What I wore today: 10/31/2014 (Clockwork)

I wasn't planning on dressing up for Halloween, but then, a few nights before, I watched The Simpsons' latest Treehouse of Horror episode, which featured an A Clockwork Orange parody, and I realized how easy it would be to put together an Alex costume. 

I've never worn false eyelashes before, and I've always been intimidated by them, so I was surprised by how easy they were to apply. The real secret is to trim them to fit your eye and to actually wait the 15 seconds to let the glue get tacky. 

Happy Halloween!

A pumpkin I spray-painted with metallic paint for a cool decoration

Happy Halloween everyone! Halloween is my second favorite holiday (and was my very favorite as a kid; not because of the candy, but because of the awesome costumes my mom helped me make . . . and because I was obsessed with the idea of witches and magic and still am a little bit).

I'm not wearing a costume today, but I gave myself Halloween nails and chalked my hair just for fun. 

Last weekend, I dressed as a flapper for a costume party. Ryan went as Aladdin and wore these really killer harem pants I made for him. (The photo just doesn't do them justice.)

Tonight, I'm going to a Samhain celebration and ancestors dinner. I'm taking a big crock pot of my French onion soup to honor my paternal grandmother who passed away a couple years ago. I feel really grateful to have this opportunity to remember her and share stories about her with friends, especially since I was unable to go to her funeral which was out of town and coincided with my semi-fianals that year.

Doing watercolor with Memé in Monet's garden in Giverny when I was 14

With Memé looking out over the walls of Langres, our ancestral home, on the same trip

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

What I wore today: 05/03/2012 (Double Dots)

Technically, I guess this should be called "Triple Dots" since the laces in my shoes have tiny dots on them as well (closeup image here), but the main focus of this outfit was my idea to pair these two navy and white polkadot pieces with each other. I love that one is the inversion of the other and that the dots aren't the same size. And yet, all day long, I had people ask me if it was a dress. Even Ryan thought it was at first, and he's used to my crazy pattern mixing.

That's what just so great about mixing patterns that have the same color story; the result is quirky but still seems to make since. As for the polkadot laces in my shoes, that was probably overkill. But it's warm weather again, and, since I thrifted them in December I've only had one other opportunity to wear them, so they demanded to come out. I couldn't tell them no. They were making puppy-dog eyes at me. 

Oh, also, the necklace. I made it for an Anne Boleyn Halloween costume a few years back. Google Anne Boleyn and you'll find several portraits of her wearing one just like it (well, mine is made from Sculpey, but otherwise they're identical). You might also have seen it in The Other Boleyn Girl. Since my last name also starts with a B, I see no reason not to wear it in my everyday life. 

Pleated polkadot skirt - J. Crew Factory
Polkadot peplum top (with peplum tucked in) - H&M (also seen here)
Wide navy belt - thrifted
Flat espadrilles - thrifted (also seen here)
Anne Boleyn necklace - made by me
Pavé ball bangle - Anthropologie (also seen here)


Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

Mad Men party in Instagrams

I've been dead set on the idea of having a Mad Men party for a while now. I wanted to invite people to get dressed up, and I wanted to make a slew of kitschy, retro food. I knew that the looooooong-anticipate season 5 premiere was a thing worth celebrating, so I invited friends to come over Saturday night ("Premiere Eve") to revisit the season 4 finale in preparation.

I did have fun planning the menu, and I got more use out of the vintage mold I use for cranberry sauce. I started cooking early in the day with an apron thrown over my slip; I felt very '60s housewife-y. There was punch and a small drink-making station, and everyone dressed up. I hung up vintage ads and decorated the table with a typewriter and polaroid camera from the period. I had a lot of fun planning, and I think we all had a great time celebrating.

If you feel inspired, and want to have your own Mad Men party, might I suggest the season finale as a good time. Though, it's really always a good time to throw on a vintage dress and start wrapping chicken livers in bacon.

Edit: More fun vintagy-ness from cool bloggers at IFB's most recent Project, "Vintage Vixens."

Join me on: facebook // twitter // bloglovin // pinterest // instagram

Fictional Fashion Icon: Kate from United States of Tara

Photo source: seat42f.com

I love it when a character has a clear sense of style. Even when that style is far from my own, I always appreciate the efforts of a crew that makes what a character wears such a fun and telling part of the story. This month's Fictional Fashion Icon is clearly the product of such a crew.

When United States of Tara first begins, Kate is in high school, and her style is a pretty straightforward punk ballerina look, comprised of fishnets and tulle skirts with skulls on them; pretty much the kind of stuff you would find at Hot Topic.

Photo source: everyjoe.com

Photo source: tvfanatic.com

Photo source: community.flixster.com

Photo source: halvardhenry.blogg.no

But, as she grows up, her style evolves into something more complex, though still reflective of her rebellious spirit and creative confidence.

Photo source: tv.com

Photo source: paperlings.tumblr.com

Photo source: knityorkcity.com

Photo source: tumblr.com/tagged/kate+gregson

Just like Belle, she's a girl who loves costumes and knows the erotic power they can possess.

Photo sources: tvworthwatching.com and movieweb.com

Photo source: knityorkcity.com

Photo source: coolspotters.com

In fact, Kate enjoys playing dress up in her everyday life too. For example, when she gets an office job, she is at first reluctant the submit to the strict corporate dress code, but soon realizes the opportunity to make work clothes her own with an over-the-top and supremely cute take on office wear.

Photo source: knityorkcity.com

Photo source: knityorkcity.com

Photo source: tumblr.com/tagged/kate+gregson

Enter your email address: