It’s an odd thing we ladies, and maybe some men, I’m just not as familiar, go through. Thirty is just another year, just another month, just another day in, all of the time we have here on Earth, yet it carries so much significance to most of us, and why?

I think as humans, even though we pretend like we hate them, that we actually find immense comfort and safety in labels, in defining ourselves, and having others define us. Though it could start sooner, I think it really begins in high school when we choose our friends and our extracurriculars. I’m a football player, I’m a cheerleader, I’m an artist, I’m a musician, I’m a nerd, become the labels we willingly put on like a uniform, and a way to explain and identify who we are to others. But more importantly, they become ways to explain our own existence to ourselves, and even though it might be very limiting, I think over time it becomes comforting to many of us. And it doesn’t stop there. As Americans, I hear from many Europeans, that we grow up to define ourselves through what we do for a living. I’m a doctor, I’m a lawyer, I’m in marketing, I’m a mother, I’m a wife, and so on. Why can’t we just be us? Why can’t I just be Cassandra?

Through life we might have many labels that we wear. We might lose some labels for new ones, or we might gain others and keep some old ones. For me, I let being into anime, and going to conventions define who I was for a very long time. I also fell into a dangerous place where I let my virginity define me, until I finally took a moment to think about why, and how silly and pointless it was. I couldn’t be just one or a few things, that I was more complex than that. Why should I let certain traits define who I was? If I did that, I would cut myself off from certain experiences.

After my epiphany, I tried my very best to shake off of all of the labels I had forced myself into, and I really thought I had rid myself of all of them until this whole “30 thing” came along this year. Seeing how important it was to me and all of my friends, I realized that I had been carrying one more label: The being in my twenties, being a twenty-something label. I found safety in any number age– so long as it began with a two. This shook me. Why was being twenty-anything something I found comfort in? A label I willingly took on after I thought I had moved on from such things? Why was I OK with being twenty nine, but not thirty?

Somehow it has worked into our culture as another late on almost rite-of-passage, much like becoming a teenager. But what does it represent? The time you spend in college? The time you spend finding your career? A mate? I’m still not really sure myself. The oddest part of all of this, that I almost fell for, is I think I’m supposed to lament these as being the “best years of my life” gone by, but they really haven’t been the best of years for me. I lost an amazing brother, and the most loving father, my dear cat, my Gramma that I was closest with, had to distance myself from a sister, friends, lost a best friend to Japan, was made to feel down on myself by two colleges, despite my hardworking efforts and high grade point averages, having to move back home, and then being made to feel inferior again by the job market. Through all of this I have had an amazing boyfriend, and a few wonderful friends who have stuck by me, don’t get me wrong, but did that really make these the best years of my life? I think not. Maybe a vain part of me is worried about the inevitable lines that will appear around my eyes, and my smile, and the gray hairs that will start to invade my head, the mini skirts I might have to retire, but other than that, thirty doesn’t sound so bad. Thirty means that a lot of that trial is behind me.

I won’t say “thirties are the new twenties”, because I don’t want to live by labels anymore. I don’t want to identify with an age, a number, a hobby, who I’m with, or a job. I just want to identify with happiness, fulfillment, and just being myself. I’m looking forward to trying new things, seeing new places, going to fewer funerals, spending more time with Andrew, and my true friends, and to another thirty years of experiences, and not lamenting anything.

And then, suddenly, I found myself with two tea dates.  The first that I knew of was my dear friend Becky Hawk née, Derwent’s bridal shower tea, and the second was idea for another dear friend Kayla’s birthday.  I had always known I wanted to take Kayla to The Village Tea Room Restaurant & Bake Shop, since I knew she would love it there, but it was after I had the two days in my mind that I realized this was it! These were finally my chances to “have tea”!

And, as any good little fashionista, the first thing to cross my mind as I thought about these events, was: “What was I going to wear?”  Of course nothing in my closet would do, and I have been a little apprehensive to spend money as I’m still in the job-search, so I decided to make a dress for tea.  Those who can’t buy, can sew!  I headed to Kayla’s, who already had a lovely Bustle Period, 1889 style, purple taffeta dress she had made and was waiting for the right occasion to christen, and I sifted through all of her patterns.

