Vroom! Vroom!

Summer is here, seriously.  Two reasons I know this to be true is 1.) I am nursing a pretty severe sunburn on my shoulders/chest and 2.) I am in shorts and am not at all cold (I am always cold!) A few months back during my weekly pilgrimage to the Salvation Army I came down with a case of nostalgia when I found this circa 1992 overall/fabric skort ensemble.  I loved it.  I couldn't WAIT to wear it but I had to wait...for summer.  Summer thank you for finally coming! Please promise me you won't ever go away again?! 

Vintage Bonjour overall skorts: Salvation Army

Jil Sander backless body suit (worn underneath): Saks Fifth Ave.

Necklace: Savers Thrift Olathe Kansas

Shoes: Vintage Ferragamo from Salvation Army

Handbag: 1970's Givenchy from Vintage Vogue, Independence Missouri

Sunglasses: Ohio Thrift

PS-The drawing is of me as a bear (why not?) and my Brussels Griffon Lula in the side car.  I don't own a Chanel motorcycle but if I did it would pretty much be like that. <3

Oh, Mother!

I have very thoughtful co-workers and those co-workers have mothers with exceptionally wonderful taste. At first it started with Emily, our conversation followed this path:

Emily: My Mom had this sweatshirt from the 80's with bears all over that she wore for years.  Would that be something you would be interested in? You might not think it's cool.

Me: Bears? Bring it in! 

A few days later I am squealing with delight and immediately put the sweatshirt on over my work clothes and proudly wear it until I get too hot. It has a front AND a back.  Tiny animals are my heaven.  Tiny animals in clothing are my second heaven.  Thank you Emily's Mom!

This would more appropriately be a Fall/Winter look but I couldn't wait that long to showcase it.

Leather pants: Barney's Coop

Silk Cheetah button-up: Thrift store

Camo-ish snakeskin pumps: Thrift store

Amazing tiny handbag with bamboo hardware: Vintage Limited (I know, I know, so unbelievable right?!) from Thrift store.

Next up I have Molly and her Mother's fabulous goose sweater that she purchased during their Honeymoon in California in the 1980's.

Molly: I have this sweater at home that used to belong to my Mom, I wear it for ugly sweater parties but I don't know, I think it's something that you might like. It has a goose on it with baby geese on the back.

Me: Are you kidding? Bring it in!

I was in love.  Color blocking WITH geese?! It was mine all mine. Thank you Molly's Mom!

Again, I will wear this in winter and not with shorts but my excitement overcame me and I wanted to show it off now, now, NOW!

Shorts: Vintage liberty print denim shorts from thrift store.

Boots: Vivienne Westwood pirate boots from Edon Manor, NYC.

Handbag: Chanel

Necklace: Thrift store (so Moschino Cheap and Chic!)

Sunglasses: Thrift store

Wish I could have caught one of those geese for a hug! Maybe next time...

(Big thanks to Laura Morgan for being my fabulous on location photographer!)

Monday Monday

Oh Monday Monday, you always come so fast you. I stood in a pile of clothes ankle deep (seriously) in my closet-room this morning frantically trying to find SOMETHING TO PUT ON SO I WAS NOT LATE TO WORK!! I settled on my ol' reliable "Visual T-shirt" illustrated by yours truly. I made one for my boss (who has yet to wear his) and my coworker for Christmas presents. I mean who doesn't want to be immortalized on a t-shirt in the persona of a cartoon bear? I KNOW, right?! ;) Who wouldn't is really the more appropriate question. I threw on my AG jeans that I cut off above the ankle last year and my new Yo Gabba Gabba kicks that I got last week from vans.com. Perfect for my case of the Mondays.

PS-Behind me is my "homage to Marc Jacobs" wall mural I am painting in the Visual office. So excited when that's finished! eeek!!

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

Let me preface this post with...I AM NOT PREGNANT!!  But my best friend Heather in NYC IS, and while we were chatting Tuesday she was telling me how difficult it's been for her to still be fashionable whilst dressing the burgeoning bump. Heather has phenomenal style (she is my vintage clothing partner in crime whenever we are in the Midwest together) so all she needs is a little pregnancy street style photo inspiration (cue the below montage lovely put together by yours truly!)  I also did a little hunting around the internet to find her some reasonable/cool basics that she can add her lovely vintage/urban/edge to so that she won't have to say "good-bye style" while saying, "hello baby!"  Hope this inspires! xo!

