Carven blue, cheetah too

I’ve been wearing this vintage teal coat a lot lately. The color, which I’m terribly fond of, reminds me of the Carven blue from pre-Fall 2012. I think the color really makes the cheetah pop.

I’ve got another busy weekend ahead of me, but with fun stuff this time, including my best friend’s baby shower. I hope you have an enjoyable weekend. Happy Friday, friends.

Outfit: vintage teal coat, 90s cheetah mini dress (thrifted), Nine West brogues, socks (can't remember), Marlon Brando button (borrowed from Pete).

hey, tiger.

I can't believe this sexy tiger stares with menacing amber eyes upon an elementary school. Doesn't he seem like a mascot for switchblade fights and wild make out sessions at some raging rock and roll high school? When I noticed it was an elementary school, I started to feel kind of pervy posing there in my pencil skirt and tight 50s cashmere top. Of course, I'm not a perv -- just a 33 year old gal with juvenile delinquent daydreams, manifested in my sartorial choices.

This is the kind of outfit I wear when I want to feel tough, and strength is what I've been needing this last week or so. I've been spending a large portion of my time helping a family member get into rehab. I've been angry, sad, stressed. I've prayed, practically pleaded with God.  I forgot to breath. I tried hard to control the situation. I let go, and my brother turned himself into rehab on his own just yesterday, and now happiness dances in my heart. Yes, it's been a rough week, but I l have learned so much, and I hope to apply all I've learned the next time that my strength is called upon.

love to the lost,

Crystal Lee

Outfit: 50s vintage pencil skirt, 50s cashmere top, Cole Haan penny loafers (everything thrifted).

mo' mohair

Blustery weather incites me to wear mass amounts of mohair, my most favorite fabric. And because I don’t like to be too covered up, I paired my wool with a bandeau top. All dressed up for a neighborhood stroll.

The weekend was pretty mellow. The most momentous event this weekend was when Pete and I bought a Tempur-pedic mattress. I always feel momentary poor girl’s guilt when purchasing something expensive and luxurious, but after some reasoning I concluded that I totally deserve it. We desperately needed a new mattress anyway. I also watched Gordon Park’s 1970s biopic of “Leadbelly” and was immensely inspired by the upbeat and uninhibited juke joint dancing to “Green Corn” in the opening scene. Much of my weekend was spent listening to country blues and some George Jones too. I got in a little exercise. Even though the winds were raging and the palm trees were wildly swaying like the hands of the holy, I went for a run on the beach (a very short run). I consumed a lot of cheese on Saturday and spent Sunday eating healthy food to make up for the day before. At the end of the weekend, Pete and I talked about how odd but nice it feels to just relax and have no real plans, though I doubt we’ll make a habit out of it. I hope you’re happy and healthy and enjoying this thing called life.

Outfit: Armani wool pants, vintage floral bandeau bra top, vintage mohair scarf, vintage monkey boots (everything thrifted), vintage mohair sweater (hand me down from Elliott), vintage fedora hat (Jet Rag).

screaming yellow

I wore this vibrant yellow get up to sell at the Rose Bowl Flea Market this past Sunday, which really helped me to look alive when I'm actually dead tired. I wish I had time to do my hair, but I awoke late (5:00 a.m. instead of 4:30 a.m.) and had to run out the door. Luckily, I planned my outfit the night before. Apparently, my outfit caught the eye of others too (how could it not when it's so blasted bright) as I posed for a few people, including the street style photographer for Spin Magazine. It's nice to be appreciated for my personal expression.

Photos taken by Stacy, Fancy Disaster.

Outfit: vintage yellow skirt (thrifted), vintage 70s floral poly top (thrifted), vintage floral long sweater (thrifted), socks (Asos), platforms (Cork Ease), vintage floral umbrella (my neighbor's booth).

a rainbow from my heart to yours

It's another beautiful day in Long Beach. Pete and I got up on the early side and rode our bicycles to breakfast. The breeze was light, but it still blew my blue straw hat off a few times, so that I couldn't wear it while bicycling. All the trees are vibrant green, the flowers are blooming, and the fruit is ripe. The town smells of jasmine. I celebrate in style with my 70s rainbow crop, which I've had in my wardrobe for at least 10 years. It's definitely one of those pieces that reminds me of Iris in Taxi Driver. Sometimes I get to thinking that I'm too old for such a top, but that's just the devil talking. I finally bought myself a pair of Cork Ease shoes, and boy are these shoes comfortable. Well worth the dough.

We're listening to Bruce Springstein this lovely afternoon. My friend, Hector, just burned me a few of his older albums, and it's so good, especially the Nebraska album. Have you heard it? I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Outfit: Vintage 70s rainbow crop top (thrifted), olive green pleated skirt (thrifted),green beaded purse (thrifted), pastel ring (Downtown Darling Vintage, Long Beach), lavender nail polish (OPI), Cork Ease Myrna Platforms.

sunny days

Sunday was probably the hottest day this winter at a sultry 84 degrees. I got to wear  summer's gear -- a crop top and cut off jean shorts -- to Jesse's birthday backyard bash.  The party was a rager. Records were spinning out all kinds of jams, some set my feet to dancing, others (Northern Soul - yawn) left my feet limp and impotent. It was a pot luck, and there was some really amazing food including kale mac and cheese.  There was also a beer bong. Yours truly did not participate in that popular high school past time. You may recall, I pretty much hate beer, though lately I have taken a liking to gluten free raspberry beer from Whole Foods. God, that sounds so yuppie! I hardly ever attend parties with so many folks in attendance, but I wouldn't miss my best buds birthday on account of some nerves. Anyway, when it did get a little overwhelming, I just hung out on a stoop on the front porch or on the side of the house, away from the crowd, which is where Elliott took these photos.

The winter weather has been incredibly fickle. Today, it was so cold outside, my bones cried out for mercy. But I've come to appreciate the colder days, because it makes the sunny ones that more glorious.

Outfit: Jordache cut off jeans (thrifted), 60s swiss dot ruffle crop top (Ebay), sandals (thrifted), cowhide belt (gift from Stacy).

fun stripes: new in shop

Vintage 90s Teal Pinstripe Suspender Jumpsuit S-M

Vintage 90s Pink Striped Jumpsuit

Vintage 90s Aqua Striped Scoop neck Crop Top S-M

Heya Gang. Just popping in with a mini store update featuring fun and playful vintage stripes. Be sure to check out my other listings in the shop.

I might regret it in the morning

The childish urge to cut my hair myself seeps into my head ever so often, like a little demon it prompts me to willy nilly create some bangs (and with regular old scissors too, not special hair cutting ones). I truly have no skill for such things, and this lack of a knack for cutting hair runs in my family. I remember when my little sister used to chop away at her hair as a youngin', looking much like an Amish boy when she got finished. Gosh, she used to embarrass me so. And then my mother always insisted upon cutting our hair herself to save money. My brothers got the bowl cut and I somehow got a Don King hair cut that stood up high except for when I was in the pool where I was often mistaken for a little boy. So it goes. I'm not too worried about it these days.

I stayed home from work today to take care of some personal business. I've also been listening to records and doing some housework, though I really ought to do more of the latter. But goodness, who wants to do housework on a Friday. Happy Friday, folks.

Outfit: 50s nude sheer top ( Etsy), 50s shorts (Etsy), red 50s bra (vintage shop in Lancaster, PA).