And now for a change of pace.

I love reading your blogs. And even more, I love looking at your photos. But due to an inexplicable and hopefully temporary lapse in my self image, all the lovely blogs have made me feel less than par. Wait just a darn minute I said to myself upon this realization. How ironic, how completely opposite of the inspiration and warm fuzzy feelings that I was getting not so long ago.

I am going to chalk up my change in feelings up to a bit of stress in preparing from my trip to Zimbabwe. Oh and also to my hair, as I posted last time.

So, with that said, I am going to shift my focus for a bit. Or maybe forever. I want to mix in some more day-to-day, around the house "fashion" photos. As well as other things that I feel fall into the category of "Arkie Style." Art, nature, food, warthogs, junkyards ... you get the idea.

BINGO

My sweetie Judge, my roomie Spero and my friend Adam Faucett went to Bingo in Pine Bluff on Friday night.

We arrived as the sky was beginning to turn that ominous shade of gray. As you can see, the Bingo hall is a really nice place. We are clearly pumped to get a-playin!

Spero has DABBIN FEVER. So does Adam.

There are so many amazing things going on in this photo. On the top left, on the wall, you will notice a picture of two cartoon dancing horses. Perhaps a standard fixture at all Bingo halls?

Move to the right a bit and we see the Arkansas flag.

Then there is me, with that look of either concern or disbelief. Or maybe I am so concerned how how unbelievable something is.

Judge is just in amazement of that Frito Chili Pie. And let's be honest, nothing beats a Bingo hall Frito Chili Pie.

And here we are at the end of Bingo. None of us won any money, but we had a hell of a time dabbing out numbers for 3 hours straight.

Oh and have you ever wondered if it's possible to drink a white wine spritzer from a Thermos? Well, it is.

Welcome to Shimmerton

Tunic: Urban Oufitters, Sweater: Jcrew, Belt: Burlington Coat Factory, Leggings: Target, Shoes: TJ Maxx, Earrings: Burlington Coat Factory (wow! BCF makes a rare double appearance.)

This photo does all my shimmerin' no justice! This amazing bargain from UO last summer ($5!) is a surprisingly shiny yet versatile piece! Not to be outdone in the shine department, the pewter belt makes its first appearance. Anyways, I was kind of not that excited about this outfit when I originally put it on, but I got a ton of compliments at work. And I suppose I trust my coworkers opinions in general ... so, viola! This getup gets to be on the blog!

just another heart in need of rescue

Ok...so I heard Whitesnake on the way home from work. Hence the lame-ass title of this entry.

Sunglasses: F21, Top: Izod-thrifted, Belt: Abercrombie from waaaay back, Skirt: Cable&Guage; Sandals: Born via eBay, Bracelets: gifts, Necklace: All that Jazz, Ruston, LA

I was pretty happy with this outfit. Nice and comfy for work. That skirt RULES, by the way, because it has a 3-inch elastic waistband that sucks my tummy in nice and tight.

Anyone know why I have so many bruises on my legs? Seriously, I think I might be running into all my furniture while sleepwalking or something.

On another note. Hair. Mine is a'failin' me over and over. In a moment of frustration on Sunday morning, I took the scissors to my bangs and am beginning to regret it. I don't really love the style I have going on right now. Rather, the LACK of style. When I wear my hair down, I feel like some conservative bobbed secretary from the '80s. I don't want to go way short because a)I tend to feel really unfeminine with short hair. Probably stems from my short-haired high school days when I got hit on by lesbians all the time. Which wouldn't have bothered me if an equal number of dudes where hitting on me as well. But they were most certainly not. And b) I like to be able to put my hair up/back. What's a girl to doooooo?

Stay tuned for the results of my scissor mania on Sunday morn. Photos to come!

Pants...again!

Sunglasses: F21

Earrings: Burlington Coat Factory

Scarf: Clothes swap

Top: Gap

Pants: Loft

Sandals: Born via eBay

This time of the year is kind of strange when it comes to getting dressed. I feel like it's too warm for tights/boots. But I feel it's too early for bare legs. I could do boots without tights, and sometimes I will. But sometimes that just feels weird. Enter: pants.

I bought these on clearance at Loft. It was one of those things I would not normally pick up, but I was feeling adventurous and they were on clearance! Turns out, they fit like a glove, were a great weight, a color I did not have and were super comfortable. So, duh, I bought them.

That scarf is one my favorite clothes swap scores. It goes with everything. (I even have this neon yellow tube dress that it manages to class up. It's a miracle!)

