An Outdoor Wedding and Hats.

Dress: $30 Double Exposure

Hat: $5 Jill's Addictions

Purse: $5 Jill's Addictions

Shoes: ? Antique store in MD.

Pearls: Birthday gift from My sister Courtney.

One of my cousins got married this weekend which meant I got to go on a date dressed to the nines with my husband and see my mom, dad and sister. Yea!!! The wedding was beautiful. It was outdoors in front of this rambling river with amazing gardens and such lush green grass. It did rain but the rain just sort of added to the magic of the moment, I thought.  I totally didn't get any good pictures of the bride, which is a shame because she looked amazing and who doesn't want to see a picture of a bride?

I did get plenty of pictures of my outfit though! I bought this dress a while ago at Double Exposure Consignment shop. It's a London Times brand and when I looked on line the dresses new were over $100 so I'd say I got a good deal at $30.  I love the sixties silhouette. My sister Heather and I also decided to wear vintage hats, which looked so cute and turned out great because of the rain! My neighbor came over and curled my hair for me. It looked so pretty. I felt so feminine! 

These shoes are totally vintage, I bought them at an antiques shop in MD and then forced my feet to fit in them. I LOVE them. They are so cute (hard to see in the pic I know) and look like they're from the 1940's. The heal is just enough to look lady-like but small enough to be comfortable.

Heather looks cute no matter what. But don't you just love her plaid dress?

My cousin Kenton (who looks painfully young in my wedding photos, which makes me feel OLD) and his fiancé Chelsea (they just got engaged) so I'll get to put together a fabulous ensemble for their wedding, I'm assuming in a year or so.

My husband is so attractive. If  you can swing it to marry a guy who not only fits you perfectly and is so great but also looks like this then you are a lucky girl indeed! He even wore a suit so we'd "go together" isn't that sweet?

This is one of my favorite pics of us together ever.

As was suggested by several people after my last post, I've been playing around with a bit more editing and I thought this picture looked good "antiqued". I will say the photos do look better, who knew? Well, you all knew thanks for sharing such good tips!

Close up of the purse. It's vintage. My dad bought it for me from Jill's Addictions for $5! That is a crazy good deal. And it's perfect for the dress and small so it's fancier but big enough to hold essentials and my camera!

Close up of the shoe.

What I Wore, Sort of.

Shirt: Good Will
Skirt: Good Will, Talbots brand $3
Bracelet: My charm bracelet.
I think I wore this to youth group.

A close up of the Talbots skirt (what a great find) and the bracelet.
I got the bracelet when I was a young teen and I love that the charms show
all these things that were important to me at different times in my youth
(horse and horseshoe, Hello ten year old me). I also love the sound it makes "tinkle tinkle"

So far I'm loving this clothing challenge. I'm having fun exploring new consignment shops and I'm actually having fun putting outfits together.  However, I've noticed a strange phenomenon. When I look in the mirror I think "All right that looks pretty cute." but if someone takes a picture of me it's like a totally different person is now in the photo or inhabiting my body.  It's super weird. I am going to call it the Dork Principal.

The dork principal works the same way the vampire principal works. If your wondering if someone is a vampire you hold a mirror up to them or take their picture and they won't show up. In the same way, if your wondering if someone is a dork take their picture and their true identity will be revealed. In my case I can go a pretty long time with out revealing my nerd (my sister says, "your nerd is showing.") I just have to remind myself not to make too many Battle Star Galactica or Fire Fly references.  So I put on a really cute outfit strut around pretending I know what I'm doing and some people are fooled.

Pull out a camera, however, and my real identity is revealed. I was at my writers group this weekend and I brought along my camera because I was wearing a super cute outfit. A "new" sweater which is short sleeved and perfect for this in-between weather and it looks sort of like it's from the 1930's (I could totally see this sweater at a sepia toned football game). And a skirt which was also thrifted and flattering. I'm serious I got some nice compliments at church. So, I'm thinking I'll get a few photos of me in the really neat coffee shop looking all deep and authorish, but as soon as they pull out the camera I can't remember how to stand properly, and my arms feel like robot arms (what are you suppose to do with your arms in a photo?) and my smiles are too goofy but my deep introspective face looks like I just passed gas. I feel like the photo reveals my true identity; a slouchy nerdy girl. It even reveals a comic book thought bubble that says, "If only Captain Adama were my father!"

These are author photos of my friend Susie.
See how her expressions says,"I have so
many deep and amazing ideas I don't have
time to brush my hair." but still looks
mysterious and sexy?

When Susie get's famous I'm going to go
to one of her book signings and readings
and say really smugly to the person sitting
next to me, "I know her, we're friends."
If your interested in her writing's check out
her site.

All that to say that I feel like these photos aren't doing justice to the really nice clothing I'm getting second hand. I'm no model that's for sure and my camera is old and been dropped on it's head numerous times. But I'm still having fun and I hope you can see through my wonky photos and get a glimpse of how fun this thrifting is. Also, if you have any suggestions for posing or cameras or anything I'll take them!

