Something about my favorite Monchichi fur vest feels rugged and glamorous at the same time. That weird style dichotomy is what keeps me coming back to it again and again.

Vintage vest and gloves; thrifted oxford; Forever21 skirt; Limited cardigan, Rupert Sanderson boots; earrings from The Little Mahatma

Do you have any pieces that work dressed up OR down? How do you wear them?

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I don’t remember the first time I saw an episode of Golden Girls, but I clearly remember sitting on my parents’ bed, trying not to laugh at a raunchy joke the sharp-tongued Dorothy Zbornak made at the expense of one Ms. Blanche Devereaux. I stifled the laugh because I knew I wasn’t supposed to “get” the joke, but I did. I always got Dorothy’s jokes, ’cause she was a smart-ass like me.

Since Golden Girls was an ’80s show about a group of retirement-aged women, the wardrobe was always…interesting. Lots of sequins and chiffon, of course. And while I appreciated Blanche’s predilection for form-fitting spangles, Dorothy’s oversized cowlneck tunics and slouchy Hammer pants seemed like the senior citizen version of downtown cool. Count me in:

Plastic Island dress; ASOS trousers; Allen B. top; DKNY heels, earrings from High Street

I’m definitely a Dorothy, cheesecake cravings and all. You?

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I’m still working on adding color to my wardrobe, and right now I seem to be obsessed with bright bottoms like this red skirt and those green jeans. I’m pretty proud of myself for (mostly) sticking to my palette!

H&M sweater; Forever21 skirt & earrings; Jessica Simpson Boots; eight sixty striped top. Who says I’m not a mallrat?

Sometimes I have to laugh at myself, because anyone who’s ever taken self-portraits in public knows it can be embarrassing, empowering, and downright amusing all at the same time. Props to my fellow bloggers who have the cojones to hit the streets with nothing but a tripod and a dream.

Speaking of a dream, the Cincinnati Boutique Sale starts tomorrow! I bought what turned out to be my go-to summer shoes for, like, ten bucks at last year’s sale, so I can’t wait to see what I can’t live without this time around!

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Another year, another…well, another year. Plenty of things change, even more stays the same, and it’s always nice to have a look back and reminisce a bit. Here are some of my 2011 favorites from The Style Sample:

Thanks for hanging out with me here in 2011. Here’s to a great 2012!

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An not-so-sudden attack of The Procrastinations means I have lots of last-minute shopping to do. Running around town in a panic seems like a good time to wear an overcoat, right?

Thrifted coat, pants, vest, and blouse; vintage gloves and heels

…And I’m off! Happy shopping!

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I’ve been trying to figure out a respectful, interesting way to wear the barong FriendBoy got on our trip to the Philippines, and I think I’m finally satisfied.

Vintage skirt, belt, and sweater; barong from SM Dept. Store; Jessica Simpson boots

The fuzzy cardigan takes it from exotic and tropical to comfy and cozy, just the way I like.

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I’ve been searching for a reasonably work-appropriate leather skirt, lamenting all the skirts I’ve loved and passed on buying before. Then it hit me–I already have a leather dress. Why not work with THAT?

I’ve worn it before…

Clearly, the dress in its au naturale state is entirely unseemly for any office that doesn’t support trashy reality TV/some variation of adult entertainment. However, adding a buttoned-to-the-top oxford shirt and cardigan in somber gray makes it (almost) proper.

Vintage dress and belt; BCBG cardigan; RL shirt; DKNY heels; Anthropologie earrings

I decided on nude heels and simple earrings, because really, turquoise leather is Eighties Hooker ENOUGH–even for me.

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It looks like I’m becoming one of those bloggers who starts every post by apologizing for not doing any actual blogging. To be fair, I have been exceptionally busy–working two jobs, planning and styling a photo shoot, and finishing up a big photography and design project–all while fighting a sinus infection marked by a veritable rainbow of nasty ooze. You know what that means? That means I’m a BEAST.

Since I started a new office-y job last week, I’ve been trying to streamline my morning routine. For me, that means a new uniform: inappropriately casual top, high-waisted teacher pants, and a faux gold chain worthy of Mr. T.

Thrifted trousers and necklace (from the $1 bin!); Old Navy shirt; vintage heels

I figure not having to think too hard about what to wear every morning reduces the amount of time I need to get ready, but I swear, my hair takes forever. How do you  save time in the morning?

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I’m sick, my nose won’t stop running, and I have a lot of work to do, so I’m feeling extra grouchy. I’m also a little woozy from the meds and in the mood to talk about UFOs–no, not the kind with little green people–UFOs as in Unpopular Fashion Opinions.

There are several things that are deemed “classics” in the fashion universe–untouchable icons of style, so to speak. Things everyone else seems to love that I have no use for. Screw that! In no particular order:

I know they’re comfy, but I had my fill of round-toe Sam and Libby flats back in elementary school. Give me a pointy- or almond-toe skimmer anyday.

She’s supposed to be this bastion of cool, but between utterly clueless comments about homeless people and blatantly ripping off an indie designer‘s creations, she comes across as vapid and wholly unlikable. And I swear, if I see one more skinny chick in a feather headband, just…no. No.

One of my favorite pairs of shoes are JCs, but sometimes I feel like they’re having a laugh and a half at the expense of fashion bloggers worldwide. I mean really, look at those things. Really, y’all? RILLY?!

I’m sure it’s officially Fashion Blasphemy to say this, but the 2.55 just seems kind of “meh” to me, perhaps due to oversaturation. I mean, I wouldn’t turn one down, but give me an Hermes Kelly (in green croc, pleaseandthankyou) instead any day!

What do you dislike that everyone else in the wide world of fashion seems to love?

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Thrifted trousers, blouse, belt, and jacket; DKNY heels

Something about the pants I picked up during this Thrifting Adventure (TM) make me feel like a cross between a circus clown and that dancing cartoon cat from Paula Abdul’s “Opposites Attract” video.  But you know, in a good way.

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