Snow day(s)

There was a huge snow storm (blizzard) that covered much of the Midwest. (the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri and Iowa.)

Weather.com

The county couldn’t keep up with the drifting snow, so they opted to pull all of the plows off the road. (They even closed major highways.)

Photo credit

Our poor dog Cici hates this much snow. She doesn’t like when she can’t see over the snow.

Poor pup! You can tell she is not impressed by the snow.

I am just so glad that it finally stopped snowing!

My little munchkin on the sidewalk.

Cici sitting on the drive way.

Everyone I know is safe, which is a relief.

: )

That time of year.

Of course its is Christmas time, it is also my birthday soon.




Not just any birthday either. I am unfortunately approaching one of those mile-stone birthdays. *sigh* I turn 29 in a few weeks.



Luckily my Rasputin tried to distract me from this fact by taking me shopping; at the Mall of America.

M.O.A




I picked up a pair of Doc Martin boots. I had been wanting a pair for along time.

Doc Martens



At Forever 21 I bought this a red striped sweatshirt and a cool skirt. (Oddly enough, I couldn’t find either on the Forever 21 website.)

Rasputin bought me warm winter boots, and a tin of English toffee for my birthday.



Faded Glory Boots

I bought myself a large eye shadow compact and a warm fuzzy hat.



Eye Lip Face brand eye shadow compact:

E.L.F. Compact

Trapper Hat

So…I am trying to get over being bummed out. So far so good.

Reinvention

I was getting kind of bored with my necklaces and was thinking of ideas to add some pizzazz to them. I had the idea to put a broach on them.


Ta da!

New necklace!

I love this necklace, my awesome mother-in-law gave me this.

I looks even more amazing with a pin.

 This is just a cheap pin from Wet Seal...I was so bummed when one stone fell out..(bottom of the center)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

This flower doesn't work quite as well. The metals are different colors which I don't like. I was just trying it out.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 This is just an inexpensive necklace. The beads are colored plastic. Adding the pin makes it look much nicer.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
This one is a little bit more complicated. I looped it through itself (see the right side.)


I then took the loose ends and pinned them to the necklace.


I really love how this looks.

I found the "pine cone" pin at an antique store. I am not usually drawn to gold tones...but this one is incredible!




 
 
 
  I have had this asymmetrical faux turquoise necklace for years....time for a change.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
  I have gotten a lot of compliments on this combination.



The flower is pin is part of a faux turqoise set...I will show it at anouther time.



 
 
 

 Jet bead choker.

 
Sorry this one is so blurry. (My camera isn’t the top of the line.)




Its hard to make out…but the strawberry is domed out. The red stones are even more beautiful in person. The leaf and stem are enameled.

I hope this inspires you to try some new combinations with your own jewelry.

Fashion Outline

After reading Eccentric Glamour…I began to think much more about my personal style. I was pondering what exactly my signature style is?

Later as  I was making a wish list for a vintage shopping trip, it dawned on me: why not make a fashion mission statement complete with an organized outline?


(When shopping vintage a large list is best. You never know exactly what you will find so a long list of “wants” can help you navigate the chaos.)

Mission statement: To blend (touches of) crazy punk/metal/hippie/goth with elegance and class. (And not look like a schizophrenic bag lady!)

Fashion Influences:

• Audrey Hepburn
• The B-52’s
• Courtney Love
• Tim Burton
• Amanda Palmer
• Johnny Depp
• Natalie Portman
• Eugene Hutz
• Janis Joplin
• Dita Von Teese
• Cindy Lauper
• Rue Paul
• Shirley Manson
• Isabella Rossellini

Constraints:

• Scarves too hot for work
• Must wear layers (temp changes at work)
• No dresses/skirts/heels at work
• Turtle necks make me feel claustrophobic
• Many women’s shirts do not fit my shoulders, or arms
• Many pants do not fit me in either the hips or waist

Signature Items:

• Converse All-stars (low-tops)  Black, Grey, Purple, Brown, Teal/Jade
• Stretched ears (6 gauge)
• Glasses/ Sunglasses (no contact lenses)
• Dark hair/pale skin (Snow White)
• Wedge heels (black, brown, creamy white, gold floral)
• Boots (I have oodles!)
• Leather trench coat
• Scarves (Too many to count)
• Boot cut jeans
• Tank Tops
• Stripes
•  Skulls
• Stars 

Items I Want!

