Madame Librarian

Frilly silk blouse: Vintage via J.B. Pacrat
Plaid pencil skirt: UO
Shoes: Guess?

Today's photos courtesy of the steadfast Mr. Andrew Leahey. Thanks again, dude.

Dressed up like nothing. Well, maybe a Maiden.

I know it's a little trite, but the idea of today's post is what I wear when I'm not really dressing up like anything, let alone a lady.

You know, like when you've gotten 4 hours of sleep, you have a meeting first thing in the morning, and you couldn't imagine getting through the half-asleep day in anything that might wrinkle. Not that you have time to put together an outfit anyway.


Additionally, I really like when fashion bloggers give us a peek at what they wear on their off days. If you've never posted such a thing, I'm looking at you! Show me what your less-than-blog-worthy outfits look like!


Showing pics from a schlubby day does have the advantage of letting me show you these Iron Maiden edition Vans. As if this post weren't embarrassing enough -- I went through a SERIOUS metal phase in high school, and these babies make me quite nostalgic. Unkempt days always feel a little bit better when they give you the chance to wear sneaks with cover art from Powerslave printed on them.


That being said: I can always get more embarrassing. This day wasn't just schlubby, it was cold! So cold that it found me toting my coffees (plural) back to the office in this ridonkulous aviator cap. Though at this point, the blush from my own chagrin should be enough to keep me warm.

If you wear that velvet dress.

Vintage 1930's velvet dress: Treasure Mart
Cropped moto jacket: H&M
Bowler hat: Sam's
Boots: Kelly & Katie
Tapestry bag: Vintage via the Getup

Well, this is my new apartment -- or at least part of it. The walls of the kitchen are lemon yellow, the living room is minty green, and the bathroom is peppermint pink, so I call my modest little place the Candy Box. The house was once an ornate Victorian home, so technically my flat is known as The Library, which is what it used to be. But muddling the issue further is my friend Margaret, who for reasons unknown calls my place the Mother Effin' Kasbah. I guess we'll just see which name catches on, but go ahead and speak up if you think there's a clear winner.

Dead leaves and the dirty ground.

Dress: Vintage via the Getup
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Seychelles
Crochet gloves: Modcloth

Cardigan: Vintage via the Getup

Hey, remember in a recent post where I mentioned my friend Perry, who takes all my pictures? Well that's his shadow -- looming protectively, and shading my delicate eyes from the Autumn sun.

Is it strange to dance so soon?

Dress: BB Dakota via Modcloth
Grey Tights: Hue

Heart Sunglasses: UO
Boleyn Style 'C' Necklace: Duchessa

I adore this necklace, but I must say for the record that if I can ever afford WendyBrande' s Boelyn Necklace, I'll be on it like an ambitious courtier on the king of effing England.

Mid-Calf Lace-Up Boots: Irregular Choice

Okay let's just say it: these boots are bananas. They look like a Victorian granny boot, crossed with a bowling shoe, crossed with a football. And they're awesome.

He saw horses, horses, horses...

Obliquely ironic horse t-shirt: UO
Over-the-knee socks: SockDreams
Navy wool mini-skirt: American Eagle via TJ Maxx (hellllll yeah)
Oxford shoes: Steve Madden
Leather bookbag: Thrifted


Avon kitty-cat watch: Thrifted

Today's post -- or, really, almost every post -- is dedicated to my official blog photographer Perry. Perry is a dear friend, and he takes just about every picture posted here (though the occasional collaboration with talented folks like Ryan Hyde and Andrew Leahey are always incredibly awesome).



Perry spends an unfathomable amount of time indulging me in myriad ways: when we're not watching movies, talking about movies, and reviewing movies, he's sending me hilarious animated gifs to keep me laughing throughout the workday, or just happily chatting with me about anything. And of course, when Perry does snap my picture, he captures every funny little moment that transpires while the camera is on -- even though most of them find me looking pretty silly. But, of course, silliness is what kickass friendships are all about.

And if you look, you look through me.

Camouflaged for sepia-toned autumn afternoons. You could find me lounging in the park on an unseasonably warm Saturday. If you looked hard enough.

Blouse: H&M
Skirt: UO
Shoes: Guess?
Vintage 1950's Sunglasses: Leafydragonseahorse
Belt: Thrifted

Is it me, or does this feel like a really hard-fought Friday? I wish I had some kind of slick, under-the-radar musical bomb to drop on your your weekend, but I'm afraid that's just way too far outside my jurisdiction. So let's just take the middle-road and rock out to some Paramore. I don't know about you, but I give it up for the orange and accessible.

All things ordinary.

Do you ever get nostalgic for a moment when it isn't even over yet? Like when when the weather first changes and the leaves turn, the first time you walk into your silent, empty new apartment, when it's a sprawling Saturday afternoon, and someone great is taking your picture...

