Style Murder

Hat: Forever 21
Sweater, leggings: Gap

Scarf: Banana Republic
Shorts: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Dolce Vita for Target

The camera, weather, outfit, and my psyche were not in my blogging favor today. These were honestly the only acceptable photos. A huge reason for this is that I haven't exercised in a few days and I can feel my muscles begging for some pain and gross sweat. I'm gonna go give it to them right now. My body and spirit feel so much better after a good workout!

Tomorrow, Dressember begins! Are you ready for this? (cue music)

PS- I've been asking Darin for this purse for three consecutive Christmases... this year is the year, I can feel it!

Governmental

Beret: Forever 21
Scarf: Borrowed from Darin
Blouse: Tucker for Target
Puffy coat, skirt: Gap
Tights: Hue
Bag, shoes: thrifted

My father is officially retired from 24 years of government work! I can't believe this day has come! Hopefully, this means that he and I can catch up on Laurel & Hardy/Little Rascals watching. It's been a while. He can finally get his priorities straight!

This ensemble took me from work to dad's retirement party to coffee with our friend Joseph. Full disclosure: I am now wearing gnome-adorned pajama pants and Darin's thermal. We had kosher pigs in a blanket and corn for dinner and Rowena took a four hour nap followed by dinner and a bath followed by another nap. Still following? I'm not either. Off to bed with me! (Hmm, that sounded weird.)

Have a lovely & lively Tuesday!

Thanks, Dad

Dear Papsky,

Thank you for supporting our family through all these years. If anyone deserves a happy retirement, it's you. You've shown me the honor of sacrifice and hard work. I hope and pray that the rest of your life is full of all the joy, relaxation, British television, steak & blue cheese, house-painting per Mom's instruction, and pranks-a-la-me that you can handle!

In other words, I hope to see you look like this:And not like this, ya weird bugger:

Oh, and remember Wanda from the lobby area at your former place of employment? You know, that lady we didn't exactly welcome and frequently poked fun at. She has a special deeply-shallow poem for you written on her chest:

Give us T.S. Eliot anytime.

I love you, Dad!

Hot Chicks

Cardigan: Old Navy
Scarf: Borrowed from Suze
Dress: Gap
Gold/silver tights: c/o We Love Colors
Bag: fake Dooney & Bourke, thrifted
T-Strap shoes: Seychelles 'Duchess'

The long weekend is over, and so are these tights. Both sad things, really. The metallic paint flaked off during the day, leaving my knees and thighs completely void of any sparkle. We Love Colors has the best tights around in regards to the quality/price ratio, but this style needs some work. That said, I got a lot of compliments/weird looks today! My sister's chickens were indifferent.

I am writing/erasing/rewriting a body-image post. I really want to it be 'just right' and to correctly convey my thoughts on the subject. It's harder than I thought. I want to be real without creeping you out, if that makes sense. Maybe it's a silly fear of rejection and getting trollish comments hurled at me. My other sister (as in not the one with chickens) has a hilarious theory that there are only 100 internet trolls in the world, and they stalk the web full-time looking for people to target. Luckily, I have the best readers. Not a troll in sight!The sunset tonight as seen from Rowena's car window...

'lovely' wasn't the word for it

Dutch Treat

Cowl scarf: gift from Brooke Ann

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Sweater, skirt: Gap

Leggings: Marshall's

Boots: Minnetonka via Ebay

I had such fun with my little family this morning!  We stopped for coffee, window-shopped, admired Christmas decorations, ate BBQ chicken pizza, and watched the first episode of AMC's "The Walking Dead." (Rowena was sleeping for that last part, don't worry.)  I am not much of a zombie freak, but I had to watch the show when I found out that Andrew Lincoln from Love Actually was in it.  It is surprisingly good, although I spend much of the time hiding behind my blanket.

I cannot get enough of my newly (cheaply acquired) ebayed Minnetonka boots!  I begged Darin for the Woodstock style in dusty brown for Christmas, so we'll see what happens.  I don't want to take these off... so warm and comfortable.  They also remind me of my dear friend/college roommate Angel who had the same pair in brown.  She was way ahead of her time.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend!  I am going to sit by the space heater and read some Agatha Christie.  Heaven on a chocolate stick, right there.

Rainy Day Coffee Date

Beret: Forever 21

Scarf, Tee: Gap

Jersey dress, dyed by me: Gap

Cardigan: borrowed from Darin

Boots: Minnetonka via Ebay

Check out my custom Tintin hair flip!  It just happened, so I kept it.  Did you notice the Minnetonkas?  Do you guys recognize me?  All day people have mistaken me for Kate Moss.  My own brother didn't recognize me when I met him for coffee!  He asked for my autograph instead.  But seriously, I love these, I don't care that they are 'so 2008' like someone recently informed me, and I want another pair. I will dress them up more next time, but today I was going for ultimate comfort and threw flattering silhouettes to the wind.  I'm okay with it. I had a nice coffee date/top-secret meeting with my brother, sister, and mom at the Governor's Cup in Salem. Best coffee ever. Just so you know if you are ever in the area!  Have a nice weekend everybody!  I hope you aren't intimidated by my sudden shocking resemblance to Kate Moss.

Black Cat Friday

In celebration of not working retail for the first time in years, I stayed in bed far too long and am now settling down in front of the computer for some blog reading and Fred Astaire mooning.  I am also wearing my only souvenir from Seaside... a cat hat!  It is incredibly warm and cozy... As soon as I saw it while perusing the hat shop, I knew I had to have it.  My beloved white-whiskered black cat Lulabelle was hit by a car a few years ago after sixteen years of life.  My eyes still well up when I think about her.  Kinda strange that I bought a hat resembling her to wear on my head.  Creepy, in fact.  I think Lulabelle would appreciate the humor of it!

I need to work out and shower before I get dressed, so keep your eyes peeled for an outfit post.

Cheers,

Louise

Too Much Pie

A cozy outfit

Wonderful homemade food
(including my sister's homemade marshmallows atop spiced yams)

Family and friends... including my astonishingly weird brother

Mom's homey domestic touches

Holiday craft table included

My exhausted, full, happy partners-in-crime

All the elements make for a successful Thanksgiving!
I hope you had a beautiful, wonderful day.

I am reveling in the fact that tomorrow is the first day in six years that I haven't worked Black Friday at 3 am! I plan to sleep in and watch Swing Time instead.

Old Mother Hubbard

Beret: Gap
Jacket: Tulle Clothing
Scarf: borrowed from Darin
Dress: ASOS
Platform clogs: Seychelles
Socks: Sock Dreams

I loved, LOVED this outfit. I felt gorgeous and elegant all day. I like how the dress swishes when I walk and slightly drags on the ground like a train. A few of you were worried that this dress might be a little matronly, and for good reason. She begs for sass, confidence, and accessories. I hope I gave it that today! Thank you for the inspiration, Anna!

Now about that jacket-- I bought it solely because of its Modcloth title: "The Judy Garland Jacket." It really wouldn't have mattered what it looked like. It's The Judy Garland Jacket, for heaven's sake! Good thing it's warm and cute.

The best part of my ensemble:

Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving, everyone!

(Even if you don't celebrate the holiday, eat pie. Thank me later.)