off of broadway

red and fur

2012-02-13T09:16:00.000-06:00

so hey. long time no post. last week was full of cold dreary days and frankly all i wanted to do was wear cozy clothes and read the hunger games. and that's exactly what i did. then the sun finally came out over the weekend. well, until i actually wanted to take photos. then the clouds rolled in. oh well. now i'm bundled up on the sofa watching the snow fall.
i wanted to wear something slightly romantic to kick off this valentine's week and i can't think of a whole lot that beats red and fur. i keep thinking i'm going to get rid of this crazy skirt because it's a little bit much for me, but i can't seem to do it. it's just too much fun. you know it's actually from gap kids? it has an adjustable waist. shhhhhhhhh.......don't tell anyone :)

details:
shirt-vintage
fur-vintage
skirt-gap, thrift
shoes-h by hudson, ebay

a day of mourning

2012-02-07T08:46:00.000-06:00

yesterday was a day of mourning. my patriot's stunning loss to those stinking giants in the super bowl hit me pretty hard. i won't even try to describe to you the atmosphere in my house sunday night. suffice it to say, IT WAS BAD. and i had all these plans for a celebration post for monday with all our super bowl pics, but i just hadn't the heart to do it.
however, i did resist the urge to don sackcloth and ashes. instead i went for my old stand-by: shirt and leggings. i tried to class it up a bit with my new jacket from jcpenney and my favorite vintage teal pumps. shades of black and gray because i'm sad, but a spot of color to remind me that good days are still to come.
i am always, a pats fan for life :)

details:
jacket-jcpenney
leggings-walmart
shoes-9 west, vintage

friday loves

2012-02-03T09:02:00.000-06:00

last saturday, the fam and i took a trip to the local salvation army. it was unusually busy, and some chatty ladies caught my attention so i looked over from where i was amongst the shirt racks. that's when i spotted it: the frye satchel. i quickly googled it on my phone, snatched up the bag and ran over to matt to show him my prize. IT WAS ONLY 7 DOLLARS. i love it when the thrifts don't know what they have.
i also love warm days in february, beaded sweaters, big necklaces, leopard skirts, long walks on the beach, and hanging out with my friends.
have a great weekend. GO PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

details:
bag-frye, thrift
skirt-thrift
sweater-vintage
blouse-vintage
jacket-fancy treehouse
necklace-jcpenney
shoes-vintage, etsy

knit and lace

2012-02-02T09:34:00.000-06:00

you know what? standing in the bald sun wearing a black sweater.....i was HOT!!! like kinda about to break a little sweat. that is so fantastic.
it's been a while since i've worn this skirt. i bought it on etsy and it was mid-calf length and a sort of awkward a-line, but the lace is pretty fabulous and i knew exactly how i wanted it to look. and this is one of the only times i've purchased something with the intention of altering it and then ACTUALLY ALTERING IT. usually i'm too lazy and the garment and the money go to waste. but this time i followed through. i know, sometimes i even surprise myself.

details:
sweater-vintage, thrift
skirt-vintage, etsy
shoes-jcpenney
necklace-jcpenney

the curvy skirt

2012-01-30T09:55:00.000-06:00

yesterday morning, i hurried down the stairs to my husband and son waiting patiently in the car as i was running late yet again for church. when i sat down in the passenger seat, matt said 'whoa, pretty lady!' so that kinda made my day.
and truly i think it's the skirt. as someone who has roughly the same body shape as a 14 year old boy, a skirt that gives the illusion of feminine curves is pretty much a win in my book. and wearing a flowy blouse and a blazer that cuts in a bit at the waist always makes me feel like a fancy lady. and while this is an outfit that would definitely benefit from some heels, i've been suffering some foot pain that is affecting my running. that ain't cool. so i'm gonna be wearing flats more often now. but if i have to wear flats then they might as well be sparkly gold ones, right?

details:
blazer-jcpenney
blouse-vintage
skirt-dillards
shoes-jcpenney

a very belated birthday

2012-01-27T08:30:00.000-06:00

k. apparently i'm a bad blogger. i started off of broadway 2 years ago on january 22nd and i totally forgot to wish her a happy birthday. so i'm gonna make it up to her by posting a whole lot of photos of my outfits from the last year. it's pretty crazy how my style has changed over the past 12 months. and, no lie, i think i'm better for it :) anyway, here i am. if you want to check out my very first (and super embarrassing) post, do so at your own risk!
happy belated birthday, off of broadway!
january

february

march

april

may

june

july

august

september

october

november

december

i'll be there

2012-01-26T09:07:00.000-06:00

last night, at what turned out to be the eleventh hour, i signed up to attend the texas style council in march! seems as though i waited so long to decide that i got the very last entry. i am super excited. i went last year and it truly was one of the funnest weekends EVER. i can't wait to see what this year has in store! so, i'll be there....now who else is going?????

truth

2012-01-25T09:18:00.000-06:00

truth be told, i've worn all this before....lots of times. i'm not posting an outfit that is particularly exciting or groundbreaking. and there are days that i think, 'i have nothing new, so why bother?' but that's just it. most of us can't get new stuff all the time. but it's what we do with what we have. and i liked this. i'd call it a remix but instead i'll just call it reality :)

details:
vest-thrift
jacket-levi's, thrift
blouse-vintage
skirt-kennedy holmes
shoes-thrift

cropped sweater

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

i'd been looking for a cropped sweater for a while, but hadn't really found the right one. i love how they create interesting proportions and layering opportunities. well, the other day, i just decided to make my own! there are so many things i liked about this cable knit sweater, but the bottom of it was weird. it belled out a bit too much and i never was truly happy with the fit. so i did what any normal girl would do and attacked it with my scissors. and just to make it a touch more dramatic, i went for the sloped cut. i'll probs finish the edges at some point so the whole thing doesn't unravel on me. but i really kinda dig it like this :)

details:
sweater-thrift
dress-vintage
shoes-vintage, etsy
jacket-from my sister in law

celebration

2012-01-23T09:45:00.000-06:00

i am interrupting my regularly scheduled style posts to share with you some of my crazy. i am a rabid RABID patriots fan and my boys just won a pretty important game yesterday.
WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and this is how we celebrate :)

comfort zone

2012-01-20T09:14:00.000-06:00

two more wardrobe favorites: plaid shirt and jordache jeans. it seems like any time i don't know what to wear i can always pull on these jeans and instantly feel better. they are my comfort zone, my sartorial happy place. super slouchy, worn, and slightly unflattering. these jeans are loved. and this shirt is vintage western perfection. the fabric has been softened and thinned by time and even some of the seams are coming apart. nope. don't care. she's a keeper. and when you are wearing clothes that are faded and falling apart and ill-fitting, you just have to pair it with some dainty little pumps, amiright????

details:
shirt-vintage, thrift
jeans-vintage jordache, ebay
shoes-vintage 9 west, thrift
bag-dooney & bourke, thrift

furrrrrrr

2012-01-19T08:31:00.000-06:00

i wore my fur collar two days in a row. shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone. of course, i don't know why that should be a big deal when i literally wear this pink blouse at least twice a week. can't help it. it's my favorite. and not only the blouse, but my green jacket. it is one of the most used items in my closet. it goes with everything! but this is the first time i've worn my fur with it. must say that i like this pairing. i face timed (???) with my dad yesterday and he was like 'what's that thing around your neck?' haha, silly dad.
but i kinda took inspiration for this outfit from one i pinned on pinterest. i really love that site. i find so many amazing things whilst on the internets and i like getting to save it in one spot. and even better is that i can find new things from other pinners. whoever came up with that idea is a flippin genius.

details:
jacket-fancy treehouse
fur-vintage, etsy
shirt-american apparel
blouse-vintage
pants-gap, thrift
shoes-h by hudson, ebay
bag-dooney & bourke, vintage

currently

2012-01-17T09:21:00.001-06:00

reading
the year of the flood by margaret atwood. it's SO different than what i had expected but still so intriguing and engaging. margaret atwood is a phenomenal writer. thanks to all of you who introduced me to her :)

listening
to the civil wars. and may i just say obsessed?? ugh. they are so good. and they're playing in tulsa this week!!! but the show is sold out and i can't go. if you haven't heard of them, run don't walk to itunes and take a listen. you won't be sorry.

drinking
coffee out of my newest mug.

cheering
my patriots in the afc championship game this sunday!!!!!! oh my. so pumped. i'm giddy like a little girl before christmas. THEY HAVE TO WIN!!

playing
angry birds. yeah yeah yeah. i'm a bit late to this party. i just started playing it on vacation and got seriously hooked. had to buy the full version. i'm like rabid when i play. it's kind of a problem.

