Stars Not Dots

Leather Jacket- 3.1 Phillip Lim, Star Print Silk Blouse- Urban Outfitters, Swing Skirt- Talula (Aritzia), Solvang Clogs- Jeffrey Campbell, Rosary- Vintage, Crystal Ring- Ylang23, Stone Ring- Free People

I wish the star print on my blouse didn't photograph as dots. I also wish I had noticed there was a giant run in my tights before putting them on (thank you, General Sherman!). These complaints seem petty, however, when I gaze upon the wondrous jacket bestowed upon me by a magical convergence of great timing and stupidly low pricing. While walking through my local Barney's this morning, I noticed the above jacket hanging alone with some lame Loomstate tanks on a sale rack. After a few minutes of touching and dreaming I noticed the sale price and almost keeled over. Then I noticed it was my size. Done and done. I hate being so dramatic about clothing, I start to feel like someone who would use the word "fashionista" in a non-sarcastic setting. But sometimes the situation merits, eh? 

On to more important issues (i.e. Asian horror films), Joey and I watched quite the masterpiece last night. The Victim, which is a Thai film, was so amazing that it will probably be remade by some American director and completely ruined. SO, see it before that happens. I am not easily terrified due to the sheer amount of horror I watch, and Joey was able to passively watch Alien at age seven (seriously), but we were both losing it. 

I have noticed my propensity towards rambling about movies on what is ostensibly a fashion blog, so um whoopsies about that. At least there aren't any political lectures. Joey gets to hear those allll the time. 

Welp, it's time for my Japanese lesson (#2! I will be fluent within the week!), hopefully my horrible pronunciation improves because Joey seemed to be holding back some rather unfriendly laughter last night during lesson #1. 

Have a beautiful Wednesday!

We Go a Bit Bonkers On Sunday.

Vintage Desert Storm T- Archive or Ahab Bowen (?), Leather Leggings- Wilfred (Aritzia), Bracelets- Vintage, Fake Hindu Prayer Beads- Aldo, Long Necklace- BCBGeneration, Cat- The Unstoppable General Sherman.

So I had this great idea where Joey and I were going to do some kind of black and white tile reminiscent of that iconic Edie Sedgwick photo. Then I realized that my facial repertoire consists of pretty much one blank, passive expression, then General Sherman decided to show up, and finally, Joey decided to have some fun with his new computer's photoshop capabilities. So, here we are then. As the title says, a bit bonkers.

On to a completely new but much more interesting topic, I am always on the prowl (ha, cats) for new and interesting vintage stores and websites. Recently, Raw Edge Boutique was brought to my attention and I was quite impressed. Case in point:

Really cute, right? Those happen to be my personal favorites, but these Brits have plenty more adorable vintage on their website, www.rawedgeboutique.bigcartel.com. I also found that the prices were beyond reasonable, which is pretty rare after making that depressing conversion to the weak little US Dollar. So, yay! 

It's time for the Joey and Margaret Watch a Usually Odd and Always Disturbing Movie segment of the evening (yes, our evenings are pretty regimented), so have a beautiful Monday. 

It kind of sneaks up on you

Leather Jacket- Doma, Crochet/Suede Top- Free People, Lace Inset Bells- Free People, Fur Collar- Madewell, Solvang Clogs- Jeffrey Campbell, Rosary- Vintage, Agate Cuff- Coldwater Creek, Hindu Prayer Bead Bracelets- Aldo, Crystal Ring- Ylang23

That last photo really does kinda sneak up on you. Bear with us as we revel in our new photoshop capabilities. I assure, my teeth are not Nutria orange nor do I have one sunken eye. However, the terrified expression is very real. Because this is Texas, and certain residents think the Conceal And Carry Law is actually the "Dove" (there were no doves) Hunt Within Fifty Yards Of That Lovely Couple Taking Photos Law, we were literally dodging bullets. When I was a little girl, my favorite New Year's Eve tradition was to run outside at midnight and listen to all the firearms discharging (and I grew up in the middle of Dallas, a relatively cosmopolitan city). There is something about the last night of the year that brings out major gun craziness in my fellow Texans. 

Anyway, Joey and I are celebrating a rather unconventional New Year's. My parents gave us an offer we couldn't refuse, so we are dog sitting my father's beloved Smokey. Our cats, being the little troopers they are, don't seem fazed in the least. Except Boss Tweed, who keeps growling in his sleep. I suppose he is taking the highly unusual "be menacing without bothering to awake" route of dealing with a perceived threat.

Now go get drunk everyone. But keep the weapons holstered. And have a beautiful, beyond your wildest dreams 2011. 

Waltzing Matilda

Mini Dress- Darling (ASOS), Cable Knit Cardi- Wilfred (Aritzia), Brogues- Steve Madden, Rosary- Aldo, Three Stone and Armor Rings- Free People, Crystal Ring- Ylang23, Bracelets- Vintage

Joey got pretty artistic on the last photo (new iMac) while I was at work. I can't decide if it's terrifying, beautiful, or both. 

Anyway, I have been tagged by Mimi from Aesthetic Lounge to share seven facts about myself. Prepare for some rambling.

- That was a perfect segue, because here's number one: I am an inveterate rambler. Talking, writing, leaving phone messages, text messages- a cattle prod is necessary to get me to the actual point. My youngest brother, Griffen, is the exact same way. Imagine our family dinners. 

- I got married very young (barely 22!) but don't regret it at all. Joey is perfect for me. Oh, and we had the wedding to end all weddings. The word "bacchanalia" comes to mind. 