An off day

Blazer: Vintage, estate sale
Shirt: Loft
Jeans: Express
Shoes: vintage, etsy
Bracelet: gift
Necklace: estate sale
Earrings: Self made




I'm pretty blah about this outfit. I think it's time to retire these jeans because they really have no shape anymore. The butt sags, the zipper won't stay up and they are faded. I tried to give myself a bit more of a waist with the blazer, but I only ended up wearing it for an hour. by noon it was 80 degrees!



Sometimes I wonder if maybe, I should only blog about outfits I like ... I'm "proud" of. But I kind of see taking outfit shots as a learning experience, a way to know whichlooks I like. Therefore, having a not-so-great look is all part of the process! And I feel obligated to share this proccess with you all!




(semi) Extreme close up


On a positive note, I LOVE the shoes. And so far, this my favorite pair of self-made earrings!

Tuck it in

Shirt: Old Navy via Savers
Jeans: Jcrew
Platforms: Mod cloth
Belt: roommate
Key Necklace: Box Turtle
Earrings:Walmart's*

I have not tucked in a shirt since Friends was in its first season. Maybe even before that. What hath come over me??? Well, one of my awesome roommates rocks the tucked in shirt so I decided to give it a whirl. I am much more pleased with the results than I thought I would be!

I think the platforms make the outfit. You can't really tell, but the jeans are overdyed navy blue. Without those sweet retro shoes, I think this getup might be a tad too prepster for me.

Oh and check out my dog Winnie back there, lookin' for trouble...

*Do you ever notice people making stores possessive? Kroger's, Walmart's, Penny's...as if Walmart were a person and you went to his house...and purchased some earrings.

Lookie what I found!

So I was uploading some more eBay pics onto the computer today and stumbled across these long lost outfit pics. Not so long really, but lost. I think I took them about 3 weesks ago.
One I like. One I do not. Can you guess which one is which?

Dress: Target
Plaid Shirt: Swap
Tights: TJ Maxx
Booties: eBay
Necklace: Estate Sale

Jacket: Goodwill
Tunic: Banana Republic via eBay
Leggings: Wet Seal
Scarf: gift
Shoes: Aldo
Necklace, earrings: Forever 21

So which one is the bad one?
If you said photo number one, you ARE CORRECT! DING DING DING! Really, it's just my purple cankles that I don't like. I took a risk and wore my "pants booties" with a dress. Live and learn! Those booties are called "pants booties" for a reason!!!

It's what you can't see...

So I promised you a daily outfit post and finally here it is!











Top: Old Navy
Jeggings: JC Penny
Boots: Vintage via eBay
Necklaces: Etsy and found in the trash
Earrings: ?

Wait, what's that you say? There's no photo?


Oh yeah, that's because I REFORMATTED THE CAMERA before uploading my outfit pics. Dammit!
I am impressed by how I can remember the outfit, however, without a photo to go by. Woohoo!
But basically it was jeggings, a black a-line tee, gold necklaces and earrings, and yellowish-tan boots with gold studs. AMAZING vintage Escada boots. I LOVE THEM and yes, I need to upload a picture so you can drool and celebrate just like I did!!!!!


Arkansas is covered in SNOW right now! It's day two of the snowstorm and they are predicting more snow on Thursday, plus below freezing temps. That means that some sweat pant fashion will soon be in effect!

Dress and boots

Dresses and boots have been my uniform lately. Saturday night was no exception:

Dress: Target.com
Tights: TJ Maxx (notice the run in them, I sadly had to throw them away when I got home that night)
Denim Jacket: Gap from waaaay back.
White knee socks: Gap from 16 YEARS AGO. Hands down the oldest piece of new clothing I own.
Boots: Naturalizer
Necklace: cbt's closet on etsy
Black Tank (under dress): hand-me-down from Julie

I remember the strangest things, including the fact that I bought these knee socks at the Gap in 1994, the summer before I started 8th grade. I also bought a pair of chunky Maryjane shoes and a schoolgirl plaid skirt. Remember that look from '94? Why these socks have stuck around for so long, I do not know. Perhaps white knee socks are just that much of a staple?

Workin' and wearin'

My second job is as a hostess three nights a week. Dressing for this can sometimes be tough, as I want to look nice because it's a kind of nicer casual restaurant. But also, I am on my feet constantly for over 2 hours, and I often get nasty dishwater and leftover food all over myself when busing tables. So that means comfy shoes and a hearty top.




