Kaleidoscopic Refrains

Shasta Orange!

2011-09-13T18:54:00.002-04:00

Dress: Vintage, Capricious Traveler, EtsySweater: Hand-Knit Vintage Hand-Me-DownBag: Thrifted Vintage CoachShoes: ClarksBelt: Thrifted

I love the color and pattern of this dress. It reminds me of Shasta Orange pop.

Common Colors in My Day

2011-09-10T20:12:00.004-04:00

Last Weekend of Summer at the Cottage

2011-09-09T15:17:00.003-04:00

Beatin the Heat

2011-07-24T21:03:00.006-04:00

Two weeks ago, I went to visit my sister in Florida for a few days.

It was pretty warm and humid down there, as expected. One day we headed to Rainbow Springs to beat the heat. The springs are a perfect place to go on a hot day. Water from the aquifer is constantly bubbling up to the surface, making it completely clear and very cool (averaging about 70-75 degrees, I think). There are lots of these swimming holes all over Florida and up through the 60's and 70's, many of them were made into popular road-side tourist attractions, complete with performing mermaids and glass-bottom boat tours. Rainbow Springs was taken over by the State of Florida in the 70's and now there's a nominal fee of $2 a person to enter the park.

It was really great, there are walking trails, a butterfly garden, the remnants of an old aviary and zoo, and of course the river, which begins at the spring and on which you can take canoes and kayaks. Below is an old map of the amusement park in its heyday.

This is a big part of Florida as I remember it from growing up there. Swampy, kitschy, sunny and replete with alligators, palms, oaks, pines, and Spanish moss. There are other tourist attractions like this that have survived post Disney. A great one is Ponce De Leon's Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine. I find these places fascinating; they're relics of another time in America's history of tourism, but they've persisted, so they also say something about us today and what we think about the past.

On another day, we visited a great pizza place that also has a tourist/junk shop attached.

And this was outisde, so we had to take a photo...

So that's my story. Has anyone else gone on a vacation lately?

The Age of Wonder

2011-07-13T19:08:00.005-04:00

Don't you love it when you come across a book that you wouldn't have thought you'd love, but that ends up capturing your imagination? Recently I found just such a book through one of my favorite podcasts, RadioLab . First, if you've never listened to this show, I highly recommend it. It's hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich and their website describes the show this way:

"Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we'll feed it with possibility."

My favorite part about the show is how excited and curious the hosts are and how fun and inspiring it is to listen along with every episode. They obviously love science and it's a joy to hear them investigate and laugh and discover. Plus the sound editing is great and the various staff members bring a lot to the table.

Sooo....one day at work I was listening to one of their short episodes where they interviewed Richard Holmes, the author of The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science. It was so fascinating, listening to the author talk about how he went from writing strictly about Romantic poets to writing about an entire period in the history of science and how it was linked with romanticism. He does this by taking a biographical approach, following the lives and achievements of prominent figures in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

From Joseph Banks and his voyage to Tahiti (and subsequent nurturing of young scientific talent in London) to William and Caroline Herschel's astronomical discoveries, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and its reflection of fears concerning the newly envisioned occupation of scientist, and Humphry Davy's bold achievements in the field of chemistry, Holmes demonstrates how romantic science re-envisioned the world and the universe, inspired by a sense of awe, creativity, and possibility. He also sheds light on their personal lives, their joys, hopes, achievements disappointments and flaws, making them seem all the more compelling and shedding light on the context in which they made their discoveries.

The best part of the book is that it reads like an adventure story with many characters all endeavoring within the same milieu. My personal favorites were the Herschel's, the German brother and sister immigrants (to Britain) who cast & polished their own large telescopes in their basement (can you imagine?!) and went on to map and chart nebulae, discover comets and planets, construct and operate a 40-foot telescope, and promote the concept of deep space. I very much appreciated that Holmes paid equal attention to Caroline and her journey from neglected child to William's assistant and eventually to an internationally recognized comet huntress in her own right.

Personally, I was never previously interested enough in science to seek out books about it in my spare time. But this book was fascinating and downright exciting. If you're looking for something interesting and well-written, I'd definitely give it a try.

....

Well, I'm off to Florida tomorrow to visit my sister for the weekend. I probably won't write again until after I get back on Sunday, but I'll try to take lots of pictures. I hope everyone else has a great weekend!

xx Kelley Anne xx

Simple but Flirty

2011-07-12T21:23:00.003-04:00

Just a short outfit post tonight. It was so warm today, and even tonight. I decided to wear this light polyester dress that I thrifted last year. I love the ruffly little collar and keyhole opening in the front. These little details give a very sweet, feminine feeling to a simple dress. Its so nice to finally shed all of the layers from our long winter and as a result, I've been keeping my wardrobe very basic lately: few accessories paired with flirty, but pretty summer dresses like this one. Part and parcel, my silver spoon bracelet has become a fixture. Several years ago, my mom bought my sister and I these bracelets at a kumquat festival in Florida. It's both elegant and sentimental and always sparks conversation.

Dress: Thrifted Vintage
Belt: Linea Pelle (Marshall's)
Spoon Bracelet: Gift
Earrings: Thrifted
Shoes: Clarks

My short hair really does go along with this desire for simplicity lately. Its so funny, I'm not quite used to seeing myself this way and when I walk in front of a mirror its a bit surprising (but in a good way that makes me giggle at myself). I love the change and the thought of pairing my slightly boyish hair with all of the feminine frocks in my wardrobe.

Good night everybody!

Thrift Finds

2011-07-10T17:15:00.007-04:00

This morning, Dan and I headed to his hometown to visit his mother and grandmothers. One of my favorite thrift stores is very nearby, so after lunch we headed there and I set to work perusing for almost an hour. Its always hit and miss with thrift shopping, but this place usually yields something every time I visit. Today I got really lucky.

This first dress is definitely vintage from the late 70's, early 80's. Its short and fun and flirty, with a pretty collar and a fitted bodice. I love that the little sleeves have a slight puff to them. The former owner wrote her name on the tag in marker, so I'm debating whether to cut it out or not. I've never seen that before...has anyone else?

The next one is from BCBG Max Azria. I absolutely love the bold giraffe-like print and the short, almost mod shape. It'll be a good transition piece to fall and winter too and I'll probably end up wearing it as a tunic over dark jeans.

And finally a very pretty, classic polka-dot maxi dress. I didn't think too much of it on the rack, but because of my undying love for dots and current search for more long dresses, I decided to give it a whirl in the dressing room. I'm glad I did. It fits so well! It'll be an easy, classic choice for work-days when I don't feel like fretting over what to wear.

Before leaving this store, I always cruise by the jewelry section to check out the pins and earrings. Today, I found a pretty (if ubiquitous) rose pin. My sister bought one of these a few years ago at a vintage store nearby and I've been keeping an eye out since for one that I liked. Today I got lucky. (please ignore the dog hair, that's also ubiquitous:)

And here's what I wore while shopping...

Dress: Thrifted Vintage (altered by me)
Perforated Wedges: Target
Pin: Thrifted today!
Earrings: Forever 21
Rattan Purse: Thrifted
Bangles: Forever 21 & Thrifted

This dress has become my automatic go-to outfit for summer over the past few years. Its pretty and easy to wear and has pockets, which is a definite bonus. Do you have an automatic default outfit?

dreamsbykelley.wordpress.com

Shortie

2011-07-09T17:30:00.003-04:00

I took the plunge today, although it didn't really feel like much of a plunge. I've been thinking about cutting my hair short again for months now and this afternoon I walked into my hairdresser's with a few pictures of Jean Seberg from Breathless in hand, ready to commit. I love my stylist. She's enthusiastic and honest and friendly. She was so excited for me. Its wonderful to find someone who you trust implicitly with your hair.

The last time I got it cut, I went to someone else at the same salon with a similar request. The woman was really nice, but she basically tried to convince me not to do it and said she was afraid I might really regret it and cry (for some reason, they always think I'm going to cry:). While I appreciated her candor, I found myself in the odd position of explaining to her that, yes, I had cut my hair that short before and that ultimately it's just hair and will eventually grow back. It was rather humorous.

Today was a completely different story. I can't wait to play around with it and see what I can do.

(Mena wanted in on the photo action today)

Blouse: Thrifted
Shorts: Anthropologie Sale
Sunglasses: Vintage Store
Earrings: Forever 21
Handbag: Thrifted
Shoes: Target
Ring: Gift

And I also bought a new pair of purple wedge platform sandals on sale today! Luckily I just happened to be passing by my favorite shoe store and decided to pop in on a whim. They're made by Born, which is quickly turning into one of my preferred shoe brands, especially for heels. As the salesgirl said, they're just so comfortable.

For years, I wouldn't dare wear platforms or heels over three inches. I'm almost six feet tall anyway, so I thought I'd just stick out even more. And I was convinced that I'm such a clutz that I'd constantly be tripping and falling. But the other day, when I said something about my lack of coordination to a friend, he looked at me for a minute and then told me he thinks I don't give myself enough credit. I've decided that I think he's right. I can handle walking in these shoes.

Its funny how the stories that stick with us from our childhoods sometimes shape who we think we are. I grew really, really fast in elementary school (an entire foot in one year!) and ended up feeling really awkward while adjusting to my new body. Ever since, I've always thought of myself as an inelegant, clumsy person who tends to physically stick out. But maybe I've just been seeing it all wrong and taking lots of things about myself for granted.

Oh, and if you get a chance, I started a new blog for my art called Dreams By Kelley. Stop by if you get a chance!

Back Again

2011-07-07T10:32:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone. Its been a while (again). I've been home sick for the past two days and have been mulling over quite a few things. I've been feeling an itch lately, but one that I can't seem to locate to successfully scratch it:) I realized looking through my blog roll last night that I really miss blogging. As a general rule, I tend to get caught up in what I think is expected of me and let those perceptions dictate what I do and how I do it. Its only recently that I've realized I need to trust myself and do things because I want to do them, rather than looking to other people for a guide as to what I should do. My husband is really great at following his heart and interests and I'm slowly (thankfully) coming to learn some things from him.

This is such a cliche that its somewhat hard to write, but here goes...what does it mean to be successful? I have always had a mishmash of goals that fit into that category in my mind, but they always fit into my desire to receive recognition and approval from other people. I'm beginning to see that I have to be happy with myself whether I get that approval or not. When I stopped consistently blogging about ten months ago, it was partially because I thought my efforts weren't interesting enough. Now, I'm beginning to see that that was a lot of melarky because they interested me and the blog was always meant to be one of my creative outlets. So, in a long delayed move, I'm going to start blogging again about the things that I'm interested in -- poetry, art, vintage, thrifting, photography.

I also started another blog (that's also listed in my blog roll) called Dreams By Kelley. There I'll post several pieces of my art every week. My husband Dan is writing a graphic novel. Every night, he sits down and writes one page; no matter what he always finds time to do this. I'm going to follow his lead and stop being so hard on myself. Dan always says that its not how many times you get knocked down that matters in life, but how many times you pick yourself back up again. Here goes nothing.

Poems by Matthea Harvey

2011-03-16T12:31:00.008-04:00

*Some Poems by Matthea Harvey*

SETTING THE TABLE

To cut through night you'll need your sharpest scissors. Cut around the birch, the bump of the bird nest on its lowest limb. Then with your nail scissors, trim around the baby beaks waiting for worms to fall from the sky. Snip around the lip of the mailbox and the pervert's shoe peeking out from behind the Chevy. Before dawn, rip the silhouette from the sky and drag it inside. Frame the long black stripe and hang it in the dining room. Sleep. When you wake, redo the scene as day in doily. Now you have a lacy fence, a huge cherry blossom of a holly bush, a birch sugared with snow. Frame the white version and hang it opposite the black. Get your dinner and eat it between the two scenes. Your food will taste just right.

