Weddings and cupcakes and gnomes.

Cardigan: Forever 21 Audrey Hepburn tee: Funky Monkey, New Orleans Skirt: thrifted Tights: Hue Shoes: Delias Eel skin bag: Etsy

Over the weekend I was a bridesmaid in my brother-in-law's wedding, and this was my pre-dress outfit. The actual wedding was gorgeous--it was outside at night, lit by twinkly lights--but of course I was totally unprepared for everything and my camera battery died right before the ceremony. The day before the wedding we had manicures and pedicures and slept over in the bridal suite; it was all very girly and kind of new to me. They had darling little white and purple wedding cupcakes, but I'm afraid a crappy phone picture will have to do:

Yum!

And to make up for lack of posting-- bonus outfit!

Tee: Target Skirt: Forever 21 Shoes: thrifted Cardigan: Forever 21 Gnome necklace: Dolls & Molls, Etsy

I will forever love that gnome necklace.

If only we were amongst friends.. or sane persons!

So pretty much all of my October posts have been Halloween related in one way or another, but what can I say! I adore it. I wish that Saturday would bring an awesomely amazing post about how much fun I'm about to have at a fantastically glamorous Halloween party whilst wearing an off-beat costume that would make everyone go "Oooh," but no. I'll be working that night, my husband will be working, and that's that.

To make up for this, I think I'll just present to you my favorite Halloween ladies of all time:

Wednesday Addams

I wanted to be her as a kid, and despite being 24 I still kind of do.

Lydia Deetz

I also wanted to be her. I used to watch Beetlejuice when I was little and make my mom rewind over and over to the part where they sit her down in that big chair. The exorcising bit terrified me a little because I didn't want Barbara and Adam to die, even though I had seen it a billion times and knew they survived! (Sidenote: did anyone else used to watch the Beetejuice cartoon??)

Claudia from Interview with the Vampire

Okay, I wanted to be her too. I had/have a lot of weirdo idols, okay? She's just so gorgeous and smart, and the whole movie is romantic and perfect. I started reading the Vampire Chronicles at thirteen and was hooked even more.

Catwoman

I used to watch reruns of the '60s television show and Catwoman was by far my favorite villain. I honestly can't remember if I loved Lee Merriwether, Julie Newmar, or Eartha Kitt the best-- I think I liked them all in different ways. When Batman Returns came out I was seven and so obsessed with Michelle Pfeiffer's version. I had a poster on my wall and everything. I suppose the '60s version had the best costume (although seven year-old me dug the latex for some disturbing reason), but Michelle was so perfect for the role.

Siouxsie Sioux

Siouxsie & the Banshees are one of my favorite bands and I've always adored Siouxsie's look!

The Bride of Frankenstein

Look at this fierce monster, being all gorgeous and big-haired and played by the lovely Elsa Lanchester. The best moments of that entire film are the few at the end with the Bride in them. I have this unexplained obsession with her and I'm not quite sure why--maybe it's the hair, or the entire look, or the fact that I've always felt she was a kind of feminist icon for refusing to marry someone that clearly appalled her, despite being created for that exact purpose. Which brings me to:

Magenta from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

(Look at those boots!)

I don't know what it is about Magenta, but ever since discovering and becoming obsessed with Rocky Horror at seventeen I've been hopelessly in love with her. She's sneaky and snarky and draws out her words and doesn't play well with others, and those dark eyes and poofy red hair still creates one of my favorite looks of all time. And of course, her hair goes all Bride of Frankenstein at the end-- bonus!

I dressed up as Lydia, Wednesday, and Catwoman for Halloween as a kid. No one knew who I was as Lydia and Wednesday, though, but it was exciting for me anyway. I was eight with my Wednesday costume, and my mom used that fake spray stuff to color my long blonde hair black.

I'm sure this year's Halloween will consist of me watching Rocky Horror before work and eating lots of candy throughout the night, but I desperately wish I was going to a costume party. I hope you guys have fun and be safe!

Don't we love it now

Cardigan, boots, & top: Forever 21, Target skirt

That photo is super awkward and weird, but never mind!

I really wish it wasn't all overcast on the day that I took this so you could see the boots better-- they're F21's "Burton" boots from a a few posts below. Love! I bought the little bat pin at the farmer's market on Saturday. I love Halloween-y things.

Lately I've been doing lots of knitting in an attempt to actually finish a few projects before it turns cold. I'm also going to try and make socks for the first time ever. Yikes!

Shop update (kind of!)

Since my new schedule has gotten in the way of updating the shop as much as I'd like, I thought it wouldn't hurt to post about recent additions. These are the few things that I've added over the last several weeks! I'll try to get better at balancing everything as time goes on.