running
for fun. had a great opportunity to run boston this april but it's just not a smart move right now. so i'm trying to find another race this spring. something close by. maybe okc?? don't know. but i'm loving my shorter runs right now :)

looking at
a beautiful clear blue sky.

being
me.

lady like tom boy

2012-01-16T11:42:00.000-06:00

monday. a new week. and we're already halfway through january. and still no major winter weather! yesterday was just cool enough to need a jacket and a wool skirt. and it was a good thing my skirt was mid-length because the wind would have made a shorter one quite inappropriate. you can tell that my hair was blowing all over the place. and i am totally wearing a dude's shirt. matt's as a matter of fact. he put it in the goodwill pile but i snatched it right out and hung it up on my side of the closet. i love the little thumb holes. this outfit was a bizarre but fun mix of tomboy and lady-like. i kinda dig it.

details:
jacket-levis, thrift
shirt-urban outfitters, stolen from matt
skirt-vintage
shoes-9 west, vintage
bag-balenciaga?????, vintage

dominicana part 2

2012-01-13T10:01:00.000-06:00

i wanted to share more photos from our trip to santo domingo. the city was rich in history and i loved seeing all the ancient churches and ruins. my very favorite place was the monastery we walked through. no one else around except me, matt, and the old man who served as a guide. he talked with matt and told him the history of the place while i stood back and took pictures. it felt very peaceful.

wintery dots

2012-01-12T09:02:00.000-06:00

you probably recognize this polka dot dress as the one in my first post from the dominican. i kinda love it so i wanted to wear it again, this time more winterized. i found my vintage sweater at a local consignment shop and thought it the perfect oversized accompaniment to this sheer and flirty dress and of course pairing it with my little black booties. i really like it when a favorite piece can be worn in lots of different ways and even in different seasons.
and speaking of seasons, boy howdy, this been the craziest winter! yesterday-bare legs, today-snow on the ground. crazy i tell you. and now i'm going to drink my third cup of coffee :)

details:
sweater-vintage
dress-thrift
boots-c/o jcpenney

sweater and jeans

2012-01-11T08:50:00.000-06:00

starting to get back into the swing of things at home and getting used to the chilly weather. i started the day out with a skirt but quickly had to change. the rain swept in and with it came the cold! so i slipped on my new favorite calvins. and i also got a chance to wear this fabulous sweater i picked up at a consignment store before christmas. such a cozy outfit makes a dreary day so much better. and who doesn't love a turtleneck?? serious. they're pretty awesome.

details:
sweater-vintage, thrift
jacket-fancy treehouse
jeans-calvin klein, thrift
oxfords-c/o jcpenney

another day in paradise

2012-01-10T09:23:00.000-06:00

so this was a pretty typical day for us in santo domingo. hang out at the hotel for a bit after breakfast, walk down to our favorite neighborhood, eat a late lunch, walk back to the hotel and read and relax on the rooftop terrace. are you kidding me? that's perfection, right? right.
most days were sunny and deliciously hot. on this particular day i opted for a breezy sheer blouse and simple cuffed shorts. it was one of my favorite outfits from the vacation i think because it was slightly tropical but very vintage and very me. i love how this blouse flutters in the wind. and the bright blue wall was the perfect backdrop. matches my eyes, and whatnot :)

dominicana outfit

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

we are back home now and i am experiencing the withdrawals that one goes through when they've spent 8 days in paradise. admittedly, i'm annoyed by the cold and dreary weather that welcomed me here, not to mention the distractions of reality............BUT i will be forever thankful for the time spent in santo domingo :)
so this is from our last day. our plane didn't leave until early evening so we got to have one last walk around the colonial district and lunch from our favorite spot. it was kinda perfect. the weather was amazing but i knew i needed to dress for chilly airports and south florida nights. this pink blouse is my absolute favorite. i wear it all. the. time. but the color is soft and romantic, the fit is easy, and i can easily pop the collar. these are wins in my book. plus, the lightweight fabric is great on a hot day and for layering in cooler temps. and these have become my favorite jeans. thrifted calvin kleins. 'nothing comes between me and my calvins' wink wink.
more pics to come.

this is seriously the only pic we took together the whole time. it's kinda awkward, but i love it :)

details:
blouse-vintage
jeans-thrifted calvins
shoes-vintage, etsy
bag-vintage, thrift

best of the best

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

well the chictopia/jcp collaboration has come to a close. it was really fun to take part in and i am truly thankful to have been included in such a great campaign. here are a few of my absolute favorite outfits from chictopia that feature items from jcpenney. pretty spectacular, no?

irisanddaniel

lovecharles

corinney

dominica, part 1

2012-01-02T06:51:00.000-06:00

i'm sitting here, awake because i am an old lady and incapable of sleeping late anymore, and thinking about how i only have two more days left. two more days of relaxing and late breakfasts, rum and rooftop sunbathing, walking hand in hand with my love down cobbled streets....sigh.
so i'm not going to take a lot of time to talk about the trip yet. i'll save that for later, when it's over. i think that if i do it now, everything will dissolve away. nope, not ready for that yet.
but here's a bit of what we saw on our first day in santo domingo.

a vintage photo shoot

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

so remember back a little bit ago when i posted some photos from a really cool shoot using my vintage?? well, here's some more!!! ugh. they are SO cool, no? i love how they turned out. gosh these girls are talented. i totally wish i had this gift. and one of those cameras...........but i digress :) hope you enjoy this new installment!

10

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

today matt and i celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. my, how time has flown by. no, not every moment has been wedded bliss, but every second has been priceless. he makes me a better me. he's more than i could have ever hoped for in a husband, lover and friend and gave me a sweet little boy as the icing on the top. plus he puts up with me and my crazy. and every SINGLE day i am so thankful that he chose me. i could go on and on about how much he means to me and how wonderful these years have been. instead, i'm just gonna have a kick ass vacation with my man down in the dominican republic!!!!!!!!!!
i'll let you know how it goes :)

christmas finery

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

my christmas outfit!! i wore this on christmas eve for my family celebration and church service. yes. i was cold. but a coat just didn't look right with it. but in my defense, it was an unusually warm december 24th. i was blessed with that.
now i can't believe that we are closing out 2011! whoa. i just thought about it. that's crazy, right??? time goes by so fast............

details:
dress-vintage, thrift
vest-thrift

bits of my christmas

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

hope you all had a VERY merry christmas :)
ours was a bit low key. we mainly celebrated on saturday, waking up early (read before the butt crack of dawn) to have our little family celebration. then in the afternoon we packed up the car to head over to my sister's house for the big deal. we had a lovely dinner then went to the candlelight service before opening presents. and of course there was champagne. we know how to do it right.

now we are driving our almost 29 year old car to florida. yes florida. yes almost 29 years old. please say a prayer :)
more details to come.......

the eve of christmas eve

2011-12-23T08:13:00.001-06:00

or christmas eve eve. but no matter how you refer to december 23, that really means that christmas is a mere 2 days away. all my gifts have been lovingly wrapped in newspaper and tied with fabric bows. i've listened to she & him christmas a thousand times and watched all my favorite movies. made and eaten holiday shaped rice krispies and colored a dozen pages from our christmas activity book. and i'm wearing my red party skirt and cold red nose. i think i'm ready. bring on the celebrating!!!
and have a very merry christmas :)

details:
shirt-american apparel, thrift
skirt-gap, thrift
necklace-tree & kimball
shoes-call it spring, c/o jcpenney
jacket-given to me

a new sweater

2011-12-22T09:21:00.000-06:00

meet my new sweater fresh from pineapple mint! oh man, this is my dream sweater. you can't really tell, but there are silver threads throughout and the cream triangles are ribbons woven into the yarn. so fabulous, no? i love the openness of the weave, but it does let in ALL the cold air and it was mighty chilly yesterday. i had initially planned to wear a skirt, but i'm glad i didn't. i was freezing! and it always shows on my face in the form of a red nose. at least it's festive, right?
and speaking of festive, little boy is now on christmas break. please say a prayer for our continued sanity :)

details:
sweater-pineapple mint vintage
jeans-thrift
fur-vintage
bag-vintage
shoes-h by hudson

a new coat and LEATHER pants

2011-12-20T16:42:00.000-06:00

what? am i wearing leather pants, you ask? why yes i am. thanks for noticing :)
while we were out looking for family christmas presents over the weekend, my eye spotted these babies. i tore the hanger off the rack as soon as i possibly could, looking around for any lurkers that might try and steal them away. they could not be anyone else's but MINE. and well, here i am walking around town in them. SCORE.
and may i point your attention to my new coat?!? i've been wearing the same old jacket for the last 2 seasons. i was determined to find a new coat this year and one that was actually WARM. i truly couldn't be any happier with this one from jcpenney. and it has a popped collar!!! and it's purple!!!! i'm a bit giddy.

