Thrift Gift

I really like the idea of "thrift gifts."  I find things all of the time that make me think "Oh, my goodness! I have to get these chains for Merl!" or "Oh dang these shoes are STELLAR but they are size 6.5!! Perfect for Paige!!"  So I buy the things and have every intention of sending them as little thrifted gifts (I have more for so many random people that I will one day contact and get shipping info for.)  Sometimes people even send me things they have thrifted!  I received THE coolest vest from Merl a few weeks ago (have a plan for it but it needs to cool off)  and actually this dress I am wearing (a silk Calvin Klein skirt that I hiked up and belted) was a thrift gift from a cool nurse/ mom/ magazine editor/ organic Hawaiian farm tender now living in New Mexico named Kimber! (Kimber also happens to be from same mold as me and sent me pictures to show me!  Astonishing really!) Such a sweet gesture and what a great gift!  I love the cream and black print so much!  And going with my current red interest, couldn't help but rugged it up with these boots.  Thank you so much Kimber!  Its really great!

Dress: gift
boots, belt, accessories: thrifted

its settled then.

I used to never ever wear red. The concept of wearing a red, floral, one piece playsuit, would never have occurred to me a moth ago.  I am happy things change.  I was so surprised by the support I got from you about my "lack of balls" outfits the other day!  I literally started a new "anonymous, registered users only" blog that I was going to post them on (and a hand full of others that never made it here), but at the last minute I just decided to trust, and let most of them be here.  I feel so silly now because you seem so confident that I could do it!  I guess they are a bit "town sensitive" and that in a city or somewhere other than here, they would mostly be just fine.  Anyway, thank you for having some faith in my abilities to just go out in them. I DID get one comment on that post from an anonymous reader telling me that I seemed too immature to be a mother.  Whatever that means coward. I mean maybe they were trying to give me a compliment but mistranslated the word "immature" to mean "young" and that would be a very nice compliment, I think.  Its not that I expect people to be nice to me all the time, but how on earth can someone derive that I am too immature to be a mother from a series of clothing pictures???  Baffling.   When I picked my kid up from school the other day he told me that Richard said that he was a loser and was quite upset about it.  I asked him, "Well, are you a loser?" and he said "NO!" so I said "Then it doesn't matter does it?  You know you are not a loser so it doesn't matter what Richard says.  He just wants to make you feel sad for some reason. Maybe he is sad."  He told me that it still hurt his feelings.  "Ya, unfortunately it does, but try to imagine how sad Richard must feel that he would say such mean things."  Then he decided that Richard must be very sad indeed.  So,  I think you get my point.  I erased the comment and will continue to erase anything that I know is not true about me, but perhaps a blatant reflection of the person leaving the untruth.  It doesn't happen all the time or anything, but its pretty immature when it does.  and sad.  and pathetic. Seriously, get a life.  I'LL DO WHAT I WANT!

That settled, thank you so much for liking my hair recently!  I cut it on Saturday using my method I video taped here.  This time I moved systematically through all of my hair all the way to the bottom layer and took quite a bit off.  That is why it is finally waving up again!  And to style, I picked it out, added some Waves of Envy spray in waves in my hair and just scrunched with the drier on medium till it was almost dry, then smoothed Moroccan Oil into the ends (I get it at my salon). No brush, just slow scrunching.  Anyway, thanks for noticing!

Romper, necklace, bracelets, belt: thrifted
Shoes: Old Navy

loud soft music

Obviously I am living in Zoe's world right now.  She says yellow pants.  I say, yes, got it.  It is always most intense in the beginning.  But you know when you find something (like a book or a song or a person) that finally, after months or years of dark ages, teaches you things you instinctively feel like you knew, deep down, but somehow forgot due to static or mind clutter?  Ya.  Like that.  That is how it is for me right now.  If you have no Idea what I am talking about, it's ok.  Or maybe you do but you forgot.  I am trying to type over really loud soft music so I have no idea if this is making any sense.  It doesn't really matter.  I will try to be more coherent tomorrow.

