Birthday Goodies

So today I decided to take some of my birthday presents out for their maiden voyage.

Shirt: gift from sister via Urban Outfitters
Capris: Bitten by SJP
Sandals: Delias
Purse: gift

The Weardrobe Vest

A couple months ago, the wonderful people over at Weardrobe sent me a vest to borrow for a bit to play around with, and style with different outfits. I've never thought about purchasing a vest like this before, but as soon as I got it my mind started racing with different outfit ideas:


I first paired it up with my pale Urban Outfitters trapeze dress, UO braided belt and Old Navy lace up sandals for a casual spring outing. The vest definitely makes the outfit. The length was perfect with the short dress and gave the outfit more movement.


For the second look I wore it with a brown thrifted dress (which actually is a skirt worn as a strapless dress), Steve Madden wedges and thrifted braided belt.


Before I sent the vest back, I wanted to try one more look. This time, being the California girl that I am, went for the more laid-back beachy look that I sometimes try to suppress after reading too many New York and Paris-based blogs. So I threw on a wifebeater, Bubblegum denim shorts, Old Navy lace up sandals (again!), and my new fedora hat I mention a couple entries ago.

So after sending the vest back, I was thinking how wonderful it would be to be able to borrow something just for a litle bit so you can wear it but not have to buy it, and what do you know! Weardrobe announced the launch of their Weardrobe Closet, where a few selected members a week can borrow articles of clothing from their closet (made up of everything from vintage to designers and everything in between), they send it to you (postage paid!) you style it and then return it. How cool is that? My first couple of borrowed pieces are already on their way!

The Birthday Ensemble

It feels like it's been forever since I've posted an outfit. Probably because it has been forever. I've been sick for the past week, and has resulted in me lounging around in pjs, and when I wasn't sick, I was mostly wearing my work uniform. Life isn't fair, is it? So anyway, here is my birthday outfit that I wore yesterday. I was bummed to wake up to cloudy skies, but quickly realized I could stay warm and still wear a dress when I remembered having this maxi dress in my closet. Cute and practical, what every woman wants an article of clothing to be, right?

Dress: Target, Jacket: Ross, Sandals: Forever 21

22!

Today's my birthday! Such a fun day of mani/pedis, shopping, presents, balloons, family, good food, and good cake. It makes up for being sick for the past week. boo. So here's to turning 22! Cause you only do it once! :)

Happy Pinhole Day!

At the beginning of the month I remember reading that April 26th was National Pinhole Day, so upon hearing this I decided to go investigate pinhole cameras and pictures on flickr. Needless to say, I was hooked! My holga has already made me fall in love with film photography and pinholes have just reassured my love of film, and the simplest form of photography.
Earlier this month I had won 2nd place in a contest at work, and got a $25 gift card of my choice (how cool, right? I thought so) so of course I picked an eBay gift card and quickly purchased this pinhole camera kit. and by kit, I mean literally A KIT. I had to tape and glue it all together. (the kit was not $25, it was only $10 and worth every penny!)





It was actually a really fun experience though, and being able to get film developed from a camera that came from my own sweat and blood (or not) makes the pictures that much better. I can't actually say whether or not the camera works, because my first roll of film is still loaded in it, and not anywhere near being finish. but I feel that might change after the pinhole celebration today! but in the meantime, I'd recommend you checking out Pinhole Groups on Flickr and seeing the amazing pictures these simple cameras can capture.

oh! and another thing! Karmaloop.com is having a huge warehouse sale everything 50% to 85% OFF! Use my rep code MAKEUP when you check out and get an extra 20% OFF if
it is your first purchase or an extra 10% OFF if you have bought from Karmaloop
before, and make sure you go tell your friends! :)

Birthday Wish List

Since my birthday is just on the other side of the weekend, I thought I'd put together a little birthday wish list. Not that I need anything, because I really don't, but birthdays only come once a year, and they're a good excuse to post some things that strike your fancy. So here's a couple things that I wouldn't turn away if the Birthday Bunny brought me.

