Tag Archives: fashion

September 26, 2013 · 11:17 pm

Art, Albums and Vintage Clothing

A couple of weeks ago–I can’t believe it’s been that long–I had two invitations for the same evening: One for an art show and the other for a store opening. Never one to miss out, I went to both. First hubby and I went to eat at an Indian restaurant in Issaquah, a quaint town just east of Seattle. I dressed for dinner, the art show, and the grand opening.

Fox Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: Forever 21
Boots: MIA
Cuff: Rogue City Killers
Bag: Snap Designs

After dinner, we headed over to ArtEAST, an art gallery that also offers art classes. I’ve taken a couple of classes there and really had fun! On this occasion I saw a whole new batch of paintings, sculptures, and photos.

I enjoyed a lot of the works, along with a glass of wine, and then we had to leave.

The next stop was Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood, where Beats and Bohos was having a party. My friend and fellow blogger Citizen Rosebud sells vintage apparel on consignment from this shop and it was great to see her. Our mutual friend, stylist and blogger Catie Beatty was also there and we chatted and sipped on bevvies while we perused the displays.

Last stop of the evening was a nightcap at a well-known Seattle institution: Carmelita’s. This vegetarian restaurant is closing because its owners are retiring. I’m going to miss it so I said good-bye with a glass of sangria.

I’ve linked up with Lena B Actually, Rachel the Hat, and The Life of the Party. Have a look at what everyone else is wearing!

14 Comments

Filed under Art, Events, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as art, boots, fashion, skirt, style, sweater, thrifty fashion

September 23, 2013 · 10:47 pm

Transitioning into Fall with Shorts

I’m lucky that Seattle weather has been mostly nice this September. It’s a perfect time for shorts and boots–and if it does rain, my feet are covered. My boots are pleather, which makes them almost rainwear.

Shorts: Ross Dress for Less
Shorts: Calvin Klein via Marshall’s
Boots: MIA
Cuff: Lauren Harkness

Until now, I’d only worn my sheer black and red snakeskin print shirt with black pants. So I thought I’d try a more multicolored look this time. I paired the normally dressy shirt with faded denim shorts and my caramel-colored boots. And since I didn’t wear this to the office, I went bold and ditched the cami.

I don’t wear shorts and boots a lot but I had fun with this outfit. It’s perfect for errands, a casual lunch, or whatever else the day throws at me.

Do you wear boots and shorts? What’s your go-to seasonal transition look?

I’m joining Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet and Monday Bloom at DC in Style. Have a look at all the other posts!

9 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Street Style

Tagged as animal print, boots, fashion, shorts, style, thrifty fashion, vegan

September 19, 2013 · 11:21 pm

Head in the Clouds

I have an astronomical theme going on today. I learned that if you wear tall enough shoes, your head will be in the clouds. Mine looks to be flirting with the morning fog.

Sweater: JC Penney
Skirt: Forever 21
Jacket: Thrifted
Shoes: Payless
Purse: Forever 21
Belt: Steve Madden via Ross

And what goes with clouds? The sun and the moon and the stars–and stars are on my sweater! I liked this top when I saw it in the clearance section of JCP. Partly because of the great color combo (and stars) but especially because it’s reversible! Don’t be fooled if you see me wearing a blue sweater with yellow stars. It’s this ol’ thing.

I really wish (upon my starry shirt) that all clothes were reversible. Imagine the options? My wardrobe would double.

I lucked out this spring when I visited Payless and found thse faux suede platform wedges. I’d gone in looking for flats but all the flats I tried on were uncomfortable. I tried these on, just for fun, and wouldn’t you know it: they were comfortable! No, I won’t be walking all day in them, but for a tall shoe, I’m impressed! No pinching or rubbing.

Do you wear heels and flats or do you gravitate toward one type of shoe?

This is my first time linking up with Lena B Actually (another Canadian blogger-yay!) I’m really happy to get the chance to discover even more amazing bloggers. I’m also linking up with Style Elixir again. Won’t you see what everyone else is up to?

13 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as fashion, pencil skirt, skirt, style, sweater, thrifty fashion, vegan, wedge heels

September 17, 2013 · 11:04 pm

Breaking the Rules with Blue and Green

“Blue and green should never been seen except in the washing machine.”

That’s what someone rattled off to me when I wore these two colors together a few years ago. Luckily I don’t follow rules. I’ll wear white after Labor Day too–just watch me!