details:
coat-worthington, c/o jcpenney
pants-LEATHER, gap, thrift
shoes-vintage
blouse-vintage
bag-archives vintage

faux fur and football

2011-12-19T09:47:00.000-06:00

what a big weekend. did you get all your christmas shopping done? we are pretty close, just have to finish my parents (any ideas for my dad?????). can't believe christmas is almost here!! i'm so excited!
this outfit was from friday. i thought that since it was finally sunny out, i could go with bare legs and a sheer blouse. boy was i wrong. i was freezing all day. you can probably detect my reddish nose in the pictures. oh well. at least my faux fur leopard vest kept me cozy!
meanwhile, i have a sore throat from whooping and hollering about football yesterday. AND IT IS TOTALLY WORTH IT. my boys won and won BIG. even though my fantasy football season is finished, i'll take a patriots win over a fantasy win any day. AFC east champs, baby!!! :)

details:
vest-thrift
blouse-vintage
skirt-f21, thrift
shoes-call it spring, c/o jcpenney

this photo just makes me smile :)

my day in instagrams

2011-12-17T08:34:00.000-06:00

7:00 coffee and cereal

8:00 dropping the kiddo at school

9:00 twitter and sportscenter

10:00 4 mile run

11:00 open for business

12:00 lunch at the shop

1:00 dressing matilda

2:00 we do things old school at amandromeda

3:00 waiting in the pickup line

4:00 making rice krispies

5:00 enjoying the fruits of our labor

6:00 color pages

7:00 impromptu coffee meetup with a friend

8:00 piled on the sofa

9:00 bourbon time

10:00 sleepy

11:00 bath time

12:00 'i like your pretty ways' (cold comfort farm)
bed time

florals and pearls

2011-12-14T09:23:00.000-06:00

pretty sure i'm wearing some sort of old lady bedjacket. i say that because i actually found this floral number in the pajama section of the thrift store. but whatever, the pattern is crazy and the fit is cozy. these are wins in my book.
and i found my little pearly clutch at a flea market a couple months ago. it's super small and can only hold my phone, license, and credit cards, but my goodness it's the prettiest little thing. it makes me feel dainty.
but i'm so glad it's wednesday even though i'd rather it were friday. oh well. gonna make the best of it. right??? have a fabulous day!

details:
jacket-vintage, thrift
blouse-thrift
scarf-urban outfitters, gift
jeans-thrift
boots-c/o jcpenney

shiny things

2011-12-12T10:10:00.000-06:00

what a weekend i had. thanks so much for all the congratulations and sweet comments about my race yesterday. it was super fun, but i am super happy it's over and now i can focus more on christmas. and have my lazy mondays back....at least for a while. i have my sights set on another race this spring :)
but now i want to draw your attention to my new fancy purse! (does anyone call it a 'purse' anymore??) pretty fantastic, no? i don't have very many shiny things in my closet, but when i saw this in lisa's etsy shop, archives vintage, i knew it must be mine. and then she went and had free shipping and that sealed the deal. it's kinda perfect to just throw in a few necessities and go. and then pair it with some rad vintage teal pumps (seriously, does anyone call them 'pumps' anymore???? apparently i live in the 80s) and you got yourself an outfit. well i guess you have to add a shirt and pants otherwise that would be inappropriate. but THEN have yourself an outfit.

details:
shirt-vintage
pants-old navy, thrift
shoes-nine west, thrift
bag-archives vintage

fayetteville half

2011-12-11T12:39:00.001-06:00

a few hours ago, i finished my 3rd half marathon!!! it was a beautiful day for a race and i was pretty happy with how i ran. running is such a big deal to me. and really, i enjoyed every mile this morning :)

last night we went to go pick up my race packet with my number and chip timer. then we walked around the downtown fayetteville square and enjoyed the pretty christmas lights.

it was SO cold this morning so we sat in the car for a bit before heading over to the start line.

a friend of mine ran this race too. it was fun to see a familiar face there!

i wore my penguin christmas socks because i like to be in the spirit and stuff.

heading out on my 13.1 miles!

we got to run around the john mcdonnell track at the university of arkansas to finish. they have such a great and iconic track team. it was pretty cool to go on a victory lap at the end.

another race in the books. finished with a time of 1:51:08, 4th in my age division and 13 female overall finisher. not such a bad sunday run.

a gluten free beer to celebrate. soooooooo tasty :)

leopard coat

2011-12-08T08:49:00.001-06:00

i kinda felt like a fancy old lady in my fuzzy leopard dresscoat and fur. and i kinda liked it. it really sells the old lady bit when i step into a 1983 mercedes benz and drive around town. now if only i could find a driver......
anyway, i found this coat whilst perusing the thrift store racks last week. the most interesting thing about it isn't that it was obviously handmade, but that the maker didn't even finish it before donating! pinned to the coat were the buttons and the pockets. it's like she just got bored and said, 'screw it! this thing is going to salvation army.' hey, her loss is my gain. plus it's endearing to me that someone would give up on a project. reminds me a bit of myself. and i probably won't ever finish the job. i think the original owner would be proud.

details:
coat-handmade, thrift
fur collar-vintage, etsy
sweater-thrift
jeans-gap, thrift
boots-h by hudson, ebay

bits of christmas

2011-12-07T12:14:00.001-06:00

i don't decorate a lot for christmas. not because i'm a scrooge but because i just like simple things. so here's a little look into what's decking my halls :)

dusting

2011-12-06T08:39:00.001-06:00

we had our first little dusting of snow this morning! it was kinda fun to wake up to, but really, if it's gonna snow, i want it to SNOW. that is truly the only thing that makes the cold worth it. but i guess i'll take what i can get. soon enough, i'll be ready for summer again.
and i'm loving this pleated plaid skirt. maybe because it keeps my legs warm without wearing tights. i don't know, but it's becoming a favorite of mine. and so are these boots! i feel like such a grown up when i wear heels :)

details:
jacket-fancy treehouse
sweater-thrift
skirt-vintage
shoes-call it spring c/o jcpenney
bag-vintage coach

christmas lights and patterned tights

2011-12-05T08:44:00.001-06:00

it is full blown christmas up in here. over the weekend, we set up our old school lionel train and then last night the city turned on all the twinkle lights and santa came to town in the parade. we may even see a flurry or two today. i wouldn't mind seeing a good winter storm. there's something magical about snow at christmas.
and yes, i did break down and wear tights. sigh. pretty sure my bare-legged days are numbered.
but here's to the start of a great week. and get all your shopping done. we only have 20 more days.

saying goodnight to the christmas lights outside my window :)

details:
jacket-levi's, thrift
sweater-vintage
skirt-thrift
tights-walmart
shoes-call it spring, c/o jcpenney
bag-vintage coach

the most wonderful time

2011-12-01T08:32:00.001-06:00

whoa. it's december.

thought i'd take a moment and let that sink in.
i am pretty excited to get my advent calendar started and put up a tree and string up lights and watch christmas movies and listen to carols all day long. i love how this time of year brings out the kid in me (and she's getting harder and harder to find :)
but check out my new boots from jcpenney! they are ridiculously comfortable. and i am a pretty tough customer when it comes to heeled shoes. i can't wait to wear them over and over and over. you guys know how i am when i find a favorite something, i wear it ALL THE TIME. and there are tons of other people still rockin' some jcp over on chictopia, so head on over to check it out. i'll be there too :)

details:
boots-c/o jcpenney
skirt-c/o jcpenney
sweatshirt-thrift
jacket-ages old, given to me by my sister in law
bag-vintage coach

crystal bridges

2011-11-30T08:49:00.001-06:00

on monday, matt and i went with his parents and sister and her family to visit crystal bridges art museum. it opened on 11.11.11 and features works by renowned american artists from the colonial era to modern day. the museum was founded by alice walton (the late sam walton's wife, founder of walmart) and includes a lot of her personal collection. the grounds are beautiful and the architecture is just stunning. for northwest arkansas, this is a pretty big deal. i'm certain that most people don't think of arkansas as being a cultural mecca of any sort. but truly, our area boasts some gorgeous scenery and some very creative people too. and having walmart money around doesn't hurt either :)
i thought i'd share some of my favorite pieces from the collection. the installation in the photo below was particularly awesome. it was created from spools of thread suspended by cables!! it's a depiction of the last supper but upside down. there was a ball of glass in front of the piece to look through which would show it right side up. i thought it was just brilliant.
you know what else is brilliant? matt in front of the striped painting. you know, just sayin'.