Now these photos show you that I am a horrible fake laugher.
And the top photo really showcases my glasses and out of sorts hair
that was totally looking good before the camera came out.
These are the best of the photos taken FYI.

This one is all right.
Sweater: Thrifted from 360 in Kzoo $9?
Skirt: Thrifted from Double Exposure in Kzoo
Lace Camisole: hand-me down from my mom, altered by me.
Pearls: Gift from my sister.
Worn to Church and my Writer's group in Grand Rapids.

DA DA DA: CAPES!!

Okay so this was such a fun project I had to share it.  This year I wanted to get something silly and thoughtful for my brother-in-laws birthdays. Patrick was no problem Heather found something for him right away: a silly comic book. But Justin turned out to be something else entirely. I don't know why the guy is really funny but I just couldn't find the right thing at all. So finally I thought what is it about Justin that I love the most? It's how wonderful he is with my boys. He is the uncle that get's them whipped up into a frenzy and that guy will wrestle with them, throw them in the air what have you for hours!

In production. This one is for my Nephew.

This is the fabric on the inside. I dubbed it "80's van fabric"
But it really reminds me of Dr. Who of which my sisters
and I are HUGE fans!

So I finally decided to make him a super hero cape! SuperH and Mama Mia both have one and I thought a Super Uncle needs a Super cape. Then I got a little carried away and decided that his wife and one year old also needed super hero capes. This way the entire family can play together and you know what? We all need a little more play time in our adult lives don't you think?

I made one for Conster too. He didn't have one yet.
Don't you just love the robots?

Justin is "Super Uncle!" his special finishing move is to make his opponents say "uncle", My sister Courtney is a jeweler so her super name is "Diamond Dame" her power is to sparkle in her opponents eyes and my nephew's name is "Screeli!" his ability is to scream at such a subsonic level as to break glass etc.

A couple of my students modeling the "grown-up" capes for me.

Didn't completely think the double d thing through for
diamond dame... maybe no one will notice.

Don't worry I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog so it's a still a secret!

What I Wore.

So, no new clothes is turning out to be wonderfully fun so far. I realize the newness hasn't worn off and I haven't had to go searching for difficult things like sweaters or jeans yet but what I have found as been great!

I've been snagging all kinds of goodies when I go junking (antiquing with my mom and sisters and Megan mostly) I don't' know if it's because I'm on the look out for clothing and accessories at these places and I never was before or if the stars have just aligned but I've been having a ton of luck.

Buzz Jammies: Once Upon a Child, $3.
Where Worn: Every where including VBS.

The boys aren't included in the challenge but because I'm thinking second hand now I decided to check out Once Upon a Child here in town because Conster really needed pj's. The store is a little too crowded but we bought four pairs of pajamas most of which looked brand new including this buzz light year set. SuperH already had a pair and they were absolutely thrilled to have matching pj's they even wore them to twin day at VBS.

Dress: Made by Me.

Bracelets: Vintage from antique shop in MD.

Head Scarf: Vintage from antique shop in MD.

Sun Glasses: Kate Spade, gift for my 30th birthday.

Where Worn: Out to dinner and groceries with the boys and then a movie with Brian.

I love these bracelets and I love this green head scarf!! Both great finds while shopping with my mom and sisters (as if shopping with my mom and sisters wasn't good enough).

Oh how I am infatuated with these bracelets right now!

Skirt: Double Exposure Consignment shop $6?

Shirt: GoodWill Marshall, $3

Locket: Hand made from an on-line store. Can't remember the name or the price.

Where Worn: Out to coffee and the used book store with my sisters.

Isn't my sister Courtney gorgeous?! I am one of those blessed people that considers her sisters among her best friends. And time spent with them is time spent well! Courtney in particular can give me the giggles like no other. She suggested we check out the used book store for sewing reference books and I lucked out we found two really good ones.  Unfortunately it may be the start of a vintage sewing reference book collection (I'm just a touch out of my mind.)

Same basic outfit earlier that week. I just really love this picture. My cousin snapped it. 

Conster and I are sitting on a bridge over this little spring fed creek where my mom and dad live. The creek actually runs through this little stone building that was used as a summer kitchen and a place to keep meat and things cold before there was electricity. How ingenious is that?

WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER!!!!

The winner of the Jill's Addictions gift certificate is:
Jeanie!!!!


"My purchase wasn't clothing, it was a dog stroller. We have entertained lots of people with it at least."

Jeanie, we want to see the stroller with a dog in it! We think Ranger would like to go for a ride.

The 2nd Time Challenge.

This skirt was thrifted, and it's one of my favorites.

Hi there friends! I'm terribly excited and nervous about this post.  I have been planning it for a while and just can't wait to let you know whats going on! There is a movement in the on-line sewing world to participate in challenges called "Made Me." so for instance "Made Me August" would be a month-long challenge to wear at least one handmade article of clothing every day. I think this would be so much fun but do not have enough home made clothing.

