The Freaks, Nerds, and Romantics

Jeez, I've got a lot of posts today, huh? Don't think I'm being all that productive though. I'm really just snapping pictures between episodes of a Top Chef marathon!

Today's look is a mix of everything used, thrifted, and borrowed. My friend Lisa gave me this bubble top and I stole these sweet glasses from Ray before he gets his prescription lens put in. Both scarves and the shoes are thrifted. The jeans are left over from my previous life as a demo coordinator for a large bicycle company. They're so worn in and covered in bike chain grease that I hardly ever wear them, but I thought they'd be perfect for a slouchy, laid back feel. Boyfriend-cut jeans would have been ideal- or even better, my boyfriend's jeans, if he had more than one pair of non-cut off pants!

Top: Unknown

Jeans: H&M

Neck scarf: Thrifted (Village Thrift- Pennsauken, NJ)

Wrist scarf: Thrifted Anne Klein (Antique Mall- Philadelphia, PA)

Shoes: Thrifted (Village Thrift- Pennsauken, NJ)

Glasses: Urban Outfitters

When I got back to the couch to upload my photos, these two sneaky bandits had stolen my spot. How could I be mad?

Thrifting Finds: Village Thrift

One of the greatest thrifting resources in the Philadelphia area is Village Thrift, located just over the Delaware River in Pennsauken, New Jersey. This place is huge. No, seriously. I'd say it's the size of your average high school gym. With daily rotating stock ranging from mens and womens wear to vintage furniture and luggage to household items, I find myself browsing the aisles at least every few weeks. Village Thrift used to run daily specials of 50% off select colored price tags, but now they have customer appreciation Sundays and Mondays, where everything in the store is 1/3 off. In addition, they still have daily specials for specific items, like sleeveless sundresses.  Best of all, items typically range $1-10! By all means, this is a thrift store, not a vintage store. There are no shop buyers for Village Thrift, scoping out what is fashionable or trendy at the moment. Quality of the items vary and everything is sold "as is", with no refunds or exchanges. They won't hold items for you and you shouldn't expect friendly customer service. But if you've got the time to browse through endless racks, you can find hidden treasures. Check out my loot from yesterday:

 Rainbow-Striped Romper ($7.90). As I mentioned last week, I've been searching for a cute romper for this summer. I think I struck gold!

Cotton Jersey Halter ($6.90)

Striped Silk Scarf- $1.90

Abstract Print Scarf- $2.90

Wooden Platform Heels- $3.90. Given the recent popularity of clogs, I think these will be an essential staple of my summer wardrobe. Though the don't share the traditional wedge of a platform clog, they've got the wood base and rivets that have been so on trend lately.

As if I didn't have enough new stuff, my butterfly sunglasses showed up in the mail from Urban Outfitters. They were having a $5 online sale last week, so I immediately swooped in on these babies!

What are your latest killer finds?

Blogger Spotlight: chichichic

Welcome to round two of my blogger spotlight! Way back, I introduced you to Hallie of Halcoholic, and today's inspiration is Justyna of chichichic. Having discovered her through Chictopia, I was immediately intrigued by her old-school glamour, witty writing, and adorable dog Frank.

Introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

Hi. My name is Justyna and I'm a blogger/stylist.  When not blogging/styling, I invite myself to parties, tell awkward jokes, drink Chanel No. 5 & hang out with Frank.

Where are you from, and where do you live? Does your setting influence your style, or is it more of a hindrance?

I'm a European import.  Moved to Canada nearly 20 years ago (sheesh... dating myself here....) and now I live in Ottawa.  Ottawa is a strange sort of place.  It desperately wants to be fashionable, but (awkward pause...) isn't.   Its a government town, and when I try and introduce a non-white/gray/black blouse to my clients their eyes immediately respond with Oh God! Not in my office!  What does influence me? Hmm.... I'd say I dress a bit like Patsy off AbFab mixed with Lucille Bluth off Arrested Development and a touch of modernity.  (So basically, an old lush with an penchant for Numero Mag.)  I stick out like a sore thumb, but you only live once, why spend a lifetime in a wardrobe of casual basics? 

Where do you do the majority of your shopping?
While I enjoy a lot of stores, I really don't like being to 'loyal' to any one.  I really hate looking like Club Monaco head to toe, or Zara or thrift.... I mix high and low all the time.... Although, in Canada: favorite shopping destinations?  The Room at the Bay in Toronto (and their White Space area ~ one of a kind newbie designer threads) and Holt Renfrew.... I also am a big fan of Yasmine Wasfy of Lustre Boutique in Montreal.... fantastic designer I need to post on.

Tell us about your dog!

My Frank! My heart!  That smelly old pooch is my lifeline!  He's out of shape, slobbery, but oh so snuggable.... There's nothing better than hearing him 'sing'.... If you live in Ottawa, you'll see me wandering around with that guy all over town... (and he snores like a banshee)

When did you decide to start blogging and how has the experience been?

I started last September, and that didn't last long.... I quickly got bored, and then realized my blog was getting a bit of minor attention, so started up again in January, and it is SOOOO unbelievable to connect to all these amazing people all over the world.  It's a lovely feeling to meet (in cyber space or reality) a good, kindred spirit.

The standard question- what advice do you have for new bloggers?

Figure out why you want to blog and stick to that.... forget about audience, just do what you love, and that will shine through...

What are your fashion influences?

Old ladies in Florida retirement communities (that always match shoe to pocketbook to fannypack to visor), bored Parisian girls, Garance Dore, Neo-Classical art, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

What's one style you'd love to try but don't have the courage to?

I wear whatever I'm in the mood for, fashion doesn't really scare me. 

What are you most comfortable in?

