This is probably the cutest thing I’ve seen all day! Special thanks to David the Majestic and Beautiful Laura of Birdie Royale Adornments. The music is Ondulé by Mathieu Boogaerts. I love this video so much – and we had such a great time shooting photo and filming! Yay!

Thanks again to Laura and David (especially since Laura was one of our models too!), to Gorgeous Kirsten for being one of our models, to Mitsy for modeling, and to Kimberlee of Deco Modiste for designing all the clothing and for letting us raid her house. More photos will come, eventually… Stay tuned!

PS – Don’t forget to enter the Haute Summer Night Fashion Event Giveaway! There are only a few entries so you have a very good chance of winning. Please, and Thank you! xoxo.

I sat down with the book and a notepad, and diligently followed a few of the exercises.  Was I “this” or “that”?  Was I “matte” or “glossy”?  Was I “round” or “square”?  How do I feel in a bookstore?  How do I spend my free time?

As I wrote, I began to notice that I was writing the same things over and over – not one or two words, but whole lists of words written out like punishment on a chalkboard.  Soon enough, I stopped writing.  I would gloss over the questions, and read others’ responses.  Playful Casual… I liked the sound of that.  Dramatic Contemporary… I like the sound of that!  Cultivated, Magic, Frivolous, Vintage, Connected, Cherished, Feminine, Cosmopolitan, Treasure, Vibrant, Curated…  Full-time Dreamer.  Motherfucking Starchild Odyssey.

And as so many of these words kept popping up, I realized that I just like words for words, and that I couldn’t boil my life and experiences down to just 2 words.  Sometimes I feel like Cultivated Magic.  Sometimes I feel like Connected Treasure.  Sometimes I feel like Frivolous Vintage.  I looked at my closet, I looked at my house.  I looked at my art, I looked at the treasures I collect.  I looked at these little slices of my life and all of them were different, and intertwined and just as much a part of me as the next.

At this point, I haven’t been able to nail down two words that define me.  80% here, 20% there.  I haven’t been able to hit that magic number and I think it’s because I often feel like I’m more than a ratio.  The whole “trying to fit my existence into two words” felt a little like surpressing all the other words I wanted to or could possibly be.  And I know that that’s the point – once you figure out those magic two words, your life falls into place, you realize who you are and what path you’re on and all the sudden the Universe magically opens and you can rename your blog and your cat and your purpose in life.

Unless you’re like me… in which case, all of that happens without having just two goddamn words.

I have to give it to Style Statement’s authors.  They genuinely made me think, and I’m not sorry I bought and read over half the book.  And I think someday, I’ll probably plow through the rest and realize what I’ve been missing. Eventually, maybe, I’ll find that magic definition (Ooh… that’s a good one, right?  Magic Definition?!) that I can’t quite nail down because my brain is a maze of letters and pictures and stars and numbers.  I tried so hard to want one of these statements but the Childlike Wild-Thing (Is that one?  I dunno… I think that’s 3 words) inside me cannot commit to one set of ideas.  Objets Magiques, Strange Treasure, Random Clarity… my brain fills up with all the words I could be – words just spilling right out of my ears, there are so many – and somehow I’m comforted in knowing that somewhere inside my head I’m already defined.

As my Notes from the Universe said the other day: “Insisting on details, Birdie, always limits you.”

I don’t think fashion is necessarily a money game, even though it seems hard to be fashion forward without buying seasonally.  As Ashe Mischief’s “Finance and the Fashion Blogger” series shows us, a girl on any budget can be inspired by and have some serious fashion impact.  And it’s not some frivolous game for vapid girls who have nothing else going for them.  As Mary Quant said, “[Fashion] is part of being alive today.”

So what’s a girl to do when she’s on a limited budget?  How do you become inspired by fashion – how do you write for the fashionable masses – when you don’t have the funds?  If you feel you’ve lost your fashion mojo because you just can’t keep up with the stylish Joneses, think again.

Look to your favorite fashion mag.  You know women only wear about 30% of what’s in their closet, which means that hidden among the hangers, there’s probably a whole Elle Style outfit waiting to happen.  Who cares if it isn’t designer, or if it’s not spot-on?  Inspiration doesn’t have to be perfect.  Personally, I love sitting in the sun, tearing out looks I love from thick magazines.  When I’m done, I have a collection of looks and tears that I liked, just waiting to inspire me.  And if it’s not the whole look I love, I go through with a silver sharpie and circle the pieces I love.  I write thoughts and phrases on the pages as they come to mind – so that when I’m feeling uninspired, the images + words recreates inspiration in my noggin.

