summer greenery

Happy Earth Week! Or so we've named it in the elementary school class I teach in. As the kiddos learn all about being greener, I find my awareness of my own global impact growing as well.  When struck with the urge for a little retail therapy, I resisted the siren call of the local H&M and visited my favorite thrift store (Last Chance) instead.

And the green gods rewarded me! I came away with an American Apparel dress and a tribal print tapestry purse. Therapy session complete. And it cost me less than $10! 

Wearing:
American Apparel dress from Last Chance
DIY cropped shirt
Anne Taylor Loft flip flops
Bike shorts (underneath) from China

This outfit was perfect for throwing on to do work around the house and run errands between painting sessions; I'm painting another apartment! You can see the evidence on my legs. I must be a glutton for punishment ;)

I urge you to celebrate Earth Week with us, and may the green gods reward you, too!

the pirate shorts for me!

Wearing:
striped shorts from thrift store
crop top from China
Floppy sun hat stolen from mama
Vintage scarf wrapped around hat.
Bracelet gift from friend in China
Anne Taylor Loft bow flip flops (I am wearing flip flops in public?? Florida does strange things to me).
Ribbon worn as belt.

I actually didn't even think of these shorts as pirate-y until my mom called me out on them.   I bought them in a little thrift store in a North Carolina mountain town for about a dollar. I wasn't sure how I was going to make them work, but they lept out of my suitcase this morning and demanded their turn in the sun. I couldn't deny them. 

paisley playground

Best job ever? One where your day might include catching a little air on the ole neighborhood swingset. You have to dress prepared for these things! 

I broke my usual pattern of dresses and oversize sweaters to wear some old favorite jeans unearthed in my parents' attic. I modified them into skinnies years ago by sewing up the inner legs, and just recently my knee popped through. That happened to another pair of self-made skinnies too. Weird! As for the shirt, I found it a few months ago at Last Chance Thrift Store in Decatur. It's a little like a turtleneck and a lot like a glorious deep ocean of paisley. Expect to see more of it once I figure out more ways to wear it!

Smiling faces blur.
Hi, sky, going up. Hello,
woodchips rushing down.

Wearing:
Dollhouse brand self-converted skinnies
Paisley shirt from Last Chance
Sunglasses found in school basement costume box
Sparkly black Toms.

denim and long, all fall long

I'm looking forward to wearing this calf-length denim dress for Fall. It has pockets; and is of the darkest most loveliest of worn down denims. I envision it as one of my "teacher" outfits for when I start my job as a 1st-3rd grade teaching assistant, layering it with tights and a blouse. Picture playground romps and carpet-sitting with books. Perfection! I found it on Saturday at Last Chance thrift store in Decatur while on the hunt for something completely different... so it goes!

photo diary of a mountain maiden

Wearing
Dress: Francesca's
Hat: thrift store in Cincinnatti
Shades: Chinese street market

Breakfast on the back porch: Avocado and heirloom tomato toast.

My mom shares my love of junkyard antiques and thrift stores, so we made it our mission to strike every one!

One man's junk......

Is my treasure! Humane Society Thrift store in Franklin, $30 love seat!

Lunch and iced herbal tea at a vegetarian restaurant in Franklin. Heaven.

A few more treasure sightings...

Then home to ponder my good fortune.

Oh to be a maid

in the mountains every time

the grass is dewey.

Things to miss: My life partner, Tate

I am transitioning to my Wordpress blog; in a few days, I will no longer have access to blogger. It's going to be hard going through withdrawal from all my favorite blogger blogs, but I gotta do it! Along with facebook and other google related creature comforts... But please check me out there! May Go Wren: China Blog.  Fashion/vintage/style related entries will be categorized as "Zombie Lace"so click on that if you want to filter out unrelated stuff!

Today's post (since I don't have a lot of time what with packing and preparing etc) is dedicated to my cat whom I am cruelly abandoning while I travel the East. Praying my two friends can take her, but that's not going to be a sure thing til later today so KINDA nervous on that! Made this video to encourage them:

(if that doesn't work, try here for youtube)

And this is what I've been wearing to pack and move and hustle and bustle:









100 % Thrifted (something else I'll miss doing in China!!)

Thrift Around Town

I know it doesn't look like much, but Last Chance Thrift Store in Decatur has been a favorite for many years. It might be missing an 'L' but what it isn't missing is every crazy thing you've ever dreamed of stumbling upon on a thrifting adventure! Located off of Church Street, this ugly green-roofed building (it used to be purple) is nestled between Indian grocery stores and mattress supply outlets, and behind it's somewhat-functional automatic doors (harkening it's past life as a supermarket) is a world of moth ball scented treasures. 

The prices are right-- every day has some half off deals and on Mondays EVERYTHING is half off! I'm particularly fond of their shoe selection, most of the ones in my closet purchased at this very thrift store. 

Most pairs are under $5.oo, so on Mondays you really can't go wrong. But what I really love more than shoes (if that's even possible) are the random unexpecteds that crop up in this store! Their messy aisles of trinkets and tchotchkies are magical. I could spend all day sorting through the funny old lady-ish dish sets or rooting through the bins of throw pillows and fabrics. This is where I have found almost all of my picture frames and often the contents.

Last week, I found this lamp.

  

It was a little busted but I have crafty technologically smart people in my life and it was only a matter of electrical tape to get this baby shinin'!

I also found this boaters hat.

I swear I wasn't even looking for a boater hat, but when I saw this one there for less than a buck, could I really turn the poor thing down? It was actually someone's souvenir hat from Venice; I saw them all over the place when I visited there, so I just pulled off the corny gondola ribbon and tied a (probably familiar to you by now) scarf around instead.

