kenny's radical birthday shindig 2012

This weekend, Corban and I attended a birthday party for one of my oldest friends, the amazingly fun and intelligent Ken. You should read his blog. It will make your head spin.







The party was one of those beautifully rare nights when a hodgepodge of gloriously fun, open, quirky people come together in perfect social harmony. I'm so happy that I have friends (old and new) who are so fiercely talented and generous enough to accept the "cup" as my musical contribution. You may remember a day last July when I attempted to be awesome by playing a cup and singing in front of my computer. Well, that song has turned out to be quite the party trick.

outfit: spring interview

I've done a lot of job searching in my life (I started working the day I turned 16, independent little go-getter that I was), so I've got the interview outfit down pat. Mostly, I stick with a rotation of 3 LBDs, which I dress up or down depending on the place. I wanted to share my take on a conservative interview outfit from last week.







occasion: job interview / dress: Target (last worn) / cardigan: Gap (last worn)  / tights: Gap (last worn) / socks: New York & Co (last worn) / shoes: Nine West (last worn) / earrings: InPink / purse: thrifted Louis Vuitton (last worn)

The interview was for a position at a local family-run coffee shop/music and art venue, so I went for a sort of updated scullery maid look. Kind of the opposite side of the Downton Abby trend, I guess you could say. We'll see if it catches on.

(ps - The interview didn't work out, but never fear! I trust that the right fit will come along soon.)

outfit: swap skirt

It's amazing how much I miss my beloved little blog after only a few days away from it. Unfortunately, life, as we all know, has its ways of mucking things up from time to time. But, I'm back now and ready to share some fun new outfits.

This beautiful vintage skirt is my other swap item from the TxSC Swap.com party (I posted about the first here.) It was brought in by the lovely and talented Jen of Jen Loves Kev. We must be the exact same size, because this skirt fits perfectly. I didn't even try it on until the day I wore it, I just picked it up and knew that it was for me. Thanks, Jen!!!






occasion: working / shirt: thrifted / skirt: swapped vintage / boots: Madden Girl / necklace: Frocks / watch: Michael Kors / bracelet: Privileged / purse: thrifted vintage Gucci

I'm seriously in love with this new-to-me bag. It's a bit ancient and needs a little TLC, but I sort of believe that it is my inanimate soul mate. Corban and I came up with a great story chronicling it's previous life: maybe it came from the closet of a wife and mother of three. They didn't have a lot of money, and she never got the luxuries her husband always wanted to give her. They both worked hard and sacrificed to give their children good lives. Maybe for her 50th birthday, her family wanted to do something really special, so they all chipped in and got her this simple bag. She was speechless; she loved it. She carried it with her everywhere, a shining symbol of all the love she had worked so hard to cultivate. After twenty years, the zipper was broken, the lining torn, but she couldn't give it up. Maybe she passed away recently, and items from the estate were sold or donated, the precious memories they carried of little notice to bidders and long-estranged siblings. That's where I came in.

It's ok, Jane Doe. I know what it meant to you, and I'll love it just as much.

Monday Pinterest Love

Last week, I had a bout of lowness (as my favorite author would put it.) I'm feeling much better now, and am determined to make this week a good one. As inspiration, I've put together some of my cheeriest pins from the past week.

Source: iblogtattoos.com via Chelle on Pinterest

1. flowers - these beautiful blooms are simply stunning (and make me crazy to get some of my own soon!)

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Chelle on Pinterest

2. bare legs - one of my favorite things about warmer weather. It feels so liberating to wear shorts or a skirt without tights. Put on some fringe boots, and you've just made some magic.

Source: stylescrapbook.com via Chelle on Pinterest

3. flopsy hat - what could be more effortlessly chic?

Source: etsy.com via Chelle on Pinterest

4. sweet illustrations - these adorable little owls really make me want to bust out the brushes.

Source: google.com via Chelle on Pinterest

5. literacy - I fall in the Good Books/Romance Novels category. :)



You can follow me on Pinterest here.

outfit: swap dress

The first night of TxSC was a swap night - each girl gave away two articles of clothing and took two home. I'm not usually ok with giving away my clothes, but in this case I was willing to make an exception. This dress came from the closet of the lovely Tieka of Selective Potential (in case you missed it, she featured this outfit here.) It was such serendipity because I had been scouring thrift stores for a beautiful, lacy, off-white summer dress with absolutely no success. Problem solved!






occasion: meetings, thrifting, and porch sitting / dress: swap from Tieka / shoes: Madden Girl (last worn) / jacket: thrifted Levi / purse: gift, Michael Kors (last worn) / earrings: gift, etsy (last worn) / sunnies: Amazon (last worn)

One friend said that I was dressed like Pocahontas. This was a great compliment, as I wanted to grow up to be an Indian Princess when I was a little girl. Although, now that I've learned a few things, I'm pretty sure that red hair is a pretty significant barrier to entry for Indian Princess-dom. A girl can still dream, right?

ps - You may have noticed I've added a feature to my outfit description: a "last worn" link. I can't take credit for the idea, Indiana did it first, but I think it's a great way to showcase the versatility a wardrobe without adding a thousand more pictures to a post. Restyling clothes and accessories is the best first way I can think to start styling yourself responsibly and spending dollars more wisely. I hope you find this feature helpful (and if not, I'll just have to cry over my cereal. If I ate cereal. Which I don't.)

