Catching Up

After a month of bag making, I am back to blogging about my clothes.  I created about a dozen bags and sold many of them at art sales this holiday season.  It's been fun and I'll probably continue to make bags.  Stay tuned for a post-new year Etsy page.  

During my time working in my own personal sweatshop, I did a few outfit drawings for special occasions.

Wedding

Similar dress

Similar jacket

Similar fishnets - Target

Shoes - Schuler shoes

Similar necklace & Earrings

Similar ring

In this outfit, I decided to wear all of my black silk and all of my jade jewelry.  While that sounds crazy, I think it turned out pretty good.  

I really love this dress.  I got it at a vintage store with an awkward group fitting room and when I put it on, all of the other girls in the room went "ooh".  So I bought it.  I thought it would become my little black dress, but because it's silk, I think it's a little fancy to be so versatile.  I've only worn it twice, but I'll probably keep it forever because it's so timeless and unassuming while being completely fabulous.

 Art Sale

Similar blouse - Stephanie's

Skirt

Similar tights - Target

Boots

Similar earrings

I completely butchered the print on this shirt.  It's really more art deco than jagged fangs.

Cabaret

Similar dress

Similar fishnets - Target

Similar shoes - DSW

Similar brooch

Similar earrings

Here's a fun one!  I had the opportunity to sing in the annual Christmas cabaret at Nye's piano bar in Minneapolis.  The dress code for performers was to wear something that we considered to be festive.  I opted for a blue velvet dress, even more appropriate considering I sang Blue Christmas and Pretty Paper.  All I needed to complete my look was some dramatic back lighting and a cigarette.

In Production

The Holidays are approaching, which means that I am in full on production mode.  As an artist, I am usually  invited to participate in a few art and craft sales around this time of year.  As a painter, I don't readily have a whole lot of inventory that can be sold at such sales.  Patrons are looking for gifty purchases under $50.  Most of my paintings are over $100.  These do not sell at art and craft sales.  Because of this, I have gotten creative with what I have to offer.  

Last year I bought a ton of interesting picture frames from Goodwill and framed a bunch of prints of my original artwork.

sampling of framed prints

I sold quite a few of these over the Holidays and since then, but I still have a lot left.  I didn't feel like doing the same thing again this year, so to add on to this lot, I decided to take up one of my old past times - sewing.

I used to try to make my own clothes, but was never very good at it.  I was, however, good at simple sewing, like making pillows and tote bags.  About 6 years ago, I made my first bag for a friend of mine as a gift.  She's been carrying it around every day for 6 years and this is what it looks like today.

It's been well loved, that's for sure!  She asked me to repair it, which I intend to do, but in the meantime, I made her a whole new bag.  It was frustrating at first, working the kinks out of myself and my sewing machine, but once I got the hang of it, I wanted to make more.  After going through my massive fabric collection, I came up with some great patterns that I could mix and match to make a butt load of fun bags.

Here's what I've made so far:

I can't wait to make more!

A Change of Pace

Over the past couple of weeks, my time has been taken up by other projects such as sewing bags for upcoming craft sales, framing prints for said craft sales and this little number that I'm sharing with you today.  I'll probably be busy with crafty projects until Christmas, so the weekly day by day outfit posts might turn into sporadic outfit posts littered with pictures of handmade bags.  Either way, I'll still be blogging.

As you may or may not know, I sing in a band called Herschel and the Detainees.  It's a lot of fun to be a part of this group and it's a great outlet for creative expression, be it music, art, or what we wear for shows and photo shoots.  Personally, I love that part of it.  I can't stand to see someone performing in a band wearing boring clothes.  All I want to do is style that band.  The way I see it is being on stage is your excuse to wear the craziest shit you can imagine.  The stuff that sits in the back of your closet because it's too shiny, too short, too low cut, too colorful, too whatever it is that makes you think twice about wearing it everyday.  That's the stuff that you can get away with on stage.  Herschel encourages fun performance outfits and I appreciate that.  

He also encourages my art, which is where this post comes from.  After I started this blog, he had the idea for me to draw the band in the style of my daily outfit posts and this is how it turned out.

Herschel on Vocals

Alex on Guitar

Anna (me) on Vocals

Devin on Drums 

Josh on Guitar

Lynelle on Keys & Vocals

Mina on Vocals

Ryan on Bass

Road Trip Capsule Wardrobe

Monday

Similar dress - Up 6

Similar cardigan

Similar boots

Similar belt

Similar earrings - My Sister's Closet
Similar coat - Savers

I found this amazing dress at Up 6 when shopping for my Halloween costume.  It's a summer dress, but I really wanted to wear it, so I styled it as best I could for Fall.  I think it's pretty successful.  I might do more outfits like this with my other summer maxi dresses.

Tuesday

Similar sweater

Different color skirt - My Sister's Closet
Boots
Similar tights - Urban Outfitters
Similar earrings
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters
Coat - Delia's

Usually, a gray day makes me want to wear as much color as possible, but for some reason, today, I just wore a shit ton of gray.  It did not help improve my mood.

