woman vs. man

They say we all have two sides, right and left, masculine and feminine, yin and yang, you get it, and I feel this outfit strikes the perfect balance.  I love a good shirt dress and happened to find a few of them last week.  This one, with is Chambray fabric, tuxedo pleat breast, and button up style, paired with the lady like sleeves, mid length skirt, pockets and red lipstick, cat eyes and a braid, make me so happy.  It raining here a little so the addition of a hooded trench and fedora made sense and added to the jazzy feel.  These shoe were a gift from the girl that gave me this.  They are so great right!! This look is a bit conservative, but that is sort of what I love about the mens wear look, a little mystery is so fun sometimes.

For anyone who was interested in having a dress made by Sabrina (see dress in last post) she would be more than happy to have it done in any of your specifications.   Want it longer than mine, no problem, want a different fabric, no problem just contact her at this address sabrinahartoto(at)gmail(dot)com.  She said she would love to bring Batik to the rest of the world!  So have at it! 


COMMENT OF THE DAY: Check out Tess and her blog.  She is a very wise girl, especially at almost 20.

tess said...

Hi, so this comment will be random, but I was procrastinating by reading my old blog post comments and realized I missed one of yours from January. I saw that on one of my earliest posts on the new blog you asked how old I am. I am 19 (but 3 months away from turning 20), so I feel like your comment about aging in 7 year intervals is somewhat true since I am close to 21. I think part of the reason why I've been forced to mature so much this year us because I'm in my second year of college, so all of my delusions from freshman year are being swept away for reality.

Abracadabra

Please meet Sabrina.  I am so happy I did.  I met her on Chictopia as "simplycheap" and recognized her as having such a great eye for pattern, color and design.  Sabrina lives in Bogor, Indonesia, where apparently, if she wants a dress, she can walk into a fabric store and choose whatever she likes, give a tailor her measurements and her idea for how she would like the dress to look, and they will make it for her or an incredibly decent price.  I read about this on her Chictopia blog and was so in love with the dress she had made (shown top) that I contacted her complimenting her on her savvy and just casually asked if there was anyway I could have a dress made too.  She said sure.  She goes in to town on the weekends and if I sent her my measurements she could pick some fabric out and have a tailor make one for me too.  She worked out the price (about $60 including shipping) and abracadabra this beautiful dress arrived in the mail today!  Miracle! I love it SO much!  I just slipped it on and styled it up quickly so that I could wear it for the remainder of the day but I love how she did an opaque charcoal tight with a brown sandal!  So CHIC.  This whole situation couldn't be stronger proof that the internet is magic.  Thank you SO much Sabrina!  I LOVE this dress!

COMMENT OF THE DAY:

simplycheap said...

Hi all! I'm Sabrina from the story above. I don't know what makes me happier: that the dress is adorable on Christina or that you all like it! Contact me if you want something like it, thru my chictopia or my gmail account: sabrinahartoto@gmail.com
Thank you, Christina, for putting this on your blog!

I cheated

On so many levels, I should not have this dress.  I was not supposed to go shopping until I was finished listing batch one of my esty stuff, but I had an acupuncture appointment in town and my car just drove to the shop after!  I was only supposed to be shopping FOR MY SHOP, and promised that even though I love this dress I would sell it, but I cant. I am full on rewarding myself for my incredible will power (I tell myself, although it is clearly lack of willpower that brought it to my possession) Oh well.  you win some battles and you lose some. Interestingly enough I waited till after I listed this morning to actually put it on, ethics you know, and the light shining through the skylight this time of day gave me a little like Halo or something! My decision has been blessed by sunshine (yes I am still trying to justify this whole thing but its actually REALLY good news for you since I found some stellar stuff!)

I still have some company and so I will keep this a bit brief since we are eager to get over to the Bowling Alley since thats what we do for fun here when we are not shopping for vintage.  Hope you are having a very lovely Thursday!

COMMENT OF THE DAY: Yes,  They were smiling on me!  Thanks for the validations everyone!

Kate said...

Sometimes when you find yourself compelled to drive to the thrift store, it is because, for whatever reason, the thrift gods have decided to smile upon you! They wanted you to have this dress!

you are so inappropriate!

Yes this outfit is VERY inappropriate for this season, but it was my play outfit from yesterday.  I can't help but make an impractical fantasy outfit each time I style my stuff for my etsy shoots since its just like my personal play time (and I am taking literally hundreds of pictures so I have to break it up a bit!)  I was going to pair it with something much more practical for my post today, but I received a very welcomed and unexpected guest today and was unable to really do anything computer or camera related.  The reason I have posted now is to just give a "blanket" notification to you that I did receive all of your item inquiries and will absolutely process your requests and questions tomorrow.  The items of interest will all be listed between 9:30 and 12:00 pacific time tomorrow as well.  You will get an email if you have requested one.  Sorry for this sort of half assed reply, but I hope we all understand when unexpected variables interrupt plans.  Thank you!

