the clothes 2011

Many comments lately have been about my "Bulletproof" necklace and I thought the site I got it from (or rather my mother who gifted it to me one Christmas despite her own dislike for the item, got it from) Leviticus deserved a post for itself. It is one of my favorite necklaces though I don't often wear it or always show detail shots of it when I do. The site and collection however is amazing. They have a one of a kind section which holds wonders beyond compare.

As well as other items that can be found in multiple. I can't name another jewelry line like it. Where else are you going to find silver bats winging themselves next to a "Ten Commandments" necklace?

I find all of their pieces beautiful but also slightly subversive, which is just how I like my jewelry. And yes, the "Bulletproof" necklace is still in stock, but make sure to look around at everything the site has to offer.

I'd like to begin by thanking everyone for their kind words yesterday. It seems many of you feel similarly to me on this subject. To expand slightly on the subject it's all about prioritizing your interests and your funds. You can have a ton of money and spend most of it on entertainment and traveling or you can have limited resources by put your wardrobe above other wants. Further, the price of items doesn't matter, what does is finding pieces of value (rather intangible value--things that you value, have history, etc).
While we are on the subject of frugality, I went on a little thrift shop excursion yesterday. Yes, this is a slight hitch in my shopping ban (War and Peace is steadily coming along...), but since it was so little and in cash, I couldn't really resist.
I tried on this pink vintage dress with lace caplet which appealed to my romantic sensibilities of the moment. However, it seemed very impractical and I did not purchase. Also passed up due to flaws in fit was this denim halter dress with embroidered details.
I couldn't resist this dramatic yellow maxi dress. You see, in high school I was obsessed with the idea of having a neon yellow prom dress, however I was completely unable to find one. I intend to shorten it to knee length to make it more wearable for every day. I also purchased the black dress, although it is a little large, since I have been desiring more black and has nice lace details/texture. I intend to style it with a belts (as I do everything).
This is what I wore to the thrift shop. I snapped all of my pictures in thrift shop dressing room, so the space was limited and I didn't get any full length shots. The bag was customized by me.
Outfit details: shirt- Banana Republic Outlet, skirt- Urban Outfitters, shoes- H&M, bag- secondhand, necklace- various sources

In order to curb my impulse shopping and most definitely my online shopping, I am self-imposing a unique shopping ban. My reasons are simple: I need to save money (many thoughts/plans swirling through my head), I don't need more (I just want it really bad), it's silly to keep buying things when I need to think about packing stuff away, and I already am awaiting packages to arrive the mail!

The ban is this: no shopping until I finish reading "War and Peace." Good, eh? Motivation to actually finish the book and kind to my wallet! I checked the book out yesterday and I intend to start today. Wish me luck!

More views of the shoes are per requests.

I recently acquired three new fabulous pairs of heels, since I am convinced that it is time I grow up and learn how to walk in heels. I wore these out right away and they're super comfortable. They have the strangest shape to them on the bottom and make me feel as if I am floating.

Then, I had an epiphany--I realized what they remind me of and why I loved them so much--geta! It is precisely the same sensation I had from walking in geta (while in Japan). Love these! They're shaped like getas on the bottom, just the lines are smoothed. It's like walking on a solid wave...

Outfit details: shirt- secondhand, skirt- American Apparel (and yes, I'm wearing it again!), belt- secondhand, shoes- Seychelles via Amazon.com, bag- old army bag (it's actually my favorite bag, ever)

I'm seriously in love with crowns (as if you didn't know that from this and this post), but these might be the best I've seen yet. I like how they're made out of such natural elements and soft tones, but will last longer than anything I might try to twist out of twigs. After my next paycheck I will probably be ordering one of these.

I bought a lovely watch online through Urban Outfitters. Unfortunately, it arrived and apparently I have the wrist span of a child! I mean, I knew my wrists were small but this is just ridiculous. If I keep it I will have to remove five links. Or wear it as an anklet. I don't know, new trend?

Apparently, I want to "live intensely" (according to quiz) at first glance this seems positive, even intriguing, but on further inspection the phrase a bit disturbing. It's doesn't say "live a good life" or even "a happy life." An intense life could easily be tragic and sad (think Edie Sedgewick, Sylvia Plath, and countless unremembered others). Yet, even pondering this I know that it's true--I do want an intense life; I want to feel things and have experiences. Like in my favorite Jean Harlow song Reckless, "I'm gonna LIVE long, LEARN a lot, I'll light my candle, and I'll BURN a lot!" You know you're alive when you feel pain. It's frightening however to see how willing I am to hurt myself in the name of life and experiences; how I need to feel something intensely to know that it is real.
And yet, another very cautious side of my shies away from it all. I protect myself from emotional attachments and points of potential embarrassment. Some people would say I would prefer a quieter life. But in another way this is a side of the intensity in me--I don't waste my time with things I only find mildly interesting, or people I don't see myself becoming close to.
I'm not certain I will be successful or even happy, but I suppose if I know I am taking risks and trying things that will be a sort of happiness.
Here's some of what I bought: two new beaded vintage bags and a belt.
Outfit details: skirt- Gap (many, many years old and in constant danger of staining), shoes- H&M (they're starting to get dirty!), shirt- Banana Republic Outlet, necklace- vintage via Opulent Oddities

I mentioned my new footie sock lurves, but here's a visual of my adoration:

I do adore thrifting. For example, these grey, slouchy boots (with the smallest heel even I can handle) combined with a skirt only cost me $3. The gold bird-cage item was an impulse purchase since I have no idea what to do with it. And then we have the men's brown fedora and a lady's grey hat.