So it Rained that Day and I didn't have an Umbrella...

 

Still catching up on last week's goods. This skirt was such a great find. I took $10 and went to the Salvation Army to find me some skirts. I found this little beauty and another Ann Taylor Loft skirt unworn - Score! I need to starch the pleat in the front though. It needs to be a little crisper to be as totally brilliant. Really, the best part is that I've been looking for a purple skirt and ta-dah - found one! Annnddd, it's the perfect color. It matches this blouse like I purchased them together.

I wore the boots during the day due to the rain and my hip hurts everytime it rains, blah, blah, so I would have worn these heels I purchased at DSW for 80% off. I totally understand why, they are kinda ugly.

They remind me of the sandals they wore in the 40s, but with a huge heel. The color is a red orange with orange stitching. They will look cute without stockings and some self tanner :) with a cute skirt or shorts. I can see it in my head, we'll see if I can pull it off without looking clownish. 

Skirt: Salvation Army; Blouse: Kohl's; Boots: Victoria's Secret / Heels: DSW(R2 by Report); Stockings: Target; Jewelry: I made

Anyway, I really dig the ELLE line at Kohl's. I like the way the shirts are cut for a bust larger than a B cup and they shape down to the waist rather than straight down in a boxy shape. (I have a hard time finding button up that fits me everywhere else, but doesn't strain across my chest.) Granted, every blouse I have acquired from there has a belt, however, I have one that I don't use the belt.
I ran into Kohl's this weekend and picked up an umbrella. A little late in the season? Yup - but since I broke my favorite umbrella full of cats and dogs, I was holding out till I found another one. But, after a vigorous search online to no avail, I broke down and purchased a simple Totes one. It's red, but that's about it. It is a pretty red though and it fits in my purse. I really wanted one from Plasticland. It's awesome. Made to look like a ninja sword with a sheath. So cool, but $34? Say what?! It's a little too cool for me. It really doesn't rain that much around here. This winter has been unusually rainy, which is great. But that probably means a hot summer - oh I'm shocked. I won't get started on the valley summers, it's like living on the sun. That will not be the last time I say that either.

I couldn't resist putting this one up. My animals are so difficult to keep from knocking over the camera or me for that matter. When the dogs get involved all you see it dog. It's hilarious, but not so conducive to talking full ensemble pictures. However, Cole Pepper Jones was entirely too cute sauntering into the room and over to wear I was standing. He's my oldest companion. I adopted him when I was in college when had a studio apartment all to myself. I have had cats all my life and I was so lonely without a pet. My friends were cool, don't get me wrong, I just felt empty without a pet. I've always been an animal person, obviously :)

When I was there I saw some cool pantalones that I am now wanting. I was not going to subscribe to this look, but these are cute! I thought, maybe with a high boot and a sweater vest. I think it's kinda Amelia Earhart style.

 

Daydreams: What I Wish I Could Pack If I Were Going Anywhere...

So this is what I've decided, if I were going anywhere this is what I would pack. Why? Because I think this combo could serve wonderfully for plenty of occasions from breakfast to dinner. Also, I like to romanticise travel, especially to places like Europe in the spring. Really, a good pair of walking shoes and items that don't wrinkle easily are best, but whatevs - let me live in my little world ;) 

I studied art history and haven't seen 95% of what I studied, but that is something I plan to do before I die. I would do it now, but kenneling 2 dogs, one a bit unstable (due to horrific previous owners) is expensive and traumatic for me to leave my babies...

We're just trying to make it to the mountains to get some snow action before winter is over before we know it. That's what I'm looking forward to.

Travel Sheik 60s by kamundy featuring Ri2k bags

Items in this set:
Leopard print trench, $1,115
dELiAs > Union Bay Heiress Cut-Out Flat > shoes > new arrivals, $45
Ri2K Ariel Grab Handbag, Green, 135 GBP
Monsoon Accessorize - I Love London Passport Wallet, 8 GBP
Thierry Lasry Round Acetate Sunglasses, 270 GBP

Apron? Nah, just looks like one...

I took these pics so fast I guess I couldn't even bother to straighten the camera. This ensemble was just plain comfortable. My girlfriend found this in a $5 pile of clothing we were going through at the Pasadena Swap Meet/Flea Market (whatever they're calling it.) Anyway, a pile of clothing all $5 is just cool. We found some fun goodies. It was a large, so it would be quite large on my friend, so on to me it went. It's not long enough for a dress, but almost too long for a tunic. Hmmmm, it's going to be hard to style this one. We'll see what I come up with next time.

I love the print, I haven't really seen orange, green and brown used in something that I really like, but it's so cute. The sherbert polka dots are so cute especially in a ruffle. That same cute fabric even covers the buttons. Yea!

top/dress: flea market; skirt: H&M; tights: Bare Necessities; oxfords: Chinese Laundry; neckace: Nordstrom Rack; Earrings & Bracelet: I made from jewelry from H&M

Garden Tea Time

So I pretty much want everything in this set. I definitely think I can make something similar. Here's to that challenge. Who knows when I will fullfill it :) At least it's fun to have more of a goal than just "everything"...

