There's no beginning and there is no end.

Hello everyone.  I thought I'd squeeze in one last post before 2014 comes to a close, although I'm really not one to celebrate the new year, or proclaim "good riddance" to the previous year, because I believe the present is really our only reality and the illusion of the "new year" was created by man to give our reality a break, or a sense of purpose (you know, existential stuff), but I'm not going to get into all of that!  We're here to have fun.  :P

This post is probably my favorite to date.  The pictures came out awesome (thank you hubby!), and this is totally and completely and wholeheartedly a Susanna outfit, accompanied by just a few new additions to the mix (one that is actually new, and others that have yet to be featured on the blog until now):

The military jacket I've had for a few years and it did not cost me a cent.  It is another one of those pieces I scored in a lost and found at a previous job of mine (don't worry, it had been living in the lost and found for quite some time), and it has been a perfect winter coat for those extra chilly California days when all I want to do is pile on the layers.  My favorite part about this jacket is that I am pretty sure the previous owner was some rascal of a skater kid, because it came adorned with splattered paint, ripped seams, and a "Thrasher" pin on one of the front pockets.  ILOVEITSOMUCH.  

The jumper I am wearing underneath the jacket is probably one of my favorite winter pieces.  It is a thrifted item I purchased back in 2011 at a local eco park.  It is seriously a gem.  The copper stitching across the chest is obviously the best part.  

The shoes, however... the shoooooessss!!!!  Finally, for the first time ever, I have a brand new pair of classic T.U.K. Creepers in my wardrobe.  I know that creepers have been a huge trend in the street style and offbeat fashion world for awhile now, but I have wanted a pair ever since I was a wee teen listening to Rancid in my angst ridden bedroom years and years (AND YEARS) ago.  I have been pining for this style specifically (the typical black mondo suede platform), because they go with almost every piece of clothing I own.  (Infinite thanks to my ever so wonderful husband for giving these beauties to me for Christmas!! Ahhh they're mine foreverrrrr!!)

Okay enough with the theatrics (though I was being completely sincere in all of that).  I hope that all of you have enjoyed the holiday season, and that you are looking forward to the days to come, while remembering to accept and appreciate today. Have a happy and safe new year, and I'll see you on the other side.  ;)

Love to you all.  =^.^=

Outfit Info:

Jacket: Similar here

Jumper: Thrifted, Urban Ore

Shoes: Creepers, T.U.K.

Lovely little things.

...Tis the season for wishlists, and below are just a few items I've had my eye on lately...

Galaxy crystal choker:

Holographic moon choker:

Classic black mondo suede T.U.K. creepers:

Crushed velvet T.U.K. combat boots:

Valfre "Fly Me To The Moon" tote:

Valfre "Goodbye" denim jacket:

This is obviously not a typical blog update of mine, but I thought it would be nice to mix up the nature of posts here and there as well as give you a glimpse into some shops, designers, and items that have been inspiring me lately.  I have recently discovered an amazing artist known as Valfre (the last two items pictured in this post are hers), and I am completely smitten (not only with the tote and jacket pictured above, but with pretty much everything she creates).  I will provide links to all of the items in this post in case any of you are interested.  Basically I just wanted to share with you some goodies I have my heart set on at the moment, and give a shout out to Santa Claus because apparently it's that time of year.  ;)

Love to you all.  =^.^=

Item Links:

Galaxy Crystal Choker: Daisy Chain Online

Holographic Moon Choker: Fatally Feminine 

Black Suede Mondo Creeper: T.U.K.

Purple Velvet Combat Boot: T.U.K.

Fly Me To The Moon Tote: Valfre

Goodbye Denim Jacket: Valfre

Mohair.

Hello everyone.  I've missed you!  I realize it has been almost a month since I've updated.. I'm sorry!  Work has been a lot busier these days and lately I've just wanted to come home and do nothing more than curl up on my couch and watch Christmas movies.  Plus the weather has been super grey and rainy (don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the rain!) which doesn't make for very opportune photo taking sessions.  Hence we're back to the old, somewhat awkward-on-purpose? bedroom backdrop until the weather lets up a bit.  All of that being said, I really wanted to get a new post up for you guys.  

I found this mohair sweater by XOXO last weekend while I was out and about and absolutely had to have it, as I have been wanting a mohair sweater in my wardrobe for awhile now.  It is very "late 1970's punk scene" (says my husband) so today I decided to pair it with my Doc Martens, stonewashed jeans and pork pie hat as a tribute to said era.  It is super warm and cozy and soft and everything I could possibly want in a winter sweater, and the best part is, yet again, I purchased it at a discount store.  Actually, everything I'm wearing in this post was either purchased locally, at a discount store, or has been an item in my wardrobe for over a decade.  I love when that happens.. outfit goals accomplished!! :)

Anyway, I guess that is all for now.  It definitely won't be another month before you hear from me again.  However if I do not post a new update before Christmas, I want to wish you a very merry and happy one, and that you all have a beautiful holiday spent with your friends, family, and fur babies.  :)

So much love to all of you.  =^.^=

Outfit Info:

Sweater: Ross

Jeans: Marshall's

Boots: Doc Martens

Hat: Berkeley Hat Company

Never Say Die.