This fantasy outfit is composed of the same walgreens leg warmers and platform t straps from yesterday's shoot plus my vintage fedora, H&M trench skirt and a vintage scarf that I just wrapped and tied.  The little cardigan is vintage too.  Ok!  Thanks again! Tomorrow PROMISE!

COMMENT OF THE DAY: YEAH!

Call A Spade, A Spade! said...

Hey! I don't see anything inappropriate about your outfit! You live in the warm climate (like me) and arizona is warm. If I could get away with wearing something like that I would. We have had a few cool days lately, but spring is springing. I LOVE the outfit! You go for it girl!!!

Lets do this thing

If everything goes to plan, I will be listing this first set of things a few at a time and be finished by Saturday (available at MarieRetroRevival) .  I will then proceed to shop like a maniac to stock up for more.  I made a deal with myself:  List first, shop after. I was going to offer reserves, but some of the items are an exact fit and I have not decided the prices yet.  If there is a specific item you would like though, let me know and give me your email address and I will notify you when it is listed.  Hows that?  That way you can see the size and more pictures and you will be able to make a more educated decision. All righty!  Step one and two are taken care of!

COMMENT OF THE DAY:  I found some really great size 6.5 lace up leather shoes!!  Two pair actually! They may work!

sandyb said...

Ah! These outfits are fabulous! Good on you for looking at this new phase as an opportunity. I will be a frequent visitor to your Etsy shop and hopefully a reg customer, too! (I wish we had the same shoe size however... but alas, I'm a measly size 6.)

opportunity in loss

These past couple days I have had a whole lot to think about.  Unfortunately, due to a very horrible and untimely event that took place the week before I left for NY, the eating disorder clinic I work at may be closing.  For the time being, I am out of work, and maybe will never be working there again.  I take facts like this a few ways really.  On one hand, I am Sad (for lack of a better adjective) for all the people touched by this incident and since this job was the most rewarding, perfectly tailored position I have ever held, and on another, I feel Thankful that I was able to sample the profession in a safe way, and that I now know that charting a course in that direction would suit me well.  More feelings: Freedom to explore new opportunities or to focus my energy in a new direction, Worry that I will never find anything quite as rewarding, or that I will settle for "good enough" (practical), Motivation to take stock of my gifts and talents to put them to good use, and perhaps, Relaxed knowing that I have no pressing obligations, giving me time to sit quietly and reflect. Fortunately, my circumstances allow me the space to indulge in these emotions and to process them into something constructive. If my situation required me to get a job, I know I would have a completely different set of feelings.  This is where I am right now though.

I am thinking I will immediately get more focused on my Etsy shop.  I sort of used it as a hobby, shopping for it sporadically and listing inconstantly, but I know I can do that all right with a little more focus.  Then, maybe just see what comes.  I feel strange about making my blog my "JOB" since I feel it would change the dynamic and maybe cause me to resent it.  This blog has been something I look forward to every day.   I would love to focus more energy here, but I have to be careful to not make my blog MY LIFE, but ABOUT my life.  Does that make sense?

To the outfit: I feel a bit indie hippie today with my striped cardigan and necklaces.  Funny little story, yesterday I posted about trend cycles and what not, and the focus was sort of on socks with sandals, and at the same time Jen from A Little Bird Told Me. . . did a little socks with sandals combo but this time with skinny jeans, so I, seeing that, thought it was such a good idea and decided to try it, but I don't have any small black socks so I thought I would try my short Walgreens leg warmers  instead (Like Chloe Spring 2010? I don't know seasons) so that my painted toes popped out.  It feels like a great transition actually and looks even better bare legged (I will cook up some examples soon) A little "early adopter" but it felt really cute and cool to me.  So ya, cool.  Right?  I mean, YA! Shrug.

COMMENT OF THE DAY:

Celine said...

I'm so sorry...whatever you went through sounds awful. But I have to say - most people never figure out what really makes them happy and fulfilled in life. I still haven't! So the fact that you can say that, at least, is a truly wonderful thing. I totally know what you mean about your blog not being your entire life. That's what mine is right now and I think I need to get back to having a real job. Ha. Anyway, I love your Etsy shop and definitely think you should put more thought into that! And good luck - with anything/everything :)

Home, home again

Oh it is so nice to be home! It is very warm here (like in the high 40's low 50's) and sunny and GREEN and smells like fresh dirt and springtime! A little time away always makes you appreciate the comforts of home.  I almost hugged my dress form and tripod and entire closet of clothes! I look at all of my clothes a bit differently now after being in New York.  They all have so much more potential!  I can't wait to spend a little time making new outfits!  I am such a dork, I wrote down three full pages of outfit ideas while I was away.  I got so inspired! While I know this outfit is not very flashy, I think I am seriously digging the whole utilitarian look and am pretty excited to wear colored socks with sandals!

