Where the ancient roam

Dress: Liz Roberts, thrifted;
Belt: Ann Taylor Loft;
Shoes: Tayla platforms, Target;
Shell necklaces: Aloha Stadium;
Charm necklace: Forever 21.
How I've worn the dress before: here.

I loved doing this shoot at the farm park, but to be honest, the photos seem a little creepy to me. The building in the photos is the old tenant house on the farm property, and it's been there for almost 100 years. I feel shivery every time I walk by it. Knowing that the previous owners are long dead and gone, but that their belongings are still there and preserved -- chairs and beds and blankets and the outhouse --- well, it's spooky and I feel like I'm intruding. I wonder how the farmers would have felt knowing a girl prances about in their old fields and takes pictures of herself. They'd probably laugh and throw cow pies at her if they were still alive.

Sorry I've been MIA the last couple of days. Work has been really busy and I'm still adjusting to my new sleep schedule.

Dear Perfect Work Shoes

                                                       [Clark's Carrie May sandals]

I finally found you. I looked at all the lovely brand recommendations my blog readers kindly gave me. I tried some pairs on. I pondered, I thought, I wrinkled my brow. Somewhere in there I may have harumphed.

I bought you late last week when my feet couldn't take it anymore, and luckily, you delivered. You've survived five days of 8-hour shifts and my feet no longer throb. In fact, if they could, they would sing. Sing your praises, sing you a love song. I'd be okay with my feet becoming ballad singers. Watch out, Celine.

And not only that, you are so damn stylish. You don't look orthopedic in nature, which is what many of your forefathers looked like when they prioritized comfort. You look like some version of shoe that, if I was living in the 1960s, I would have totally rocked you. But I live in 2010, and I still think you are awesome. Knowing that I can wear your heels makes me feel better about my day. I look down at you during the day and I smile. Maybe I will buy your cousins in different colors and you could create a band and tour the country. Maybe I will name you. For now you are Righty and Lefty. You are worthy of more creative names.

Now if you knew how to make milkshakes, file taxes and curl my hair, you would be the best shoe of all time. Of all of history. Maybe you could start working on those skills. I'll be patient.

Love and Pedicures,

Another day older

Listening to: "Sixteen Tons," Johnny Cash's cover of it.

White blouse: Target;

Vest: Gap;

Skirt: Michael Michael Kors;

Shoes: Aerosoles.

Here's a quick snap at what I wore to work the other day. The Aerosoles didn't do too bad after an eight-hour shift. I liked it a little because I felt a little studious-looking in it, and I was comfortable, but to be honest, I really hated not having enough color in my outfit that day. Please ignore the bleary-eyed look on my face -- I was still in the middle of waking up.

I'm still trying to navigate exactly what I can wear to work. My boss just said "Wear all black," but looking around the store, there are so many variations of that, with people throwing in color wherever they feel like (sweaters, shoes, etc). I'm thinking my managers are probably more conservative about the dress code than other areas of the store, so I'm going to find out soon exactly what I can get away with.

On another note, it's Friday. Usually that would mean the end of the workweek for most, but today is actually my "Tuesday" if that makes sense. My next days off are on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I seriously cannot wait for them.

So, lovelies, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! And I'm hoping mine flies right by. :)

Treasured: Cougar bracelet

It's Thursday, so it's time for our next installment of "Treasured." Keeping with the recent theme of animal jewelry, I'd be remiss to not mention what's been known in local circles as the "JoAnn bracelet": my black cougar bracelet.

I remember finding it with my sister during a spring break trip back home last year, and we did some thrifting at a local shop called Finder's Keepers. We kept peering into the jewelry case, hoping to find something fun, when the owner dumped a whole bag of items on the counter to price tag. I saw this bracelet and I'm pretty sure my eyes did some crazy "Lord of the Rings"  Gollum-inspired "I wants it" dilation. I didn't even give the owner a chance to put a sticker on it, and two minutes later, it was officially mine.

What I love about this bracelet is that at first glance, it's really gawdy. It's got two cougar heads holding a silver ring in their mouths, as if they're eternally bound to fight over it. It's got rhinestone detailing and the cougars have green eyes. It's exactly the kind of piece of jewelry I would have thought was tacky when I was 10. 

It is, however, completely awesome. I put it on and I'm done accessorizing for the day. I've gotten tons of compliments on it from different people over the past year, and it's one of those pieces where people want to know the story behind it. I wish I knew the story behind it -- I wish I knew who the previous owner was, what she (or he) was like, whether or not that person is still alive.

How I've worn it. (How haven't I worn it?)

I've mentioned how I like to name my animal jewelry. I just refer to this bracelet as "the Twins," although they do remind me of the eels Flotsam and Jetsam from "The Little Mermaid." Something tells me they would fight over a rhinestone ring, too.

Wishing for the sea

Top: NY&Co.;

White pleated skirt: thrifted;

Flats: Miss Trish of Capri, Target;

Sally the sailboat pin (yep, I named this brooch, too): thrifted.

Thank you so much for all of your comfy shoe suggestions. Later this week I'll be checking out a couple of brands during my work breaks. I'll keep you updated on what I end up choosing -- I'm really excited to be treating my peds!

So this outfit. I have been dying to wear this skirt I thrifted months ago, but The Dress Project made me forget I had it in my closet until now. One trip to the cleaners and I was set to wear it. I love the little pleats and decided to go with a nautical theme today. The sideways bun, the neck-tie top and skirt made me feel like a cross between Cecelia Tallis from "Atonement" and Betty Draper from "Mad Men" (especially in this scene). Actually, because of the patriotic colors, I might repeat a version of this outfit for July 4th.

Hope you all have a happy Wednesday!

p.s. I really like the dancing picture -- I think it captures a good bit of my silly personality!