The two coats are so lovely.. the '60s faux fur one is priced higher than I normally price things, but it's because it's absolutely stunning! I have it listed as more of a M or L, but it would certainly fit a S as a big oversized winter coat. I love that thing. The little boy blazer is adorable too!

I've lowered lots of prices overall, so check it out please! ^_^ New things hopefully late next week.

The Graveyard Book

Thrifted vintage dress, Ashley Judd boots

For my YA class this week we're reading Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, about a little boy who grew up in a cemetery. It's so lovely, but I'm incredibly biased because of my intense Neil love. I thought it was a great excuse to finally take a few photos at the old cemetery nearby (like I said I would ages ago!)

This is one of the best cemeteries that I've every been to-- half of it is new and looks pretty run-of-the-mill, and the other half is insanely old and dark with tall trees and lots of Spanish moss. It's actually kind of strange how the old half is appropriately dark and dreary.

I have to admit, doing this was so creepy! And I'm not afraid of cemeteries or anything, but all day it had been threatening to rain, and it was so cloudy and windy. I was the only person around so it was super quiet until the train came groaning through a couple of streets over. Train sounds have always creeped me out and I have no idea why (I suspect it's from too many scary ghost train stories as a kid).

I'm such a weirdo in cemeteries-- the last thing I want to do is be disrespectful, but I just want to take lots of pictures and hang out for a bit.

This dress was from that huge haul that I thrifted a month or so ago. The fabric is so thick, and it's in excellent condition for its age (whatever that may be), except for a few loose threads here and there. I love the buttons and the weird detailing. It's obviously not my favorite length since it just makes me look shorter, but I love the style so I'm not too bothered by it.

So it goes...

Shirt (so soft!): Target Skirt: thrifted Shoes: Delias Tights: Sock Dreams Disco bracelet: vintage shop

(I actually ended up tucking in the plaid shirt later that day and it looked much better, but I had already taken photos. Oh well.)

These Sock Dreams tights are my new favorite things! I adore that shop. They're actually cream colored instead of pure white, and they're cotton and soft and wonderful. I also got a pair in Heather Slate to replace my dearly departed perfect gray tights. Very worth the price!

This past week was Banned Books Week, and as a library school student I can't let that pass by unnoticed (although I kind of did, not posting until now-- but never mind!) This is a great article about why Banned Books Week is still needed in the U.S. It's a bit shocking to discover how many people don't realize that books are still being challenged and banned, and how disgusting that is not only for librarians, but for everyone who believes in the freedom to read whatever you want. Book banners, however enraged they make me, are one of the reasons I'm so passionate about becoming a librarian.

"And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted anti-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles.

So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries."

- Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

Burtonesque

It's October!

I know everyone has seen this Tim Burton for Harper's Bazaar shoot already, but I'm compelled to post it anyway due to prettiness:

My favorite is Lydia!

Also, I just bought these "Burton inspired" boots from Forever 21:

OH OCTOBER. I love you.

(Again, sorry for disappearing lately... it seems that when I'm not at work I'm at home in my pajamas doing schoolwork!)

As long as she doesn't magically turn into Kristy Swanson

(For some reason I used to watch that '80s movie Mannequin II: On the Move a lot as a kid. Not even the original with Kim Cattrall, but the lesser-known sequel with Kristy Swanson. I don't care that it has a three star rating at imdb-- it was really enjoyable back then, okay?!)

This is just a drive-by update to introduce:

Olivia!!

My mom found her at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago and finally brought her over yesterday. (She's also the one who named her Olivia, so I went with it.)

I've wanted a mannequin for ages! She's incredibly tall. I'm not crazy about her makeup, so I fully plan to repaint her. I've said this before, but I have a a big super love for dolls and have some experience painting my ball-jointed, blythe, and pullips-- so this shouldn't be too difficult. Right now her lipstick is frosted pink eighties horribleness, which isn't doing her any favors. So, a makeover is in order whenever I can possibly find the time.

I want to totally copy take inspiration from something like this:

(images taken from this Ebay shop)

Right now, Olivia is wearing my lovely '60s flapper-style dress that I've only had a chance to wear once, and a big hat that I recently thrifted because I couldn't pass up such a Lydia Deetz style thing. I figure she can wear some of my lovelier things that don't get pulled out of the closet often enough.

Plaid dresses & busy days

(Frolic!)
Thrifted '90s dress, '70s granny boots, thrifted bag

Oh dear, I've been so busy this week. I started a new job at a bookstore (yay!) but I've also had a ton of things due in my classes, and haven't been in internet-land much lately.