Since I associate “having tea” with extreme femininity, grace, gloves, hats, and sunglasses, my inspiration in my head while sorting through the hundreds of patterns was, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  Even though she was First Lady during the early 1960s, when fashion was becoming less rigid, and costumes for women began to become more straight and unfitted, she dressed day-to-day more like the New Look campaigned by Dior.  Though she did wear very on-trend princess-line style dress for the inaugural festivities in 1961.  What is meant by the “New Look”, which deviated from the looks of the fashions during World War II.  Since women were helping out in war times, skirts became shorter, fell just below their knees, and less full, so they could move more easily, and tops had broad, padded shoulders.  But when Dior came out with his fashion line in 1947, he dropped skirt lengths back over the knees, made skirts very full, and had shoulders became soft and round again.  This divided some women, who felt as though this was a step-back for them, saying, “Dior, no more dresses to the floor!”, while others appreciated the beauty of his designs.  For me, even though it is a point for feminism, Dior is one of my favorite designers from a vintage appreciation standpoint. But, I digress.

So, where was I?  Ah, yes, I wanted a dress that was full, long, and nipped in at the high waist.  Eventually, I found a Retro-Vogue re-release pattern that had all of those things, and I was ready to start.  I did make some adjustments to the pattern though, as the dress was backless, since it was to be worn with a small jacket.  But since the deep August summer was upon us, I wanted something that would keep me cooler. I copied the pattern from the front of the dress to use as the back of the dress, took out the front pleating, folded it into a nice shape in the back, and moved the side zipper to the back.  After I altered the pattern I was ready to start making my dress, all I needed now was fabric.  I went to JoAnn Fabrics where Kayla works and together we picked out a lovely yellow and cream flower print cotton woven fabric that just screamed “me”.  Finally, I would have my dress that would be my “DreamsinYellow” persona to a “tea”, haha, get it? I spent one evening cutting out the dress and another putting it together, and now all I needed were my accessories.

Since it was hot, I opted for a Mad Men inspired,  first season Peggy, curled-end high ponytail, instead of a hat.  I wore my pearl necklace since my dress had a dropped boxed shaped collar, and I finally had a reason to wear my Jacqueline Kennedy-inspired-impulse-purchase of mid-arm Italian leather gloves, from incenseNpeppermints Etsy shop some months earlier, and I wore a pearl bracelet over one glove.  I wore a pair of low-heeled off-white mary-jane style shoes, and a hat box styled purse I had gotten from a Homegoods a long time ago, that was probably meant for storage, but ah well.   I also wore a petticoat under the dress to really give it the correct fullness, a really important detail.

Here are some pictures from that day:

With our bonus cookies!

Drink up!

Me with my tea!

Delicious foodstuffs!

My darling photographer, Andrew! <3

The Wonderful "The Village Tea Room Restaurant & Bake Shop" in New Paltz!

I was able to try the look out at The Village Tea Room Restaurant & Bake Shop, in New Paltz (we even got free cookies for dressing up!), and I knew I was ready for bridal tea in October!  I think every woman should “have tea” with a few of her favorite ladies and/or gentlemen at least a few times a year.  The clothes (although you don’t have to go quite as crazy as Kayla and I did) sort of force you to sit down and stay calm, which prompts deep conversation while you nibble at sweets and sip from your fancy teacups.  It will do your soul and your friendships some good!  Please share your tea stories with me if you have any, I would love to hear them!

If you do want to have tea, and you’re in the area, I do highly recommend The Village Tea Room Restaurant & Bake Shop.  The atmosphere is lovely, the food is amazing, and all made from ingredients from local New Paltz business and farms, such as Liberty View Farms, and the staff is really kind.  You can learn more about them at:  http://www.thevillagetearoom.com/

I was lucky in love, was never really rejected and had that whole “love at first sight” thing when I met Andrew, so I could only sympathize with the movie through experiences I had heard through my friends, but now I understand it all completely.

Looking for a job is a lot like looking for love. My resume is a lot like a love profile. Commitment is “permanent” instead of “looking for a serious relationship” and a good match would be “something with a nice 401 K and benefits” instead of “a guy who wants to start a family.” I write up my cover letters to catch employers’ eyes, just as a girl might exaggerate how much she loves watching football on a Sunday afternoon to get that muscular brunette’s attention that was in her top ten matches.

