Just laying around the house

Halloween, the perfect opportunity to put all of our styling skills to work. This year, I challenged myself to create my costume out of only items that could be found around my house. 

Daenerys, Unicorn Yogi, and Cotton Candy Diva

Et voila! Doesn't everyone just happen to have 10 yards of pink tulle laying around?

Accessories: choker, sunglasses, evening bag, & fascinator

I can be cotton candy! But better than cotton candy. Cotton Candy Diva! The most fun for me was making the fascinator. Confession: I did buy a hairband to hold it on my head. 

Tulle: Joanne's Fabric, originally purchased 8 years ago to decorate my office for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Sunnies: $1 Goodwill
Velvet clutch: Banana Republic, $4 Salvation Army
Yoga pants: $10 Wish
Pink tank top: $3.00 Walmart
Vintage necklace: I've had it so long, I no longer remember where I bought it or what I paid for it. 
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini, $1.99 Community Thrift
Fabric flower: $2.00 for the spray, Walmart, leftover from a hat project

Plain Jane

Why I snatched this dress off the rack, I shall never know. But I am oh-so-glad I did. When I was rushing through the thrift store looking for a black dress to wear to The Southern Women's Fashion Show, this was one of my purchases. 

We hung out at the bar, waiting for the restaurant to empty, so I could pose in this archway.

It is a heavy jersey wrap-around dress. Or so I thought when I tried it on. Why on earth would the neckline come down to my belly button? Because you have the dress on backwards, Silly Girl. Once I turned the dress around, it was a whole different story. Now, there was drama. But, it still needed work. The opening was lower than any bra strap I have, so a fun solution was born. Wear my jewelry on the back! 

In an attempt to be clever, I pre-pinned this dress exactly in the right spot so I could just pop it on and leave. What a time-saver. I wound up rushing to yoga before dinner and showered and changed at the studio. One slight problem. This time, the dress got stuck on my shoulders. I was trapped. There I was in the ladies locker room, waving my arms about like those blowing balloons on the side of the road. 

Lucky me has a gobs of vintage jewelry, and I went through a whole drawer and none of my pieces were just right. Then I remembered that lovely bundle of vintage hats that had been recently gifted to me. There was a delightful rhinestone pin attached to one of the hat bands. Repurpose!

Darling and comfortable

Dress: Capezio $1.99, Community Thrift
Shoes: Banana Republic $2.99, Community Thrift
Vintage Brooch: Gift

Tomato & Turquoise

One of the many advantages to consignment shopping is that the value pricing occasionally motivates you to take some fashion risks. Items that you might not otherwise buy at retail, are now a fun experiment. Items that are a little risky, trendy, or you have no idea where you might wear it are now within reach. 

When I saw this picture, it immediately reminded me of the Hopper painting

This brilliant red dress is a perfect example. It is so bold, one must be in a very confident and good mood to wear it. It certainly will be memorable. 

Nighthawks, Edward Hopper 1942

Cracking up as usual

It's been months since the weather has been cool enough in Charleston to wear long sleeves, and I had just the right dress waiting in the closet. I found her, new with tags, at Reinvented Upscale Resale. No alterations necessary! That almost never happens. The quirky thing about this dress, is that choker is actually attached in the back. All one piece. The frosting on the cake? It's comfortable. Gotta love that Spandex.

My first inclination is to always combine red with black. This time, I wanted the color combination to be a little more playful. The two tone shoes complemented the dress nicely, and the apple green heels match my purse exactly. 

I never tell My Man About Town exactly what I am wearing. Tonight he mentioned he was wearing blue, and my response was, "That will match either of my choices for the evening." Yes, I can have an outfit planned for weeks and change my mind 15 minutes before I walk out the door. How crazy is it that his shirt matches my shoes perfectly. 

Tonight, we were off to The Gaillard to see the amazing Herbie Hancock. 