Remember when I went on about '90s dresses and how I would like a closet full of them? Well, right after that I thrifted three more! This is my favorite. And gosh I love those granny boots, even though the toes are all scuffed because I wear them too much.

Also, I'm about fifteen or so subscribers away from 200 (gasp!!) and thought that it might be nice to do a giveaway from my shop once I get there. Just something to show how appreciative I am of everyone! ♥

PS: I also started a Chictopia & Weardrobe, although I haven't had much time to poke around on them!

With our love, we could save the world

Vintage dress, '70s granny boots, Target socks

In celebration of Beatles day on 9/9/09 (remastered catalog and Rock Band, yay!) I've decided to dress somewhat appropriately. This is one of the dresses mentioned in my last post: all flowy and bohemian, with poofy arms and a little bow. It was originally about calf-length and kind of swallowed me, but my rudimentary sewing skills managed to come through in a pinch. I'm not used to such a high sleeve-volume level!

Something about it reminds me of the George/Pattie inspired photoshoot with Dhani Harrison and Sasha Pivovarova from last year, which I adore:

Oh, Dhani. I've been distracted by him lately.

I do have a short, faux fur cape that I could throw on in an attempt to copy George's big shaggy coat, but the weather isn't quite there yet!

Oh I can't resist:

With the first lucky Mrs. Harrison, Pattie Boyd

Okay I admit, this post is more of an excuse for pretty pictures of my favorite Beatle and my favorite Beatle offspring than to talk about this new dress. You've seen right through me.

Ruth, I love you.

Friday was the best day. Remember when I first started blogging and mentioned that I befriended a lady named Ruth who works at my favorite thrift store and sets aside vintage goodies for me? Well, she outdid herself this time!

(Fun note about Ruth: she doesn't wear vintage but loves looking at it. She has a '40s mannequin in her house that she dresses up!)

I dropped by and she had two racks and several boxes full of vintage for me to go through. I bought everything that was pretty. About half of it is going in the shop and I think everyone will be pleased by this! So many things still had their tags; someone in this giant house recently died and all of her clothes were donated. It was so interesting/morbid.

The fantastic thing is that I probably wouldn't have chosen most of these dresses for myself otherwise-- like a couple of longish pieces that are meant to be worn over a crinoline and a billowy-sleeved hippie thing that I'm going to shorten. I have a pile that needs to be hemmed or taken in, but I'm excited about it. Future post ideas!

There were two '60s Mad Men-esque dress suits that I fell in love with immediately. I don't have the shape for that kind of thing, but am keeping one to try out and selling the other. The waist fits but not so much the bust (it's meant for someone with a little more boobage). But it's the closest I've ever felt to Joan Holloway, which is a bit fun for me!

Mohair jacket, pink raincoat, silk blouse, angora cardigan

These two collages are the things I'm keeping-- a "made in Scotland" mohair loose jacket thing, a '60s pink silk (!) raincoat, plus a few of the most interesting dresses that I've ever come across! The dusty pink and blue dress is by far my favorite, but I also love the weird, heavy, blue button up number.

And as for the things I'm selling-- the coats alone are amazing! Since starting the shop I see vintage in an entirely new way: I still want it all, but feel this thrill when I find something awesome that I know someone is going to love to pieces. Here's a quick preview of some of the things going up:

I think I'm going to stop posting shop updates here, just because I don't post very often anyway and don't want to clog up my blog. I'll tweet about updates, so follow me if you aren't already! Everything should be up by tomorrow night.

PS: Seriously, Ruth, if you've googled my name and found this: thank you so much! I know I don't visit nearly enough.

Schoolboyish.

Top, blazer, and clock pin: thrifted skirt & flats: H&M

Has it really been 70somethingish degrees around here? Is this real life?? I wore this wool blazer yesterday in a comfortable, non sweating to death sort of way. I think it's going to heat up once more and then be over for the year. Don't tease me, weather, I can't take it.

This whole outfit makes me so happy. I recently thrifted the blazer after searching for a little wool one forever. I have a poly one but never wear it, the wool feels more.. official, somehow. The frilly blouse was recently thrifted as well. I never remember to look for tops, so I felt rather accomplished with this!

The little clock charm was found a couple of years ago in my favorite Wilmington thrift shop. It's a working clock that needs to be wound every now and then, and the back of it shows the gears which I adore. I always wear it gear side out.

Lately I've been reading quite a bit (I finally got out of my reading slump-- although infinite summer is still going strong!) and trying to get super organized for school. I'm particularly excited for my Young Adult class because we get to read lots of YA lit. I'm easy to please.