Top: Marshall’s
Jeans: Macy’s
Belt: Truth
Shoes: Flexx
Ring: One-eyed Collie

Some color combinations have often been considered no-nos: black and brown, blue and black, and apparently blue and green. But I disagree. It’s more about the shades. Too dark a blue or brown might not stand out against the black but I’d hardly say they clash. And sometimes clashing colors work. Fuchsia and orange anyone?

Do you have and favorite outfits that break fashion rules? Or any rules that you absolutely won’t break?

I’m linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde today. Have a look at what everyone else is wearing!

9 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as cropped pants, fashion, green jeans, sandals, stripes, style, thrifty fashion

September 15, 2013 · 9:05 pm

Casual Denim Dress

Hubby and I went out for brunch at the Blue Star Café in Wallingford. I love their hearty meals, and especially that they can veganize any of them. I had a tofu scramble with non-dairy “cheese” and toast and home fries. Delicious! And of course a mimosa is a brunch must-have.

I wore a denim dress that I picked up recently. It’s a simple shirtdress style that I can cinch with a belt. Today I chose a skinny white one but it would be fun with a wide belt or sash too. I’ll try this in the cooler weather with tights.

Dress: Old Navy
Pleather belt: Steve Madden
Faux suede boots: Novacas
Bag: Flea market in Harlem
Cuff: B.O.R.N Fashion
Sunglasses: Target

I love going sockless in the warm weather–sandals are a favorite–but I find boots take a summer dress into fall even before the weather is cool. It’s still relatively nice out but sandals are starting to seem less appropriate. Swapping in a bootie grounds the outfit and is a nice fall transition.

These booties proved to be invaluable on this occasion. After brunch, I got an invitation to meet up with friends. So hubby took my car and ran errands and I walked to the University District. I have to say, these boots are made for walking!

I’m also incorporating some of recent finds from my New York trip. The bag, from a flea market, is made of upcycled upholstery fabric. My cuff is from a great store on 125th called B.O.R.N (borrowed, old, refurbished, new). I’ll write about all the wonderful things I found at that store real soon!

I’ve joined Monday Bloom and Style Elixir for linkups – have a look at what everyone else is wearing!

4 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as blue star café, denim, dress, fashion, novacas, Seattle, style, upcycling, vegan

September 12, 2013 · 9:01 pm

Mint Green Scooter Dress

I’m so happy with my new minty green mini dress. I love mod, 60s-inspired designs and fell in love with the Mondrian-esque color-blocking on this number.

Dress: Lois Eastlund
Shoes: Adrienne Vitadini
Bag: Forever 21

I was lucky to stumble into a pop-up shop when I spent the day in Chelsea last month and when I saw the dresses in the Lois Eastlund display, I had a hard time deciding.

So I picked two: this summer sale number and a blue and black shift from her fall line.

Even though this is a summery style, I plan on wearing it with a cardi and knee-high boots when the weather cools. For today though, I paired this shift with my polypropylene wedges–they’re stretchy like a Body Glove swimsuit!

Luckily Seattle is experiencing one last heat wave before fall hits so I can continue enjoying my summer clothes. Are you clinging to summer or have you switched into autumn wear?

Oh, I’m linking up with the Style Informant today. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

7 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as dress, fashion, scooter dress, shift, stewardess dress, style, thrifty fashion, vegan, wedges

September 9, 2013 · 10:28 am

Visiting Chelsea

During the recent New York trip I took with my parents, we visited the Chelsea neighborhood. We spent the morning in the Chelsea Market, a multi-story building that used to be occupied by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) commercial bakery. When production methods changes required a single-floor layout, the bakery moved out. It’s here, where the Oreo was first created.

Inside the market, we found One Lucky Duck. They offer all-vegan, raw organic juices and take-away, and happen to have amazing desserts. It’s part of the Pure Food and Wine establishment so you know you’re going to be wowed.

Next door, Beyond Sushi truly satisfied. This all plant-based sushi establishment incorporated flavor, color and presentation like no other sushi place I’ve seen. Their rolls were scrumptious and fueled us as well.

I was thrilled to stumble into a pop-up shop in the market, where several vendors had set up their wares. One of them was designer Lois Eastlund.

While I was trying on a dress, my mom and Lois struck up a conversation and they discovered they’re both vegan! Lois even shared some of her home-baked vegan cookies with us! (And yes, I bought that amazing blue and black zigzag dress.)

I liked the shop across from Lois’ store too. My mom was sweet enough to buy me one of their screen-printed tops.

