Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Bizness:
Dress: Buffalo Exchange
Cami: Thrifted
Belt: origins unknown
Wrap: Rewerked Vintage
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Buffalo Exchange

The Story:
This is a photo of something I threw together a couple of weeks ago for a night out with my sis, but then I saw that it might rain so I substituted this with something else more monsoon friendly.  As it turned out, I would have been fine; the moment I changed the clouds disappeared and from the heavens came a galactic “HAHA!” that I’ve come to expect in situations like these.

Anyhoo, the reason I am posting the pic anyway is because of the light blue-green, drapey-style wrap I belted over the dress.  It’s a simple piece from a line called Rewerked Vintage that can really be worn in a number of ways (the back can even flip up so it can be worn as a hoodie).  Added plus: it is SO dreamy, lovey, I’mma-wrap-myself-init-and-go-to-sleep-soft.

I bought it from this gal here at an Urban Street Bazaar sponsored by Make, a local craft lounge and DIY studio located in the heart of the Bishop Arts District near downtown Dallas.  Honestly, this is one of the best neighborhoods to hit when you want something unique or eclectic while still getting that high from shopping at independently-owned businesses.  Not to mention the ‘hood has some of the best thin-crust pizza you will find in D-town.

This neighborhood of ultimate hipness is having another one of its kick-ass festivals this coming Sunday: Cliff Fest.  After perusing the list of vendors last night I noticed that Rewerked is going to be there once more.  So if you’re in the area, head down there and check her out if only to rub a cheek against some of her baby-soft fabrics.  But don’t blame me if you get arrested for rubbing, the uh, wrong kind of cheek.

BTW, I just noticed from her Etsy profile page that she does custom alteration-designs as well.  Drop her line if you’re wondering what to do with those jeans and concert t-shirts you can’t bear to part with.

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

The Bizness:
Sweater: Thrifted
Cami: Windsor
Belt: Nine West
Skirt: Thrifted
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Buffalo Exchange
Wrist Cuff: Ebay

The Story:
I really wanted to add a heavy, woven silver chain to this outfit and then chickened out at the last minute.  I was afraid it might be too Mr. T.  The meeting I was headed to was on the professional side so I kept it conservative.  Thus, no Mr. T chain.  Even though Mr. T actually wears gold chain(s) and I was only going to wear 1 silver one.  So technically, it wouldn’t have been full T, maybe just 20% T.  Diluted tea.

And now I realize I ACTUALLY looked in the mirror today and thought, “Hmm, no, too Mr. T.” ?????

Welcome to the labyrinth of oddness that is my mind.

Dear Gwen,
Why yes, I WILL walk a mile in your shoes! But not in your pants.
2Legit2Quit,
Boots M.

I popped into Ross yesterday intent on finding a curtain and curtain rod for our front entryway window and stumbled on to these lovelies:

How could I resist?  I typically wear black Converse lo-tops and truth be told, I’ve gotten a bit tired of my feet looking like everyone else’s in the room.  It was time to break from the pack so I brought them home.  I do hope Chuck Taylor’s not weeping softly in his grave.

Dear Chuck,
I just need some time.  It’s not you, it’s me.
Besos,
Harajuku Lover

The Bizness:

Jacket: Thrifted
Shirt: Merona for Target via Thrift store
Jeans: Style & Co. from Dillard’s
Sneakers: Converse
Sunglasses: Target
Earrings: Claire’s

The Story:

Life is crazy right now.  This is Monday’s outfit; low key and put on in a hurry as I spent the day at the hospital with the fam.  My sister was diagnosed with Stage 1 uterine cancer last September and Monday was the surgery that will hopefully rid her body of this nasty beast.

While my sis went under the knife; my parental units along with my brother and I sat in the waiting room “waiting” for hourly updates.  It was pretty crowded in there; full of concerned families hoping for a positive word on their loved ones.  I couldn’t help but notice that the girl sitting in the chair across from me was a dead ringer for Kristin Stewart a.k.a. Bella.  She wore these great tube socks that came up to her knees and had pink, fuchsia and yellow stripes encircling her calves.  Had her hair been black instead of dirty blonde she could have applied for the job of Stewart’s stunt-double on her new Joan Jett movie.

My mom sat beside me and in true mom fashion was discussing my brother’s eh-hem, “dirty laundry” with my brother (much to his chagrin) and my dad at a decibel that anyone nearby could easily hear.  In true “me” fashion, I hid behind my copy of Nylon Street Style that I had brought along for this very purpose.  My dear mom can hold a family counseling session in the middle of a grocery store check-out line; I’m typically a little more reserved.  However, I peeked out from behind my book at one point and noticed ‘Kristin Stewart’ was clearly eavesdropping on my family and enjoying the show.  She caught my eye and grinned sheepishly as if to say, “You caught me!”

“Welcome to the train wreck that is my family,” I said.  She snorted a laugh and it broke the ice all around.  “You have great socks by the way,” I continued.

