A little rusty/What's in my makeup bag

I've been seeing a lot of rust colored things lately and loving them. I don't have too much of the color in my wardrobe, and now I have even less because I lost one of these earrings today.

This shot is my absolute favorite. I even love how my split ends look, and I really need a hair cut.

This leopard beret has clearly become my favorite hat (apologies, white beret and sequin beret).

Don't be mislead by this bright sunshine and happy bokeh. It's bitterly cold out still. Um Phil, when you said early spring, exactly how early did you mean?

The Rundown

Top TJMaxx - Skirt Made by Me - Cardigan Down East Basics - Boots Chinese Laundry - Beret Avon - Necklace Etsy - Tights TJMaxx - Earrings Can't remember, and now they are gone.

I got a tag to spill my makeup bag, so here is what is inside. Nothing too crazy, since I'm a big fan of the five minute face. Nothing too expensive either. Almost all my makeup is from Avon.

1. mark Matte-Nificent Oil-Absorbing Powder
2. mark Kabuki Brush
3. mark Good Glowing Powder Blush in After Glo
mark Eye Shadow in Goia and Glitterati 
4. Blotting Sheets
5. mark Get in Line Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner in Painted Black
mark Glow Baby Glow Lip Gloss in Sizzle
6. All Over Shadow Brush
7. Origins Eye Shadow in Lotus Flower
8. Rimmel London Nail Polish in Steel Grey
9. mark Lipclick Full Color Lipstick in Cha Cha
10. Gap "Pieces of a Dream" fragrance roll-on, circa 1999 (What, it's still good!)
11. Avon Super Extend Mascara
12. mark Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain in Lolli
13. Esthetic Plus Leopard Tweezer

I do have a few other eye and lip colors to play around with, but this is just my basic go-to stuff. I also have Urban Decay's Eye Shadow Primer Potion, which I 'll use when I'm doing more than just a quick swipe of eyeliner; and a ton of nail polish. 

Rain, Challenges and Tags

It's still raining.
It has been all week, and I have been so unhappy about it. Not a single sunny photo with my new lens. And it's supposed to get worse tomorrow.

Today I wanted to participate in some challenges proposed by other bloggers --
Iris at 260 Days No Repeats is having a "You've Got This" Fall fashion trends challenge; to participate you must simply wear an outfit inspired by the 2010 Fall trends using only what you already own.

I had been planning on wearing this fur trimmed vest, and after I spent 20 minutes digging it out from the back of the closet where my winter clothes are still packed away, I decided I didn't like it with the skirt.

Anyway, this look utilizes many of the Fall trends; a lace top in a jewel tone paired with a longer skirt. And both these items were anxious to be worn again, as I've only worn them once each.
The shoes are on their first outing, they were won in a giveaway from Astamundi!

This necklace was made by my friend Klara, and if you like it, you should definitely check out her shop -- her jewelry is so gorgeous!

At Lorena's Every Day Wear, she is spending this week taking a look at labels and seeing where all her clothes are being made. She's also looking at makeup, food, and well, everything -- But I've just analyzed my outfit for you here:

The Rundown

Lace Top TJMaxx - Black Cammi TJMaxx - Printed Skirt Kohls - Shoes Gabriella Rocha - Necklace Klara Design Jewelry - Belt Nine West

I don't forget when people tag me, but sometimes it just takes me a long time to remember.
I have a few I've been meaning to do.

I got the Versatile Blogger award from The Pink Boudior, Thanks Monica!

I got this set of questions from The Antique Pearl


1.) why did you start blogging?
To have a creative outlet and to help inspire me.

2.) do you prefer spring/summer or autumn/winter?
Definitely summer, I love the warm weather!!!

3.) what do you notice first: smokey eye make-up or bright lips?
I'm really fond of bright lips, they are simple, but make a big impression.

4.) who are your style icons?
Any woman who can get dressed everyday and have an understated fabulousness no matter what.

5.) describe your personality in three words?
Classic Meets Quirky

6.) if you had to leave the house with only one item of make-up what would it be?
Lip gloss

7.) Which era do you think influenced fashion the most?
It's tough to say, but I feel the 60's did.

8.) what beauty product do you always repurchase?
I don't really have one favorite, I like to try new things when I run out!

I got a tag from Style En Mi Opinion and I have to list ten things I love:

Chocolate

Cute shoes that don't hurt your feet

My dog Chloe

Really big hard drives, like several terabytes

Old cameras

New iPhone

Extra hot lattés

Thick, glossy magazines

Pedicures

Warm chocolate hazelnut indulgence

The days are shorter now

August has always felt more like the end of the year to me than December. I suppose it's because I've spent more than half my life with school starting in September, and the whole event feels much more significant than just one evening surrounded by tons of hype that never seems to measure up or mean quite as much as you'd like it to.

