Dress Up, Dress Down

I'm back to work from my break and will be working about 6 days a week and a couple of nights most weeks. Whew! I won't be posting every day as you may have noticed. I'm going to try to be more organized and prepared overall so the hectic schedule doesn't get to me like last time.

One of the nice things about my jobs is that it gives me a reason to dress up for a few hours. Today I taught a History of Costume class at FIDM.
 

Dress-(thrifted)
Jacket-(yard sale)
Tights-(Target)
Boots-(thrifted)
Necklace-(thrifted)

I have no idea what this pose is about. I started getting antsy and silly. I know, what? Me?

This dress is great because it's so incredibly versatile. If you need a dress you can do a lot with, get a sleeveless sheath in a neutral color. I have also worn this dress with a blouse under it which looks great. The jacket is one of my faves. I got it at a yard sale for  $1. Sweet!!!.

When I got home I wanted to be really comfortable so I put this on. The jacket is one of my Goodwill finds from last month but it's been too hot to wear it until now. We actually got some rain which is a freaking miracle out here (I know, it's rude to complain about having sunshine all the time but I love rain)

T-shirt-(thrifted)
jacket-(thrifted)
Jeans-(thrifted)
Shoes-(Marshalls)

Why, yes, I went to Harvard. Well, I didn't go there exactly. I did see Good Will Hunting like 30 times if that counts.

My daughter loves taking pictures of the top of my head.

I found this jacket in the men's section at Goodwill and I was so excited. It's exactly what I've been wanting. I looked at the label briefly and I thought it was from Hollister or something like that. Then I got home and looked more closely.

It's the real deal, yo!! Neat, huh? See that little curled up label on the bottom? It says Made In China. Does that seem weird to anyone else?

ps I realized I could link this up at Silverstyle's Trending Through th Decades-Boots Edition so I did. :)

Good Times

I had some good times the past few days. Friday I got to see my BFF who is only back for a few days from New York. I'm still getting used to my new IPhone but loving the Instagram app.

It can even make a new baby look like an old-timey baby. (That's her baby)

Saturday night my stand-up comedy students had their showcase. I went up at the end and did 10 minutes. It was a blast. I haven't performed in like 2 months except on my birthday. I really needed that.

Then I went to the other club (there are two clubs) because a friend was having a birthday show. They gave me 5 minutes there, too, and it was fantastic. I even got some nice compliments from a couple of young girls on my fashion style. I blame it all on my new skinny cargo pants.

This photo is a little fraudulent because I didn't perform in this room. I performed in the other room. (there are two rooms) The stage is a mess because the headliner that night does juggling and has props and things. Ha ha. It looks like my apartment. (That shirt is actually black by the way)

Top-(Nine and Co)
Sweater-(gift but I think from Target originally)
Old Navy pants-(Goodwill)
Sofft shoes-(Marshall's)
Necklaces-(vintage, FIDM Scholarship Store)
Sassiness-(EARNED!)

BTW Today is Monday and even though these are pics from another day I am going to try to get away with including them on Patti's Visible Monday link up. Check it out.

Rawrrr!

Did someone say animal print? Um, yeah. No problem. I have a lot of leopard print. Shoes, bags, shirts, belts, scarves, you name it. My mom gave my sister and me leopard sheets when I was a little kid so it started young. Here's a little bit for today.

Shirt-(Walmart)...(I was on the road at the time)
Jeans-(thrifted)
Shoes-(Marshalls)
Haircut-(Yay!)

This is for darling Tammy's link up at Silverstyle. It's an all ages party so check it out.

Here are some other posts where I leoparded it up.
 Here, here, and more shoes here. Oh and who could forget this bit of silliness? Oh, brother. Ha ha. Later.

It LIVES!!!!

Okay, here's the deal. Remember how I kept posting about how busy and tired I was the past couple of months? Well, I wasn't kidding. I got so stressed out during that time period that I started losing my hair and feeling completely soul and bone tired. All my work ended at once and all I've wanted to do the last week or so is hibernate and recharge. I don't know how you guys that post every single day do it. I've realized that my life is so up and down that there might be some times when I need to just step away for a little bit. And that has to be okay.

