Not so much excitement, but I'm alive!

Once again I've been MIA. I have been trying to keep up on my feed reader though... trying being the operative word here. Yikes!

The reason for my absence: life. Babysitting a lot on the side to save up money for....

LAS VEGAS!!!

This girl has been to only four states, including the one I live in. This girl has had only one "major" vacation in her life (Disney when I was like 7 years old). So this is exciting. My mom and I are going with some other friends in October. Woohoo!

I am keeping up with 30 Days of Lists. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to get a really nice journal to use for it... but the old notebook with pages ripped out is working fine :) It's my first venture into any type of "art journal"... and it's interesting to say the least so far. Pretty much magazine cut outs and my own handwriting.

It has inspired me though (along with Lauren who did something similar for her 30 Days journal) to use my Christmas 2010 TOAST catalog as a journal of sorts. Quotes, lists, reminders, etc. It's a HUGE work in progress... but I'm hoping I can turn it into something special.

My Bookshelf page is updated... not with much though... I've been addicted to watching The O.C. on DVD. And Greek on Netflix instant. I'm trying to make time each day to read though so I can pick up the pace again. I usually drop off a bit later in the year, but hopefully this will be my only slump.

I finally got my invite to pinterest and have been pinning like crazy!! I've also been working on making my tumblr more of a photo collage of this blog.

And in the interest of winter ending and hopefully soon (Go away, Lion!! Bring on the Lamb!!)... I thought I'd post one of my recent winter ensembles... so comfy!

Dress - Forever 21
Black cami - Thrifted
Belt - Came with a dress from Kohls
Leggings - Marshall's
Boots - Target
Necklace - H&M

Taken by Taupe!

It may only be February, but spring fashions are hitting sales floors and mailboxes (in catalog form, of course) full force. The trend of neutral colors and natural (or at least natural seeming) fabrics are popular again this year. And for the first time, ever, I am quite excited for this scheme in both my own personal fashion as well as home decor.

When it came to home decor in the past, I was really hesitant to go for anything in neutral tones because those tones were generally white or cream. I can't seem to keep anything that's white, well, white. Plus, I have black cat... super light fabrics and a super spoiled Miss Chloe Marie do not go well together no matter how often she's brushed and how often I de-lint and dust.

When it came to fashion... well the first point about me and the color white above stays true. I'm also quite pale (and quite proud of it). I also felt that darker colors were best for me because I tried to, well, hide my body because I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. Sound kinda silly? Maybe... but it's how I felt comfortable. I spent a lot of time in black, gray, navy, etc.

But this year... will be different.

Black and gray will still pepper my wardrobe, to be sure. Gray and brown will still make cameos in my decor. Of course using white and cream as well to accent in both areas.

My new color obsession is:

TAUPE.

Seem kind of... plain, boring, and blah? How about pairing it with...


Turquoise is a happy color!


Or a pretty shade of coral, perhaps.

Or maybe a pepper berry shade of red.


Maybe use some ochre accents?

Using one or two of these colors with taupe can make for pretty decor and pretty ensembles. The best part is that taupe, with any of these colors can be nearly any season. One could even mix two of the accent colors with the taupe for a really beautiful look.

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The lovely blog owner at Creature Comforts created this pretty taupe and pepper berry color board.

Taupe with turquoise and red. Not entirely my style, but I really love how it works none the less.

Taupe, white and coral. Looks very fresh and clean and comfy!

What is your color crush for the spring season?

I *heart* Etsy - Vintage Sweater Finds

Cleveland winter. I generally don't mind it. At least until I have to go somewhere in it.

I'm sitting here quite comfy wearing a vintage Lacoste cardi that belonged to my Poppa, listening to Pepper Rabbit and drinking tea. Oh, and I just finished a book as well! Pretty much the perfect winter evening (minus that whole pesky up early for the hellish commute in lousy weather thing). Pretty much an ideal winter night. Add to that my love for sweaters and vintage. What better night for this post?

Vintage 70s Peppermint Stick Wrap from hellcatvintage

French Vanilla Boyfriend Cardigan from StopTheClock

I've always been true sweater from TinyWingsVintage

Grey and Black Deer Print Sweater from thewitchinghour

Vintage Norwegian Wool Knit Sweater from Baptuma

Stay warm, loves!

Pretty *Basic* Fashion

Fashion: Fashion is the style and custom prevalent at a given time. In its most common usage however, "fashion" describes the popular clothing style. Many fashions are popular in many cultures at any given time. (thanks google)


Some things I'm really digging currently:

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Beige/taupe/nude color heels. I'm digging the platform bottom and the patent look (as opposed to a matte look).
And apparently, heels this color are great for pale girls because they give the appearance of longer legs since there's no sharp contrast between your leg/feet and the shoe. Bonus for this barely five foot tall chica.

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Tom's shoes are adorable, and I'm really digging the saffron cord shoe.
I generally have a hard time justifying spending $54 dollars on any one clothing or accessory item, but with Tom's "One for One" campaign I view it as 2 pairs for that price.
The result? These may be purchased sooner than later.

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Stockings.
I'm not sure what my obsession has been, but I'm loving stockings this season. Under my dresses and skirts they've done me well. The post-weight loss shopping has allowed me to work these in slowly but surely.

