You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Hello again...



Life has been hectic this year!  So much has happened in a relatively small amount of time, and I don't really know where to begin.  Several of our friends moved away, had babies (or are still expecting some!), and sadly there were a couple of divorces too.

While I know two of those things will happen to us eventually, I couldn't help but feel a pang of "outsickness" as friends disappeared one by one.  I love the feeling of packing up and heading off into the unknown, and I fully intend to "have a midlife crisis" and live overseas at some point when we have children, just like my parents did when I was younger.

In the meantime, however, we're enjoying our life here.  We love our home, and we have an amazing family of neighbors.  I've been doing really well at work too--I've had TWO raises in the past 6 months, which is supremely gratifying :) 

I haven't had much time for sewing lately (soon, soon!), but I somehow found time to become a cooking-gardening-pickling-juicing, laundry-detergent-making, cloth-napkin-using lunatic ever since we started eating clean last summer.  I'll have to update you on all my random kitchen experiments next time. :) 

 I hope everyone is enjoying the summer!

Dragons & Jewels

A couple friends & I went to a small Chinese New Year celebration last weekend.  Our favorite local jewelry designer, Mae-Mae from M Squared Jewelry, was there to tempt us with lots of beautiful new goodies!  I ended the afternoon with a few new pieces to take home with me, and memories of lions and dragons dancing in my head.

Fact:  Asian kids are the cutest kids.  It's science.

And of course, the jewelry!

Tiny vintage elephant & faceted goldstones

Love the length of these

Another giant stone necklace!

See you again soon--I'm just finishing a new pocket skirt, & I can't wait to show it off.  There's a good chance I may blind someone when I wear it to work, which is reason enough for wearing it, don't you think?

Itty Bitty, Ooey Gooey

I made these baby cheesecakes after seeing this incredible recipe on the Joy the Baker blog.  I didn't have time to make caramel from scratch, but Cajeta was a deliciously messy stand-in.  I hadn't had cajeta since my college years, but an old roommate & I used to smear it on cookies or Bimbo brand pound cakes before class.  Breakfast of champions, right?  The mind reels.

Did I mention there's a ginger snap crust under all that deliciousness?

(These cupcake liners are the BEST.  "If You Care" is kind of a guilt-trippy sounding label, but you don't have to use cooking spray at all, and they aren't in silly pastel colors.  Amazing!)

Bon Voyage Kelly!

After a bit of a social drought, my girlfriends and I all got together to send off our dearest Kelly in the usual rowdy style.  I hate to sound super old, but drunk bar crawls are extremely rare for me these days.  Usually, my idea of a good time is a delicious meal, occasionally a glass of wine, and messing with bits of fabric.  Or watching cheesy anime series on Netflix, which my husband hates.  Haha! 

I haven't been blogging at all these past few months, but now that work is less bananas I will be back more often.  I can't say that my posts will all be style-related, but if you still want to keep up with my cooking, sewing, traveling shenanigans, I would love to have you!

P.S. Kelly:  Please start a blog so we can keep up with your new life as an Alaskan!

Wedding-o-rama

Just got back from a wedding in Mississippi and am totally drained...but it was worth it!  The wedding was beautiful, the weather was perfect (including the thunderstorm--haven't seen one of those in Austin for months!), and I got to spend time with several college friends that I hadn't seen in years!

Just a couple random Hipstas to tide you over until the real pics are ready:

"Dr. Boozington" & "Professor Wifflebottom" do the Godwink...an inside joke from my college days

So, obviously I haven't been posting as often, but hopefully that will change after the next month or so.  Thanks to those of you who still keep up with my randomness, despite my absence from blogging lately.

Bourgeois as Hell

Has it really been a month since I last posted????

My brain is scattered in all different directions these days.  Work, an upcoming wedding, 2 friends just had babies (Welcome, Wilson and Ryter!), home renovation projects.

Catcher in the Rye tee, Out of Print clothing

grey belt from clothing swap

Circle skirt, H&M

Orange platforms, Jeffrey Campbell

I mentioned last month that I had started this cleanse thing (the 28-Day Challenge over at Whole Living).  Well, because of it, my food/cooking obsession has reached a new level...I am cooking constantly and love every minute of it!

I've always had a "Why buy that, when I can make it?" attitude towards food & fashion-- partly because I am a cheapskate, but mostly because it is just so satisfying to make something perfect from scratch.  Now that we've cut out processed foods, my DIY stubbornness is spreading.  Bread, ice cream, ketchup--the store-bought versions of these often contain high fructose corn syrup, not to mention a variety of preservatives that one can't pronounce.  Why not make them at home, where I can actually control what's in them?