thanksgiving guests

2011-11-29T08:40:00.001-06:00

i really haven't fallen off the face of the earth even though it may seem that way. matt's parents are in town and we've been pretty busy since they arrived. but with that said, i had a great holiday. and now i'm SO looking forward to christmas! i've been listening to she & him non-stop since thanksgiving :) i haven't put up all my decorations yet. that will probs go down this weekend in conjunction with our downtown parade. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!
but i am guest blogging for paige at barefoot and vintage today while she's off spending quality time with family. NOW HEAD ON OVER!

thanksgiving

2011-11-25T08:48:00.001-06:00

i had all these plans to take loads of fun pics of thanksgiving at my mom and dad's house to share with you guys today. these measly few were all i managed. it was a fun day full of good food, football, and family. i hope your thanksgiving was awesome too!!

the morning view off the back porch. my parents live on 50 acres and it's always so serene out there.

isaiah brought some decorations :)

there was wild game aplenty (courtesy of my dad's mad hunting skills), and a plethora of side items and warm desserts. it was yummy.

heading home. even the sunset was fabulous.

and a little thanksgiving day booker's. a lovely end to a lovely day. cheers to the beginning of the holidays!

stay awake

2011-11-22T09:09:00.001-06:00

about a month ago, a couple of students from the university contacted me about doing a photoshoot for a class project using my vintage. i thought that sounded like a good time so i let them. i LOVE how the pics turned out. these particular shots were taken by heather and i am so impressed with her attention to detail, creativity and mad styling skills. i mean, wow. she made my stuff look GOOD. there were loads more photos but these were some of my favorites. but you can see more of heather's work by going to her facebook page, stay awake creations. i am pretty sure she has a future in this photography thing :)

layered

2011-11-21T08:44:00.001-06:00

the weather has been cold and blustery. so naturally, i wear three layers up top and then shorts with bare legs. that's normal, right? i'm truly not much of a tights girl. oh sure, i dabble in it, but i'm never super happy with how my legs look in them. you know? just a wee hang up of mine. so it seems i'll be doing a lot of suffering this fall and winter. i can handle it though. i'm a tough gal.
we had such a fun and busy weekend. but the good busy kind of weekend. and now i'm gearing up for a fun and busy week ahead. but the good kind :)
and it's monday and that means football night and this particular monday night features my patriots. it's gonna be awesome!!!!

details:
jacket-thrift
shorts-vintage, thrift
sweater-thrift
blouse-kennedy holmes
shoes-kate kanzier
bag-vintage dooney & bourke

trendsetter

2011-11-18T08:27:00.001-06:00

one really fun thing about partnering with chictopia and jcpenney this holiday season is that i am able to give out trendsetter badges to people who rock some jcp goodness. each badge is worth 1500 points which goes a long way when you want to trade it in for a great new dress, blouse, or accessory in chic rewards. and my first trendsetter badge went to corinney! i loved this classic tomboy look. and the addition of the yellow clutch just kinda put it over the top for me. she's just adorable, no?
sooooo, i will be giving out a badge to one super stylish person each week. are any of you on chictopia? let me know if you post something! i'd love to give one out to a reader :)
----fyi, i will probs do a post about this each week. it's not something i'm 'required' to do. i just want to give a shout out to the people i reward :)

november chill

2011-11-17T08:28:00.001-06:00

thick clouds hung heavy in the sky, the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. and this outfit was NOT warm enough. sheer flowy blouses are no match for breezy, 40 degree afternoons. oh well. the minute i got home from my shop i pulled on my thick socks, cozy pants and sweatshirt. then finished off my night with a hot bubble bath before bed. winter's chill will not get me down!

details:
blazer-vintage
blouse-vintage
jeans-gap, thrift
shoes-my shop
bag-dooney & bourke, thrift

hooded sweatshirt

2011-11-16T09:04:00.001-06:00

yes, i am wearing a hooded sweatshirt. i love a good hoodie. maybe it's because my favorite football coach always wears one. i don't know. they are just the most comfortable things ON THE PLANET. and frankly, i wore this one two days in a row. go ahead and judge. if you had this sweatshirt, you'd never want to take it off either. and at least i dressed it up with a silk blouse and pleated wool skirt this time around. the day before i paired my sweatshirt with leggings. leggings as pants to be more specific. i know, i am one classy gal :)

details:
sweatshirt-thrift
blouse-vintage, my shop
skirt-vintage, my shop
bag-vintage
boots-h by hudson, ebay

mint

2011-11-14T09:02:00.001-06:00

i bought this cape for my shop. i tried it on and everything, but thought it was just too much for me. when am i ever going to wear a mint green cape? and on friday, i was dressing matilda and thought she'd look awfully pretty in it. but on a whim i tried it on one more time before committing to placing it in the window for all to see. that was maybe a mistake. i kinda love it. i still don't know how often i'll wear this cape and it may very well makes its way back to the shop in the near future. but i did enjoy sporting it the rest of the day :)
and that was just the beginning of a FABULOUS weekend. saturday, i went thrifting with the fam and found some awesome stuff. then matt and i went on a pretty fantastic sushi date and i got to wear an amazing dress. then we picked up some bubbly and finished our date at home with a movie. and on sunday night my patriots won a GREAT game. seriously. such a good time.
you guys have a good weekend??

details:
cape-vintage, thrift
dress-gap, gift
belt-vintage, gift
jacket-thrift
bag-vintage
boots-h by hudson, ebay

scottie

2011-11-11T09:04:00.001-06:00

it's a beautiful friday. a clear and crisp fall day. a great start to the weekend.
know what else is great? my cute little scottie dog blouse. i don't even like dogs!!!!! but i have a serious soft spot for novelty prints and i'm more than a bit smitten with this one.
so i hope you guys have a fabulous weekend. the success of mine hinges completely on the outcome of the sunday night game between the pats and jets. finger crossed!!!!!!!!
and make sure you say a heartfelt thanks to a veteran today :)

details:
cardigan-old navy, thrift
blouse-kennedy holmes
jeans-thrift
boots-h by hudson, ebay
bag-dooney and bourke, thrift

a little jcp collab

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

soooooooo, about a week ago i was contacted by chictopia to participate in a collaboration with jcpenney for the holiday season. i was immediately ultra flattered, i mean i've had many a jcp garment in my day and i think it's kinda cool that i was asked to partner with them.
really, this blouse is a great example of the timeless pieces that jcpenney has to offer. i love the pretty front pleats. blouses are kinda my jam right now. i've amassed quite a collection of them. i think it's the short hair. i sorta crave those little fem touches. but the weather has been just abysmal so the only right shoes to wear with this were my trusty boots. but i also love how versatile this blouse is and that there are a myriad of ways to style it (my english major skillz are gettin' a workout).

but you should totally head over to chictopia and check out the jcp page as well as everybody is ugly. there will be tons of opportunities to earn points to redeem for great chic rewards this season (and what is available right now). and who doesn't want something new and exciting for holiday parties and whatnot??

and no i'm not the only gal who is participating in this. nine other very stylish ladies will be rockin' some jcp. please go and see what they have going on.
arianna alexis: cool girl style
andrea k: blonde bedhead
amy choi: choi de vivre
chelsea bird: blog
monica london paris: f & ml
hello lyndsey: blog
the vintage society: b. jones style
kileen cheng: cute & little
danidaniramirez: nany's klozet

details:
blouse-worthington
jacket-vintage, my shop
jeans-thrifted
boots-vintge, ebay
bag-vintage, shop
scarf-vintage (with poodles on it), my shop

a little shaky

2011-11-08T09:15:00.000-06:00

it has been raining like all kinds of cats and dogs the last two days. i'm about ready for some sunshine. and, believe it or not, we have had crazy earthquakes! one on sunday shook the house and you could actually hear the rumble of the earth. i can't imagine how much stronger it would have felt on the ground floor. but we had a mini quake last night. just a bit of a shake for about 5 seconds. still. this ain't california. we aren't used to such things in arkansas.
and thanks SO much for all the book suggestions from yesterday. i love that i got a lot of the same author recommendations. that tells me they are must reads. as soon as i finish 'to the lighthouse' i will be going through the list you guys gave me. so excited to get started!
i really loved this outfit. i wore it on sunday for church and then for our holiday open house at my shop. i fear it didn't translate quite as well in photos. oh well.

details:
jacket-vintage from a shop in austin, tx
shirt-vintage, my shop
dress-vintage from a little shop in fayetteville, ar
bag-vintage, my shop
boots-h by hudson, ebay

currently

2011-11-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

reading: to the lighthouse by virginia woolf. i'm really wanting to read more from women writers. you guys have any favorites?? i'm always looking for recommendations.

training for: the fayetteville half marathon on december 11th. and it looks like i'll be running in the rain today.

listening to: mumford and sons. matt brought this home the other day. so good.

wearing: plaid, leather, pink, and boots.

