Peasant Blouses and Cork Wedges

Back again- this year has been terrible for any consistency in getting posts up. Some blogger I turned out to be.
But I'm here and I've brought an outfit post as atonement. Winter, such as it was, has come and gone here in Southern California. Now it's all sunshine and dry weather and shorts!

 As of late, I've gone a bit hippie with my dress- this peasant blouse was a thrift store find from Palm Springs. And when I'm lazy and don't want to style my hair (often), a brad or two works just fine for me.

Oop! Sorry for the bellybutton flash- I usually like to keep that under wraps.

Very pleased that I can bring my Steve Madden wedges back into rotation. The heel came loose from the cork last year and I finally got around to super gluing it back together.

Regarding shopping schizophrenia and birthdays

A lot of girls will say that their shopping weakness is shoes or purses or maybe something completely different- like model trains. And while I do love shoes and purses and (to a lesser extent) scale models, my real shopping weakness is events. 98% of my purchases happen when I've got a fancy party or a trip or show coming up. I get an image in my head of how I want to look and then scour the internet and local vintage shops in an effort to force that mental image into outfit reality. 

 The process goes a little something like this....

Self: Oooh, I'm going to a work holiday party with The New Boy this month. Dang, what am I going to wear?

Frugal Self: Don't go buying a new dress- you have a million hanging in the closet. Wear one of those.

Self: Alright, I do love The Wedding Dress and I've only worn it twice....

Indulgent Self: But what about shoes? It's the holidays and nothing says the holidays like red shoes. 

Frugal Self: We have red shoes.

Indulgent Self: They're falling apart.

Self: That's true, ok I'll buy some new shoes and I'll make sure they're fairly inexpensive.

Indulgent Self: And a giant statement bracelet...

Frugal Self: No way! Totally unnecessary.

Self: Hmmmm...

Indulgent Self: And new underwear!

Frugal Self: What are we, made of money or something???

Self: Ummm...

Indulgent Self: AND YOU HAVE TO GET A NEW PURSE!

Frugal Self: THIS IS WHY WE STILL LIVE WITH OUR MOTHER!! BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BUDGET YOUR MONEY!!

Self: Both of you just shut up! You're not even real- you're just Freudian manifestations of my own internal dialogue.

End scene.

Ok, so here's what I ended up buying.

 Bangle set I picked up from Taneesi Jewelry on Etsy.

 

New Red Shoes from modcloth

And a whole bunch of pretty underthings from Dollhouse Bettie.

I showed all kinds of restraint and did not buy a new purse since I own a perfectly lovely red evening bag that was a gift from ML. Also, it's my birthday so that mean I have to share this which has been my birthday song for something like 8 years now. I don't think I've ever posted Jonah here but He is another of my favorite people and I will forever love his music. so here ya go. 


Jonah Matranga Live at WAH part three // 14-41 from We Are Home. on Vimeo.

Regarding illness and shoes

Well, I fought it and fought it but it finally won. Terrible germs have infested my body and I'm officially sick. Ok, so maybe hanging out with CJ when she was ill wasn't such a good idea and I'm thinking that kissing in the rain the other night was less romantic then it was foolish. 

(Wait- did I forget to share that news? Damn, well- I met a boy and he's interesting but I'll cover that in more detail some other time)

So, yes, I'm partially to blame for my current condition but I'm doing everything I can think of to combat this cold. Eating vitamin C chewables and pretty much bathing in green tea. And resting. So, while my body wages it's microscopic war, I've decided to poke around the internet looking at shoes. Surprise.

However, I'm not buying any since I'm trying to save for the move. I did make a little set of shoes that I would buy though, if I wasn't being so good and not buying them. Even though I really want to buy them.

Top left going Clockwise: Restricted Pop Art in Red, Miz Mooz Advanced Placement Heels, Seychelles All Dressed Up Heels, Sister Nature Heels at ModCloth, Madden Girl Uttsons, Poetic License Charm School Heels.

I feel the need to point out that I actually own very few high heels. Most of my shoes are 3" or lower, despite my high heel theory for large footed women.

And this is due to the fact that most shoe designers seem to have this awful desire to make ladies look like horses. The current trend in heels is a towering 6" which is not exactly practical for any sort of walking whatsoever. So, they slap on a 3" platform and the result is millions of poor gals clomping around in a very equine manner. 

 I actually own those last ones and though they are more tame in the platform regard then others, they still make me feel like I'm wearing horseshoes. Most modern designers seem to have lost the idea that heels should be flattering on the foot. Instead, they give us heavy looking weights at the end of our legs and tell us it's sexy. 

Well, the Revamp Vixen is here to tell you-  it's not. 

End sickness fuels shoe rant.

Boots cost Money

It's October and October means Fall is Here!

