Little Black Dress

LBD: Target ($10!) / Cardi & Belt: J Crew Factory clearance / Scarf: Bunco win  / Boots: Larsen via 6pm / Tights: Ross layered over Ross / Bracelets: F21, AE / Earrings: Handmade by a friend

I got this dress for $10 on sale at Target, I've been looking for a way to dress it down. I knew just what to do after I won this fabulous scarf, also on sale right now at Target, at Bunco last week { I know...my odds have to be like 80% by this point...I don't know why I've yet to pack up and move to Vegas. Is there a Vegas-equivalent for dice games? }

In other news...Last night, the Husband and I pulled out the memory foam topper for our pull-out couch bed, parked it right in front of our wood-burning stove, and camped out in there for the night. It was heavenly. When you live in the mountains, and it's cold enough to ice-skate on the lake you live by, and you don't heat the house because the cost of enough heating oil for your rather large 40s home with wall to ceiling drafty windows is insane, this makes perfect sense.

The Hound has found this arrangement particularly to her liking.

P.S. Linked up to Clothed Much's last Rule-Breaking Party! Click to see how others break the rules with their LBDs.

The Fixer Upper, Reinvented

 Skirt Suit, Belt, Bracelet: Gabes / Shoes: Ross (Aerosoles) / Lace Top: Charlotte Russe / Tank: Thrifted (Loft) / Necklace: TJ Maxx

My sad little blogger world suddenly revolves around EBEW, which I can't bear to miss despite the fact that my photos are still too large { I finally got my new computer! Just waiting for files to be rescued from the old one and to get Photoshop on here so 30x30/Europe posting can recommence :)}

With my insane schedule I thought there was no way I could participate in this month's DIY feature. I can barely keep up with planning and grading, and I'm not super savvy with a sewing machine. My mamaw got me a basic one for Christmas in college, because I desperately wanted to be the next Coco Chanel. I promptly used it to spruce up my spring break swimsuit with what I thought to be some very sophisticated decoration, then considered myself appropriately versed in all things sewing and gave it up entirely after remembering I was a French major planning to vacation at Cocoa Beach, not a fashion apprentice headed to Saint Barts.

I briefly considered featuring that swimsuit, but how lame would that be for October? Then I remembered  there was another project I tackled before retiring from major DIY.  I'd purchased a cherry skirt suit from Gabes, thinking I got a sweet steal for a perfect grad outfit, only to get it home and find the sleeves were two different lengths, the jacket was too wide, and the hemline was most unflattering.

I managed to modify it well enough before retiring my machine to a lifetime of mending and easier projects, like adding lace inserts to mischievous skirt slits.  My little red suit served its purpose well, then I tucked it in the back of my closet and haven't looked at it since. Till now. When I realized I could bust it out not only for a DIY feature, but to also continue my allegiance for a color blocking feature.  In the most fashionable way possible. Which, of course, is by breaking the rules and following the fab footsteps of Emma Stone, SJP, and Zoe Saldana.

There was a time I was too traumatized to dare reds and pinks in the palest of doses, but I'd say this rich combo proves I'm fully cured. {You can read about my traumatizing experience with reds at the end of this post, if it strikes your fancy.}

And there you have it. I've no tutorial for you. Not even any before shots. There was no process to my madness. I don't think I even had a measuring tape. And I'm certain I didn't do a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. And because I know I'm going to feel completely outdone seeing everyone else's marvelous masterpieces, I thought about throwing in a photo of that plain white tankini, which the sting of a fresh break-up inspired me to fancify with an extra strap, belt, and ties. Stitched by yours truly.  It's amazing, the creative energy a blow to your self esteem can expose. And I didn't even know about DIY tutorials at that time.