My Texas Style Council Experience

I had this whole fancy post planed out. "5 Things I Learned At Blogger Camp," or some such disingenuously profound bull honkey. It felt forced, so I just hit delete and started typing what I was really thinking.


Haley, Julie, and me in a photobooth van. It wasn't creepy because there were props.

People are people, no matter their status of celebrity. Just because someone is well known, it doesn't mean that she wants to hang out with you. Just because you have no idea who someone is, it doesn't mean that she is not worth getting to know.

Regular meals and sleep are super, super important.

These are all things that I learned at blogger camp. However, the biggest lesson is much more egocentric. I learned that I cannot force myself to change. I've been roaming this world for 26 years and am very unlikely at this point to "grow out of" being introverted, shy, awkward, or slightly sad. What I can do is push myself. Testing my boundaries is usually uncomfortable, but occasionally results in amazing new discoveries and opportunities.

This time around, I can say that, although the experience was extremely stressful in a lot of ways, I am so grateful that I pushed myself and had the opportunity to connect with so many amazing, inspiring, beautiful women. To be assured that I'm not the only one out there feeling what I'm feeling, and to have the support of this huge, weird, kooky community was like a lime chaser after basement tequila.

I've got tons of pictures, but a recap seems tedious, so I'll just give a few shout outs and put the subject to rest. In no particular order, I'd like to give a shout out to...


Haley of Cardigan Junkie



Thanks for being an amazing roommate! The weekend would have been a complete flop without a fun and easy going friend (/ driver!)


Amy of A Is For Ampersand, Lauren of A Wild Tonic, Elise of Blowfish, and Maria of Little Tree Vintage


How many style bloggers can you fit in a Toyota? Six. The answer is six.

Thanks for being sweet, funny, and accepting! I was so relieved to happen upon a group of ladies to hang out and shop with. Seriously. You guys rock.


Elissa of Dress With Courage



Thanks for doing such a fantastic job promoting the conference and keeping everyone informed! You are always a treat to be around, and I am loving your book so far!

(For those of you who don't know, Thrifting 101 is a fabulous thrifting guide and a labor of love by the amazing Elissa Stern. Go get your copy here!)


Tolly of Austin Eavesdropper



Thank you for exuding the qualities that I most seek to emulate and generally being a really classy dame. I met you for about ten seconds, but you were so nice and encouraging! I am so inspired by your blog and truly treasure your thoughtful comments.


Julie of Orchid Grey


She's second to the right (and straight on 'til morning?)

Thanks for saying hi. :) You, also, I met for about ten seconds, but it really lifted my spirits that you approached me (instead of the other way around.) It was probably nothing to you, but I really value those little moments of community and kindness.


Jen of Jen Love Kev and Kyla of Blue Collar Catwalk


Second and fourth seats respectively.

Thank you for being gracious about answering my super awkward question. Compassion and understanding are two very undervalued personality traits, and you've got 'em both in spades. :)


My trusty umbrella



Thanks for keeping me (mostly) dry.


Conclusion: TxSC FTW!

spangled paraphernalia on modcloth!

A great big thank you to Tieka of Selective Potential for including me in today's Austin street style post on the ModCloth blog! Everyone should go check it out for some amazing Austin fashion from TxSC!

outfit: flares and flowers

It seems this shirt has stood the test of time - I still love it just as much as the last time I blogged about it. I have since discovered that one cannot legally marry a shirt, but never fear! My love will not be diminished.





occasion: running errands/meeting friends / shirt: Strut / jeans: thrifted / shoes: Guess / sunnies: ASOS / bracelets: c/o Purse and Clutch, Noonday Collection, and Stella and Dot (all giveaways or prizes from the TxSC Poshmark Party)

I searched high and low for the perfect light wash thrift jean before TxSC. When Corban saw these, he said that they seemed like something I would have worn when I was 17. I'm taking that as a compliment.

outfit: southwest print

So, I intended to post some commentary on TxSC today, but I've just been too busy. Sorry. I am the worst little blogger. Instead, enjoy these photos of me in a cowboy shirt and anticipate my TxSC recap later this week.

I definitely took a risk when I thrifted this Wrangler shirt. There was a definite possibility that it would languish in my closet, a symbol of my complete and utter lack of confidence. Obviously, I won the bet.





occasion: thrifting / print shirt: thrifted Wrangler / tank top: Old Navy / pants: Banana Republic, cut off by me / shoes: Guess / necklaces: Jewelmint and gift, Katy Scudieri / sunnies: ASOS / hat: Banana Republic / purse: thrifted Louis Vuitton

Oddly enough, this is something that pre-teen/middle school me would have worn before I got super concerned with fitting in and looking like everyone else. It's nice to know that there are some things that we never grow out of.