drinking: coffee. yummmmmmmmmmmm.

looking at: the pretty colors outside my window.
have an awesome day!!!!

she's a maniac on the floor

2011-11-04T08:57:00.000-05:00

ah, legwarmers. worn by dancers, became mainstream fashion in the 80s, fell from grace in the 90s, experiencing a resurgence today. i've been looking at buying some on etsy but just hadn't found the right pair. then a friend of mine suggested i make my own from a thrifted sweater. well, i have already deemed this the year of the sweater so it was just kind of perfect.

so first, you have to find a totally rad sweater. maybe you have one already? that would be even radder. i on the other hand headed out to my favorite thrift and searched for a pattern i liked. i didn't tell the ladies what i meant to do with it, sometimes they look at me funny.

so after i got it home, i used my seam ripper to remove the sleeves at the shoulder. then slipped it over my legs to get the fit and pinned it in place.

then i got out the sewing machine to sew up the newly fitted sleeves. then trimmed off the excess.

i kinda wanted to use the bottom trim to finish off the top of my legwarmers so i cut it off to sew. this is where it's good that i did a photo diy and not a video. there may or may not have been some colorful language used. i tend to make stupid mistakes and have to start over...and over and over :) and then tend to jam up my machine so i have to remove knots of thread and on and on the troubles go. so take it from one who knows, make sure you sew the top band outside to outside. otherwise your seam will be on the outside and look really bad.

i kept pulling the solid green band tight so it would help the top to stay up on my knee. it took me a couple tries, but i really love the way they turned out! so for just a couple bucks, you can have some really cool legwarmers to keep you cozy this winter. i plan on making loads of these. i get awfully chilly in the winter!

fall colors

2011-11-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

i have a feeling this is the last week of the pretty fall colors. soon all the leaves will be on the ground and the trees will be bare. the days will be short while the night comes too soon. this year has flown by, no? and i am determined to make the most of what is left of 2011. we are at the beginning of the holiday season full of parties and family and friends. this is the time to take a step back from the busyness of life to reflect and be thankful. because pretty soon, it will all be over and it will be january. and january sucks.

details:
sweater-thrift
dress-old navy, thrift
boots-h by hudson, ebay
rad eagle bracelet-barefoot and vintage

halloween hangover

2011-11-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

whoa. what a day it was yesterday!!! fun but super busy. i started my day with frantically finishing isaiah's costume. i bought an XL ladies robe from salvation army for 50 cents and cut and sewed him an emperor palpatine cloak and used cardboard and foil for the electric 'force' that emits from his hands. then i ran 11 miles, ate lunch and headed to the store for candy upon candy bags for the downtown trick or treating.

hundreds of people lined the sidewalk and i handed out candy one piece at a time until i ran out. i felt bad because i gave out my last chocolate then abruptly turned around and went inside! i'm so bad. i just didn't want anyone getting mad at me!

i wore a '60s wedding dress for my costume. i had these visions of painting my face and being a corpse bride and also taking really cool pics in the cemetery, but i ran out of energy for all that. still, lots of little girls loved my dress.

isaiah went to a friends party after school while i handed out candy. then the three of us went trick or treating and pulled in an impressive amount of sweets. mmmmmm, nothing like the smell of halloween.

and now, i start decorating for christmas......sigh.

leopard

2011-10-31T09:07:00.000-05:00

happy halloween! and although i am wearing leopard, this isn't my costume. that comes later today. from 3:30-5:30 i will be handing out candy to a few hundred little dressed up kiddos in front of my shop. it's probably the most tiring thing EVER. having to smile and compliment the same princess and super hero costume over and over not to mention all the sullen teenagers who just think they can put on a mask and ripped up tee covered in fake blood and ask for candy they put in a dirty pillowcase. but, it's for the children. the children, they love it. so i will dress up and hand out candy one piece at a time, and smile. i will smile. then drink wine :)
here's to a happy halloween!!!!!!!!!!!

details:
jacket-fancy treehouse
sweater-thrift
jeans-gap, thrift
shoes-vintage ferragamo, thrift

field trip day

2011-10-28T09:23:00.001-05:00

every friday morning on the way to school, isaiah and i sing, 'it's friday, field trip day!' (from the movie madagascar) even though he's not actually going on a school sponsored outing, it's fun and gets us pumped up for the weekend. and this weekend is looking to be a full one. so much to do, not to mention getting halloween costumes finished up. anyone going to a party or hosting one? i am sadly not as into halloween this year. maybe i'll feel differently on monday. i do love me some trick or treating. well, to be frank, i like the candy. going door to door in the cold and dark? not as much.
have a great weekend!!!!

i already shared this photo, but i had to post it here. i die for this face.

details:
blouse-vintage
cardigan-thrift
jeans-thrift
boots-h by hudson via ebay

sleeveless in october

2011-10-27T09:55:00.001-05:00

i bought this blouse over the weekend. i was immediately drawn to its pretty floral print and sweet bow. originally it had elbow length awkward sleeves and i figured i could just deal with that. i'd probs just cover them with a cardigan anyway. but then after washing it, i noticed two huge holes in the seams at the armpit. eureka moment. one seam-ripper and a sewing machine later, i have a pretty sleeveless blouse! i love it even more now!
and i do want to thank jentine of my edit for the really sweet feature she did of me. i don't usually make a big deal of when someone shares a photo of me on their blog, because that's what we do, right? this community is all about encouragement and inspiration. but, this one was different. and probably the most flattering thing to happen to me in a while. because i am kind of in love with yen. shhhhhhh, don't tell her husband. you know...or mine :)

details:
blouse-vintage, thrift
cardigan-old navy, thrift
jeans-vintage jordache via ebay
shoes-kate kanzier
bag-vintage

spring in the fall

2011-10-25T08:58:00.000-05:00

why do i dress like it's spring time? because it feels like spring here. the warmth has returned to the ozarks and i decided i need to take advantage while i can. certainly, one of these days, it's going to be cold and dreary.
and don't you go getting tired of these ankle boots or it's gonna be a long season for you. i really kinda can't get enough of them.

details:
sweater-vintage, thrift
dress-gap, thrift
boots-h by hudson via ebay
bag-vintage dooney & bourke, gift from matt

harris tweed

2011-10-21T08:46:00.000-05:00

whoa, you guys. it's been flippin freezing the last couple days. NOT awesome. it's like it went from summer to full on autumn over night! and if you know me, I DON'T LIKE THE COLD. there. that's done.
k, so i had this blazer in my shop for forever and no one bought it! there are some things in this world that i will never understand. so i decided to make it my very own. it's a little big on me, but i kinda like the oversized proportions. it's a genuine harris tweed. but really i love the details, like the puff at the shoulder and the higher cut in the back that slopes to a point in the front. a few feminine touches to a very menswear inspired blazer. and it kept me warm on a blustery fall day. win/win i think.
i'm super excited for the weekend. we've not had a total free, no work, no plans weekend in months. do you have any plans? well, whatever you do, have a blast!!!!!

details:
jacket-vintage
jeans-vintage jordache via ebay
sweater-thrift
boots-h by hudson via ebay

boots and butterflies

2011-10-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

don't let the bare legs and sleeveless dress fool you. i was FREEZING. it was in the upper 50s and windy yesterday evening on our way home from my shop when these photos were taken. and even though i knew i'd be inappropriately dressed for the cooler temps, i had this outfit in mind to wear and really nothing else would do. i sucked it up and shivered my way through the day. totally worth it.
i bought this dress about a week or so ago from steffy's shop, tea & tulips. i love this two tone shift dress and will most likely be wearing the junk out of it. and then the boots. oh my the boots. i'd been looking for some low heeled ankle boots in a light tan, preferably suede. i started my search in the thrift stores, but couldn't find the right thing. i was very specific in my requirements. too tall and it gets into the no-man's-land of my legs and too high a heel and then i couldn't walk. i was a bit reluctant to spend a lot on them, but found these h by hudson boots on ebay for a FLIPPIN STEAL. so i did it. best. decision. ever.
oh, and yes you do see a football in my bag. we have to bring it wherever we go. there's always an opportunity to play a little catch :)

details:
sweater-vintage, thrift store in florida
dress-tea & tulips
boots-h by hudson, via ebay

happy accidents

2011-10-17T09:20:00.000-05:00

saturday after lunch we set out for a little thrifting trip in a nearby town. we'd never been to the charity shops there, but had a friend recommend a visit. well we pulled up exactly 5 minutes after they closed! ah, what a bummer! but our friend met us out there and we decided to grab some chorizo from the hispanic market and chill at our house. then that led us to invite more friends over and we all ended up talking till midnight. so what started as a bust finished as an awesome night. i love happy accidents :)
and as always, there was football. boy howdy, was there ever football!!!

