Links à la Mode

When Fashion Gets Ethical

Edited by Retrochick

The ethics of Fashion can be a blurry area. With so much to think about when we buy, from construction to provenance, how can we pick our way through such a minefield of issues and emerge with our ethics intact?

We all have a duty as consumers to be as informed as possible about the purchases we make, and this weeks Links à la Mode can help. Amongst this weeks picks Fashion in My Eyes talks about locally made fashion, Style Eyes discusses Organic Cotton, Hello Beauty buys some recycled sneakers, Oranges and Apples sorts the wheat from the chaff in second hand clothing and Shrimp Salad Circus brings you natural make up.

Once your done being educated we also have a good smattering of fashion frivolity to be getting on with too, and there’s even more on the original forum thread!

Links à la Mode : April 29

• Avant Garb – Dedicated Follower Fashion grills Sandra Mendoza-Daly of Debutante Clothing
• Betsey J – Why do we feel it’s necessary to financially compete with our fellow bloggers? Is it really worth it?
• Dramatis Personae – Interview with Indie Designer Ureshii– fabulous made-to-fit clothes for the modern gal!
• fashion in my eyes – Made in… Buying for the label
• Glossary – Fashion 101: Back to Basics
• hello beauty! – my new eco-sneakers, which are basically a jumble of hemp, recycled plastic bottles and car tires…
• House in Tillford – Fur isn’t fashion! My rantings about fur
• Idiosyncratic Style – Swoon-worthy Spring runway trends
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – How to Contribute Articles to a Blog or Magazine
• La Moda Dubai – Photoshop isn’t the only to manipulate a photo
• Le Quaintrelle – Outfits inspired by Michael Kors Resort 2010 collection with pieces out of my own closet.
• Mystery Creature – Look great for a sleek and sophisticated summer wedding with these 1930’s inspired wedding dresses
• Oranges and Apples – Taste and secondhand clothing: sorting the wheat from the chaff
• Out Of Order – Interview with Marisa of New Dress a Day
• Retro Chick – The Lost Art of Dressing Up
• Return to Sender – Little black dresses for the FATshionista.
• Ship-shape and Bristol Fashion – These days knock-off trends are common place but is cheap fashion still a taboo?
• Shoe A Day – How does fashion fit into Earth Day?
• Shrimp Salad Circus – Get high-fashion makeup looks for less with all-natural, afforadable handmade mineral versions!
• Style Eyes Fashion Blog – Organic clothing – should I bother?
• Style Symmetry – 5 Days of Symmetry Challenge ~ Wear a 100% Vintage Outfit
• The Coveted – Why Say Never? Chambray Jumpsuit & Clogs

Elizabethtown

Ok, so Elizabethtown is one of my top-favorite movies of all time. It wasn't the first time I watched it, but I know I love it because of its staying power--I can watch this movie a thousand times and not hate it. In fact, I like to watch it when I need to chill out or when I'm sad...its like my security-movie, if that makes any sense.
Why? Because it says its ok to fail. and its pretty much the only thing I know of that tells me its ok to fail (including my self).

Besides all that psychological junk, I also like Kirsten Dunst's easy-going, effortless style in this movie. Observe:

The look:

Elizabeth town casual by thriftypoet featuring Old Navy tops

Items in this set:
Amazon.com: Long-Sleeve San Juan Cardigan: Clothing, $40
Old Navy Womens Long Perfect Tanks, $5
Flower ditsy culottes, 22 GBP
marissa purse, $36
Forever21.com - Accessories - Jewelry - 1000004137, $5.80


I Seriously covet these outfits.

elizabethtown 2 by thriftypoet featuring Red Herring shoes

Items in this set:
DSQUARED2 AW09/72CT391 090 BLACK WOOL/VISCOSE/ELASTANE ABITO, 330 GBP
Black patent bow court shoes, 25 GBP
Gold & Topaz Hues Faux Toggle Locket Necklace, $38




I love it when an outfit can come together so naturally. I think the undone, thrown-together look can be really sexy--it says you're more concerned with living than looking good (and that kind of happiness looks good on everybody).

The Poet's Guide to Dying Your Hair: Part 2

Semi-permanent VS Permanet Hair dye

There are pros and cons to both of these. I tend to vary which type I use, depending on how healthy my hair is at the moment and how much of a change I want. Here are a few tips:

Semi-Permanent
This hair dye should last about a month. It is less damaging than permanent, and should give you less of a change. If you're not wanting something drastic, just a slight change, I recommend using this. Semi-permanent can't lighten your hair though--it only deposits color. So if you're wanting to go a shade lighter, you'll have to use permanent.