It's darn hard to find cool maternity wear! Below are some of my top finds from around the web...

Liz Lange for Target Maxi dress, $34.99. I am most definitely envisioning this with a thin vintage brown belt or possibly snake skin.

L-O-V-E!!  Scuba blue Merona maternity sleeveless halter maxi from TARGET (comes in two other colors!) Currently out of stock on line (sniff, sniff) but could be available in store.

Another Target find by Merona, kind of Helmut Lang or Jil Sander inspired and only $29.99 (also comes in that fantastic scuba blue color above!)

Not in the maternity category but still doable, this strapless wrap front chiffon maxi is only $69.99! Heavenly color!

What I love about this one is that it can be worn as a Strapless Dress OR a Maxi Skirt! Target, $24.99.

This striped contour dress would look killer with a cheetah or floral scarf or even a green army shirt or denim jacket layered over it.  Lots of possibilities! Only $27.99 at Target!

Technically these ARE pajama pants but that's what the whole "pajama dressing" trend right now is all about.  I can see these with a thin black and white striped tank (see the below) and heels with a chambray shirt. On sale for $12.56 at the Gap!

Comes in assorted colors on sale now at the Gap for $15.96!

I love stripes...(sigh)...Gap again $39.95

 

 I love how sexy this pointelle tunic is, it screams "night on the town!" Usually one doesn't equate sexiness with pregnancy but why not? A pregnant body is one of the most beautiful bodies in my eyes. TopShop $80.00.

Sorry for the absolute tininess of this one! The bright tribal print is so FUN and would be killer with a worn in/beat up vintage brown belt, lose that hideous black tie! ;) From JC Penny for only $25.00!

This lovely polka dot J. Crew dress could also be an option with it's tie front, $148.00 J. Crew.com

Maternity Spot Lattice dress $76.00, Topshop.

Scallop Hem tee from TopShop $96.00

Pleat bow shirt also from TopShop, $56.00

Vintage looking maternity Floral Tee dress for $92.00 at Topshop.

Would love this Kimono style Maternity top from Target with the below striped skirt! $19.99! (This one appears to be out of stock currently but if you search "vintage Kimono style blouse" you can find awesome authentic vintage tops in great patterns!

Great striped Maxi skirt from Old Navy and only $27.50 would be great paired with...

Maternity Drop-Back shirt $60.00, Topshop and...

A Old Navy cropped Maternity denim jacket on sale for $25.00! This would look amazing with all of the above dresses too.

I love the idea of this soft shimmer tank with a vintage army green button-up, or wear alone! The back is phenomenal!  TopShop, $68.00 

A great layering piece, Old Navy Slub-Knit vest on sale for $19.50.

PS- I didn't even know J-Brand made maternity jeans! $196.00 from Piperlime.

One last item? Fun Ray-Bans!! :) Nordstom, $160.00.

Those are some of my top pics! Remember, a pair of Alaia flats and a YSL handbag can make any $30.00 Target maternity dress look like $300.00. Good thing Heather likes Barney's as much as I do! ;)  

Coral Crushin'!

Tints and shades of a singular color ALWAYS look great together. It's monochromatic but the hue variance is a bit more FUN! Throw in all of those textures, and I am literally dying!! Leather, knit, fur, hammered jewelry, it's all Heaven! I can just hardly stand it!  Coral I got a crush on you. Sheesh. (Don't tell Peter...)

Skirt: Pop-o-orange leather pencil skirt from Goodwill, Columbus OH.

Shirt: Vintage 1950's peach knit shell from Salvation Army, Columbus OH.

Jacket: Vintage 1960's cropped coral box jacket from Vintage Vogue, Independence MO.

Silver fox fur: Salvation Army, Columbus OH.

Shoes: Gucci

Tights: Donna Karan from Nordstrom, Columbus OH.

Jewelry: 30mm hammered brass ball necklace from Vintage Vogue, Independence MO.  Bracelets from friends and thrift stores!