Sherlock Holmes

Today's outfit is inspired by none other than Sherlock Holmes.  I've always fancied mysteries (Murder, She Wrote and Dragnet were favorite TV shows growing up), and I just finished reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so I decided to put together my best sleuthing outfit in the style of a young, female Sherlock Holmes.

To start, I figure a lady detective would want to wear something that doesn't stick out too much, so I opted for neutral blacks and tans.  My grandmother's antique magnifying glass necklace will surely help aid the investigation, so it is an obvious accessory.  Lastly, a detective needs something to occupy her mind during a long stake-out, and an antique Mark Twain compilation will help pass the time and give the mind a rest from snooping.

Photos by Dan.

Bowler hat: Thrifted

Cream lace blouse: Consignment Shop

Black sweater: Banana Republic Outlet

Wool Skirt: Thrifted

Black ankle boots: Thrifted

Mark Twain compilation: Thrifted

Black leather Coach purse: Ebay

Topshop Envy

Forget Me Not by Vintage Aplomb on Polyvore.com

Nautical Nonsense by Vintage Aplomb on Polyvore.com

Topshop Prep by Vintage Aplomb on Polyvore.com

Last night Dan and I joined my family (my parent and younger brother, David) for a rollicking good time out in the sticks. Dan and David are both home for the week on spring break, and David's South African roommate, Rudy, will be joining us here on Sunday as well! It should make for a lively and entertaining week! Back to last night: We started our evening out at the Venango Inn and Golf Course for dinner. We had a lovely time, and much of our conversation was focused on the sail boat that my father just purchased with a friend and how much fun we will be having this summer while learning to sail on Lake Erie.

After dinner my father proposed we go to Sprague's Brewery, a rustic country bar in the middle of nowhere. Of course, we were all happy to oblige. Sprague's was hopping last night, as there was a live jazz/blues band bringing down the house. I had not yet been to the local establishment, and now I wish I had ventured out much sooner. Housed in what I believe to be a beautiful old barn, the bar was adorned with old signs from past local businesses. Dan and I ran into several high school acquaintances, and it was very nice to catch up with people we hadn't seen in awhile. I just love spending time with my family, and a delightful time was had by all.

Here you can see several of the items from Topshop that I would love to add to my wardrobe. Since I can't purchase them, the next best thing is to make believe on Polyvore and style them the way I would if I could. I hope everyone's having a nice weekend!

Happy March!

Today is a beautiful, sunny, and nearly warm (36 degree) day, and the sunshine has put me in such a good mood.  These images have nearly the same effect on me as the sun; looking at them brightens up my day, and I hope they do the same for you.  They're from Victoria's Vintage via We Heart It.

I'm so excited that March is here.  I know a lot of people who feel that March is their least favorite month.  They say that it drags on forever and that it's just an extension of a much-too-long winter.  March certainly isn't my favorite month (it's June!), but I always look forward to its arrival because I know that there is always the hope that spring might come a bit early this year and give us some sunny, 60 degree days.  Here's hoping!

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