YOU HAVE MY EYES

Give them Back.

OUT OF ORDER

Today it's about truth and hope

and there are no ha-ha's

between me and the living.

World, I'm no one

to complain about you.


All poems from Modern Life by Matthea Harvey

Work in Progress

2011-03-13T20:43:00.002-04:00

Lately I've been spending most of my creative time working on a collage, mixed media piece. Its going to take a while, but I love throwing myself into a project and slowly finishing each element. Its been particularly slow lately as I've been sick all week. Yuck! Here are some photos of the work in progress.

Every time I draw a picture, I feel like it has an elaborate story hidden within it. Somebody commented to this effect a few posts ago and it got me thinking about ways that I can incorporate text into the picture.

...and a gratuitous cool shoe shot because I walked around our apartment breaking these beauties in all day and just wanted to share them, since I can't wear them outside yet :)

How was your weekend?

Secrets of the Sea

2011-03-08T16:16:00.002-05:00

Can you tell? I drew this while watching Ondine:)

Lady in the Clay

2011-03-04T13:08:00.005-05:00

Since making my resolution to try out different forms of artistic expression, I've been looking around my community for classes to take. The first one of these that I signed up for was a sculpture workshop at a local museum. It was so wonderful! The class was only four hours long and among the ten students, most of us were beginners. We arranged the work areas around the model, the instructor did a short demonstration of the method we were supposed to employ and then we took a block of clay and some tools and just started to sculpt. Every five minutes or so, we would move to a different area of the room to see the model from that perspective and the instructor walked around and gave suggestions.

The time flew by so quickly, I could hardly believe that it was four hours long. In the end, we all lined up our pieces and talked about our observations. My sculpture was pretty much what she said it would be -- it resembles a woman, but there really wasn't time for too many details. Instead we focused on identifying the planes that we observed and shaving off pieces of the clay that corresponded. It felt so good to get lost in the process and covered in clay; to learn something new.

I liked the class so much that I'm going to take a longer course over the summer.

Stars in Her Eyes

2011-02-27T21:51:00.002-05:00

Hello Again

2011-02-25T14:18:00.002-05:00

Well, its been quite a while; much longer than I'd anticipated when I came to the conclusion that I needed a break from blogging. Six months ago we moved, and although I kept taking some photos, they never made it up onto the blog. Taking pictures of myself became a little bit boring after a while and about a month after the move I found a full time job. In the mean time I've been trying to figure some things out about myself and how I want to spend the free time that I have now. The conclusion that I've come to is that I want to...for lack of a better word...spend it creating things -- drawing painting and trying out forms of artistic expression that I've never attempted before.

As a result, I'm going to shift the focus of the blog. I still love vintage and shoes and my amateur photography and thrifting, but I'd like to use Kaleidoscopic Refrains more to showcase the art that I'm making room for in my life now. (Although those other things will still make appearances here:) If any of the followers of this blog or readers aren't interested anymore, I can't say that I blame you, but I need to follow my instincts and interests.

So from now on I will dedicate at least a half hour to an hour a day to art without worrying that it isn't good enough or doesn't meet some imagined standard. To encourage myself in this endeavor, I will post images of what I produce here. I don't necessarily expect any comments, this is for me, to encourage myself to pursue something that I've always loved, but haven't always had the confidence to see through. I will make the confidence now.

As a sort of inaugural, here' s my first new post...and thanks to anyone who's reading this and decides to stick around.

-Kelley

Moving Day Random Photos

2010-08-31T15:00:00.004-04:00

Today is moving day. Everything won't be delivered until Thursday, but the first leg is over and done. The movers arrived two hours early this morning, leaving me with lots of time to wander around the neighborhood of the friends we're staying with for the next two nights. There were lots of flowers, bees, (our) adorable dogs, and random things to see. I won't be posting any outfit photos for a few days, but I hope you enjoy these pics.

Waking Up

2010-08-28T03:19:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, when I see a bird flying through the clouds, I wish that I could be that bird and my mind takes flight. I initially had that thought when I took this last photo yesterday. But then it occurred to me that if I had come into this world as that creature, there's a good chance that I would be looking down at the woman on the bus taking photos and wish that I could be her. I realized that thinking like that is so self-defeating because it only distracts me from the wonderful business of making my own way in the life that I'm living right now. And it doesn't matter anyway...because I can't be that bird, I can't be anyone else and I can't really know what any other experience is but my own.

Lately I feel like I'm waking up from a very long sleep. It feels good.

Comfort Clothes

2010-08-26T19:52:00.004-04:00

When I was getting ready to leave the house this morning I thought to myself 'I just want to wear something comfortable today.' The first garment that sprung to mind was this blouse. I actually found it at Target a few years ago, although it reminds me of something Victorian (not sure at all if that would be accurate:). I've never really been sure how to wear it, but love all of the details from the decorative stitching to the lace and bird-shaped buttons.

The little purse was a Florida thrift store find from earlier this summer. My sister Kate and I walked into the establishment, and there it was, just waiting for me on the shelf. I realized recently that one of the most wonderful things about my collection of second hand clothes are the memories that each garment or accessory or bag brings to mind when I pull it out of the closet. Most of those memories involve Kate, so (in a strange way) getting dressed in the morning, choosing from among my brooches, deciding on a scarf or pair of earrings...every time I run my fingers over these objects, they make me feel closer to my sister who is thousands of miles away. It sounds sad to me reading what I've written, but its really not. Its happy and hopeful and makes me look forward to the next time that we can go out on a thrifting adventure together again.

If you're reading this Kate, I love you :)

A Good Day

2010-08-23T20:40:00.003-04:00

From this angle, these door knobs remind me of a set of demure twins...

...but from this one, they remind me of a set of eyes.

We're moving a week from tomorrow. Its just across town, but we're going to have our own place again after living with other people for the past few years. Its a bittersweet moment and as we've taken down our pictures and packed our books, I've given in to a bit of nostalgia about this place that I've enjoyed living in so much.

its all gonna break

2010-08-21T19:11:00.002-04:00

I've missed you all.

First Time

2010-07-01T10:32:00.004-04:00

These are some photos that I took a few months ago, when Dan and I visited his great-aunt's cottage for the first time this year. It was a bit chilly and sunny there and I ended up wearing a sweater, hat, sunglasses and scarf the whole weekend....and being more interested in taking photos of dandelions in the sunshine.

Thank you to everyone who's commented on my last post and e-mailed me to make sure that everything is okay. Things became overwhelming a few months ago and I didn't so much make a decision not to blog anymore, as I decided to see how I felt about it and not push myself into posting. Then a few days turned into two months. I miss it though and am back. In the next few days I'll post the pictures from our road trip last month. I'm looking forward to catching up with all of your blogs as well.

Race Day

2010-05-02T21:11:00.005-04:00

Today Dan ran his marathon. He's been training for six months and made it through to the end in pretty good time. It was his first marathon and probably his last full one...at least for a while. I'm so proud of him and was excited to spend the day with his mom and auntie traveling around to various places along the course to cheer him and his fellow runners on. It was a good day, but we were both pretty exhausted by the end. I didn't get any pics of my outfit while we were out, but here are some that I took this evening back home.

(Oh and by the way, I was pretty stoked to carry this straw bag for the first time today. I've been looking for the perfect little woven purse for summer and was lucky enough to find this one when thrifting on Saturday. I love the wooden handles and it actually zips closed, is fully lined and even has a little pocket on the inside. It reminded me a bit of the one that Summer carries in Ikea in (500) Days of Summer.)

Hat: F21
Earrings: Thrifted Vintage
Oxfords: Thrifted Oleg Cassinis
Blouse & Tie Belt: Thrifted Vintage
Shorts: Anthro Sale
Tights: Target
Purse: Thrifted

Dan gave me permission to post some of the photos I took of him during the marathon...so here they are! I'm so proud, wait, did I already write that?:)

That last one is him crossing the finish line. I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Sweet Dreams

2010-04-30T21:47:00.005-04:00

Dress: Thrifted Vintage
Headband: Anthropologie Sale
Sweater: Thrifted Vintage
Necklace: Antique Store
Purse: Thrifted
Shoes: Blowfish
Tights: Hue

This is one of the most modest dresses that I own, and that's saying something for someone who's wardrobe consists mostly of knee-length dresses and skirts! There's something about it that's so appealing to me...I think its probably the pleats and the fabric and the flouncy nature of the whole thing combined with the fact that its actually quite sheer upon inspection. I feel elegant and cozy all at the same time in this and enjoy combining it with various scarves, jewelry, shoes and tights to create different looks.

On a completely different note, I've found the perfect bicycle. After [finally] seeing (500) Days of Summer this week, I felt a sudden urge to replace my old bike. Here's what I found...

I'm currently trying to convince Dan that he (a) would really enjoy bicycling somewhere in our city and (b) that he wants to take my old bicycle for himself after I save up for this beauty. We'll see how that goes. A girl can always dream.

Scrapped

2010-04-27T20:50:00.005-04:00

I'd planned to do another outfit post tonight, but after choosing on a whim to forgo the bus and walk home from work in the slight drizzle (which turned into heavy wind and rain) I've decided against it. I arrived home 50 minutes after leaving the library and soaked through, but with a smile on my face and a pack of candy raspberries in my bag.

So now here I am, curled up in bed next to the cat and dog, watching late 80's, early 90's music videos online (ah George Michael! I have to admit that I do love Father Figure and Madonna's Live to Tell:), full of those candies while my dress and coat dry in the shower.

Instead of my planned post, here's something a little bit different. I felt so full of joy walking home today, even though it was raining, the wind was blowing and some drivers attempted to go through the crosswalk when I had the walk signal. And when I feel happy, I always listen to this song by The Fiery Furnaces (sometimes I also listen to it to pep myself up when I'm sad). Its so strange and interesting and catchy. I hope you all like it too.

Old Haunts

2010-04-26T20:59:00.003-04:00

I decided to just start taking outfit photos regularly again tonight. (Thanks for the encouragement Leah!) So back to the basement for me:) This outfit is nothing special, really just another take on something I wore not too long ago. It was pretty chilly out today, so I paired this warm green, white and grey dress with one of my thrifted novelty scarves and boots. The jacket I've been wearing constantly lately. I love the puffed sleeves, sweet little collar and loose, but structured fit.

Jacket: Thrifted Vintage (I'm not sure about the decade)
Dress: 60's Thrifted Vintage
Scarf: Thrifted Vintage
Boots: Stonefly
Tights: Target
Belt: Thrifted

Sunday, Sunday

2010-04-25T22:19:00.005-04:00

I'm going to make a concerted effort to post more outfits next week, but for now here are some
gratuitous animal and flora photos that I took before going to work this afternoon. I hope everyone else had a nice weekend! I'll be catching up on comments tomorrow afternoon. I look forward to seeing what everyone's been up to.

Red!

2010-04-21T21:31:00.004-04:00

Dress: Thrifted 80's Vintage
Hat: Hand-Me-Down
Earrings: Gift
Shoes: Clark's

I've been wearing a lot of red and yellow lately...both together and separately. I'm not sure what it is, but these vivid primary colors are really appealing to me right now. For the time being, a bright frock, hat and sandals are enough to put a smile on my face and a little pep in my step.

Has anyone else noticed any big changes in their wardrobe (besides the obvious addition or subtraction of garments) as we transition into a new season?