Ok, granted- it is currently 70 degrees and sunny as hell here in SoCal. But let's not let that little detail detour us. Fall is my favorite season as I love the cooler weather, the festive holidays and most important, cold weather clothes. If you remember last year, I spent a great deal of time and money gathering up a new Fall/Winter wardrobe. And the one piece that , hard as I tried, I couldn't seem to find was the perfect pair of fall boots. I had purchased and returned 3 pairs in anticipation for my trip back East and all three looked great online but just didn't do it for me in real life. 

Well, my boot quest continues this year and I do believe I have hit the mark this time.

After much searching online, I found a pair of very cute ankle boots that met all of my "perfect" priorities. A decent sized, sturdy heel- lace up-rounded toe- and a fair fit for my oddly thin calves. So, I went ahead and bought them. 

Then, two days later, I made a little trip to DSW with KJ of all people, and found another pair that also hit every mark. So, I bought those too. 

Now, you might be saying to yourself "Those are the same boots" and well, you'd be right, sort of. They are very similar I admit. But! to me the small differences make it justifiable to have bought both. The first pair is brown, fits much closer to the calf and has man made materials. Perfect for chilly rainy  Fall weather. The second pair is black, has flannel lining and is leather. Perfect for snowy New York winters. So, in my crazy backwards shopping addict logic, owning two pairs of essentially similar boots is necessary. 

Oh and I guess I should point out one more rather big difference. One of the pairs cost $53 and the other cost $150. Wanna guess which is which?

Unusual Takes on an Outfit

I usually don't go in for multiple posts in one day but I felt compelled to do another of my outfit today. Mainly due to the responses in garnered.

As you can see, nothing super special or over the top. It's actually a bit plain and casual for me.

But at the coffeeshop, the hippie gal behind the counter asked if I was a teacher. I said no obviously and asked if I looked like one. "Yes but like from little house on the prairie" was her reply.

Then at the drugstore, the lady ringing me up asked if these were my work clothes or do I usually just dress this way. "My usual get-up" to which she remarked that I look like someones who's dutch with my wooden shoes and all.

I sort of feel the need to keep this outfit in regular rotation now and refer to it as the dutch schoolteacher of the prairie ensemble.

Don't you spend Wednesdays photographing your room?

I went out of my way this past weekend to clean up my room and decided to get some photos of it in this unnatural state. I have a small room as it is and a lot of stuff to fit in it. So, it pays to be creative when organizing out my space.

 

 My vanity which really is- I love it and think it's very beautiful. I started stripping it over a year ago but was taking too long on it. I couldn't stand doing my make-up in the bathroom so I moved it back in unfinished. And discovered I love the ragged look of it. I may or may not finish this in the future but for now, I'm happy with it.

 Shoes on parade- many of which need a good cleaning and repairs.

I'm trying out a new system for my closet- ordered by color rather then style. Since I tend to create outfits by color matching more then anything else, I figured this way would make that a bit easier.

 My poor multitude of books currently crammed on my sad 5 shelve case. And my attempt at storage next to it. The suitcases are filled with handbags and the hat boxes are filled with......hats obviously.  It keeps the clutter down and I really love the look of stacked cases.

Thought I'd throw in a project I'm almost done with- it's a head dress for War modeled by the lovely bald Marie.

And I know it's not the weekend but it's still a Good Morning so let's have a little S. Stevens to celebrate.

The Weekend that Wasn't

This is a story a the Weekend that Wasn't.

For me at least, because I'm working the s. days doing caterings and earning the bug bucks. So, no real chance for any nighttime fun but I did go out with CJ and Iz on friday. Some beers at the Blind Lady Ale House and then some rejection by doormen over expired licenses. Stupid, awful DMV is cramping my style. Regardless, we have photos!

 I went fairly casual- dark cigarette jeans, button down cowgirl shirt and my newly bought and super badass leather jacket.

 She always steals the spotlight.

 Red hot heels and some not so hot veiny feet.

 The holy trinity of beer.

And now I've got exactly 3 hours and 40 minutes until I have to go into work. Just enough time to enjoy a few rounds of some good morning music.

All new accessories

Recently bought some new accessories and have been wearing them around town.

Vintage bird pin is making the rounds- on my sweater and on my beret.

Beaded  feather headband from the Bethany Lorelle etsy shop.

And some new acquisitions from Urban Outfitters.

On a jet plane...

Countdown to New York trip: 5 days!

It's been weeks since I've posted and those have been filled with many stressful happenings. Between birthdays, car trouble, expired licenses and a sexual wrench thrown into the works, there's been no time for fun vintage blogs. But now things have calmed down considerably and I've got a whole week free to post and bore you all to death.

Today's will be all about the fine line between traveling smart and staying chic. I am a notorious over packer. If I'm going on a trip, for some reason I get it in my head that a situation will come up where I will absolutely need my white petticoat (or all 3 Trashy Diva dresses. or my paper parasol.) I never do end up needing these things on the trip but it's one of my weird traveling phobias. Which leaves me trying to lug around two suitcases, a hat box, makeup bag and a purse more often then not. Well, not this year so says I.

