Ring a ding ding.


I am on a week or so long streak of wearing outfits I am not entirely sure I like. Honestly, maybe I have been putting too much thought into, over-analyzing, nit-picking, etc...But, I am iffy on most of the ensembles I worked up last week. It's never an immediate knowledge. Always I walk out of the house assured that I am pulled together effectively if not...remarkably. Slowly, past window reflections and what are most likely harmless strangers glances, I start to crumble a bit and doubt myself. Maybe I don't have taste? Maybe I have no idea what my limits are, fashion-wise? Maybe I am the laughingstock of Texas?? Nah, that last one isn't really an issue because last time I checked George W. Bush was still alive.

(side note: I learned how combine several photos into one image online this weekend!! This will hopefully help you not have to scroll through seven literal feet of screen to see my blog. I am only the last person I know to figure this out. It is amazing how accomplished I feel.)

On to some outfits...

The doubtful hipster.
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For some reason whenever I don anything purchased at American Apparel, or anything in a stretch fabric I suppose, I become paralyzed with the belief that I am posing as a hipster. I know it takes more than this to accomplish hip-ness, but I live in fear. I mean, add the oh-so-kooky Native American Chief with crow on his head thrifted tee shirt and my neurosis increases...

This particular outfit is kind of a milestone for me, whether it fails or not, because I have spent most of my life trying to DOWNPLAY the lower half of my body. Fancy necklines!! Bright colors on top ONLY!! A-Line skirts or DEATH!!! To put on a skirt that tight and then neglect to cover my backside...it's quite the leap of faith for this girl.

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skirt/dress-American Apparel many moons ago
Chief tee-shirt- Thrifted, no one remembers where...
grey coat- H&M winter 07

The Old Grey Mare
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Wouldn't it be awesome if I could be bothered to iron that nice skirt?? It is a lovely piece that I bought, like lots of other girls, from H&M last year and then I...never wore it. Honestly, maybe once. When I raided the upstairs closet this week to get the long lost winter clothes out, I found it and was inspired. As you can see, I am not sure I have it mastered yet.

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skirt- H&M
top-vintage, thrifted from Goodwill
shoes-Frye booties
scarf-H&M

And then there was this...
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There is nothing inherently bad about this outfit. But, I became more and more bored by it as my day went on...I may even doze off typing this.

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Sweater- Free People, Urban Outfitters
dress-Anthropologie

Ok so apart from my iffy fashion week, imagine my excitement when, while going through my daily blog reading, I found Ranna over at Only Shallow, one of the best in the blogosphere and a girl whose style I simply adore, wearing (and rocking) an amazing vintage dress she bought from my own Magnolia Family Vintage ebay store! Please go check out her blog for some real vintage style inspiration...

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I always love to see someone in a dress or item they have bought from me. I love to know that someone else loves it as much as I did!! Obviously, she makes the dress shine and made me feel like a proud foster mama, watching my past charge go off and make it in the big time. Melodramatic attachment to vintage clothing: Check.

Speaking of Magnolia Family Vintage, ahem, we have some suhweeeet items in the store right now! Take a sneak peek...

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and that's not all!!

Ok, I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, and please feel to now Bring on Christmas!! xoxo

Things are happening.

Could everyone do me a favor and CALM. DOWN. with the Christmas stuff? Sheesh, let a girl eat some turkey bird and swallow a few whole deviled eggs before you wrap her in tinsel! I have love for the green and red holiday as much as the next girl but I like to take my festivities one at a time! 

That said, it has been a busy couple of days and I bring you a sampling of ways I walked out the house in my thrifty thrifty goods...

florals and leather.
(look I changed my shoes!)
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I love my boots because the odd "higher on the inside" shape is flattering to my legs for some optical illusion reason. It's science, I don't understand it. The boots are Steve Madden, the dress is thrifted from Salvation Army, the jacket is the same jacket I have been wearing every day for a month now. It's satisfyingly cheap, this outfit.

things you put on in five minutes flat.
(I am trying to distract from my colorless face with a well placed scarf...)
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I love a good sea of black on a day when getting out of bed was a struggle and makeup is the last possibility! Anthropologie dress from last year, gifted scarf, and Buffalo Exchange patent combat boots!! Hurrah!

I will not say Happy Thanksgiving to anyone until it is Thanksgiving. I am taking a stand.xo
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It's not a leap to say that Austin, TX has a lot to offer. It's not exactly a secret that this is a city overflowing with music, art, good food, and individuality. I'm still trucking through, discovering new things each and every time I leave the house. This process would probably go faster if I left the house more, but what can you do? I wanted to take this opportunity  to spotlight one of my favorite scrumptious tidbits out of Austin! When you need pure whimsy with a dash of irreverence and just enough nonsense, you can go straight to...