details:
jacket-fancy treehouse
tank-thrift
jeans-gap, thrift
shoes-etsy
necklace-tree & kimball
bag-dooney & bourke

squirreling away

2011-10-15T08:41:00.000-05:00

the temperatures still say summer but the trees are really starting to show signs of fall. leaves are all over the ground and the colors are changing more by the day. and have you noticed how early the sunset is now? it will be winter before we know it.
so yesterday evening before heading to the grocery (yep, super glamorous friday night), we stopped at the park by my house to enjoy the gorgeous weather. gotta soak it all up and store it away for the gloomy days ahead. not very much unlike the squirrels do with their acorns.
have a great weekend!

details:
blouse-thrift
skirt-kennedy holmes, etsy
shoes-etsy
bag-liz claiborne, thrift

mixed prints

2011-10-12T09:09:00.000-05:00

i'm trying to incorporate more prints and color into my wardrobe. i'm pretty much a solid neutrals kinda girl and am really wanting to break out of that. maybe it's the new hair? i've been gravitating towards blouses and more feminine pieces. it's fun. i find it interesting that one simple change can impact your whole look. a lady even said that i should be a model. i'm certain these were just well intentioned lies but i felt flattered anyway :)
and really guys, thanks for reading my running post yesterday. i hope that it inspired you to find what it is that feeds your soul. we all need our moments of quiet and meditation and when you can pair it with something that also is good for your body, well how much better is that?!
and i realize my photos are kinda blurry. 7 year old photogs don't always have the steadiest of hands. although they are super helpful and awfully cute.

details:
blouse-vintage, thrift
jeans, sunglasses-thrift
shoes-vintage, via etsy
bag-vintage dooney and bourke, gift from matt

running in the rain

2011-10-11T12:21:00.001-05:00

this morning as i headed out on my five mile run it was cloudy but i didn't think anything of it. about a mile in, it started sprinkling on me which quickly turned into a full blown rain shower. but it was the pretty kind, where you see the sunshine in the distance and all the colors are more vibrant and crisp. i went down a path that parallels the creek and is canopied in trees and as i clipped along, rain and leaves fell all around. i stopped because i saw a turtle crossing and bent to peek closer at him then looked behind me up the path and almost cried from the beauty that surrounded me.
people ask me all the time how i stay motivated to run everyday and how i can run so far or even run at all. it's moments like the one i had this morning that keep me running. i don't consider it a workout. i run because it relaxes me, recharges me, grounds me. it's my quiet time, when i can meditate and pray. i don't listen to music anymore because i found that it was a distraction. i need this time for quiet conversation. i never time myself because that deprives me of the joy of being out there. i can't imagine going to a gym anymore and having people tell when to breathe, or what to do, or blasting me with techno. communing in nature is where it's at.
two months from today i'll run in my third half marathon and i'm excited to begin my training. i really enjoy my long runs. i love the feeling of tired legs and a fresh outlook. it's the best!
so, that's why i run. it's so much more than exercise. it kinda feeds my soul :)

green suede shoes

2011-10-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

we had the most beautiful sunny and warm weather all weekend. then early this morning i woke up to rain on the roof and had to tear through the house closing all the windows. rainy mondays suck.
but on the bright side, i do have green suede brogues that i can't seem to stop wearing :)

details:
dress-thrift
sweater-thrift
bag-thrift
shoes-etsy

titus task

2011-10-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

yesterday morning i ran in the titus task 5k. the start was literally right outside my door! it was such a fun atmosphere with music and vendors, sidewalk chalk and door prizes. and it was all for the pursuit of a future for orphans.
the weather was GORGEOUS. mid-60s and sunny and pretty much perfect. matt was the lead out cyclist to make sure we kept on the route. the kid who won was only 14 and finished in 17 minutes! i was impressed. i didn't meet my goal of first overall female, i came in second AGAIN. but i won my age division and finished in 24:16. i felt good at the end and generally happy with how i ran. and really, i'm not a fast runner so i think i did pretty well for a 31 year old lady :)

the banner over broadway. my loft is on the right a couple buildings down.

30-34 age division winner!!! woot woot!!!

my beautiful friend meghan who won her age group too. the younger age group :)

people lined up to participate in the rubber chicken relay. so cute.

cropped hair and riding pants

2011-10-07T09:29:00.000-05:00

thanks so much for all the sweet comments about my hair!! i am really loving it. i feel much more confident and, to be quite frank, pretty. this is a big deal because i don't consider myself to be a pretty girl. it's kinda fun :)
but it's friday so i won't keep you too long. hope you have a great weekend. the weather here is going to be gloriously warm and sunny. i am running in a 5k tomorrow morning and then working at my shop. and of course sunday is all about football. sounds like a good time to me!!!

instagrams from this week....

details:
blouse-vintage
cardigan-target from years ago
riding pants-vintage
shoes-vintage
bag-vintage

short hairs

2011-10-04T09:31:00.001-05:00

many of you have already seen this picture, but for those of you who don't follow me on twitter and instagram, i cut my hair yesterday!!! i am unbelievably happy with the result. it feels amazing! and matt said i look 10 years younger, which is a compliment i'll take anytime.
truly, i want nothing more than to have beautiful long flowing locks. it's just that it really doesn't flatter me at all. my hair is way too frizzy and unruly and big. but when it's short, i feel more feminine more put together and polished. it kinda fits my personality better. i think i'm just a short hair girl :)

life of ease

2011-10-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

i had a very nice and low-key weekend. saturday i was at my shop most of the day and sunday was spent lounging around watching football (the patriots won, by the way. woohoo!!) i really love weekends like that. i'm not one who thrives on busyness. i much prefer to relax.
but the other day, merl showed me a photo of a pixie cut. and oh my, i've done nothing but obsess over cutting my hair! i need some support, what do you guys think? should i go pixie short?????

details:
sweater-thrift
shorts-vintage, thrift
shoes-bass penny loafers, thrift
bag-liz claiborne, thrift

birthday suit

2011-09-30T09:15:00.000-05:00

this was what i wore on my birthday. the weather totally cooperated and it was gorgeously sunny and warm so i decided to put on this maxi dress i found at goodwill last weekend. matt bought me the vintage dooney & bourke. isn't it fabulous?? he did such a good job :) and if you're wondering why i look a bit out of it, it's because i had just gotten out of my hour long massage. it was flippin awesome.
so, now that my birthday is behind me, i'm left with the reality of being not just 30, but IN MY 30s. that's actually pretty heavy. don't get me wrong, i love who i am now and what i've accomplished in my 31 years, but it's just....i don't know, a big deal. ya know? getting older. it happens to us all, i just hope i do it gracefully.

details:
dress-thrift
bag-vintage dooney & bourke, bday present
scarf-urban outfitters
shoes-vintage

a birthday

2011-09-28T09:20:00.000-05:00

on this day in 1980, i made my way reluctantly into this world. i say 'reluctantly' because i came 14 days passed my due date. not only that, but i was breech and had to be delivered by emergency cesarean. my poor mother suffered through a southwest louisiana summer for 2 extra weeks and forever had to wear the ugly scars of a hasty c-section. but look at this face. totally worth it? i think so :)

my gray sweater

2011-09-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

do you guys have an item of clothing that you can't get rid of even though it's really old and has multiple holes in it? well, that's this sweater for me. i bought it on sale at banana republic back in HIGH SCHOOL. there are at least 2 holes in the front and one in the left sleeve. i seem to not be bothered by this and continue to wear it all the time. like this is the third time in a week. when i love a piece of clothing, dude, I LOVE IT.

details:
sweater-banana republic
skirt-vintage
scarf-zara
shoes-urban outfitters

neutral

2011-09-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

i cut my hair again. saturday night, after a few glasses of wine, i went into the bathroom and a few minutes later came out with a towel full of shorn locks. it was time. my hair was driving me crazy! and i trimmed up my bangs a bit and yesterday wore them straight across. i'm not so sure. by the end of the day i swept them back over to the side. it might just be too intense. ya know?

details:
sweater-thrift
jeans-topshop
shoes-from my shop
bag-vintage dooney & bourke, thrift

red

2011-09-22T09:44:00.000-05:00

it's a pretty dreary day up in here. rainy and cold. both of which make me a bit stabby. but, i do have bright red pants and a granny floral liz claiborne bag. so really and truly, i have nothing to complain about. have a fabulous last day of summer :)

details:
cardigan-gap, stolen from matt
tee-american apparel
jeans-some crazy teeny-bopper brand, thrift
loafers-cole haan, thrift
bag-liz claiborne, thrift

currently

2011-09-21T09:45:00.001-05:00

wearing
cozy sweaters and shorts and granny florals and bracelets. i'd wear this sweater everyday if it wouldn't start to smell. i am kind of in love with it's delicious warmth. and as much as i don't like wearing florals, in accessories, i'm loooooving it.