Dress: French Connection, $5 Reinvented Upscale Resale
Purse: Coach, gift from my Gypsy Sister
Shoes: Ellen Tracy, $1.99, thrift store find
Shawl: Pashmina, $20 from street vendor in New York

Blending vintage

I like mixing vintage pieces with contemporary outfits. Here, I've topped off a t shirt and jeans with a cropped jacket and a treasure I unearthed earlier this summer.

Happy Hour with my beloved Hat Sisters, and John, of course.

When I find a particularly stylish vintage piece, I feel like I am rescuing it and preserving it.

This gorgeous Mr. Kurt Hat  was hidden among the purses and scarves at a local thrift store. The ribbon was flattened, and the hat slightly dusty, but overall in excellent condition. I placed this treasure, delicately into my basket, and dashed to the check out.

A damp cloth revealed the beautiful moire pattern of the ribbon.

Once home, I commenced the restoration. A damp cloth was all that was necessary to restore the sheen to the hat and ribbon. To fluff up the ribbon, I filled the kettle and waited for it to come to a boil. Holding the hat above the steam escaping from the spout, I opened each fold in the bow with bamboo toast tongs. The steam moistens the ribbon and removes the creases.

Hat: Mr. Kurt $12, Community Thrift
Jacket: Boston Proper, It has been in my wardrobe for at least the last decade and was purchased in a Maryland consignment store. 
T shirt and jeans: Walmart
Necklace: Found the Buddha charm in a bead store for $3 and strung it on a vegan suede cord.

The Black Jacket Symphony

How do you dress for dinner at a pretentious French Restaurant, followed by an evening of Eagle's music? Graphic T and mini skirt, of course. And since this is Charleston, where the sidewalks rise up to trip you – (semi) sensible shoes.

Playing with my date's glasses. They match my hair.

Our artistic, but completely illegible, menu.

Red snapper with leek puree and capers

Pear tart with double espresso

Black Jacket Symphony performs Hotel California

Holding up the lamppost–and my skirt

The asymmetric line of this skirt really caught my eye. It is slightly large for me, and I debated taking it in. Before getting out the sewing machine, I decided to try it for one night and let it ride a little low on my hips. 

This is one of those items, you quickly understand why someone gave it away. Before I even left the house, the back zipper kept slipping down. I attached a safety pin to the inside top where one usually finds a hook & eye. Still slipping. I then applied wide painter's tape to the inside of the zipper. Still slipping. 

But it's so pretty and comfortable. When I got home, I tried slipping the skirt off with the safety pin in place.  Yes. Stretchy enough. Next step – fill the zipper with clear glue. 

Top: Big Bang, $3 Salvation Army
Skirt: David Lerner $3.99 Community Thrift
Shoes: Stewart Weitzman, $3.99 Goodwill
All photos: Courtesy of My Man About Town

Just Say No

I can resist everything but temptation. – Oscar Wilde

I'll be honest; the only reason I left this velvet and fur beauty behind is,
because at $35 it was over my budget. My HatSisters may not forgive me.

Thrifting, consigning, redesigning is so much fun for me. I see the potential in every outfit, and I'm convinced I will always have the perfect place to wear it … someday.

There are times, however, it is best to throttle back my imagination. Here are some of the things I left in the store–a treasure for someone else to find.

Camo, tulle, rhinestones, gold sparkle band. This miniskirt has it all.
(Except the ability to cover my butt.) Wouldn't you like to see who actually wound up buying this?
Only a 12 year old could pull this off, and definitely needs tights underneath.

Would Gidget have worn this?

That orange hat would have matched this perfectly. Maybe a little regret. 

I am definitely channeling Annette Funicello.

No. Just no. 

Washed up movie star look. Who doesn't love a turban?

I may not have purchased these items, but I am still enjoying them.

Plum Seduction

It's not just all fun and games. Some days I work. Some days I take a meeting barefoot and in my yoga clothes. Other days, I have to put on real clothes and leave the house. I own a marketing company and image receives a lot of focus in our industry. Wonder what the people I meet would think if they knew I was wearing $3.99 skirt? 