I saw a holistic healing lady for my hair. I know this is the time when hormones can go wackadoo but hairloss is not hereditary for me and I'm pretty sure it was stress. My work starts back up again on Saturday and everything gets going all at once. It's been nice to have a break and sleep and clean house and watch movies but I am really grateful for my jobs. This time I intend to be more organized and to plan and not take on any more costume projects---other than for my daughter's choir. Ummm...

Shirt-(thrifted)
T-shirt-(Banana Republic)
Shorts-(thrifted and refashioned)
Boots-(thrifted)
Necklace-(vintage)
Bracelet-(gift)
Sunglasses-(Glitz)

I also want to remember to do nice things for myself like light candles and listen to music and keep decluttering and cleaning house. I let myself get bogged down by what needed to get done and trying to be a hero or like a getting-things-done machine.

What do you do to keep from getting stressed out? How do you pamper yourself? Share, please. I'll bet it's great.

I think I'll go ahead and post this on Visible Monday, by the way. To support the lovely Patti @ Not Dead Yet Style.

Miss Me?

I missed you. Did you even notice I was gone?

Dress-(thrifted)

Belt-(thrifted)

Shoes(thrifted)

Earrings-(FIDM Scholarship Store)

I really really needed some time off to deal with some serious deadlines. After tonight I will have more extra time at least for a couple of weeks. But this time I'm going to try to stay on top of everything so I don't get so bogged down. Do you believe me?

Today I gave a tour at FIDM to some high schoolers who were interested in costume design for theatre! Yea! That's my background. I really enjoyed taking them around.

Also, we all got to see the new exhibit at the FIDM Museum that is Spectacular! It's actually called Fabulous! and it is. (Go here if you want to find out more)

 

I hope you're all well and hormonally balanced. I'll be catching up on my favorite blogs the next few days. Now I'm going right back out to work. See ya!

EBEW-Made Me Wear Purple Pants!

I took on another style challenge. Oh, and I took it on HARD. Everybody Everywhere proposed a challenge to wear colorful pants. Well, I hardly have any trousers at all, much less those of a non-neutral pursuasion. So, of course, I  trekked down to my local treasure trove, I mean Goodwill, and looked for colorful bottoms. heh heh. You know what I mean.

I found these silk high waisted, pleated purple pants that are like new and they were half price. Suh-weet! It's cool that they are high waisted and pleated because those kinds of trousers have never been in fashion before, ever and it's brand new and like, totally original. (That is hysterical to anyone over 40)

The truth is, the social shame of wearing pleated high waisted pants cut so deep once flat fronts came in that it's almost hard to go back to them. I feel like it's a trick and if I wear them out I'll be mocked and laughed at by hipster 20 year olds and everyone in the fashion industry. "OMG! You fell for it? Those aren't really in style again. We were being ironic. LOL!"

Calvin Klein top-(thrifted)

Pants-(thrifted)

Sweater-(FIDM Scholarship Store)

Shoes-(thrifted)

Necklace-(Maybe Marshalls a long time ago?)

P.S. I am aware that I'm not showing the top of the pants I went on and on about. I'm working up to it slowly.

Polkadots and Neck Bows

I can't believe I'm up at 11:30 at night posting this when I have to get back up in a few hours and work all day. But I did the Two Birds Challenge and I have to post it!!!

Here's the inspiration:

And here's me:

Oy! It's like lookin' in a mirrah!!

Here's a close-up of the accessories and what not.

Too tired to do anymore. Hope you all have good nights and sweet dreams. 

Shirt-(thrifted)

Jeans-(thrifted)

Bracelets-(birthday gifts from daughter)  :)

Shoes-(Marshalls)

Hey, I'm throwing this up on the Not Dead Yet site for Visible Monday, too. Check it out. (should I have said "putting this up"?)

Feeling So (Over) Exposed

This is my busy time (end of the quarter at FIDM) so there's lots of grading and I also worked the whole weekend outside the house at my other jobs so I haven't been posting or reading as much. Next week I'll be a BEAST! 12 posts a day! Okay, no.

