firmoo + giveaway

Wearing fake glasses...

I know it's completely silly of me, and I'm sure people who actually need them find it ridiculous, but I must confess I own and occasionally wear several pairs of fake/lesnless glasses!

I think I started my love of sporting fake glasses when I lived in China.

1. People had no shame about wearing or doing things "just for fashion" so this trend was everywhere and it felt normal to buy and wear glasses for fashion instead of necessity.

2. Wearing frames actually has an emotional impact and ability to make me feel a little bit hidden. This was so valuable in China when I got stared at just for going to the grocery store. Sometimes I was tired/sick/grumpy and NOT in the mood for attention; glasses let me go forth with a feeling of being "in disguise."

3. I found fake glasses especially comforting when I got a crazy rash on my face! I know people could still see I was foreign/had a rash on my face, but the glasses still made me feel protected somehow.

I still get in that same mood to feel inconspicuous from time to time so frames like these from Firmoo can come in handy. I use them on "shy" days or "bad eye days" as I call them (you know when your eyelid is puffy or your eyes just look tired??) And... I'm not kidding... I really am this big of a cliche... but glasses can also make you feel smart! I like to throw them on when I know I'm going to have a busy, efficient day. They help me remember the part.

 Firmoo was so nice to offer me a pair of glasses in exchange for trying them out and writing a blog post about it. I like these lenses I ended up choosing, they're kind of scholarly and mousy, great for "bad eye days" or "need to feel smart" days. I could have tolerated them being even bigger and rounder. Sometimes you just have to go big or go home when it comes to being a glasses faker.

A good thing about Firmoo glasses is that these cute frames are for the vision impaired and the wannabes alike! If you're a super faker like me, you can even order them without the plastic lenses and just have the frames. Sometimes I prefer that because I can see better without the fake plastic lens. The irony of this is not lost on me. I know people probably think I am so strange when they notice I have no glass in my glasses... But I can't help it! I'm just a big ole poser.

Do you want some Firmoo glasses, too? Whether you are a legitimate glasses-needer or a simple frames-for-fashion lover, Firmoo has you covered.
I am giving away 6 vouchers for $30 at Firmoo! 
You can choose from their Designer Frames (which I LOVE) here. You're just responsible for S&H. This giveaway is open internationally to places Firmoo delivers to. Check here to make sure your country is covered. 

How to enter: 
Comment with which pair is your favorite and an email address I can reach you at. For extra entires, "like" Firmoo and Zombielace on Facebook. You can also share this giveaway on your social media of choice. Let me know which you do so I can give you the extra entries! Giveaway ends May 1st. 

A few of my faves:

Here

Here

Here

Inspired

I fell in love with this photograph the second I saw it on my tumblr dashboard (via iamfrombarcelona) and couldn't wait to try it for myself. I just love the way the yellow collar is poking out of the dark blue sweatshirt, both for visual pop and the nerdy schoolboy connotation (I love dressing like a nerdy schoolboy teacher sometimes, though a slightly older coworker said "I think I wore that exact outfit when I was in 8th grade!").

Usually I'm not a fan of layering sweaters because they have to have perfect proportions or else look unflattering and bulky, but I admire this combo on so many other people, I decided to give it another try. My version doesn't have the amazing pattern on her collar, nor the amazing lips with which to boast a lovely deep lipstick shade (I actually am wearing a deep maroonish brownish lipstick but my lips are so razor thin the camera can't even pick it up!)

Image Source

My version.

Wearing:
Sweater: $1 at a roadside sale in N.C.!
Blouse underneath: Love Culture
Brown schoolboy shoes: Last Chance Thrift Store
Pants: they're like sweat pant jeggings. I got them at Festivity in Virginia Highlands for 50% off with Scoutmob! Most comfortable pants in the world, I want to go back and get them in brown!!

Overall I was satisfied with this outfit! I'm picky about what I wear to teach in, and this fulfilled all my requirements. I'm sure I'll wear a variation of it again sometime, when the nerdy schoolboy within needs another day out. Could be as soon as this weekend!!

stars and stripes and outfit evolution (in reverse)

I think I'm going to be one of those embarrassing moms or kindergarten teachers who has a dress and a broach and a pair of earrings for every holiday. I love dressing in theme, and have the most fun ever preparing the right dorky outfit for the right occasion. Naturally today was Fourth of July! My camera is out of commission, but I had some fun with photobooth this gorgeous day of independence. Here's the evolution of my outfit (the top pics are the result I settled on).

I started with last year's Walmart tank, cut up and reshaped, but I didn't feel classy enough with the torn up T and shorts and braids.

I reaaaallly wanted an excuse to wear that amazing jacket I found forever ago at a thrift store.... but Atlanta in July is just not the place to pull that off. Plus I wanted that class-factor like I mentioned.

I got really happy with this old plain blue t-shirt; that with the paisley granny shorts and flats made for a sweet 50s picnic look, I thought. Plus I pinned up the french braids Heidi style. I'm using plain black sewing ribbon for a belt and my necklace is an anchor with an American flag design.

Hope everyone else looked festive and ate plenty of our national foods and mayonnaise and PBR etc.

Fashion Undead or Off With Its Head??

I had so much fun reading everyone's reactions to the 1996 shirt from my last Fashion Undead or Off With Its Head post that I couldn't wait to do another one! Since that stupid free online poll I made didn't work at all, this time I decided to load the pictures onto Chictopia with their poll tool. I would love it if you'd head over there and vote, and if you aren't a Chictopia user, why don't you go ahead and sign up? It is fuuunnn!