This weekend I am catching up on my laundry and cleaning and playing with my son, but I plan to really hit the blogs, return some emails and answer the questions in my "ask me anything" place Monday morning.  In the mean time, HAPPY WEEKEND!! Thank you all so much for your comments and encouraging emails while I was away!  It really made me feel so connected even though I was so far away!  I am just so thankful for the friendships I have begun to cultivate here! I will be catching up soon!

COMMENT OF THE DAY: Well said.

what i would have worn... said...

Ooh I've been looking for a pair of shoes like this... Love this whole outfit actually.
I can totally relate to the feeling of coming home. Living so far from family I spend several months of the year travelling and as much as i love it, I always let out a breath I didn't even realize i was holding when i walk in the door...

Don't change a thing

As I am sitting in the airport waiting to leave New York, I am drowsily reflecting on my time here.  I am so mixed with emotions (enhanced due to exhaustion).  I miss my son and my house and the air where I live.  We called him everyday, but he has invented his own language while we have been away (he calls it French because, well, since he has seen “The Goonies” so many times that he can act out the scenes, we have started watching it in French, not to try to help him learn French or anything like that, he just thinks its really funny to hear them make funny noises!  It becomes like the greatest comedy in the world for him! He will just sit and laugh out loud for the whole movie!) So we can’t really understand him when we have spoken to him. I do know “I love you” in His French is “Luuuu Leeeeee!” which is actually very sweet really.   My anxiety to get home to him is coupled with my crushing disappointment that my WHOLE WEEK in New York is over.  Just like that.  Today I will go to sleep in my own bed. It will just be a memory.  

We didn’t do all the touristy things I thought we would.  You know really, when it comes down to it, the things I really love about any place are the little moments: sitting in Cafes, or glimpsing the sunlight shining through the buildings, fighting off tears through a standing ovation after a live performance, holding my husband’s hand inside of his warm coat pocket as we walk, that first bite of Quiche, or the last bite of Raspberry tart, smelling fine colognes on stylish people as they brush past you, even the smell of falafel from the street vendor, or learning that a person you have been longing to meet for so long is indeed real and  has the same values, priorities, and sensibilities as me.  Every new experience I had here from meeting Bloggers to riding the Subway felt exactly as it seemed it would.  I assume the top of the Empire State Building, or the Statue of liberty would be no exception.  And in the end, I chose to maximize the smaller moments in favor of rushing to the “so called” bigger ones.  And that is just fine.  It’s those little things that cannot be documented in a film or post card. Those are the things I will miss.  As I finish this in the air, I have to admit that I sobbed.  Right here, on the plane, way over the city.   New York I love you, Please don’t change a thing.

COMMENT OF THE DAY: There were so many really great, very honest and sincere comments on this post.  They all made me feel so connected and comforted.  Thank you so much.

San said...

wow, this post is just amazing. It was like reading the prologue of a really good book.
I know the feelings you describe well. This is how I always felt about Edinburgh. Ah, dammit, just thinking of it brings out the tears. And I'm not a teary person.
Enjoy your weekend with your son and keep those memories tight for moments, in which feel down. These memories will carry you a long way.
Greeting from Leipzig

Meet you at the Met

On Tuesday it snowed, so it became the very best day to go to the Metropolitan Museum!  I had wanted to go to this thing for a very long time since Art History has always been very interesting to me and so many of the pieces and artist's work I have studied I have never really seen in real life! (Seems like this was the week for seeing things in real life! People, cities, landmarks, subways, art, models, etc.) I was so happy that Nikka from Showgirl Godzilla was able to come out to meet us there! I love her blog and her style, but her story is so interesting! I have never met anyone like her!  Very sweet and grounded as well!  After the Met, she lead us to this cute little tea house where we had "High Tea" and got to know each other! That is TWO bloggers down, So many more to go! And although we all have blogging in common, we are all such cool individual women! I love this! I hope I will get to meet and SIT with more girls on Wednesday! (I am writing this post Tuesday night but have it scheduled to go out Wednesday night so that I am not bombarding my blog with everything all at once!)

Oh, and since it was so snowy and cold, I just wore jeans and a slouchy shirt.  I had my Opaque Teal Welovecolors.com tights on under my jeans and some new little shoes I got at beacons closet on Monday.  I guess I am sort of getting lazy and a bit worked over by the freezing cold!  I am not really sure how you New York girls do this!! I am so thankful for the "Car Culture" and mild weather of my home town! I never realized how much freedom I have all year due to almost never having to be outside! You just can't avoid the elements here.  Nope, you can't.

After Tea, my husband and I went to see "A View from the Bridge" a play featuring Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson!  It was really really great! Such a cool experience! I loved every minute!  A very full and happy day!

COMMENT OF THE DAY:  Yes!! That is the one!  Good eye! I have to say though, getting back behind the wheel of my car felt pretty darn good! My legs did get a bit more shapely while in NY though! Better for the stems over there!

Michelle said...

eeeeek! you went to alice's tea cup. great place right?? glad you enjoyed your visit. its funny how city people can't understand the suburban people and vise versa. i could never just drive around. i need the trains and my feet! lol