Shiny Shoes

These pictures are from last month's trip to Carlsbad, but that's cool, right? I've worn this outfit a few times since then, really, except for the shoes. Those fell apart the day after I took these pictures. I'm still heartbroken. I need more copper sandals!

Dress (worn as skirt): WalMart | Top: Marshall's | Flannel: thrifted | Bracelets, necklace, sandals: Forever 21 | Sunglasses: Charming Charlie | Barrette: vintage

Mix and Match

'Sup, guys. As you may well know, today's Monday! You know what that means! And if you don't: it's Marvelous Monday, and you can find out just what that's supposed to mean right over in this direction.

This week's theme: pattern mixing!

Now, if life was a bit lovelier, I'd be able to wear my heart sweater, but alas, I live in the desert. Which is currently made of lava (and fire, actually, although I'm fairly certain the Powerhouse Fire has finally been contained). Not fun.

So instead, I've had to make do with this. And that's okay.

Top: thrifted | Skirt: mom | Headband, bangles: Forever 21

Just because. Also, I really love Roranicus Pondicus.

And this week, I've gotten into a new hobby. Like, of of nowhere. I've been embroidering for the past two days, and things might be getting a little weird. Whatever, I love learning new things!

Anyway, enough about me and my new thing. Let's go see how the others mixed and matched their patterns!

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Lister Vindaloo

So, you know how I'm doing Marvelous Mondays with four other fantastic fatshion bloggers?

Guess what, guys.

It's Monday!

The philosophy of the challenge is this: Monday is nobody's favourite day of the week, but maybe its terrible reputation is a little undeserved. We're on a mission to make ours (and hopefully yours) a little less awful by dressing marvelously!

This week's theme: fictional characters.

I thought long and hard for this one, but when I realised who I wanted to channel, the rest came easy.

I've gotten really into Red Dwarf really quickly (which is annoying BECAUSE I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY HOLLY BECAME HILLY BUT WAS STILL CALLED HOLLY AND WHY DOES RIMMER KEEP CHANGING INTO THOSE DUMB UNIFORMS I QUIT EXcept I'm way too invested to say no now), and Lister is one of my favourite characters. Really, I love all four characters, but Kryten and Lister are the best.

Anyway, I figured that I could get a bit creative with my Lister-inspired look, and I think I did pretty well, actually!

Also, my Banana decided that this was the best possible time to wear a hat like me, and I have to agree with her.

Hat: from Warped Tour | Brooches (there's one on either side): vintage | Jacket: Forever 21 | Tee: thrifted | Dress, tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Warhol button: off a Loop bag

Now, I highly suggest paying a visit to the others to see who they're emulating. I don't know about you, but I'm obnoxiously excited.

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Spring Forward

Take my title as a gentle reminder that Daylight Savings is either starting or ending—either way, turn your clocks forward an hour, if you haven't already. Either that, or live in the past.

Today has basically involved groceries, Girl Scout cookies, and bees. No one got stung, but things are in bloom, and they're everywhere.

Tonight will be art homework and lots of Red Dwarf. I know, I'm excited too.

I was only mildly worried about all the bees.

Dress: eShakti | Sweater: thrifted | Cuff: vintage | Bag: Ross | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever

Daisies on my desk! It's that time of year.

Doin' Stuff

I've spent a good chunk of the day doing homework for my art class (yesterday was biology), and then I finally decided to go outside and stretch my legs. Well, I had to do some chores that required me going outside, but it counts. Even if that wind is cutting.

Either way, look! I'm wearing stuff!

Sweater: thrifted | Dress: WalMart | Flats: Payless

Orange Juice Adventure

I call it that. It was really me and my mom going to WalMart for, well, orange juice and stuff.

Yep.

Top: Forever 21 | Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: ASOS Curve | Flats: Payless

Also, do you guys remember the goals I posted earlier this year? Well, my Goal No. 4 was to finish my Big Project. I've kind of kept it a secret this whole time. Before yesterday/today at two in the morning, only about four people knew it existed.

Well, if you acknowledge me on almost any social platform, you will know that I (please excuse the excessive caps to follow) WROTE AND FINISHED AN ENTIRE NOVEL. A WHOLE 79,000 WORD NOVEL. THAT HAPPENED, I DID THAT, I AM STILL FREAKING OUT.

Yep, my Big Project was a novel.

That I finished.

I'm starting the editing tonight, and I'm still just going to freak out that it happened.

The worst part is that people are now asking what it's about. Obviously, I know what it's about. I can tell you the moral of the story, carry on and on about why some characters have the names they do, explain where I think everything takes place, and all of that. No problem. I can write a whole book. One thing I can't do? Summarize a book. Whether I've written (!) it or read it, I just can't. I always think it sounds stupid when I explain it, so I always say stuff like "Just read the back!" or "I promise it's so much better than all that!"

Definitely something to work on.

So, yeah.

That happened.

Carry on.

Venticinque

I wear this sweater way too often.

