Totally Torkelson

Well, I think I can finally say that we are totally and completely  into the fall season.  At least if you look at my photos and can see just how dim 6:00 pm looks.  It's always a sad time when the daylight fades away into shorter and shorter days.  I know I'll need to find better times to take outfit photos come November when they cancel Day Light Savings Time.  I'm not looking forward to that at all.  

And now to other news!!!  I am in love!!!  In love with this crazy pretty dress!!!  I got an email about the Last Hurrah Sale that Modcloth was doing and I immidiatley started browsing around trying to find something that would be cute for the coming cooler months.  Although this dress is short sleeved and mini, I figured I'd be  able to layer on the warmth.  Plus I couldn't get enough of this Torkelson collar action.  Please tell me you've seen that show The Torkelsons so you can get the reference!!! 

I used some 90s influence to accessorize my outfit by adding some knee length socks, some weird thrifted oxfords, and then the crocheted beret!  I love the way it turned out.  It always makes me happy when I throw something on and it brings me back to my youth.  I totally would've worn this same outfit in 1996.  

Dress, Modcloth

Socks. Target

Vintage Oxfords, Thrifted

Vintage Beret, Gift

Ralph Lauren Belt, Thrifted

DIY---Repainting Ugly Laminate Furniture

I've been wanting to share a little bit more about my home and I thought it'd be cool to show you all how to repaint a practical but ugly bookcase with wood laminate.  I was skeptical that I'd be able to paint over wood laminate but it worked very well, so I'll share with you my process.

First things First!!!  Sand the hell out of it!!  I highly recommend using the electric sander since you want to really scratch up the slippery wood laminate in order for the paint to stick to it.  So yeah, sand the hell out of it.

So onto the next!!!  Pick out a good quality primer.  Zinsser is an excellent choice since its water based and covers really well.  Depending on how dark your wood piece is, prime it to the best coverage.  I primed my piece once but it could have stood another coat of primer.  Now let that baby set for one whole week!!!  Trust me on this one.  It needs to set to prevent scratches during the reassembling process.

One week later paint on the desired color!!  I chose this very vibrant charteuse green to add some vibrancy to our dining room.  When you paint anything (furniture or walls) always start by cutting into the corners with a cutting brush.  This saves time and allows for the best coverage.

Once you're done cutting into the furniture, use a good quality foam roller and paint on your first layer.  Allow this layer to dry for about 3 hours (or longer depending on what the paint can says) and then do the second coat.  This piece should dry completely for another couple of days before you reassemble it.

Now, Presto Chango!!!  You've got an entirely new piece of furniture!! 

If you want to know how I covered up that weird hole (this bookcase was originially a media center I think) then I will do another DIY post for making a cute pushpin board!! 

***Credit to A Beautiful Mess goes to the Stick Pom Pom things in the milk glass vases.  Learned that from her;)

To My Best Gal Lucy

 

So far, it's been a pleasant Saturday.  It's a gorgeous summers day, we took the dogs to the dog park where they played with about ten or so other dogs, and then I found out it was Lucille Ball's what would have been 100th birthday!!!  Her shows were constantly in my life to cheer me up, so what better way to celebrate then to watch about 5 hours worth of I Love Lucy?  She was truly ahead of her time in relation to women in comedy, so I have always looked up to her as an inspirational woman.  Her wardrobe was also quite the inspiration for me too.  I remember wishing women still dressed like that when I would watch the shows when I was young.  She was just so classy!

And as far as my wardrobe is concerned, I decided to give my dresses and skirts a rest for the weekend and enjoy a more casual look.  I had these shorts lying around and thought to pair them with this new thrifted blouse I picked up a couple of weeks ago.  It's a sheer dolman sleeved shirt made by KORET by the 70s.  Then I paired it simply with some sandals and a wooded bead necklace.  A simple, yet thought out look, is a great way to dress yourself when you want to be comfortable while watching hours of I Love Lucy.

Everyone have a gorgeous weekend!

Vintage Blouse, Thrifted

Shorts, TJ Maxx

Sandals, Ross

Belt, Vintage

Jewelry, Vintage and Romwe

A Picture an Hour

I've been inspired by a few bloggers (mainly The Clothes Horse and Bleubird Vintage) to try out this photography challenge.  I tried to remember to capture special moments of my day that also appeared to be photogenic.  It's my first go around so I hope you enjoy all the little snippets of my Sunday at my parent's house. 

9 a.m.

10 a.m.

11 a.m.

12 p.m.

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

3 p.m.

4 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

8 p.m.

Now and Then

Do you all remember that movie Now and Then?  That had to be my most favorite all time girl movie besides The Babysitters Club movie:)  The first time I watched it was when I was in Girl Scouts and we were having a lock in and stayed up all night watching movies.  Everyone was surprised to find out I didn't see it when it comes out to the theatre so they popped it into the VCR first.  Watching it with all my girl friends, munching on pop corn and drinking coke is probably one of my favorite memories from childhood.

 

So what the heck does this have to do with my clothes?  Well, this outfit is an homage to Now and Then.  I loved the cute summer time outfits those girls wore and thought it'd be fun to recreate it in a more grown up way.  Meaning I stuffed my bra with tissues;)  hehe.. Just kidding!!  Instead of stuffing my bra I put on some cute vintage oxfords, my vintage button down, a leaf print scarf and my pair of cat eye sunnies. 

Now all that's left is a seance in a grave yard to round out my summer time look:)

Blouse, Vintage DVF
Shorts, Target
Vintage Oxfords, Thrifted
Sunnies, Forever21
Scarf, Thrifted
Purse, Thrifted

Much Ado About Akron

What does one wear to the Katharine Hepburn exhibit at a fashion museum in Kent?  Well I guess one would wear something inspired by the fabulous actress herself!  Katharine Hepburn basically paved the way for women to start feeling comfortable in pants/slacks, so that was the route I took with my outfit.  I didn't want to take such a literal direction with my outfit, but I basically only had the clothes I took with me to Ohio and this outfit seemed like the right kind of thing to wear.  I added a nice vintage blouse and grandpa cardigan and then threw on my trusty loafers.  The silhouette I was aiming for was this Grace Kelly outfit that she wore at the end of Rear Window.  I loved that outfit!!! 

As far as our day went, we already visited an MC Escher exhibit in downtown Akron, which was spectacular.  You could spend all day trying to figure out how this artist created his prints with such imagination and the geometry is pretty amazing in itself.  Next we then headed out to the Katharine Hepburn exhibit at Kent and I wandered into the fashion school to see what it looked like.  I started dreaming about the possibility of going back to school and doing something in fashion.  That would definitley be something I'd want to turn into realty.

Grandpa Cardigan, Thrifted

Vintage Diane Von Furstenberg Blouse, Thrifted

Heritage 1981 Jeans, Platos Closet

Vintage Loafers, Thrifted

Vintage Hat, Thrifted

Jewelry, 2nd Hand from Co-worker