Who knows, before long I may be making my own shampoo and eye cream too...I have my eye on this book already.

Don't worry, I still plan on posting outfits and sewing projects.  But don't be surprised if the occasional food post sneaks in here!

Salad Days

Hello again...

 

What have I been up to lately?  Working endlessly...(blergh) and cooking up a storm!  The husb and I are trying to be good and have cut out all processed foods (at least for a while!).  I was hesitant at first, but I'm really enjoying it. 

If there's one thing I enjoy as much as I love getting dressed in the morning, it's food.  ("Food, glorious food...!")  I'm sure there will be skeptics out there, but anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I chow down like I'm a contestant in an eating competition--hence my childhood nickname "The Stomach". Luckily, this "clean food" thing is providing me with enough food that I don't wake up in the middle of the night gnawing on my own leg. 

(If you want to try it, or at least test some of the amazing recipes, click here!)

I started these pants almost a month ago, but my Sweden trip and jam-packed workweeks prevented me from finishing them until just recently.  I'm loving the super-high waist, and I hemmed them to wear with my tallest platforms.

I used this pattern, found on Etsy.  Probably the easiest Vogue pattern I've ever used.

 And a soft, flowy brown linen.

Now all I need to do is make some blousy silk tanks to wear with them.  It's just too hot for sleeves right now!

It's a 5 O'Clock World...

As much as I'd love to stay home and sew all day, I get up every weekday and drag myself into a cubicle instead.  A side effect of traveling to wonderful places, I suppose--actually paying for these trips! ;)

I've had this maxi dress for years, and I'm so glad this look is coming back.  So easy for summer--and with a little jacket, totally work-appropriate and infinitely more comfortable than jeans on these sweaty glow-inducing Texas days!

This bag was a vintage find from a shop in Sweden.  I think I'm liking the messenger bag look again...

The necklace is by M Squared Jewelry here in Austin!  There's a long story about this, but I'll save that for another time. 

P.S.  Are any of you on Pinterest?  If not, I highly recommend it!  You can check out my Pinterest Boards here.

Head in the Clouds

Cape-back top, H&M; skinny James Jeans; awesome green Nine West espadrilles

Giant shell necklace, vintage from New Bohemia

I'm not short, but I'm not tall, either.  I've always loved heels not only for their outfit- and posture-improving abilities, but also that little boost of height!  Not to mention that I walk like a duck in flats :P

I heard about the new Nine West platforms through another blog and was compelled to run out and snag a pair.  Super-super high, extremely comfortable (I rode my bike and climbed on rocks in them while in Sweden!!), and a steal at just under $100.  They've quickly become my favorite summer shoe.

Worn with a pretty cape-back top I found at H&M in Gothenburg, and an amazing shell necklace I've had for years :)

Sverige

Sweden was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back.  I loved their everyday style--lots of parkas tossed over dresses or shorts and tights, walkable wood heels, great leather bags...hats and elbow patches everywhere too!  Very utilitarian, very quality-over-quantity.

Sweden 1 by lwcstyling featuring Swedish Style

It wouldn't be practical to sport a parka in this Austin weather, but I definitely have it on my list for fall.  I'm pretty sure there's an elbow patch DIY in my future too.  I'm a little obsessed :)  

Have a great weekend! XO

Back from Sweden!

It's been quite some time since I've done a real post :\  Now I'm home, but Sweden was so awesome that I'm wondering how hard it would be to move there... ;)

Here are a few photos from our trip.  Didn't do much sightseeing really, just a lot of bike-riding and wandering around.  I was really inspired by Swedish style too, but more on that tomorrow!!  XO

Shop Preview!

As promised, I'm posting all shop item photos here so you ladies have a chance to shop my closet first :)  For details on how to purchase, click over to Fictional Shop!

Just as an FYI, vintage pieces will be moved to my Etsy shop after May 5. 


A second batch of goodies will be up tomorrow too :)

Vintage mock wrap dress, size S/M.  $28.00

Gold paillette minidress, size XS/S.  $18.00

Express ivory jacket, Size 0.  $18.00

Vintage poly maxi dress, size XS/S.  $28.00

 

 

Express silk chiffon babydoll dress, size 0.  $28.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequins

 

This sequin dress will be in the upcoming shop!  The full shop preview will be up later this week. 

