The great thing about having a mom who reads your blog (besides the fact that supportive moms are the best EVER), is that they kind of already know what you want for Christmas. Selfish Wish List posts are like public letters to Santa!

I posted this query for flat boots and reader Tamu really came through with suggestions. I got these comfy Calvin Klein boots for Christmas!

After expressing my obsession with non-ugly camera bags, I found this Epiphanie bag under the Christmas tree. I LOVE this purse-bag! It works perfectly with the little gift I bought myself…

…A “used” new-in-box Nikon 18-55 VR lens to replace an old lens that was broken in a freak parking lot incident (the camera crashed to the ground and I swear I stood there with tears in my eyes willing time to move backwards for a good five minutes).

Yay for grown-up toys! Did you get anything good?

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I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

~T

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So, what’s a girl to do when in need of a last-minute Halloween costume that must be created from things she already owns? Well, if “things she already owns” include a hot pink crinoline and a purple wig (don’t ask), I think we all know what’s next…

Nicki Minaj is in costume all the time anyway (a smart PR move designed especially for holidays like this), so it’s easy to throw a bunch of wacky stuff together and make it work. Now where is my plastic pumpkin…?

Happy Halloween!

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So, the Best Holiday Ever is coming this weekend, and I still have no idea what or who I want to be. I swear I had plenty of ideas back in June–what happened to them?

For inspiration, I looked at some of my costumes from years past:

I MIGHT take this whole costume thing too seriously sometimes…

I see a pattern here…maybe this year it’s Hammertime ? Any other suggestions? Help!

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AG shirt; vintage shorts and belt, Daniblack shoes

I picked up these shorts for 99 cents at the St. Vincent de Paul on Este Avenue (which is now clearly my new favorite store) and took them up a few inches during a DIY sewing kick. I’m not usually into dressing matchy-matchy, but I couldn’t resist wearing my striped espadrilles with a striped top–you know, as a nod to the whole holiday thing.

 

Hope tee, $90  |  Acne Aquata shorts, $89  | Madison Harding espadrilles, $165

Happy 7/4/11!

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A few of my favorite patriotic picks from indie crafters and designers ’round the world:

1. Vintage anchors sailor dress, $36 | 2. Striped messenger bag, $50 | 3. Patriotic friendship bracelet, $6 | 4. Vintage sweater, $56 | 5. Meli Melo Bon Bon bag, approx. $402 | 6. Low cut sweater dress, $83 | 7. Steampunk medal, $18 | 8. Jennifer Merchant ring, $76 | 9. Crochet chunky chain necklace,$18 | 10. Jena.Theo waistcoat, approx. $169

Have a happy 4th of July!

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Even though red is officially my Second Favorite Color, I don’t own much in the way of red clothing. Weird. So when Susi at the 4th Street Boutique (we’re working on a special project I’ll post about later!) pointed out this bright orangey-red skirt, I tried it on and immediately fell in love. It’s long! It’s made of cozy felted wool! It has pockets!*

I don’t really do all-out holiday theme dressing, so I paired it with my mom’s old off-the-shoulder top, a leopard print blouse (you’ll be seeing a LOT of this), and black suede boots. No pink.

Thrifted blouse, skirt, and boots; vintage top, belt, and hat

If we were in elementary school, I’d give you one of these today:

Happy Valentine’s Day!

*Note to designers: Everything should have pockets. I’m thinking about starting a campaign to make sure my demands are met.

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IMO, the best part of most holidays is the food. When FriendBoy asked me what I wanted for Valentine’s Day, of course chocolate was a part of that conversation.

As far as getting in the mood…

Love(ly) inspiration: Pink vanilla button lollipops, 5 Sisterz; Coeur a la creme,  fromme-toyou.tumblr.com; The Red Peacock by Vicky Newman; Marni bow-neck top, Brown’s Fashion; Pink crystal mohawk earrings by Elizabeth Cole; colorful macarons photographed by Daffydil; Blue chocolate-covered Oreos by Skipping Skones

What’s getting you in the mood this year?

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I’ve never been good at New Year’s Resolutions. I have a serious sweet tooth, so for a long time I made the standard “Eat healthier” resolution. It always failed because I just crossed my fingers and hoped that I would wake up on January 1st WANTING to eat only raw broccoli with lemon zest for the rest of my life. That cookie/cake/pint of Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche calling my name in the freezer wouldn’t seem appetizing at all! Unsurprisingly, that bit of post-holiday magic never happened.

So, this year, I’m trying something more realistic that makes sense for me:

I’m not saying it won’t be difficult, but this one? This one I think I can tough out for one measly year. Do you have any realistic resolutions for 2011?

Also, earlier this week I posted that I’m pulling a Carine and Style Sample magazine is shutting its doors. It’s been an amazing ride and I’ve learned more than I could’ve imagined–which is one of the reasons I started it in the first place. I’m still drawn to the idea of publishing a magazine, so who knows what the future holds?

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I tend to procrastinate wait for inspiration to strike, so there have been times when I’ve been forced–FORCED!–to put together an outfit with stuff that’s already in my closet. That’s where Instant Outfit comes in, with ideas to work with pieces you likely already have. Use what you got to look the way you want.*

Cardigan, Anthropologie; belt, Urban Outfitters; jeans, Old Navy; earrings, Noir; shoes, Aldo

My NYE plans are pretty sedate, but I will definitely indulge in some champers at midnight. Have a safe and happy New Year!

See you in 2011!

*Yes, that was a bastardized version of the infamous quote from The Player’s Club. Yaee YAEE!

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