Oh dang, I just did my links for this post and see that she is wearing the same shoes too.  Thats what I am talking about! Don't worry, I hope to be able to distill her genius and adapt it to myself, its just so simple, the elements.  Obsessed much?   Yup, probably.  What a creep.

Tee: AA
Pants, shoes, accessories: vintage thrifted

things I wish I had the balls to wear. . .

. . .    in public



All stuff I have trifted lately.

hot-pants folly

So before I get started I would like to say that I took these photos last night before going out to dinner and decided that my BRILLIANT idea to "just wear hot pants under my dress instead of a slip!" didn't pan out and I threw a slip on just before going out.  I did not have time to retake my pictures however so you now have the luxury to see me in my folly. I guess you have been seeing me often in a state of folly these past two days (though yesterday was probably more painful, at least it was for me) but I assure you, my head is being screwed back on now and I am realizing that I am a complete idiot sometimes (I already knew that I was, but sometimes I forget and need a little humbling to make me cool my jets).

Yes, yes, I know this is my space and that I have the freedom here to say whatever I wish, but to be honest I sometimes type things that I wouldn't actually say (as I am sure we all do at some point) and I find the alone / ultra public forum here to be quite intriguing sometimes. I sit here, alone, and type my thoughts, and who knows who can just read it if they wish. These may be my "ALONE" thoughts, but I throw them out as if they are everyone's business instead of just crying and throwing a Flash Dance pity party for myself (if you have not seen it in the last 10 years do it as soon as you can!! and dance really really fast in a running motion and you will laugh and feel much better! I swear it works! Plus there is a great scene of 80's "hot chicks" working out in makeup and earrings and neon and floss and stuff! Its classic!) Uhhhm, where was I?  Ah, doesn't matter.  The important thing is I am embarrassed even though I didn't really do anything wrong, because sometimes the truth is embarrassing and letting however many people know that you are sometimes a total bitch can make you feel a bit sheepish the next day.  I am sure everyone is sometimes.  still embarrassing.  Ahem.  I feel much better today though! Moving on.

Dress, bracelets, necklace: Vintage and thrifted from goodwill yesterday (the secret to feeling better)
Shoes: seychelles from Urban Outfitters
belt and purse: thrifted Coach actually! I was super happy about these finds!
Hot pants: I didn't end up wearing them anyway, but they were thrifted as well.  I know, sick right?  I washed them though. its cool.

looks can be deceiving

Look AT THIS.  It sort of looks like  have my shit together right?  Hair brushed, clothes clean and matching, makeup on, smiling (well forcing it at least). Well, the truth is, I am in a freaking hurricane in my house and head! Last monday when we were all supposed to be recuperating from the holiday (and weddings and whatnot) I received some unexpected house guests that only just left this morning.  They were fine. Kept to themselves mostly. I just had all these ambitious thoughts of getting back on track and stuff after the wedding and for some reason the extra energy of the guests sort of killed it for me (sorry L. If you are reading this. Its just the truth and not completely your fault.  I just couldn't readjust properly and recover. and yes the delicious dinner and comedy last night was wonderful, but I just wasn't expecting you. and I am actually relieved that you are gone so that my life can get back to normal.)  So now I am sitting alone in my house for the next two hours and honestly all I want to do is vegg out in blogland, avoid reentering life, but look at this shit I have to take care of:

Wait before you look at my mess, I just got this comment from someone who is probably super honest and has my guest's and my best interest in mind:


Anonymous said...

um, I hope your unexpected guests don't read your blog. If I were them, I would be offended if I read this. Maybe you were kidding, who knows? But the post comes across as supremely selfish. Sorry.

Dude, I know I do sound totally selfish and bitchy right now, because I am right now.  And my friend and I are tight and speak frankly to each other and I know that if she read this, she would get it since she was here and we talk about these sorts of things. She knew it was unexpected. I don't think she would feel offended and if she did read this, we would have words and work it out before the next time she comes out. So, thanks for your concern. But seriously, its fine. 


