Since last week, I:

Wore the new AllSaints top I bought in the sale.

I love wacky asymmetrical draping, but FriendBoy immediately said “You’re wearing Theo’s shirt!”

It is now officially known as my Gordon Gartrell.

Hit the Jodi Arnold event at The Limited.

Due to underestimating traffic (I don’t know how I did the rush hour thing every day), I missed the fashion show, but did manage to snag the tunic I wanted as well as one or ten of the little cake hors d’oeuvres that were being passed around. Win-win as far as I’m concerned.

Found another (?) gray hair.

I’ve had two gray hairs since I was about 8 years old, and I used to be able to pinpoint their location with GPS-like precision. Since I stopped straightening my hair, it’s not easy to find anything in there, so I’m not sure if it’s a new gray or one of the old ones. Hmm…

Tried the new butter tart at The Bistro.

Doesn’t the name just sound like a good idea? Butter. Tart. How can you go wrong? The tarte tatin used to be my fave, but the gooey caramely-ness of this new concoction has just earned its own place in my dessert-lovin’ heart.

Hemmed a pair of my own pants!

I got motivated and learned how to do a basic catch stitch from this YouTube video:

Now that I think about it, I can’t remember the last skill I learned that didn’t involve a YouTube tutorial–god forbid I pick up a book and get some learnin’ the old fashioned way.

I got out my tape measure, needle, thread, scissors, even a seam ripper ’cause I was serious about getting the job done! One leg at a time, I carefully measured, cut, ripped, and stitched by hand. This was the result:

Oops.

Seriously, one leg was a full inch  shorter than the other. Ha! There goes my career as a tailor…

Bought a hot glue gun.

Who knew they were so inexpensive? I’m feverishly searching for random items to glue together at this very moment. As soon as I can think of a good reason to add feathers to my plastic plants, it’s on.

What have you been up to?

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Since the weather is back to 172% humidity and 97 degrees in the shade*, I had to take matters into my own hands…and wear short shorts.

Vintage blouse, belt, and necklaces; Forever21 shorts; Stetson hat; Ann Taylor bracelet; Charles David shoes

*That may not be completely accurate reporting. My bad.

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These black and gray checked shorts used to be black and gray checked teacher pants, but at 97 degrees and 142.784% humidity, it’s just too hot for all that. I cut ‘em, cuffed ‘em, and went about my business!

Shorts, thrifted; top, Forever21; booties, Jeffrey Campbell; no-name bag & earrings

Do you switch things up when the weather is just too hot to bear?

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Tank, Forever21; bustier, Grey Ant; cardigan, H&M; shoes, Topshop; bag, ?? There’s no label!

Have a great weekend!

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The weather goddess was nice enough to give us a break from hair-frizzing 90-degree humidity and grace us with cool breezes and temperatures in the 70′s. All the better to break out the riding boots (I’ve missed my boots and sweaters!) and a thrifted plaid blazer on the way to a late breakfast. Plus Cortez (kitty) is doing much better so I was all “What’s all this, then?” and in a really good mood.

Blazer, necklaces, and purse, thrifted; dress and socks, American Apparel; boots, Dolce Vita

How was your weekend?

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Why wait ’til Friday?

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A few facts:

• This past weekend was hot as monkey balls.

• I don’t get rid of clothes, so I wind up with a lot of what I like to call “personal vintage”–stuff I know I should’ve given away years ago, but have kept for so long that it’s coming back. This circa 1997 Express romper absolutely falls under that category. See also: 8th grade jeans

• My kitty is very sick and I’m not sure how much time he has left (as indicated by the pitiful look in the above photo)

• Ridiculously hot weather and pending emotional loss call for simple dressing.

• Skorts (skirt in the front, shorts in the back) are still full of win!

How was your weekend?

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Shopping: Top 6 rompers online
All the world’s a stage
Style: Trailer Chic

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On my way to Fountain Square to take a break from working (and working and working) on the upcoming issue of Style Sample Magazine. I decided to wear my new Nati Evolvement tee (thanks guys!) with a stretchy cotton pencil skirt and the high-heeled ugly-but-cool booties to sex it up a bit. After adding a print scarf and a casually tipped beret, I was ready for some Graeter’s ice cream*!

