Outfit of the Day: Venetian

I hope everyone's weekends are starting off right!  My wonderful husband took Friday off so that he could take my car in to be repaired (I was backed into at the mall a few months back).  Am I lucky or what?  I mean that my husband takes care of me, not that I got hit.  Anyway, I am looking forward to watching my son's basketball game today and I am really enjoying this wonderful weather we are having.  It is in the 70's here!  In honor of the awesome temps I thought I would do a fair-weather outfit for today.

Ah, Venice.  I would love to visit Venice, Italy and Greece.  Those places are at the top of my list.  For now I will have to settle for a cute skirt with a Venetian print scene.  Throw on a necklace with Roman coins and a rock crystal bracelet (actually it is also a necklace but it is too heavy and hits my collar-bone) and a whimsical summer outfit is born.  

Photos by Kyungmoo Ryu  Thank you kindly!

skirt: thrifted (Kenar)

sweater: Ann Taylor

flats: Tahari

bag: thrifted

coin necklace: thrifted

Favorite Things: Bought, Made and Thrifted

 As you can see, I've been shopping a bit lately.  I found this framed print at our local Goodwill for $3. I not only love the frame, but the subjects of the painting are Roman horses which is perfect for my equestrian gallery wall in my office.
The pretty vase was $5 from TJ Maxx.  I passed it up once but it is just too pretty so I went back to get it later.  I guess--just this once--pretty is justification enough; and the fact that I have been really into watercolor inspired anything, lately.

I had a remnant piece of this gorgeous fabric called "Amaranta Fiora 9200" available here from a roman blind project in my guest room/kid's playroom.  My mom made me this beautiful lumbar pillow for my little chair I inherited from my Grandfather.  I love the little punch of lavender, aubergine and mint.

Here is another little thrifted treasure: a great Ann Taylor skirt.  All I need now is a little cream blouse with a peter pan collar to go with it.  

What steals and deals have you snagged lately?

Thrifted: Asian Style Cups

I grabbed these tea cups at a local goodwill for 79 cents each.  I don't think I will use them as cups but as ramekins for dips and sauces.  I love the cobalt blue color and the delicate gold rim and images of peacocks and flowers.  After all, you can't beat a deal like that!

Look at all the pretty rust, gold, green, grey and blue hues.  I love them all.

I am so happy with my purchase and I know you will be seeing these again in a future party post...

Fall Outfit Photo Shoot

Even though the temperatures here in the desert are still reaching into the 90s, both Rebecca and I have been anxiously awaiting fall. Is it the cooler temperatures? The fall holidays? The mounds of baked goods and hearty dinners that we all seem to flock to this time of year? Of course not. It's the clothes. (Well, the baked goods and hearty dinners are welcome, too.)

For this post welcoming fall, we thought we'd share some pieces that have fall written all over them.  The colors, the materials, the cuts... I'm telling you, if clothes could talk, these would scream "FALL!"  And then I would scream, "Who said that?!  Who's there?"  It would actually be pretty frightening, and potentially embarrassing, if clothes could talk.

Anyway.

My outfit consists of a plaid skirt, printed blouse, and navy blazer.  Rebecca found the skirt at a thrift store with the Universal Studios tag still stuck inside.  What does that mean, you may be asking?  Well, both of the skirts featured in these pics came from a movie or television show that was shot at Universal Studios.  That's one of the perks of living near L.A.- you periodically come across cool pieces that began or spent part of their lives at a movie studio.  I think it's fun, especially when you know what movie or t.v. show the piece is from.  These skirts' original show is a mystery.  Any ideas?

I love this shot, because it shows how vibrant the orange is in the blouse, and how nicely it pairs with the navy of the jacket.

blouse: T.J. Maxx
skirt: thrifted
jacket: Forever 21
shoes: Sofft
jewelry: vintage/thrifted

I love this look that Rebecca is wearing.  I love that she mixed large scale polka dots with a plaid skirt; it is unexpected and fun.  I want that sweater, by the way.  I love it.   Don't tell Rebecca, but I may sneak into her closet and "borrow" it!

(Or I guess I could try to find my own.  I would wear the hell out of it this fall.  It is such a versatile piece that I know I would find tons of ways to wear it!)

skirt: thrifted
sweater: old navy
belt: ?
shoes: clarks
jewelry: sapphari
sunglasses: kenneth cole
nail polish: essie hot cocoa
jacket: Banana Republic

Love both of these shots (the one above and the one directly below).  They show off that great juxtaposition of the plaid and the polka dots, and you can see the fabulous nail polish color Rebecca is sporting.  That is perfection for fall!