Desire

2010-04-20T20:45:00.005-04:00

"Black Sea"

One clear night while the others slept, I climbed
the stairs to the roof of the house and under a sky
strewn with stars I gazed at the sea, at the spread of it,
the rolling crests of it raked by the wind, becoming
like bits of lace tossed in the air. I stood in the long
whispering night, waiting for something, a sign, the approach
of a distant light, and I imagined you coming closer,
the dark waves of your hair mingling with the sea,
and the dark become desire, and desire the arriving light.
The nearness, the momentary warmth of you as I stood
on that lonely height watching the slow swells of the sea
break on the shore and turn briefly into glass and disappear ...
Why did I believe you would come out of nowhere? Why with all
that the world offers would you come only because I was here?

-Mark Strand

...

When I read this poem, I feel lucky. Lucky because I've always wanted to ask those last questions of someone who would answer me "simply because you are there." Because I've always wanted to desire someone in a way that was completely reciprocated. And because now I know that there is one person who would say that to me, and to whom I could honestly answer the same. Sometimes I ask Dan why he loves me, and (after joking around a bit) he says "because I'm Dan and you're Kelley. That's just the way it is." Simple as that.

Over the weekend, I finally watched Bright Star. I thought it was a wonderful movie, full of lovely images, beautiful words and all of those amazing period costumes. I loved that it felt like the progression of a real romance, with good days and bad days that alternated depending on forces beyond the control of the two lovers, but that (as Keats says in the movie) they built a web between them, attached to but separate from the world.

Most of all, I loved the distinct feeling of intimacy that pervaded so many of the scenes. The two main characters never make love, but this seeming lack imbued their gestures with a great deal of longing and desire, with a knowing sensuality that both of them obviously registered. The scene where I felt most impressed by this was when Fanny took off a key that she'd been wearing around her neck and handed it to John. She slowly lifted it out of the front of her dress and placed it in his hand and then they both stood staring at it, knowing it had (in a way) been more physically intimate with her than he had. Then she took the key out of his palm and used it to unlock the chest where his things were stored. My heart skipped a beat.

All of that being said, I know its not for everyone, my supervisor thought that it was terrible. All I know is that I felt compelled to watch the movie twice...in a row...and cried at the end both times.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Erupting Images

2010-04-18T19:51:00.006-04:00

When I was in grad school, I wrote my master's thesis on Hester Lynch Piozzi, a salon hostess and grand tourist of the 18th-century English gentry. Specifically, I looked at the section of her travel journal that covered her time in Naples, Italy. While doing research for the project, I discovered something really interesting about the wealthy female tourists of the late 18th and early 19th century who visited southern Italy: some of them comissioned paintings of themselves with active volcanoes in the background. Others wrote about approaching the natural phenomena in fiction and their travel diaries. One of the chapters in my thesis concentrated on this topic. If I had continued my studies, I probably would have researched it further and written at least an article about it. Instead, I left my Phd program after getting another MA and here I am several years later drawing my own version:)

Below is an example, although you can't really see the exploding volcano very well in this small image. (Its easier to see it in the link...just click on the image or credit link.) This is Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein's portrait of Junge Dame mit Zeichengerat from 1816.

Credit

I came up with my own theories when I wrote the chapter, but I won't get into that here. No matter what the reasons were, this is really interesting, isn't it?

Floral Inspiration

2010-04-14T19:04:00.003-04:00

Dress: Thrifted 70's Vintage
Coat: Thrifted 60's Vintage
Shoes: Target Red Wedges
Earrings: Thrifted Vintage

Don't these flowers look like they're singing? All I could think about when I passed them was how much they reminded me of the opening scene in The Double Life of Veronique, when the choir of young women stand singing in the rain and then leave one by one, until only Weronika is left (becoming more and more radiant) until the end of the last note.

Oh, and this is how my adorable little Sophie spent the day...

Before the Sunshine

2010-04-12T15:21:00.004-04:00

Here is another one of my recent drawings. Unfortunately, my sketch book is a wee bit taller than the scanner, so a little bit of the top was cut off in the process. I'm sorry for the lack of outfit posts lately, I've been really tired and now that spring has arrived, my allergies are also kicking in. After working all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I just didn't have it in me to post anything. This week should be better though.

I've actually been thinking about putting up some of my old poems, but I'm not sure yet. I haven't written anything in a few years and need to dig the old ones out of our files in the attic first and then see if they're anything I'd want to make public. Thanks to everyone who left encouraging words after my last two posts. You're all so wonderful. I can't thank you enough.

lady of light

2010-04-08T21:50:00.003-04:00

This is one of my drawings. I've been sketching and painting since I was a little girl, but gave it up for a long time until recently. (It seems I'm in a period of personal unearthing right now). Normally, I never show my pictures to anyone but Dan, but as part of my resolution for myself and (as a result) this blog, I've decided to be a bit more brave and share some of them here. I hope to post them regularly now.

Lyrical Thoughts

2010-04-07T16:59:00.006-04:00

"Kindness"

There is a place where
even music is no longer
necessary
where I
am always
high

Where words are before somebody utters them
where leaves are before there are leaves
and where these friends
who never leave me
come from

No rest
for the
blessed

No poison envy
lushly clinging
and growing
around the
house twittering
darkening
everything

I will come to you memory shining

This body
is not me

---------------------------

"The Poem"

In morning rain a dark
vast rustling mass of lilacs

summons me (greener
than the dreams of God), it

troubles me
awake, a

smemory--

both by Franz Wright, from God's Silence

These photos are from Sunday, when we went to visit Dan's family for Easter. Lately I've been in the mood to wear very simple, pretty dresses with few accessories. I think my shorter hairstyle, combined with the onset of spring, has provoked an appreciation of simplicity in me. The warm breeze is adornment enough for now.

The poems of Franz Wright, on the other hand, are anything but simple. I discovered his work after a former co-worker gave me a copy of the Knopf National Poetry Month Collection cd. On it, Wright reads several of his poems from God's Silence. At first I was attracted to those recordings because his voice is so full of passion, pain, yearning and pathos. Very soon, I began to appreciate the poems for themselves. Reading the book now, I can hear his voice echoing through the pages, but I also appreciate the words even more for having read them myself -- at my own pace. There is one poem in particular that I haven't included here (but hope to feature later) that I can read over and over again and find myself moved every time.

This afternoon, I sat in a bookstore/cafe drinking herbal tea and eating alone. It was after the lunch rush had passed and no one, not even the waiters, were in a hurry. I'd wandered to this spot without any particular intention of going in, but found myself enjoying those moments of silence, with nothing but linden tea, a falafel wrap, and a book of poetry to occupy my attention. Days like this can be hypnotic if I'm in the right frame of mind. Its as if the perfume of spring and lyrical thoughts have enveloped my mind and drifted off with it...to beautiful places that are always present, but which often go unseen.

A Weekend in Photos

2010-04-05T18:10:00.003-04:00

.................................I Love.........................................

Lazy Dogs...

As well as curious ones...

And the crazy cat that taunts them...

Anthropologie Sales...

(Seriously, they were $9.99 on sale!)

Taking Reflection Photos...

And thrifted dresses that remind me of something out of a Toast catalog...

The first spring flowers...

Waking up to discover how the morning light has thrown shadows...

And long afternoons that slowly turn into evenings spent in the kitchen.

(That's ratatouille....beautiful isn't it? :)

How did you all spend your weekends?

A Year's End

2010-04-01T21:39:00.005-04:00

"A Year's End"

It is quiet at this year's end.
Winter whispers through heavy coats.
I lace your boots. You catch your finger
in my loose curl.

The prairie isn't white
like we imagined.
Through dead leaves we see
a hidden sun, lost mitten
the drawbridge we scaled last summer.

You are six and know the language
of distant fields, the sudden surprise
of purple branches
praying to ice.

You have come to know the beauty
in what has been lost:
the way your hair curled at three
the child you were before you learned
the names of things--

the woman I was before
I carried you through three seasons
then set you free
before winter.

*

The waves turn toward a season's
end: pink sky, snow remnants.
The shore holds the place
where water turns back. You've found a shell;
just as quickly you let it go.

Wet sand covers our boots.
I've folded the stray curl inside my hat.
Your laces make thin trails back
from sacred places.

Land, sky and shore touch
the force of December waves.
This is how a page turns
a year ends
a mother loves.

-Dina Elenbogen from Apples of the Earth

Several years ago, when we lived in Chicago, Dan was an events coordinator for a book store. Every week, he would organize readings by various authors - some popular, some not. Every week, I would leave campus after my courses ended, head to the store and pretend to be an anonymous attendee so that there was at least one person sitting in the crowd besides the employees. (I wasn't very good at this -I'm a terrible liar - and once very blatantly gave myself away when talking to an author). Some of them were extremely interesting, like Buddhist monk from Toronto who led a meditation session and discussed his spiritual teacher's writings. Others were famous writers such as Audrey Niffenegger (she was interesting too). My favorite of these events though, was a poetry reading by Dina Elenbogen.

I found myself very moved by her work, most especially this poem. She so beautifully describes how we come to perceive our constantly shifting selves as a result of reflection on our developing personal histories, both as parents and children. I was also touched by the inscription she wrote in the copy of Apples of the Earth that Dan bought for me. I was too shy to approach her, so he did it without my knowledge and told her that I also wrote poetry. In the book she wrote "For Kelley- fellow poet. With best wishes for your poetry." It was so very kind and came at a time when I had little confidence in anything I produced.

***

As you can see, I'm back from a short hiatus. This poem is apt for the occasion because what I want to do with my blog is shifting, and I'm not completely sure what direction it will take. I'm going to keep taking some outfit photos, but would like to do other things like regular poetry posts. I think its good for me to step away when I need to, explore other endeavors and decide if I want to continue blogging. I'd hate for this wonderful hobby to become a chore and wouldn't want to waste anyone else's (or my) time with something I don't enjoy. I'll be posting regularly again now. Thanks for all of the supportive comments and messages I've received -- and the compliments on my new hair-do:) I really appreciate all of you so much.

Laundry Day and a New Do

2010-03-20T20:25:00.002-04:00

Coin Necklace: Gift
Shirt: Thrifted J Crew
Skirt: Anthropologie Sale
Straw Hat: Hand-Me-Down
Sandals: Italian vacation purchase

Summer Inspiration: Toast

2010-03-15T21:56:00.006-04:00

I've been a bit disconnected from my computer all weekend, so I don't know if lots of other people have already posted about this....but, I just got the new Toast Spring II Catalog e-mail and can't get over the warm-weather looks they've featured for the upcoming seasons. This is what I want to wear for the next six months -- pops of color, feathers, cute heels, hats, big necklaces, sandals and simple silhouettes. Basically, nothing too fussy, just care free and pretty. Its almost too wonderful for words. Now all I need is for this darned cold rain to stop falling and the sun to come out. Soon enough, I keep telling myself. Soon enough.

Luckily, I've been thrifting some items that are pretty similar so I should be all set for our upcoming summer vacation. Now for deciding on a new hair cut...if anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them:)

I'm sorry that I haven't responded to comments or visited many blogs over the past few days. I needed a blog break and took advantage of a rainy working weekend to spend some time away. I hope everyone had a great or at least good Monday!

Shop Update

2010-03-11T21:24:00.009-05:00

I've added three more dresses to my Etsy shop.

Its funny, I started to get really stressed out about the shop...and then I realized that this is something I'm doing for fun; for me. No pressure unless I apply it. After that, I felt much better. So I'll just be adding a few items at a time for now, probably once a week.

Goodnight everyone!

The Complete Truth

2010-03-10T19:40:00.005-05:00

I've been working on a shop update most of the day today, but it won't be ready until tomorrow. I'm still getting the hang of it:) In the meantime, I wanted pass along a wonderful blog to you all.

