Wardrobe Remix for 05.10.11

silver earrings - my mother's
striped tee - Old Navy
denim shorts - Target
orange sandals - Urban Outfitters



It's in the mid-80s today and I am ecstatic. I'm hot and soooo happy! Shortly I am having margaritas and Mexican food. Partly to enjoy the weather and partly to celebrate my big news...

The Chicago Cultural Center will be selling Branchbound jewelry very soon!

This is an amazing opportunity for me and my shop and I am over the moon! My dad posted the news on Facebook before I got to, ha. Also I have a Heartsy deal coming next week, I'll be sure to post it! Busy busy month for Branchbound.

I'll leave you with this AWESOME photo of me and Seymour. Look at his mouth, haha.

Wardrobe Remix for 04.30.11

gold lace bird earrings - Branchbound, made by me
coral linen wiggle dress - vintage, Etsy
nude chevron tights - Target
tan t-strap wedges - DSW

Saturday and Sunday I sold my Branchbound line at Vintage Heaven Chicago. These photos are from Saturday at the start of the first day. Michael so nicely took my outfit photo- I needed to pick a dress that had at least one pocket and this one did indeed have one pocket. I've seen this dress in blue, I'm tempted to pick it up, too. I also donned a pair of my bird earrings, as you can see I made them in many more colors...

Wardrobe Remix for 04.09.11

Feather or Haute Dress - ModCloth
army green tights - UO
BC Shipwreck wedges - 6pm

Saturday it was sunny and mild, so Michael and I went downtown for a bit of shopping. I'm fighting off a cold, but was determined to enjoy the nice weather this weekend. I wore this dress in Nashville but neglected to snap a picture. I really love the cut and pattern, and I definitely need more white dresses in my wardrobe.





Family portrait! Also, Michael tried to get Seymour to be cool like him.

Fair-Haired

I'm blond!





orange tunic dress - Tucker for Target
olive green tights - UO
tan wedges - DSW

It took 3 hours to get it the right shade, but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I love it. My eyes and lips really pop now and it's the perfect shade for Spring and Summer. I'm excited to see how it looks with all my vintage summer dresses, I'm used to seeing them worn with my long, red hair. Can you believe how much my hair has changed in the past year? I wonder what that means... Regardless, I plan on sticking with the blond for a while.

Wardrobe Remix for 03.01.11

coral striped bodysuit - Forever 21
army green pencil skirt - American Apparel
black tights - Target
cognac oxfords - Aldo

Rabbit rabbit! It's March first, a new month and today I had a new attitude. I promised myself I'd be optimistic and productive all day and so far I have! I woke up to the sun shining. As soon as I got up I did my taxes, got the ball rolling on beginning therapy, shot shop photos, went to the bank and store, and I'm about to make chicken salad and list. I didn't feel mopey or complain all day.

I'm excited for March. I'm taking care of myself inside and out all month. My plans for the next 31 days include:

• begin sessions with a therapist
• treat myself to a facial and a Swedish massage
• cook for myself and Michael more
• weather permitting, start running
• get my hair professionally dyed blonde
• treat myself to my first professional mani/pedi
• go to Nashville March 25-28 (!!!)

Yes, you heard right, I'll be in Nashville. I've been planning for the last month of so with Rachel. If you want to meet up, or can suggest things for me to check out while I'm there, please do!

Wardrobe Remix for 02.19.11

teal flower headband - factorygirlashli on Etsy
vintage dress - thrifted
navy sweater tights - TJ Maxx
silver flats - Target


I know, it's been approximately 850 years since I've done an outfit post. I've taken photos and never uploaded them. These would fall into the same pile except I forced myself to upload them.

Why? Well, many reasons. First of all, winter has me in a rut. I want to be comfortable so badly. I wear a sort of uniform most days, and I'm just bulked out in knits and layers. I'm too exhausted in the morning to take a photo, and I manage to dress even worse on my days off. What's the point if I don't leave the house?

Also, a few weeks ago, my boyfriend's sister attempted to dye my hair blonde. Suffice it to say, this didn't pan out (I'm telling my stylist, when I go back with my tail between my legs, that "we couldn't get the right blonde"). Oh well, blonde is tricky and I had two years' worth of red dye in my hair, it was going to be a pain in the ass. I dyed it golden brown, cried a lot, and miss my red hair. I feel old and ugly. I've just been feeling gross in general because winter drains me of my energy, due in part to hiking through the post-blizzard snow banks and working extra overtime at work. I've not been eating the healthiest and feel overweight. Basically, I feel ugly, old, and fat. So dressing well isn't really up there on my list of priorities right now.