Some days I take meetings at our family's yoga studio.

Every day, I work from home, with Scooter. And yes, there are lights on the mantle year round.

Revlon Plum Seduction nail polish

Pleated waistband.
Intentionally wore plain shoes and no necklace,
so as not to distract from this detail.

Blouse: Ann Taylor, $4 Goodwill
Skirt: BCBG $4.99 Community Thrift
Shoes: Sam & Libby, $5.99 Salvation Army
Lipstick: Covergirl Outlast Hottie

The Hat Ladies of Charleston

Proud member

With Nitza, and Top Hat Archie Burkel. Notice Nitza's vintage purse.

The Hat Ladies of Charleston are among the most stylish, kindest, and incredibly generous women you will ever meet. You will see me post about them frequently. Not only are we "Ladies Who Lunch," our ladies give of their time and resources to Habitat for Humanity, The Gibbes Museum, TriCounty Ministries, Dragon Boat Charleston, and at least a dozen others. To discover more about The Hat Ladies, visit hatladies.org. In the meantime, enjoy their amazing, and sometimes Over-the-Top Style.

Even our photobomber is wearing a hat.

Top: Ann Taylor, thrifted $4
Pants: Trina Turk silk, palazzo pants, $8 Salvation Army
Hat: Wendy Carrington handmade original, silk & sinamay
Bag: Ann Taylor, quilted patent leather, new with tags $4.99 Goodwill
Pearls: $1 per strand, flea market finds

Just a few more hats: 

From coast to coast

This is a souvenir dress. I bought it on the street in Manhattan Beach, California and was wearing it when I got kicked out of a Chicago bar a week later.

Back in April, my friend Joelle and I rolled into MB in a VW Bus, winding our way up the Pacific Coast Highway. We liked the vibes and decided to meander through this busy little town. Shop owners had placed their wares out on the sidewalks, and pedestrians crowded the charming streets. 

I picked up this soft, velvet dress for $10, rolled it up, and stuffed it into my backpack. We continued our trip north where we camped and hiked our way through Big Sur. No need for a dress there. At the end of our trip, I had to take the redeye into Chicago for a National Marketing conference. I went from 85 degrees in L.A. that afternoon to 45 degrees and raining when I landed at Midway, about 1:00 a.m.

That night, our crew decided to hit the town (still rainy and cold). This dress was perfect for dinner when slipped over a long sleeve black T and leggings. How I got kicked out of the bar is a story for another post.

Robert Cray Band at The Charleston Music Hall

Tonight, I am back on the East Coast, and wore this dress to hear the fabulous Robert Cray in concert. Earlier this afternoon, I was in my Happy Place, Salon 61, where the artist, Ginger, does amazing things to my hair. There is nothing like good girlfriend conversation and the smell of hair product to mellow me out.

Ginger created a work of art out of my hair today. 

Many thanks to the Man About Town for following me down an alley to get a picture of my dress. Can he rock a pink shirt or what?

Yes, it really is THAT pink. 

No outfit is complete without something thrifted or gifted.
Silver sandals: $3.99, Community Thrift
Gold purse: $4.00, Goodwill
Earrings/pin: If you look closely, you will notice little, green, jeweled bugs on my ears and my dress. A gift "just because" from my Beloved Darryl.

Versatile variation on the LBD

In front of the historic Dock Street Theatre, which dates back to 1736

I've worn this Little Black Dress to the office, to business lunches, and to Gallery openings. With evenings still in the 80s here in Charleston (in October) I'm getting an extended season out of this little sleeveless number.

The stripes, the shoes, and the fascinator are all slightly different hues. Because none of them are in close proximity to another, they seem to match perfectly. 

Dress: Nicole Miller, Salvation Army $4

Shoes: BCBGGirls, Goodwill $5.99

Fascinator: new from Amazon $12