August Purchases

Second Sunday on Main
1. Leather earrings, $25


These were made by artist Monica D. She primarily makes purses, but also creates earrings from the scraps and found objects.

DSW
2. Steve Madden shoes, $38.30

I bought these to add a bit of an edge to my sweeter outfits. I didn’t realize that they were so edgy that they’d cause me to fall down stairs.

H&M
3. Olive, puff-sleeved t-shirt, $9.95
4. Striped cardigan with ruffled shoulders, $29.95


The tee is nice, but I CANNOT WAIT to wear the cardigan. It has the most over-the-top shoulder embellishments.

Buckle
5. Belt, $16.50

I bought this to replace my other gray/silver stretchy belt and to wear to a wedding in September.

New York and Company
6. Olive, tiger-striped cardigan, $39.95
7. Camisole, $9.95

I was just barely over budget for August when I walked into the NY & Co at Rookwood. Most of the store bored me, but I couldn’t resist this cardigan – both for its color and pattern. And I can always use another of NY & Co's fab (if boring) camis.

Total: $169.60

Y’all talked me out of ordering the tooled leather backpack I had planned to buy in August. I need to see and touch one in person before I make my final decision.

For September, I plan to blow my budget on an expensive, red, pencil skirt. Both White House, Black Market and Talbot’s are carrying a version of this skirt for Fall.

Dye Another Day

I have a history of dyeing this blazer. It was originally a pale Khaki. Then, I colored it with RIT dye in Tan.


Before and After
I tired of the neutral and dyed it once again, with Kelly Green, hoping for Olive. I got Pea Green, but that’s alright.


Jacket, Charlotte Russe (overdyed – twice!) Dress, London Times. Belt, thrifted. Shoes, Bongo (thrifted and handed-down). Earrings, World Market. Bag, Franco Sarto. Bangle, Garden of the Gods gift shop.

Always a Lady

I’m in my “lady disguise” today. If you knew me, you’d know I’m not a bit ladylike.


Dress, I Heart Ronson. Obi belt, Sugadaminka. Faux pearl necklaces, shopgoodwill.com. Charm necklace, Kenneth Cole Reaction. Faux pearl cuff, Forever 21. Studded cuff, Hot Topic. Shoes, Steve Madden. Bag, Simply Vera by Vera Wang.

Hawaiian Shirt Dare

This outfit has been brewing for a year. Last August, Kristin O’Reilly dared us to find a stylish way to wear a Hawaiian shirt. I was intrigued, but missing the shirt. I was elated when I discovered the perfect luau shirt in TDW’s costume stash a few weeks ago.


Shirt, Wayne Rogers. Dress, Body Central. Sandals, Mossimo. Bag, Vintage.

As Beefy might say, this look isn’t “my favorite,” but it really isn’t half bad. How do you wear Hawaiian shirts?


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Sold Out

Tonight’s plan started with attending the Reds vs Cubs game downtown. On the way there, we heard that it was sold out. So we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for game watching and then continued with the rest of the agenda…


Black tank, Kimchi and Blue. Striped tank, Express. Shorts, Old Navy. Boots, Dan Post. Earrings, Panagea. Necklace, Ren Faire. Bag, vintage.

Part two of the plan was to set up chairs on the corner of 6th and Walnut (in front of the CAC) and people watch. It was a fantastic night for the activity. Not only was the clubbing crowd out, but we also saw the post-game foot traffic and those drawn downtown for the comedy acts on Fountain Square.

While most people ignored us, a few interacted with our group. One woman claimed that the passers-by were observing us, not the other way around. That was an interesting perspective. Just who was watching whom?


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Nope

You gave some great advice on salvaging this troublesome jacket. I tried it. I hacked the sleeves off to make a vest and even wore it with a belt for half the day. But I still hated the way it looked every time I looked in the mirror. It’s time for it to go.


Jacket, Merona. Dress, London Times (thrifted). Boots, Dan Post. Earrings, No Boundaries. Bag, Caprice (vintage and thrifted).

I bet I won't even miss it.

Four Days

I don’t often talk about work on this blog because. . . if I told you, I’d have to kill you. I can share that I’ve spent four days this week, Monday through Thursday, seven hours a day, in training. That’s enough to kill anyone. But I survived.


Sweater, Merona. Dress, swapped, vintage, and shortened. Belt, Buckle. Shoes, Delicious. Bag, Nicole Lee. Bangles, Body Central. Earrings, No Boundaries. Sunglasses, Girl Props.

Jungle Tiger

I will be ashamed to publish my August spending at the end of the month. I know I went over budget (although I haven’t dared total all receipts yet). This cardigan was one of the purchases I made after I’d already passed the $100 mark for the month. But it’s olive green tiger patterned! How could I resist?*


Cardigan, New York & Co. Dress, thrifted, vintage, and shortened. Shoes, Two Lips. Earrings, Jana's Designs. Purse, Payless. Ring, vintage.


*Actually, the REAL question is how did I resist wearing my new cardi over yesterday’s zebra-striped dress? I love to mix my animal prints.

When Flowers Swear

I was inspired by Wendy Brandes’ swear rings to wear all of my flower rings on one hand. I suppose I’d need at least four rings to make a proper curse word. . . or perhaps floral curses are more potent than human, accomplishing their purpose in only three characters.


Cardigan, Moda International. Dress, Jones New York. Shoes, Miss Me. Brooch, Burlington Coat Factory. Rings, Forever 21 and swap. Bag, Liz Claiborne. Sunnies, Girl Props.

J Crew

I made an ill-considered visit to J Crew last week. The styling was so fresh, so clever, so on-trend. . .that I wanted to buy everything in the place. I resisted and, instead, attempted some lame copycatting from my own wardrobe.


Shirt, Converse One Star (thrifted). Skirt, Mossimo. Shoes, BCBGeneration. Brooch (worn at waist), Newport News. Faux pearl necklaces, shopgoodwill.com. Tassel pendant, Epcot Morocco. Arrowhead pendants, thrifted.

Cincinnatus

I’m visiting Cincinnatus today. And Jupiter, Apollo, Juno, and Diana. They are all featured in another of the Longworth Hall murals.


Blouse, Romeo + Juliet Couture. Skirt, thrifted, shortened, and dyed. Belt. H&M. Shoes, Nine West. Bag, Deux Luxe. Sunnies, Girl Props. Earrings, Panagea.




Photos by Beefy Muchacho