I've said it before and I'll say it again. I hate the cold weather. I had read earlier in the week that it was supposed to warm up today, so I had planned to do a big photoshoot for today and get a bunch of outfits photographed so I could have some material for some upcoming entries. Instead it snowed. Since I had all my outfits planned out and packed up (was spending some time at my parents' house since my grandma just flew in from Florida) I decided to go ahead and photograph them anyway. Why dilly dally around? I can't wait for winter to warm up, or else I might be waiting forever! Unfortunately, not being a seasoned photographer at all, I failed to understand just how bad indoor lighting is. I'd heard rumours for a long time but never fully understood until I had something to compare it to. Yeesh. Sorry these pics look like they were taken on a cell phone but I tried my best!

I got this awesome dress for $10 (including shipping from Hawaii!) from my friend Camille of The Corner Sweetheart. I don't know if it's a vintage dress or an Asian dress that's fronting like it's vintage, but either way, it's super adorable. I got the shoes and bracelet on my most recent trip to Value Village. I'm not so sure about the shoes though. As cute as they are, they are too small. They are vintage Tender Tootsies and are marked a size 8 but they feel closer to a 7. I know this because I parade around in size 7 shoes. Often.

I recently opened an account on Trend Trunk (it's sort of a Canadian version of Poshmark) so don't be too surprised if you see these babies pop up there in the next few days!

Twirling when your tripod is a foot away is impossible to do without falling out of the frame.

Eyebrow plucking fail! But cute earrings!

Outfit Details

Dress - purchased from friend - $10

Shoes - Value Village - $5

Purse - Salvation Army - $6

Headband - found it in my mom's drawer while getting ready

Earrings - Ardene's - 6 pack of earrings for $3

Belt - from another dress

Bracelet - Value Village - $1

Legit the most expensive thing I'm wearing is my lipstick (which is Besame that I bought off eBay for $16)

In other thrifty news, many online stores have begun their Black Friday festivities early! I haven't been able to participate as much as I like because of lack of funds (although I do get paid before the Modcloth sale ends!) I thought I would show not only my top picks of Modcloth items, but my top picks of sales.

All of the Following Items Are From Modcloth.com

1) You Bow the Spot Socks - sale price $5.99

2) Presh is More Heel in Grey - sale price $31.99

3) Too Much Fun Dress in Tile - sale price $39.99

4) Hayride Tradition Sweater in Blue sale price - $29.99

5) Barista in the City Top in Red sale price - $18.99

6) Shoreline Soiree Dress in Kaleidoscope - sale price $38.99

7) Whirl Traveler Necklace sale price - $7.99

8) Loving These Leggings sale price - $13.99

9) Polished Pal Bracelet sale price - $6.99

10) S'Marvelous Heel In Scarlet sale price - $18.99

11) Great Wavelengths Dress in Red sale price - $25.99

Note, making wishlists is dangerous. In the end, I ended up buying the grey shoes, the red shirt and both pieces of jewelry. Hahah, but that's not surprising, right?

As for other sales, EShakti is having 30% off the entire site right now. Lulu*s is taking baby steps in their sale tactics and is having a Thanksgiving Day promotion with 15% off sitewide, but I'm sure there's more on the horizon. DollsKill have discounted a huge portion of their merchandise (my favourite are these mushroom shoes and these Hello Kitty Creepers) and Unique Vintage is also having 25% off everything (including sale items!) Happy shopping everybody! It's certainly better than being out in the cold, waiting for a Black Friday sale to drop at a big box store! Talk soon!

Edit - since many of the sales actually hit on Black Friday, I thought I would come back and update!

Anthropologie is 20% off sitewide.

Baby Girl Boutique is 25% off sitewide with code BLACK13.

BB Dakota is offering 30% off sitewide on orders $100+ with coupon code THANKS30.

Betsey Johnson has 30% off and free shipping (use code SHOP30) 

Dolce Vita is offering 25% off all apparel and up to 50% off shoes (plus a free tote with purchase of $150 or more!) Use code BLACKFRIDAY13

Emerging Thoughts has 20% off sitewide with code GOBBLE GOBBLE

Eva Franco has 50% off selected styles (use code BFSALE at check-out.)

Forever 21 is having deals starting from $3 (shop Women's here, Accessories here), 50% off Boots and Bags and an additional 50% off sale items with the code EXTRA50

40% off the entire Folter site with coupon code bf40.

Hello Holiday is having 25% off the entire store with coupon code BRIGHT (plus a free gift!)

Hot Topic has all tees for $10.

Joy the Store is having 20% off all party dresses.

Kate Spade has up to 75% off (but you had to sign in to see the sale and I couldn't be bothered.)

Lace Affair is having an extra 25% off all sale items with coupon code BLACKFRIDAY. 

Le Bunny Bleu is having 50% off their best selling items with code Bunny_BFBest13

Like Twice (an online re-sale shop) is having 40% off everything with coupon code MEGASALE.