FASHION UNDEAD OR OFF WITH ITS HEAD?

Without further ado, I present to you the 

Silky Lavender Sexy Granny 1970s Jump Suit. 

It has a beaded embellishment up the right shoulder, a plunging v-neck, and ties together at the nape of the neck with a string leaving the back slightly open. It's also got an elastic waist that ties at the left hip and sweet deep pockets to boot! I found it at Bargain City Thrift store. One look at those long flowy pants connected to long flowy sleeves in that outrageously powdery purple color and I knew this thing was coming home with me. It was just too crazy of a garment not to be mine!

The applique reminds me of Laverne from the show Laverne and Shirley. I bet she would have worn this jumpsuit on a night out!

As much as I love it for the novelty and the fun factor of skipping around the apartment in it, the garment is a bit big on me and I know that liquid lavender is not my color. I do love a good one-piece outfit, but I've never worn this one out. Maybe it's a little matronly and grandmotherly, maybe a bit awkward and dorky. What do you think? To help you help me decide, here it is worn a few different ways:

Plain and simple as-is:

Scrunched sleeve and harem pant bottom. (PS. the way to acheive that harem pant MC Hammer Pants look with a baggy cuff is to pinch it tight around your ankle then fold it up a few turns so it sticks in place)

Sleeves and slacks rolled up to be more like a romper.

Now I turn to you dear reader. Does this old jumpsuit have the potential to live again as some classy lady's cocktail attire? Or is this the kind of 70's polyester evil that should be banished to the grave for eternity? Give your two cents. Be brutal. Go to Chictopia and vote in the poll. 

Your grandmother called... She wants your outfit back: The Glory of Granny Fashion!

Often in the wintertime, I find it hard to get really pumped about anything, including outfits. The cold weather zaps my energy and with it, my will to look cute. While moping around my closet, I realized that the only thing I really felt like wearing at the moment was this:

Onesie: Thrifted
Hat: My parents' closet
Red lace: My sewing box
Bag: Won it at a Harry Potter festival!
Shoes: Thrifted

Grannytastic, no? And it's a good thing I decided to play inspiration dress up, because when I looked at the picture, I understood that I actually am pumped and inspired about a look right now-- the Granny look! And it can be just as fun with winter sweaters as it is with summer onesies.

Sweater: Thrifted
Pants: They are thermals I usually take hiking.
Shoes, bag: Thrifted

My love of granny fashion has been slowly creeping up on me, and almost subconsciously I have been amassing a collection fit for a woman named Mildred or Gertrude. A simple flickr browse was enough to tell me that I'm not the only one feeling the granny-love either. (All of the pictures not of me were shamelessly stolen from said flickr search. Click the user name beneath the pic to see the flickrs of the younger gals).

      

Shopambrosia and TheCatsPajamas

The greatest thing about granny fashion is that grannies come in all types and shapes and sizes and so do their clothes-- from extra extra large cardigans to tiny little orthopedic flats. And there are multiple kinds of grannies to suit your every mood! I've organized the Granny Look into three sub-categories:

1. There's the classic "little old lady" granny, adorably awkward in oversized fads from 20 years ago, smelling permanently of moth balls.

Left Over Hearts

2. There's wacky Floridian granny whose greatest loves include slot machines, sparkly colors and pizazz; she's not afraid of gaudy jewelry or a loud heel and is probably looking for a younger boyfriend.

A-day

(think Peggy Guggenheim)

3. And then there's your rich New York granny who prefers to be called Mimi, never leaving the house without her eyebrows pencilled on and her designer hat from 50 years ago adjusted just so. Be nice to this grandma, she will give you real pearls at your graduation.

Without discrimination, I want to raid every single one of their closets and complete my collection of:

Comfortable shoes!

  

Loafer flats and orthopedics both thrifted.

Sassy shoes!

Oversized accessories!

Such as...

Big purses and handbags. 

Piksi and Tierney B Handmade

  

Super long sweaters 

biddyoverboard and Vintagerevolver

    

Big wacky sunglasses

Costume jewelry! 

Gold-rimmed glass fish and gold-rimmed black flower pieces: both thrifted

Hamsa hand: from Israel, gift from sister

Berry jewel ring: A gift from my actual granny!

Granny floral!

CalamityJem and Jodache

Adorably awkward knee socks!

Thimblescratch and Strawberrykoi

Pantsuits and Jumpsuits!

 

My pantsuit: Thrifted

Belt and Scarf: Antique

Shoes and purse: Thrifted

Caroline@goodwiu and Dignified Conversation

And let's not leave grandpa out... he has some stuff worth stealing too! I love gramps' giant cardigans, his collection of sweater vests and argyle, and his delightfully ugly practical shoes.

Sweater: Thrifted

Crochet scarf: gift

Jeans: Forever 21

Red bag: H&M

Argyle socks: Hand me down from long ago.

Shoes: Thrifted

What is it about old-people style that makes young cute girls want to take fashion tips from their grandparents? Maybe it's because granny loves comfort. Maybe it's because granny loves bling. But I think most of all, it's that granny just doesn't give a crap! She wears what she wants, no matter how out of style it is or how ridiculously it fits. Granny wears what makes her feel good, whether through physical comfort or fabulosity. Next time I am down in the fashion dumps, I will try to keep this attitude in mind.

Hooray for GRANNY FASHION!!

(P.S. Can't get enough of the old-people look? Visit this amazing blog dedicated exclusively to the fashion efforts of gramps and grams!! Thanks to Annalise for the tip!)