This is pretty much my standard second job work uniform for cooler weather. Plaid shirt, tank top, jeans...
I'm pretty happy with it though, especially because I own a small arson of vintage plaid shirts.


What do you guys think of this knotted up shirt business? I've done it once before here, and I kinda dig it as a change of pace!

Plaid top: Goodwill
Tank top: American apparel
Jeans: Banana Republic
Shoes: Tsubo via eBay
Razor blade necklace: CBTs closet on etsy

PS- I kind of hate these sneakers and this photo is probably the last time I will wear them, as I think they are going back on eBay! I can't really explain it ... I just don't like 'em. Plus I have plenty of other sneakers I like way better. Like these.

My leopard retaliates

I posted this about leopard print the other day. It prompted me to dust of this leopard top from the depths of my closet and try to wear it again. Ta-da!

Leopard top: TJ Maxx
Pants: Ann Taylor Loft
Denim Jacket: Gap from way back in college
Scarf: gift
Shoes: Seychelles via Goodwill

Grumpy day bloggin'

Last night, the people of Arkansas were promised snow. And ice. And winter weather. I was hopeful to at LEAST have a delay for work this morning. The threat was so eminent that good ole Gov. Beebe has even declared a state of emergency in the state. (I know, you Yankees are laughing so hard right now. And rightfully so.) When I awoke, I peeked out my bedroom window and ... NOTHING. Not a flake in sight. The biggest disappointment of 2010. So far.


Needless to say that started out my day on a crappy note. So because of this, I actually had to get out of bed which for me is SO...HARD...MUST...SLEEP.


See, I am convinced that my body and its bio clock does its best and deepest sleeping between the hours of 5 and 9 a.m. No matter when I go to bed or how well I sleep, I have such a hard time getting up. Especially in the winter when the temperatures are below freezing and the sun has another half hour or so before it starts a-shining.


Are you seeing the domino effect here? No snow means I had to get out of bed, which I did too late, which means I threw on an unexciting outfit and minimal makeup and stomped off to work ... WITHOUT any lunch. Grrrr.


So lucky for me, my friend Ben was free for lunch and we went to Saigon and ate warm and savory pho. Now I feel a bit better. But tomorrow is Friday and perhaps I will be inspired to don a cute outfit and feel a bit better. Though the temperatures are supposed to be in the single digits, so I might just recycle these red cords and toasty sweater.

My vainest post of 2010 ... so far.

I just downloaded my New Year's Eve outfit shots. I like my outfit.

But hate my head/face/hair. Per usual, I have beady eyes and 35 chins. Lord, I'm vain.

Hahaha. Just blurry enough.

Purple sparkly dress: Target

Boots: Vintage from etsy

Cardigan: Belk

Belt: TJ Maxx

Earrings: Burlington Coat Factory

Bracelet: Gift

Tights: TJ Maxx (same day I bought that belt, I believe)

Necklace: etsy

Woohoo ... happy freakin' New Years!

I LOVE those boots. What do you think? Too red hat lady, with the purple and the red?

Christmas Soul Jam

This is what I wore to the Christmas Soul Jam at Whitewater. When lots of dancing will be happening, one must dress in an ensemble that moves, yet not so much that one exposes ones lady or man parts to the rest of the dance floor. Shoes must be comfortable. I feel I am a bit more inspired to dance in some sort of heel, perhaps because heels encourage the foot to naturally assume a dance-like position. On your toes!

Dress: UO

Leggings: F21

Black button-up: Limited

Boots: Aldo

Razor blade Necklace: Xmas gift from my bro (cbtscloset at esty)

Circle Necklace: Roundabout at Etsy

Normally I would have never purchased that red dress. It laces up the back and has spaghetti straps...exposing my bra straps and backfat. NOT cool. But it was on mega clearance for $4.99, and I always wear something over it. So it sort of just functions as a skirt...which I think turned out pretty cute and FUN for dancin'.

Oh and HELLO...how awesome are those studded leggings? Holy God I love them so.

Pattern combo-ing

"Oh lawd! It's cowld!"

Dress: ? from Half of Half

Blazer: Goodwill

Leopard scarf: eBay

Boots: Famous Footwear

Tights: TJ Maxx

So you can't see my jewelry...but I'm not wearing much. My jewelry is, in fact, so unexciting that I don't even remember what it was.

I love mixing these two patterns. Leopard and paisley-esque.

PS- See Winnie back there? Aw.

