Warwick Avenue

Hello all! I cannot get enough of Duffy at the moment. This outfit is wholly inspired by her style from her 2009 album "Warwick Avenue". Everything except the umbrella and belt was thrifted. Funny story! The skirt worn in this post is actually the first skirt I ever wore/posted on my blog/lookbook in 2010. Oh, how I have changed since then. To be honest it feels like 50 years ago. Today has been quite rough for me. I have been feeling extremely weak and tired. I was suffering from migraines all day long and finally took a nap. I started feeling a lot better after that. Then, I had some dinner and found the energy to actually do my eye make up and at least look better than I feel. It seems like it worked. I felt better afterwards. :D I went for a smoky eye and some mascara no liner with a bold Russian Red lip by MAC. Hope you lovelies are having a good first day of the week.

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Striped Top: Thrifted(H81 @F21)

Vintage MIDI Circle Skirt: Thrifted(old)

Bow Belt:  Ruche

Studded Heels: Thrifted

See how I wore it then.

And here's how I wore it today.

Storms Rolling

 Happy Sunday readers! It's a stormy, and cloudy Sunday. The weather is trying to cool down but not quite. I got this lovely floral smock dress this week at T.J. MAXX as a gift from my boyfriend's sister. It really gives off a vintage 60s vibe and I dig it! She's a sweetheart. It was a nice belated birthday present. I also picked up a leopard print high low dress with that T.J. MAXX gift card I got. I pair this dress with a sweet sequined peter pan collared shirt, periwinkle patch work tights and suede ankle boots. Also I finally am wearing those lovely cat eye frames gifted by Dan's mom. They really are growing on me.  I know it may not look it in this photo but I have not been feeling well and the weather really does not help. Hoping the start of this new week will bring better days.

Outfit Details: 

Floral Smock Dress: TJ MAXX

Sequin Peter Pan Collar Blouse: Rue21

Custom Slouchy Hat: Dream in Vintage Shoppe

Cat-eye Leopard Print Frames: Gift from Dan's Mom

Pink Studded Bow Bag: Rue 21

Suede Ankle Boots: Target

Blogger Spotlight: Melodic Thrifty & Chic

Hello Friends! 

Photo Credit: Shop Style Conquer.
 

Today, I am hosting a blogger spotlight for a new blogging pal I found in the blog-o-sphere.   Anna Martin of Melodic, Thrifty & Chic. She is so unique and lighthearted in conversation.

I am happy to say I made a friend with similar interests. She started her blog in 2011 and has been featured on many social style networks like ModCloth Style Gallery, Chictopia and many more. She has a neat shop on Store Envy and Etsy, where you can snatch some of here quirky finds and loves. She has an eclectic yet retro style direction which comes across smashingly on the internet. This lawyer turn fashionista has great potential in the blogging world and is making her way up the ladder. I got to interview this wonderful lady to get to know her better and share her little corner of the web with you all.

Enjoy!

1. What inspired you to start blogging?
Anna: Two friends of mine wouldn't stop hounding me until I did it. Haha. I basically started the blog to appease them.

2. Where are you from?
Anna: Midwest

3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Anna: Jamaica - that's where the majority of my family lives and I would want to be close to them.

4.What is you favorite item to wear in the fall?
Anna: Over-sized cardigans. The lumpier, the better.

5.What are your favorite TV shows(if any)? Films?
Anna: Right now, it's all about Dexter, Breaking Bad and The Newsroom. I'm waiting impatiently for the new Ghost Busters movie to come out as well as Enders Game.


6. What social media outlet do you feel works best for building your blog community?
Anna: I would have to say Chictopia. It's the first social media tool that I started using when I created my blog and it has really taken off in terms of blog hits and followers in the 13 months that I've been using it.

7.What is your favorite online clothing store to shop with?
Anna: I have so many. It's really hard to choose. I would say it's a tie among ModCloth, UrbanOG and TIL Darling.

8. What styles inspire you?
Anna: The styles that inspire me are the ones that are a little off-kilter. I like to see people doing unconventional things with patterns, shapes and colors. The more outside the norm, the more attention I give.

9. Name five of your music faves at the moment.
Anna: Letherette, FM Attack, Casio Kids, Body Language & Com Truise

10.What is your main focus in the coming year?
Anna: To make the two friends I mentioned earlier proud. :D I just want to focus on quality content for my blog and do the best I can at letting people know who I am and what I'm about. The worst thing for me is being misunderstood or mischaracterized by people who don't know me. So, I feel like it is really important to be transparent. I've also made a lot of great friends through my blog and I'd like to continue to use my blog as a way to keep up with them. Hopefully, I can make some sales from my Etsy and Storenvy shops along the way. The funds raised from my shops will help make my dream of teaching law abroad a reality. =] Thanks so much! - Anna

Check out her blog and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Melodic, Thrifty & Chic

Style Remix: Cool Down

Hello! It's Style Remix Wednesday! Today's post is about being fall ready! Now in most areas the weather is already cool enough to layer. But the South is fighting back the cold. So, one must persevere and switch up the tones. I have previously touched on how to fall up an outfit in an older post. But here is how I am doing it. This floral number was a Plato's closet find in the summer. Its a strapless dress. I normally don't go for any fabric splicing but this dress meshes it well. I wore this dress a few times this summer without a cardigan and with wedges.

(Excuse the terrible picture, this was the only document I had from when I wore it.)

