GETTING SERIOUS (FOR ONCE)

Confession time, lovers. (Yes, again. So predictable.)
I could care less about labels.
It's not a very shocking admission, after all the exposition I've shared on my immature love of Forever 21, and considering how many people in the world don't give a crap either way who designed what you're wearing. But I feel like, being a blogger who could be considered "fashion oriented", it is somewhat outside the norm. But I don't really focus much on fashion as I did in the beginning. And I've never really known much about the industry.
Personally, I go more for comfort or what attracts me. Since I have a tendency towards the quirky and magpie, with the wallet of a match girl, my exposure to designers is from gossip rags or the rare Ebay find. Yesterday was a girl's day with mom, shopping in Orlando. When we went into the Gucci store, I felt like an intruder in my DF shirt and UO jeans. Yes, I could appreciate the beauty of the bags, scarves, and shoes, but I didn't have a feeling to save up the money to possess the beautiful pieces. They do not fit into my lifestyle.
And that's ok.


(Also, Marilyn in the Orlando/Kissimme area, your vehicle is ready at Oberry's. And the dude you gave your phone number to out on the town is desperate to get a hold of you. Just a heads up, though; he calls at all hours of the night, and may have a drinking problem. Good luck!)

MOLDOVA WINS

For the first time in almost a year, I've gotten more hits somewhere outside of the USA. Hooray, Moldova! Thank you so much, and tell your friends about me. I'll continue to churn out the ridiculous and untimely posts. Because I love you that much. :D

I'll try to pop in as often as possible, but I'm not going to make promises I can't keep. Until I find a way to juggle everything, the blog will be taking a backseat, but I do intend to come back.



And remember......

VOTE BULLMOOSE 1912

MADRE DE DIOS!

Happy second birthday, Fashion Rihab!


Thanks to all of you for your continued love and support. I'm excited to see where the next year leads.

DECO

{Mosaic Panel Bracelet}


I hope that this becomes a trend. I love the art deco motif.

AN HONOR

I got an email this afternoon, stating that a blog entry I made was going to be posted on BlogHer! I am super stoked. It's an honor to contribute, even in a tiny way, to such a wonderful site for female bloggers. I wrote a brief article on my adoption and how I have tried to find out who I am.

I hope to continue to contribute to the BlogHer family.

(OOTD, and apology post coming up next.)

VINTAGE AFFAIR

One thing I've been increasingly searching for is vintage items. I've heard the argument, and use it to my advantage, that there is a reason old fashions are donated to Goodwill. Obviously, with the various re imaginings of past fashions coming back into vogue, going for the true article is a wise way to avoid trendy pricing and quality.

If you're lucky enough to live near a number of thrift stores, spending a day off browsing can pay off big time. Get friendly with the workers. Be a regular. Ask questions. If you find out when local stores send their excess stock, you can hit a jackpot of nice, current threads without the retail price tag. If you are friendly with a worker, they may set aside some items for you.

Even better, volunteer. I know that my church thrift has some amazing pieces, and that the volunteers get first pick of the donations. You can find out if your local thrifts have similar policies. If they don't, another trick people I've worked with have done is to hide a particular item in a hodge-podge area, where it's less likely to get snapped up. So, if you volunteer, or are a thrift hunter, check those overflowing miscellaneous piles first!

If you are not a fan of thrift stores, there is always EBay. If you are tenacious and determined, you can find some amazing things for very good deals. I paid less than $30 for a pair of vintage Gucci loafers and vintage Salvatore Ferragamo heels. Those were both on my lust list for AGES. And for less than a tank of gas. BOOYAH.

Start an affair with vintage today!

LAZY PANTS, MAKE YOU DANCE

I have a terrible habit of letting my crushing self-doubt affect my life. For example, on average, I spend 50-odd hours a week working on the blog. I write mock ups of posts in a notebook I keep in my purse, browse other blogs and sites for inspiration or an interesting tidbit I could share with you all, participate in forums, composing outfits, taking pictures, and window shopping. And yet, at night, dressed in my pjs, curled up on the couch trying to figure out which post to use for an update, I begin to analyze and agonize over what I've written.

I don't know what I'm talking about... This is just what I think would be a good trend. Why aren't there more bow ties for women? Do women want to wear bow ties? I sure do. But that will definitely get weird looks around here. Damn being a drag queen in a redneck town! Ugh, this idea is total crap, why did I think that would be a good idea? I have no formal training, and my blundering attempts at being fashionable are still in their infancy. Guess that's what happens when you spend most of your life as a tomboy and suddenly decide that you can be a stylish lady in stylish lady clothing. Awkward nerd is more like it. Man.... fuck this.