Another thing I did today: practically clean out the 99 Cent Store of their candy, with the help of Casey. It was worth it, for the sea salt dark chocolate, and the hazelnut chocolate seashells.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: Fashion Bug | Top (underneath): Forever 21

Other stuff:

Bag: MulberryxTarget | Sunglasses: Charming Charlie | Flats that you can't see: Payless

Also: today's music challenge. It's a song that makes me sleepy. That would be "Gymnopedie No. 1."

Ventiquattro

Today's adventure was just WalMart and a lot of TV. Though, to be fair, more than an hour of TV counts as a lot to me. I basically only watch three shows right now, and two of them are on hiatus.

Anyway.

Yeah.

Southern California is currently being hit in the face by a cold snap, so I'm thinking that I won't be going out in to the world tomorrow. Of course, there's no telling, but that's irrelevant, or something.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Dress: WalMart

Other stuff:

Tights: WalMart | Flats (not pictured (sorry)): Payless

Also, today's music task is a song that I know all the words to. There are a handful, but I recently discovered that I somehow learned all the words to Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which I am completely okay with.

Ventitre

Also known as: 30x30, Timbuktu Timbuktu edition.

Sorry, I'm just really over-the-moon about the new episode of Cabin Pressure.

Here, have an outfit to make up for my enthusiasm.

30x30 Items:

Dress: eShakti | Top: thrifted

Other stuff:

Necklace: Claire's | Belt, tights: WalMart | Shoes: Forever 21

Apparently, I'm really fond of layering tops and sweaters over this dress. I am completely fine with that, it's such a perfect print that it works, I think.

Oh, and my music thing! Today's is a song that reminds me of somewhere. I chose this song because it was on the radio constantly as we were driving through Yellowstone over the summer (I'm talking every other song), so it's no surprise that it makes me think of Yellowstone now.

It's "Someone That I Used to Know" by Gotye. (I also happen to like this song, so it's no trouble on my part.)

Ventuno

A mall day with Casey today. She's spending a few nights at my house, and we've basically been spending all of our time watching bad infomercials on the Smithsonian channel. And the shows, of course, for their educational value.

Anyway, I have TARDIS socks now. My life is complete.

30x30 Items:

Dress: WalMart | Shirt: thrifted

Other stuff:

Necklace, belt: Fashion Bug | Bag: Target | Tights: Hue | Shoes: Vans | Ring: BOOLVD
(Check out Dani and Jess and enjoy that, okay?)

Also: Day 2 of 30 Days of Music. Today's challenge: my least favourite song. Oh.
I had trouble with this, but then I heard the song today and that just reminded me how strongly I dislike it, for no particular reason. So... Yeah.
It's "Drop It Like It's Hot" by Snoop Dogg.

Venti

I'm still all sorts of sniffly, but I took some cold medicine and decided to brave the world with Erika today. We exchanged Christmas presents, got lunch at our new favourite Chinese place, and rung in the new year almost a week late with mini bottles of apple cider from the dollar store.

All in all, it was a good day.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: ASOS Curve

Other stuff:

Necklace: Hot Topic (gift from Casey) | Bag: Target | Flats: Payless

My gift from Erika is a teapot...

...stuffed with candy. These are all things that I like, and this is why we're friends.

Quattordici

This is what I wear when I brave the Christmas Eve Eve (I felt like Phoebe, and it felt good) masses of WalMart.

It's also what I wear when I try to get my cat to come out of a tree because, no, you are not going to catch that bird, you're not as stealthy as you seem to think you are.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: mom

Other stuff:

Bag: Target | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Payless | Sunglasses: Tilly's
(Go pay Dani and Jess a visit for their 30x30 looks.)

Undici

My mom and I started our Christmas shopping today (I know, we're cutting it awfully close, but we just live life on the edge), and I'm one present short of being done. That's a nice feeling.

Although, if I'm being really honest, I think I might be two presents short. There's a copper bag at Target that  might be for me. And from me.

It's best if you don't question it.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Dress: Avon

Other stuff:

Bag: MulberryxTarget | Watch: mom | Bangles: vintage | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever 21

Two quick notes about this outfit: I've had it in my head for about a month, and I'm so pleased that it turned out the way I thought it would, and I really ought to stop calling this my Beatnik Sweater. Even if it makes me feel like I should snap instead of applaud and maybe wear a beret.

Oh, who am I kidding?

Beatnik Sweaters for life!
(I keep forgetting to link you all to Jess and Dani for their 30x30 looks. I highly suggest you ease my pain and click those links. Ease your pain too, the pain at not knowing just how glorious these ladies are. Because they are.)

Sei

Today, you guys get a bit of a two-for-one. My outfit pulled double duty, as it had to carry me though school and a tea party. I forgot my camera for the tea (sorry!) but at least I got a shot of my outfit. Hopefully that makes up for it.

Quick story about my day, though. Not that it's interesting. I just like sharing, guys. I feel like we're friends.