After my resume is all set up, I start to “apply to jobs”, just as I might approach a guy at a bar, or message them through EHarmony, and then I wait. And wait, and wait. Every time I catch the little green light in the upper right hand corner of my droid blinking, I grab at it, hoping a job has E-mailed me back, like a lovesick teenager wondering if the head quarterback sent me a text, my heart pounding and my palms sweating, only to find Fossil is telling me what new watches they’re coming out with for Fall 2011. Every time my phone rings with an unfamiliar number I get so excited I can’t quite remember how to swish the screen unlock with my finger only to put it up to my ear to hear silence, and then a recorded telemarketer’s voice. I feel so very much like when Gigi is waiting by her adorable old fashioned powder pink phone hoping that Alex will call.

When you finally do get the date, or as I call it, the interview, you still spend all day picking out the right outfit to wear, which accessories, you sort of practice what you’re going to say to the other person and you experience those same butterflies in the stomach. You give yourself one last glance in the mirror, and you’re on your way.

Much like a blind date, you’re left in some space sitting alone all dressed up, where lots of other people are milling about and when someone catches the corner of your peripheral your breathing gets a little more strained, wondering if that is finally your guy/your interviewer. And it isn’t. Eventually they do come over, and you shake their hand with your now sweaty one, and the game has begun. Just like a first date, you leave it thinking you did amazingly, that you charmed their pants off, and that there isn’t any way possible that they won’t call you, or ask you on a second date/interview.

Then a day goes by, then two, and then it has been a whole week, and you want to call, but the dating game/interview etiquette dictates that if you do make the call that it will ruin any and all chances you ever had at getting the guy/getting the job. Your mind starts racing; “I was totally qualified for that job/totally hot and funny, why won’t they call?!” You start to realize/make up out of being crazed, all the things you may have said to make them think you weren’t right for the position/scare them off, and now the interview/date feels like a total disaster, and you want to hide in your room and cry forever. Or sometimes even the job/the guy pretends to be something they are not. I had an interview for a Merchandiser that turned into a reception job. Even the jobs sometimes tell little white lies about who they are just like a person might.

But, just like a date, the success of the interview isn’t really your fault, and even though you did everything right and tried so hard to get the job/girl, like Conor with Anna, sometimes the job/the girl just isn’t that into you, and someone fits their heart/the job a little better.

It is heartbreaking, and  nerve-wracking and one of the hardest things that you’ll ever do in your life, but when it happens, you will be so glad that you didn’t give up. Wish me luck in my job-finding endeavors and I wish you all just as well in whatever you are looking for, whether it be love, or that career you’ve been dreaming of landing. And hopefully we can all be that exception to some job/someone.

Also being a lifelong sufferer of the disease vanity, I tend to over-concern myself with how I’m going to look in pictures, because these are my precious twenty-something memories dang it! Combine all of these things with the fact that the reason for our impromptu trip to the land of green was that so I could meet and mingle with 100 of his relatives at his family reunion, one of whom is Senior VP for a certain huge fashion apparel company, and I was ready to lose it!

But I took a deep breath, and I got to planning!  My method with some modifying should work for any person on any trip! Here is what you do:

1. Check the weather, no more than a week in advance, at your destination for the duration of your trip. Keep in mind average temperature and making note of any possibilities of inclement weather such as rain or snow. Jot this information down and try to have an inspiration in mind for the feel that you want to have while you’re on your trip.

My whole inspiration for Ireland was a relaxed chic. I wanted lots of flats in case we were climbing mountains and hills, but tried to keep things feminine by adding in a lot of skirts, leggings and scarves.

2. Know yourself. Think seriously about what temperatures you can handle, and what clothes you’re most comfortable in for those certain temperatures. Then start looking in your closet and drawers for piece possibilities.

3. Open up a spreadsheet software of some kind. I personally suggest using Google Docs because you can access this document with any web connection and with smart-phones, which really comes in handy. Start making outfit notes into the spreadsheet. I organized mine with headings such as “Tops” “Bottoms” “Shoes”, etc. Here is a screencap of part of my  spreadsheet so you can see what I mean:

Simple Google Spreadsheet

Just start making notes on certain items you’d think you might want to wear, and then you can see how many clothing items you have of each type by using the title categories.