- Last summer I had quite the adventure when Joey and I traveled to Fukuoka, Japan for a wedding. He lived there for a while, (fluent speaker!), and made some of the most amazing friends. I want to go back so badly, and visit Tokyo this time!

- I was a pretty serious Ballet dancer growing up. Sometimes I still miss it, a sixteen year project is hard to let go of.

- My favorite song has always been and always will be "Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procul Harum. Actually, I really only care about three other bands/artists: The Velvet Underground, Cat Stevens/Yusef Islam, and Bob Dylan. 

- Our two cats are like babies to us. They each came out of quite mystical situations, and I am completely convinced they can understand everything we say. Their names are Boss Tweed and The Victorious General Sherman.

- I am obsessed with history in general, but Australian history makes me cry (there is so much pathos and heroism), and I am endlessly fascinated by women like Zelda Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein (The Jazz Age isn't just pretty fringe dresses). Learning about the past brought the realization that organized religion will never work for me. It's so much kinder and cleaner just to love.

I warned you I ramble. Well, if you've been reading my blog for a while then you already know that I suppose. But I bet you didn't know that I can be cornier than hell. 

I guess I need to tag someone, so Taylor(www.thingsonhangers.com), you're it! I need seven fascinating facts about you, stat. 

Be it gash or gold it will not come again in this particular guise.

Directions in Lace Black Skirt- Free People, Grey Leather Jacket- Doma, Grey Sweatshirt- Nation, Blue Velvet Backpack- ASOS, Vintage Jewelry (except for Free People rings), Combat Boots- Steve Madden

Joey and I have been going all kinds of crazy with his amazing new Christmas iMac and the photoshop capabilities it entails. I happen to be covered with tiny moles (thanks, dad!), and watching them disappear at the click of a button is pretty exciting. The only problem with this lovely new computer is the ginormous screen size, which actually makes me rather nauseous. Strange. 

We took this snapshot outside our apt. as I was leaving for work this evening, after which I ran inside and changed into something completely different because it is way, way too cold to wear what is basically a glorified mini skirt. It takes us Texans a while to accept that Winter will be hanging around for a bit. 

I can't believe how great the Style Stalker feature on whowhatwear looks- it's pretty surreal to be pictured alongside such beautiful and stylish women, most of whom have blogs that are daily reads for me. 

Sorry about the short and rather, uh, pedestrian post, I am itching to move on to the "Margaret and Joey watch some sort of low-budget '70s horror film" portion of the evening. Hopefully this will be a good one, because last night's selection was deeply disappointing. 

Christmas In Pentonville (or, Why I Stopped Blogging For Over a Week)

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, or whatever you celebrate!  I spend every Christmas in Pentonville, Alabama, a town about which I will share three fun facts: an utter lack of bandwidth makes blogging next to impossible, my entire (huge) extended family gathers there (we sort of have a compound going on) for most holidays, and lastly, I am the Princess of Pentonville. This is due to the fact that there are no non-Shaws in the entire area. Also, my endlessly regal behavior. 
Anyway, the beautiful little boy pictured clutching his Fushigi Ball (what, you didn't ask for one?) while dreaming his tiny Christmas child dreams is my cousin's son, Joey. And the orange dog I am communing with is Red Dog. He is very sweet, very manipulative, and a wee bit odd. The top picture is of my parents' house on the compound.
But most importantly, the amazing vintage leather (ankle-length! hand-painted by a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band!) vest I am trying to squeeze myself into belongs to the proprietor of one of my favorite vintage/antique stores, which is in Alexander City, Al. My mother and I head there (the Antique Mall of Memories) every time we are in town, and always find something amazing (like, say, a WWII-Era Pachinko machine?). I was so lucky to get to try on that vest, as it isn't for sale. If it were mine, I would keep it also : )
Oh. And that fireplace? Just as haunted as it looks. My dad is a bit of a decorating hobbyist, and he salvaged the owl grate from an abandoned elementary school. I (and a few others) am convinced some ghosties came with it. 


Back to regular posting now!

I Buy Tin

Loose Knit Sweater- Free People, Tie-Dye Scarf- Brightly Twisted, Solvang Clogs- Jeffrey Campbell, Necklace- Aldo Accessories, Rhinestone Studded Bracelet- Madewell, Rings- Free People

Joey and I had no idea this shack would be filled with dead vending machines. An oddly placed rusty little tin hut makes for a strange graveyard. Speaking of which (graveyards, not useless coke machines), Joey just informed me that "Obese New Zealanders Put the Squeeze On Cemeteries", according to a headline on the Playstation World News. First of all, since when does Playstation offer the news (probably forever, I know nothing about these newfangled gaming devices)? And, of course, what the hell does that headline actually mean? I can't fathom this idea in which hefty deceased New Zealanders cause a cemetery "squeeze" so great that it merits being the nation's top news headline.

Anyway, the sweater pictured above, which I seemed to think should be worn as a dress (hello, ladyparts), fulfills my longtime Rodarte-generated cobwebby knit desire (god, it's been like three years since that collection, hasn't it?).  

So now it's time for Joey and I to retire to the man cave (yes, we actually call it that for we are the corniest of them all) and watch a movie called Phenomena, which I am beyond excited about. I am a huge Dario Argento fan, and have been waiting forever to see this as it's supposed to be one of his best films. I don't know how it will surpass Suspiria, but apparently it does. We shall see. Suspiria included ballet, witchcraft, beautiful 70's outfits, psychedelic visuals, and a stunningly perfectly creepily awesome score by The Goblins. Beat that, Phenomena, let's see you try.

Oh, and um do me a favor. Before you tear this down, call 972-523-5464. I buy tin.