If anyone hasn't been to The Complete Truth, I highly recommend it. Its full of the most beautiful photographs, all taken by the creator of the blog, Olof Grind. I don't know much about him, but I always look forward to his posts and instantly click upon the link in my blog roll when they appear. He's been in Casablanca and Marrakech for the past few weeks. Check it out if you have a chance.

Until tomorrow,

Kelley Anne

p.s. Thank you for all of the responses to my poetry post yesterday! Many of you recommended poets that I've never read and I'm so excited to go to the library and check out their work. I'm thinking about doing a regular poetry post, so I just might start off with some of your suggestions. Thanks everyone!

One of My Favorites

2010-03-09T19:41:00.003-05:00

A comment that I received the other day from Mila reminded me of something: I love words, in particular, I love poetry. I love poetry so much that even the fiction that I love is often written by authors who are also poets. One of my favorite poets is e. e. cummings. When I was a senior in high school, my A.P. English teacher gave us one of his poems to discuss. I went out and bought a volume of his work. There's something of the intangible, the indescribable in them...his choice of words, punctuation and arrangement get at the tingle that I feel shoot up my spine whenever I catch my husband looking at me with love in his eyes or I take his hand in mine. It was everything I hoped to feel long before I met him and very accurately captures my feelings for him now. Even if you don't like poetry, please give it a chance...you might realize that you do like some poetry:)

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
-the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says

we are for each other: then
laugh leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death i think is no parenthesis

- e. e. cummings

Night Time Checkers

2010-03-08T19:56:00.005-05:00

I wasn't planning on taking outfit photos tonight, but when I came home from work Dan looked at me and said "Are you ready to go out and take some pictures?" I just couldn't turn him down. He was so excited that you all liked the ones he took yesterday and checked the comments throughout the day. Tonight he played around with some night photos and had some definite opinions about them. He even tried to convince me to change my jacket because I wore it yesterday and he found it visually uninspiring. So apparently, I have a new photographer contributing to my blog:)

I felt like playing around with patterns today, so I decided to wear the jacket again and paired it with this blue and white dress (worn as a blouse). I was also really inspired by all of the Swedish Hasbeens that I've been seeing on various blogs and decided to do my own take on the look with these black tights and light brown sandals.

Dan and I both really liked the way that the photos turned out, I hope you all do too.

Bracelets: Thrifted and F21
Dress as Blouse: Thrifted
Purse: Thrifted Vintage
Necklace: Mall ??
Jacket: Vintage
Tights: Target
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Clarks
Earrings: Gift
Skirt: Thrifted

P. S. We're watching Pulp Fiction while I'm editing the photos and writing this post. I'd forgotten how great it is. I hope everyone has a great night or day depending on where you are!

Churches, Trees and Swing Coats...Oh My!

2010-03-07T18:06:00.007-05:00

Well, the title is an exaggeration, really there is only one church, one featured tree, and one swing coat in this post. I hope you're not too disappointed:)

Dan has been training for a marathon for the past few months. Each morning he maps out his run and sets off, much of the time covering new ground and seeing new parts of our neighborhood and beyond. To my delight, when he returned yesterday he told me about a place that he wanted to bring me to take some outfit photos. I normally take all of my own photographs for the blog with a timer and a tripod, which I enjoy, but it is fun sometimes to let him do the shooting...and its a good excuse for us to take a walk together and for him to practice with my camera.

The place that we visited was very interesting. We weren't sure if it was an old playground or parking lot...really it could have been either. There's also an abandoned church next door where we took a few more photographs. It was a fun way to spend an hour this afternoon and a good way for me to get out of the basement for my outfit photos.

Dress: Thrifted 70's Vintage
Tights: Hue, Anthro Sale
Tie: Thrifted Dress Tie
Jacket: Vintage
Shoes: Clarks

(He took LOTS of pictures, the rest of which are posted on my Flickr page if anyone is interested.)

The outfit was fun to put together. The forecast said that it would be in the high 50's here today and I got very excited and thought about pulling out some of my pastel dresses. But instead I was really drawn to this sweet little black dress with its lacy peter pan collar. (When I thrifted it, I was reminded of the post about Minna Hepburn over at Sally Jane Vintage). Its ribbed down the front to the waist and has a matching tie for the waist, but I really just wanted to wear it sort of loosie-goosie today with a hint of red and my short checked swing jacket. I've had the jacket for three years, but never know how to wear it. It felt perfect today though, not too heavy, not too light and very comfortable.

Green, Blue or Both?

2010-03-04T19:00:00.004-05:00

Recently I noticed that I've been really drawn to the colors green and blue. Aqua is a combination of both, right? So I had my cake and ate it too today, in a color sense, and went with this pretty handmade vintage dress that I thrifted last year. The color is great, but what really sold me on it are the little flowers. You can't really tell from the photos, but they sparkle in the light. It was quite the pick-me-up on a dreary day.

The jean jacket is another favorite that I found in a branch of a very popular local consignment store chain. I usually don't frequent consignment stores. The prices are higher than my usual thrifty haunts and they don't have that much vintage (in my experience). I'm glad I wandered into the one where I found the little jacket though. I love how it creates a very specific silhouette. In one of my history classes in college we discussed how clothing changed over time and molded people's bodies into various shapes deemed fashionable and attractive in different eras. I feel like this jacket does just that, emphasizing the bust and waist and making the arms look slim. Thank goodness its made out of stretchy denim though, otherwise I might not be able to wear it for too long:)

Jean Jacket: Levi's via consignment store
Earrings: Grocery Store (random, right?)
Dress: Thrifted Vintage
Scarf: Thrifted Vintage
Coat: Thrifted Vintage
Pin: Thrifted Vintage
Tights: Target
Shoes: Clarks
Beret: H&M

Stormy Weather

2010-03-03T20:32:00.004-05:00

I don't have much to write at all. Throughout day I felt like I had a sartorial case of split personality between when I was wearing this coat and when I took it off:) The effect of the outfit is quite different with and without it and (now that I'm really looking) the photos of each 'look' have their own quality as well.

Coat: Thrifted 60's Vintage
Dress: Thrifted 70's Vintage (Hemmed by Me)
Vintage Costume Jewelry Brooch: Gift
Scarf: Thrifted Vintage
Hat: Thrifted Vintage
Boots: Stonefly
Tights: Target
Earrings: Gift
Shirt: Bitten
Belt: Thrifted

Free to be the Girl Scout I am at Heart

2010-03-02T21:11:00.006-05:00

Do you remember the first time that you really felt free? I remember. I was on the back of a horse named Grey, galloping across a pasture, whipping past dogfennels three feet high. I was eleven years old. My feet were planted hard in the stirrups of the saddle and my hands held tight to his mane with the reins looped through my fingers. I remember feeling the wind against my cheeks and the sun on my face; I remember thinking that this must be what flying was like, that this must be what it feels like to break past fear into that quiet, joyful place at the center of your heart.

It sounds silly now, but for the longest time I was so afraid of what people thought of me. I was afraid to wear anything that made me stand out. I was afraid of looking foolish. Basically, I was afraid of walking through the world looking on the outside as I feel on the inside because I thought that wasn't what anyone wanted to see. Then one day, I realized that it didn't matter. It didn't matter if anyone laughed, it just didn't matter. Life is very short and precious and I couldn't keep putting off the moment when I would recapture that place in my heart because if I waited, it might never happen. And the truth is that most people don't laugh, actually many people compliment me on my outfits. And I'm still always surprised and flattered.

Dress: Thrifted Vintage 70's shirtdress
Trench: Thrifted Vintage London Fog
Beret: La France Vintage
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Scarf: Thrifted Vintage
Tights: Target
Earrings: Gift
Shoes: Born

What triggered all of this was editing these photos that I took of my outfit yesterday. Now that I look at them, I think I resemble a girl scout or Nancy Drew, but I like it. Three years ago, when I left graduate school, I wouldn't have dared wear this out of the house. My outfits aren't avante garde, in fact I think the only really strange thing about them is their formality. But they're an expression of who I am and when I wear them, I feel free to be myself and to make other, bigger choices in my life that also reflect who I am. Its not the same as galloping through a pasture of dogfennel, but it does feel pretty good to walk down the street proud of who I am.

The Lovely Leah

2010-02-28T20:20:00.009-05:00

I've been blogging for a little over a year now. Like many of you, I started this blog because I wanted to be a part of the online vintage and fashion community that I'd been following for quite a while. I think the most wonderful part of the whole experience is 'meeting' all of you, visiting your blogs and hearing back from you through your comments. I'm so inspired every day by reading your posts, seeing what fascinates you all and what your creativity produces, whether in outfits or in other endeavors.

One of the many bloggers who inspires me is Leah, a wedding and portrait photographer from Manila whose eponymous blog is always a highlight of my days. Fashion-wise, I look forward to seeing how she styles her signature colors: black and white. But Leah's posts are wonderful for reasons that go beyond clothes and personal style. Her posts are so upbeat, she's always smiling in her photos and her blog seems to radiate positivity, while at the same time displaying her fantastic sense of humor. Below the title of her blog on her banner is the saying: 'In love with life...in love with love..." I hear a lot of people saying things like this all the time, but I get the feeling Leah really lives it.

I recently asked Leah if I could ask her a few questions about blogging, photography and her personal style. I was thrilled that she agreed to participate.

1. Could you please describe your personal style? My style is based more on what I can wear given my imperfections. I love oversized clothings and I hate clingy outfits on me. I kinda have a non-existent waistline... I'm just too straight. Can you imagine a bamboo pole... that's how I describe my body. :-)

2. Why did you decide to start your blog? This blog was started because of my photography. Years ago, it was a very popular thing to have a blog for photographers. I joined that wave. But gradually, I've been talking about non-photography related stuff like fashion and my travels. My clients love it more. So now, it's just a fashion blog. I have a separate website to address the photography stuff. If in case you're interested, here is the link: www.studiolcalifornia.com

3. What do you enjoy most about blogging? One word: Friends. I enjoy meeting new friends and I love that I get to connect with all of you even if we are oceans away.

4. I know that since I began posting about a year ago, my style has changed a bit. Have you noticed any changes in your style since starting your blog? I noticed some changes but not about my style. I've been dressing like this for years... I don't want to say for decades for fear of divulging my age. Hahaha! What I noticed is I love my closet more. It's like having a new perspective... the clothes that I have not worn for years have been given a new life.

5. This is a silly question, but if you could have any one item of clothing right now -- Poof! It’s yours! – what would you choose? Just one item? If I could have my wish granted, I would love to own all the bags that I covet from Hermes to Balenciaga to Chanel. Honestly, given a choice between shoes and bags, I'll take the latter anytime.

6. I’m very interested in photography and lighting and was wondering about your career as a photographer. How did you decide to become a wedding and portrait photographer? I studied photography a decade ago. I just wanted to learn how to manipulate the camera . That was during the dawn of the digital age. Then, I was featured in one of the leading papers here in Manila as a photo hobbyist. Then, amazingly, people started calling me to do their portraits and weddings. So that was when I started to do it professionally.

7. For those of us who take our own photos, could you offer any words of advice? This is interesting... I say relax and don't take your pictures when you're tired or sad because it will show in the eyes or in the smile. You don't have to smile in the shoots (like I do all the time) but believe me even if you're not smiling, a happy inner self will radiate in the photos. No matter how fabulous the outfit is, a sad aura will dampen everything.

8. Okay, Last Question. You have such a positive and encouraging presence in the blogging community. Personally, I'm always really inspired by your posts and the comments that you leave (as I'm sure other people are too). Is this something that you've set out to do in blogging? Or is it just a part of your personality naturally coming through? I am naturally a happy person. What you see in my posts is really me, no pretensions at all.