I got an IPhone 4 by the way. My first smart phone. I thought I'd try out the camera yesterday. Then I discovered my actual camera was out of battery power. For some reason the IPhone made my pictures very over exposed. I swear I'm not quite this white.

I'm actually starting to remix some things I've worn on the blog. What has it been, two, three months? I still have plenty of things I haven't worn yet though. Yikes. I should probably stop shopping.

This is what I look like when I think no one is looking. Hot.

Banana Republic t-shirt-(thrifted)

Jacket-(thrifted)

Pants-(thrifted)

Flats-(Marshalls)

Bracelet-(gift)

Necklace-(LA County Fair)

Casual Thursday

I had a meeting today at the comedy club which I didn't have to dress up for but I wanted to look decent. It was blistering hot. One of a number of super hot days we've had lately. I just put together things I'd be comfortable in and it kind of worked since they are all neutrals.

This is an unusual day for me in that only one thing I'm wearing is thrifted. Can you guess what that is? Okay, it's the shorts. I wore them once before. Almost everything else is from the FIDM Scholarship Store which is almost like thrifting because they sell clothes that are donated from stores. The top and jacket were $5 each.

Shirt-(FIDM SS)

Jacket-(FIDM SS)

Banana Republic shorts-(thrifted)

Sandals-(Marshalls)

Bracelets-(gift, FIDM SS)

By the way, I'm linking this to Thursdays are for Thrifters at Spunky Chateau. Check it out if you're cool.

Inspiration-Real Women Have Pores

I think the thing I love about independent fashion blogs is that we are all real women. What you see is what you get. Don't get me wrong, I love magazines. They are beautiful, however unatainable, depictions of style and beauty. As I get older I'm having to deal with my changing face and body. If I walk in a room with a twenty year old girl, the men are going to be checking out her. I know that. I was that girl at one point.

I think blogs are giving the fashion industry a run for its money because we are getting used to accepting regular looking girls and women as stylish and cool. This is profound. I'm glad to be part of it even if it's in a small way. I love the community of women I've met here.

I posted this short video from Dove on Facebook about a year ago and came across it again. I used to work as a wardrobe stylist assistant on fashion photo shoots when I was younger. It reminded me of all the work that goes into a fashion photo even before the airbrushing. Have you seen this video? What are your thoughts on the messages we're given about beauty and perfection?



And here's another one just for fun.

Tied up and Flowerdy

I wanted to do the style challenge at Two Birds this week because they finally had something I could wear to work. Unfortunately, Monday was a holiday and I barely even put pants on. (don't worry. I didn't leave the house) But today I worked and used the inspiration photo to try to update this 50's or early 60s dress I got at a yard sale for $1. (don't be jealous)

Here's the inspiration photo from two birds btw 

Kiera Knightly is kicking herself that she has to be so skinny and not as voluptuous as me.

This dress is so cute. It has little rhinestones and beads sewn on the skirt in the flowers. It's homemade and very well done. I wish you could see the sparkles.

Here's some extra sparkles I added. I think this ring is part of the jewelry I started collecting from yard sales in the 80s when I was a punk rocker and costume design student in college.

Dress-(vintage)

White shirt-(thrifted)

 Shoes-(DSW)

Bracelet-(b'day gift from daughter <3)

Ring-(vintage)

Nail polish-(Loreal-Minted)

8 Irresistible Principles of Fun

I found this cute video not long ago and wanted to share it with you.  Hope you had a great long weekend.



The original website is here

Grown Up Room

My daughter's sixteenth birthday present from me, aided by my Mom and sister, is that we are redecorating her room. Today we spent a lot of time going through everything and removed a lot of stuff to sell or give away. I was really proud of her for being clear about what she wanted and what she could part with.


 It's still too much of a mess to show off but I saw this article today that's kind of related and pretty profound.
The full story and more pictures are here.

Photo essay: Where children sleep

Recently, the charitable organization Save the Children asked documentary photographer James Mollison to come up with an idea to get people thinking about the rights of children around the world. What he came up with was an unusual, but powerful project: a photo essay of more than 200 children and their bedrooms, called "Where Children Sleep."