After finishing the big class art project (we each created a tile then put it together, like a giant Picasso puzzle), we got out of drawing at one rather than 2:30. Most of my art group went over to Starbucks for lunch, pet stories, and discussions on our favourite Disney movies. After dropping another member of our group off at her class, the three of us sat in K's car for a solid half hour playing music on our iPods and rocking out. Then, K went home, leaving me and J to watch videos (I love introducing people to Sherlock (guys, it's on Netflix (so is Doctor Who))) for another forty-five minutes.

There is a reason why drawing is my favourite class, and it is that group.

Eventually, I made it back into town. My mom picked me up, we picked Casey up, and we all picked up some cat food. I did some magic and my outfit went from comfy to mostly-tea-appropriate.

The tea was a lot of fun. My aunt and one of her friends were hostesses (among nearly a hundred others, I'm not sure how many tables/groups there were), and the food was delicious. I gorged myself on tea, if that's possible. Not likely. There was singing (which Casey and I totally knocked out of the park), a story, and a raffle. The raffle was totally rigged, I swear.

But then, I always say it.

And then I came home and made this post.

Next on the agenda: watch a movie and then go to sleep.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: Thrifted | Dress: eShakti

Other stuff:

Collar: DIY | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Bow: BOOLVD

I'll post the original once I find it. Promise.

Tre

I got dressed for approximately fifteen minutes. Essentially, it was long enough for me to look at the Christmas lights with my nephew looking on approvingly. I don't even know.

All I do know is that this counts as day three, because there are clothes on me, and they are all part of the list. So it works.

My room is still messy, and I feel like it will continue to be this way until the semester ends. Just seven days left. Seven. I can do this, man!

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: Fashion Bug

Other stuff:

Flats: Payless

Br00tal00 (Best Not to Ask)

Yesterday was a long one, but definitely a good one.

Erika and I spent the first half of the day on the Boulevard, mostly perusing antique shops, getting haircuts (well, okay, she's the only one who got a haircut. I'm waiting), seeing if anyone was hiring (this one was just me), and eating Chinese food. These are the kinds of days we enjoy. The weather was much warmer than I would have liked, since it's, you know, November, but I made do by wearing my favorite dress out into the world.

But seriously, weather. Get your act together. Sheesh.

After spending a bit of time at her house (eating cheesecake, watching the Sex and the City movie (what?), and getting sort of fancified), we went to her boyfriend's house for a party. Apparently I do that now. Although, what I call a party was little more than a group of us sitting around in the den eating ceviche, taking quick jaunts to the grocery store to pick up more meat, returning to the den for discussions on The Avengers and Doctor Who, and watching Youtube videos. I choose to call this a party, though, even if a member of our group took a nap. Goes to show how she felt about our company.

Erika with her pretty new hairdo.

So good! I feel like we might become regulars. Or something. I 
dunno.

Really wish I'd thought to actually, you know, open this. It might 
either be uproariously funny or drier than the Sahara.

Because I'm who I am, I neither got pictures of the party, nor pictures of my outfit. Luckily for all of us, one of those mistakes was easy to fix and those pictures were easy to recreate. I apologize now for the less-than-stellar quality, and the fact that my room is still  a mess. Or, as I like to think of it, a niece-induced maelstrom.

Rainy Days are the Best Days

It's scientific fact.

Because it's cold and rainy and I actually have to go out into the world, I'm dressing as warmly as I ever do, minus the tremendous wool coat that I just can't wait to break out.

The green tea makes things warmer and fuzzier and generally 
nicer.

Sweater: Thrifted | Dress (as skirt): eShakti | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Payless

Now, I'm off to take Charlie to the vet (nothing bad, just a booster shot), assuming my brother is finished playing video games.

No, not assuming.

Hoping.

A lot.

Sigh.

Oh, and before I go: I gave a presentation in my Italian class (on Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara. Google him if you're interested in marine biology) and didn't mess up! Cue proud moment. It was made nicer when the guy immediately after me did a presentation on spaghetti and meatballs, complete with samples on the class. Man, I love Italian.

Do You Tip Your Cops?

I know it seems like I spend all of my time at the mall.

You'd be right, if it wasn't for the classes and whatnot. I swear, I've spent more time at the mall in the past three weeks than is likely healthy.

Today, it was with Casey. It was a prolific spree. Shockingly, neither of us spent too much. That was nice.

At Red Robin today, they were doing this cool thing, called Tips for Cops. The cops worked as waitstaff, basically, and all tips went to the Special Olympics. They make pretty decent waiters, if I do say so myself.

I got a free sandwich, too, since it's my birthday month. That was nice, too.

I feel like it made up for this week. Well, no. That implies that my week was unpleasant. Really, the only unpleasant thing was taking five and a half hours to get home (so. many. buses.) and the train breaking down one stop away from my normal station. That one didn't go too badly, though, since I decided to just go home, and ended up spending the afternoon making/eating chicken noodle soup with Casey.

Regardless, I like buying new things.

And let me tell you, I did just that.

Absolutely flawless sunglasses. Even if they're painfully 
expensive.

See, fezzes are cool!

Spinach-artichoke dip!