More from Anonymous: 

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I didn't intend to attack you, honestly. And I never said you didn't have the right to bitch and moan, sheesh (directed towards the other commenters, not you)! I like your blog quite a bit. I simply meant that even though your friend may be well aware of the stress she/he caused, it might not be the best choice to say it out loud to them right after they leave. That's all! I don't think it's a terrible thing to bite your tongue sometimes, especially with friends & family. And I didn't think it was inappropriate for me to say so given that you have opened up in the past about having a tough time with friendships. Seriously, sorry for causing so much raucous, I should have edited my original comment to make the tone a little more friendly myself. Now that's ironic.

Ya, man, I know.  Sorry I got all pissy. I acted like a defensive child just now due to exhaustion and hormones and built up aggression. My readers are super loyal and protective you know.  I think they are just trying to make me laugh and cheer me up.  Were cool Anon. right?

epic. poopy. mouth. in that order.

The zipper was broken on these pants.  Thats why a perfectly wonderful pair of nearly new J. Crew high waist pants found themselves at the thrift store for $3.00.  So I had it fixed (embarrassingly for $15 by a seamstress instead of just doing it myself).  I got them home today and all I could do was think "So how would Zoe wear these?" I styled them EXACTLY as she had without even looking, then changed it up to be a little more me-ish. Ya, I just changed my shirt from a plain tucked in tee, to a vintage sweater. These types of things just happen though.  I have said it before. and it will happen again.

So, MAN, I felt like poop yesterday.  I seriously could not recover from the super exciting and exhausting weekend, and its strange because I checked twitter just once and it seemed like everyone was feeling the same way so I just sort of decided that it was an epic bad day for everyone and I should just accept it, (but then I talked to Merl and she was having the most amazing day ever so I guess maybe it was just lame for some) But my point is I still feel pretty poopy so I'm just going to stop complaining and get over it. I am sure the planets will realign soon and I will feel much better tomorrow.  Or maybe I will just go to the thrift shops since it seems to be all in my head anyway.  Sorry, this is maybe the most boring post ever.  Bla bla bla.  Such diarrhea of the mouth.  I try to close it and it just keeps running out.  Blaaaaaaa. I also feel really guilty that I have not been around to blogs. I AM really happy that my husband is so rad, though. And hot. And I love it when he types over my shoulder and adds little tidbits to my posts. blllaaaaaaaaa. Okay STOP!!  and that water on the ground is not pee.  I was in a water fight just before these pictures were taken. OK DONE.

Vintage sweater: Beacon's Closet
Bolo, purse: thrifted
pants: J.Crew thrifted
Shoes: Seychelles Urban Outfitters

American Marriage

This was my favorite picture from my wedding.  My professional wedding photographer didn't take it, actually my dad did and then my cousin Sarah printed it for me on canvas. This is my perfect wedding day memory.

My brother was married just last Saturday.  Its really crazy for me since my little brother was born on my 12th birthday.  The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and romantic! His wife is now my sister and I love her just as if she was my blood sister.

Above is a shot of me and my groomsman (the last time I saw this young man was before he hit puberty) And just above is my boy as the ring bearer. He doesn't actually need glasses, he just likes to wear play glasses to look studious. He wore his tie and tux shoes to school today, over his tee shirt, before we have to return them to the renal company.  Accessorizing already.

My sister, my dad and me during the father and daughters dance.  There were several cameras going off at once.  I am sure there will be hundreds of pictures flooding in over the next few weeks from guests all over the place.  I apologize for not getting more shots of the dress, but I will be wearing it styled much differently soon.

