Lookin’ stern, peepin’ in ur windose

So, one of my favorite thrift finds OF ALL TIME is this blue Ralph Lauren boy’s oxford shirt, which I wear with pretty much any and everything. The color is neutral without being boring (it sort of looks like denim), the fit is perfect (apparently I’m built like a 12-year-old boy–but you already knew that, didn’t you?), and it responds well to collar-popping (I’m a child of the ’80s, sue me).

I like to wear it to tone down the girly-ness of pieces like this full skirt, but it works with menswear-inspired looks as well. I feel like I need at least three more of these shirts!

What about you? Do you have a favorite, wear-with-everything item?

Photos courtesy of the talented Ann Van Epps

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YOU GUYS. You won’t believe this, but I finally got around to doing another video blog! It’s only been, what, a year since the last one?

So, recently I hit my new favorite thrift store intending to pick up one or two items. Riiiight. Being me, I managed to leave with TEN items–including two pairs of shoes, a dress, two blouses, and several pairs of pants–all for under 30 bucks. Watch and learn…

*Note: I recorded in portrait orientation because I’m not that bright sometimes, but have been too lazy busy to re-record. Lesson learned.

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Since I tend to gravitate to “colors” like gray and black, I wanted a cheap and easy way to add a shot of color–something bright and playful, almost cartoon-y.

I found this slightly weird necklace in the $1.00 bin at a flea market and decided it was my mission in life to paint it an obscenely bright traffic-sign yellow.

The whole project only took about 10 minutes, and I let it “hang dry” on my fire escape for the rest of the day.

I can’t wait to wear it with something gray, or maybe black–or ooh, navy. Mission accomplished!

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So, I’ve really been feeling this rusty russet color lately–by coincidence, it featured prominently in Sunday’s photo shoot. Y’all remember how much I loved the colors in Gucci’s Fall/Winter collection, and several other designers featured these colors, too.

I wanted to wear this russet top I’ve had for years with something bright, and a pair of Smurf-blue pants did the trick.

Victoria’s Secret blouse; vintage pants, belt, bag, and shoes

Fa la la la la laaaa…

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You guys! I finished a mending* project thanks to something I learned on the internets!

So, I’ve had this vintage beaded skirt  for years, but never really wore it because the elastic waist was SO stretched out. Even a belt wouldn’t keep this sucker up.

Enter this video and my newfound do-it-yourself-y-ness, and I decided to try my hand at fixing the waistband. MYSELF.

Step 1: Remove the thread from the waistband. I used a seam ripper, but it still wasn’t as easy as it looked in the video. Dangit.

Step 2: Open up a section of the waistband casing (that’s a TECHNICAL term, you know) and cut the old elastic inside before pulling it out through the opening.

Step 3: Insert new, stretchy elastic into the waistband. I didn’t measure the elastic because that seemed too much like the right thing to do, I just stretched it around my waist and guessed.

Step 4: Sew the ends of the new elastic together and stitch the opening in the casing shut.

Even with the double row of stitching through the elastic, it was a fairly easy project! And I love the result:

Isn’t the beading pretty? It’s like getting new clothes without going shopping!

Thrifted oxford; Limited belt; Nine West shoes; Gucci sunglasses

Yay for me and learning from the intergoogle! I already have another project in mind…

*I literally have a basket of mending like ladies had in Ye Olden Days. I’m 80.

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Last weekend wore me out! I’m talking…

Little Black Dresses

On Friday, Cincy Chic hosted an event at Coney Island’s Moonlite Gardens (where I haven’t been since elementary school) to celebrate Summerfair and the ubiquitous Little Black Dress.

I ran into plenty of bloggy-friends (what the heck am I supposed to call people I met on the internets?) including Amy, Sara, Kasmira, Asha, was impressed with the lovely atmosphere and the dresses in the fashion show, and might’ve gotten a little carried away in the photo booth.

City Flea

On Saturday morning, I headed down to The City Flea to snap some pictures of the action.  There was a DJ, a picnic area, and a selection of neat crafts and tasty treats for sale for the crowd to enjoy. The lay-deez brought their style A-game, with maxi dresses being especially popular!

Tri State Antique Market

On Sunday, Kasmira invited a group of folks to the monthly Tri State Antique Market in Indiana. I’d never been, and we set off with visions of $1 jewelry dancing in our heads.

We raided the $1 bins and came away with some pretty good junk! I was obsessed with a rhinestone tiger bracelet (it “bites” its tail at the clasp) and wooden type blocks, and came thisclose to buying a Sweet Valley High board game. I was always Lila when we played at slumber parties–Liz was such an annoying goody-goody and Jessica was a straight up sociopath, but at least Lila OWNED her crazy.

KI

I finished the weekend with a Sunday evening trip to Kings Island, where me and FriendBoy rode the heck outta some roller coasters and had funnel cake for dinner. It was fantastic, but we were the only people over 18 in line for The Diamondback after 8pm. I’m CLEARLY getting too old for this–I’m exhausted!

How was your weekend?

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Thrifted top, vintage skirt & jewelry, Da Me hat, DKNY heels

I took some time to do my little DIY trick on a rarely-worn oxford, and paired it with one of my favorite vintage finds: a full black and gold print midi skirt.

I saw this skirt peeking through the rack at some thrift store or another, and it immediately reminded me of something an elderly Russian lady in a head scarf would wear to the market to buy ingredients to make verenki. Which CLEARLY meant I had to have it, ’cause who doesn’t like a nice plate of verenki?

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Plastic Island dress; vintage shoes; hand-crocheted clutch made by a friend; Forever21 ring

I’m not usually one for bright colors (even though I’m trying, I swear!), but a pop of hot pink does wonders for even the most sedate color schemes. Apparently, my girl Barbie still wields a fair amount of influence over my sartorial choices.

Have a great weekend!

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Sometimes when I’m out shopping, I see things I like but can’t fit/can’t afford/have no business even looking at. Being the generous person that I am, I thought I’d share some of my favorite finds in hopes that these items find a good home!

This time around, I hit Atomic Number 10 (Style Tour stop #1!) in search of pants, shorts, and tops for my DIY collection:

I found a pair of Proenza-worthy ikat shorts (unfortunately too large for me) and a nice selection of floaty ’70s secretary blouses.

I’d love to see this bib dress taken up a few inches for a cute minidress, and the colors on this sheath are a perfect example of the color blocking trend.

I just KNEW I was going home with this Star Trek uniform-meets-YSL blouse, but it was a bit too big, and if those colorful heeled sandals are still there the next time stop in, I’ll consider it fate–even though they’re a size too big (they’re 8s).

I plan on getting this lace crop top as soon as I figure out what to do with it (unless someone else gets to it first), and a size medium someone needs to snatch up this dress if only for the poufy sleeved goodness.

Nothing I looked at was over $20, so if you see something you like, go for it!

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Victoria’s Secret sweater; thrifted skirt and purse; gifted Casualmere scarf, Gucci sunglasses

Not to keep harping on the weather, but please let the record show that I’m wearing a wool skirt and sweater. In May. The last time I wore this skirt, it was practically a winter wonderland. Who do I need to contact to make sure this weather switch doesn’t happen again?

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