However, my friend Beki and I started really getting into researching and understanding where our store bought clothing was coming from. It's not pretty.  I did a huge three part series about it here, here and here if your interested. Here are is a great link to get you started if you want to do more research: free2work is a site dedicated to making if easier for the consumer to find out where a product is from and how ethical it is. They use a grading system I find very helpful. Suffice it to say that if a store can make a profit on a three dollar t-shirt or a $10 sundress someone somewhere is being exploited. The first thing I thought when I started feeling convicted about this was "I can't afford to buy clothing from nice places." but then I started wondering if that was a legitimate excuse. How would God respond if we were having tea and I told him why I had to keep shopping at Forever21? I mean do I really need 5 camisoles in various colors? Truth is I buy way too much and half of what I own I never wear.

So, Beki and I took a tentative plunge test into the thrift shop/consignment shop world.  Know what? it wasn't bad. I'm not stupid I know that people don't have time to dig through racks and racks of stuff at GoodWill but there are some really nice consignment shops. The kind where I can buy Ann Taylor clothes but actually afford them! Beki has had amazing luck buying designer labels from individuals on Ebay and such.

So we are starting a challenge. I'm calling it the "2nd time challenge" for six months we are not going to buy any new clothing for ourselves.  We will shop only at second hand stores or sew the things we want ourselves or buy them from individual designers who sell their own hand made stuff (check out etsy for all things handmade). There is so much waste in this country and so much excess; technically I've bought several tops that were brand new, still had the tags, but I got them from a charity shop so the profits went back into the community, back to local businesses and not to evil clothing companies who are exploiting women and children.

There are a few exceptions to the second hand rule: Undergarments such as panties, socks and bras and athletic shoes.  Though I'll still try and be as responsible with my purchases as possible (I hear Fruit of Loom and New Balance have good labor practices). The dollar is powerful so I want to make my dollar count for something.  We'll see how it goes I would love it if you joined us.  Even if you just try it out for a month and see how it changes the way you look at clothing and how much you consume.  At least educate yourself to know what stores and companies are doing the right thing and which aren't. H&M and Target both have fairly good records, Forever21 and Wal-mart do not.  Things made in small asian countries tend to be worse avoid clothing that says it was made in Cambodia and other places like that.

But wouldn't it be fun to do this together? I'll be posting occasional outfit posts telling you wear I've gotten different things and Beki and I will be highlighting cool second hand shops in our area.  The more of us that do it the more style ideas we're going to get and the more cool stores we're going to discover.

Check out Beki's blog here and Susie's Blog here. They should both have posts up in the same vein in the next few weeks.

And because I'm so excited about this new challenge I'm doing a give-away! Jill from my very Favorite store Jill's Addictions has donated a $25 gift certificate for her store. Even if you live further away it's worth a trip just to visit her shop (plus you could see me too). Check her face book page out here. Her shop is the perfect combination of vintage and it is probably the best styled shop I've been in.  If you want to stop and shop you'll find her at 339 South Grand St. Marshall MI. All you have to do to enter is answer this question by Friday August 5th by noon: What is the most stupid or craziest thing you have ever purchased? I'll randomly draw names from the people who commented and post the winner this coming weekend.

Happy thrifting!

Thank you Martha!

My best friend Megan, got me a subscription to Martha Stewart Living for christmas and oh my it is such a fabulous magazine. There are always about fifty projects and recipes I want to try in every issue.  This project is from the May issue (the one with all the poppies on the cover) of this year. And I am so pleased with how it turned out. I made it in an afternoon while watching Dr. Who. Very easy, very rewarding and relaxing (if you find making things relaxing that is).

The fan and the pill box hat came from
my favorite store Jill's Addictions.

It's perfect for me because I am trying to accessorize more with my outfits but have a hard time even remembering to do that (I can't imagine why with a bazillion children hollering at me as soon as I step out of the shower... what's that? I don't have a bazillion children? Well it sure sounds like it.)  Where was I again? Oh yes, so this is not only beautiful it's practical as I can see some of my current favorite pieces and put them right on.  Also it's sort of a way to display your pretties as art work and if I tire of a certain necklace or what ever I can just put different jewelry on it and get a whole new look.

I bought the shadow box at Michaels (with a bday gift certificate) and used scrap booking paper on the back. I removed the glass and mod-podged the paper on the back. I then twisted little white hooks I bought at the hardware store right into the frame and voila! I think the look is perfect for my vintage and vintage inspired jewelry.

I got this octopus necklace from Etsy from a shop called
VintageProtege. Her stuff is really fun and affordable
he was only $5 and is metal! That is amazing!
Plus I love buying handmade.
I can't remember where I got the locket but
I do know it was on-line.

This flower necklace came from
Brian and my trip to Lake Michigan.
I got them at an antique mall there. Such a good deal.
The bracelet on the bottom was my Great Grandmother's.