don't ask why

Last fall, Maikeni blogi-part of me nominated me for this sunshine award.
 
VI.  Name three of your best thrifted finds.

1. Dark brown thrifted boots
I've owned these for more than a year.
These cost $1.00.

Left photo: brown tie dyed blouse was thrifted.
Middle and right photo: brown skirt and blouse were thrifted

I like these brown boots. They are comfortable, and perfect for winter weather. I don't have to worry about my feet getting wet in them, or slipping and falling. Because yes, I'm clumsy like that.

2. Thrifted pointy toe black boots
I just got these in the fall of 2012.
These were about $2.00.

Left photo: black, grey, and cream skirt is thrifted.
Middle photo: purse is thrifted.

3. Thrifted tan suede wrap around ankle booties
I think I got these in the late summer of 2012.
I think I paid around $2.00.

Left photo: brown lace blouse and brown skirt were thrifted.
Middle photo: belt was thrifted

I know Maiken only asked for my 3 best, but I'm going to show more. That way, I can pretend I'm some rebellious rule breaker or something.

4. Thrifted mulberry corduroy pants
I got these in early fall of 2012.
These were probably $2.00.

Left photo: tie dye t-shirt was thrifted
Right photo: black embroidered blouse with cream sleeves was thrifted

 5. Purple Suede ankle boots
I've had these for more than 6 years.
I think these were $10.00.
I didn't buy them at a thrift store, but at a resale shop.
That's why they cost more than my other stuff. 

Right photo: black dress, and purple blouse underneath were thrifted.

 6. Thrifted Lace Blouse
I've also had this blouse for more than 6 years.
It might have cost $2.00.

Right Photo: pink blouse and denim skirt were thrifted.

7. Thrifted fringed cream cardigan
I've had this for more than 5 years.
It was about $2.00.

Both left and right photo skirts were thrifted.

8. Thrifted lace skirt
I've had this for more than 2 years.
I paid $1.00.

Top right photo: My red wine colored ankle boots were thrifted. 

How did I determine best? I based it on comfort, how I feel when I wear them, how often I wear them, or how long I've had them. 

Speaking of things I've had for a long time.
At the beginning of this week, I rediscovered this old art journal, from fall of 2008. I used watercolor, oil pastels, and collage

It says:
This book is the journey,
a dedication of my moments.

This journal was sitting there, in a stack of journals, unfilled and forgotten. Does that mean my moments were unfilled and forgotten?  ;)

I've been listening to this song a lot on repeat.
I go through these periods where I just can't get enough of it. Sigh.



..."don't ask why, don't ask why, don't ask why, 
don't ask why

sixteen candles down the drain" Molly by Sponge

cherry pink

Today's Inspiration Monday!

When the ladies Megan and Nora of Two Birds Boutique
choose an outfit to inspire a look.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others styled it
go to:
inspiration monday: cheek to cheek.

Today's inspiration is:

Drew Barrymore
Did you see Oprah's Next Chapter with Drew Barrymore?
It aired January 20, 2013.
I thought it was super.

My guy and I bleached my blouse.
It was red when I bought it.

We saw this sign on our road trip, while in Texas.
I don't know why I found this amusing.
We all know I'm easily entertained.

My paisley dress was thrifted.
This was the first time I wore it because every time I put it on, I didn't like it.
It's now in the donate pile.
 I think that makes 3 dresses in 3 days I'll be donating.

Right: Jean- Paul Gaultier Fall 2012 RTW
Left:  Juicy Couture Fall 2012 RTW

My guy holding our nephew Baby JJ.
Our twin nieces Lil Bug and EJ, are on the right.

My nephew Speed Racer, (he's in grey and blue),
with some kids in his preschool class.

Cherry Waves  by Deftones


Cherry Waves  is my favorite song by Deftones.  I can't tell you how many times I've played it, especially in the summer of 2008.

My art journal page from Jan. 28, 2013

My Cherry Loves

* cherry is my favorite pie

* one summer Cherry 7UP was my favorite soda
(old school TV commercial here)

* 7th grade me, longed for hair the color of  Cherry Valance 
from The Outsiders

* Japanese Cherry Blossom  is my fave shower gel
from Bath & Body Works

rock candy crystals

...When he saw that every branch of every tree was encased in ice, 

My skirt was thrifted.

he thought of Cinderella's toes and how they were visible through her perfect-fit glass slippers...Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong

Texas snow in our backyard, 10 days ago.
No, it didn't last long.
Yes, we are glad the temperature is warmer again.

My cousin made my necklace.

...when their world, wrapped in a thick blanket of white, was a gift...Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong

Cow photos my guy took in the Colorado snow,
on our road trip in December.

