Bringing back the shoulder pads...oh yeah....

My sort of Inspiration::

And my take on it...
but before that remember, I always get a big oogie feeling about 80's references...mostly because the whole decade was a debacle for me and even though I would never want to see shoulder pads come back to the extent they did back then; I think a little pad every now and then never hurt anyone...besides, having that extra 'oomph' in the shoulders made me feel very sultry...very Alexis Carrington...well, in a poor man's sort of way.  To be honest, I just wanted to wear them so that I could purposely and randomly fling my shoulders at my husband's direction whenever I felt like it::

The shoulder pads on this are more on the dramatic side but I really love the tapestry like pattern on the jacket and thought that by making the look more relaxed with eclectic pieces; the end result would be less Dynasty and more my own vision. 

Here's a better view of how the shoulder pads extend outward::

You see?  Pretty big, I admit it.

Details::

You will be noticing a trend in with the next few posts...the fact that I'm wearing a hat with my outfits.  This was done simply because I've been too tired to straighten my hair.    Hopefully, I'll work up enough energy to do something with my old mop top soon:)

Blazer::Clothesmindedvintage - Etsy - Great buyer, I surely recommend her and would by again:)

Skirt::DKNY (old)

Ruffled blouse::Jcrew

Hat::The Gap (old)

Shoes::No 9, DSW (I love these darn shoes and they are so comfortable!)

Earrings::Museum of Natural History, NYC (old, old)

Belt::H&M

Thanks to el ponk & Amy for subbing:)))))))

See, fashion mishaps happen and that's okay!

So I decided to try that 'boyfriend jean' look I see every where.  Now mind you, I was around for the 80's boyfriend look and it gave me a little shrill to think that I may go back there but I sucked it up and gave it a go again.  Warning .... you may feel conflicted with the outcome...well, at least I was in a way....

This is what my husband thought of the outfit::

Now, don't get me wrong -  I actually had a bit of fun sporting this look (the kid gloves made me feel more like Pat Benatar than Rhianna), I'm just not sure if the whole roll up the jean look is really for me.  I think it's because I'm short and you know what they say about cuffs and short people....it makes you look stout and I don't want to look stout...no way, no how...but in the end, I'm a rebel at heart so I may just sport this one more - if not only to see my husband give me that half moon eyed look.


Necklace details::

Outfit highlights::

Flower necklace::purchased in PA

Chain necklace::homemade, diy

Gold link necklace::American Apparel

Jeans::Levis

Blouse::TJMaxx

Jacket::TJMaxx

Belt::H&M

Shoes::Aldo

Kid gloves::Vintage/Rags to Riches - Gloves are from the now super defunct Alexander's Department Store (super OLD)  I actually remember going into an Alexander's when I was itty bitty....scary that I should remember going into a department store so early on in life.

  Thanks to Marika for following and of course all who stop by:)

Veterans Day

Dedicated to all those who have paid a price and have given their lives.

Defining my style - 5 of 5 - Posh Eclectic

Now here was a style I could sink my teeth into!  For me, this style category combines all the aspects of personal style that I love:  Vintage, Bombshell, a little Boho,  and Arty but with a more romantic spin to it.

How Lucky defines Posh Eclectic::

I scanned a lot of snippets from this section of the book so that you may get a better idea (if you don't have the book or are unfamiliar) with what Posh Eclectic entails....

Posh outfit examples::

  Posh Muses::

 

 My personal favorite::

Posh shoes and Jewels::

And now, my interpretation::

 

Now, my look is a little on the Bohemian end of the Posh spectrum.  With that said though, to me; it feels like there's a definite vintagy eclecticism thing going on up in here;)  Thoughts?

Side boot pic for Julia who requested for me to show a side view of these boots:)

The Jewels, the Jewels!

Dress::Etsy, MillieB Vintage -- great buyer guys, totally recommend her!

Velvet Blazer::Ann Taylor Loft (last winter season)

Boots::NYLA via Zappos (yeah!  I'm walking better in them lately)

Beret::The Gap (old)

Necklaces::Goddess Necklace (Bucks Co. PA), Pearl, thrifted at Somewhere in Time, New Brunswick, NJ., Gold meshy like necklace - gifted from now defunct Rags to Riches Vintage Shop in Edgewater, NJ.