Hat: Last Chance.

Shoes: Last Chance.

Shorts: Last Chance.

Top: I wish I could remember!

Bag: Clothing Warehouse in Little Five Points.

Jewelry: All thrifted and antiqued.

With these kinds of treasures waiting to be unearthed, you bet your behind I'll be there tomorrow for half of Mondays! Last Chance Thrift Store, you receive two very meaningful thumbs up and the Zombie Lace seal of approval!

 

Top: My mom brought it back from China last year. (I am getting pumped for MY upcoming trip to China by wearing all my chinese clothes).

Shorts: Vintage 50's reversables, swapped.

Sandals: Target.

Nip your bad day in the bud...

...by dressing up for a WONDERFUL day! I think I've mentioned before the mood-enhancing properties I believe clothing to have.  I know my fellow students are with me in the end-of-semester mayhem when it feels like you barely have time to eat and breathe, let alone concoct the perfect outfit. In stressful times, it's so tempting to roll out of bed, pull a bra on under the t-shirt you slept in, and step into some sweat pants before trudging out the door. Waking up to the sound of rain and wind is even worse, and may lead one to practical tennis shoes and puffy shapeless coats. My advice: Don't do it!! You set the mood for your entire day as you get dressed, and if your outfit says "I'd rather be back in bed" chances are your mind will wander in this direction as well and make your bad day even longer and harder to bear. 

                       

My vintage polyester dress: Thrifted in Cincinnati.

Brown belt: Unearthed in a pile of stuff at my parent's house.

Black boots: Also unearthed at my parent's house. Thrifted in Charleston, SC.

Maroon socks: Pilfered from dad's sock drawer. Wow, I sure clean my parents out when I visit!

Velvet bow: Little Red Fox's etsy shop.

Hat and scarf: Yardsale.

Coat: Believe it or not, I got it really cheap in the middle of summer at a surf shop in Charleston. And it's the best coat I've ever owned, I wore it all over France and have had it for 3 years probably.

Gray gloves: The famed PRADA gloves found at a yardsale. See, I'm not afraid to wear them! 

Cold and rain sucks and with the schizophrenia in the weather here in Atlanta, I'm surprised we aren't all walking around with nose bleeds! On these kinds of days I am particularly tempted to throw on any ole layers for warmth and practicality. But instead, I decided to take advantage of the drop in temperature and wear a polyester dress that would have otherwise had to wait until next winter! Not only is this dress cozy warm, but it also makes me feel like a responsible accomplished go-get-em kind of prissy 70's/60's school girl. Which I love feeling like when I know I have a hectic day of running around and deadlines and so forth. 

I also shot these girls standing outside a building on Georgia State campus because I admire the way they are totally embracing the cold. You don't get to wear your thickest fuzziest boots very often in Hotlanta; I especially like the gray tights and yellow shoes on the girl in the middle.

If it's going to be cold, let that be an outfit inspiration, not a fashion drag!

                

Dress: Vintage from Ms. Jackson's Blessing Tires sale. (I was thinking of hemming it shorter, just above the knee, what do you think?)

Hat: Vintage from Ms. Jackson's Blessing Tires sale.

Scarf: Antique.

Belt: Came with another pair of thrifted pants.

Purse: Thrifted in Cincinnati

Socks: I've had them a long time. Just between us, they are secretly toe socks.

Nude pumps: Thrifted, Last Chance in Decatur.

I also find that running errands is made that much more enjoyable by a pretty outfit. With the previous day's snow flurries, I wasn't about to waste a chance to dress for some sun. Throwing on a dress and a hat is just as easy as a t-shirt and a ponytail, and feeling fabulous while visiting the post office and the bank and the pharmacy turns these tasks from a chore, into a stroll in the city. Comfortable heels make all the difference in my opinion! It's amazing the way simply adding a heel to an outfit instantly steps it up a notch. I was originally wearing some comfortable granny shoes with this dress, but once I changed into my nude pumps I suddenly couldn't wait to leave the house.

Rather than be bummed out about having to run errands and do chores, I try to let it be the reason for getting dressed. Dressing a certain way realigns my entire attitude, and while I'm sitting in a classroom taking an exam or stomping through disease-ridden puddles on Peachtree Street, I am at least comforted in knowing that I look the part in my fake nerd glasses or my silly goulashes. 

Take it from me. I look smart, right?

Nerd glasses: I bought them at a costume shop a while back to wear as a Woody Allen costume.

Blouse: Target.

Res striped bow tie: Sash or belt that came with another pair of shorts.

Patent leather belt: Antique.

Shorts: Vintage, from one of my numerous shopping excursions in Cincinnati.

Red pumps: Thrifted.

You brought me here to fish, not to kiss!

Under the picture:

Her-- You have brought me here to fish and not to kiss!

Him-- Ah! When I see you so splendid with youth, with your big smiling eyes and your cherry lips, can I remember why we have come?! I can only recall a desire, that to kiss you a thousand times!

Written on card:

Hello to the whole family!

Do excuse my rusty translation there, but I got the gist of it. What a lovely romantic postcard!



My Valentine's Day was spent kissing AND fishing-- for junk at yardsales and thrift stores all day. It was the perfect alternative to the usual cheesy fuss which I'm not that in to. Here are some of my catches!

Cute little granny purse, found at Value Village.

These gloves are real true actual PRADA. I got them at a yardsale-- the woman said someone gave them to her but she felt too scared to ever wear them out and was finally getting rid of them. Now that I have them, I'm starting to feel the same!

Adorable penny loafers!!

My Valentine's Day Outfit--

Pants: Thrifted

Sweater: Yard sale

Flats: H&M several years ago

Scarf, locket, belt: Antique