And that's usually the point of the night where I start drinking. Heavily.

Unfortunately, I've discovered that wine makes me more willing to post what I feel is a sub par post, as well as confess my dark secrets, dance like a maniac, kiss boys, and make bad decisions. Like challenging a drag queen to a cartwheel-off in the parking lot of the gay bar. In dresses and sky high heels. On asphalt.

Anyways, what I mean to say is that I'm working on ignoring/overcoming my self-doubts so that I can continue to share my ridiculous opinions on fashion, DIY, furniture, cooking, child rearing, and life with you all.

Brutal honesty, baby.

OOTD: BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL

Today is a big day. Instead of just seeing me in my chosen wardrobe, you all will see what I really wear to work and school. Not a big deal? Well, I wear uniforms by dress code to both. Cue dramatic music.

The following are what I truly wear Monday thru Friday from 7 AM to 6PM.



Monday, Tuesday and Thursday:





I was interrupted with a phone call during my snaps. Oh well!


Wednesday and Friday:










Aw, yuss. Fancy pants.

STYLE V. FASHION

Yes, there is a disctintion between style and fashion.

Fashion is socially dictated. It's what we see in magazines, advertisements, malls, and on the runway. It's the trends; yellow nail polish, flare pants, Americana, mainsteamed hipsterdom. Fashion is what others tell us we should wear, want, accessorize, purchase. Designers, magazine staff, marketers, they all make a very good living selling fashion to the masses. Hell, you could argue that that's what fashion bloggers are doing: selling fashion to the masses.

But when you look at it, "fashion blogger" is a misnomer, as most of us are really writting up our styles. Style is how fashion is interpreted, incorporated, or created to one's self. Chloe {the (chloe) conspiracy} has a distinct style, and mixes in trends to work with her sense of style. For example, her "Springing for Spring" posts, where she wrote up the runway trends and then showcased her spin on the trend. I love how she does that. While fashion bloggers do discuss fashion, both high & low street, when they showcase their style, can almost always see how the trends are incorporated. There are those who don't incorporate any current trends.

They are the true pioneers.

My purpose of starting this blog, back in July 2007, was to share my view of fashion, the breakdown of the trends, and my grandma's lessons of style and grace. When I revamped in 2009, I decided to honor my grandma by showcasing and developing my style, rather than looking towards a breakdown of fashion. The more time I spend working on the blog, the better I feel about everything in life. I'm learning and growing, and becoming the woman I am meant to be.

I'm 24; still plenty of life ahead of me, plenty of experiences, adventures, and proposals to look forward to. Who knows what I might discover on my next foray to Tampa, or while camping in the Keys, or while taking a trip to Morocco? Maybe I'll find an influence, flavor, or idea. Maybe I'll stumble across a new boutique, tucked away from tourists. Maybe I'll find my favorite piece at a kitchsy tourist trap.

Maybe I'll find a home in the mountains. Maybe I'll find that city life meshes with me. Maybe I'll fall for suburbia. Maybe the rest of my life will be nomadic. Maybe I'll meet an Italian man who's an electrical engineer. Or a Frenchman named Socrates, who speaks the languages of many. Or a good-ol' American boy, corn-fed, strong and tender, cheeky, with a sexy slow smile.

None of us know what life is going to bring us, so why bother only following fashion for the sake of conforming to something that isn't true to ourself? As Simon Doonan, who I love so very much, says, "Knowing who you really are and dressing the part -- with an air of amused recklessness -- is life affirming for you and life enhancing for other people".

Enhance this life.

PURSE YOUR LIPS

As mentioned previously, I suck at changing out purses. As evidenced by my using the Carryland since I found it at The Green Bean.... months ago.



{November 16, 2010}


I admit that I don't really see the point in changing bags when all it is for is to lug my crap around. Seasons don't matter since, duh, Florida is pretty much the same season. But, for my personal style growth, I've decided to change out bags every week, starting tomorrow.


Guess this means I need to go buy a bag or four.

ONE YEAR LATER....

Thank you all! I know I've said that a lot these last few weeks, but I really am grateful to all of you for all the support and wonderful comments. Still not sure what on earth I am doing, but we shall see, eh?


Crossing my fingers, and hoping the next year gets even better!