reading
sylvia plath's 'the bell jar.' i am so surprised that i have gone through life thus far without reading this book. especially as an english major. and so far, i totally love it. i'm only about halfway through, but i am really enjoying plath's writing style and the voice of her main character esther greenwood. as much as i hate to admit this, esther's thought processes largely mimic my own. hopefully i won't go crazy.....

listening to
adele 19. i bought 21 soon after it was released but only just a few days ago downloaded her first album. oh that lady can do no wrong. she has the most soulful and soothing voice. and i'm proud to say that my son can also sing along to her music.

watching
the rachel zoe project. i know, she's pretty much a trainwreck but i love her anyway. it's just such guilty pleasure television.

getting ready for
the titus task 5k. it's still a couple weeks away but last year i got second place and i've kinda got my eye on the prize this year. plus, it's an amazing charity founded by a local family to support the cause for orphans around the world. the money raised is given as a grant to help families cover the cost of international adoption. it's pretty cool.
so, any of you have some things you're currently doing or looking forward to??

ups and downs

2011-09-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

this last week has felt a bit like a roller coaster ride. our weather has been all over the place, one day it's 90 degrees, the next is rainy and cold. i realized after a couple days of feeling horrible, and after a MAJOR emotional breakdown, that my cereal had gluten hidden in it, so i'm slowly getting over that. my shop has been hideously slow, but thankfully traffic and sales picked up thursday. i seriously just had a really crazy last week! but, you know, it's a new day. the sun is out. and i'm ready to feel more settled and even. because i really hate roller coasters.

details:
sweater-thrift
tank-thrift
necklace-tree & kimball
skirt-kennedy holmes
shoes-generation thrift
vintage dooney & bourke
thrifted umbrella

some thoughts

2011-09-14T09:15:00.000-05:00

got a lot of pics today. just because it was fun and i think i rarely look like i'm having fun while taking photos. so here are some where i'm just messing around, looking silly, laughing, and being very much me.
and i know that everyone has their own thoughts about fashion week and the recent missoni for target hooplah, and so much of it is about waste and greed. but blogging doesn't have to be like that. it shows how genuine and fun fashion can be. and maybe that's when style trumps fashion. it's personal, not perfect. it's more of an expression of the person and so much less about labels. of course, there's nothing wrong with wearing brands and being excited about new trends, but not at the expense of your own view. don't lose your uniqueness in an effort to be fashionable. having fun, being creative and comfortable in your own skin is far more important. and that makes any one more beautiful :)

details:
shirt-ralph lauren, thrift
dress-old navy, thrift
shoes-dexter, lisazain on etsy
bag-thrift

game night

2011-09-13T09:52:00.000-05:00

most of you know that my love for the new england patriots runs deep. like, if i were a local and had season tickets, i'd be one of the crazies in the stands with my face painted, holding up a sign expressing my fanaticism. last night was their first regular season football game and on a monday night no less! and i'm just lame enough to have coordinated my outfit around the pats colors. of course i only wore this during the day. as soon as the game came on i slipped into my brady jersey. gotta represent the #12!!!
i was so amped for this game. you guys have NO IDEA. i had butterflies in my stomach and i couldn't even sit still for about 2 hours before kickoff. i may or may not have a problem. and matt got home after the game started. he said he could hear me and isaiah yelling and cheering all the way from across the street! well, we got a touchdown, what did he expect??!?!?!

i bought some pins for isaiah to put on his backpack but kept a few behind for myself :)

getting ready for school, showing his team spirit.

we have mini helmets for all 32 teams and put the matchups in front of the tv during the games. then the loser gets turned over. this one was fun :)
details:
sweater-old navy, thrift
dress-vintage
shoes-lisazain, etsy
bag-vintage
pins-etsy

what matilda wore and an etsy update

2011-09-11T10:10:00.003-05:00

matilda has gotten into the cooler temps by practicing her mad layering skillz.

left to right:
blue and red plaid fall cape
autumn plaid cape
black and white printed dress
sheer autumn stripes blouse
black sequin blouse
orange sherbet ruffle cropped jacket
fur collar

remember

2011-09-09T09:26:00.001-05:00

it's friday!!! another weekend and this one will be filled with football. just doesn't get better than that.
but of course this weekend marks a pretty significant milestone in this country's history. we all remember where we were 10 years ago on the morning of september 11, 2001. i had skipped my first class to sleep in. as i walked down the stairs in the house i was sharing with 4 other girls, they were already gathered in the living room around the tv. the first thing they said was 'the world is ending!' and the truth is that our world hasn't been the same ever since. i still get emotional at seeing the images from that day. i can't fathom what it was like to be in nyc, washington dc, or even that small town in pennsylvania to experience the horror firsthand. my heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones. and i am so thankful to the men and women who keep us safe.
have an awesome weekend but remember to be thankful for what you have :)

details:
jacket-fancy treehouse
tank-thrift
jeans-vintage jordache
sandals-thrift

hello again

2011-09-07T09:21:00.003-05:00

hi there!!!! i had a really good break and found it surprisingly easy to not post all the time. i think i was beginning to feel trapped into blogging every day when i shouldn't feel that way. but, all that aside, i did manage a huge closet clean out. man, it was getting out of control in there! you know how you can just get stuck when you have so many clothes that you don't love? i think that was happening to me. all i saw were the things i didn't like, didn't fit right, or i was just plain tired of. now that all those pieces are gone, i have so much more inspiration and getting dressed is fun again.
and as much as i am sad to see the temperature drop, i did love sitting outside my shop yesterday afternoon to bask in the cool breeze. plus, my little red bench is a great place to hang out and people watch :)

details:
sweater-thrift
shirt-rodarte for target
shorts- vintage dvf cut offs
shoes-cole haan, thrift
outfit inspiration found here :)

it's not you, it's me

2011-09-02T08:41:00.001-05:00

i think i'm gonna take a break. ya know. step back, reevaluate, hopefully come back with a clear focus and renewed vigor. this time of year always leaves me feeling reflective. i think i'd be doing myself a great disservice if i didn't take the time to listen and adjust. just wanted to give you a heads up. it may be quiet over here for a bit. of course you can always find me on twitter or instagram or pinterest or etsy or email :)
have an awesome weekend!

dancing in september

2011-09-01T09:09:00.000-05:00

whoa. it's september already! this should come as no surprise to me since yesterday was the last day of august, but astonished i still am. i kinda have a love/hate for this month. i love it because september begins football season and is when i celebrate the day of my birth. but it is also the official end of summer. nights get longer, the air is colder, blah blah blah. oh september, what am i to do with you?
in other news, i can't find my camera remote. blogger has a new interface. i got a new pair of kork ease sandals via the ever lovely lisa. and it's thursday. just letting you know :)

details:
shirt-vintage
jeans-some manner of teeny-bopper brand i thrifted. they literally have NO rise.
shoes-kork ease, purchased from lisa (lisazain on etsy)
bag-crazy duffle bag that i thought was cute

etsy outfit

2011-08-31T14:00:00.000-05:00

well, i can't seem to get my business together today so i assembled an etsy outfit for your enjoyment. i am especially smitten with the bag and shoes.

lace and paper flowers

tuesday

2011-08-30T09:30:00.001-05:00

after such a delightfully sunny and warm and relaxing long weekend, it makes a cloudy tuesday feel that much lamer. boo. i totally need to move to san diego or phoenix.

and i will never stop wearing this little green jacket. i am surprised that i even survived so long without it.

and now i'm off to turn my gloomy tuesday morning into something rad.

details:

jacket-fancy treehouse

dress-vintage

shoes-vintage minnetonka

bag-vintage

around the house

2011-08-29T10:22:00.005-05:00

i spent a lot of time around my house this weekend. my boys went on a camping trip and there were NO GIRLS ALLOWED. not that i'm complaining about that. so i got to just hang out and enjoy the peace and quiet. oh sure, i was kinda lonely at times and had to endure a horrible football game all by myself, but for the most part, it was pretty nice. and didn't wear a touch of makeup the whole entire time :)

but hey, check out my new kicks! my little granny sneaks from lisa's amazing shop on etsy. love them. i couldn't wait to put them on as soon as i got them in the mail saturday and run out to grab some wine to keep me company.

my goofy pants are super comfy. i bought them for $3 and the original tag was still on them and it showed $299.99. they are melange. now, i don't know anything about this brand. have any of you heard of it? they sure are great lounge pants.

and some obligatory pics from around my house!

details:

shirt-thrift

pants-thrift

shoes-lisa zain, vintage shoe love

what matilda wore

2011-08-28T09:40:00.000-05:00

matilda is excited for the beginning of september coming up in a few days. august is a tough month to spend your days in front of a large window with the sun spilling in on you all the time. plus, she's kind of a diva :)

oh and make sure you check her out on etsy modeling some new digs!

my week in instagrams

2011-08-27T11:24:00.003-05:00

1. a statue in town that i think is really pretty.