Look at old photos of yourself.  Maybe there was an outfit you just loved 2 years ago – figure out how to make that current.  Chances are you still have one of those pieces in your closet, so get a little bit creative and put those pieces to work for you.  But don’t just pull out your midriff sweaters, Docs and tartan minis to wear to work à la Empire Records.  Get creative and pair that little sweater with a high-waisted, ladylike skirt and appropriate shoes; you’re recreating the feel of that bygone outfit.

Look to your friends – chances are, they’re more stylish than you think!  This works for 3 key reasons.

1. They’re instant inspiration in what they’re wearing.  Don’t go all “single white female” and copy their every move.  Instead, look at how they’ve paired things, maybe ask where she got that sweater that you love.  Watch what they do with proportions.  My favorite friend look is Mitzi’s “Long batik dress + Boots + Structured jacket”.  I don’t personally own these very same items, but I have flowing skirts that I can pair with structured tops and jangly jewelry to get that same structured-boho look.

2.  They can often help your style woes.  You don’t know what to wear with this?  Ask that pretty Laura, who will tell you a ladylike way to dress it up.  Don’t know how to pull off studs?  Ask Scarlet – because she’s the queen of rock ‘n’ roll chic!  Shorts plus cowboy boots?  Pull a Kirsten and pair them with black tights, a rock tee and a granny sweater for a fun, hip look.

3.  They will trade wardrobe orphans with you.  Pair of shoes that doesn’t quite work?  They’ll take it!  Need a belt to go with that dress?  They’ve got it!  Wardrobe swaps are the way to go when you’re on a budget and if your friends are into the idea, trading out pieces can be the perfect inspiration for your look.  Even if you don’t end up swapping anything out, you may learn a few new ways to put those pieces together.  Instant inspiration.

Other obvious inspirations: Celebrities, store windows, your favorite TV characters, reading up on fashion history (Mary Quant for example!), history books, movies, runways, people watching… the list is long…

Fashion doesn’t have to be about the cash it takes to stay current.  There’s a world of inspiration waiting, and you’re more fashionable than you think – just fatigued from standing in front of your own closet with “nothing to wear”.  And if you’re truly  not feeling it, don’t force it – chances are, it will come to you when you’re ready!  (CHEESY: If you build it, they will come)

How do you get inspired by fashion, on a budget?

I’m looking for two things:  Boldness and Versatility. Sometimes, if it’s versatile or bold enough I will forgo a little quality to buy these pieces – especially unique, handmade pieces at street fairs, craft fairs, etc.  (FYI, if you’re in Seattle, the University Street fair is coming up and features all manners of artisans + crafts).  I do consider quality in terms of, “can I fix it if it breaks” – and I have a spending limit for that kind of thing.

Bold but Versatile Example:  Chain + Crystal earrings from Heart Of Glass Designs on Etsy

Speaking of repairs:  “Buy it, use it, break it, fix it, trash it, change it, mail – upgrade it…” Some of the best pieces I own were once broken jewelry pieces I picked up at Goodwill and put back together in new/better ways.  I have a Gap tee with a hole in the sleeve that I shredded and “laddered”, giving it a new life as the ultimate grunge tee.  I constantly re-hem skirts, add embellishments, play DIY designer when it comes to shoes…  Whatever it is – before you toss it and look for a replacement item for your wardrobe, consider giving that item a new life… whether it’s a simple repair, or completely reworking it.

Look to your fellow bloggers.  There have been a couple lust-worthy pieces that I have picked up in various bloggers’ “Shop My Closet” sales.  For instance, the Rodarte for Target dress I wore to last week’s Hollyhood came from The Clothes Horse.  It garnered a lot of “oohs & aahs” and wasn’t a strain on my budget.  Another example – I picked up this little tweed cropped jacket from Tiffany of I am Style-ish – it’s my light, go-to jacket when I want something fresh that will bring a lot of structure to an outfit.

I know, you can’t see a whole lot of the jacket, but it was the only photo I had of me that didn’t have a goofy face.  You get the picture though – studded epaulettes, tweed, satin binding, slim zippered sleeves – oh and did I mention it’s cropped?  It was a great find and works well in my wardrobe.  And it wasn’t expensive.

Shop my closets can be difficult considering we’re all different sizes, but if you can find a blogger with a style you like who does them regularly, this is a great place to pick stuff up!

And then there’s the old-fashioned way: Layaway.  I’ve found one store that does this – which is great news for those of us who can pay in increments, but don’t wan’t to do it with plastic.  Need a spendy new pair of ‘Vogs?  They offer layaway as an affordable option – which is great because they offer such limited quantities.  It’s also great because they’re some of the most comfortable shoes I own and I’m happy when my feet are happy.  Which is how these babies became mine:

Mmmm… Shoes.  I had to have cash in hand to take them home, and that was a good way to do it.  However, if the stores don’t offer layaway, I have a little pile of cash that I’ve saved so that I can buy when I want to.  And then I pay myself back – every penny, plus a little extra.