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I'm loving mid-calf boots this winter. With jeggings/skinnies or a cute dress/skirt with tights. Fall and winter in Ohio are perfect for rocking this look.
Hopefully it will still be "in" next season, haha. Oh, who am I kidding? Even if it was the biggest fashion faux pas, I'd *STILL* wear them!
I saw these Frye boots in a fashion blog over a year ago, but they were red. I absolutely love them in all the colors in this style but the price tag keeps it on my "dream on" list.

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Big.Friggen.Purses.
I carry my life with me nearly every day. My friends and family make fun of my "luggage". But, I'm a girl who carries a small pharmacy, my small digital camera, a planner, some pens, several lip glosses, a book, my GPS... you get the picture (well, at least a mental image... maybe I'll do a "What's in my bag?" post sometime).
I'm a big fan of Duex Lux bags, which can be found at UO.

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Congratulations, cardigan sweater! You are my favorite clothing item, no contest. Especially if you are vintage, like the lovely floral one above.
I love that cardis can be dressed up, down and in between. The colors, weights, patterns, knits, ages (yes, ages... as in new and vintage), styles... all of it. They are the all year 'round, one for every outfit, adorable as all get out piece.

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T-shirts. Especially ones like this fabulous literary tshirt from Out of Print clothing, featuring another one of my all time favorite books. Bonus! When you buy a tee from Out of Print Clothing, they donate a book to Books For Africa.
I have a weakness for t-shirts that show off my personality, the things I like and the things I believe in. For more great t-shirts check out the I *Heart* Etsy post featuring them!



There are so many fantastic things out there that I'm loving right now, these are just a handful of pretty basic items. This brings us to the unveiling of another new post grouping. Pretty *___* Fashion. Each PF post will showcase some great fashion finds and ideas! I'm quite excited to add PF to the ranks of Sweet Spots and I *Heart* Etsy. Soon to come will be an 'inspirations' post, of sorts. That will round out the quartet of regularly posted (I hope!) theme specific posts for the time being.

Fashion is ever changing and ever evolving. Fashion seems to be on lazy susan of sorts, as it goes away and comes back around again. Fashion is highly personal. Everyone has clothing that they feel their best in. Now, more than ever, can you walk down the street and see so many years of fashion all at once. Thanks to the wave of vintage and thrift fashions so many "old" pieces are becoming new and not just by being worn as is... some are up-cycled and others are worn in a different way than intended.

Recently (mostly within the last year and some change) I've lost quite a bit of weight. As a result it means going through my wardrobe and getting rid of a lot of it (donations to friends and Goodwill). Some of it has been salvaged for me by my wonderful seamstress, Tracy. But, there's still a lot that I need. I've even had the courage to attempt some fashions I stayed away from before because I wasn't comfortable. It's been fun. But, I tend to get fixated on a few items here and there that just aren't in the budget, at all. So, then I bargain hunt my way around until I find what I want at a price that I'm willing to pay. Sometimes, I win. Sometimes, I lose out. But it's always fun to dream and for me the hunt is a good part of the fun!

What are your current favorite fashions?

I *heart* Etsy - T-shirt finds

Who doesn't love some Etsy shopping? Unfortunately at this point, being a broke teacher doesn't bode well with my Etsy addiction. However, it's always fun to browse and mark favorite items! They all deserve to be owned and loved, even if it's not by me.

So, I bring you I *heart* Etsy to showcase some of my favorite items on Etsy.

**Please note that some of the items may be sold out, but since I really like the item, I didn't delete it off my favorites on Etsy. But, if you like it too, check the store! You never know, sometimes there's more!**

1. I Think I'm In Love t-shirt from rosiemusic
Because I love a boy who loves books as much as I do. Bonus points for laying in bed together reading.

2. Librarians Gone Wild T-shirt from gibberish 2
Because not only is the name of this shirt fantastic, it simply states one of my favorite things to do.

3. NENEE Charlie Shirt by nenee
Mr. Chaplin, I adore you!

4. War is Over T-shirt by vortextradingcompany
I have a serious love for John Lennon. I believe that the youth of today may be a bit different if he were still alive

5. Atticus Finch is my Co-Pilot T-shirt by inexplicableconfetti
My favorite book. Ever. No contest.

I'm thinking this may be a weekly thing... but I'm kind of bad at that... so let's just leave it at... the next I *Heart* Etsy post will be soon :) What item would you like to see me showcase?

Vintage lusting

I spent a good portion of the day with my dear friend Jess hitting up a few thrift stores in the area. I was really excited for some vintage fabulous-ness in both clothing and housewares. Sadly, not much was to be found.

I found these two dresses that I absolutely fell in love with. Sadly though, my boobs are too dang big. They fit great everywhere else, just not so great in the bust. But, I did at least get a quick picture of each dress. The plaid dress, the skirt looks much like the top, just the way it falls has it look like teal stripes, haha. They both had matching belts, as well.









I found two sets of Corelle Butterfly Gold cups/saucers, but since I can't be certain the set is in the attic still, I decided to pass. I also found a Pyrex dish in the Gold Leaf pattern, but it was missing the lid, so I passed on that as well.

The goal for tomorrow is to try to get over to the house to snag the Pyrex bowls and hopefully find the Corelle dishes. Maybe even hit up one more thrift store that we didn't make it to today. Also, to get to Crocker Park to maybe spend some gift cards at several different stores.

That said... any good recommendations for books or music I should purchase?