Come and knock on my door...

One of my favorite things about vintage/estate sale hunting is finding treasures like this skirt.  It's a perfect way to try out a trend inexpensively and a bit more uniquely.  Especially since I'm sure hardly anyone will be wearing what I've dubbed the "Mrs. Roper" skirt. 

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving maxi skirts this summer?  Except when you trip on the hem.  But at least your skirt will cover most of your legs in the fall.  Win-win.

Outfit details

Top: Mossimo

Skirt: Vintage (check out the raffia detail)

Shoes: No. 6

Accessories: BR belt, Madewell spike necklace,

Mor & Gretchen Von Eberstein bronze rings

 

 

Leighelena bracelet

 

I've posted before concerning my love for Leighelena bracelets here.   I'm wearing the stingray version here which has the coolest texture (click on the picture for more detail)

 Outfit details

Dress: Banana Republic

Cardigan: Madwell

Shoes: No. 6

Accessories: BR belt, vintage locket, 

Leighelena stingray bracelet, Shaesby ring

Jcrew Jenny

I'm pretty sure I'll be living all summer in this Jcrew Jenny dress.  The slub cotton is lightweight and perfect for 100 degree weather and the shape is versatile to go casual and a bit dressed up for work as well.  I always have a problem with balancing my work wardrobe with my weekend wear and this dress nicely fits in both categories. 

 Outfit details

Dress: Jcrew

Jacket: Uniqlo

Shoes: Camper

Accessories: Jcrew belt, Mor ring, 

vintage necklace and Leighelena double wrap bracelet

British Vogue - May

British Vogue's May edition was understandably all about weddings!

The articles were great and not like most of the US wedding mags out there.  Loved this recap on the royal family weddings (there was also a huge Kate Middleton section)

Suggestions on wedding guest apparel

Fun photo spread on wedding presents for the happy couple and 

also what to get your bridesmaids which I thought was a nice touch

This dress was my favorite piece of clothing in the whole magazine

And even with all the wedding goodness, they managed to fit in a gorgeous safari themed photoshoot  (love the picture on the right, it's shown better here)

Poor Agyness thought she was just there for a run of the mill photoshoot

And my favorite ad: Blake Lively for Chanel who is stunning as usual

In contrast to French Vogue, the only nudity was a skeevy American Apparel ad

French Vogue - April

I picked up a couple of Vogue magazines while I was in Europe and thought it'd be fun to go through and highlight some things that I thought were interesting and compare the US, French and British versions.  I wish I would've gotten a May edition of French Vogue for this comparison but April was the only one on the stands and I got distracted by a croissant so we'll have to make do.

This crocodile (or is it an alligator?) caught my eye immediately

I want every piece in this picture

There was quite a bit of topless nudity in the photoshoots and ads which I guess is not such a big deal in France.  I thought this one particular photoshoot using two ballet dancers was particularly beautiful.

Most of the magazine showcased items delicate and feminine items like this which seems to fit the Parisian aesthetic

Then there were pictures like this which were a bit confusing but striking nonetheless

And last but not least my favorite ad from French Vogue

Mustard Skirt

I wore this outfit to Renegade on Saturday.  Something mustard was high on my spring/summer wishlist this year--I love the color but can't wear it too close to my face so a skirt was a perfect compromise.  The hunt took much longer and I think I must have looked at every store but couldn't quite find what I was looking for.  Finally I turned to etsy and found this vintage version which had the perfect color, fabric and cute brass buttons.  Unfortunately the measurements were a little off and when the skirt arrived, I realized that it had a 25 inch waist.  I went to plead my case to my alterations lady and she magically removed the waistband, which gave me the needed room so I could actually eat lunch.  My number one fashion tip is to have a great alterations person.  At this rate, I'm personally putting her kids through school with all my alterations!

 Outfit details

Top: Jcrew

Skirt: Vintage

Shoes: No. 6 clogs

Accessories: Vintage necklace, Jcrew belt, Mor ring

Vintage bead necklaces

Found these beauties at a local estate sale last weekend.  I love the vibrant colors and especially the clasp on the yellow one!

Maxi skirt

Here's another "out of my comfort zone" outfit, featuring a maxi skirt.  The last time I wore a long skirt was at my wedding!  I'd avoided the trend for the past couple of years because really, I don't need a lot of help to look short.  However, I couldn't resist this bright Zara skirt and when I put it on, I immediately felt more feminine with my swishy skirt and the comfort factor was off the charts.  So, while it may not be the most flattering look, I hope to add a few maxi skirts to the rotation this summer.

Sorry about the funny face here but it's takes an act of god to get Link to look properly at the camera.  He's outfitted in his summer white fur coat.

Outfit details

Top: Monrow - Anthropologie

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Croc wedges (yes crocs!)

Accessories: Vintage turquoise necklace, DKNY belt, Mor bronze ring

Vintage lookalike: Madewell Sightseer Skirt

When Madewell came out with the Sightseer skirt, there were screams of joy for it's flattering fit, length and lightweight fabric and alternate screams of outrage comparing it to mom jeans and "something I wore in the 80s".

Since I too was squealing in joy but not exactly excited about the price, I thought I'd keep an eye out for a vintage or thrifted version.  Lo and behold, on a fun thrifting day with Sydney, I came across this version--it has a similar silhouette though in a black denim, which while not my first choice, the 95% price discount helped make up the difference.

Outfit details

Top: Anthropologie

Skirt: Koret (vintage)

Shoes: Sven clogs

Accessories: Mimi Di N mouse belt, vintage bangles

Sightseeing in Paris

 

My first outfit post and it is certainly not a typical outfit for me!  It's my first attempt to wear slimmer leg jeans (I'm usually more at home in wide leg/flares).  I'm trying to add more hot pink tops to my wardrobe and love it paired with this vintage turquoise seed bead necklace.  I was trying to go for comfort as we spent 14 hours exploring the city but still wanted to look relatively pulled together, because well, I was in Paris! If the weather had been warmer, I would've rolled up the cuffs of my blazer and jeans to feel more like "me".  Are there any little tricks you do to help make an outfit  your own?

Location: The Lourve, Paris

Outfit details

Blouse: Patterson Kincaid

Blazer: Jcrew schoolboy

Jeans: AG Stilt

Shoes: Bloch flats

Accessories: Vintage turquoise seed bead necklace

Bag: Jas MB