Shopping Adventure

I suppose I really haven't said all that much about myself on this blog. It may be surprising given the quality of the writing here, but I guess I should let you all know I'm a writer. I've published some short stories and poems and I'm at work on a novel and a series of poems. The poems fill most of my day. The subject I'm working on is by nature exhausting and probably relates a great deal to why I've been feeling blue lately. I have the ability to not think about my subject when I'm done for the day, but I'm guessing the feeling just carries over. Jar keeps telling me I need to focus on other things to improve my mood so I've been trying to work out every few days and call my friends.

Today I took a break from research and went shopping. Once I leave Phoenix I'll be sad to leave one store, Last Chance. Last Chance gets all of the super discounted sale items from Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. It's the only one in the country and the deals are amazing. Most items are under $10 and the shoe selection is amazing. I've had to restrain myself after getting 8 pairs in one trip. I know they aren't vintage, but I had to share my purchases with all of you and because I was raised to gloat over great deals I had to break that down as well.


Purchase breakdown:

Red Michael Kors shirt for $9.97. Similar tops run $60-$80 at Nordstrom.

White with blue stripes Classiques Entier belted wrap sweater for $9.97. It was slightly too big but I love it so. Classiques Entier sweaters run around $160-$180.

Blue and gold tank top by Lily White that has a slight 80s feel to it for $5.97.

Gray cotton and acrylic Frenchi cardigan for $9.97. It's so super cute. Frenchi sweaters are usually $40-$70.

Nordstrom nylons for $0.97 regular $7.90.

Donna Karen nylons for $0.97. Similar sell for $28.

Wood bead necklace for $1.97 which was regularly $12.

Fabric covered bead necklace for $4.97 which was regularly $16.


Because the necklaces are so cute I felt the need for a close up!

Art Explorer: James Angel

Two years ago I was at a silent auction and celebratory dinner for the Arizona-based organization Child's Play. The auction was full of good stuff like trips, gift certificates, and leather chairs that my friend Charlie over at kinemapoetics purchased. I wasn't planning on going for anything given that I was a poor grad student, but then I spotted James Angel's painting "Fernwood Tonight" and I realized I had to have it. The colors are amazing, the subjects whimsical looking as though they were taken out of a 1940s picture book. I placed my bid and hovered around the painting for most of the night until they announced the close of the auction. A few hours later I was driving home with the painting taking up the entirety of my back seat. As you can see from the picture above, the painting is quite large and hangs happily in my apartment above my couch.

James Angel is a local Phoenix artist who works primarily with iconic images from popular culture, juxtaposing the old with the new. His work uses color to call attention to certain portions of his work. For example in "Fernwood Tonight" the red bird stands out strongly in a painting constructed mostly of muted tones. Also behind the tree is a shot of light blue that is equally out of place. Since I showed my love for Philip Curtis before by constructing an outfit from one of his paintings, I thought I should do the same for Angel. With Curtis I used not only the colors but the women in the painting to guide the outfit, for Angel I primarily used the colors and the suggestion of a 1970s era. The title of the piece I used is "Nature Preserve."

Outfit consists of:

Brown boots from Forever 21. Currently sold out.

Brown zip front cotton hoodie. Available at Wet Seal for $7.99.

1970s tan wool A-line skirt by Young Pendelton. Measurements: 24" waist, 40" hips. Available
at Vintage Trends for $46.

Feather earrings from Miss Selfridge. Currently sold out.

Orange leather clutch. Available at piperlime for $69.99.

Wood bead necklace by Nathalie Costes. Available at La Garconne for $206.50.

Yellow 3/4 sleeve 100% cotton shirt. Available at Dorothy Perkins for 7 GBP.

A Photographic Aside

Today I got up early to take my car in to get fixed. Usually I would spend my Saturday sleeping in and eating waffles for brunch, but with my service engine light on and my car shifting hard it seems like it was a good idea to get it in to the shop. Instead of my usual routine I was up early and off across town...well two towns technically. We then drove back to Tempe and had breakfast at The Farm. It's an actual small farm with artist studios, several small restaurants, and a lot of gorgeous trees. It's set back from the nearby roads making it seem like you really are out in the country. Living in Tempe, land of strip malls and multi-lane streets, it's easy to forget that Arizona can be beautiful. If all of Arizona looked like it does at The Farm I would certainly reconsider moving.

Even though I've enjoyed my day so far, I'm sleepy and might take an afternoon nap. At least I will once the car guy calls me back again. So instead of a full post about clothes I thought it best to honor my other grandmother in my blog. There are very few photos of her and some I'm using photoshop to repair them. There's one of her with her sisters with a huge gouge taken out of the center. Quite the process to fix. In any case below is the photo I think I want to get enlarged. I plan on taking some key family photos and getting them enlarged onto canvas to hang up in my future home. I want them big enough that they come across less like a collection of family photos and more like art prints. We'll see how that goes. For now, here's my maternal grandmother looking all stylish and relaxed.

Outfit Idea

So today won't have a Find From Every Era Friday. Jar gets off work early today so I plan on spending the afternoon with him instead of blogging. The FFEEF post takes quite a bit of time. Instead, I'll be spending the day getting a Chipotle burrito, probably doing some laundry, washing the car, and a host of other errands. At least that's the plan. I'm sure Jar might actually just fall asleep. He did have to get up awfully early today.

Today I'm posting an outfit idea for that Hawaiian print dress from yesterday. I showed Jar my purchases and he made a face. Despite the fact a large percentage of my clothing is vintage, he has a strong aversion to anything used. Out of 50+ items of vintage that I own, he likes just one dress. But since I don't dress for him, I dress to make myself feel happy, I'm quite content to continue to wear what I like. He at least says I look cute even if my outfit doesn't. Ha! So here is an idea of what to do with that dress. Recommendations for other outfit potentials are something I'd love.

Blog Lovin'

I'm catching up with the rest of the world and using Blog Lovin'. For those of you who don't know about it (like me about15 minutes ago) it allows you to track all your favorite blogs through one site. Yay! I'm discovering all sorts of lovely vintage and fashion blogs over there so it's a great resource to finding other fashionable ladies and gents. To follow my blog all you have to do is click that pretty link in the right hand sidebar. Please do, I feel lonely without followers!!

Look what I bought today

Also in order to beat the blues I did some retail therapy on ebay today. I know it might not be the best idea, but I justify small expenditures like this. They were each under $20.

1980s silk leopard print skirt from ebay seller The Mint Mall.


1970s Hawaiian print dress from The Factory Vintage.

I'm so excited. I'll let you all know how they work out once I get them and maybe I'll even take pictures.