‘Kristin’ smiled and stuck out a leg offering me a better look.  “Thanks!  Wal-Mart, for a dollar fifty!  Lots of my friends think they’re ugly but they cover my legs in the winter so I never have to wear pants!”

Ah, public overshare – how you delight me.  Whether you’re discussing your son’s misdemeanor charges in a hospital lobby or how you are decidedly anti-pants even in the dead of winter; it’s all good.  Because for a brief moment, you remind us that the stranger standing next to us in the check-out line or sitting across from us in a waiting room is more than just another body but an opportunity to share a laugh, connect, or just find out where to buy a great pair of socks.

Thursday – October 29th, 2009

The Bizness:
Beret: Estate sale
Earrings: Street vendor in NYC
Sweater: Express via thrift store
Lace cami: origins unknown
Belt: Ross
Skirt: Thrifted
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Buffalo Exchange

The Story:
More rain, more boots.  But I finally got to wear this new skirt I picked up on a thrift store excursion about a month ago.  Originally it had some really odd material/apron-like strings that came out of the waist that you were supposed to tie in a bow at the side.  Only, it bulked up the silhouette really oddly and I could never quite get the bow to look neatly tied.  Not surprising coming from a girl who was almost in 4^th grade by the time she got the hang of tying her shoes.  Even then, I still liked Velcro.  Anyway, the strings just kind of hung there like two wet noodles.

So I whacked them off.  And now everyone is much happier.

I’m not sure about the beret, some days I like it, some days I don’t.  Today it got the green light.  I’m in hat mode right now which is typical for me when autumn rolls around.  P-haps this is the foundation for that Halloween costume I have yet to conjure up.  If I don’t think of something soon I’ll be in deep Doo² as the party me and the hubarino are attending demands a costume in order to enter.  Doh-seph!

In other news, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.  My sis, mom and I are headed out to here.  Hope we get some sweet swag!  Either way, I’ll report back here with updates posthaste!

Making a promise to myself that I will not take the easy way out and buy a plastic costume at the Wal-Marts,
Boots Beret

Wednesday – October 28th, 2009

The Bizness:
Top: Style & Co. via Thrift store
Denim Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: Revente Consignment in Dallas, TX
Earrings: Gift from mom
Beanie: Estate Sale
Belt: Charlotte Russe
Bracelets: origins unknown
Boots: Frye via Dillard’s

The Story:
You know how some people say that when they find a top, skirt, or pair of shoes they really love that they buy one in every color?  Well, I must admit, I’m glad I only have ONE denim skirt.  Otherwise, I’d probably just end up wearing it everyday.  As it is, I have to watch myself or I’d end up wearing this skirt several times a week.  I do love the petite line from Ann Taylor Loft (and no, they’re not paying me to say this although it would be nice if they did).  It just happens to be one of those petite lines that fits me perfectly and looks great with other items I have in my closet.

Those things I have on my feet are a prerequisite for living in the state in which I dwell.  And no I’m not talking about denial, delusion or distress for all the smarty pants reading this.  I’m talking Lone Star, baby!  You live here, you love fashion, you MUST have at least one pair of Cowboy boots.  I have three.  All of them are Frye boots.  And if you’re wondering; no, I’ve never been to a rodeo, never owned a ranch, farm or cattle.  I’ve never collected eggs from a chicken and I never stole a horse from someone I didn’t like.  But I do love me some Frye boots.  These boots will never go out of style and with a little polish they will last forever.  I may be one of the reigning Queens of Texas Thrift but I don’t bat an eyelash when paying retail for these bad boys.  Some things are worth the money.

Monday – October 26th, 2009

The Bizness:
Cardigan: Thrifted
Black Lace Tank: Some fly-by-night store at a Dallas Mall
Necklaces: Gift from Mom
Cuff: (seen in detail shot) Ebay
Belt: Forever 21
Jeans: Target
Ballet flats: Steve Madden

The Story:
So I tried this sweater with a small belt when I first put it on but ended up going with the bigger one in the end.  I love big belts, even when they are supposedly not “in fashion.”  I have a brown one with a big metal buckle and connecting rings that looks like something a wrestler would wear during training to prevent hernias.  I have no idea what to do with it so it sits in my closet waiting for its special day to arrive; when I either find the perfect outfit or fulfill my destiny as a luchadora.  Until then, working with this black one is a lot easier.

It rained ALL DAY today.  So this is me three minutes before I went outside and my hair exploded.

Ready to rumble,
Boots McGee a.k.a. “La Diabolica” (in the ring)

It’s the Friday Frival my little fashionizzles!  I’m excited, YOU’RE excited, it’s the weekend; it’s the perfect trifecta for frivolity.  So let’s get to it shall we?

1. First up: let’s all channel our inner child and dial it back to our Barbie days, if indeed, Barbie was yo thang as she was mine.  And when I say I was into Barbie, understand:

I WAS INTO BARBIE.