There’s more to Chelsea than just the market. One evening we met my friend Shannon, a recent New York transplant, at Blossom vegan restaurant.

We ate delicious food and even had authentic (and dairy-free) New York Cheesecake!

Another Chelsea gem is the popular High Line, an elevated former rail line that was transformed into a greenway. The rail line used to bring animals into the city for slaughter. I prefer its use as a park!

New York is such a fun place. Have you ever been to Chelsea?

6 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as Beyond Sushi, Blossom, Chelsea, Chelsea Market, dress, fashion, Lois Eastlund, New York City, One Lucky duck, style, travel, vegan

August 29, 2013 · 7:00 pm

Two of a Kind: Matching Pink Tops

When I was a kid, my mom would dress me in outfits that matched hers. I was her Mini Me. Well, I’ve since developed my own sense of style and prefer a unique look, but we do still like some of the same things. So when my aunt sent us a care package all the way from Germany, you can imagine my mom’s delight when she saw two matching tops.

Tops: Clockhouse via gifted
Bottoms: Thrifted
Shoes: Target and Old Navy
Cuffs: Wrecords by Monkey

My mom brought the tops to New York and we had an impromptu photo shoot. Thanks to my Tante Marion for the pretty tops! She always manages to find things that I really like!

I paired my top with dark denim Bermuda shorts. They were perfect for my trip and went with the flats and wedges I’d packed.

My mom wore her top with lighter denim capris. We both have on metallic ballet flats. Hers are pewter; mine are gold.

mom seated

We even have coordinating cuffs. When we were at the Brooklyn flea market, we met a local designer who was selling bracelets made from upcycled records. My mom’s has a peach-colored NYC skyline on hers. I went a little grittier and chose one with pigeons, rats, coffee cups and trash bags. I like to keep it real!

After the shoot, I changed into a different outfit. Don’t get me wrong–I love the top, with its Grecian styling. I just don’t want to match anyone else! We went to Harlem Tavern and treated our photographer (aka my dad) to a delicious peach hefewiesen and sweet potato fries.

Do you prefer a unique look or do you sometimes coordinate with a sister, spouse or friend?

I’ve joined Style Elixir for a group link-up. See what everyone else is wearing!

15 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Art, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as fashion, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, New York City, style, thrifty fashion, travel, upcycling, Wrecords by Monkey

August 25, 2013 · 8:10 pm

Boyfriend Jeans

I usually wear darker wash denim but I like the light washes hitting the stores. Instead of forking over of a new pair of jeans, I raided the local Goodwill.

Jeans: Merona via Goodwill
Tank: Wet Seal
Top: Goodwill
Booties: Crossroads Clothing Co.
Cuff: Lauren Harkness

I found a super comfy pair of light jeans and I cuffed them like the boyfriend jeans in the stores. I couldn’t resist this mesh top so I picked it up while I was thrifting. It’s got a nice ’80s vibe to it.

To make this retro outfit a bit more modern, I paired it with booties. In the 80s, I’d probably have worn pointy bright flats.

I like incorporating styles from the past when they’re flattering and relevant but I always like keeping the look fresh with new twists.

What styles of bygone years do you like?

I’ve joined Visible Monday again today! Check out what everyone else is wearing.

9 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as boyfriend jeans, fashion, jeans, mesh, style, thrifty fashion

August 21, 2013 · 12:14 pm

Florals, Dots and Leopard

I went crazy with pattern-mixing in this outfit. It was an experiment and I think I like it.

Jacket: Forever 21
Pants: Macy’s
T-shirt: Papaya
Satin pumps: Two Lips via DSW

I don’t have a lot of floral pieces in my wardrobe and I really liked the floral jackets I’d seen in magazines. I didn’t want to invest in a jacket with a trendy pattern so I looked at lower-end stores. Forever 21 isn’t my favorite place to shop but I can count on them for inexpensive versions of trends.

I already had the shoes, pants and top so I only had to combine them this way to copy the trend of florals and pattern-mixing. Why does it work? The jacket has black and white in it so the shirt complements it. there’s also green in the jacket so the pants aren’t adding a new element. And leopard is practically a neutral so I thought, “what the heck?”

It’s a fun look and I can take it down a notch by swapping the leopard shoes for a solid pair. I can swap out the top for a plain T if I want to calm things down even more. But for now, I’m going all out with the colors and patterns. It’s only fashion, right?

I’ve linked up with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy and at Transatlantic Blonde. Check out what other bloggers are wearing!