Argyle Cardigan: Depths of my closet (probably via JCPenny when I was about 12)
Dress: UO
Ankle Boots: Kelly & Katie
Sparkly Tights: Hue via TJ Maxx
Faux Pearls: vintage via the Getup

Blue Fingerless Motorcycle Gloves: UO

God, does it feel so good.

Since returning from a recent hiatus, my posting frequency took a while to fully recover, but that moment is officially over. It was hard to keep up with my blog while in the midst of moving -- with no permanent closet space. But I'm now happily settled in my new place.

Though surely, out of the 100+ other members of the fashion-blogging community listed on the right side of this page, many other hobbyists like myself have faced greater obstacles to their pastime than the mere transition to a new apartment.

Fortunately, you can just rest assured that this was the only thing hindering me from having my own creative fun with the internet. I'm happy to be back to putting my style ideas out there, and doing exactly what I want -- and I'm all the more grateful for the awesome, stylish folks who participate in this weird little enclave. Here's to all you kickass chicks, with the guts and energy to keep this crazy place interesting.

Military Band Jacket: Ralph Lauren
Jeans: Calvin Klein, from the depths of my closet
Ruffly Blouse: JCrew, also ancient
Oversize-Grommet Lace-Up Boots: Seychelles

Sail away, sweet sister.

On this ridiculously warm day in late October, I eat my words about the passing of Indian Summer with much, much relish.

What better a morning to pay tribute to a few stylishly iconic ladies of the past, who illuminated smoky rooms at even the darkest of hours -- and carried on the glorious tradition of blonde, short haired girls in striped, wide neck tops.

If Jean Seberg and Edie Sedgwick ever met, I'm sure they'd have been fast friends.

Bow barrette: Hairbowdepot
Shorts: Target
French stripe, boatneck top: Depths of my closet

Little, 3/4 length trench coat: Nine West (from many, many years ago)

Vented keyhole motorcycle gloves: vintage via Decades Vintage

The sun descending.

The summer is gone, the Indian summer is past, and it's gotten magnificently cold outside. These pictures -- taken a few weeks ago, when the midday sun still begged for bare shoulders -- now seem like artifacts of another age.

50's style halter circle-dress (in "atomic print"!): Lilli Jean
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bowler hat: Sam's
Bag: Thrifted

So here's a great big welcome to autumn. Inconvenient and sometimes uncomfortable, I still love you, my dear. I greet your penetrating mix of chilling moisture and fierce winds with open arms. And a big-ass army surplus coat.



Unabashedly played-out wolf t-shirt: Thrifted
Blue patent heels: vintage via the Getup
Military parka: army surplus

Aaaaaaaaand we're back.

Summer is dying, but I'm back in blogging business -- just in time for the change of seasons. If you'll excuse me, I'll be kissing the sun a fond goodbye until spring.

Blouse and tulip skirt: UO
Leather clutch: Sydney Ann Dry Goods
Shoes: Seychelles
Oversized sunglasses: vintage via the Getup

Waiting is the hardest part.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Things are a little stressful in the Dressed Up Like a Lady camp, but never fear -- like most meteorological events, this one too will pass. Nothing to do but wait. A car always stops eventually, you've just gotta keep your thumbs out. So to speak.

1950's Vintage Style Leopard Print Wiggle Dress: Stop Staring!
Shoes: Vintage via the Getup
Sunglasses: Vintage via Leafydragonseahorse
Bag: Thrifted

Imagine yourself floating in the ocean, surrounded by tiny seahorses...

So the other night, when I was shooting that awesome green prom dress with Ryan, we actually shot a whole second outfit as well.

It's hard to say just what the hell this outfit was all about...

Basically, I wanted to wear these thoroughly ridiculous shoes, and given the setting (looking sexy at a closed down factory?), it seemed fun to just shoot for something semi-glammed out, semi-dressed-in-the-dark, semi-adolescent. And, you know, a little slutty. Basically, like a Candies ad.

Tank: American Apparel
Shorts: Target
Over-the-knee stockings: Sockdreams
Shoes: Rocawear
Belt: Thrifted

Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors...

I got a brand new (or rather, brand old) vintage 1950's tulle prom dress from the Getup this weekend, so naturally, the next step was to have a photoshoot with my bestest friend, the imitable photo blogger Ryan Hyde.

It took approximately 2 minutes for the shoot to turn eerie and weird, as the darker story of our prom queen character emerged. After all, what reason could this character have for wearing a prom dress to an abandoned factory?

Has she gone mad? She thinks she sees her prom king!

Oh, but perhaps it's all in her mind...

These visions...so tiring.

My dear Johnny, if only you were here.

But wait! A figure approaches!

Yes Johnny, come to me. At least I think it's you...

But tragically for the prom queen, the shadows don't answer with Johnny's sweet whispers but with something more brutal.

I'll wait for you forever, Johnny.

Forever...

Oh but don't worry too much about my dramatic expiration. Forget Johnny! My usual sneer will be back in no time.