Hillary

Business travel can be so, well, businessy. I often don’t see more of my travel destinations than the airport, hotel, and a restaurant or two. After a few years of trips like that, I resolved to start adding at least one personal element to each trip.

When I visited Minneapolis last December, I met up with the Cheap Chick. I was in Seattle in April and spent time with two old friends. In June, following a meeting in Atlanta, Beefy met me and we saw Rock City, Stone Mountain, and the Georgia Aquarium. When a business trip to Boston was planned, I knew exactly what my “something extra” would be: meeting Hillary of by hillary.


Jacket, Dex (swap). Dress, London Times (shortened hand-me-down). Belt, H&M. Scarf, thrifted. Boots, Miz Mooz. Bag, Mossimo. Cuff, Pangaea. Earrings, Julie’s Inspiration. Brooches, swapped, vintage, and self-made.

I was a leeeeetle excited to meet Hillary (and her husband, Dave).



I’ve been reading Hillary’s blog for years, after first “meeting” her through Wardrobe Remix. After following a blog for so long, you get a good sense of a person’s personality. Hillary was just as sweet and quirky in person as she is on her blog. It was so wonderful to add all the elements of her in-person presence to her written self. The best way I can describe meshing the on-line and real-life Hillarys is that it was like Hillary squared. And she was utterly delightful.

She brought me a cupcake and dressed in a quintessential Hillary manner. We talked about cats and makeup and blogging and photography and living in Boston. I wish I had asked to see her collection of Hello Kitty charms…but I think that’s the only topic we missed.


Photo by Dave
Hillary, it was so great to meet you! Next time, I’ll bring you a can of Cincinnati’s Skyline chili.

Two Steps Closer

This probably won’t make much sense if you didn’t read my August Purchases post closely,* but I’m now two steps closer to moving into a VW bus in the southwestern desert.


Dress, Eddie Bauer (thrifted). Scarf, Claire’s. Bag, Nine West. Belt, thrifted. Shoes, American Eagle for Payless. Cuff, antique market. Rings, vintage. Sunglasses, Girl Props.

At the antique market on Sunday, Beefy bought me this turquoise cuff and I also picked up another turquoise ring (on my right index finger).


I also checked out an alternate version of my plan, living in an abandoned railroad building in Cincinnati, but rejected it. Too noisy. (It does, however, appear to have more closet space than a VW bus.)


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

*I don’t hold it against you if you only visit my blog for the pictures. I often skip the narrative, myself.

Gypsy Woman

I’ve got a bit of gypsy in me; my great grandparents emigrated from Hungary. I blame my Eastern European blood for my nomadic tendencies.

I lived in the same house for all of my remembered childhood, but longed to move. Every night, I would pray that our house would burn down so that we could start fresh elsewhere. New places and new beginnings have always appealed to me.

Once I left home for college, I changed residences, if not states, every few months. I kept up my nomadic pattern until I moved to Cincinnati. I’ve been here, in the same house, for almost seven years. My wanderlust is as strong as ever, but I’m able to satisfy it in small doses: with business trips and vacations. Eventually, though, I’ll move on. I just hope my cats are good travelers.

Are you a wanderer?


Dress, To The Max. Belt, H&M. Scarf, flea market. Shoes, Libby Edelman. Bag, Mossimo. Earrings, Aldo. Bracelets, Epcot Morocco and swap.



Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Busted

I think the Cincinnati PD is monitoring my twitter account. At about 5 pm, I tweeted that Beefy and I would be taking outfit pictures at an abandoned warehouse. Minutes after we arrived on location, the police showed up.


Dress, Studio I. Scarf, vintage. Shoes, Charles David. Bracelets, Claire’s and Deb. Bag, vintage. Necklace, Target. Sunglasses, Betsey Johnson.

Once the officers confirmed that we were merely taking pictures outside, not breaking and entering, they departed. Although the visit added a little excitement to my day, I’ll be sure to refrain from tweeting my potentially illegal plans until afterward, next time.

Seriously, though, I'm no criminal. And I was impressed with the response time. From the looks of things, this location is popular with graffitists.



I was framed! I swear!
Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Brooklyn Flea

We were in NYC for a little over two days. Friday night, we got ramen and checked out Times Square. Saturday was almost entirely taken up by the party on Long Island. For our Sunday activities we had to make some tough choices. We settled on the Brooklyn Flea, a ride on the East River Ferry, and the matinee performance of Anything Goes.


Dress, Mossimo. Scarf, Calypso St Barth for Target. Sandals, Aerosoles. Hat, Charlotte Russe. Owl brooch, thrifted. Necklace, Serket Jewelry. Watch,Vivani (gift). Ring, vintage. Bracelets, The Bead Factory, Garden of the Gods gift shop, and Target.





Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Summer Trends: Bright Bottoms

I’m wearing Saturday’s challenge on Friday afternoon because I’ve got other plans for Saturday. (Maybe you'll get a hint of my exciting weekend plans from the background in the photos.)

Okay, back to the challenge: Bright Bottoms.


Top, George. Shorts, Old Navy. Sandals, Mossimo. Scarf, Calypso St Barth for Target. Earrings, Monica D. Hat, Charlotte Russe. Owl brooch, thrifted. Bag, Nine West. Bracelets, Target and Claires. Watch, Vivani (gift).



Photos by Beefy Muchacho

I’ll be frank. I have a Big Bottom. So, I don’t wear a lot of Bright Bottoms. These green shorts are the only legged bright bottoms I own. All the rest are skirts:


(And I also have a large collection of bright dresses that cover my bottom. And my top. So they are more Bright All Over.)

Despite my skittishness around bright, legged bottoms I am curious to try the bright skinny jeans/pants trend. I actually bought a bright blue pair of City Lights skinny jeans, but returned them because of the low rise. Anyone have other brand suggestions? I haven’t tried Urban Outfitter’s BDG skinnies or J Brand. (The latter’s price makes me *shudder*.)

Luau

I have an unfortunate attraction to obnoxious prints. Luau prints might be my favorite of the loud patterns. I’m drawn to garments featuring palm trees, hibiscus flowers, and parrots.


Dress, Charlotte Russe (free from TDW). Scarf, Calypso St Barth for Target. Shoes, Aerosoles. Bracelets, vintage, Garden of the Gods gift shop, swap, and Target. Watch, Vivani (gift). Earrings, Monica D. Bag, Nicole Lee. Sunglasses, Betsey Johnson.

I wore this brightly patterned dress to thrift yet another luau print to add to my collection.





Photos by Beefy Muchacho