Cheer Up, Dear

My dearest friend Angel and I decided this past weekend that we did not want to wait until Christmas, so we exchanged gifts early. Such children we are. This sweet owl-clock necklace was one of the delightful gifts she gave me. My time with her was undoubtedly the best part of the weekend. Everything else was rather meh.

Sunday was a particularly unhappy day. When days like that come about, I do my best to cheer myself. First I play dress up. Pretty dresses and frilly shirts usually have a way of improving a downcast heart.

But if that doesn't work, I cuddle with Pea. She can always tell when I'm upset. Such a little mother she is.

If I'm still feeling glum, I stuff my face with as much chocolate as is possible. (I know I'm not the only one who practices this solution.)

And when all else fails, I blare angry, heavy-metal music as loud as my ear drums will tolerate.

That does the trick :)

Outfit Details:

Earrings//Vintage

Blouse//Vintage, early 1970s

Necklace//Gift from Angel

Ring//Vintage - My mom's

Rope Ring and jeans//Charlotte Russe

Shoes//Vintage

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The first snow of the season always holds magic in it. Every powdery snowflake whispers Christmas. I never quite feel Christmas-spirited until after all finals have been done with and we are graced with snowfall -- no matter how little it is. 

Now I feel it. And I have all sorts of fun Christmas ideas sparkling in my mind. This next week is going to be lovely.

 Speaking of lovely, I've really fallen for this vintage dress. With its thick fabric and rare long sleeves, it's the perfect winter dress. Despite the snow and the prickly air, I didn't feel cold at all. A dress like that is magic in its own rite. Though repeating is supposedly a faux pas, I might have to repeat this outfit for Christmas.

Outfit Details:

Hat//The Quirky Poet

Trench Coat and Mittens//Target

Handbag//The Quirky Poet

Earrings, Bracelet//Charlotte Russe

Dress//Vintage (Possibly Handmade), Thrifted

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's

Booties//ModCloth

Flashback: I Can Point Fingers, Too...And So Can IFB

So the other day, I did a silly post about taking blog photos in public. The IFB team liked it so much, they decided to include it in their weekly round-up. Meep!

You can read my original post here.

And here is a full list of the IFB LINKS À LA MODE contributors

Absolutely Fuzzy: DIY studded denim jacket

Crashing Red: Balenciaga: Return of Jedi!

Denimology: Pay It Forward With A Molly Bear
Fashionistyle: Edie Sedgwick: The Girl with the Black Tights
Flounces and Slashes: Dangerous chic bling. DIY Crystal Knuckle Duster
House of Guise: The Dreaded B-Word: The Basics of Accessories
Lady O' Fashion: DIY Making Leather Look Aged
Miss Viki: To photoshop or not to photoshop?
Piewacket: Dolly Parton cover shoot for Rue Holiday issue
Pretty Quirky Pants: DIY Multi-Chain Necklace
Purple Bananas and Fudgeballs: DIY Miu Miu Glitter Sneakers Tutorial
Purushu: Renaissance in Runway. Inspiration from the past.
Simply Frabulous: The man who sees the world in denim
Stephanie M. Style: Preppy in Blue!
Sugar and Spice: How to have a frugal, yet stylish, Christmas:
Tha Darlinh: DIY: How to make fancy silver shoes out of 5€ leftover ones.
That Girl Kip: DIY Gold leaf jewelery
The Quirky Poet: Getting comfortable taking blog photos in public
Wardrobe of a Secret Millionaire: Are High-Low Designer Collabs a great idea?
Yellow Cup Cake: Holiday Guide for Gifts Under $100

I hope you're all enjoying a delightful weekend.
Thank you for your continued support and readership. I appreciate all the special comments you leave me. And I hope you're all ready...I have all sorts of cheesy Christmas stuff in the works for this upcoming week ^_^

An Original Poem: "Loose Change"

Loose Change
by Rachel Marie Talan

I don't keep track of dates
-- I never was good with numbers.

I measure time in moments:
some delicate,
some solid,
some old
and tattered.

I collect them
in glass mason jars
and line them up
in little cupboards.

But moments with you --
I cram those inside my pockets.

They sing against one another
like loose change.

_________________________________________________________________________________

It's been quite awhile since I've written a poem. It feels good to exercise that skill again.

Recently I was notified that my poem "Clumsy" is going to be published in Phi Theta Kappa's 2011 annual literary publication. So that was quite validating. After submitting to so many publications and being denied, it's relieving to be accepted. If you don't want to wait until the publication is printed to read it, you can find it here on my blog.

I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for reading.

Just Peachy

This outfit has so many delightful pieces to it. Normally I don't wear sequins just because they make me feel flashy and like a flapper, and that sort of style doesn't really fit me. BUT this scarf is the exception. I think that, because it's in a small amount and it's on such a lovely crocheted scarf, it suits me.

Then there's the bow. I am wearing these bows on everything lately. They're so convenient! They add just the right whimsical touch. Don't you agree? Beauty and pleasure are in the details.

And I would be remiss if I did not gush about how amazing this purse is. It's made entirely of plastic, which I know isn't exactly eco-friendly, BUT it was the 1930s when it was made. Everybody wore real fur made from chinchilla and fox then, too. But that's beside the point. IT'S GORGEOUS! It belonged to my great-grandmother, who I never knew. I like carrying this purse and wondering about what she was like. My mother tells me she was very sweet. I like feeling that connection to the past. 

And, since I am a person who believes in giving credit where credit is due, I'd just like to take a moment to thank my dear little Pea for helping me get dressed...

...and also for being so freaking cute ^_^


Outfit Details:

Linked up at Everybody Everywear.

Earrings//Kohls
Scarf//Gifted by my grandma (she has good taste, no?)
Blue bow//The Quirky Poet
Dress//Vintage, Thrifted
Cardigan//Thrifted
Tights//Vera Wang for Kohls
Boots//Charlotte Russe
Ring//Antique
Purse//Antique, 1930s

Think Fancy Thoughts

This weekend, I celebrated my dear friend Courtney's birthday at this delightfully sophisticated restaurant/club/bar. Since I am but a poor college student, it's a place much more upscale than I'm used to (even the bathrooms looked rich!), so the motto of the evening was think fancy thoughts. And I think it worked. 

Here's some snapshots from the evening:

The menus were so fancy they had French words in them like crème fraiche. Mhmm. And my lemonade came in this sexy little glass:

Courtney loved her Christmas/Birthday present so much. It's a good feeling when somebody adores what you pick out for them.

Here are some better shots of what I wore:

One of my friends loved this sweater and asked where I had gotten it. When I told her it was from Goodwill, she said in frustration, "Of course it is." Hahah. I enjoyed that exchange. This outfit earned me lots of compliments, which proves that you can look rich and fancy without spending like a rich person. 

Do you have any special celebrations planned for the holidays?

What I'm Wearing:

Necklace//Antique

Sweater//Vintage, Thrifted

Blouse (yep, it's inside out)//Maurices

Skirt//The Quirky Poet

Belt//???

Rings//Antique

Shoes//Target