Anyway, back to this outfit. Saturday the sun was shining, the snow on the ground was all gone, and even though it was chilly and I didn't have anywhere too special to go I thought I should pull myself together a little bit. I'm not sure about this dress, high neck styles aren't the best for me, but I wore the top 2 buttons unbuttoned the rest of the day and it looked fine. It was originally for the shop but when I saw how well it fit, Michael and I agreed it should stay in my closet for the time being. I adore the matching belt! I also sported this headband I got last winter in a trade with Ashli and I love the pop of colour it gives my outfit. I love wearing headbands with a pixie cut, too.

Michael and I left late in the day to Shangri-La Vintage located in Roscoe Village. It's small, but there's a decent amount of clothing there. Very well organized and very fairly priced. The man who runs it even puts measurements and flaws on the tag for you! I got a cute 60s sundress and Michael scored a vest, tie, and four vintage Playboy Magazines (two were $4 each, the other two only $2 each cos they were missing the centerfolds!). We wandered around a bit, had dinner at the Pick Me Up Cafe and went home to watch a film.

Snowglobe

I'm sure you've heard of the blizzard that started on Tuesday night. Approximately 100,000,000 people were affected, myself included. Michael met me at work around 5 on Tuesday (we closed early, he had a guitar delivered to my store). Trying to hail a cab was difficult, as the first cabbie we found wouldn't go to Logan Square, but we got one. Trying to hail one the wind was 50-60 mph and almost knocked me down, and I couldn't see because I had ice flakes going into my eyes. After crawling up the Kennedy expressway we made it home safe.

However, my third floor apartment's windows were facing opposite the wind, and I was sure they would blow out. Not to mention there is a bare tree right outside the windows that were scraping and smacking against the glass, making it sound like there would be a zombie invasion. My roommate and I taped cardboard to the windows in case they broke and it looked (and still does) like this:



I was really upset at this point because as far as I knew I had to work on Wednesday and everyone I knew was off. In the middle of the night I heard the wind howling and the tree scraping the window and I was scared a window would blow out while I was at work and nobody would be home and Seymour would get hurt...

Yesterday I awoke to sun. There was still wind but it wasn't howling, and it was blowing the snow that was falling around. It seriously looked like a snow globe. The building I work in said stores didn't have to open if they didn't want to, and my boss said it was okay if I didn't open. I was so relieved! People I knew said the snow was up to their waists when they went outside.

I tried finding the beauty in it, after all I might never see so much snow again and it was so fresh. Here are some photos I snapped, makes the area around my home look like little toys.









I'm thankful that my power didn't go out, nobody I knew was hurt, and even though I feel kind of sick today I survived the blizzard of 2011!

Wardrobe Remix for 01.15.11

Black Beaded Necklace - Target
Beaded Sweater - Old Navy
Jersey Floral Print Dress - Forever 21
Black Fleece-Lined Tights - Target
Steven Madden "Intyce" Boots in Cognac - ShoeMall.com



Saturday Michael and I did a bit of shopping down town. I also went shopping Friday, which is when I picked up this dress! It's so comfy and I've been looking for a black and floral print dress. I've also really been drawn to pinks and oranges lately.



I was off early Friday, as well as both days this weekend, so I painted my nails. This colour is "Commander in Chic" from Sally Henson. It's a really nice shade, goes with everything. I also want to find more clothing in this colour- looks so nice with my skin tone. That's something I've really been paying attention to since I've become a redhead, how colours look with my hair and skin colour. As a pale brunette I figured, and was somewhat right, in thinking I matched everything!



And here he is, toast of the internet, my Seymour. Look at those toes!

Wardrobe Remix for 12.19.10

sequin leaf headband - UO
black cardigan - Target
green and gold 50s dress - Etsy
black tights - Target
shiny black flats - Target



Sunday Michael and I went to go see the Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater, this is what I wore. I also wore this dress last weekend to Michael's holiday party. I've been searching for a green cocktail dress for Christmastime for YEARS and I was searching Etsy about a month ago, willing to shell out up to $70 or so, but everything was too small, too large, had a pattern on it, SOMETHING. Finally I see a green dress in my size*, the perfect length, nipped waist, etc. for TEN BUCKS. It was fantastic! There is some wear to the dress; a few of the copper beads at the bust are missing and there's a hole here and there but it's nothing very noticeable. It even has a crinoline in the skirt!

*the bust was actually a bit big but my friend Alma helped me take it in.



I've also noticed that since I cut my hair, while I can no longer wear my vintage hats (they overwhelm my tiny head!) I look so much better with headbands! I saw this one at UO last Spring and wanted to die, it looked like a weird little 20s hat. It was $24, ugh. But I waited and waited and FINALLY it went down to $6! It's the perfect little bit of sparkle for this time of year.