4. Add in another column called “Outfits”, and try to match each item in your spreadsheet to make outfits. If you have all your outfits made with items left over, leave those items out and do not pack them in order to save space.

5. After you have made several outfits in the spreadsheet, open up a new document and make a column for the temperature and weather each day. Match the outfit type to the most appropriate weather day. Make sure there is one outfit for each day, or more if you need, like if you’re going out to eat, etc.

Here is what mine looked like:

Outfit and Weather Spreadsheet

6. As an added organization, if you have a smartphone that has a calendar option, put each outfit description into your calendar, so you remember what exactly you wanted to wear each day. Even if your phone isn’t a global phone, you can still look at your calendar, so this is really helpful.

Here is how it looked on my Google Calendar:

Since I knew what outfit I would wear each day, including the shoes and accessories, it was easy to pack items into my suitcase in piles by type, then laying the shoes over top of everything, and stuffing leggings and scarves into the top pocket.

When you look at the weather and really plan your outfits and promise to stick to them, you don’t end up packing a bunch of items that you think you “might wear” that become items that just take up precious space.

When we got to the airport I was one of the only people in line who didn’t have to hurriedly take items out of my checked bag and stuff them into my carry-on because the luggage was over-weight. I even had 10 lbs to spare.

And without further ado, here is what I wore:

Day 1: Leaving for Ireland. Since it was nearly 100 degrees in NY but I knew it would be in the 60s when we arrived in Ireland, I made sure that my outfit could work in either temperature when altered in some way.

When we left, I wore a cream tank top with a light tan corduroy mini skirt and flat heeled brown boots. I brought in my carry-on grey leggings and cream over the knee socks and a thin long sleeved brownish cardigan that I changed into in the airport bathroom when we arrived. The outfit looked cute in both ways, and the flat boots were easy to walk in, but still looked feminine and fashionable with the skirt.

NY Airplane Outfit

Day 2: Another day of trying to be comfy chic! Tried out a new pair of jeggings from Pac sun, with a loose off the shoulder knit sweater from American Eagle, and a printed scarf also from American Eagle and grey Converse.

Day Two Outfit

Day 3: This was supposed to be one of the colder days, so this is when I planned to wear the blazer I packed. I wore a green tank underneath it in case it became hot, and wore purple leggings with my denim skirt and tall brown flat boots. I felt really fashionable and I stayed warm and comfortable.

Day 3

Day 4: This was the day of the reunion. No one ever mentioned what the dress was supposed to be for it, so I had a really hard time with picking an outfit for this very important day. Another factor I had to consider was, the senior VP cousin had kindly gifted us each an argyle sweater at Christmas time that she said we should wear on the trip to Ireland. But she never said which day, so I planned it for the day of the reunion and to go with two different types of outfits depending on the feel of things.

If the event was a fancy dress code, I was going to pair the sweater with a cream BCBG dress that I had, and wear a low heeled cream mary-jane shoe and cream tights to keep warm. If the event was more casual I was going to wear a denim mini-skirt, with a cream tank, and the sweater, the cream tights and either the mary-janes or my grey converse. I dressed up in the latter outfit and went downstairs to the lobby of the hotel to test the waters. My dress matched everyone else’s and I received compliments, so I didn’t change into the BCBG dress. I stayed with the Converse, which ended up being a good thing since I got to go onto an Irish farm and play with sheep!

Family Reunion Outfit!

This is the Happiest I've Ever Been!

Day 5: This is the day we left, but before we did we woke up at 5:00 am and climbed to the top of a mountain near our hotel. I didn’t know we would be doing that, but my outfit worked for this and for the plane ride home. I had on knit tights under my denim shorts, which was a new trend I was trying out, but that also doubled in keeping me warm while still in Ireland, but that could come off easily after we landed in NY where it would be hot again. I wore a long-sleeved hooded knit top with a white lace trimmed tee, a cream scarf and my grey Converse again. Converse are really great vacation shoes!