But then I remembered my computer crashed. Quel dommage!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Quel dommage = Too bad!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Awkward and Awesome Thursday: Sailor Stripes

  Tank & Earrings: J Crew final sale / Blazer: H&M / Pants &Scarf: AE / Wellies: Hunter via Bloomingdales gift card

Awkward / Maladroit* :

- The fact that it snowed on June 1st. Just going to throw that out there. It's more maddening than awkward. 
- Getting yelled at by a random jogger, literally screaming from shore for us to get off the rock bridge we were on, fascinated and giggling like kids by the way the waves went under it then crashed into a blow hole by the shore, spraying water way into the air.
- Continuing to happily dance in the wave spray while said jogger screams at us. We finally heard him over the roar of the waves. Apparently, sneaker waves can wipe out people on the bridge, and some have died . You'd think they'd post a sign!
- People shaking their heads at us while we leave, quite abashedly, only to return a few minutes later with a camera and dry clothes to take photos in front of the blow hole instead. Shameless, yet spellbound.

Awesome / Génial*:

- My double striped fashion risk. I'm calling it awesome. It could be awkward. I felt like a rebellious sailor. First double dots, now double stripes. Maybe one day I'll be daring enough to pair dots and stripes.
- The fact that I found these skinny cords for $15 at AE. Yay, sales and fab deals!
- The fact that dizzying cliffs + huge waves + sea rocks to climb upon = a very happy Husband.  It's like his own personal crack, people. And we encountered lots of it on our trip :)
- That he takes a flurry of photos in his high, which is good for my blog. He was all, "Oh, this is a cool spot. Right here. Climb this craggy rock. Now, pose on the edge of this cliff. A little closer to the edge; you can't tell how high it is. Be sure to balance inwards." Oh why? Because it's like a way scary drop into treacherous waves and I'm the worst swimmer ever? Yeah, that's why.

- This person's house. So green with envy right now.

- Kyllo's crab cakes with garlic mash, crab melt, and hazelnut bleu cheese salad. Oooh, miam miam*!

- And last, but not least, the Pacific Northwest Coast! We just love it.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Maladroit = Awkward; Génial = Awesome; Miam miam = Yum yum / Nom nom!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wedding Wear

Dress: Ross (BCBG) / Peek-a-Boo Slip: Vintage Hem / Shoes: Ross (Kenneth Cole) / Necklace: J Crew Factory clearance / Braclets: France / Clutch: Gabes (Ann Taylor) / Cheesy poses: c/o public photo embarrassment...seriously, like 3 girls walked in while we were taking these, then everyone was looking as the Husband and I returned. Fabulous.

I just scored this BCBG dress for $15 at Ross. I may have also purchased it in brown. I really have to stop doing that. But it's like wearing liquid silk. So that justifies two of the same dresses, right?

Since we've moved out West, we've made some wonderful friends and recently saw two of them tie the knot! I try to minimize photos with others to protect their privacy and/or potential blog phobias, but couldn't help but slip in a few shots with the lovely bride and some new friends. Her family is delightful. Her sister also has a French degree. And we were wearing the same shoes. And we both considered other shoes first. And we got them at the same store in different cities. And we're obsessed with Austen and the Brontës. And she was wearing a fabulous thrifted dress. {Des clous!? Ouais, c'est vrai!*.... } She, her sister-in-law, and I were les trois mousquetaires* of the night and had a smashing time together :)

And the lovely bride was radiant and elegant. I'm so happy to have her for a friend!

As you see, I didn't get to wear my English garden wedding outfit, but the vintage feel of this darlingly quirky ballroom was every bit as fun!

For my dress, I cut off the lace hem of an old tank and pinned it to my bra to help that dangerously low V without the bother of the tank itself. And since the Husband strongly dislikes empire waists {remember?}, I tied the sash in the front to give it some shape. That's right. I can be thrifty and crafty and daring. Bam. And tomorrow I might just make more cupcakes. The Julia Child within has been inspired by a certain lemon poppy-seed wedding cake with raspberry filling. Miam miam*!

P.S. I made the Husband go into the ladies room with me for those photos up top. Their powder room was irresistibly fanciful. We tried to be sneaky, but of course someone noticed and suddenly there were lots of 'yeah baby's snickered our way. To which he held up his camera and nodded dutifully. And I turned far redder than my hair and vowed never to be photographed in public again. Especially since we aren't very good photographers and take forever in low light...