Hey all! The last photo in this shoot was taken when it was getting much darker, which is why the flash effect is present and the picture is a little grainy.  The others we were able to take with merely natural light, but I wanted to get a quick shot of the outfit without my jacket on so yeah, explanation provided. :P

Aaaanyway, I wanted to do an outfit post with my new "Goonies" shirt I found at Goodwill last weekend.  Everything in the store was half off that day so I got the shirt for a sweet $1.50.  Looove when that happens.  I am a big fan of black and white (not to mention the movie, duh) so I pounced on this shirt as soon as I saw it.  Although the top will go with pretty much anything, I thought it would be extra fun to pair with my plaid skirt, leather jacket and high top Chuck Taylors.  I failed to get a close-up of the shoes this time around (the studded detailing is the best part), but there are some close-ups several posts back if anyone is curious.  And of course, I simply wanted to do another post with my new biker jacket because I can't get enough of its beauty haha.  You'll probably be super sick of seeing it after the Fall and Winter season is all said and done, because I will probably be featuring it quite frequently in future posts for the cooler weather.  And anyway, I always love it when other style bloggers out there use an ongoing, central piece in their outfit posts and creatively style around said piece to assemble a completely unique look. The point is not to have new clothes all of the time or wear something different everyday, but to be creative and resourceful with items you already own, making each outfit feel "new" again.  What us poor folk lack in money we make up for in imagination, and I believe that makes us all the richer.  :)

I hope you are continuing to enjoy the Fall season, and thank you so much for reading!

Love to you all. =^.^=

Outfit Info:

Shirt: Goodwill

Jacket: Ross

Skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Converse

Soft Rock Star.

Hello all!  In case you're ever wondering, I normally use song lyrics for the titles of my posts. :) Anyway, I realize I haven't posted a casual outfit in awhile, so I thought I'd do one for ya today. This is just a quick little number I threw on the day after Halloween when I was feeling "under the weather".  Nothing super special about this ensemble other than it is comfy as hell, yet still exudes a decent amount of personality.  My husband and I decided to catch a movie that evening, and although I wasn't feeling up to getting all dolled up only to sit in a dark room full of strangers, I still wanted to look sorta put together. :P Honestly this is kind of my go-to casual outfit.  Shorts, tights, and a baggy tee pretty much has my signature all over it, especially when I have to get dressed up for work five days a week.  Now that it is Fall and the weather is slowly but surely getting cooler (one can dream), my opaque tights, beanies and hoodies are coming out in full force.  I only hope it will continue to get colder so I can have more fun with layers!  Sigh.  Speaking of hoodies, I bought this one at Target in the little boys section (you can find some serious gems in the little boys section, for real) and I made the back patch using some leftover quilting material my sister-in-law gave me several months ago.  I'm pretty much in love with how it turned out, considering my unfailing love for kitty cats.  :)

That's it for now.  I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween and that your week is going well.  Happy November!

Love to you all. =^.^=

Outfit Info:

Shorts: Goodwill, D.I.Y.

Shirt: Stolen from Husband

Hoodie: Target (little boys section).  Back patch added/made by me.

Creepers: T.U.K. 

Beanie: Forever 21 (mens section)

Thunderstruck.

Hello everyone! It has been a few days since I've posted, and for that I apologize.  We've been through this song and dance before, so I'll spare you the excuses and get straight to the good stuff.  I did promise you more Fall inspired posts featuring dresses and knee socks, and obviously this post is no exception.  This is an outfit I wore out to brunch on Sunday, and the weather has been absolutely perfect.  It's the typical California Fall where it has been cold enough to wear scarves and jackets, but still warm enough to wear a dress without having to pile on the layers to keep from freezing (what is freezing, anyway?).  Speaking of jackets, the absolutely beautiful faux leather number I am wearing above is the newest addition to my wardrobe, and I am completely smitten.  I have been on the hunt for THE perfect faux leather jacket to serve as my Fall/Winter go-to coat, and I finally found this gorgeous winner at... wait for it........... ROSS.  Let me start off by saying I have absolutely no shame in purchasing anything at a "discount" store.  You can find gold ANYWHERE, and Ross is a prime example.   My husband and I like to go on occasion to look for discount items for the home and kitchen, but I have never really taken the time to hunt for anything in their clothing section.  This past weekend I decided to give it a whirl as we had a bunch of free time (so why the heck not?) and like I do, I stumbled across the jacket of my dreams.  Okay I'm probably being a bit dramatic, but I know ya'll know how it feels to find something you've been searching and scouring and pining for and when and if you finally do, it practically seems like it was meant for you.  The jacket was over 60% off the original value of $160, is a size medium, fits me perfectly, and has zippers and buttons and snaps in all of the most adorable, perfect places.  I could go on forever, but I won't.  It's a damn fine jacket. 