It’s a really easy look to achieve:

1. Shirt, Nati Evolvement 2. Beret, asos 3. Skirt, Forever21 4. Heels, Topshop 5. Scarf, Urban Outfitters
*Side note: I’m starting to think I live too close to Graeters. You’d think having to walk 9 blocks to get there would be a deterrent, but…nope. Not for me. Apparently, I am not able to live within walking distance of yummy frozen treats without overdoing it–I’m talking double scoops, topping, whipped cream, the whole nine… Dang!

You’ll like these, too:
Interview with: Nati Evolvement
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After wasting spending time watching reruns of My Name is Earl on Hulu, I was inspired to dress like Jamie Pressly’s character who, let’s be honest, is a l’il trashy. Trashy can be fun when it’s done right, though! Let’s take a look at some of the key elements:

1 & 2 “A-line” Tank top Shown: American Apparel 2. Hanes
To keep it simple, go for the ol’ standby classic: a ribbed cotton wifebeater. If you don’t like the idea of wearing such violent-sounding clothing, try to find something that looks like it was procured at an impromptu roadside biker rally. I picked up my combination tie-dye/bald eagle flyin’ atcha duck! ribbed tank top from a mall in New Jersey. ‘Nuff said.

Bonus points: Tube top or bikini top–anything that opens the possibility of “accidentally” exposing boobs.

3. “Gold” accessories Shown: earrings, girlprops.com
You can’t go wrong with a cheap gold accessory in this case, so I say doorknocker earrings for the win! You could also try hoops the size of a small foreign car–as long as they’re not real gold. Because really, what would be the point then?

Bonus points: Wear a several pairs of said oversized earrings.

4. Cutoffs Shown: Ksubi, LaGarconne
I made my denim cutoffs from an old pair of jeans–my “8th grade jeans” to be exact. I remember roaming the halls of WWMS thinking I was hot stuff when I wore those jeans, but eventually I, er…”outgrew” them. Not to worry! A few rough measurements and handy pair of scissors took care of that in less than two minutes. You can buy ‘em or do it yourself–they’ll fray and fade nicely after a few washings.

Bonus points: Cut the leg higher than the bottom of the pocket lining for a Britney pre-comeback look.

Note: If you stop here, you’ll probably fall into “trailer” side of this look, which just so happens to be all over the runways right now so score! If you prefer to add a bit of chic, keep going.

5. Add a cover up Shown: Lux, Urban Outfitters
I know I said the point was to show skin, but limiting the exposed skin to one body part (legs, shoulders, back, etc.) will keep you from getting arrested while standing on the corner waiting for your bus. I chose a black open cardigan because it’s easy to put on and remove. For when I get hot, not to fool the cops! Jeez…

Bonus points: Wear a well-cut designer piece like Nini.

6 & 7 Keep the remaining accessories sleek Shown: Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals, Shopbop; Michael Michael Kors belt, Bluefly
A simple black belt with a gold buckle, strappy black sandals, a vintage cuff…I wore these because black leather is always trailer-appropriate, but also because of the streamlined silhouettes. In this case, too many accessories can look busy and distracting.

To achieve style harmony you must balance the trailer and the chic, grasshopper.

Do you ever get inspiration from unusual places? What are your tips for mixing seemingly disparate styles?

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I saw these silver earrings while browsing at The Little Mahatma during the OTR/Gateway Celebration a few weeks ago. The shop is filled with “exquisite jewelry, folk art & artifacts from many exotic lands” per their webpage, and the place delivers as promised–the cases and shelves lining every inch of the store are filled with everything from dramatic bejeweled earrings from India to heavily decorated gold collars from Morocco. The cloying scent of nag champa permeated the entire space (as would be expected) and I was enchanted.

My ongoing obsession with Indian bridal jewelry was immediately revived, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the mystical silver earrings with the intriguing night-sky pattern for the next few days! Rather than suffer in silence like a tormented fashion martyr, I made my way back to The Little Mahatma and pounced on my prize.

Unable to wait to wear them (when do I ever wait?), I paired them with an H&M dress I bought years ago but have only worn once, a pair of short shorts I won’t be able to wear much longer if I keep eating the way I do, and the gray ugly-but-cool booties.

Dress (worn as top), H&M; shorts, Forever21; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

I love the subtle chiming sound the earrings make when I shake my head and I’m happy I was able to support a local independent business. Don’t you just love when things work out for everyone?

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The beautiful weather and promise of barbecue has put me in a really good mood. I decided to wear this swishy skirt I picked up in Chicago and enjoy the dappled sunlight and cool breeze.

Tank top & scarf, Urban Outfitters; skirt, H&M; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

Have a fabulous 4th of July!

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