P.P.S. Linked up here for Rule Breaking Monday! I've always wanted to try that sash tied in the front, but never did because of the inverted V.  I finally decided what they hey and broke my rule :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Des Clous!? = No way;  Ouais, c'est vrai = Yep, it's true!;  les trois mousquetaires = the 3 musketeers {originally written in French!}; Miam miam = yum yum!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

V is for Vendetta...

 Sweater: Urban Outfitters clearance / Gloves: Target clearance / Jeans: Gabes (Express) / Boots: JC Penney clearance / Belt: J Crew final sale / Earrings: Thrifted

...in both English and French, actually. And I'm pretty sure Mother Nature's got one out for me. The morning after I wore my springy Easter blossoms, vainly trying to seduce Mother Nature into putting out her own buds, it sleeted.  Icy slush pounded my windshield so hard my poor wipers could barely keep up. Then, it hailed. Hailed. Little balls of ice pelted my face and even found their way down my high-neck top where they melted on the ladies as I ran from my car. Thursday, we were graced with snow:

Till Mother Nature comes 'round, I'll keep warm with these long, soft gloves I scored on clearance at Target, thanks to the fact that over the mountains, where we have to go to find Target, spring has already sprung.

Perhaps I should quit pleading with her, challenging her, trying to make her jealous, and complaining about Mother Nature in general. Perhaps I should just accept that I am living in the mountains, and winter is longer up here. Much longer. Perhaps that's lame. Way lame. Zut alors! Zut, zut, zut  ALORS*. 

On a lighter note, does anyone out there know how to wrap hair around a pony and actually make it stay? Bobby pins just never hold for me- they pop right out within minutes.

P.S. I realize that pairing black and brown, by this point, is probably no longer a true rule to break since it was like the first to go when all this rule breaking business began, but there was a time not too long ago when I would never dream of pairing my blacks and browns, so I just wanted to point it out by linking here :)

------------------------------------------------------

*Zut alors! = Darn it! / Blast!

--------------------------------------------------------

Easter Blossoms

Dress: B Moss / Cardi: Elder Beerman / Tights: Kohls clearance / Shoes: Target clearance / Necklace: Inherited from Grandma / Earrings: NY & Co / Bracelet: Made by Yours Truly, not that you can really see the jewelry...

Today, the Husband and I had our own little Easter. First we went to church, where I got to hear him speak about the last week of the Savior's life. I love hearing him speak; he's so eloquent it makes me a teensy weensy bit jealous. I figure that's okay since it also makes me love him even more. We visited friends, we hosted a spontaneous play date with the cutest, bounciest puppy for our hound, we made balsamic glazed salmon and edamame and marble cake with my Grandma's fluffy chocolate frosting and strawberries on top, and we delved into the Easter basket full of goodies {Utah truffles, anyone? They're divine} from my super sweet mother-in-law.

I wore my springiest dress full of blossoms. The neighborhood is now decorated with flowers that have sprung up despite the cold and wind. The trees still haven't bloomed, but I'm hoping once they got sight of this dress they were so bitterly jealous that they decided tomorrow's their big day.  And they're going to go all out to beat my dress in loveliness and since they've been preparing for so extra long this year, they'll be even more beautiful than ever. And it will scare the cold right out of here. And my life will be full of warm, green happiness. Fingers crossed!

Joyeuses Pâques!*

Post linked up here for What I Wore Wednesday and  here for Rule Breaking Monday! When I was a young Brownie, an Avon lady gave my troupe makeovers. Everyone got pink lipstick, except me. I was devastated. She said red heads must absolutely avoid reds, especially pink. She gave me orange instead. 80s orange lipstick. Yeah, much better, lady. I shamefully avoided reds the next few years before rebelliously overcompensating with hot pink capris. By now, however, I like to think I've showed her who's the color boss and that redheads can tastefully wear reds and pinks. I've even dared wear red lipstick a time or two. Like in my last post, for example. Ha! Take that, misguided pink-monger Avon lady!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Joyeuses Pâques = Happy Easter!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------