Some Girls Wander

Fancy Collar

I got this pretty faux-fur collar as a Christmas gift from my dear ol' mom a few years ago, and though I love it, I have to be careful when pairing it so as not to be too costume-y (this seems to be a reoccurring theme with my quirkier pieces).

Collar- Gift from mom
Dress- Local Portland Boutique
Tights- Target
Heels- Ecco

After playing around with my clothes a bit, I found that it looks sweet with this simple jersey dress (the simplicity and the color both lend themselves, I think).

The dress itself does have a few little tricks up (or on) its sleeve...that row of cheeky buttons, for one!

xo

Crimson and Cinnamon

Sweater- Anthro '07
Pin- Vintage millinery supplies (I love those vintage flocked flowers. They have gotten quite pricey, though, has anyone noticed that?)
Dress- Max Studio '07
Tights- Sock Dreams
Shoes- Remix

 
I made the brooch a few months ago from some old millinery flowers. They're like cheerful little berries.

And, hey! Thanks for the costume-love! It warmed my heart.

Klaus + Violet

So, we decided to do the Baudelaire sibling thing!

Josiah's outfit is very close to Klaus' outfit from the film, but mine is a more "casual" Violet, while trying to keep a similar silhouette and sensibility.
Almost every item was either in our closets or thrifted...the only thing I had to buy was my wig. I thrifted Josiah's sweater and pants, took them in to be more narrow, and added a row of metal buttons to the bottom of the leg (which is my favorite, favorite detail from the  movie costumes). I also thrifted my underskirt...everything else is from the Emily-closet! I love home-made costumes.

I bought a long auburn wig and trimmed messy bangs into it. Josiah just had to shave his beard.

This is the back of my simple corset-belt (which I bought at French Connection a few years ago and love):

Josiah's cool pants + boots:

My boots/tights:

These outfits are so close to how we tend to dress (or how I used to dress) regularly, it seems a bit like cheating. It was a fun + low-stress couple of costumes, and a fun, low-stress Halloween!

Red Plaid

Dress- Vintage
Belt- Anthro Fall '08
Flats- Frye
Tights- Sock Dreams
Pin (a favorite) - Little Sparrows on Etsy

This dress began life as an amorphous vintage frock...a nightie, perhaps? But the cuffs and collar and plaid were too good, so I did a good bit of tucking and taking in, etc. It now has a cute, ladylike shape!

Josiah asked me when I wore this dress if I was going for a "grown-up Madeline" look these days, and I think he's got a point...

but I like to think of myself a more of a little bandit.

Such a Perfect Shirt

I think you will love this shirt the way that I do. It's just too perfect.

I got this top from Etsy shop Ana!s in the mail a few days ago, and it was the kind of oh-my-god-let's-wear-this-immediately kind of feeling. I had seen her work and longed for it, and finally ordered the item I loved the most.

The craftsmanship and quality of materials is just beautiful...I kept flipping over the little cuffs to look at her dainty blanket stitches:

The moment I saw the Ana!s shop, it made me so happy...because it suits my desire for comfort and a vintage sensibility to exist simultaneously. If I'm ever in a position to do a clothing line (as I think I'm rambled on about before), I want many of the garments to be made of soft cotton or wool jersey. Comfort is the thing that contemporary fashion has mastered, but I feel like there isn't enough of a marriage between vintage shapes and our modern, comfy fabrics.

Thanks for letting me nerd out about my pretty new shirt!

A Cage and A Kerchief

Scarf - Vintage (acquired the same day with my thrifter-in-crime)
Coat -  Gift from my mama last year
Dress - Anthro '07
Tights - Sock Dreams
Shoes - Funny "tapestry" heels from Rocket Dog

Ashley also spotted the birdcage for me. It's a gem! I've debated getting rid of these odd upholstered shoes many times, but I'm glad I didn't. They barely escaped the purge from the last move!

I'm thinking that kerchiefs will be a good ally in combating the Portland drizzle in the coming months. I really like the vintage one in the photos...I think it will be a stand-by in my purse for impromptu showers!

(Thanks to Josiah for lending his photographing skills for these)

Buttoned Up (with a Bow)

Beret: H&M
Jacket: Anthro this season '08
(I'm realizing now that I am huge on military details/structure in jackets. It's not something I would ever assume about myself, but when I go through my jackets and coats it becomes quite apparent)
Blouse: Anthro '06
Tulip skirt: Anthro '07 (although they have almost a dead ringer right now!)
Tights: Sock Dreams (MP label, I think?)
Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Pin: Vintage

I love the illusion of a scarf/tie that is the same color or print as the skirt/dress below a jacket/sweater. I think it's ever since that amazing Sartorialist girl from last year, where for one moment of synergy, our (mine + Mr. Sartorialist) tastes aligned completely. I tried this outfit with a black dress that has a secretary-bow, but I ended up with a top and a separate black skirt. The dress was too short and flapper-ish for the jacket! I also tried it with a grey cloche I am dying to wear that I nabbed at Forever 21, but it was too costume-y.

The trusty black beret and little deer cameo never let me down, though.

Violet B.

I was playing dress-up on Saturday, whilst organizing my dressing room and integrating my winter things.

I'm trying to decide if Josiah and I should be Violet and Klaus Baudelaire for Halloween...it's kind of unbelievable how easily this could be accomplished (in the clothes department, anyway).

Zac Posen Fall 2008

As you might've intuited, I don't pay too much attention to most capital F Fashion. There are a handful of designers I keep my ears and eyes open for, but really, I'm more interested (as it seems lots of us are) in real-people style.

Still, when I snapped up the new Lula last week (whic is a really good issue), I was really bowled over by the Zac Posen ready-to-wear looks for this season. Their shoot is beautiful, the location and styling suits the clothes better than the runway format does.  Some of the looks (the cinched waists, blouses, short skirts) are quite wearable in the everyday. Others are things to simply dream about, and some are too runway/editorial for real life (the filmy slip over the dark garter belt, for example), but I think there are elegent, quirky-dark elements that can be taken and applied to everyday looks too.

I can't help loving that cape/chemise/garter belt ensemble. It's too good in its craziness.

The blouse and yellow skirt above is probably my favorite look for everyday, but that raisin-brown tulle confection...perfection for a dream tea party.

Perfect Red Boots

More of the pretty red boots (from Anthro, as I mentioned in the post below). My red boot story has been a long-ish one. I became fixated on the notion of perfect, low-heeled red boots about 3 or 4 years ago. Eventually, I caved and bought some brick red Born cowboy boots, because I simply could not find any other red knee-high boots. Well, the only thing right about that purchase was that they were Born, and since Born's crafstmanship is so amazing they were crazy-comfortable. However, I only wore them 5-10 times before admitting to myself (and everyone else) that I'm just not a cowboy boot kinda girl.

These, on the other hand, are Goldilocks-style just right. Perfect color (dark red indoors, cherry red out of doors), lovely fit, nice heel-height, riding boot style, etc.
*Sigh*