Love this pic with her classic trench from Banana Republic!  You can never go wrong with a piece like this; it is perfect for fall and spring.

This is my very favorite picture of the two of us!  A total candid moment.  Wish I could remember what was so funny...R

all photos by Kyungmoo Ryu

Happy Fall!

~Lori

Backyard Boutique 2

You may remember the first ever Backyard Boutique I posted at the beginning of the summer (see post) organized and hosted by my friends Kaley and Elizabeth.  I am so pleased that they gave us a second opportunity to take advantage of their amazing deals on items from garage sales and thrifts stores.  Not only are these prices unbelievably low but the items are often name brands and mixed in are authentic vintage pieces.  Lori and I scooped up some wonderful treasures at bargain basement prices.  Take a look!

Kaley explains the rules before the live auction.  I wish I had taken more pictures because you can't see all the items to the right.  There were tons of things.  All from the efforts of two woman (who have 6 boys between them, yes that's right).  Guess what else?  They home school too.  Their energy and ingenuity is inspiring.

Lori is ready to bid...

Here are just a few of the treasures I got:

Kaley knew that I like these federal style mirrors so she grabbed this one.  I was happy to take it off her hands.

 My equestrian style gallery wall in our office is coming along nicely now.

Speaking of equestrian, check out these perfect black leather boots!  They fit perfectly ( and I don't have to tell you how difficult it is to find knee boots that fit properly).

 I have to say, this is my favorite purchase of the event.  Vintage, ankle- wrap, sandals in perfect vintage condition.  They are made entirely of leather, even the soles.  I have worn them a dozen times already.  Check out the color combination.

 How adorable is this little floral purse.  It is the perfect transitional summer to fall item.

 How about this olive green lady bag?  I love it so much.

These didn't quite fit Lori so I lucked out and get to keep them.  

I feel so special that Kaley let me look at her goodie bag of vintage pieces that she wasn't selling at the boutique.  I really liked one and she told me to 'make her an offer' so I got to take this little beauty home with me in order to create a few new looks...

What I like so much about this dress, beside the fact that it is pure elegance, is that it can be styled in numerous ways.  Here I just paired it with a casual belt and leather peep toe wedges and a double strand necklace.  It reads casual but still work appropriate.  I think it has that right summer to fall feel about it, too.

I got this grey wool jacket at the boutique as well.  Throw it over the dress and add a scarf and brown oxford inspired heels and I will be ready for the cooler days ahead.

Thanks again Kaley and Elizabeth!  We love our new pieces.  You really are fantastic bargain shoppers.

Freaky Find Friday

Rebecca and I have both been pretty busy lately, what with trips and conferences and school starting back up again, so we have been keeping in touch primarily via text.  A few days ago (before we got to meet for coffee), she texted me an idea she'd had for a reoccurring piece for the blog: Freaky Finds Friday.  Or Friday Freaky Finds.  Or something like that.  This is the inaugural post, so to speak.  Every Friday, we will be bringing you weird things we have spotted while thrifting, antiquing, shopping, or surfing the web.  You are so lucky.  You can thank us later.

So here goes.  I found this little beauty during a quick trip to the local Salvation Army.  She was just hanging out on a shelf, waiting to gussy up some lucky shopper's home.

How do you like them apples?  I think this little lady may have been playing the piano at one point.  Maybe.  I can't think of another reason why she would be crouched down like that, can you?  I love the one green sock/stocking just starting to fold down.  This must be toward the end of a long day playing the piano.  Or maybe she is doing the limbo.

And how about the expression on her face?!

At first glance, she looks like a happy camper; she's all smiles.  But if you look closely, you start to notice the almost sinister look in her eyes.  She looks a little angry, like she's about to yell at you.  Or maybe that's just me.  Look into her eyes and tell me she doesn't look like she's going to come to life and devour your soul.  Again, maybe that's the excess amounts of Doctor Who the Cat and I have been watching lately.
Either way, I hope you enjoy our first official "Freaky Friday Find," and I hope you have a great weekend!

~Lori

Thrifted: Day to Evening Summer Dress

Day Look

I got this great black and white cotton dress at the goodwill a few days ago ($6).  It has such a great shape and the fit is perfect.  For a hot summer day I paired it with brown and black beads (I also got from the goodwill, $1) and black and cream flats (Tahari).  It is a no-fail, flattering, summer day look.

Chain and rattan bag from Forever 21

Evening Look

 For an evening out, all I have to do is switch out the jewelry and bag to something with a bit of sparkle and add a pair of black heels.  

 

 The beaded, vintage bag was $5 at the goodwill and has the most beautiful pastel pattern under the beads.  The necklace was a gift from my husband from Anthropologie and it is one of my favorites