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This girl has a handle on fantasy. I love the richness of the colors, the extravagance, the work that goes into it...and Darla does it all herself. According to her myspace, she builds the sets, takes the photos, and does hair and makeup for all her shoots. Something of a renaissance woman, no? I love when I see someone taking complete creative control and having the skill set to back it up. Makes me want to go out and sign up for classes in photography, graphic design, cosmetology, and whatever else they offer...except for silly, trivial things like finance management, etc ;)

And next I have to wish my bebe girl Chloe Sevigny a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

November 8th, home girl turned 34. Dear God, when I am 34 please let me look as hot as Chloe...

get it girl!
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All the best wishes to you on your birthday week from all of us here.

Chloe Sevigny is my favorite. There is no better way to put it. All the starlets and it girls combined can't equal the pure magnetism of Chloe. If I sound like a sycophant, it is because I am. If I were to run into her, out there in the real world, I would probably frighten her. And as such, she stays in the realm of "amazing people I idolize and as such hope never to meet in person. Ever." When it comes to people I truly adore, in the "fanship" way of course, I curse the thought of ever interacting with them. I am not the girl who wants to wait in line at the press junket or get backstage at the show. I like to preserve my image of the idol, keeping it safe from the stain of reality. What if I met her and she was rude? or cold? or, ohgod, poorly dressed?? I don't think my fragile psyche could take it. Keep the stars in the sky, that's what I always say.

Ok so. My camera is on the fritz so bear with me for a few days while I get that sorted out. Speaking of, in the absence of a camera, I've realized how completely reliant I have become on taking photos of myself to determine how I actually look. Without one I am afloat in a sea of doubt...keep me in you prayers.

Here are the hot goods I am watching on ebay this week!!!

The drama of this vintage cape from SICKTHRIFT has seduced me. I need it.

Since everyone on earth must be tired of my one pair of tan campus boots...

I'm in the market for some black ones!
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Sequined. Slouchy. Cardigan.
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Since I am on a sequins roll...I love the comfort level of this!
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ooooh hippie shirt!!!
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(OK, vegans avert your eyes!!!)

Fur vest!! I have been looking for an amazing fur vest...I may have found it.
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WHEW.

Don't forget to check out the auctions this week in the Magnolia Family Vintage shop!
xo

This is my very own horn I am tooting.

(I've noticed that most of the time when a blogger takes several days off from writing they apologize promptly in their comeback post. I am not going to do this because something tells me you've been fine. I wouldn't presume to believe my little hiatus was decreasing your quality of life.)

Lookie here! I am in this months issue of RARE magazine here in Austin!

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There is a photo to go with the article but I am not thrilled about it. The photographer was lovely, don't get me wrong. But I am squinting and I look...bloaty. No other way to describe it. If you're really curious, and vaguely familiar with the internet you can find it and observe. Otherwise,

Pretend this is the photo on the opposite page!!!

It's nice to have that kind of attention but the best part of that article was meeting the interviewer Tolly Moseley who has her own fabtastic Austin-centric blog, That Austin Girl. She was the first one I bounced the idea for THIS blog off of and she was so enthusiastic I basically ran home and got started. Not only is she adorable (like a pixie-esque Olsen twin without all the sullen) but hanging out with her (or, at least being interviewed by her) is like having your own personal cheerleader for an hour. She made me feel like a rock star! It made me think that there should be a service where you can hire someone to just hang out and be STOKED on you for the day. Positive energy escorts, so to speak.

Ok now, Thrifty thrifty goodness time.

Wham.

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Floral flirty skirt dress- thrifted, Goodwill
Woven vest- vintage, Feathers Vintage
tights-gifted!

BAM.

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(which eventually ended up like this...)

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Floral baby doll dress- thrifted, Savers, Austin
Anne Taylor velveteen vest- Buffalo Exchange, Austin
Grandpa sweater- thrifted, Out of the Closet, Long Beach

um, thank you ma'am?

On a random, "I have never read the books I don't care about Twilight but WAIT" note...

How wonderful is she?? STYLE IDOL ALERT.
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I don't know who she plays or what she does but I am going to be her next Halloween. Or tomorrow. I love it all, the shearling, the peacock feather, the fringe bangle!! Oh, and you can get a stand-up cut of her on ebay! I am not going to lie, I want one. My birthday is in January.

This next week looks to be uneventful in the days leading to Thanksgiving. Work to be done, clothes to be folded, thrifting to be done. My new thing is thrifting challenges. For instance, I am in lust and love with this outfit...

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Say what you want about lilo, my girl looks fine. So my wish list for Decembers inevitable Christmas gatherings include a sequined mini dress, a cropped faux fur coat, and black platform pumps. Wish me luck!!

Last but not least for today, we put some RAD vintage goods up in the Magnolia Family Vintage shop this weekend, take a look...

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keep it in the family!