Wednesday

Similar sweater
Shirt
Similar pants - Forever 21
Boots
Similar earrings - Everyday People
Coat - Delia's

I'm still trying to find good ways to style these pants.  This is a little weird.

Thursday

Similar dress - Up 6
Similar tights - Tights
Shoes - Schuler Shoes
Similar coat - My Sister's Closet

I was Veruca Salt for Halloween, but everyone thought I was Little Orphan Annie.

Friday - Sunday

Striped dress

Similar black dress
Houndstooth dress
Similar cardigan
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar striped sweater - Avienna
Similar skirt
Cords - Anthropologie
Leggings
Similar tights in black, blue and plum - Target
Socks
Black boots
Brown boots - Delia's
Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters
Similar penny earrings - I Like You
Similar necklace
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters

I went on tour with my husband's band this weekend to Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee.  I am a notorious over packer, so since I was a non-essential passenger on this trip, I did my best to pack as light as possible and I think I did a pretty good job of coming up with this capsule wardrobe.  I wore 6 different outfits, but could have combined what I brought to make at least 6 more.  When I pack, I like to start by choosing a color pallet.  This time it was black, camel, white and orange.  I started with my tan leather skirt and trusty orange cords.  From there I chose a few tops that I could wear with either of those two items as well as sweaters for layering.  I threw in a little black dress that could be worn with tights, leggings or pants.  Everything else was accessories: a few earrings and necklaces, a hat, a gray scarf, a black jacket, different colored tights, fun socks, black and brown boots.  It worked out splendidly.  I felt like I had options each day.  I could be dressy or casual and every choice was comfortable.
I did have a few flaws in my packing job.  I didn't need two long gray sweaters, I brought two shirts that I did not wear and I didn't pack enough underwear.

Three Days of Jade

Monday

Similar sweater - Savers

Cords

Boots - Delia's

Every time I wear this sweater, the teller at my bank wears the same sweater, but in black.  There's something about it that whispers "curl up by a fire and drink cocoa", which is why it's usually my first choice on cold, rainy Mondays.  I guess the teller at my bank feels the same way.

Tuesday

Shirt
Similar skirt
Stockings - Urban Outfitters
Boots
Earrings

This skirt used to be a dress.  The top was sort of like a ratty gray sweater vest - very gross.  I cut it off and now it's a super cute mini skirt.  The waist band and pockets are black leather and the skirt is black & white herringbone tweed with little colored specks in it. 

Wednesday

Similar pants - Dale's

Similar sweater - Target
Shoes - My Sister's Closet
Similar necklace - Savers
Similar earrings

I find the necklace I'm wearing to be pretty interesting.  My drawing doesn't do it much justice and the closest thing I could find to it on the internet is a beaded tie.  To describe it, it's a long pearl beaded crochet necklace that comes together to form a 2x4 inch panel, ending with beaded tassels.  It's flapperesque, but it also reminds me of Native American jewelry.  I tend to wear it with outfits that include menswear, so it actually is kind of like a beaded tie.

Thursday

Similar dress - Savers
Tights
Similar boots
Similar necklace
Similar earrings

This is one of those sweet Savers finds.  Beautiful color, beautiful condition, beautiful style, beautiful dress.

Friday

Different color cords
Similar blouse
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar necklace
Similar earrings
Boots - Delia's

Introducing coats

I have a big coat collection.  I figure, living in a state where I wear a coat 75% of the time, I should have some options.  I consider my coat to be a part of my outfit, but instead of drawing it here, I'll post a link to they type of coat that I wore.

Monday 

Similar blouse - Dale's
Cords - Anthropologie

Similar cami - Savers

Boots

Similar earrings - My Sister's Closet
Similar blazer

Orange pants, glorious shirt from Dale's, blah blah blah.

Tuesday

Dress - Aviena
Similar blazer
Similar tights - Target
Boots

Similar earrings - Liz
Coat - Delia's

This dress came from my new favorite store in Sioux Falls, SD.  It's called Aviena and it's rad.

Wednesday

Pants
Shirt - My Sister's Closet
Similar earrings - Claire's
Similar scarf - Savers
Boots
Coat - Delia's

3rd day in a row wearing these shoes.  You may have noticed that my shoes don't vary.  I love shoes and own quite a few, but tend to only wear a select few pairs consistently.  Because of this, I feel that my shoe purchases have become more successful.  I'm pretty fond of these Diba booties from DSW.  They were $50 with a rewards coupon.  They look good with pants and skirts, black and brown.  They're really comfortable and have a big sturdy heel and I enjoy a big sturdy heel.

Thursday

Skirt/Dress
Similar blouse - Vanity
Similar boots
Similar earrings - I Like You
Belt - Savers
Similar coat - Savers

I don't know about this skirt.  It's convertible, in that it can be worn as a dress or a skirt.  It's also one size fits all, which does not exist.  The top part is super stretchy.  When it's not stretched out, the fabric bunches up and doesn't lie flat against my body.  It's also really itchy.  That's it! It's going in the donate pile.