Thanks Leah!

this is how I do black and white

2010-02-27T22:24:00.002-05:00

Today was a long, sleepy day filled with work, rain, snow and lots of coffee. I work every other weekend, and although I like the job and my co-workers, it can be hard to get up and out the door by 8:35 on a Saturday morning. Today it was particularly hard and when I went to get dressed, I immediately reached for something comfortable...a comfy sweater, flat leather boots and my new black skirt. It needed something though and I think these gold hoop earrings and a thrifted red scarf did the trick.

Boots: Stonefly
Tights: Target
Earrings: old gift
Scarf: Thrifted Vintage
Sweater: Thrifted J Crew
Skirt: Thrifted Elie Tahari
Trench Coat: Thrifted Vintage

This scarf is one of my favorites. Two years ago, my husband surprised me on my birthday with a mystery day out. We went to a little town about an hour away and visited a small niche museum dedicated to medieval art (which I really love) and then spent the rest of the day walking around the town and visiting its various thrift stores. I bought the scarf in a teeny tiny shop run by two very nice elderly ladies. No prices were marked and they didn't accept debit cards. I was all ready to hunt down an ATM, when my husband stopped us and asked how much it and a purse that I wanted were. To my surprise, the scarf was 25 cents and the purse one dollar! It all seemed rather silly at that point:)

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post, visited my new Etsy store and even (I was so delighted and grateful) hearted the store. Thanks everyone! I'll be listing more items, a little at a time starting tomorrow morning. Then its off to work again for me in the afternoon:)

Good night!

Etsy!

2010-02-25T23:40:00.003-05:00

Phew! I just spent several hours listing three items...but it was so exciting and worth it to finally see the shop go up. There are only three dresses listed as of tonight, but I have several more items that I plan to include in the next few days.

Thanks to everyone who's been so very encouraging about my little shop. I really do appreciate it more than you could ever know.

My shop is called Delightful Detours Vintage. Pop on over if you get a chance. Good night for now, I have to be up in six hours to get ready for work:)

(Oh and if anybody has any advice for me on this new endeavor, I would be more than happy to hear it:)

Blue with a Touch of Paisley

2010-02-24T14:31:00.004-05:00

Velvet Jacket: Anne Taylor via thrift store
Dress: Vintage via a church Thrift Store
Tights: Hue, Anthropologie Sale
Bracelets: Can't Remember
Hat: Forever 21
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Clarks

Earrings: Gift

I just wanted to thank everyone who wrote words of encouragement on my upcoming Etsy store. Hopefully, if everything goes according to plan, it'll be up and running by tomorrow evening. I'll let you know if everything goes according to plan:)

A Day Out and An Announcement

2010-02-21T14:46:00.006-05:00

Yesterday Dan and I decided to get out of the house and enjoy the relatively warm weather before we practiced the guitar together last evening. We just walked around one of the neighborhoods near where we live and visited a quirky used book store we like, but it was fun. Before walking out the door, I decided to take my camera along for the ride...and consequently you all too!

Dress: Thrifted Vintage
Earrings: Thrifted Vintage
Florida Novelty Scarf: Thrifted Vintage
Headband: American Apparel
Coat: Thrifted Vintage
Boots: Stonefly

Okay, so here's the announcement part: I've decided to open a small Etsy shop. I'm still working on it, but should be posting items soon. I've been thinking about doing this for a long time now, and have just gotten up the gumption to just do it. I'll post a link in the next few days when everything is ready. I guess its official now:)

Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes to my family and especially my grandfather. I really appreciate everything that you all wrote.

Shadow Play and Her Adventures with Light

2010-02-20T11:50:00.004-05:00

Scarf: Target
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Thrifted
Shirt: Thrifted Vintage
Purse: Thrifted Vintage
Shoes: Thrifted vintage
Cardigan: Anthropologie Sale

I've been looking for the perfect black skirt for so long. I just wanted a high-waisted, full skirt that's hem hit above the knee...and didn't realize how hard it would be to find one. It always eluded me. They didn't fit, the shape was all wrong, or they were too expensive. I've had no problem finding similar ones in patterns, but no plain black ones. Then on Thursday, I was in a local Goodwill. After spending about 45 minutes going through the racks upstairs, I went downstairs to the skirts and dresses. I usually look through the dresses first and got lucky this time, finding a 60's dress in good condition. Almost as an afterthought, I decided to check through the skirts...and there it was, with its tag still attached (it was originally $298 and I nabbed it for $4.95!).

In this outfit, I belted it below the waistband to make the waist higher. On other days, I can see myself wearing it a little lower without the belt. When I wore this to work yesterday, I was told that I looked (a) really like a librarian and (b) French. That last one made me smile because I'm not sure why this outfit would make me look French. When I looked at the pictures after taking them, I thought I looked like an amalgamation of different characters in The Spirit of the Beehive. Its so interesting how different reactions surface depending on who's looking.

I'm sorry for being such a bad blogger this week. I'm behind on posting and commenting. My grandfather is in the hospital and is very ill and I've spent a lot of this week talking to family members and thinking about the past and the future. I'm going to try to catch up today.

Clean Lines and a Coat Streak

2010-02-16T19:49:00.002-05:00

Okay, so first off, if I look like a flight attendant in this dress, you can tell me. I feel a bit like I'm wearing a very chic uniform:) If only it weren't 97% cotton life would be perfect! (I apologize for not taking pictures before the workday began...the wrinkles are a bit unsightly.) I've been really inspired lately by some of my fellow bloggers with styles very different from my own. MJ did a great post on working with Celine-esque clean lines today and after seeing that, I decided to try out a shirt dress that I just thrifted yesterday. My outfit isn't nearly as chic as hers, but I was pretty happy with how it all turned out.

Dress: The Limited via Savers
Vintage Purse: Church Sale
Earrings: Church Sale
Turtleneck: H&M
Boots: Stonefly
Tights: Target

Its funny that I found this dress now because I was just reading about shirt dresses in Sample: 100 Fashion Designers - 010 Curators a few days ago. The article featured examples of women from different decades wearing versions of the simple staple. My favorite was of Ali McGraw from the 70's wearing one with a turtleneck underneath. After reading the article, I found myself mentally scanning my closet to see if I had anything similar in it to re-create the look and coming up empty until my visit to Savers yesterday. The thing that I love most about this dress, besides the color and shape, are the French cuffs at the sleeves. One detail gives the garment a sophisticated feel.

Besides the shirt-dress, I also came away from Savers 50% off sale with three bags of goodies including other dresses, scarves, a sweater...and four coats! I've been on a mean coat streak lately and have been finding them with the shapes, colors and details that I've been thinking about for quite some time. The last two are from a co-worker. I feel a bit like a hoarder, but couldn't pass up the silhouettes that I've been dreaming about all winter. Has anyone else ever had that happen with one type of garment?

I hope everyone's week is going well so far!

Velvet Valentines

2010-02-14T21:33:00.003-05:00

Despite the 'holiday' today, I had to work this weekend. Even so, I decided to wear a Valentine's Day inspired outfit today composed of pink, ruffles, pearls and velvet...and my new Born shoes:) I didn't actually wear them to work, but swapped out my criss cross mary janes for these when it came time to take pics. I can't wait until its actually warm enough to really wear these babies.

Tights: Target
Velvet Skirt: Vintage
Purse: Thrifted Vintage
Headband: Vintage Dress Tie
Blouse: Thrifted Vintage Dress
Pearl Earrings: Giveaway Prize from Tea with the Vintage Baroness
Flower Brooch: 10,000 Villages
Cardigan: Anthropologies
Shoes: Born

I've never been one to swoon over grand gestures made one day of the year and have found in our marriage that its the small things that add up and make Dan and I appreciate one another more and more every day. So there weren't any candies or flowers this year, but he did have some iced cream sundaes and spoons out and Casablanca in the dvd player when I got home. We usually visit a revival theatre every year to see it on the big screen, but we decided to forgo the cold and the bus ride for the warmth of our living room. Plus, completely unexpectedly, Dan found out on Thursday that Nellie McKay, one of my favorite singers, was performing at a jazz bar near his work on Friday evening. So we went to a great burger joint (veggie for me:) beforehand, got coffee and then went up to the bar where I had my first Cosmopolitan! And oh boy, was it strong. In the words of Oskar Schell, Jose! We had a wonderful time and conveniently it happened to fall on this weekend...making it easier for us to rationalize spending the money on an evening out together:)

On a Green Streak

2010-02-13T23:13:00.004-05:00

I don't know what's been going on with me lately, but I've inadvertently been wearing a LOT of green:)

Dress: Thrifted vintage, Shirt: Target, Beret: La France Vintage, Scarf: Thrifted Vintage, Shoes: Born, Tights: Target, Belt: Thrifted, Earrings: very old (?), Coat: Thrifted Vintage

Dress: Thrifted Vintage, Scarf: Thrifted Vintage, Purse: Thrifted Vintage, Shoes: Thrifted Vintage, Belt: Thrifted, Tights: Target, Earrings: Thrifted Vintage

Okay, one last thing. Is it just me or do the animals on this tapestry bag look slightly possessed to anyone else? My friend Kasia and I decided today that they seem like either demonic boars or hounds from hell to us. Either way, the pattern makes it a pretty unique and interesting handbag as far as I'm concerned.

Inspiration: The Spirit of the Beehive

2010-02-11T20:37:00.010-05:00

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Have you ever seen a movie that just left you in awe; visually, emotionally, intellectually and even in an auditory way? I have a short list of films that inspired this reaction in me...Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc, Kieślowski's Red and The Double Life of Veronique, and F. W. Murnau's Faust are a few that easily come to mind. After first seeing each of these films, I instantly felt the urge to watch them again, to immerse myself in them, to read reviews and critical analysis in order to understand them (and my own reactions) in deeper ways. And every time I view each of these pictures, I feel like I've understood and appreciated more of the subtle nuances that make each of them so moving.

Yesterday afternoon I watched The Spirit of the Beehive for the second time. Its such an ambiguous, lovely film that deals with the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War by following one family, particularly the two very young daughters, in a small village. There aren't any grand political statements or images of dramatic violence. The film is more about isolation and subterranean emotional dismay in everyday life and the crossroads between innocence and the knowledge born of pain and difficult experience. Its hard to describe exactly what the movie is about in words...so I'll leave you with some images, while looking forward to the next time that I get to see it.

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Oh and its also sort of about Frankenstein:)

Fly Me to the Moon

2010-02-10T15:00:00.007-05:00

Its turned out to be such a dreary day. I found myself wearing the green tights that I bought a few weeks ago and adding this feather headband to my outfit over the course of the morning. I needed something a little extra to help me fly through the morning and afternoon. They and The Bird of Music by Au Revoir Simone have softened the day.

And now I'm off to curl up with my two fuzzy loves and watch The Spirit of the Beehive again.

Dress: Buffalo Exchange
Cardigan: Anthropologie Sale
Tights: American Apparel
Circle Pin: Antique Store
Feather Headband: Gift
Ring: Church Sale
Belt: Church Sale
Shoes: Clarks

Shoes! Shoes! Glorious Shoes!*

2010-02-09T20:06:00.017-05:00

Over the past two years, I've come to love shoes...especially vintage-inspired ones. I say that because, sadly for my vintage-loving self, I have big feet for a girl. When I say that, people invariably respond that I'm tall, they're proportional to my body, etc. and so on and so forth. I know that (and am comforted by the fact that Audrey Hepburn also sported size 10's and was still gamine and incredibly, unbelievably lovely) and over time have grown into and come to terms with my long, narrow feet.