• Boots:
• 70’s tan knee high boots
• Cowboy boots:
•  teal, red, purple
• Skirts:
•  circle,
• wrap,
• a-line,
•  sari print skirt (Although a 2nd would be awesome!)
• Cardigans:
• coral
•  red,
• black,
• grey,
• brown,
•  mustard yellow,
•  leopard, (color negotiable)
• cranberry
• Costume jewelry:
•  necklaces,
•  pins,
•  asymmetrical necklace,
•  asymmetrical pearl necklace,
• coral; (faux only)
• necklace
• pin (faux)
• skull ring
• More plugs (earrings)
•  wood,
• bone,
• stone,
• shell,
• antler
• Dresses:
• sundress
• cocktail dress
•  a-line
• empire
• Camisoles:
• pink
• purple
• brown
•  peach 
• Hats:
• Fedoras:
• red,
• black
• grey 
• Cloche hats:
• brown
• black
• grey 
• Dress pants:
•  brown
• grey
•  pinstripe
•  black
• Tights:
• grey
• black
•  print
• stripes
• subtle polka dots 
• Chucks:
• grey
• red
• black
• skulls
• blue
• brown
•  patterned
• purple 
• Coats:
• the perfect trench coat
• green parka faux fur trimmed hood
• brown leather trench
• red wool trench 
• Scarves:
• mustard yellow
• brown
•  grey
•  coral
• red
•  purple
•  teal
• black
• white 
• Colored slips:
• lime green
• purple
•  magenta
•  purple
•  teal

Eccentric Glamour

I recently picked up a used copy of Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan. It was a fun and interesting read. He urges woman to reject cookie-cutter trends and botoxed boob-job look of “Porno Chic.”

This is not a bullet pointed list of must have for every wardrobe. It instead celebrates individuality and “over the top glamour.”

It is a very entertaining look at fashion full of comical descriptions. It features short interviews with some fantastically glamorous people.

He reminds us all that fashion is meant to be a fun exciting journey of self discovery. We do not need to be slaves to the next big trend.

I don’t recommend following his wacky advice about relationships….

Spring and summer finds (accessories)

Wrap bracelet made by me, large smoky topaz ring (left) and Mystic Fire Topaz ring (right)

 

To give you and idea of size, me wearing them on my small hands.

 

Inexpensive (but beautiful!) paste ring*, my small hand. (Vintage)

 

*Items from Corner Shop in Minneapolis.

 

Vintage hand painted paste flower pin*.

 

Star scarf by Converse One Star.

 

 Tasseled print scarf, from Target. (Frankie decided to check out the tassels.)

 

 Burmel scarf I found at Ragstock.

Vintage print scarf*.

 

Asian inspired print scarf found at Ragstock as well.

Vivid orange and plum scarf. From….Old navy….arg. (Hey, it was on clearance…$3)

Groovy 70’s silk tie*.

Finally! I have been hunting for honey colored leather boots for years. (My mom had a pair when I was very little…they left a big impression on me. ) From Tatters Vintage Store

How do you know you cat is over weight?

When they do this to you legs!

[Yes these are my pasty-white legs.]










Frankie was sitting on my lap while I was rubbing her chin. I kept moving her because my legs were starting to hurt from her front paws.


When she jumped down I saw the marks. I laughed sooo hard. Rasputin thought it was funny too.


So… Frankie your going on a diet!

"Take my picture!"

I was taking a picture of Cici in her camouflage-bandanna and Frankie was mad that I wasn't taking her picture.

Then of course she "acts all casual" when I do take her picture...

"Oh, hey...yeah...I guess you can take my picture or whatever..."



 Darn sassy cat!

Electric Gernamiums, childhood beliefs

When I was small, (about 4 or 5) I lived in a large apartment complex. One of those generic saltine box places. The overcrowded low rent places that are everywhere.


There were lots of kids living in that building. Since there wasn’t much to do we all played out in the nearby field. It was nothing special, just an overgrown weed choked grassy field.

On the edge of the field someone had dumped out some half dead geraniums. In their new life as feral flowers they began to thrive.

I went walked over to them with a group of other kids. I reached out to pick some of the red blooms… and one of the oldest kids stopped me.

“Don’t touch those! You will get zapped” The girl said.

“What?’

“Leave them alone they will zap you.”

So for a time I was very afraid of geraniums. I though they would electrocute me. I couldn’t understand why so many people had them if they were so dangerous.

Eventually I forgot all bout this. Seeing the geraniums that my neighbors have reminded me of this.

Did you ever get convinced that’s something silly was real?




P.S. She said that so I wouldn’t pick them, I went back later and they were all picked. Whadda jerk!