The mustard color can go year round which is why I love it for my wardrobe. Texas only has two seasons: Unbearably HOT and cool. So, my choices pretty much have to be light materials, no lining and seasonal color patterns to flow with the changing seasons of elsewhere, US. I paired the dress with a fuchsia/plum cardigan, electric blue head scarf, belt and blue boots. The sunnies I am wearing were an awesome find at my local Big Lots. I was utterly shocked to see THIS style on the rack at check out while purchasing a new mattress with Dan. I had to pick them up! They were only $5!! I am so happy with them, definitely a new favorite.  In other news, I had a pretty productive day with Dan, running errands and taking care of business while still having some time to stop and share this look with you all. Happy Wednesday!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Plato's Closet

Belt: Forever 21(old)

Boots: TJ Maxx

Cardigan: Walmart(old)

Rounded Cat-Eye Sunnies: Big Lots!

| Don't forget to check out the Cattails + Cardigan's giveaway for your chance to win some neato stuff from my shop and other lovely sponsor gals. |

A Spider Lurking in the Night...

Hello All! I have been a bit MIA because of school and other things that have been more imperative to my well being. I love blogging and sharing things with you all but my life has become a bit unorganized. So I took some time off to get back to work on assignments and personal affairs that have long needed my tender love and care. But I would like to share with you my growing love for illustration.

 I find that illustration with different mediums are quite the stress reliever for me. I have been working with pen, ink and watercolor. Although, these works were assignments, my professor did not specify what to draw how to draw it or what technique to use. Her words of choice were, "PLAY WITH IT!" And I feel that it truly challenges you to think outside of the box and try different techniques you've never tried. It also ties into my Adobe Illustrator class. Things I create on paper can and have inspired things I create for the web. I am really pleased and grateful that I chose to take these courses this semester because it is that special something that will define my work and set me aside from the rest of my competitors when I get into my field when I graduate. Here are a few of my works and what I've been up to. What inspires you?!

These are some of the gifts I received for my birthday from Dan and his parents. I fell in love with those cateye frames and cannot wait to wear them!

These gifts are from my bestest friend in the world Ashlee Elle! She crocheted the belt, bow and headband from scratch. She is so talented! You should check out her shop HERE! That romper is vintage and AMAZING! It was only $8. Can you believe that? She gifted me that on my birthday. Love her!

 And these are photos from birthday and birthday night with Ashlee and also with le boyfriend. Dan and I watched a crazy 60s japanese film with Sonny Chiba in a wicked role as an expert samurai swordsman. The Fall of Ako Castle is the name. Check it out if you have time.



And last but certainly not least, BARAGON! My bearded dragon friend! He is such a cutie pie and is so sweet to me. He has been really hamming it up lately with me. Maybe its the warm baths and change in his diet but his beard and mood have been less lethargic and more energetic. I love the little guy! <3 If you are still reading at this point I thank you for reading. Hope you had a lovely Tuesday!

Cattails and Cardigans September **Sponsor Giveaway **

Hello! I am posting about my first sponsor giveaway. I am so glad I am able to take part in this. I am giving away $30 credit to my Threadflip Shop. Plus, there are a bunch of lovely bloggers giving away some other neato stuff. Check out the details below! Chao!

 

Here's what you can win:

 
 2 Months 200x100 ad space from The Marvelous Flight of Cara ($24 value) |  A set of 3 Indie Girl Hair Ties- winner's choice of colors ($7 value) AND one Bare Minerals eye shadow- winners choice of color ($14 value). Choose eyeshadow color from HERE FROM Becca Maybe
 

 2 months large ad space on The Icing on My Cupcake | 200x200 ad space from Heart For the Nations | 1 month large ad space from Cattails + Cardigans | 20$ Sephora Gift Card from The Beauty Phanatic
 

3 months of large ad space (valued at $24) from My Show Amanda | Choice of item in THIS threadflip shop (up to $30 value. you pay shipping) from  Where the Water Meets the Sky | Tote Bag from Justina's Gems 

1 NYX round case lipstick in thalia 1 NYX jumbo pencil in milk + 1 NYX love in rio eyeshadow palette in 'meet me at copa' from True Vintage Love | Make a Statement ad space from Color Me Brave

Don't forget to sponsor me + use the code "sponsorlove" for 20% off any ad size.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

Showboat Drive-In: It's Intermission Time

For almost a year I have been itching to drive out to this Drive in movie theater in the countryside. I've never been to one and want to experience it before they're all torn down and all we have are memories of it. So, my one request of my boyfriend this year was to ensure that on my birthday night we go to the movies. Lucky for me Riddick just came out so I had an extra boost at convincing him to take me. We had a quiet dinner at home. We cooked tuna steak on mix greens salad with spinach and ginger dressing. YUM!!! The weather was perfect and gorgeous! We got to take pictures before the sunset. I wore this beautiful 60's vintage dress that I got from Fancytreehouse ages ago online. I haven't been able to fit the bust because of my weight. But, to my surprise the week of my birthday I tried it on and it FIT!!!! It was truly meant to be. All of it. It was like a dream. I had great fun. Also yesterday, Dan's parents took us out for sushi! We had fun chatting about silly stories, playing with all of his mom's cat's and laughed. They got me a Hello Kitty plushy and some new cateye frames that I am dying to wear this fall. I fell in love with them immediately. I am so stoked. Anyway, I hope you lovelies had a wonderful weekend. What adventures did you go on this weekend?

Outfit Details:
Vintage Dress: Fancytreehouse
Belt: From another dress
Shoes: Thrifted at Plato's Closet
Neon Cardi: Mossimo at Target