Belt::Chinese Laundry (old), Syms

Butterfly bracelet::homemade diy

Gold bracelet::gifted from India

Tortoise like bracelets::The Limited (old)

Not really shown::Rabbit Ring, Etsy-Labyrinthvintage, Black stone ring, gifted from now defunct Rags to Riches Vintage

Tortoise like earrings::The Limited (old)

So was my mission accomplished?  Have I gotten any closer to understanding which style I identify myself more with?

The answer is really no:(

• However!  What I have noticed is that I love print.  

• I love clothes that hint to a bygone era. 
• I love looks that scream romance with an arty edge.  
• I love color and am surprised that I actually don't wear the color black a lot.  
• I'm not afraid of towering shoes even though I'm very limited in how much time I can spend in them....(thanks a lot crappy uterus;P).

• I also noticed that I feel more comfortable in clothes that express something about the better aspects of my personality that I want to convey via clothes - like that I'm happy or grateful for example.   
• I've also noticed with this minor project that as I get older, I understand why so many women find it difficult to remain feeling youthful in clothes and wind up hitting up the junior section.  While I've long since abandoned the junior isle and have no intentions of going that route; I completely see how grown up clothing can be perceived by some ladies as being a bit blah when one is not yet truly familiar with their own true style.

I can guarantee that moving forward, I will continue to make style mishaps but that doesn't scare me as much as it used to.   Whether I feel boho one day, arty another, bombshell on Tuesday, and Posh Eclectic on Friday; I want my style to be at the very least consistent...like it all belongs to the same person and personality. 

In short, the ideal way I would like my style to perceived by others is wrapped up in the following statement:  'She has a certain je ne sais quoi about her.'  A style that is all my own and obviously inspired by others from the past, from my personal experiences, and from places, people, and things from around the world.

Thanks to all who remained interested in this little project of mine:)

Love and Peace in the Middle East!

Defining my style - 4 of 5 - Euro Chic

I'm not going to lie, this look had me stumped for various reasons.  First, the look kind of requires you to look chic; which doesn't come easy for me 2) cut is everything and I'm still learning about that 3) the fabrics and textures associated with this look are/can be pricey and like everyone else; I'm on a limited budget. 

Here's how Lucky described the Euro Chic look (please click on the pic to enlarge:)::

I was less than pleased with my first stab at this::

And here's why:  While I liked the idea of this outfit; I thought it was a little too serious for me.  I've had this issue before and I've had people tell me that I'm crazy but each of us knows how we would prefer to let our inner selves be portrayed via clothes.  (not pictured, I wore this with nude leather pumps and a velvet blazer)

....notice the bag of clothes in the back?  That's a pile of clothes that need to be altered and it's driving me CWAZY!  This dumb bag has been laying around in our spare bedroom now for weeks!

Euro Chic must haves, key items, and outfits::

My interpretation -- please note that the quality of these pics suck...sorry about that.  Took these pics after a long day at the doctor's and by that time; there was no natural light filtering into the house...hence, the darkness:(::

 

So I don't have Chanel, but the look was definitely inspired by her!  I figured what says Euro Chic more than Chanelesque attire?

The small stuff::

 

Off white light weight coat::Forever21

Lime green/yellow cashmere sweater::JCrew

skirt::Club Monaco (old)

White mens tee::Hanes

Belt::Badgley Mischka gifted by Val for BD

Shoes::Dyeables!  These were purchased for my wedding.  I never used them since I decided on another shoe.  I really loved the retro feel to the shoe so I decided to have them dyed a jewel tone.

Necklaces::Both gold/black toned ones are belts, thrifted.  Long pearl necklace, thrifted at Somewhere in Time, New Brunswick NJ.

Rabbit Ring::Etsy, Labyrinthvintage -- quality is really great and the little guy was under $20.

Snake bangle::Byzantium replica, MET NYC (old),  Goldtone bangles, Stein Mart, Watch, husbands (old).

How did I feel?

I honestly felt really good in this outfit.  It was dressy but definitely not too serious.  I felt age appropriate but yet youthful.   The first outfit I posted at the top of this post didn't make me feel that way.  Perhaps next time to spruce things up for the initial 'try' outfit, I can wear a pencil skirt with platform heels or ditch the vest altogether and opt for a leather moto jacket and match that up with wide leg trousers?  Something to think about...