Except when I go thrift shopping. For some reason, 8 1/2 seems to be the magic number in the places I visit. I very rarely find cool vintage shoes that fit me, so I usually haunt the Anthropologie super sales section (I'm -- probably futilely -- hoping that these will come down to a price within my range) and search out great vintage knock-offs.

That being said, when I do find vintage shoes that fit I always feel like I've hit the jackpot...kind of like the first time I went on a really successful thrifting expedition. I was sick in bed today, and don't think anybody wants to see photos of my over-sized pajamas, so I thought that I would share my small vintage shoe collection with all of you.

So without further delay...

(Most are thrifted, but the white perforated oxfords and tan cowboy boots I found on Etsy.)

I can't wait to break out those tan boots with short floral dresses and my shrunken leather jacket...or the blue and white spectators with shorts or skirts...or the sherbet rainbow Hushpuppies with just about anything. The gold heels are a little more tricky for me, but I'll figure something out eventually. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

And I'm also very excited to write that I just purchased the Born lovelies pictured below on Zappos this afternoon. They're not vintage, but they are incredibly adorable and I'm sure comfortable...and they've gone down in price since first appearing on the website. I guess there is something to be said for having big feet after all...the smaller sizes were gone by the time I decided to order them.

Does anyone else have an absolute favorite pair of vintage or thrifted shoes? If so, I'd love to hear about them.

*( P.S. If anyone caught the That 70's Show reference, well...its nice to share a little giggle with you.)

Are you there Spring? Its me, Kelley Anne.

2010-02-08T15:26:00.006-05:00

Skirt: Thrifted, Vintage
Shoes: I Heart Comfort
Tights: American Apparel
Cardigan: Thrifted Vintage
Pearl Necklace and Bracelet: Gifts

Inspiration: Clyde Butcher

2010-02-07T11:40:00.011-05:00

When I posted photos from my parents' farm after returning from Florida in December, I was really touched that so many of you took the time to comment on the pictures that I took and the farm in general. I never realized when I was growing up that my siblings and I were fortunate to spend so many years of our childhoods there. That's probably because I really wanted to leave, to move to a city where (I was convinced) the things I wanted to do and the person I thought I wanted to be were more accessible. There were also other reasons that I wanted to move away from Florida and I think they kept me from really being interested in my home state.

Now, when I tell people that I'm from Florida, they talk about beaches and palm trees and Disney. Its always a little strange to me, because the Florida I know and grew up seeing and hearing about is composed of marshes, agricultural land, and cattle ranches, in addition to suburbs and strip malls. Since I came home two months ago, I've been thinking about the varied history and various identities of Florida. Depending on where you are within the state and who you are, the culture and surroundings can be shockingly different. I know this could be said of any place, but I think its more acute there....and am still trying to figure out how and why.

Anyway, this post is obviously not related to fashion, but it is to inspiration. My father is interested in photography and has been for years. To be honest, he's the reason why I ever thought to pick up a camera in the first place. A few years ago, he introduced me to the work of one of his favorite photographers, Clyde Butcher. Butcher is an artist who works with a large format camera in the Everglades (among other locations across the country). When I imagine Florida, I always think of him.

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(These small pics really don't do justice to his gorgeous, almost epic large format photos. If you're interested, you should really check out his website.)

I'm not sure if I've ever explicitly written about this here, but I love trees. I grew up playing and riding underneath and amongst very old, twisted oaks, cypresses, towering pines and citrus groves. This is one of the many reasons why I'm drawn to his work. I find trees to be elegant, majestic, mysterious and am always moved when I'm amongst them. When I draw and paint, I often find myself either mimicking the texture of various trees or just creating images of them. When I take photographs on our vacations, I come home with a memory card or roll of film half filled with trees. I even think that they inspire my fashion choices, but in a less than obvious way that I can't really explain.

I'm not sure if this makes any sense at all, but I wanted to share something that I love and associate with my home with all of you. The other day Indigo wrote an inspiration post about some of her fellow bloggers (thanks for including me Indigo, you have no idea how excited I was!). She wrote that she admires when a blog "goes beyond the clothes that they wear....shows slices of these bloggers' diverse lives, interesting fragments of their personality." Anyway, I was inspired by Indigo's post to share something about myself that goes beyond my love of fashion and thrifting.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Decadent Deliciousness

2010-02-05T22:19:00.002-05:00

As some of you may know, I've been searching high and low for the perfect leopard print faux fur coat for the past few months. I thrifted a very elegant capelet back in October, but have been yearning to find a longer faux fur as well. Yesterday I hadn't even thought about visiting some of my usual haunts when I set out for the day, but I'm so glad that I did catch the bus home that goes past my favorite thrift store.

Whenever I visit this particular store, I usually make a pass by the coats first thing, then head towards the dress aisle before perusing separates and shoes, and finally repeating the entire circuit (they're always putting out new stuff). I was on my last lap through the coats and purses when I happened to spot the fabric and decided not to get too excited until after seeing the price, shape, size and condition of the outer material and the lining. All I can say is that I got lucky and fell in love as soon as I put it on.

The only words that I can use to describe this beauty are decadent and delicious. Its so soft and was obviously barely worn by the previous owner.

I could go on and on about the coat, but I won't bore you:) It felt like a good day for wearing black, what with the new outerwear and all, so I paired it with one of my favorite and oldest vintage dresses. Its a wool 6o's number (I'm pretty sure) with felt details around the neckline and sleeves. One of our roommates told me that I looked ripe to lead a cult...hence the following photo (the pose displays the sleeve shape well too). I'm all blissed out, so to speak.

Earrings: Gift
Coat: Thrifted
Dress: Vintage
Tights: Target
Boots: Stonefly
Purse: Thrifted
Undershirt: Target

I thrifted the purse on the same day and really, really like that too. I'm always on the lookout for lady-like structured handbags and little purses that strap across the body. This one sort of fits into both categories...its a bit slouchy, but also has a nice shape, great texture and I'm kind of enamored with the little hardware detail on the clasp.

I'm not working this weekend, so maybe between the guitar practice sessions (yay!) I'll do a finds post. I've had some great luck lately and am now really excited for spring and summer. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Lady-Like Guitar Player

2010-02-04T09:05:00.007-05:00

Last night I had my first guitar lesson! I was so nervous before our instructor (really a household friend and one of Dan's former co-workers) arrived. Dan went first and then I had my hour-long lesson. It was great. I really enjoyed learning about notes and chords and triads and scales...I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy learning. And he was so patient and kind about the fact that I know absolutely nothing. At the end of the lesson, I said that I'd always wanted to learn to play an instrument and appreciated him agreeing to teach us. He looked at me and said, well now you play the guitar. I can't wait to get home this afternoon and practice. Its nice to have something with no expectations attached to it but my own; something that I can learn and have fun with.

Anyway, for the past two days, I've continued working with separates...items that I didn't think went together at first glance. I'm starting to experiment a little bit with mixing textures and patterns and felt very lady-like and put together, which is a good feeling for me whether I'm at work or not. Oh and I wore the earthy floral outfit the day of my lesson and the tweedy skirt to work the day before.

Skirt: Thrifted Vintage, Shirt: Vintage, Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft Sale, Tie: Target, Shoes: Blowfish, Tights: Target

Sweater/shirt: Anthropologie, Skirt: Vintage, Shoes: Born, Tights: Target, Earrings: Gift, Necklace: Antique

Its silly, but I kind of felt like Sophia Loren in the second outfit. The high-waisted simple skirt, gold hoop earrings and sweater with all of the draping around the bust probably did it. A few years ago, my brother bought my parents Life Magazine issues from the year and months of their births. When I was home for the holiday in December, I flipped through one of them and came across an editorial about her before she was a big star...this outfit has a feeling similar (in my mind at least) to the ones that she wore.

Not a bad feeling, not a bad feeling at all:)

Her Roses Were Red, Her Violets Were Blue and Her Hair Was a Crown of Braids

2010-02-01T21:51:00.003-05:00

I spent the weekend working and then coming home to clean out my closet and chest of drawers (now begins the task of going through all of the items intended for donation:). Whilst doing so, I realized how many dresses I really do own...yet this morning when it came to deciding what to wear, I didn't have a clue or much time. Isn't it funny how that can happen sometimes?

I've really been dying to wear this recently-thrifted angora-blend sweater since I found it last week and ultimately decided to pair it with the most vibrant blue dress I own. I love the shoulder pads and the detailing around the bust (which you can't see under the sweater) and the pattern is so bright and cheerful. Despite my affection for the dress, I realized after looking at the pictures from tonight that its just too long for me now and raised the hem three or four inches. Unfortunately, I was way too lazy to re-take the pics, so here it is pre-hemming.

Pin: Vintage Costume Jewelry, Church Thrift Sale
Blue Glass Ring: Florentine Shop
Earrings: Church Thrift Sale
Dress: Thrifted Vintage
Spoon Bracelet: Gift
Sweater: Thrifted
Tights: Target
Shoes: Blowfish

I hope everyone else had a nice weekend. Thanks also for all of the supportive comments on my last post. I really appreciated everything that you wrote.

Open Minds and Bow Ties

2010-01-29T21:15:00.008-05:00

Over the past few days, I've been playing around with a silhouette that's new to me and also with separates. Basically shorter skirts, flat shoes, blouses and sweaters...actually, that doesn't sound so interesting now that I've written it out:) Its so easy for me to throw on a vintage dress and heels because (a) I've collected so many of them and (b) its an easy way to dress without too much worrying. Oh and (c) I love vintage dresses so much:) This felt right this week though, and gave me an excuse to wear the vintage yellow sweater vest that I thrifted in Florida.

I was quite happy with both outfits, but was thrown for a little loop the day that I wore the first one. I'd gone into our city center and stopped at a coffee shop for some tea. When I took my coat off, the girl who works there looked square at my outfit and barely suppressed a sarcastic little laugh. My first thought was, ' that was really mean.' And then my second was to feel sorry for her for being so narrow-minded. There are so many possibilities out there and such limited time to explore, why try to belittle someone else for making their own choice? Choosing their own little adventure?

Outfit #1: Vest: Thrifted Vintage, Skirt: Thrifted Vintage, Belt: Thrifted, Blouse: Thrifted Vintage, Tie: Vintage Dress Tie, Boots: Stonefly, Tights: Target

Outfit #2: Sweater: Hand-Me-Down, Pin: Antique, Blouse: Thrifted, Belt: TJ Maxx, Skirt:Anthropologie Sale, Tights: Target, Shoes: Thrifted Oleg Cassinis

Over the past few years that I've really started to expand my vintage collection, I've realized two things. The first is that nobody has an inherent ability to pull vintage off. When I talk to people about vintage clothing, they often say that they don't think they can do it...not that they don't like it or wouldn't want to experiment, but that they don't think they can pull it off. I remember saying that to myself...and having other people criticize the way I dressed when I first started to explore. Really, its about choosing what you like, being comfortable in what you like and knowing what suits you...In my experience, everyone else has either accepted it as a part of who I am or they act like the fashion snob at my local cafe.

The second thing that I've come to understand is that fashion, more specifically choosing garments and the act of dressing, is a way of communicating, a language without words but instead filled with textures and colors and associations nonetheless. The wonderful thing about fashion is that we don't all have to speak the same language (i.e. sport the same styles), but we can all appreciate that everyone else is trying to say something about themselves. That's why I don't think its trite or frivolous or vain to care about clothes. They say something about the person in them.

And that brings me back to the tea and the girl. Its really too bad for her, not because I think she should dress like I do or even like my style, but because she's missing out on a bigger picture of interest in the world and the people around her.

