Some of My Favorite Accessories

I thought I'd share with your some of my favorite accessories as of late.  As you can tell, I've been really into sweater guards, brooches, and hairpins lately.  Oh, and that bow pin and bow hair pin - got them at two different places.  Don't they look like part of a set?

I inherited most of these pieces of jewelry, such as the peach colored flower pin (from my mom), the silver locket (also from my mom), the silver purse necklace (from my grandma), and they art deco ring (from my great aunt).  The sweater guards I found at consignment shops...I'm smitten! Everything else I purchased retail before the whole year of second hand shopping thing began.

I love these apple earrings for work...cheesy, but what teacher doesn't have apple accessories?!

This is my brand new (thrifted) wallet that I found this weekend! I've been looking for something like it for ages, and I finally found it.  The leather is peeling a bit in the interior, but that just gives it character, and you can't see it much from the outside, so I'm not worried about it.  Other than that it's perfect!

Oscar Anticipation

Here's today's church outfit. Turns out this polka dot dress is THE COMFIEST article of clothing I have ever worn in my life.  This is not an exaggeration.  I have a feeling that you will see many more photos of me in this dress as I attempt to style it for spring, summer, and fall in hopes of being incredibly comfy year round.  We'll see how that goes.

In other news, I'm very excited for the Oscars tonight.  I think I'm even more excited than usual because I've seen many more of the nominated films than I had in past years and because Anne Hathaway and James Franco are hosting.  I've been a Franco fan since Freaks & Geeks, but don't get me started on that show because I am not yet over the fact that it only last one season.  At any rate, I'm torn between True Grit and The King's Speech for Best Picture.  Who're you rooting for?

Photos by Dan.

Purple cardigan: gift from Mom

Polka dot dress: thrifted

Silver purse necklace: belonged to my grandmother

Bowler hat: thrifted

Tights: Express

Ankle boots: thrifted

Lake Erie Ice Dunes

I've been hoping to get some pictures on Lake Erie for awhile now, and I was dead set on today being the day.  Little did I know just how difficult that would turn out to be.  First, Dan forgot his boots, and it took some persuading to convince him to drive to the lake anyways in just his sneakers.  When we got there, we realized that the snow was much deeper than we'd anticipated, but still we forged on into the mid-calf deep madness.  Once we'd reached our destination, we started shooting only for me to realize I'd left my sweater guard in the car.  Dan so graciously volunteered to trudge back to the car to get it, and while he did I snapped a few shots of the scenery before the batteries on the camera died.  Apparently we were not meant to shoot on the frozen tundra today.

The elusive Dan, captured in his natural habitat, Presque Isle.

Photos by Dan.

Navy jacket: Vintage, Pendleton, Thrifted

Sweater vest: Vintage, The Limited, Thrifted

Blouse: J Crew, J Crew Outlet

Gold skirt: Banana Republic, Banana Republic Outlet

3 pairs of white stockings: Borrowed from mom!

Kitty Earrings: Thrifted

Something That's Stuck With Me

In February 2006 a friend of mine received Teen Vogue magazine in place of her monthly YM, and she was furious.  She brought the new magazine to school (I was a senior in high school) and ranted to me while I flipped through its pages.  I was instantly hooked. My favorite feature was always the checklist on the last few pages which showcased various fashion finds in a manner similar to Polyvore.  Admittedly, I am still a fan today, even though my subscription expired last summer.  

In February 2008, they featured a spread entitled My Funny Valentine which remains my favorite to date.  I somehow ended up with two copies of that issue, and in college these images were tacked to my dorm walls along with other looks I favored.  There's something so whimsical and innocent about these photos.  The setting is so romantic, the clothes are so timeless and classic, and the models are so adorable together.  I just had to share this with you while it's still February.  I turn to it for inspiration every spring!

Inspiration: Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing

I was driving to a book club this evening when "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" came on the radio, and I realized how much I'm yearning to get my annual Dirty Dancing fix.  It's one of those movies that I will never tire of.  I'm a shameless lover of chick flicks, and this one is such a classic!

I absolutely love Jennifer Grey's style in this film.  It's so simple, so feminine, and has a great 80's-meets-60's feel.  I'd love to get my hands on a sweater like the one pictured above, shorts like from the last photo, and belted dress like the second to last photo.  Also, I would like to mention the hair...I've always loved that hair!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Sweater Weather

Wild At Heart by Vintage Aplomb on Polyvore.com

In Between Days by Vintage Aplomb on Polyvore.com

What's black, white, and red all over? by Vintage Aplomb on Polyvore.com

Just Another Manic Monday

Is it lame to start off a blog post with Bangles lyrics? Probably, but it's been a long day, so please forgive me.  After work I met up with a dear friend from high school and we got coffee and went shopping.  I got a caramel macchiato, which was just what I needed to warm me up after the blizzard that hit our town today!

For some reason or another, our mall has an antique store in it.  I feel like this must be uncommon as I don't believe I've seen a mall with an antique store in it before, but maybe I'm wrong.  Anyway, I love stopping in and perusing the wares.  These are the sights I saw.

Old dolls are creepy.  They're the things nightmares are made of.

Photos by me!