But August, when there are just four more sweet summer weekends left and it's a mad dash to cram it all in - it feels like such an ending. All month there's that nagging that thought that summer might slip away again before you've crossed all those to-dos off the list; places and people to visit, outfits to wear, experiences to be had.

One summer experience I'm not getting: Fabulous Resort Getaway. So to start August, lets pretend I am.

My sister's toes in "the real teal" by Sally Hansen

Light Sheer button down paired with these shorts would be perfect - I'd just swap the cammi for my swimsuit...

The Rundown

Shorts TJMaxx - Button Down Gap - Cammi Banana Republic - Sandals Naturalizer - Necklace Aldo - Earrings The Cavernous Jewelry Box

I've been given some question tags from  Frances Joy at Mad Dress Game and Meek from Blessed are the Meek
I'm supposed to create my own and tag eight others, but it will take me a million hours to think of 16 questions and decide who to pass them too, so I'm just going to answer!

1. Why did you start blogging?
I've always been awful at keeping a journal, but it's something I wish I did more of. The blog gives me a sense of obligation to write, and is a great creative outlet. Though I never thought it would grow this large and offer such a wonderful sense of community.

2. What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
Edy's Mud Pie. Half fat coffee ice cream with oreo cookies and fudge swirls. Don't bother with the Bryer's version, it's awful.

3. Favorite book? Why?
My favorite summer read is Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin -- I read it every year because it makes me laugh and makes me believe that I can someday have my romantic happy ending.

4. What do you like most about your day job?
That I get money to buy shoes with ;)

5. What's the most amazing place you've ever visited?
Italy was really incredible. I'd definitely love to go back.

6. Heels or flats?
Definitely heels. I need all the height I can get, and clothes just seem to look better in heels!

7. What do you always carry with you?
I always try to carry my confidence; it's important to keep close by.

8. What's one beauty product you can't live without?
Something to put on my lips, nothing is worse than when they look or feel dry.

**Second Set**

1. What is you all time favorite store to shop in?
TJMaxx, because I love being able to afford everything. While there are far nicer shops that I enjoy visiting, with wonderful ambiance and luxurious items; if I can't actually buy anything, I wont ever have that good a time! 

2. Use one sentence to sum up what your personal style is.
Bold and quirky trying to be classic and chic. 

3. Do you shop online? if yes what is your favorite website?
Yes, I like Piperlime for shoes, free shipping and returns, plus your shoes always come in a cute lime covered box and wrapped in tissue. I love attention to little details. 

4. You have been given some money to spend on your self. What are you going to use it for?
How much money? Beach Resort Getaway? Bigger closet? New shoes? 

5. What is the first thing you do when you get home from a hard days work?
Remove shoes and accessories, have dinner, put shoes and accessories back on for outfit photo.

6. What is your favorite thing to do with your girl friends?
Get dressed up for a night out. 

7. If your house was on fire and you could save something from your closet what would it be?
My favorite pencil skirt. 

8. What is the most expensive thing in your closet?
I think it's actually a $120 tie between these leather boots and this coat.

Greek Lion

This weekend I managed to finish my Greek Key Marie skirt, and knew right away how I wanted to style it - all gold and white with this great statement necklace from the cavernous jewelry box. This morning however, one of my gold wedges was all wet, and I had to choose the yellow flats instead.

The reason my gold wedges were wet, is because last night, at about 9pm, I suddenly decided that needed to wash my silk shirt I wore over the weekend. It says dry clean only on the tag, but here's the thing - I've never dry cleaned anything. Ever.
So I washed in in the sink with some woolite and hung it up; stupidly over my gold wedges, and all night long water dripped on to them. 

I won the Lion Belt on ebay, and I like him a lot!

The wedges aren't leather and are perfectly fine now that they've dried, so I put them on for a photo just to show how I wanted the outfit to look:

Last week Shelly Ann at Painting the Memories passed along a question tag to me, so here are my responses:
1. What is your all time favorite tv show?
How can I choose just one? Can I have one for each genre? Seinfeld always, always makes me laugh, no matter how many times I've seen it. Buffy was my life in high school, Now I love Doctor Who, Burn Notice, and True Blood...
2. What show reminds you of your childhood?
David the Gnome was my favorite childhood show.
3. If you could be on a show, which one would it be?
White Collar, with a make-out scene with Matt Bomer!
4. Which character from any show would you choose to be your best friend?
Fiona from Burn Notice. We could share shoes.
5. Which character from any show would you choose to be your significant other?
Joe Dubios from Medium, because he's the best husband ever.
6. Which tv character do you feel like you relate to and why?
Occasionally Monk, I can be a bit OCD and persnickety at times.
7. If you could pick one show to make a movie, which one would you choose?
Gilmore Girls, just because they left me high and dry with Luke and Lorelai never getting together.
8. What, in your opinion, is the worst tv show ever made?
Any reality show is a complete waste of time. I kept hoping people would get bored of them and they would go away...