So what are your secrets?  How do you keep your wardrobe fresh on the cheap?  Let me know!

I officially love:

1. Sunshine
2. (Granny) Lace – skirts, tops, jackets
3. Lady-like dressing
4. Tailored waists
5. Stovepipe pants
6. Maxi Skirts in micro prints
7. Metallic eyeliner – in aubergine!
8. Feathered hair – FARRAH FAWCETT FOR REAL!
9. Studs and grommets
10. Feathers – hair, earrings, etc
11. Espadrilles with ties that wrap around your legs
12. Wicker box-frame bags (vintage preferably)
13. Bright Colors
14. Oversized vintage jewels
15. Little clutches
16. Camera Bags
17. Moleskines (where you hand-draft posts, or keep dates)
18. French Sailor Stripes
19. Learning new languages
20. Ballet sweaters
21. Phone calls – nothing like a little face to face

Lose:

1. Faux equestrian chic – jeans tucked into riding boots? Only if you’re on a horse! Or wearing jodhpurs…. HMMMM!
2. Soggy Uggs (EEW)
3. Teeny Minis – chocha madness!
4. Skinny jeans (Hey, there are girls still doing this, though, and they’re fab!)
5. Black fingernails (It’s spring youguys!! C’mon! Break out the electric yellows!)
6. Faux fur
7. Blackblackblack!
8. “I don’t read” or “I only read Elle” – expand your miiind.
9. Television
10. Overpriced iPad/iPhone/Droid accessories
11. People who are glued to their phones
12. Magnetic underwear - WHAT!
13. Too much RSS
14. Oversized, overstuffed bags – bad for your posture!
15. Over-criticizing magazine covers (more on this later)
16. Fashion Bashing (it’s about as fun as body bashing)
17. Lipstick Faux-Academia (I can’t see over your ego!)
18. Snark!
19. Only shopping online (where’s the fun in that!?)
20. Overdone foundation (When the sun’s out, your face color often changes)
21. Cynicism – Horoscopes are fun!  Believe in the magic!

Sometimes the best inspiration is a list post!  What are you loving right now?  What do you think this lifetime could stand to lose?  Let me know!

Luckily it was sunny and warm; perfect for cute little skirts, still paired with knee-high boots.  This outfit seems so fall-like, but since spring in the Emerald City is so much like fall (and winter for that matter), I figured I’d be fine just this once.

I definitely felt a little “Francophone” in my knit beret and striped top.  Oh, hello!  Do not mind the mess, or little G’s dog bed in the background.  As for my outfit, I jazzed it up with my red Fluevog boots, and this crazy beaded granny-necklace.  The great part is all the red matched the lining of my blazer.

The color combo felt a little strange when I originally pulled it out, but with a few finishing touches, I think it came together well.

What I wore:

• Striped sweater top: Banana Republic
• Gray tank: J Crew
• Gray skirt: Papaya
• Black knee socks: Sockdreams
• Red embroidered leather boots: Fluevog
• Denim blazer: Thrifted
• Red beaded necklace: Vintage – from Mr.’s Granny
• Blue crochet beret: Bird & Belle (AKA: Made by Me!)

The weather held, and class was great!  I was a little nervous, but my nerves were swept under the rug toute de suite. It turns out I’d actually forgotten less than I originally thought!

Unfortunately, the weather was not as kind, and the very next day was rainy and gray.  I stashed my little skirt away for the moment – until the sun comes back out and the rain goes away.

Fluevog Farrahs

How do I reconcile this newly frugal mindset with the way I purchased (and blogged about it) before – which was: want + persistent want = buy if they seem like a good deal.  How can a girl be ultra frugal and still truly be a fashion blogger?  Isn’t fashion blogging inherently about what you spend or can spend on this or that frock?

Fashion is fleeting and I feel like – to some extent – you have to have the budget to keep up with it if you expect to be successful.  Otherwise you end up just posting magazine spreads and lusting over items that cost more than you make in a month.   Or you’re fast fashion blogging, and that puts you in the range of girls for whom fashion is new every 2 months (new and expensive).

…Or you are holding out, saving, finding things at lower prices, taking advantage of coupons and pop up sales, and putting those shoes on *gasp* … LAYAWAY. You’re buying secondhand.  You’re waiting, and saving and waiting, and saving and waiting…  You know how to thrift, you’re finding steals on Ebay.  You get the drift.