The husb and I had a wonderful weekend, doing yard work and painting in the house.  My friend Kelly & I were at the Highball on Saturday for Austin Flea, and to check out a nearby vintage shop.  Found an amazing Betty Draper-ish dress that I can't wait to show off! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. :)

Less is More

I'm on the fence about these pants.  Then again, I'm more of a skirt girl, if you haven't noticed.  It was the perfect time to bust out my souvenir hat from Bohol though :)

So, update--I did get promoted at work!  I started out with an expiration date, and ended up with a bigger desk and a pay increase.  Good job, self!

It's been a long journey to this point actually.  When I graduated from college, I landed a job any merch major would kill for--a job I thought I wanted and a giant paycheck to go with it.  Little did I know how soul-crushing Corporate America can be.  Oh yeah, the money was great--except that I cried every day and fantasized about leaping out of office windows.  Pretty dark, huh?  And if you know me, you know I hate emotions!  So the crying was a problem.

It didn't take me long to quit that life and move to Austin, working my way through some amazing local boutiques.  I certainly didn't make anything near what I made at my first job, but guess what?  I was so much happier with less than when I had more.  I really enjoyed retail (and still hope to have a shop of my own someday) but finally it was time to move on.


My new job definitely has its stressful moments, but it's rewarding to be appreciated for qualities other than my ability to get dressed in the morning. :)  For now, I've found the right balance of money and happiness.

Busy Bee

One of my most treasured necklaces--a gift from my boss at a boutique I worked for when I first came to Austin.

Useless belt pocket?  Check.

Random shoes I found while going through my old college boxes.  They're from...Victoria's Secret??

Well, well, another week is close to being over...thank goodness!  I'm almost done giving my Etsy shop a little makeover, but I'm thinking about posting everything I plan to sell HERE first!  That way, you readers will have first dibs :)

I still need to take all the measurements, but here's a teeny-tiny preview:

 

 This gorgeous thing...and more!!  Very very soon :)

South of Heaven

Until recently, I was forced to wear t-shirts and jeans for work for about 6 weeks, while we worked to build new displays in our showroom.  Now that I'm back in the office, it's been such a relief to wear cute shoes and skirts again.  I'm just more comfortable dressed up...especially when there are several inches of added height involved :)

Slayer tee & plaid skirt, Feathers vintage; belt, UO; platforms, Corso Como

Yes, I'm still wearing a t-shirt today :)  I bought both of these at Feathers on the same day with no intention of ever wearing them together.  This morning, they looked so perfectly 70's next to each other in my closet that I had to do it!  I guess I still have The Runaways (movie) on the brain...

The Slayer tee definitely got some attention at work...guess I don't look like your typical Slayer fan?  Ha! 


P.S.  I'm in the process of revamping my Etsy shop, and will begin putting some of my old vintage clothes up for sale (probably this weekend).  I'll let you know when it's up!

Uncertainty & Tie-Dye

I have a long 2 weeks ahead of me.  I'm potentially up for a promotion at work, & waiting to hear back is excruciating.  In times like these, there's no better way to forget the stress than a messy tie-dye project!

I love dyeing fabric; it's like a grown-up version of dyeing Easter eggs.  So simple, but there are so many ways to manipulate the dye and create something really amazing...OR amusing, if you consider the crazy tie-dye skinny jeans I made a few years ago!  They were really fun, but were quickly retired to the "clothes to wear while doing laundry or chores" drawer.  It just goes to show that clothes don't last if they're too costumey.  Oh, annnd I should stop wearing things just because they're hilarious...

I think I've learned my lesson from that first attempt.  This time, I'm tie-dyeing a basic white button-up in just one color--a great terracotta/butterscotchy brown.  This is actually inspired by a cardi I saw on Sea of Shoes earlier last summer.  I loved the cardi version, but I wanted something more summery, to pair with shorts or tuck into a full skirt.

This is the top I brought from Old Navy:

A packet of trusty Dylon in Terracotta:

Yep, just me in my garage with a tarp, a bit of butcher paper, a Nalgene full of fabric dye, and a turkey baster.

 The shirt fabric is super thin, so it was really easy to twist sections into little knots and secure everything with rubber bands.  I started with a damp shirt fresh out of the washer, twisted it up, and then applied dye at frequent intervals for a little over an hour.

Finally, after a hosing off in the driveway, a quick rinse in the washer, and a complete air drying:

Perfect!

A lot of the fun in tie-dye comes from the uncertainty, I think.  You have no idea how it will turn out, and it's a total mess while you're doing it, and then you unroll it and it's perfect (unless you really f*ed it up of course!).  Hopefully in a few weeks, everything will be fine and I will wonder why I was so stressed.  And when that happens, maybe we can all go out for a drink, & I'll wear my new shirt!