November Purchases

This is pretty much my last personal spending report of 2010 because I blew my budget big time in November. Shopping for myself is off limits for December! (With perhaps the exception of a thrifting trip or two.)

We Love Colors
1. Nylon/Lycra Microfiber Solid Color Tights, 3 x $12.50 = $37.50

Infinity Shoes
2. Miz Mooz Amelia boots in green, $199.99


After the boots, I told myself, “No more shopping, this year!” But I did have a thrift date with Reva on the books.

St Vincent de Paul
3. Pants, 99 cents

Finally, I did not intend to buy another thing in November…but I found myself walking the cold length of downtown with no gloves and no pockets. I made an emergency purchase.

TJ Maxx
4. Gloves, $19.99

The terrible total: $258.47

But the boots were SO worth it.

Browned Black

I think of myself as pretty fearless when it comes to mixing patterns and colors. And, yet, it took quite a bit of deliberation before I was comfortable pairing this skirt with brown. For some reason, I got all hung up on the black stripe in the skirt’s tartan. It seemed to demand accessorizing with black or its pale cousin, gray.


Blazer, Cami. Shirt, Merona. Skirt, Tulle. Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Nine West. Brooch, The Crafty Chemist.

Sometimes, I have to conquer my neurosis with an exercise of the imagination. When the black stripe starts to bother me, I just pretend it’s a very dark brown.

And Pearls

The (faux) pearl collar on this sweater compels me to accessorize with more (faux) pearls.


Sweater, vintage and stolen from New Gate. Skirt, Parson’s Place (thrifted, vintage, and shortened). Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, White Mountain. Belt, thrifted and vintage. Bracelets, Claire’s, Forever 21, and thrifted.



I’ve only worn this sweater twice before. I seem to have trouble pairing it with other things.


Any ideas?

Chili Bowl

We went to a chili party today and brought our newly invented "Triple S" chili*. It’s spicy, sweet, and smoky (and vegetarian).


Sweater, I Heart Ronson. Dress, No Boundaries. Tee, Forever 21. Jeggings, Mossimo. Boots, Diba. Necklaces, thrifted and borrowed. Purse, vintage. Gloves, Buffalo Exchange.

There were four kinds of chili to sample. (I only made it through three tastings.) Of course, I wore my eatin’ clothes.


Too much chili! Too much heat! I surrender!


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

*The recipe is still under construction...I'm happy to share it once it is fine-tuned.

Stumped

My style becomes a little more experimental on the weekends. One of the “rules” I tend to discard is the maxim to look as tall and slender as possible.


Sweatshirt, Deb. Turtleneck, Gap (swap). Skirt, Dex (swap). Tights, Stocking Diva. Boots, Blowfish. Necklace, Phai’s House of Jade.

The combination of this hem length, the wild tights, and the baggy boots shorten my leg line, but that’s okay. I was more interested in having fun with my wardrobe and being comfortable for my evening activities.

Stuffing

After Thanksgiving dinner, I quizzed Beefy on his favorite dishes. We both agreed that the seasoned cashews were the best appetizer and the derby pie was the best dessert. But we disagreed on dinner dishes. He preferred the sweet potatoes and I the stuffing.


Vest, Old Navy (swapped and dyed). Sweater, J Crew (swap). Dress, thrifted and shortened. Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Dan Post.

Obviously, these are pre-stuffing pictures. I don’t yet have that (three) thousand-calorie stare.


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Grranimal

It’s been far too long since the tiger* tights came out to play. Grrrrr.


Jacket, Dex (swap). Dress, New York & Co (shortened). Turtleneck, Target. Tights, We Love Colors. Heels, Steve Madden. Necklace, Serket Jewelry. Owl badge, swap. Dangling owl brooch, self-made.


*Well, I usually refer to these as zebra tights, but zebra's don't growl. They sort of bray. And braying isn't nearly bad-ass enough for these stockings.

Spot Plaid

This plaid skirt is one of my favorite thrift finds. It’s made of wool and has a fun hemline. Even more fun: pairing it with leopard.


Sweater, INC. Skirt, Jones New York Country(thrifted). Bag, Apt 9. Tights, Apostrophe. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target.


I was most annoyed to spill candle wax on the hem just before picture time. I will try to remove the wax by placing a paper towel over the spill and pressing with a warm iron. I’d hate to lose this wardrobe staple!