2. found this little guy perched on the rock when i was out running one day.

3. we got him an ipod touch for his birthday :)

4. i just can't get enough of this picture! he's so handsome!

5. balloons all over the living room for when he got home from school. they are still here.

6. and after all that celebrating, mom and dad needed a beverage.

7. in bad need of a pedicure.

8. been driving pauli girl this week.

9. chillin' in the pickup line.

woodland creatures

2011-08-26T08:49:00.003-05:00

i got this dress in my thrift store haul on monday. i'm a little bit smitten with it. which kinda surprises me. i don't want to offend since i know so many of you feel differently, but i am not an animal person. there is no warm place in my heart for them, but i sure do love the woodland creatures that adorn this dress. in fact, i dare say that they are why i was drawn to it in the first place. i know! who am i? i also thought about how cute it would be to pair this with tights and boots in the coming cooler weather. thinking of fall, wearing animal printed clothing???????? maybe there's hope for me yet :)

have an awesome friday!!!

details:

dress-kimchi blue, thrift

shoes-thrift

new stripes

2011-08-25T09:39:00.001-05:00

well yesterday was just a whole bunch of fun. i want to thank you all for your birthday wishes for my little man. he had such a great day, although a bit sad that it went by so fast.

and since he took the day off of work, i enjoyed a day hanging out with matt!

but now it's just thursday. back to work, back to the grind. course that also means tomorrow's friday, and who doesn't love that?

oh, speaking of love, did you notice i added disqus to my comments? yeah, i like it waaaayyy better.

and this was my outfit from tuesday. i have a new striped shirt :)

details:

shirt-vintage

jeans-vintage jordache

shoes-thrift

bag-thrift

and just like that.....

2011-08-24T08:45:00.001-05:00

you turned 7.

i remember when dad and i decided we were ready for you. i know the moment you were conceived. i carried you around for nine months and you made your arrival at 4:37 in the morning of august 24, 2004.

i won't lie, the first 6 months were really hard. i loved you so much, no doubt about it, but i had hard time being a mommy. i was overwhelmed with how helpless you were and how much you needed me.

but then you turned 1. things got a lot easier and you started walking. sure you got into EVERYTHING, but we had more fun together. i loved to watch you explore the world around you.

and before i knew it, you turned 2. the TERRIBLE two's. we had some hard times. you were pushing boundaries and wanting to be more independent. i wasn't ready. but now i know it's something you had to go through.

and the minute you turned 3, things turned around. you were communicating more, going potty all by yourself, and making friends. we went to canada with you, and you had a great time seeing new things. and you grew so much that year.

then you were 4. you started preschool, and did such a good job as a ringbearer in your aunt's wedding. i remember thinking how big you were!!

when you were 5, we decided to hold you back a year from starting school. you needed another year to develop, to be YOU. i think you really started to find yourself this year. your personality came through in everything you did. you were really growing up.

then you turned 6. started kindergarten. and your world flew open wide. i am still amazed with you much you grew, in both wisdom and stature, in one year. you came out of your shell and truly blossomed. we had some really good times.

now you are 7. i still can't believe it. it seems like yesterday you were just a bundle in my arms and now you're in first grade. you're learning so much and are such a leader in class. you have great friends and are daily becoming more and more your own man. i am so proud of you. even though i am a little sad to see your childhood go by so quickly, i am thankful for the moments i get to spend with you, nurturing you and loving you. isaiah, you are an amazing little boy and i feel so privileged to be your mom. oh yeah, we still have our hard days, but i think we are fast becoming friends. i love you. so very very much.

happy birthday :)

casual day

2011-08-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

i actually really like mondays. it's tuesdays that are a drag. but on monday, i don't have to work and i can relax in the mornings with coffee and blogs, do my long runs, thrift, watch espn.....mondays are mine. so i'm usually very casual on those days. thus the flowy shorts and cozy sweater (by the way, it wasn't cold, i just happen to love this shirt and am willing to wear it no matter the weather). so this is what i wore on my day off!

and this is what i got at the thrift yesterday! we have a weakness for granny plates and glasses.

details:

sweater-from my shop

shorts-from a friend

shoes-bass penny loafers

bag-d&b

my week in instagrams

2011-08-22T09:17:00.002-05:00

here are some pics from my phone over the last week. i hope you guys like getting a little glimpse into my real life. i always enjoy seeing bits of every day living that goes beyond an outfit.

1. a bridge in siloam

2. my favorite hill to run up

3. little sterling silver horse ring that will be in the shop this week

4. a cute little coffee mug matt found in a flea market

5. at my parents house where my dad schooled isaiah on bb gun shooting off the back porch

6. driving home on an oklahoma turnpike

7. the view from our sunroof

8. hanging out in the hammock, listening to adele, sipping on bourbon

what matilda wore

2011-08-21T08:35:00.002-05:00

matilda enjoyed the back to school excitement this last week. you know, where you feel the anticipation of a new year, making new friends, and what's being served in the lunch room. although she won't be hitting the books this fall (and i hear about it ALL THE TIME), she's all about trying out the latest trends.

stripes everywhere

2011-08-20T08:20:00.003-05:00

more stripes. hope you're not sick of them, because i'm sure not! but these are some of the looks featuring stripes that i've saved in my pinterest over the past week. seriously, i feel like when i see a stripe i automatically love the outfit. they just make me happy :)

friday etsy favorites

2011-08-19T09:24:00.003-05:00

uh oh. i am shopping for fall clothes. it hit me unawares. i love the hot weather, the hotter the better is what i say! what's happening to me????? i don't even know who i am anymore!

nevertheless, i find myself drawn to layers and textures and coziness. so, this is how i'd like to transition into the new season.

life lessons

2011-08-18T09:55:00.000-05:00

in hindsight, this was maybe the wrong thing to wear on such a hot day. after photos and waiting in the pickup line at school, i was sweating like a beast. and polyester isn't the most breathable of fabrics. but i learned my lesson and will probably wear my bathing suit today. totally joking....kinda.

and speaking of lessons, i'm working on teaching my kiddo the value of money. i think we spent an hour in the toy aisle crying and complaining about how expensive the cool legos are. he had some money saved up but it wasn't quite enough to cover the cost of what he wanted. in the end, he compromised and got a smaller pack. he's still happy with his purchase, but i think he's finally grasping the reality of the thing. poor little guy, life is hard sometimes.

details:

dress-old navy, thrift

jacket-vintage

bag-available in my store

shoes-bass, thrift

hat-vintage

snips

2011-08-17T09:20:00.002-05:00

i chopped at my hair again yesterday. she was getting big and unruly so i gave her a wee trim. in the process i also took a nice chunk out of my hand. i'm telling you, it would be really nice to have eyes in the back of my head for such occasions. of course then i'd have hair in my eyes the whole time so maybe it wouldn't be of any help. anyways, i'm super happy with my shorter locks. it feels so good.

and it's wednesday. the week is half over. hooray for that.

details:

jacket-fancy treehouse

tank-gap

shorts-vintage

shoes-from my shop

bag-from my shop

transitions

2011-08-16T09:07:00.000-05:00

the first day of school was a success! after sitting in the pickup line for 40 minutes and sweating through my clothes, isaiah climbed in the car with a huge smile on his face and told me his day was awesome. i couldn't be happier.

and thanks to those of you who have left kind words for me lately. this time of year is full of transition. it can all be kind of hard on me. not bad, just adjusting to change and realizing that life goes by awfully fast and that i need to make the most of it while i can. so i really appreciate all of your encouragement :)

details:

tee-american apparel

plaid-vintage

shorts-diy levi's cutoffs

shoes-bass boaters

what i had for dinner last night

2011-08-15T10:22:00.003-05:00

two posts in one day???? yes, because i feel compelled to share with you my newest culinary obsession: the chickpea salad. i know, i know. chickpeas again! they are like my favorite food ever.

this is crazy simple and phenomenally delicious.

2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 c thinly sliced heart of celery, including some of the leaves

1/2 red onion

3 tbs chopped italian parsley

4 or 5 chopped peppers (peperocini or similar, found in a jar)

1 clove garlic, minced

6 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tbs white wine vinegar

sea salt

i serve it as a side or over a bed of fresh baby spinach and top with grated parmesan. pour a glass of bourbon and sprite and you have yourself an AMAZING light summer meal.