And honestly, she's not going to encourage repeat customers behaving like that:)

Now this Crush is Crushing

2010-01-27T22:11:00.020-05:00

There aren't many instances where I have a real and true style crush on an actor or singer. Don't get me wrong, I admire the styles of many people, men and women. But the thing is, most times people who are in the public eye (and I'm sure this is no big shocker to anyone) have stylists and personal shoppers and all that jazz, so even though I may admire his/her work, I'm just not that interested in what they wear because I either assume its a costume of sorts, or it fits into a style that really doesn't suit me. For example, I'm sure Rhianna looks amazing in liquid leggings, but I can't really see myself wearing them.

Two big exceptions to this are Tracyanne Campbell and Carey Lander: the ladies of Camera Obscura. I have to admit that I love their styles because I can easily see myself wearing any of their vintage dresses. But its also something more than that. It looks like they really wear these dresses, like its not a uniform or a costume, but their regular clothes...and frankly I like that. Vintage can be tricky, sometimes it can feel like the dress is wearing you, especially if one is not comfortable looking a little unusual. These ladies are sporting their dresses on stage...whilst playing instruments and, to me, there's something so inherently cool about that. They also wear the dresses so simply with few other accessories, and despite my new challenge to myself to incorporate more colors and accessories, I really love the look of an interesting thrifted dress with little else to distract from it--especially in the summer.

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Maybe its just that I'll be starting guitar lessons fairly soon and it helps me to imagine myself rocking out:) Or maybe its that I love the idea of incorporating old clothing and accessories into my everyday outfits, into my life--making beautiful things normal, but at the same time making the everyday incredibly special through the garments in which I choose to clothe myself.

Quite possibly its a little of both.

Either way, the band is one of my favorites. Besides their (in my opinion) cool sartorial choices, the music is also incredible. The lyrics are smart, interesting and complicated and they're surrounded by a distinct, swelling 60's sound--especially on the last album My Maudlin Career. I'd actually started listening to Camera Obscura through my brother several years ago and didn't know about Tracyanne Campbell and Carey Lander's styles until my brother commented last year that one of my dresses looked like something they would wear.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I'll leave you with one last thought that fits into everyone's recent wishes for an end to winter. As PJ wrote at The Yellow Stereo "It’s almost as if Spring is already here, as listening to anything from this group is almost like having a little bit of sunshine in the palm of your hand. I dare you to listen to them and not at least feel as if your day hasn’t been brightened even slighty."

Enough said.

...and I shift into neutrals...

2010-01-26T21:08:00.006-05:00

I'm not sure if its the rainy, windy, cool weather outside or the rumpled, muddy conditions that this is creating, but I have been in the distinct mood for neutrals over the past few days. First yesterday I decided to forgo a long pleated purple, pink, red and black Tartan skirt in favor of black and brown florals with a gray skirt.

Dress: Thrifted, Cardigan: Anthropologie Sale, Hat: H&M, Belt: Thrifted, Skirt: Thrifted, Stockings: Target, Shoes: Payless, Coin Necklace: Gift

Then today, I chose a recently thrifted brown vintage dress. I have to say that its a great dress though. I don't know if this would make sense to anyone but me, but I feel like Mary Tyler Moore in it. Granted, its been a long time since I've watched the show. The turtleneck makes it a bit conservative, but the clinging fabric, close fit on top and swinging skirt give it a flirty feeling. I love the way this dress moves. But more than that, I love the fact that its such a great palette for building a look with accessories. I am such a sucker for crazy patterns and all sorts of color combinations, but its always nice to have a few neutral dresses in one's wardrobe as well. Oh and I finally wore the new swing coat! Yay, I love the way this moves and drapes too.

Dress: Thrifted Vintage, Coat: Vintage, Belt: Thrifted, Tights: American Apparel, Shoes: Blowfish, Necklace: Gift, Bracelet: can't remember

Irene Adler Made Me Do It...

2010-01-24T19:22:00.003-05:00

Friday night we went to see Sherlock Holmes with some friends. I grew up watching the BBC version with Jeremy Brett and reading the collected volumes of stories and was a bit skeptical when I first saw the previews online. But I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Guy Ritchie's version for the action-packed thrill ride that it was. I was also quite taken with Irene Adler's costumes and distinctly remember the moment when I thought to myself, I must find a way to wear my vest tomorrow. I found this piece on deep discount at J Crew a few years ago and really love it. Being me, I had to add lots of vintage pieces and color...so its a bit quirky and I kind of felt like a circus clown when I looked back through the photos. But I did get to wear my felt cloche hat and thrifted black swing coat, so ultimately it was all worth it.

Today, I felt a bit more tropical...well, you'll see...

Hat: La France Vintage, Swing Coat: Thrifted, Pin: Gift, Vest: JCrew Sale, Blouse: Vintage, Belt: Church Thrift Sale, Skirt: Thrifted, Purse: Thrifted, Tights: Target, Shoes: Born

Trench: Thrifted, Scarf: Flea Market, Shoes & Tights: Target, Pin: Gift, Shirt: Target, Dress: Vintage, Ring: Church Thrift Sale

...oh and I was listening to Springtime Can Kill You by Jolie Holland when I started taking photos. I forgot my earplugs were in:) Its one of my favorite albums. I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend!

Oh. My. Goodness.

2010-01-23T19:45:00.009-05:00

Oh! My! Goodness! I just wanted to thank several bloggers who have very generously nominated my blog for awards lately. I feel so lucky to have the vintage/fashion blogging community. Everyone is so supportive and wonderful and being part of it has been such a great opportunity for me to meet other people with similar interests from all over the world. I really appreciate everyone who visits, comments and/or follows.

Thanks to Quincy of Q's Daydream for the Over The Top Award! (She has the most wonderful vintage style and Etsy shop if anyone hasn't visited yet.)

Thanks also to the very generous Ines of Cinnamon Eve for the following awards. I've admired her style (along with many others) so much and was so flattered that she would pass these along to me.

Thanks Amelia of Amelia is... for this award. If you haven't visited Amelia's blog yet, please do. I really admire that she creates all of the images on her site and that she takes the time to post every day. Its one of my daily must-views.

And finally to Kirsty of Giggly-Cupcake. Kirsty is such a sweetheart and her posts have an infectious quality to them that makes me happy whenever I read them.

I'm so bad for having waited to do this, I apologize to the people who thoughtfully mentioned me. There are various rules that go along with all of these, but I thought that I would just post seven random things about me as I was also tagged by Rebecca of Cubic Dreams to do a Random 7. So here goes...
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1. When I was home last, my sister told me that when I really, truly smile, I still look like I did when I was a little girl.

2. I love Agatha Christie novels. I actually find the similarities in the plots and mysteries, and even the characters, comforting. We have a growing collection of them found in used book stores.

3. I also really love the smell of old books. I know now that this smell is really the mold in the pages spreading through them and ultimately destroying them, but I can't help it. They remind me of the playroom/dressing room where my grandparents kept lots of interesting things when I was growing up, including paperbacks from the 60's and 70's.

4. I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self not to worry so much about all the boys and men who broke my heart because one day a man would come along whose love would make me want to throw a ticker tape parade in our honor every day of our life together.

5. I've come to realize lately that my memory is triggered by smells and tactile experiences. My husband remembers everything, and can recall facts or events in chronological order. My mind resembles an old attic filled with random objects. I secretly like this about myself, but I'm not sure why.

6. If I were a fictional character, I would love, love, love to be Miss Marple, but I think more realistically I would be closer to Annie Hall...a little kooky, silly, not completely sure of herself and with a sense of style that tended towards the unconventional.

7. I've always liked my rooms to resemble old museums where the art on the walls climbs towards the ceiling, layered, instead of one right next to the other. I love the idea of order, but a lack of clutter might just drive me batty.

Thanks everybody! I'd like to pass on the Random 7 to Pemora of Urban Rhetoric, Hannah Sadie of Rethink, Gloria of Alla Cuelga MI Vestido, Anne of A Cup Full of Sunshine, Melly of Green Laundry, Sabrina of Slovly and MJ of dreaming spires and old car tyres.

Thanks ladies!

It all began when I was a girl...

2010-01-22T23:28:00.004-05:00

This entire outfit centered around two items that I've been dying to wear lately, but haven't been sure how to sport. First are the earrings. When I was a girl, probably about 10 or 11 years old, my mother bought me these earrings. I thought that they were the most beautiful earrings that I'd ever seen. They reminded me of the early Victorian era, which I was then romanticizing after reading a biography of Queen Victoria (I know, I'm dying to see The Young Victoria!). My parents have a few pictures of me wearing them over the years on special occasions, but I never knew how to incorporate them regularly...they seemed too elegant for my everyday life. Still, I saved them and there they've sat in my jewelry box for years, treasured.

The second item is a hand-knitted, vintage Scottish sweater that I found in a church thrift store with the tags still attached. I'd seen it various times, but wasn't willing to pay the $10.00 price tag (I've become so cheap!). The last time that I visited, it was marked down to three dollars, so I decided to bring it home with me. For someone who thinks she has an aversion to pink, I've realized lately that there's a lot of it in my wardrobe...the earrings and sweater included. Well, today those earrings came out of the box and paired well with my new light pink sweater.

Skirt: 70's Vintage
Beret: La France Vintage
Sweater: Vintage, Church Thrift Sale
Purse: Thrifted Vintage, Savers
Shoes: I Love Comfort, Sears
Tights: American Apparel
Ring: Thrifted, Goodwill
Coat: 70's Vintage
Earrings: Gift

This cream coat is one of the two that I bought yesterday. I'd planned to wear the mauve swing coat with this outfit, but decided upon dressing that the effect was a little too precious overall for my taste. The coat makes me feel like a snuggly bunny; its so warm! I love the way the collar drapes down the back--it sort of has a sailor-ish feeling, don't you think?

Does anyone else have a piece of jewelry that they've treasured since childhood? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

His Girl Friday

2010-01-21T18:19:00.007-05:00

Photo Credit

After an appointment in the city today, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and walk around the neighborhood I was in to try to find a thrift store I'd heard about. Alas, I was unlucky in that pursuit, but instead kept walking in the direction of a vintage store that I visit a few times a year. I got very lucky today and found the prettiest mauve 50's swing coat that I plan to wear something like this (thanks for the inspiration Lauren) and a 70's coat that I'm not really sure how to describe yet except that its pretty awesome and unlike anything I own.

Then I went to visit my husband's work so that we could take the bus home together. The ladies in his office were curious about what I bought, so we had show and tell moment and I encouraged them to visit the store. During the conversation, one of his co-workers and I decided that my outfit today could best be described as 50's secretary or his-girl-friday, which I love because I absolutely adored the movie His Girl Friday! Between that and the sales clerk telling me that I was the best dressed customer to come in today (according to him and his colleagues), those two just about made my day.

Coat: Thrifted Vintage, Savers
Skirt: Thrifted Vintage, Savers
Blouse: Thrifted Vintage, Church Fair
Tapestry Purse: Florida Thrift Store
70's Sweater: Hand-Me-Down
Belt: Thrifted, Church Fair
Tights: American Apparel
Pin: Thrifted, Savers
Shoes: Clarks

Does anyone else have a special movie that inspires them to put together outfits?

Before I sign off for the night, I'd like to thank Jayne from Plain Jayne for including me in her most recent Bloggers of the Week post. I so admire the styles of the ladies that she's featured so far (in addition to her own) and am very, very flattered. Thanks Jayne!