Spring Garden by kamundy featuring Miss Selfridge skirts

Items in this set:

Beiger Cardigan - Designer Mode Fashion Online Shop, 250 EUR
Cream Floral Printed Skirt, 30 GBP
Prada Shoes: New Women's Prada Shoes, Spring/Summer 2010, $745
Bracelet, $290
Bow Clock Brooch, $32

Oh yeah, I also purchased these just now...

Aren't they great? I love the color and the spectator detailing. My husbby will kill me when he finds out - (if he finds out...*insert evil laugh*) Shoebuy.com has 15% right now and thank goodness, cause these are a spluge. I hope they are true to size, cause I'm gonna be super bummed if they run short. I tried on the Steve Madden two tone oxford I posted here earlier and they run a whole size smaller - say what?! Yup. So anyway, I went looking for other goodies to satiate my heeled oxford obsession. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.

However, I'm done buying stuff for a while, I'm kinda tired of spending money... YEA!!! Maybe I can actually save something for my savings. Now that would be truely amazing!

'Twas a Plaid Day in L.A.

I'm a bit behind in posting, this in my ensemble from Monday. I love this skirt. I found it at Nordstrom Rack for $12. What a find! And you know what else I purchased at Nordstrom Rack... this top. The cap sleeves are kinda nice surprise for a tie mock neck shirt. It could have easily been long sleeve, but that is why I like it. The pleating under the tie and the little keyhole are neat, too.

These boots always kick ass. I wear them with everything. I can't always wear them to work due to the height of the heel, though. I like them with this skirt because it is actually pretty long. It buttons up the front with no real reinforcement, which is a bit strange as I walk the spaces opened up in between the buttons, and it did the same thing even when I sat. So out came the velcro and the sewing machine. I stiched in black velcro right inbetween the buttons. Problems averted! Also the velcro helps me not to worry about a button sliding out, which has happened, but the velcro saved the day. I also do this with my snugger blouses. No worries about showing my bra the whole day - good stuff!

So here's my gripe, why do 50% of the pencil skirts made have pockets. WTF! They ALWAYS pop out at the hip and across the front. Grrrrrr. Why is a pocket in a skirt, that is supposed to fit snuggly, a good idea? It's really not. I have 4 skirts that were purchased due to their affordability and not being able to find ones without. For one, I stitched them closed, another I'm planning on doing the same, but I've had other hand stitching lately that has taken priority, one I don't know what to do, this plaid one is the last. This one is the only one that is ok. Probably because it is a hip sitting skirt. It's hard to tuck things into it, but I do it sometimes anyway and I tuck in the back all day long. It's still awesome!

Classic Sailor of Winter?

I'm waiting for summer as I stare out into the grey sky. I love winter, but not when there is a smattering of warm days in with the cold. It's so hard to plan an outfit.

If I had my druthers, this would be the outfit I was wearing today. Heels or Oxfords :) Isn't the dress, in particular, adorable

sailor classic by kamundy featuring Neil Barrett shoes

Items in this set:

Military pleat dress

Katy Rodriguez Silk shamir tweed jacket, 195 GBP

NEIL BARRETT - PAINTED LEATHER LACE-UP SHOES, 345 EUR

White Patent Pumps, $79

Spring Fling fine crystal-embellished clutch, $3,695

For the Love of Stripes

A Post to Appease the Thrift Gnomes

Today you would have been proud, it 'twas a day for the annals of thrifting. I found one of my new favorite shirts. I went through rack after rack and found so many items that you would approve of for me. But I set my goal, $20 can buy you everything you could possibly want at the Salvation Army when you are without funds. And today it was true. This shirt I grabbed I spied years ago at Nordstrom. There was no clearance fairy on the mall that day so I turned and walked away, just too expensive.

top: thirfted; skirt: Express; belt &bracelet: H&M; earrings & necklaces: I made; Tights: Target; heels: DSW (Chinese Laundry)

Low and behold, 3 years later, a forgotten top. I couldn't believe I remembered the shirt as someone else discarded it. It jumped into my arms. My favorite adage rings true time and time again - One person's trash is another person's treasure. Treasure indeed!

The fasten on the back above the cute keyhole neck was gone. The patch was coming unsewed, I knew I could save it. I went to Joann's fabric to pick up a frog clasp, mended the patch and then it was complete. The adorable pleated, short sleeves, the strange, but pretty green bejeweled patch/permanent brooch on the front, it was as if the top was made for me.

I am happy, thank you for your guidance Thrift Gnomes!

There must have been something mighty interesting off to my left. I wish I had gotten a good pic of the earring in my other ear, a ship wheel. I was feeling quite nautical. I have a short, pleated white skirt this will look even better with, come warmer weather of course, and a cute pair of wedges - stop! So cute!