My skin. (WOW, I sound like an arrogant a-hole, but I guess I learned at a young age, if you're not comfortable in your own skin, you won't be comfortable in anything else anyway....) 

What's your number 1 guilty pleasure?

Ooooohhhh..... tough one.... I would say Absolutely Fabulous, Boli-Stoli, and Menthols... but I don't really feel all that guilty about it....

Please be sure to check out Justyna over at chichichic! If you'd like to be featured for an interview, leave a comment or send me an email.

Queen of Quiet

Yesterday,  I had my second experience as a hair model. The first was nearly four years ago, when I was 19, and volunteered my locks in exchange to get the fuchsia-dyed roots to match the dark black of the tips. The job was more or less painless, and best of all free, so when my mother mentioned that her hairdresser needed a model for a hair-color competition, I figured, "why not"?

Yesterday's salon session was pretty tame. My hair has been absolutely fried from years of daily straightening, dye jobs every few months, and the occasional self-administered hair cut. To help Theresa achieve a blank canvas, she evened up the color by glazing my hair a few shades darker, chopped off the split ends, and trimmed up my bangs. She also attempted to switch me to a side part, but by this morning, all evidence was gone. Overall, you can't tell that much was done. Come two weeks....well, even I'm not exactly sue what she'll be doing, but I know it'll be bright and loud.

Today's look is an attempt to give a casual feel to this very non-casual feeling skirt. Not that it's fancy, but it almost feels like a costume prop from a Western movie set. I guess that's appropriate, as I purchased it in Texas. By pairing with a monochrome pallet, I feel the skirt feels a bit more dressed down while still remaining the star element of the entire outfit.

Shirt: Mossimo (via Target)

Skirt: Thrifted Gap (via Buffalo Exchange- Austin, TX)

Belt: H&M

Tights: Forever 21

Shoes: Thrifted (Philly AIDS Thrift- Philadelphia, PA)

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Blue Skies Coming To You

Today's weather was rather deceptive. Though the skies were bright blue, littered with big puffy clouds reminiscent of what I imagine marshmallow popcorn would look like, there's been a fierce chill in the air. Of course, I didn't realize this til I put on my favorite pair of daisy dukes and crawled out my window to get some pictures.

This is a pretty fair representation of the style I rock in the warmer months. Shorts are key, but so is this plaid button up that's so light and airy that I even purchased a second color! A year ago, I would have just pulled my hair into a messy bun, put on slip-ons, and been on my way. Now, though, I'm trying to add details in the smaller things, opting to actually straighten my hair for a nice ponytail, donning slouch leather boots, and adding a cute scarf.

The elusive stomach tattoos!

The mysterious weather isn't hindering me too much today. My parents are coming over tonight to officially see the apartment since I moved back in. Ray and I are cooking up a vegan feast, and as such, I've been in the kitchen for the majority of the day. We're making tempeh kabobs with mushrooms, zuchini, and onions; chili-almond asparagus; and quinoa salad with citrus dressing. I've been sneaking little tastes all afternoon and I think it will definitely be worth all the work!

Shirt: Forever 21

Shorts: Xhilaration (Target)

Scarf: American Appare

Boots: Blowfish

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Of Trees

Man, sometimes I forget how beautiful Philadelphia is and what little treasures are lurking just around the corner. This morning, I attended a "Rally in the Valley", fundraiser for the Philadelphia Mountain Bike Association. Not only did Ray win a cool new helmet in one of the raffles, but I got to spend a few hours hanging out in the Wissahickon Valley. The Wiss (as it's affectionately known to its patrons) is a large forested enclosure that runs along the Schuylkill River, a mere fifteen minutes from downtown. As much as I love the city, I really enjoy an occasional escape to nature. When I was younger, my parents would take me and my brother for bike rides or long walks nearly every weekend. Once I get a decent pair of hiking boots, I'd love to start up that tradition with Ray.

As we were attending a mountain biking event, I knew today was not the day to dress up in a cute cocktail dress and heels. Luckily for me, it was pretty chilly by the river, so wearing jeans and a flannel agreed with the weather. Even when I'm dressing down, I like to throw in small accentuating details, so I paired this sheer color block tank top with a lace bodysuit underneath. Overall, the look is nothing special, but it fit perfectly with walking through the woods.

Tank top: in love by 2 a.m. (via Urban Outfitters)

Lace body suit: American Apparel

Bandeau: BDG (via Urban Outfitters)

Plaid shirt: Mossimo (via Target)

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: H&M

Sunglasses: Forever 21

You'll Be the Rhythm and I'll Be the Beat

After a bit of a fashion slump this week, I wanted to really kick it up a notch for Friday. When I want to feel good, there's one dress I turn to:

No matter how awful of a mood I'm in, or how hard I'm beating myself up over my body, this dress always puts a smile on my face. I love the quirky housewife feel and it fits like a glove, accentuating my favorite features (small waist, collarbones) and hiding what I don't (big hips, thick thighs thighs). I came across this from my good friend Mia. I'm no sure how she found it, but it's a one-of-a-kind, handmade dress from the 50s. It didn't fit her (how, I don't know, because she's a twig!), so she passed it on to me. The pattern used definitely lends itself towards the ideal deal figure at the time- hourglass curves. 

Now I know you're traditionally not supposed to mix contrasting patterns, but it seems to be rather trendy these days and I decided to give it a shot. From what I've read and observed, mixing prints works well if they're in the same color family, and one print is larger than the other. In this case, the large gingham of the dress is the focal point. My black and white heels have a smaller gingham print that the eye blends as your step farther away. 

Dress: Vintage handmade

Shoes: Payless

Sunglasses: Forever 21

And just for kicks....I had to try out my best Rosie the Riveter impression:

We Can Do It!