The Technicolor Rainbow

2010-01-18T20:32:00.011-05:00

I don't know if I've mentioned it, but over the past few weeks I've come to the decision that I'm going to make a conscientious effort to incorporate more of my accessories into my daily wardrobe. I guess this is one of my less weighty resolutions for the new year. I'm such a sucker for colorful brooches, hats, belts, scarves and purses and regularly pick them up in vintage and thrift stores. After reading a post on wearing color in a winter wardrobe over at Mamushka Marie, I decided to really go for it today and use some pieces that I haven't worn much recently. I played with the scarf throughout the day and moved it around quite a bit, but here's what I came up with...

Purse: Thrifted, Urban Renewals
Dress: Vintage, Buffalo Exchange
Scarf: Vintage, Church Thrift Store
Belt: Vintage, Church Thrift Sale
Earrings: Thrifted, Savers
Brooch: Thrifted, Savers
Shoes: Blowfish
Tights: Target
Shirt: Target

Oh and although I still haven't gotten to West Side Story, I did go to a matinee of La Dolce Vita with a friend today. We both found it visually and intellectually interesting and I'm glad to have finally seen it, but we also thought that it was draining. I'm not sure what we expected:) Has anyone else seen it? If so, I'd like to hear what you thought.

For the Love of Trees

2010-01-16T21:05:00.000-05:00

This was how I spent half of my lunch break today at work. Out among the trees, enjoying the warmish weather and my camera.

And this is what I wore:)

Sweater: Thrifted Brooks Brothers, Urban Renewals
Bracelets: Thrifted, Church Fair
Dress: Vintage, Viva Vintage
Headband: American Apparel
Earrings: Thrifted, Savers
Tights: Target
Oxfords: Born

I hope everyone else is having a wonderful weekend!

Oh My Cat Eye!

2010-01-15T18:47:00.000-05:00

For years, I've been pining for a pair of cat eye prescription glasses. I've never worn contacts and have always really liked the way I look wearing my specs in addition to relishing the opportunities I've had to pick out a new pair. But for years, I was also way too painfully self conscious and worried about looking odd to even try on a retro-inspired pair. Then, the last time I visited the optometrist, he asked me what I had in mind. After getting up the gumption to ask after cat eyes, he informed me (to my displeasure) that they wouldn't suit me and I needed to be a bit more punk to pull it off. Well, obviously he didn't realize that my style purposefully hearkens back to that of my various great aunts. Silly man.

Despite my doctor's advice, I've kept my eyes peeled for the perfect vintage or retro style glasses. Well, today one of my co-workers brought Fabulous Fanny's to my attention and I couldn't be happier about it. As they say on the site "If you have to wear them, make it fun..."

Here are some of my favorites; honestly, I wish I could buy every pair!

...and my favorite pair of all. Despite all of my courage, I don't know if I would be able to pull off these blue butterfly stunners, but it would definitely be worth a try!

Its wonderful, you can browse sunglasses, vintage women's and men's eye wear, antiques and even order custom pairs. I definitely know where I'm going the next time I need new glasses.

Finding You in the Dark

2010-01-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

I don't have much to write tonight besides the fact that I've been thrifting twice in the past few days and came home with lots of goodies. I'd noticed a serious dearth of vintage last month in my local thrift stores, so I decided to cool my heels on those fronts and check out more vintage stores. Fortunately for me, on my first visits back this week, the situation had changed. I think I'm going to do a finds post over the weekend...its been a while since I've done one of those.

Thanks to everyone who wished us a happy six year 'dating' anniversary! It was wonderful...full of miso soup, curry and coconut milk, brown rice and veggies, seitain, sesame seeds sweet and sour sauce and fried gluten. Mmm....I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it. Unfortunately we didn't get to West Side Story (Clint Eastwood's magnetic appeal won the day:), so that's being saved for tomorrow evening.

Dress: Thrifted Vintage, Urban Renewals
Sweater: Thrifted Abercrombie and Fitch, Savers
Pin: Thrifted and Reconstructed by me
Earrings: Gift from mom
Tights: American Apparel
Belt: Thrifted, Savers
Shoes: Blowfish

I'm sorry for posting boring basement shots again, but its so very cold outside and my blood is thin. I've been trying to mix it up a bit by playing with the shadows and light down there to make up for the monotony.

Hanging out in the Shadows

2010-01-13T11:15:00.000-05:00

If there's one good thing I can say about winter (besides walking in the first snowfall with my husband), it does inspire me to layer in different ways so that I can wear my lovely vintage dresses year-round. Sometimes in summer its so easy to just throw on a dress and sandals...come to think of it, that sounds pretty nice right now:)

Today is the six year anniversary of when my husband and I started dating. He's so good about remembering dates, while this one sneaks up on me every year. He even buys me a gift; this year it was a beautiful photo book of the Versailles gardens that I found when we wandered through a used book store last week.

Sweater: Thrifted Jil Sander, GoodWill
Dress: Thrifted Vintage, Savers
Tights: American Apparel
Hat: La France Vintage
Shoes: Blowfish
Brooch: Gift
Belt: Target

We're getting takeout from one of the best Asian vegetarian restaurants in the city tonight and then we're going to sit in bed with the dog and watch old movies together. I think I'm going to choose West Side Story (never seen it before) and he's going to pick a Clint Eastwood picture...kind of a twisted double feature, but its ours.

Thanks for all of the beautiful comments lately. As Katherine Hepburn says as Ms. Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story: "I'm beholden, Most beholden to you!"

Good Prints Always Have a Part to Play & Something to Say

2010-01-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

Dress: Buffalo Exchange, Hat: Target, Brooch: Savers, Shirt: Target, Jeans: Hand-Me-Down,
Shoes: NineWest Via GoodWill

Dress: Vintage Bloomingdales via Savers, Shirt: H&M, Scarf: Savers, Earrings: Savers, Shoes: Born,
Tights: Target, Cardigan: DKNY via Savers

Out of Sorts

2010-01-09T23:45:00.000-05:00

I have been in such a funk the past few days and just feel out of sorts in general. Its not necessarily a bad thing, and only happens once in a while. Lately when I get this feeling, I'll often read the prose poetry of Zbigniew Herbert. I was in a book store six or seven months ago and happened to randomly pick up his collected poems when browsing the shelves. I'm not sure how to describe them, except to say that they tend to come at themes like love, liberty and romanticism from a different angle and present imagery that somehow feels raw and ambiguous to me, as well as sometimes being whimsical--most definitely off-beat. I'm not going to fumble around with more descriptions, but instead leave you with some examples that particularly struck me tonight...and made my sorts feel less out of place.

--------

ARMCHAIRS

"Who ever thought a warm neck would become an armrest, or legs eager for flight and joy could stiffen into four simple stilts? Armchairs were once noble flower-eating creatures. However, they allowed themselves too easily to be domesticated and today they are the most wretched species of quadrupeds. They have lost all their stubbornness and courage. They are only meek. They haven't trampled anyone or galloped off with anyone. They are, for certain, conscious of a wasted life.

The despair of armchairs is revealed in their creaking."

BOTANICAL GARDEN

"It's a boardinghouse for plants, run very strictly like a convent school. Grasses, trees, and flowers grow decently without any vegetational extravagance, shunning forbidden intimacies with bumblebees. They are continually embarrassed by their own Latin dignity and by the fact that they have to serve as examples. Even roses keep their lips sealed. They dream of the herbarium.

Elderly folks come here with books and doze off under the sluggish ticking of sundials."

-Quoted from Zbigniew Herbert, The Collected Poems 1956-1998 (2007), p. 217 and 143

The Best of Me

2010-01-07T20:02:00.000-05:00

Here is another one of the dresses that I found on my thrifting and vintage adventures in Florida. When I saw the print on this dress, I really hoped that it would fit and was so happy that it did. The print reminds me of depictions of trees in fanciful illustrations. I love crazy prints and feel like the mix of black, brown and white in this one equals a neutral on which I can layer accessories and jackets of different colors.

I paired it with a jean jacket that I found a few months ago on sale at Anthropologie, a vintage beret and my orange scarf. I've been listening to a book on tape called Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood lately. It describes how the stories of the five Academy Award nominees for best picture in 1967 exemplify the revolutionary changes in the film industry at the end of the 1960's. Its so interesting, both to find out about the cultural changes that affected the motion picture industry and to learn more about how movies are made. One of the movies is Bonnie and Clyde, and I've definitely been feeling the Fay Dunaway influence (as you can see below)!

(Source)

Pin: Gift
Dress: Vintage
Scarf: Vintage
Boots: Stonefly
Tights: Target
Jacket: Anthro
Beret: La France Vintage

This dress is one of my favorite finds of 2009. I think it actually brought me luck today, as I found three vintage dresses, a cute sweater and pair of shoes when visiting some new-to-me thrift and vintage stores. Maybe I'm a little kooky, but more often than not, if I'm wearing the right outfit (usually vintage) I feel like the best version of myself, more confident, more open to opportunities and on those days things go better. A strange sort of superstition, but its mine:) Does anyone else ever feel that way?

A Floridian Christmas

2010-01-02T12:16:00.001-05:00

I'm laid up in bed today with another cold, not able to do much, so I thought I'd post some of the pictures from my trip home to Florida for Christmas. I realized three things when I looked back through them: (1) even though my parents live on a 'horse farm,' I took no images of the horses there, (2) that my mom and dad have a lot of cats , many of which don't appear in these shots, and (3) I completely failed to take advantage of the background for outfit shots.

Oh well, it was nice to take a break and hang out with my family and the cats and sheep for a few days:)

Dreaming of Dirndls

2009-12-31T14:06:00.000-05:00

When I was in Florida last week, my mother suggested that she, my sister and I visit some local thrift and vintage stores. I think this was mostly for my benefit, and I very much appreciated it. There are so many little places to discover there, as well as the large, well-known stores, selling everything from 'antiques' to costume jewelry and vintage clothes. Needless to say, it was wonderful, both to spend time with them and to explore together.

I returned home at the beginning of this week with many finds, but the best of the bunch had to be my dirndl. Ever since Rebecca over at The Clothes Horse started wearing hers, I've had them in the back of my mind, always secretly hoping to see one hanging on the racks of my local thrift stores. When we went into the first store last Tuesday, I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted one not five minutes after we'd walked through the door. I wasn't sure how I was going to wear it without feeling like I was in costume, so I paired it with my short purple sweater and butterfly pin. I feel so lucky that it fits and love the embroidery along the hem and bust.

Shirt: Target
Sweater: Anthro
Dirndl: Thrifted Vintage
Headband: Steve and Barry's
Pin & Ring: Gifts
Tights: Target
Shoes: Clark's

I'm so happy to be back blogging! Thanks so much for your many comments on my last post and I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve.

Sisters in the Snow

2009-12-20T17:35:00.000-05:00

It snowed all last night and through most of today. It was really exciting for my sister, who lives in Florida, to experience the winter wonderland outside. We spent most of the day sitting around the house, watching movies and hanging out, reading and drinking hot chocolate...but together, which was nice since we only see each other a few times a year. And then we went outside to play in the snow and take pictures.

I've had this sweater for several years and it's a staple of my wardrobe year round. At one of my jobs, the temperature is kept in the 50's all year, so I've taken to carrying my oatmeal-colored, wool sweater with me there. The scarf is a new find from yesterday, and has very quickly become a favorite. Kate and I took the bus to the next town over and spent the day shopping, perusing a really amazing used book store that I recently discovered, visiting one of my most beloved vintage stores, and chatting for hours over tea at a local cafe. It was a wonderful day.

Tomorrow we leave for Florida and I still need to pack...and spend a few more hours tonight watching movies with two of my favorite people in the world. I'll be back in a week; I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Scarf: Vintage
T-shirt: Hanes
Skirt: Thrifted
Booties: Target
Sweater: Thrifted
Brooch: Thrifted
Belt: Thrifted
Hat: H&M