Thank you so much for peeking on over and reading my blog.  We all need little creative outlets here and there to take our minds away from the everyday stresses and worries of life, and this is one of mine. :) I really do enjoy posting my outfit creations and personal style endeavors for any and all who are interested, seeking inspiration, bored, curious, all of the above.  For whatever reason you read my posts, I want you to know how much I appreciate you!  :) I hope everyone has a beautiful week as well as a fun, safe and happy Halloween!

Love to you all.  =^.^=

Outfit Info:

Dress: H&M

Faux leather jacket: Ross

Creepers: Ebay

Scarf: Target

Fade away, radiate.

Hello friends!  It has still been kind of warm here during the day but I have been aching to do another Fall inspired post so I threw on my faux leather jacket, knee-socks and tights, and went for it.   I actually wore this outfit to a show on Monday night and I loved it so much that I told my husband "I wish I could wear this everyday."  It's true.  Everything about this collection is perfect for me, and the shoes are no exception.  They are original T.U.K. creepers I found secondhand for half the price, and they fit me like a charm.  I have never been so pleased with a secondhand purchase.   I've had an obsession with creepers since high school and have not been able to justify spending the extra money on originals, and the fact that I found these jewels screaming my name at a Crossroads store in Downtown Berkeley is a lovely little miracle.  

Please forgive the changing shades of color and light in some of the photos.  The sun was beginning to set so every shot was a race with time.  My husband eyed this location on one of our walks a few weeks ago and suggested we take some photos here sometime, and today we did. I actually quite like how they turned out. :)

I hope this week is finding you well and happy.  Stay tuned for more Fall appropriate posts, and thank you so much for reading!

Love to you all. =^.^=

Outfit Info (I finally used links! haha):

Dress: Forever 21

Faux Leather Jacket (Old): Urban Outfitters

Creepers (Secondhand from Crossroads): T.U.K.

Pork Pie Hat: Berkeley Hat Company

In Between Days.

Hello one and all! Yay!  I am finally using a REAL camera in this post (in the past I was using either my phone or computer). The picture quality is a million times better and I thank my sweet husband Aaron for snapping these shots. :)

I must first apologize for not updating in a couple of weeks!  I could come up with many colorful excuses but alas I will blame it on neglect and lack of inspiration during the transitioning seasons. (Seriously, the Bay Area cannot make up its mind on what season it wants to be!) However this week has been a bit different.  The first day of Fall was on Monday, and the weather has ever so slowly been changing to a more Autumn tone.  I have been aching to don more Fall-oriented clothing because I love layers and tights and knee-socks and beanies and clothes that hug you and make you feel warm and loved.  I have also been obsessed with dresses as of late.  They are extremely easy to throw on and so versatile and super awesome to layer for cooler weather that honestly, I would wear a dress every day of the week if I could.  That being said, my collection is growing so be expecting to see more dresses in future posts.

Moving on, this is currently one of my favorite Fall dresses.  My love for floral print will continue to pop up in my posts no matter what season, and the 3/4 length sleeves are a perfect touch in adding a little coziness to the outfit.  You can also be expecting to see a ton of knee socks in future posts as they are absolutely perfect to sport on a chilly day.  I decided to pair this particular outfit with my ankle booties and cranberry beret (I've had the beret since I was 12!) and immediately fell in love with the entire combination.  (Sadly most of my outfit is not thrifted or secondhand in this post, oh well.)

I am super excited to continue dressing up for Fall, my favorite season next to Summer.  There is an eerie kind of magic in the transitioning from warm and bright to cool and soft and that in between kind of cozy feeling that Fall exudes is nothing short of beautiful.  I am sitting in a candlelit room sipping tea as I type and there is nowhere I would rather be and no season I'd rather be welcoming.

Thank you so much for reading.  I have a ton of posts in the works so please be patient!  In the meantime, love yourselves, love life, and love each other.  ;)

Oh! And love to you all. =^.^=

Outfit Info:

Dress: Forever 21

Boots: Forever 21

Beret: Owned since I was 12 years old, not sure where it is from originally :P

Backpack: Berkeley Army Surplus