Nasty Gal is trying the theme route and everything that is black is on sale 40% off.

Oasap has up to 75% off items plus 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Pinup Girl Clothing is 30% off site wide.

PlasticLand is offering gifts with purchases over $50.

Ruche is having 20% off sitewide in addition to their under $5, $10, $15, and $20 bucket deals.

Sephora has $10 palettes in their "Dealtopia" section.

Shabby Apple is having 20% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY. 

SheInside is having an up to 80% off sale (although I took a quick peek and noticed most items hit at about 20% off. Still alright by me!)

Shoes.com is having an extra 30% off sale shoes with code BLACK

Storenvy (aka Hipster Etsy) is having 30% off selected merchandise.

Summerland is 25% off sitewide with code PUMPKINPIE

Tulle Clothing is having a huge, nearly sitewide sale of 75% off. Modcloth carries a lot of this brand and I spotted so many things that I wanted that Modcloth had discontinued!!! Coupon code THANKSFORU takes an additional 10% off.

Urban Outfitters has huge discounts and has an under $20, under $30 and under $50 section. I haven't scoured the whole sale yet, but in the under $20 section, some things look to be discounted up to 80% are the section is 16 pages!

If you'd like to see all my best looks from the season, check out my wardrobe wrap up post!

Pumped For Patterns!

I've been seeing some retro patterns on some other blogs and on Modcloth and it's made me realize I don't have nearly enough. I've become slightly obsessed with them because they are so cute! Especially retro type patterns done in shades of red. I wish I made more money and had less things on my to buy list. My to-buy list already includes that Lauren Moffatt dress, a birthday gift for my nephew, a baby shower gift for a friend, some money for a future double date night with friends and my (undecided as of yet) Hallowe'en costume. I don't have a lot of spending money beyond those things! Eek. How will I get some beautiful patterns in my closet?

I was able to snag this dress from Modcloth on sale and it's super cute! The little pocket and button details make it super eye catching.

I got this necklace from a vintage store in town called Penny Jane Vintage. I remember thinking it was kind of ugly but being weirdly attracted to it, like it was calling out to me ("buy me, buy me!") I ended up buying it for around $20 and I think it's the coolest thing now. It's a little face etched in a gemstone! I have to photograph the clasp next time. It's an interesting contraption for sure!

I love these shoes. There is actually a (sort of) story behind them. I found a great deal on them on eBay in two colours (the one pictured and a navy and red pair.) The problem was neither were my size! The navy pair was a size 7 and the pair here is a 7.5 (I'm a size 8 to 8.5.) I wore the navy pair once and it literally chewed off the entire back of both my heels. I only walked to the bar and sat down at a bar stool all night (I brought a pair of flats to walk home in) and it still had done me in. And the bar is only a minute walk away! I relunctantly decided to part with them after dealing with a grueling healing process for the blisters on my feet (could they even be called blisters? The sores were much bigger than an ordinary blister!) Literally showering for weeks was painful! Just the water on my feet, gah! In the end, I took them to Full Circle Vintage where I sold them on consignment. They were scooped up by the very first customer who laid eyes on them (and I congratulated myself on having good taste.) The lady, Sandy, who bought them had size 6.5 feet and they fit her perfectly... and I winced at the thought that I had worn them. I still keep second guessing if I should keep them for photo shoots. I think I might be crazy/a clothes hoarder/like to inflict pain of myself.

Clothing Details Recap

Dress - Louche - via Modcloth - (discontinued)

Shoes - Poetic License - (discontinued)

Necklace - vintage

Earrings - eBay

Belt - my mom's (vintage? It seems pretty old!)

I meant to make a Polyvore of any kind of retro style print that caught my eye but noticed I had an over-whelming amount of red (I told you I was into that lately!) so I made a board centered around just that. Red makes up a lot of my wardrobe as is but it's mostly solid dresses. My wardrobe is mostly red, pink and black dresses with 15+ of each colour! Oopsie. But I can keep buying more in those colours, provided they are prints, right?

All the above items are from Modcloth

1) Museum Cafe Dress - $53

2) Be a Dear Dress - $73

3) Work Window Seat Top - $38

4) Ooh La Lemur Dress - $93

5) It's an Illusion Top - $55

6) Oh My Stars Dress - $90

7) Think Out Laud Dress - $70

I also grabbed some picks from Etsy!

semprevintage - $34 // TopSpecialVintage - $50 // aiseirigh - $67

What are you must-haves for fall?

 

If you'd like to see all my best looks from the season, check out my wardrobe wrap up post!

Polka Dot Playtime

Hi there! It's just been a weird sort of week so far! I had parts of an entry ready to go for Sunday but then my blog schedule was interrupted when there was a fire in my building and we were evacuated. I read AFTERWARD that since my building is so large it wasn't actually necessary for all of us to leave, but when I heard constant footsteps pounding in the stairwell, and my boyfriend looked out on the balcony and alerted me to the black smoke, I decided it was a good call to leave (if I had known I couldn't come back to my building for almost 3 hours, I might have taken my chances and stayed!) Of course, since all my blogs are different themes for each day, I had to scrap that entry. What was I thinking setting it up that way?