....a world covered in marshmallow fluff and rock candy crystals....Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong

You might not be able to see,
but my nails are actually painted gunmetal and dark brown on every other finger,
and a stripe of silver polish is down the middle.

My twin nieces in the December Utah snow,
 in their yard,
with their dad, my brother n-law

...these children awoke to their fathers home on a weekday and their mother's making cocoa...Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong

My mom gave me the sweater.
 I wore it before, here.

...marveling at the buildings and houses and how they looked like cakes covered in seven-minute frosting and coconut flakes...Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong

My shoes were thrifted. 

My art journal pages from early January.
all papers were painted or inked by me and collaged together.
These pages were inspired by this post by Donna Downey.

It says:

Choose Brightly
the world of never
Live in action
Show Heart
Celebrating like
light crazy unicorns

likes and dislikes

Today's Inspiration Monday!
When the ladies Megan and Nora of Two Birds Boutique
choose an outfit to inspire a look.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others styled it
 go to
inspiration monday: diplomat.

Today's inspiration is:

Lauren Conrad

My belt was thrifted. 

My boots were thrifted.

You know how some outfits you like, and some outfits you dislike?
I dislike my outfit. I'm being honest. I don't like it!
Now that doesn't mean I want people to tell me they do like it, to make me feel better. Because if they do, I won't believe them. I also don't want to hear why the outfit doesn't work for me, by picking each piece of it apart. Or that I didn't do my hair, or even bother to put on lipstick, and why that was a mistake. The bottom line is,  
 I don't like the way the outfit turned out, or how I felt in it. 


Now I'm going to show some pant outfits I DO like:

Vionnet Fall 2012 RTW

Left: Alexis Mabille Fall 2012 RTW
Middle: Banana Republic Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Altuzarra Fall 2012 RTW

Now for something else I like.

Two of my favorite guys: my husband, and my nephew Speed Racer, just had a  birthday.
I feel so lucky to have them in my life. :)

My art journal from Jan 16, 2013
inspired by
Art Journal All Year E-Course by Elsie & Rachel
I stamped and embossed paper, used paint, ink,
pens, and embroidery thread.The brown tags were store bought,
 but I added the white ribbon, and white paper.

Everyday I try to express myself creatively.

Whether it's with words, art, music, or style.

I don't like everything I do.
That doesn't mean I stop trying,
although there are times when I want to.
I just know life is like that.
Some things are likes,
and some things are dislikes.

And sometimes, if you are me, those likes and dislikes can change from moment to moment, and time to time. I've been known to change my mind.  ;)

a wash of dark denim

Today my outfit is based on 14 Shades of Grey,
Style Imitating Art Challenge.
When someone chooses a work of art, to inspire a look.

Today's art inspiration:
Left: Emilie Floege by Gustav Klimt

Right: My version of the look.

"A man can be destroyed but 
Not defeated
 Even when he's lying black and blue
 

My blouse, skirt, tank, and shoes were thrifted.

Living on a faith above his ceiling
 Never going to know if it rings true..."
 

Just Cavalli Fall 2012 RTW

Left: Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Akris Fall 2012 RTW

Left: Joseph Fall 2012 RTW
Right: Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012 RTW

Photos of the moon taken by my guy

Photo my guy took in New Mexico

Art Journal page from Jan. 11, 2013
inspired by Lifebook 2013 class
Art Doll made completely of rubber stamped images on painted background, and collaged words

Look Make Hear
Rock On
Meet Awesome
Dive In
Know
Enter Creative
Heal
Discover Music
Build Radiant

"...I don't want to hear you say
 
You will never change your ways
Cause we know it's hard to tell
 
When the river swells
Will you wash away?..." by The Trews

black days

Today's Inspiration Monday!
When the ladies Megan and Nora of  Two Birds Boutique
choose an outfit to inspire a look.

Here's my version of the look.
To see how others styled it
 go to
inspiration monday: home again, home again.

Today's inspiration is:

Alexa Chung
Does anyone miss her TV show
24 Hour Catwalk?
I thought it was kind of fun.

My necklace and boots are thrifted.

Maikeni blogi-part of me nominated me for this sunshine award.
 Now I will answer question 2.
II. How important is fashion to you?

It's hard for me to quantify it.
I know I don't like when I've had jobs where I had to wear a uniform, or be confined by rules, of what I can and can not wear. I  like to express myself creatively through the way I dress. I get very frustrated when I feel forced or limited in choices.

My art journal page from Jan. 13, 2013
inspired by Art Journal All Year E-Course by Elsie & Rachel

Lately I can't get enough BLACK,

with a hint of color.

Or is that a constant with me?

We saw Chris Cornell in concert, in 2008.
To see that post go to Projekt Revolution concert.

"...'Cause I fell on black days
I fell on black days

How would I know
That this could be my fate?...
I sure don't mind a change..." by Soundgarden