And interesting tidbit: my brother and his new wife have been included in a new documentary being released this fall, I believe called American Marriage.  They were interviewed before the wedding and the entire affair was filmed.  They represent the youngest couples who marry in the documentary.  Young, romantic love. You can see a trailer for the film by checking out the website.  

bolomania pride

So, this bolo.  The first day I found Haiku Ambulance she was wearing two bolos and she stated that she was starting a campaign to bring back the bolo (which she has since named "Bolomania") and that very next time I was shopping (out with Paige) I found a row of them and demanded that Paige and I get all of them to aid in the cause.  I got this one and one other (you will see it soon) while Paige got the greatest one I have ever seen (which, to be fair, she did see first due to my over excitement of seeing any bolos at all, and not any specifically).  It was fine. I recovered from the loss.  So here is to the fearless Zoe and Bolomania! I swear if she decided one day that wearing a zoro mask was cool I would probably see her point and follow suit. This girl is magic.

My brother's wedding is tomorrow and everyone is arriving now.  They are just poor kids marrying out of insanely romantic and passionate love and the reception will be a pot luck dinner in my parents church hall. EVERYONE is pitching in. A real community affair. We all love them both so much and wish them the very best of luck!  I will snap some pictures (I am in the wedding party and will be wearing the most AMAZING bridesmaids dress I have ever seen, and I didn't even pick it out! You will see it in my regular rotation soon!! It has pockets!!)

With the holiday and all the family visiting, posting will likely resume Tuesday. In my down time though, I really want to take the time to get around to all of you FREAKY FREAK FREAKERSONS and thank you for your encouragement yesterday to let my strange out.  You have been warned.

Shirt: vintage thrifted
Shorts: vintage jordache thrifted
belt obi: vintage gift
shoes: Frye from a while ago
purse: vintage thrifted

relieve the strange

Yesterday I was commenting on Merl's blog and after I clicked ok to post it, I got a little twinge of "Oh? Wait.  Was that too. . .  strange?"  So I texted her really quick to give a brief disclaimer of like "oh, I hope didn't go too far" or some shit like that and realized that I have a sort of block still.  I think the reason I don't tweet so much or leave comments too often is because I feel nervous about people finding out that I am actually really strange.  I mean, maybe everyone is sort of strange, I just have this terrible impulse lately to just let all my strange out of the bag.  Unfortunately, I would never feel comfortable doing that here since this is no longer a very anonymous space seeing as how you know my name and where I live, and my family reads this and who knows who else, so I have been toying with the idea of an alter ego blog where you don't ever see pics of my face, or I am always in a different disguise (like wigs and masks), and I don't post very often, maybe once a week, but when I do its really to just relieve all the strange I have tucked away in my little shy corner of my brain.  The outfits would be completely crazy and outlandish, utterly impractical, maybe scandalous.  My words may be a little controversial, things I don't really feel like arguing about, or making waves about here.  You would have no idea when or  what name I was under, and I would comment on your blogs with the alias and say what ever I want (I would never use my alias for evil so don't worry about that!) Unfortunately like a silly villain, I have told you my entire plan now so it will pretty obvious when the weirdo (named Longshadow or some such) in the mustache comes to your blog and says, "for some reason this outfit makes me want to strip down to my undies and run through the sprinklers" that it is actually me in disguise. But how would you know really?  It could be someone else who just read this and just wants to mess with me now.  Oh crap.  Maybe I should never have said anything.  Now I am going to be all paranoid.  See. . ..   some of the weird is showing already.

Wore this last night to a bowling Bachelor / Bachelorette party for my brother and his fiance who are getting married this Saturday. They are both 19, thus the bowling instead of drinking and strippers. Wholesome fun. These were taken by my tripod outside of the alley. Yes, I excused myself from the game, put my sandals back on and headed out front to take these in front of dudes smoking and talking on cell phones. And. . .  do you want to see the most horrible thing I have ever photographed?  I found this when I was taking these pictures.  I almost stepped on it.  DO NOT click on this link if you are feeling sensitive or have PMS.  Maybe I should have saved it for the alter ego blog.

Romper: vintage thrifted (the same one from last week that I accidentally listed as a dress)
Vest: vintage gifted
MIA Sandals: Urban Outfitters
Purse (actually a crappy thing, water stained and broken latch, but for some reason I like it) thrifted

p.s. I am probably not going to do this. Just to let you know.  I was just thinking about it.