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

Something Old, Something...Older

I went to Feathers last weekend with my ladies, and did some major damage in the name of closet replenishment!  Unfortunately, most of my vintage goodies are unworn as of yet...it's been a pretty uninspiring week.  We've been resetting our showroom at work, so most days I am basically dressed as a day laborer...

from ohs.org

...but still less stylish than these strangely chic laborers, circa 1943.

Well, since today is FRIDAY and we have a snow delay at work, I'm allowing myself to dress up a little.  I'm still wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but I can only handle looking shabby for so many days in a row!

Cape, Feathers Vintage; Scarf, Moxie Vintage; Tee, an Anthro keeper; James Jeans; Jeffrey Campbell boots

After my cape post, I was in major cape-hunting mode for my last two vintage excursions.  This was an AMAZING Feathers find--only $48!  It's like I imagined what my perfect cape would look like, and it magically poofed into existence!  I found another great one at Moxie that I'll share soon too.

These boots are one (two?) of the things I'll never get rid of.  I've actually had these for...6 years?!  I bought them when I worked in the Nordstrom shoe department.  A dangerous place...so many shoe temptations!  I used to wear them cuffed with skirts, and my husband called them my "pirate boots".  After a while I kind of forgot about them, until the over-the knee trend came back a few years ago and I realized I already had the perfect pair!  When it's actually cold here (like today), these get a lot of action :)

Other news re: Closet Detox--I went through and pulled everything I want to get rid of, and moved it to the closet in my sewing room.  If I feel like wearing any of those pieces in the next week or so, I'll keep those and the items that don't return to the closet will be up for grabs!!  Stay tuned :)

And yes...my Philippines post is still coming along, but should be published next week.  Lots of photos, and lots to say.

Capes and Kung Fu

The Sunday after Christmas, my husband & I spent some quality time lounging around, eating chocolates and watching movies!  Kung fu films have become our lazy day go-to on Netflix streaming, and we came across Red Cliff:

This is an awesome movie by the way.  I don't know if it qualifies as "kung fu" necessarily but for once, I was totally engrossed in a war movie.  At times, it seemed to fall together too easily for the good guys...but it was beautiful to watch, especially the carefully devised battles.

I was also completely smitten with all the capes!!  Here are a couple more capey shots:

Now that I think about it, cape-y pieces have been on my radar (and my To Do list) for some time.  It may have started with this Marni dress from Spring 07:

from Style.com

And then there's this look from J Crew last year--

I mean...I pretty much have to make myself a cape now.  But what direction to take it in...any suggestions?

All I Want is You

via Free People

I never know how to answer the question "Where are you from?".  I know where I was born (California).  I know where I've lived (California, Indiana, the Philippines, Texas).  But it doesn't feel right to say I'm "from" any of those places, and I hate launching into a long explanation when people expect a one-word answer.  I would say I was most at home in the Philippines, despite my very poor grasp of Visaya, but I think I prefer not having a "from".  I'm more interested in "going to"!

I live in Texas now, but I am most definitely not from here.  Before I moved here for college I thought Texans either dressed like cowboys, or like they were on Dallas or Dynasty.  Sometimes, I actually don't think I'm that far off ;)

Sadly, these Jeffrey Campbell over-the-knee(!!) cowboy boots are no longer available (at least, not anywhere I've thought to look).  It's just as well, as I have no need for yet another pair of boots.  But if there were ever a reason to assimilate to this place I currently call "Home", this would be it.