How do budget bloggers do it?  I imagine they’re patient, they accessorize like mad. They know when to pass up a deal,and when to snap up a better deal.  They love cut, drape, and fit, and while they’re still on the lookout for names, the names don’t mean so much if the item is well made and wardrobe ready.  They don’t toss plastic down when they could pay up front and they’re always conscious of what they have available to spend.  They’re open to, and always trying new combinations of the same old stuff they’ve got hanging in their closet.

This is what I’m working towards.  Oh, and maybe making some of my own stuff!

How do you stay in a budget as a fashion blogger?  Are you a frugal fashion forward maven?  Share!

Holly Spring 2011

Enter the sweeping, almost ballooning sillhouettes of fun frocks.  Enter long, lean and wide palazzo style pants.  Enter citrus, raspberry, orange crush.  Enter the flavors of summer and a look towards a brighter year.  Enter a little bit of sparkling excess, and a whole lot of fun…

Image via Refinery29

And in a word, can we just say we’re going to also strive to make this our best summer ever – not just on the outside but on the inside as well? Let’s start our own summer of love?  I know, I know, it seems a little late for a “this year let’s…” post, but with today being the second day of spring, and all, I’m feeling quite refreshed!

So, things we all love for the coming season!?  Mine are:

• Big fun wedges
• Bright color
• Crazy-big sun hats
• Oversized sunnies (again, still!)
• Volume (hair, dresses, music!)
• Vitamin D (orange colors, SUN!)
• 70′s inspiration
• Colorful vintage bags
• Oversize jewels

What’s on your list?

I was looking through my Flickr and noting how I had played on my projected 2010 style direction.  I was pleased at how I’d presented myself through photo, even though I completely lost track of my anticipated direction.  I had a heavy series of outfit posts at the beginning of the year.  It gave me something to look at, to reference and document.  Also it helped me keep track of all the fun stuff I was doing at the time…

I think I lost a little bit of identity when I changed my haircolor though.  Looking back at these photos I missed the pop of My Little Pony Magic that my hair had.

And it was all really cute.  I felt good about the way I was styling myself.  Also, the skeleton in the top corner of that last pic is one of my favorite decor oddities in my house. Â

I branched out and started wearing gold, which I’d previously shied away from.  I had mixed metallics, bird pendants, feathery hair and fun shoes.  I dressed it up.

I felt vintage and modern at the same time.  Retro and futuristic.   I mastered pincurls.  I wore fun hats.  I bought opera gloves and carried vintage bags out of sheer frivolity.

And then right about HERE, there was a hugenormous break.   I forgot about dressing and committed to 6am Work Madness, Wedding Planning, Puppy Wrangling.   I had a serious bout of the blues for a bit, there, and I lapsed into tees and jeans.  I was confused by our weather, and my daily schedule.  I felt like I wasn’t on point.  I also had that post-26-year body change to contend with, that was redefining the way I wore my wardrobe.   I was only dressing up for occasions.  Or if I needed to look cute for an after work happy-hour and even those were sparse.  I needed something serious – a big change.  I was going through one of those lifestyle lightbulb moments when you realize you’ve outgrown your current state.  It wasn’t just my style that had flopped, but something inside me wasn’t being fulfilled.  I needed catharsis.

When I resurfaced, I found myself in the cusp between cute, funky 20′s clothes and more modern, svelte upper 20′s early 30′s hotness.  I figure my style direction for 2011 will be that catharsis along with a well as a needed lifestyle change!  I’m excited to be working towards a more fitting and fun style statement, and I’m overjoyed to get back to the things that drive me.

The camel Walter Steiger wedges c/o Clutch 22

Moon Lamps

Bright + Black - Keiko Lynn on Lookbook

Mile-high tan socks...

Steven Meisel for Vogue US September 2009

Elin J on Lookbook

cinématographie.

black and white interiors

I want GRAPHIC.  I want ROMANTIC.

I want red-orange/oxblood/cinnamon and black.  I want black or white tights.  I want oxfords, shoes with laces, patent, wedges.  I’ll wear tights and toe-baring heels, little skirts, swing coats, gold or copper buttons.  I want vests and tailoring.  I want gentlemanly trousers and bow ties.   I want Audrey Hepburn’s Wait Until Dark cut…

Audrey Hepburn Wait Until Dark

… with turtlenecks and patterned jackets.  I want long hair with structured bouffants, headbands and high, loose buns.  I want long cashmere gloves under 60′s style swing coats.  I want tall, polished riding boots, with floppy berets.  I want structured hats and flowing sleeves.   I want leather satchels, tartan and horse blankets.  I want prep.  I want bohemian prep.  I want urban cityscapes.

I want rain and bruised skies, amber and gold leaves.  I want a light breeze and 60 degrees.  I want red that flutters by, I want pumpkins and spooks.  I want the smell of the air, as it changes.  I want fall…