Wearin' fake gold

DUDE! I saw Tigercity last night. And they ROCK. I got the new CD and the very first song is about wearing fake gold. Hells yeah, I totally rocked some fake gold at the show!





And here is the photo to prove it.

Entire outfit shot! Those are my skinny jeans but they aren't looking very skinny. I guess that's good?

Jeans: TJ Maxx
Shoes: Aldo
Purple cardigan thingie: Forever 21
Olive Tank: American Apparel
FAKE GOLD necklaces: Forever 21
Bracelet: Gift
Belt: TJ Maxx
Earrings: Walmarts'

Then today, for work, I wore this:

Blazer: Goodwill
Yellow Shirt: H&M
Black Jeans: Banana Republic
Boots: Aldo
Aqua Necklace: The Villa in Hot Springs
Earrings: Cheap Thrills in Fayetteville
Bracelets: Etsy, Grandma

I just love this blazer! I feel like I can throw it on with almost anything and look a bit classier. Maybe even sweatpants. OOH! Thanksgiving outfit idea!!!

Birth of the doo doo foot

When it rains it pours. So much stuff went down this weekend.

First, my good friend Lauren McEntire had a gallery opening at the Historic Arkansas Museum. She has a badass quilt that was once hanging in my kitchen (on loan) and now hangs in the HAM. She also has many many more badass pieces that you should go check out.

After that I ventured over to the Arkansas Queen where Stella Fancy and JBrasher rocked out to benefit my dear place of employment.

(The date in that live preserver isn't even correct.)

Then Saturday night was when we got dolled up for a gallery opening and a rock show.

Dress: Goodwill
Shoes: Cole Haan via eBay
Jacket: Gap like 10 years ago
Earrings: Claire's
Pins: various people and places
Necklace: Box Turtle
Belt: JC Penny

Right before we left the house, Brittany let the dogs outside and stepped in a mud hole, covering the side of her shoe and tights with mud. It was then we coined the term " doo doo foot."

I don't know, it was pretty effin funny at time.

Green on green action

Cardigan: Ann Taylor via eBay
Dress: Banana Republic via eBay
Leggings: Wet Seal
Shoes: Seychelles via Goodwill
Necklace: estate sale
Bracelets: gifts
Earrings: Icing

Nothing too excting today. I had a hard time picking out what to wear, but I'm happy with what I ended up sporting. I love tone on tone colors. Like this green on green. I might try to do this more...

Ugh and look at all those leaves! It's the dreaded raking season.

More Abba and finally...

A daily outfit post! After long last, I have finally taken a daily outfit photo.

But my head fell off since the last time I posted a daily. oops!

No really I just had like 3 chins and terrible squinty eyes. So my vanity got the better of me today and I just cropped my head right out. Ha!

Dress: Thirfted

Sweater: Belk

Belt: TJ Maxx

Boots: Connie via Famous Footwear

Bracelets: gifts!

I love this blue dress, especially this color blue. ELECTRIC! But it has these weird pockets in the front that poke out under the sweater. See? Pokey.

And here are some more Halloween shots!

Brittany is my new roomie! She went as the Wax Lips Bandit. And here is a good shot of my sweet Abba dress! Hand made and hand painted! Must say I am pretty darn proud of it.

Here is Vinnie as Hedwig! I did his makeup...not bad eh?

Nothing like plaid on a rainy fall day

On Tuesday I went to Savers again. It's less than a mile from my house, so I like to go often to get the freshest merch! This time, I got so lucky and had one of the best thrifting scores I have ever had. I found no less than FIVE vintage, homemade dresses, IN MY SIZE! I'm quite certain they all came from the same lot, and have decided that my old lady doppelganger must have died (R.I.P) and that her sweet old handmade dresses landed at that Savers just for me. Aw. I'll miss her, old lady doppelganger. But her dresses will live on, on me, for some time.



( I generally made stupid faces so I don't feel like such a tool when taking photos. Not sure if that's really working for me though.)

This is the first of the doppelganger dress lot. I added new buttons and made some minor repairs. Then when washed and ironed, she was all sparkling and ready to go! What do you think, does it need to be a tad shorter?

Vintage plaid frock: Savers
Tights (they are a herringbone pattern but the photo doesn't really indicate that): TJ Maxx
Boots: Estate sale
Bracelets: gifts from grandma and parents
Earrings: Icing
Belt: TJ Maxx

Most of the dresses required minor alterations. Some new buttons. Totally easy. And at $4 per dress, how could I lose?

Thanks to Jan for indulging my vanity and taking these photos!