Day 5

So think ahead about the weather, pick out outfits and organize them, try to minimize the amount of shoes you bring (it is hard, I know!) by trying to plan outfits with pieces and shoes you can reuse as much as possible, and don’t bring more clothes than needed and you’re on your way to a light, fun, relaxing vacation! Bon voyage!

The Internet has brought us so many ideas, pictures, and views into other people’s homes, ideas, and purchases via photo-sharing sites like tumblr.com, iheartthis.com and pinterest.com (one of my favorites), that thinking about where to just get a start in this whole interior design thing can become very overwhelming.

From living in dorms and apartments during college years, most early twenty-something people and older have already accumulated enough belongings to get started it, but usually in the form of mismatched items. The challenge here then is finding a way to be able to use all of the items in a cohesive manner.

Here are some suggestions:

Use mismatched furniture in a fun way: Paint the legs of an odd chair you don’t know where to put, or paint the entire chair to match the colors and feel of the room you want to create. Same can go for odd tables and bookshelves you may have accumulated.

Use curtains to join a room together: If all of your furniture has an old look to it, paint it an antique white, and have lacy, feminine curtains to create a classy vintage feel. Use other colorful items you might have to create color and “pops” throughout the room. A lot of people forget about curtains and window dressings, but they really do a lot to add to a room and make it feel really nice and give it that cozy feeling.

Go with the mix and match: http://pinterest.com/pin/73755186/ The different kinds, colors, shapes and thicknesses of the frames have a very nice look when arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Make mismatched items into one matched item: I first read this idea on the ModCloth (one of my favorite online clothing shops) Blog, where you take orphan plates, cups, teacups, and platters and glue them together to make it into a cake or cupcake/dessert holder. You keep it the way it is, or paint it to make it really seem as though it is one new item. This idea could be a way to make other items you have laying around your apartment, house or room into one item. Perhaps make an old combination of orphan stools into a piece of art, by combining and painting them into one element. A couple of attached stools, with something flat on each partition could even be an interesting bookshelf. This could work with a lot of different items!

Use a printed wallpaper: Find a funky print wallpaper that has the colors of the items in the room to bring multiple pieces together, frame it, and put it on one of the walls.

Throwpillows!: By using all different sized, colored and shaped pillows can join items in a room together. You can toss a few on the couch, on the chairs, and even on a shelf.

Just starting –

For people just starting off, like Andrew and I were, who literally have nothing, and no where obvious to begin, here are some ideas on getting started:

Picking a fun color piece: For the living room we wanted a color that isn’t normally used. I find one of the most noticeable focal points of this room to be the couch, so that was where we decided to have a lot of fun. I thought that red, orange or purple would be a color most people wouldn’t think of first as a couch color option, so we started our search here. Once I stumbled upon an adorable orange couch from Target.com, that was also a pull-out for guests to be able to stay on, we knew it was meant to be and we were in love.

The orange couch!

Mucha's "Flirt"

Flor Carpet

Picking a theme that can work in each room: Since the apartment had a pretty open layout, the living room ran right into kitchen, so we didn’t want them to feel as though they were fighting with each other for attention. I thought for a moment on the feel of the room and as I was mulling the idea of “orange” in my mind, I realized, “Hey! That’s a fruit!” Once I had the idea of fruit in my head, I decided that each room was a “fruit”, and since I had orange already, we made the kitchen “yellow”, and to keep with “citrus fruits” we made the bathroom “lime” (more of a normal lime skin color, not neon-lime.)

We had lots of fun finding a pitcher, glasses, bowls and other odd pieces with lemons on them for the kitchen, but we didn’t let it limit us either. We had plates and towels that were white, and worked with playing white and yellow together with actual lemon items. It also didn’t hurt that yellow is my absolute favorite color.

Yellow and White Tablesetting

Inspiration from art: I found these art pieces by Martha Negley  (http://www.marthanegleydesign.com/) after I had decided my room themes, but if I had found them first, it would have been a really neat idea to have put one of each fruit painting in each room, and then go from there.

Oranges for the Living Room

Lemons for the Kitchen

Limes for the Bathroom

Inspiration from an activity: For example, if you really love traveling, have a travel themed room. Frame pictures of you and your friends and family on trips you’ve had. Use old steamtrucks, stacks of pieced together luggage and crates that are in good condition for decorations, or even as functional tables. Use pictures of stamps to frame and use as art.