Anyway, enough of my bargain hunting. We headed off to the theater, got there pretty early. Michael checked in on Four Square and it said he got a free hot chocolate for checking in there! What! So I joined For Square just to get a free hot chocolate...haha. Well it was GOOD hot chocolate. We get inside, drinking our hot chocolate in the lobby, waiting for the upstairs to open. There's a choir (that sings at the end of the first act) warming up and singing Christmas Carols. We then get to our seats, which were box seats! We had this gorgeous plush chairs and we could see all of the theater from our seats. It was seriously like we were royalty.

The show itself was lovely; the acoustics are so good in that theater I could hear the dancers' feet on the stage! I get so emotional waiting the ballet, especially the Nutcracker. I danced for 7 years 9 months out of the year so it was a giant chunk of my childhood. The Nutcracker was always my favourite, I would watch various versions every year around Christmastime and on Christmas Eve I would ALWAYS wear my ballet shoes, hehe.

Michael and I might be coming back in February for Swan Lake *and* Merry Widow! I can't wait!

Ballet Dresses

On Sunday Michael and I will be attending the Joffrey Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theater! The Auditorium Theater is one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago, built in 1889, with gorgeous Art Nouveau interior and amazing acoustics. Michael and I saw Cinderella, also from the Joffrey Ballet, there in February. I've also seen a few concerts there. If you are ever in Chicago try to get a tour of it!



Of course, the hardest thing is figuring out what to wear! It's easy in the summer, as most cute dresses are sleeveless and don't require any further layering, but winter is a bit more difficult. I'm still not sure what I'll be wearing yet but I'm doing a bit of fantasy shopping...



all from Modcloth



Shop Ruche

What would you wear to the ballet?

Wardrobe Remix for 11.21.10

blue velvet dress - kittenteeth on Etsy
black tights - We Love Colors
black t-strap flats - Christmas gift



Debut of my brand new dress! I've been looking for a velvet mod long-sleeve dress for a while, preferably one with a neckline that wasn't too high, and this fit the bill quite nicely. I was eying it for weeks and then a few days ago finally decided this was the one and was thrilled to receive it so quickly! I think I'll be wearing this on Christmas, too. I highly recommend kittenteeth's shop, she has some really cute things and great prices, and she was very friendly. Like I said, she shipped this very quickly, too.

It was nice out today and I had some errands to run so Michael and I wandered around the loop. A lot of the Christmas decor was up. This is Michael's first Christmas in Chicago so I want him to have the full experience! We're seeing the Nutcracker in a few weeks, and next week we're going to dine at the Walnut room in Macy's (I've never done that, either!) and Christkindlmarket, the German marketplace with a giant Christmas tree in Daley Plaza.

Don't forget you have until tomorrow night to take 15% off the entire shop at Branchbound for my anniversary!

Dresses! Part One

I have a slew (Slu has a slew) of vintage dresses just waiting to be listed. I've got the count around 20! Here's a little dent; six beauties in a variety of sizes and styles!



Wild Tapestry Linen Barkcloth Mod Floral Shift Dress 60s Ivory and Tan Sheath Dress With Gold Buttons



Rainbow Checked Cozy Flannel Long Sleeve Dress Bold Stripes Red and Black Dress With Waist Sash



Black Sheer Illusion and Velvet 50s Inspired Cocktail Dress Bubblegum Pink Plaid 60s Secretary Dress



Once again I'll be selling at Vintage Heaven this weekend! Please try to make it out if you can; I'll have more than twice as many clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, and coats as ever before!

Dracula's Pajama Party

Yipee, my Halloween post is only a day late! Forgive the quality of these pictures but they were taken at my Halloween party held Saturday night. I went as a Snow Queen, but a lot of people thought I was Tilda Swinton/the White Witch. Same thing, I suppose. I based the dress off of a Cecil Beaton photograph of his sister as a shooting star (my original idea) and styled it very John R. O'Neil a la Wizard Of Oz (see my jaunty crown?).







There is still some glitter in my hair and the whole costume left glitter all over my apartment. I expect my life to sparkle for the next few months.

My brother went as Captain Carl from PeeWee's Playhouse:







Michael went as a pilot again, Alma went as a house:







Erin went as Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica and Phill went as Dorothy Valens from Blue Velvet:





Steve went as Columbo and Elise went as paint-by-numbers:



While I don't condone the deformation of a vintage dress (I'll just hope it was already ruined...), that vintage Jackie O mask is freaking terrifying:







My roommate, Kara, dancing to Twist And Shout as Ferris Bueller:





Andrew, who is not in a costume (boo) and Kacy as a Double Dare contestant:



Costumes I did not get photos of include AstroTurf, a cat lady, George Michael (from Arrested Development), and Death (from The Sandman). Highlights included starting a conga line to "Jumping The Line," watching Sleepy Hollow and The Shining on mute, all of us turning The Shining off mute at the end to watch it, lots of hugging and dancing and punch consumption. I gotta say, dancing with that staff was pretty sweet.

I hope you all had a Happy Halloween! What did you dress up as? What did you do?