Four-year-old Kaya lives in Tokyo, where her mother spends $1,000 per month on her wardrobe:

James Mollison

A Romanian four-year-old living outside Rome, Italy with his undocumented family:

James Mollison

A 7-year-old Nepalese girl who works in a quarry and lives in a one-room home with her parents and siblings:

James Mollison

This photo essay made me feel so fortunate. My daughter and I live in an apartment. She has everything she needs but knows I have to work for it. I raised a really great kid who is talented, compassionate and funny. She has her own room. And thanks to Craigslist and my sister's ninja "finding furniture at reasonable prices skills", that room is going to be amazing.

 I have strong memories of my childhood bedroom. We didn't have a lot of money so to carpet my bedroom, my mom and grandma pieced together carpet scraps that had been thrown out by a store. They worked their butts off and there was a lot of giggling from the glue apparently. It was a psychadelic mix of orange green and yellow (this was the 70's) I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. What about you? Do you remember your childhood or teen bedroom?

About A Belt

It took a while to get a post up tonight. Couldn't take pictures until after dark. I wore this to go to the campus and get stuff to grade. I actually got a compliment from a cute, stylish young FIDM student about my belt. Hey hey hey, yeah. I still got it!

I got the belt and these skinny jeans from Goodwill yesterday. Yum! These are my first skinny jeans. Can you believe it? I think that means they're about to go out of style. I like them anyway. They are Tommy Hilfiger and I got them for $4.

This belt is one of my new favorite things. It's like tapestry or needlepoint. Can you tell? I kept trying necklaces on and taking them back off. Everything competed with the belt. Sometimes you have to know how to say no. Right now I'm about to say no to still being awake. zzzzzzz

Shirt-(thrifted)

Jeans-(thrifted)

Belt-(thrifted)

Bracelets-(vintage, FIDM Scholarship Store, LA County Fair)

Shoes-(thrifted)

100 Years of Fashion (and Dance)

This is so cute!



"To announce the grand opening of Westfield Stratford City, which will soon be “the largest urban shopping centre in Europe”, Westfield created this fun short film, 100 YEARS / STYLE / EAST LONDON. The film, directed by Jake Lunt with The Viral Factory, amazingly gives the run-down of 100 years of East London fashion, dance and music in just 100 seconds."

Why Yes, I Do Think I'm Some Kind of Model or Something

In honor of the September fashion magazines, or as I should say, weight lifting weights, I decided to do some Editorial type poses. You know, the real professional type stuff that you shouldn't try at home.

So far so good

Now we're talkin'

That's right, put your back into it

Okay, now it looks like you've gotta pee

Umm...

Okay...

Can you hear me now?

Whoa! That's it! Nailed it!

Top that, Kate Freaking Moss!!!

Every awesome quasi-professional model needs an awesome photographer. It helps if they are also wearing leopard print.

Oh and if you're still reading:

Top-(FIDM Scholarship Store)

NY& Co trouser jeans-(thrifted)

Tank undershirt-(Target)

Shoes-(thrifted)

Visible Monday-Bea Young

Today was so hot and I couldn't find anything to wear that would be comfortable enough. I thought "Man, if I just had a cotton shirtwaist dress, then...you know...that would be great." Alls of a sudden I remembered I already had one!

I got this vintage dress from the thrift store for a few dollars a couple of years ago or so. I was going to sell it because I thought it looked frumpy on my. But that was before this look had come back in style and I also lost a few pounds and now I like it!

So then I came home for a few minutes between my two jobs, bent over to feed the cats and rrrip. The dress ripped at the back of the armseye. Not on the seam, in the fabric. Waaah. Well, I guess it'll make a good skirt.

I threw on some arm business, too. Here's that.

Dress-(vintage thrifted)

Belt-(oldie but a goodie)

Slip-(thrifted)

Bracelets-(vintage thrifted)

Shoes-(thrifted)

While you're looking at things, please go on over and visit the lovely ladies of Visible Monday.