Think of the feel the room should have: We didn’t apply the fruit theme for the bedroom decorations since the room is more private and detached. We of course, wanted the room to have a more romantic feel, so we went with a more obvious red, black and dark brown color-scheme. We accented the walls with black and red colored paintings of couples dancing or just being close, sconces with red pillar candles and simple black lamps with red beaded trim that I added myself.

Bedroom

If you find it somewhat of a struggle looking through pictures of finished rooms, you can really find inspiration from almost anything. Make your rooms around your favorite piece of art, object, fruit, color, action and go from there. You never know where your mind will take you. At the very least, is a place to start in a whirlwind of ideas and images. Do not let money worry you too much either. Buy things as you can rather than settling for something cheap just to get something in there quickly.

Also, take a deep breath and relax, there are no wrong answers, let the place reflect who you are and what you like, and enjoy the heck out of it.

Personally, I have a lot of cheap heels from places like Payless, Target and Burlington, and I’ve had most of them for a long time. It took me a while to come into my own, so while most girls were getting shoes and boots all along the way, I was spending my money on costumes, wigs, and toys. So, here I find myself an adult with a lot of bad shoes.

At least recently I have acquired some lovely Bass saddle shoes, but I can’t wear them with everything (can I?). And, they were $105.00 per pair! Ouch! Or maybe not? I’m used to paying $20.00 for shoes. Is it time to make the financial jump into getting myself a nice collection of shoes? I will admit, though, that the saddle shoes have a very comfy insert.

I like wearing heels the most. Like a lot of girls I think we like the way they make us feel taller, and more confident. I feel very comfortable in heels, and even though I hadn’t dressed very well as a teenager, I was forever in them. But, when you wear heels all the time, people like to comment on how much your feet must hurt, and how you shouldn’t wear them certain places, so sometimes I feel the need to wear flats to sort of avoid those questions. Andrew, too finds himself in a similar situation in the winter. He is never cold, so he doesn’t feel the need to wear jackets, but does so, so people don’t ask him where his jacket is!

So, I started researching shoes, and here are some cute companies that I found.

http://www.prettyballerinas.us/index.php?mod=department&id=

"Pretty Ballerina" Flats

I really like a feminine touch on a shoe, so the small bows and flower shapes really appeal to me, and they come in a variety of colors. I also like the very tiny almost heel. It helps them to keep their practical look.

There is even a fun Halloween shoe, ones with the symbolic theater masks, and a ladybug themed pair. And as much as I want to order them all, and store them neatly in my closet, the cheapest pair seems to be a heartbreaking $195.00. Something worth saving up for? What are your thoughts?

There are also these flats:

http://tinyurl.com/3wdga84

Yellow Mossimo Supply Co Flats

I, of course adore them due to the bow and the bright yellow! These are a much easier to swallow $17.99 a pair. Do you think that people can tell the price difference? Sometimes it can be better to spend on a pair of shoes, so that they can be better on the back, and provide better arch support. But, spending the extra money doesn’t necessarily guarantee you these things.

I truly don’t think that spending more on clothes is what matters, but I can’t help but hear the words of a fellow schoolmate during a class discussion echoing in the back of my mind as I try to enter the workforce: “If a girl came in to a interview with me with Payless shoes on, forget it.”

I think overall, it would behoove us all to try on our shoes and measure the comfort, and sometimes it might be better to just get the cheaper shoe, other times we should treat ourselves to a a really amazing pair when we can, and most of the time, we can probably find some adorable, comfortable middle-ground. The outfit we look the best in will be the one we’re most confident in, and price doesn’t matter. It is all in how you rock it!

As a lovely “Just Because” gift, Andrew had actually purchased me a pair of shoes that I was seriously ogling. They are the pink and creme colored “Lady Creme” saddle shoes from Bass, by Rachel Antonoff.

Lady Creme Saddle Shoes

(Please check out the site: https://bassshoes.harborghb.com/bass-loves-rachel-antonoff and watch the whole story, you will like it, I promise! It has an adorable kitten in it!)

