December 8, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

“…The Little Dog Laughed…”

I put this outfit on to go on a date with my husband this past weekend. I picked it out especially for him, because he usually likes short skirts and I thought he would like the cute dog pattern. It was a slight departure from my usual baggy style. I was excited to show him my outfit. But the moment he saw this, his face scrunched up and it took on the look of severe inner contemplation. I suddenly felt very self conscience.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like this?” I asked.

He didn’t answer at first, just kind of studied my outfit.

“It’s really short,” he finally mustered.

Okay. He is sounding kind of mean. He is actually the nicest guy in the world. In fact just the other day, I saw him smiling and asked him, “Why are you so happy?” And he said, “How could I not be happy? I’m married to you.” For real.

So, I need to tell the real story about his reaction. It was not his fault. The poor guy was in shock. You see, I am leaving out a kind of important part. The first time he actually saw this, I was sitting on the ottoman in the living room putting on my shoes.

He was behind me on the couch.

When I stood up, I did not bother to do so in a ladylike manner. So, I kind of, sort of… All right… I completely mooned him. On accident, of course.

And I definitely would be more careful in public.

Well, hopefully.

But the deed was done. I knew I would be pulling on the skirt all night in order to not have any sort of repeat of offenses. And I wanted to enjoy my night and not worry about a possible wardrobe malfunction.

So, I changed… After we went down the street and took pictures of this outfit, of course. It would have been a shame to not have any evidence of my crime.

After I changed, my husband looked confused. “I really liked that outfit. Why aren’t you wearing it?”

This made me giggle.

I will post what I actually ended up wearing later this week, but I still like this outfit. Have you ever changed because of an outfit malfunction? Do you like fun patterns as much as I do? I like the dogs or coyotes or wolves that parade across the shirt. I like how some of them are running away, while others appear to ~~not~~ be howling… At the moon.

I am sorry to say that everything I am wearing is sold out. The shirt is Anthropologie’s Ismay Buttondown (similar here), the skirt was from Anthropologie last year (similar here), the boots are Chie Miharas (similar here and here). I will talk more about agate necklaces tomorrow. Mine is by Leila Jewelry, the link is not (similar here).

*this post was edited using the VSCO Cam App C1 filter at level 3.

December 6, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Vintage Green Love

I have been holding out on you.

That sounds worse than it is. You see, I just assume that after I write a story, you have read it and will know what I mean even before I have published it here. But there are so many stories I need to publish and maybe then I will be understood… Or not.

Same with my closet. I think that you must know what lurks in the depths of it. But how could you? When I, myself, often overlook things.

Like this dress.

I bought it at the beginning of the year. Felt bad about buying it. Stashed it in My Closet of Guilt and never wore it.

As one does.

But I came upon it last week and fell in love.

It is a vintage dress purchased from Etsy. I love shopping for vintage clothes on Etsy. There are a plethora of beautiful pieces. With so many different sellers, the prices vary, so it is a good idea to look around. I cannot believe the prices some sellers ask for both low and high. Check the seller’s feedback for reviews. Check their social media and Etsy home page to see if they are running any coupon codes. My dress was $64 and I thought this was fair.

It is the very best color. An odd shade of green that takes on different hues depending upon how the light hits it.

It has the most amazing embroidery of deep blues and bright pinks tickled through with tiny mirrors. Yes, tickled.

The bracelet is from World Market a few months ago (similar here). Have you been to World Market lately? They are killing it in the jewelry department.

I took these pictures at my dad’s house. I liked how the Juniper Tree matched my dress. My husband, the photographer, did not like the matching. He wished for more contrast.

I feel the same way about the model’s thighs.

You work with what you have.

The only thing I can remember about Juniper Trees growing up is that coyote feces is full of Juniper berries. And so I avoided any and all Juniper Trees as a child, positive that there were coyotes lurking beneath each and every one.

Speaking of coyotes, I am no longer afraid. Our cluster of homes sit upon the edge of our town. This means frequent coyote spottings as we venture out. Two days ago, it was pouring rain in California. My husband saw a soaking wet, miserable looking, coyote dart into the bushes in front of his car.

It was all that he spoke of that day. He said it was the saddest sight. The coyote looked thin and bewildered by its wet surroundings.

There are not very many Juniper Trees here.

Did you grow up around wild things? Do you own a vintage dress? Do you store it and not wear it or wear it all of the time? Do you know odd facts about animal feces? Or is that just me?

*I shared this on The Pleated Poppy and Reasons To Dress.

November 30, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Marrying Colors

I didn’t always like green and pink together.

I remember when we were house hunting thirteen years ago and we walked into a home with pink wall to wall carpet and green walls. We were young and could not see past the sunset shaggy forrest of bad taste.

We probably missed out on a good house.

But you live and you learn.

So I was surprised when I pulled this sweater (from Anthropologie and sold out last year, but I think this ruffle hem sweater is pretty, too) and these pants together out of the closet. Yes, surprised. What? Do you go into the closet knowing what happy clothing marriage you will be officiating each day? Well, I usually don’t. It is usually a whirlwind outfit elopement around here.

And, oh my goodness, I have loved my Citizens Of Humanity velveteen pants since I purchased them last year (sold out, but available in a different color here). They are the prettiest pink. They used to be a bit looser. But ’tis the way it is. My mouth likes to be married to chocolate.

There are some marital colors I have never disliked together.

Them being chocolatey brown and golden caramel.

Sigh.

Treats would not look as precious and delicious if they were green or pink.

Or would they?

Never mind. I would probably still crave it. And marry it.

I do.

What are your favorite color pairings? Do they ever stray to another color? I wore my green sweater earlier in the week with some black pants. Shhhh. It wasn’t a big deal. No need to tell my pink pants. They’re trying to support my chocolate habit. They have enough on their ~~plate~~ mate.

November 26, 2014 by gn0mel0ver

Satpura Sweater Coat

The one item that I had been most looking forward to wearing once California finally received some cool weather was my Anthroplogie Satpura Sweater Coat from last winter (this is sold out and I could not find a similar enough coat to link to, but I have seen it on eBay. I previously wore it here).

I am generally not a fan of bejeweled items. In fact, this is probably the only item in my entire closet with sparkles. I like things more simple. Bling is not my thing.

But for this coat, I will make an exception. The pattern is just too pretty to resist. My gnome thinks so, too.

Once again I purchased an item without having a clue about what the word describing the item meant. Do you know what Satpura is? It turns out it is a hill range in India. It is actually gorgeous. The images I googled of the area are very pretty.

I tried to save a bee I found on the ground, but he was not savable. It broke my heart a bit. I hate seeing a hurt or perished bee.

Underneath the coat, I paired my Anthropologie Top that I got on a popback for $8 over the summer. I wear this top all of the time. It is a great layering piece as you will see in an upcoming outfit post.

My least favorite colors are burgundy and purple. And yet, I do not mind them here.

I do, however, feel a little bit like a walking condiment clash.

Mustard, ketchup and grape jelly. What kind of nightmare meal would that create?

In the picture above, I just noticed some young boys exploring a nearby gutter with mining flashlights on their heads. It made me both worried and wistful.

Thank goodness for this little guy. He assured me everything would be all right.

And I surprisingly believed him.

Once the cool weather hit where you are, what was the first item you grabbed from your closet? What is your favorite winter outfit? Are you loving the ability to layer? This is my favorite time of year.

*I shared this on The Pleated Poppy and Reasons To Dress.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

styled

“…The Little Dog Laughed…”

Vintage Green Love

Marrying Colors

Satpura Sweater Coat