Eh, hem, however, in my Barbie’s world she was a fashionably-dressed, international jewel thief who lived in a secret cave hideaway (translation: my nightstand) and who always managed to outsmart blonde plastic-haired Ken who was head of security at the Federal Bank of Jewels and Shinies (i.e. the leg-space under my desk).  Ah, blonde Ken, you were always two steps behind.

Unfortunately for blonde Ken, who had to work alone, Barbie always arrived at the scene with her two almost-as-equally stunning female partners-in-crime (they were relegated to PICs due to my inexperience at cutting doll hair and you can’t play lead if your locks look like something that went toe-to-toe with a hedge trimmer).  Invariably, Barbie and her bad-girl angels made off with the loot and drove back to the hideout where she danced the Watusi with brown-haired Ken.  (Yes, the term Watusi IS a metaphor. My mother might be reading this!)

Brown-haired Ken was a rare find that came equipped with REAL hair and extra bendy limbs that were very good for uh, watusi-ing . . .

But enough with the nostalgia!  Check out these pics from the 7th Annual Altered Barbie Exhibit held in San Francisco and look at what our girl is doing NOW:

It’s so wonderful to see good ol’Babs living life OUTSIDE the box. In fact, I just might start playing with dolls again. It’s high time I got the crew back together for one more big heist.

2. We need more street style fashion blogs from South Africa ASAP. They are doing THE BIZNESS down there.  Check out this post from the Livejournal black cigarette community.

3. Not too long ago, a fellow height-challenged friend and I were lamenting the sheer impossibility of tucking our jeans into our boots without getting the dreaded poufy knee that seems to be one of the many curses that follow a short girl through life (said curses also include but are not limited to: the tall, drunk frat-guy standing in front of you at EVERY concert you will ever go to who always seems to both block your view AND stumble back,  stepping on your foot only to never say he’s sorry, the top shelf in all your kitchen cabinets and that frackin’ pull-chain on ceiling fans).

But no more! Behold! I give you THE JEGGING!

Leggings that look like jeans!  If you can live with the ridiculous name, you can say good-by to the dreaded poufy knee AND wear those killer boots to the concert where you can bury one of them deep in the ass of the tall, drunk-frat guy. Because revenge is a dish best served when you look FIERCE.   Gotta have’em?  Order them here.

4. And JUST in time for Thanksgiving at the in-laws:

Yes it is a sweater.  Yes, those are penises.

This lovely cardigan from Agent Provocateur is made from deliciously soft cashmere and guaranteed to make dinner table convo MUCH MORE INTERESTING.  Want to go the extra mile?  Pair it with your pearl necklace for gits and shiggles.

5. And finally, not to be a total pageant mom but after seeing this video I’m thinking it’s high time Swabson J. Kensington learned his-self a skill:

Well folks, that’s the Friday 5! Now get out there and kick it with a tasty beat:

Wait, not that kind of beet, this kind of beat.

There we go.

So today’s outfit was supposed to showcase this awesome Ebay score:

When suddenly the Bat-phone rang . . .

It seems an acquaintance of mine was in a bit of a bind and was calling for Defcon Level 1 help.  So I snapped a couple of quick iPhone outfit pictures and was off, quick as a bunny . . .

Alas, it seems my less-than-stellar photography skills are even LESS than stellar when I’m moving at light speed.  So I shall leave you with still shots of my latest addition to my Style Arsenal . . . my new band-member jacket!

I’ve enlisted the help of my photographer friend, Panda Bob, to help me with my camera-skillz in the coming weeks.  I’ll have to remember to request a lesson in fast-motion photography . . .

Ciao!
Bat-Boots McGee

Monday – October 19th, 2009

The Bizness:
Tweed Blazer: Thrifted
T-Shirt: Target
Necklaces: Gift & Thrifted
Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Boots: DSW

The Story:
I found this blazer at a thrift store and fell in love with it because of the leather elbow patches and collar.  When I saw the inside label: Made in Russia, I was sold.  Now had it said: Made in the Soviet Union, I would, have crapped, my pants.  And then I would have bought it.  I forgot to get a shot of the patches though, maybe next time.  The tee and skirt are basic in order to balance out the ‘professor’ vibe that the small plaid print can sometimes give off.  Not that THAT’S a bad thing but I was headed to the store and not to teach a class.  The boots are a recent acquisition; I had been pining for something slouchy and suede.

I included the 2nd picture because while you may think I’m doing my best ‘introspective’ look . . . I’m actually watching my cat hack up a pound of our lawn.  S.J.K. loves the green stuff; when he’s not licking the driveway.  But I liked how the shot turned out.

This was my first time attempting an outfit photo using the timer device on my camera.  I am 5′2″ and could not believe how frustrating it can be trying to get a full outfit shot!  I can’t begin to imagine what the 6′ chicas out there running style blogs have to do.

Hasta manana!
Professor B. McGee