With these shoes, I had my key item in hand. I would base my graduation look off of these adorable, to-die-for shoes.

Now my signature color is yellow, and I had wanted to do an outfit based off that color, but the shoes changed everything. I hate to be too matchy, but I felt strongly like I should get a dress in a pink shade to really compliment the shoes, and not take away from them. Also, since I would have my dress covered up during the ceremony, the shoes needed to steal the show for longer, since they would be the only thing anyone would be able to see.

So, my search started for the perfect dress. Being such a loyal shopper, I always start looking for dresses on ModCloth.com, but they really didn’t have anything that really wow’d me, or even that had that vintage of a feel at the moment. This sent me searching on a site that ModCloth has been known to carry stock from pretty consistently: PinUp Couture.  (http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com)

PinUp Couture specializes in carrying dresses, bathing suits, separates that really live in the 1940-1960s look, as implied by their “pinup” namesake. So I knew by taking a peek there, that something should fit my desire for something feminine and vintage looking.

And I was right. I stumbled upon their Sweetie Pie Dress in Pink and White Gingham, and I knew I was all set. (http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/dixiefried-sweetiepie-dress-pink-gingham.html) The feel of the dress would go lovely with the Spring weather, and the small gingham pattern would match my shoes without overshadowing them.

One thing I should mention though, is that if you are considering buying from them, they do not have a sizing chart that gives you an idea what size would be best. Because of this I used their live chat to talk with someone who worked there to get some advice. I gave her my measurements and asked for her opinion. She suggested an XS to me, which I knew, with my hip size, would not work, especially since this dress had no stretch to it, so I thanked her for her and time, and I ordered up to a Small. When it came in the mail, I was very disappointed to try it on, and not be able to sit down. The fabric was also stressing in certain areas by my thighs, so it had to go back. I ended up with a Medium being delivered to me on the Thursday of graduation weekend, so it ended up being fine, but it was certainly a closer call than I would have liked.

For my accessories, I would have gone with my pearl necklace, but my mom had sent me a silver star shaped necklace as an “I’m sorry gift”, for not being able to come out and see me, so I wore that to have her with me.

My only other accessory was my personalized class ring that Andrew designed, with some ideas I had mentioned to him once before, and got for me as a graduation gift.

So again, here is my look:

Stats:

• Dress: Pinup Couture
• Shoes: Bass
• Class Ring: deSignet Iternational
• Necklace: Hallmark

Pictures:

Full View

Shoes With Gown

Class Ring

And for my pick of the day:

From Bass, the Aurora Shoes in White/Red from the Rachel Antonoff collection! Not only are these shoes adorable in a popular boat-shoe style, they are flats, and if they’re anything like the saddle shoes I have, they have a sort of squishy, soft padding in them that make the sensible, comfortable, and cute!

Bass Loafers

https://bassshoes.harborghb.com/catalog/product-listing.cfm/collection/Rachel-Antonoff/group/basswomens/start/all

Two summers ago, my closest girlfriends and I all went to see(for me, Andrew and Becky, this was the second time, for Sara and Kayla the first) Legally Blonde the Musical.  (In my opinion, the most fun and amazing musical there ever was!) As part of the ticket price, we were also able to attend a small event after the show called “The Pink Party”.

So this made my theme very easy! I wanted to put together something that Elle herself would wear to the event. The color was obvious: Pink! I knew I definitely wanted a cocktail party type dress, something a little sexy, since Elle is very confident and stylish.  This also made heels a must! Accessories were key, since she is usually seen with her signature matching Tiffany dog collar style necklace and bracelet.

So, since I love to put together outfits for occasions, but I don’t quite have the budget to support this, I looked at Forever21.com for my dress and shoes. The dress actually has tiny straps, but they both broke before we even made it to the even, but honestly, I think it looks much more fashionable and correct without them, so it was a good misfortune.

The accessories I already had, and they were close enough to the Tiffany heart to make the look complete.

Here it is put together:

Pink Party Attire

In retrospect, I wish I had done my nails, and I know I need to get more strength in make-up.