But onto my scores this week!

Outfit Details

Dress - Urban Planet 

Crinoline - Value Village

Shoes - Vintage

Necklace - Core Values Necklace - Modcloth -  $12

Hat - Keep Your Friends Cloche Hat - Modcloth (discontinued but still available in another colour) - $22

Lipstick - Coming Up Rosy-Cheeked Rouge by Besame - Modcloth - $22

I got these shoes from the Vintage Witch Shoppe for $15. I can't tell much about them except they are Coasters brand and I found the same pair on ebay for $40 starting bid (BIN $90.) Here are some similar shoes.

Who Could Be Saddle? Shoes - Modcloth - $38

 

Saddle Shoes bluebutterflyvintage via Etsy - $31

If you are more into the polka dot look of the dress, try these!

 

1) Runway Ticket Dress - Modcloth - 38

2) Hell Bunny April in Paris Dress - Hot Topic - $52

3) Red Polka Dot Flirty Cotton Mini Swing Dress - Unique Vintage - $68

4) Red & White Polka Dot Cotton Dress - Unique Vintage - $42

5) Red & White Polka Dot Halter Dress - Unique Vintage - $42

The other fun thing I purchased at the shop was this amazing nail kit

I've never been one to do my nails but maybe it's because all the manicure kits of today are totally boring. Maybe I just needed something like this to spark my interest! Well, hope you all find your own treasures this week! Talk soon!

Lilac Loveliness

Wow, is it ever a scorcher out there! Hope you all are staying cool! I bring you today my second edition of Wardrobe Wednesday. These are some of the out takes from my blog main photo. My original plan was not to use them in a post since I've already flooded all areas of my blog and social media with them but I'm so smitten with this colour scheme, I wanted to do a post about it too!

Outfit Details

Dress - Vintage (J Harlan Originals) Similar dresses can be found on Etsy here and here.

Headband - Icings

Purse - Guess

Necklace - Modcloth (discontinued)

Shoes - Butterfly Enclosure Wedge - Modcloth  $109

Bracelet - vintage - similar one found here

The name of the game for Wardrobe Wednesday is to go through my closet, take inventory and decide what I'm lacking. Despite owning 2 pairs of Swedish Hasbeens (the above pair and this pair) I've come to the realization I need more Swedish Hasbeens. Or shoes that look like Swedish Hasbeens. Or any kind of shoes that have wooden heels. I've done some perusing and here are my top picks.

Lend a Branch Heel - Modcloth - $219

Maguba Heel in Barcelona Grey - Convert Style - $145

Gypsy Rose in Black - Lucky Lou Shoes - $110

On my quest to find shoes, I found a lot of other things. I found a lot of fun stores that I had heard of but had never bothered to check out. After WAY too many hours of shopping online, I present you my fav 3.

www.DollsKill.com

1) Whatever Pastel Skirt Set - $85

2)  Janine Cameo Chiffon Collar Neckace - $40

3)  Japan LA Kittens Ice Cream Tank Dress - $79

4)  Tokidoki Stellina Unicorno Plush Toy - $32

5)  Heart on my Sleeve Sweater - $48

6)  Juju Shoes - $59

7)  Flower Power Cuff - $45

8) Wildfox Couture Starlite Star Bright Summer Lake Tank - $250

www.FredFlare.com

1) Starry Night Knee Socks - $12.50

2) Toilet Mug - $16

3) Inflatable Unicorn Horn For Cats - $8 (the Amazon reviews are required reading!)

4) Raspberry Lemongrass Lip Shit Lip Balm - $6.50

5) BaconPOP! - $8

6) Floral Lola Sunglasses - $12

7) Gin & Titonic Ice Cube Tray - $10

www.TrashyDiva.com

1) Tatty Devine Volume Brooch - $27

2) Mama's Babies Dress Necklace - $36

3) Melissa Sky Heels $140

4) Tarina Tarantino Deco Fan Earrings - $58

5) DeLuxe Coral Flower Earrings $72

6) Trashy Diva Cage Dress - $154

7) DeLuxe Strawberry Necklace - $190

8) RD Vintage Soft Leather Clutch - $115

Believe it or not, I didn't spend my entire day indoors picking out pretty things for you to buy. I had a little day out with my mom. We went to the Vintage Witch Shoppe (where I bought my lovely Coke poster) and I bought a few things (but I'll save those for Treasure Tuesday!) We also ordered some food to go from Taloola Cafe, which serves the yummiest food that is still healthy. We took it to the riverfront and had a picnic. I threw half a cherry tomato at a sea gull and next thing I knew, he had whistled to 30 of his closest buddies to join in for the feast. I tried to take a pic of the swarm but my timing is off. I promise to have more actual photos I've taken myself soon (instead of a million Polyvore boards) but alas, I'm better at shopping than photography. Until next time!