This year I've planned ahead and developed a clever (and a bit lame) strategy for my Christmas trip this year. Rather then bring enough clothes for every day of the week I'll be gone, I'm bringing enough for 3. Rather then bring a bunch of favorite pieces that on their own look great but end up clashing, I'm going with a theme and color palette. And I made up little collages on polyvore cause if we are already at "a bit" lame, why not really swing for the fences?

As you can see, sleek and space saving. I'll be wearing onn outfit on the plane (including the jacket) so I can stick to one checked bag and one carry on. Most is from modcloth, all fit into the color scheme of blues, browns and rust. And I'm able to mix them to have a different outfit each day. Fewer clothes means more room for accessories, which is where the variety will really come in. I can bring along as many necklaces, tights and gloves as I want without taking up a lot of suitcase space.

And since I'll be there for the holidays and NYE, I want one fancy dress celebrating outfit.

I hadn't notice until right now that I've got quite a little flock of birds going on in my travel wardrobe. I must subconsciously really be into feathered friends right now.

Compiled Crap

A list of things that are bugging me right now-

1. I come back to work after a lovely holiday vacation to find out I'm taking a $2.5 paycut. We're losing our contract with the school- which means tight times to come for the company. And it also means I may never get out of the southbay.

2. Recently, I was made aware that my louse father is expecting a baby with his "my aged" girlfriend. Ugh. Ignoring this until another post.

3. My utter inability to find a workable pair of winter boots. I've ordered and returned three pairs so far. Damn my scrawny legs- they make me look like I'm playing dress up in Mommy's boots.

4.  A six month dearth of any sort of .... male affections is starting to take its toll.

This has become a new favorite Saturday Morning...

posting to the blog with a cup of coffee, sunshine (or winter winds in the case of today) coming through the windows and a slew of photographs chronicling the past week. Each Saturday Morning, a different song playing on repeat while I bore the digital world with my vintage babblings. Yes indeed, most certainly my new favorite way to spend a Saturday Morning.

Onto it, right?

Last week, I went ahead and sold my soul (and half my paycheck) to ModCloth. And now, I've got lovely wintry goodness to share.

This isn't part of the clothing post- this is homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee from my Dear Mumma. I just wanted to gloat.

 Pretties from For The Cross Jewelry. Go patronize them- awesome stuff.

 My mermaid pendant necklace

And my pumpkin set

 Onto Modcloth- repurchased the killer cable knit sweater this time in ivory.Plus a circle scarf for those cold NY nights.

 Basic cardigan in Rust cause lord knows I love rust.

 Coat by Steve Madden- in impractical white but the collar, asymmetrical buttons and

awesome flared skirt make up for it.

And yes, I brought the Miss L Fire Edisons. It was an insanity fuelled impulse buy and like most, one I came to regret. 7 times outta 10, when I run across some adorable item of clothing or pair of shoes, it retains its awesome aesthetics once donned. But there are those few time when I try on what appears to be a flattering pair of 30's fashioned shoes only to have them turn into frumpy old grandma nightmares!

It happens most often with shoes, what looks cute and fancy in the box looks wretched on my feet. And I've come to realize it's not the shoes fault, its my feet.

Tiny, dainty size 6 women don't have this issue but us in the size 9+ range know that the key to small, proportionate looking feet is a big ole towering heel. In a five incher, my feet look super tiny which is good. But in a much more often 2 inch heel, well, the size 9 status becomes very apparent. So, much to my dismay, these charming in size 6 fur lovelies just aren't gonna work. 

Cats are peeking over my laptop looking for attention so I guess that's my cue to wrap up. I'll leave it with one of my favorite songs ever by the supremely ferocious and sexy Devendra Banhart.

Warning: Clothing Ahead

Forget that last post- sentimental masturbation! There are more vital matters at hand..... 

cold weather clothing!

I know, about as deep as a dime store novel. But ReVamp never claimed to be anything other then utterly superficial. And I stand by that claim.

Therefore, this post will be dedicated to my rather pressing need for a winter wardrobe. Living in southern California has left me understandably bereft of anything to wear during my two week jaunt to the great state of New York next month. So, I must shop. 

 

Harvest Time Coat from ModCloth

Rolvenden Coat from ModCloth

But really, all I want is this, the forever and always coat!

Great Gatsby Coat by TrashyDiva

And I need some proper boots but moderns are just so unfashionable or so impractical. 

Adore these but my god, 3.5 inch heel in snow?

Edison by Miss L Fire.

Why don't I already own these and most of her '10 collection?

The ones I should and probably will buy- practical G.H. Bass boots.

Add to that some sweaters, a scarf or two and at least one pair of trousers (since I can't always wear skirts) and I end up with another shopping list I can ill afford.