Stats:

• Dress: Pink ruffled “strapless” ruffle layered dress from Forever21.com
• Shoes: Light pink peek toe show with ruffle flower to match the ruffle-ness of the dress
• Accessories: Watch: Movado, Bracelet: Juicy Couture, Necklace: Juicy Couture

Bonus Picture: My boyfriend and I love to match, so he picked out a very nice shirt to go with me:

Purple and Pink

My pick of the day is an adorable trench coat from TopShop.com. Even though I don’t have one yet, I think a cutely cute trench is a must for every girl. We spend so much money on our clothes, that investing in a good, waterproof trench to protect us, and our clothes in bad weather is a good move.

Also, if we cannot afford multiple nice jackets, a girl can always look professional in a fashionable trench.

You'll Look Amazing!

To purchase: http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2388959&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208640&parent_categoryId=208580&pageSize=9

In the body of this post, I have a few examples of the women’s uniforms from WWII. It is very interesting how uniforms have changed and evolved over the years since then.

Even though it might seem contradictory, I am a big fan of uniforms. I had always hoped they would institute them in my school. I really love a sharp looking jacket and skirt combination. The gloves and hats are also a lovely touch. And just look at that sensible shoe! I always feel a little off in flats, so I am loving her shoes.

Maybe not the most conducive for military service, but something to learn from and admire none-the-less.

WWII Uniform for Women

Another View

I am also a big fan of the uniforms from a League of Their Own:

A League of Their Own

I am from Lake Katrine, NY. (which is no where near the city, so don’t get too excited.)  I have my Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design, which I got from my community college SUNY Ulster, my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, and in Asian Studies from SUNY (State University of New York) New Paltz, and I just finished up my Fashion Merchandising Bachelor’s Degree from Marymount University in Arlington, VA.  I had my last class April 30th, and will be attending commencement May 8th.  As you can see, I’ve been trying to find myself, but I always tend to lean toward the artistic creative side of things.

I have been in a happy relationship with boyfriend Andrew for 7 years, going on 8 in this November.  I love him so very, very much, and I know it is cliche to say so, but he is my boyfriend and my best friend.  Life is more fun because he is in my life.  He is also great in that he loves helping me pick out cute outfits, since he likes when I wear them, and he has a very good eye.

We hope to get married as soon as we have the money for a wedding, and as soon as he has money to buy a ring (This is his idea, even though I like clothes, I’m not a materialistic gold-digger, I swear! ) So, hopefully, maybe I can share wedding dress, and other wedding design features with you all someday.

Being in my later-twenties, I hope my views on clothes will be interesting to those also transitioning, since I am learning and changing what I wear as I approach my thirties.

Why I started this was because I am always talking about how I like fashion, and clothes, interior design etc., but I haven’t ponied up and done a blog type of thing to back it up, so here I go.  This will definitely be a learning experience, but I hope that anyone that should happen upon this site can find some enjoyment in it, and also find it a happy, safe place.

I am not a scathing fashionista, I do not only like items that you have to take out a loan for.  I love clothes.  Period.  End of sentence.  I love when people make clothes. (I am a cosplayer, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay, actually, so I LOVE when people make clothes, costumes, etc.) I love finding things at thrift stores, although I admit, since moving from my hometown in NY I have not thrifted as much, because I simply do not know where to go here yet, and I will be moving back to NY in under two months, so sadly I missed my chance!  I was very busy with school and work for most of my time here, so that probably had something to do with it.

I love people watching and observing their outfits. We all wear clothes, so it is so interesting to see what people put together, and wondering if they enjoyed doing so, or if it was more of a chore to them.

Anyways, I hope to post my thoughts, and pictures and ideas on all sorts of creative things, but mostly fashion and outfits to share with all of you.

Nice to meet you and please enjoy!!

To start off, here is an outfit I put together last summer for a friend’s outdoor wedding.

Stats:

• Dress: ModCloth.com
• Gloves: ModCloth.com
• Shoes and Bag: Shoe store in the Hudson Valley Mall, in Kingston, NY
• Hair: Done by J.C. Penny
• Accessories: Fresh water pearl necklace and bracelet

Summer Love

And here is a fun dress pick for today:

Aviary Enthusiast Dress

http://www.modcloth.com/Womens/Dresses/-Aviary-Enthusiast-Dress