The New Math Dress: Anthropologie
Yellow Wedges: Bakers
Floral Scarf: Old Navy
Loomstate Dress: Target
Sunglasses: Alloy
Portable DVD Projector (think of all the wonderful summer nights spent watching movies outside!): Target
Flower Espadrilles: Anthropologie
White Cropped Skinny Jean: Gap
City Of Angels Ring: Modcloth
Kitchen Aid Standup Mixer: Everything Kitchen

Just a Thought

Movin' right along

This has to be the coolest VW van/camper in history, or at least that I've ever seen. Oh the places I would go!

ps. I took this from someones blog eons ago, I don't remember what blog is was or else I would give credit. My apologies!

Oh I wood!

What is it about these lumber-inspired pieces that makes me want to go out for a walk in the woods and deeply inhale the smells of pine, fir and spruce trees? ...and maybe chop one down and whittle myself a nice little pair of earrings? It seems like wood is such a wonderful accessory to add balance to all the light and flowy spring dresses that we will all be frolicking around in quite soon, if not already. There's also something very free-spirited and bohemian about wearing a tree trunk around your neck, right? But let's also keep Mother Earth intact and stick to faux-bois, shall we?

Earrings: Doe-sf, Platforms: Piperlime,Ring: Avalaya, Repetto Shoes: It's (K)not Wood, Bracelet: Banana Republic, Sunglasses: iwoodecodesign, Clutch: French Connection, Necklace: Topshop

The Niagra Falls Dress

When I first saw this dress I immediately thought of this picture:


Oh how lovely! Unfortunately, I think the dress might be sold out because I can't find it anywhere on Modcloth anymore. Oh well, it's still nice to look at.

The Many Uses of Yogurt Cups

I found this awesome website called Preserve, which has different products made from recycled yogurt cups. How amazing is that? Everything from toothbrushes, flavored toothpicks, tumblers, tupperwear, razors, cutting boards, all in bright cheerful colors no less... all made from recylced plastics. And the coolest thing is... when you're done with the toothbrush or razor you can send it back to them in a mailer to be recycled yet again into plastic lumber and tablecloths. And if you're feeling extra generous, you can mail them your #5 plastics (any plastic that has 5 in the chasing arrows, usually yogurt cups) to be recycled into more delightful goodies. I've already bought a toothbrush and razor from them and love it. So go get yourself some reincarnated yogurt cups and make the world a happier place. And don't forget to use the promo code "cows" for a discount!

P.S. I am so sad to have just discovered that Domino magazine is no longer being published. :( What is going on?! First Blueprint, then Adorn and now Domino... what's happening to all the good magazines? This makes me sad.

a (very) rude awakening.

Today I was woken up by jackhammering outside of my window. Literally 20 feet from where I was sleeping, construction workers were jackhammering the sidewalk. At 7am. It was the most frightening noise to wake up to from a deep sleep. Trust me. And this is the 2nd time it's happened, except this time was more ridiculous because it sounded like the jackhammer was in my room with me. But they had moved on down the street by the time I had to leave for my hair appointment, which made my day better, because doesn't getting your hair done always make everything better? And another thing that makes everything better is a straw fedora hat, like the one I purchased a couple days ago and have been scheming different outfits to wear it with, but alas it hasn't seen the light of day. In due time, my friends, in due time.

Clutch the Rainbow.

As I was getting ready for work today, I noticed a clutch I had thrifted last year among my other purses that I've never used. It's a medium-sized straw clutch that I got for maybe $2, and I thought to myself that I can't wait to pull it out of my closet and wear it with something flowy and summery. and since I thrifted it, it's sort of recylced, right? So that makes it kind of eco-friendly? Eh, eh? I'm trying here! So I thought, I wonder what other eco-friendly clutches look like. and to my surprise, they're actually quite delightful.


World Of Good


World Of Good


World Of Good


Kling Bags


OneOctober


Ecoist

Isn't this great? It's so Grapes of Wrath-chic. I need a corset and mixed prints stat.

image from Teen Vogue