and just attached the skirt to the bottom. I feel super pretty when I wear it, but also a little... girly? I like to have a sort of tomboy edge to my style, so this is a dress that takes some getting used to for me.

On the other hand, I love these shoes. I didn't originally, I had some major buyer's remorse. See, I wanted some wedge sneakers but I couldn't find any within my budget. So I went to Ross and picked up these Roxy booties for $20. I thought it was a steal, but when I got home, I didn't like how they looked. I thought I would look silly in ankle boots and I thought they were too big. Wah wah wah. So I stuck them in a closet and ignored them. Fast forward a year when I'm bored with my wardrobe and need something cute and office appropriate to wear to work. (Summer is not my favorite shoe season.)

Hottopic

I was inspired by these sneaks from Hot Topic (because the Roxy shoes were a little plain) and I decided to bling up my wedge booties.

I added the stud on the strap and the buttons and beads on the side. I have to admit, I'm in love!! These are really comfy and even though I'm still not sure about wearing booties, I have been wearing them every day now.

Don't you love when you shop your closet and find something that works after all?

Until next time!

Walk the Walk

I was inspired by my recent trip to New York to visit Ally to dig out my own Kinky Boots and have some fun dressing up this weekend. I have to say, I missed these babies. And yes, sweetie, I can walk like a goddess in these things.

But the secret is in the platform (not the heel! HA).

Dress: Handmade/Me, Jacket: DIY/Me, Boots: Hottopic.com, Necklace: P.A.T.

And the best part about these sweet heels? Even more than being black, platform, lace-up boots that I've had since high school?

My mom bought them for me. ;-)

Project Pictures: DIY Denim Hoodie Jacket

When I went to visit my grandparents a while back, I went thrifting with my mom and found this amazing mint green denim jacket for just a few dollars. It was new, XL and I didn't try it on before leaving the store.

Well, the body fits but the sleeves are too small.

I wanted to salvage it but I couldn't think of what to do. Then, in a rare moment of creativeness, I thought, why not sew on hoodie sleeves!! And a hood!! And I had JUST the perfect black hoodie!

But first, instead of messing up my gorgeous new jacket, I needed to try it on something I didn't mind losing. Backtrack to this other denim jacket I had waiting to be transformed from the last thrifting trip I had with my mom. Also, a tie-dye Ocean City hoodie from the first time we ever went to the New Jersey shore. (I bet you thought I donated that long ago, didn't you, Mom?)

It's not very well put together, I'm not entirely happy with the stitching and I did seam rip my finger in the making of this jacket, but I have to say I kind of love it. I would definitely wear it now, whereas before I wouldn't have (it was that weird light stretchy itchy plastic cheap denim).

I know I'm not done embellishing this jacket. I'm even toying with putting a little heart on the shoulder.

But as with all my jackets, it's a slow artistic process to get them looking 'just right'. I definitely like it a lot better now, and I can't wait to try it with my mint one.

Thrift Haul: Punk Rock Flea

Recently Around Christmas I attended the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philadelphia. It was the best time ever and even though I didn't get to go to both days (damn this snowy weather!) I did have a lot of fun the day I did get to go. Unfortunately, instead of buying presents for my loved ones, I did spend money on myself, but c'mon now, look at all these treasures!

Like the Billy Idol stickers and the heart earrings? Check out Rainbow Alternative
and Night Owl Designs. They are the nicest and I LOVED talking with them! 

Also they sell amazing buttons. 

Can't WAIT to start  crafting with this jar of stuff! 

So this was hand made, hand painted and signed by the artist - all in my birth year! 

My favorite vendor, Captain's Vintage, always has a bin of 5 for $20 tees-
LOVE this jeweled gem!! 

I decided during the freeze out to keep the Muppets sheet (it was purchased with the intent to make a purse) and it's one of the warmest blankets ever! I love it! $5 score.

I love the Punk Rock Flea, and I'm so glad that my friend Tracers went with me, but there are so many of you that I think would love it I get sad that you can't come! Like Ally- there is a whole second building for records-only vendors that I never go in, but I'd love to explore. And I have wished for years that Trees could come with! Especially the year they had an indoor roller derby while the flea was happening. It was pretty rad.

Also, I had the best lunch that day - Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese. OMFG.

Anyway, I'm still adjusting to the new job, but I really like it so far, and I'm pretty sure I've fixed my commenting problem (unfortunately it means having to download Chrome, which I hate), so I'll be writing back soon.

Until next time!