Friday

Similar blouse
Similar dress - Savers
Different color tights
Similar boots
Similar belt
Similar belt buckle
Similar earrings
Ring
Similar coat - Savers

I love this belt buckle.  It was my father's. The imprint on the back reads "Bergamot Brass Works 1973". It has an art nouveau illustration of summer on it, not the Mucha one that I'm familiar with, but an image of a fairy in a garden.  The problem with this buckle, is that this image is not visible to anyone who isn't within 4 inches of my abdomen, which is awkward.  The image is very faint.  I tried to do a rubbing of it, but that didn't even work, so I incorporated a quick sketch.  Even though no one else can see it, I still like to wear this buckle just for me.  It's like my little secret.

Saturday

Similar dress - Lula
Leggings
Boots
Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters
Similar coat

The last time I posted an outfit with pleather leggings, I was wearing a pair from Forever 21.  They're a little too short and cut into my middle in an awkward way.  I found these Kardashian leggings online and bought them with high hopes, thinking that since they are backed by a curvy woman, they would be longer.  They are not, but they do have a slightly high waist, which is more flattering on my figure.

Sunday

Dress - Opitz
Similar tights - Target
Shoes - DSW
Similar earrings
Similar coat

I stand by this dress.  I spent all day in my pajamas but had dinner plans with some friends.  I threw this on and instantly looked put together, but still felt cozy.

Orange Pants Saga

Monday

Similar pants

Tank top - Old Navy

Similar shirt

Boots - Delia's

Similar earrings - BNOX

Similar bracelet - My Sister's Closet

I got this top at a clothing exchange and I wear it backwards.  It's supposed to be a cardigan that ties under the bust.  It looks awkward when I wear it that way and I can't find anything in my wardrobe that looks good with it.  When I turn it around it becomes a sheer blouse with a sexy open back and it looks much better.  I have to wear it with pants or a skirt with a high rise, but that's not really a problem for me.

Tuesday

Similar tunic
Tank top - Old Navy

Same pants, but for kids

Similar shoes - Target

Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters

I know what you're thinking, "How many pairs of orange pants can one person own?"  The answer to that question is a bajillion.  "How many pairs of orange pants SHOULD one person own?  Maybe one.  Here's what happened.  About 6 years ago, I happened upon a sale at the Gap where I purchased these amazing pants (only in an adult size).  At the time, I was looking for a pair of red pants and thought that these would do.  They fit really well (good length, good rise) and they were inexpensive (~$20).  Believe me, people, these pants were incredible.  I wore them at least once a week because they worked beautifully with my existing wardrobe and they only got better with age...until they didn't.  I started to notice how thin they had become in certain areas and then all of the sudden they seemed too short.  My grieving process started with trying to replace them, but I couldn't.  I still can't find them.  Luckily, around this time, orange and coral became all the rage.  There were orange pants everywhere.  I found some rust colored cords at Old Navy, but they weren't quite right and were soon sold at a garage sale.  Then I found these at PacSun.  They're ok, but they're not cords and they get saggy right away.  I definitely can't wear them twice without washing in between.  And then one day Anthropologie opened up on Grand Avenue.  This was the first day of the rest of my life.  I got the catalog in the mail and inside were what appeared to be exact replicas of my Gap cords, only they cost $169!  What's wrong with you Anthropologie?  How can you sleep at night?!?  The next thing I knew, I found myself in the store trying them on and you know what? They were perfect.  Even better than my stupid old Gap pants.  They're softer and longer.  I bought them because they were on sale, but still for a higher price than I would normally spend on pants.  I justified this because I knew that I would wear them all the time and get my money's worth.  And I do, but I still wear the old Gap one's once in awhile.  That was a long rant about orange pants. Here's to hoping that they don't soon become passé.

Wednesday

Similar skirt - Saver's
Similar jacket - Lula
Similar shirt - Old Navy
Similar socks - Target
Similar belt - Savers
Similar boots
Similar brooch
Similar earrings - Up Six

I bought this skirt many years ago and altered it to make it a pencil skirt.  I always liked it but didn't wear it that often.  I bought this jacket at Lula last winter and it matches the skirt perfectly.  Same color, fabric and style.  It's like they were meant to be together.  This is why I hold onto clothes for so long.  Sometimes, I'll love a single item, but I can't figure out what to wear with it or how to style it.  Then something comes along, making it fit perfectly in my wardrobe.  This actually happens a lot and it makes it worth it to hold onto my closet orphans

Thursday

Dress
Similar skirt
Boots
Stockings - Urban Outfitters
Earrings
Similar cuff

I overslept, but luckily, I dreamed about this outfit.  Not bad.

Saturday

Similar blazer
Shirt
Similar skirt
Boots
Similar tights - Target
Similar earrings - BNOX

Hmm, I kind of look like Eddie Izzard in this drawing.