I also want to thank Melissa at Oh My Darling for sending me the cute bird pocket mirror; did I mention I loved birds, and your paislely card goes perfectly on my dresser!

The Rundown

Skirt Made by Me - Top TJMaxx - Shoes MIA (and Onex Wedges) - Necklace The Cavernous Jewelry Box - Belt Ebay

Tagged (because I can't think of a title)

End of the weekend again, I hope everyone had a good one!
Saturday was a fun, busy day -- my brother is getting married next May and my sister and I are bridesmaids, so we went dress shopping with the bridal party! Most dresses were pretty typical - strapless a-line. But the dress that was selected did have one element that we all loved - pockets.

They are going to be pink, so I tried on this dress to get an idea of how the color would look.

Now I just need to think about how I can shorten it and wear it again....

After dress shopping I persuaded my Mom to stop at Joann Fabrics (it was on the way!) and she and my sister waited in the car while acted like a kid in a candy store as I gazed at the half off clearance signs. (is there anything better?)

While I could have easily come home with ten different fabrics, I settled on just two, a "Jungle Paisley" and a Greek Key. The paisley became an elastic band waist skirt today, and the Greek Key is going to be another Marie.

 This was my outfit today, until I oh-so-gracefully dripped cherry juice down the front. At least they were good cherries. I guess. I don't think it's going to stain.

I did the fish bone braid today, I suppose because I noticed a few other bloggers wearing it, and it's something I haven't done since the days of my American Girl magazine subscription.

The Rundown

Romper NY&Co. - Wedges Unlisted - Bracelet Avon - Earrings Thrifted - Bag Big Buddha - Sunglasses Kohls

Now, I have two awards and a tag to share:
A.Co est. 1984 and From Skirts to Skillets passed the I ♥ Your Blog award to me, thanks so much!!

The Rules:
1. Post the award on your blog
2. Link the person who has given you the award
3. Pass the award to other 15 blogs you've discovered
4. Let these 15 people know that you've given them an award

What Mimi Writes tagged me with these eight questions; I also have to make up my own eight questions and tag five other bloggers.

1. What is your all-time favorite movie?
The Princess Bride

2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What do you want your life to be like by that time?
I would like to be getting paid for doing something I love, be happily married, and getting to travel all the time.

3. There was another earthquake here in California yesterday. I'm just wondering, do you believe in "end of the world"? (Sorry, if this is too heavy to think about! I'm just really wondering.)
I'm sure that someday humans will no longer populate the Earth, but I don't think things will ever end - life in some form will go on, evolution will start over. 

4. Okay, no more heavy questions. What is your favorite summer purchase so far?
My 'flutter' shorts

5. What was your first job?
Server at a Retirement Community. It would have been awful if not for my coworkers, who were everyone's best friends, siblings and classmates. Everyone goofed around, ate tons of ice cream and had fun.

6. Why did you decide to start blogging?
I wanted a creative outlet. Something I'd more likely pay attention to than my journal. I've been working on the same one for about 10 years. Once I found my way into the community I realized it was one of the best decisions I'd made.

7. Where do you and your friends like to hang out?
Starbucks, until they kick us out.

8. If you could go back to any age, what age would that be and why?
I don't think I'd go back and re-live a whole year. There would just be too much stuff I'd hate to have to go through again. I might want to be 18 again for one weekend, or 10 when I went to Disney World, but for the most part, I'd rather keep moving forward.

Now for my questions:
1. Which fictional character do you wish were real, and your best friend?
2. Big, oversized leather handbag, or tiny clutch?
3. Where would you like to have a summer home?
4. If you could visit any time period in history, when and where would you go?
6. If you had to give up pasta or chocolate, which would you do without?
7. What is your favorite pair of shoes?
8. Do you consider yourself a shopaholic?

For the award and the questions, I'm tagging:
The Pink Boudoir
A Closet Fashionista
Chic 'n Cheap Living
alamodest
Confessions of a Pop Culture Junkie
 Ruby Tuesday
The Urban Fashion Gal

 And anyone who thinks it would be fun to answer the questions, please do, and let me know. It took me ages (45 minutes!) to think of them and I'd like to think I didn't do it for naught.