Fourteen Days of Valentines Day Twelve

I thought you might be curious as to what I did actually wear out on our Valentine's date. I'm calling this look my "French Connection". I am so sick of winter that I did go for one of my summer dresses. I wore it somewhat like this a couple Sundays ago and someone told me I looked french. I thought that was just a fabulous compliment. Couple that with the bloomers and I think "french" is an accurate description. Anyway, paired with my tall black boots, black leggings and my go-to jean jacket I think you can get away with wearing this in winter (especially to celebrate Valentines since it's at the end of winter-- supposedly).

We went to Addinton Hills Cafe  In heavy snow fall. did that deter us? NO! Our food was delicious and (we had hummus that sort of blew our minds) and I drank so much good coffee. I will say I didn't care for my dinner. It wasn't anything they did I just didn't care for the dish and they still took it off the menu!! Wow great service.

Dress: Made by me

Jacket: Handed down from my aunt several years ago (I love this jacket)

Boots: Fashion Bug one a half years ago

Jacket: Gift from my Aunt, Maceys.

Purse: Antique, gift from my mom.

Gloves: Vintage from an antique shop in MD.

Necklace: "Nestlace" made by me

Bracelet: Freebie from my mom from Dress Barn.

Hair: Pin curls I let "set" during the day.

Okay so on to Day Twelve. This was a challenge since Sundays are very busy for me and I didn't have time to start something Saturday what with the bloomers and all. I wandered around Meijers for a bit this afternoon wondering what to do for the youth group when it hit me "Elementary Valentines Party!"

So I bought plates and napkins, little Debbie Snacks (of course) Chex mix, and even made a card holder out of a milk jug and filled it with a little heart for each student. Each heart has one thing on it that I like/admire about them. So for not having a lot of time I thought this was fun and clever. We'll see if they like it (any time food is involved with teenagers is usually pretty successful) in a couple of hours, but I think they will.

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.

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?