Permanent
If you're going darker, using permanent hair dye shouldn't be too damaging, especially if you only do it every 3 or 4 months, like I do. Permanent isn't exactly "permanent" like you might be led to believe, but it does hang around at least twice as long as semi-permanent. All the more reason to be careful about what color you choose with this one--what looks "chestnut" on the box might turn out black on your head.
*For Beginners...*
If you have "virgin" hair, don't use permanent the first time by yourself. If you're going to a salon, that's different, but if you're doing it at home, use semi-permanent, and make sure its only a shade darker or lighter than your natural color.


As for me, I'm going permanent red again this Friday, after a much-needed haircut.

What I Wore

Cardigan: gift from mom

Tank: Sears (?), bought for my honeymoon, 3 years ago

Jeans: Target, a $7 clearance steal

Shoes: Target, gift from mom

Necklace: gift from the hubs

Purse: Francesca's, $28 (yes, I actually Bought something!)

Ok, so I thought maybe I was doing too many colors with this out fit at first--forest green, pink, black, and a yellow purse. But then I thought, nah. Its a lot of different colors, but jeans and the black are neutrals, and the green, yellow, pink combo is kind of like a darker Easter color combo.

By the way, I love the detail on this tank.

Trial by Vintage

In my everconstant wanderings in search of affordable vintage, I've stumbled across another wonderful store: Trial by Vintage. I love the affordable prices, selectivity of the shop, and the Vibrant colors most of all (great for spring!).  Here are a few of my favs:

Vintage La Isla Bonita blouse, $14

This top has some great detail to it, and I like the jewel-pink color.

Vintage in Bloom skirt, $15

This skirt is a little girly, but I love that it has so many different colors in it, it'd really lend to creating some interesting color pallettes in an outfit.

Vintage Shelley Dress, $19

I like the poofy sleeves and springtime look to this dress. Dresses like these are what I live in during the hottest times of the summer--just one easy piece and some flats or sandels.


I asked Laura, owner of Trial by Vintage, a few questions about her shop, and here are her answers:

How did Trial by Vintage get started?
I used to sell vintage clothes on eBay, but, after growing to love Etsy customers more (My main gig is my calligraphy and illustration shop Trial by Cupcakes), I decided to make the switch!

What type of girl do you envision wearing Trial by Vintage?
What a good question!  I think the clothes I collect for the shop appeal to girls who love to wear vintage without necessarily looking "costume-y." The Trial by Vintage girl is a master of blending vintage with new, and special pieces with basics.  She looks great without really worrying about how she looks!

What is your favorite era as far as clothing styles go?

I really love late 60's/ early 70's clothing that is not overly "mod" (though the mod look is great on some girls). Right now I'm really into prairie-style clothing.

How would you describe your personal style?

As much as I love clothes and fashion, I tend to admire things like gorgeous dresses and sculpted heels, and end up wearing much more casual items every day.  My style icon is Francoise Hardy- she always looked incredible without even trying.

How do you choose pieces for the shop?

I only pick things that are in good condition and items I would wear myself. This makes things difficult, because it's a struggle not to keep everything!  But I know that Etsy buyers will give my treasures a good home.

Why buy vintage?
Too many reasons! Buying vintage means saving the natural resources and emissions that go into making a new product, saving a beautiful item from ending up in a landfill, avoiding current sweatshop labor, being unique, challenging oneself to mix and match special items, and wearing something that is truly one of a kind!

A Poet's Guide to Wardrobe Basics

When you don't have a lot of cash to spend on clothes, its important to buy things that you'll get a lot of wear out of. Hardworking clothes is what you'll need. The basics are just that--basic, and therefore sometimes a little boring, they're the bones of a good wardrobe.

Here's what I consider a necessity:

1. a good neutral colored cardigan
I go with black because it blends with the color palette of my wardrobe better than brown or white. I'm not a fan of plain white cardigans in the first place--they're sort of little girl looking to me, usually--but I love a good charcoal gray or pewter colored cardigan. Go with whatever matches your skin tone best, since this item is for mixing with a lot of different things. I wear mine over tanks, short sleeved tops, and dresses. They're great for the office, since offices are always cold in the summer, for whatever reason (air conditioner tyrants!).

cardigans by thriftypoet featuring GAP tops

Items in this set:
Gap Cropped-sleeve cardigan, $50
Lace Trim U-Neck Cardigan, $32
Women: Women's Belted Wrap Cardigans - Earthly, $29
Lace Neck Cardigan, $26
Embellished Sweater Cardigan, $23

2. a comfortable neutral colored flat
Flats can be dresses up or down, and I like to have them in a variety of colors (currently: silver, pink, maroon, red, tan, and black), but if you're only going to buy One pair, try to buy one that, again, matches your wardrobe pallete best. My maroon flats were my "neutral" flats (a dark maroon nearly goes with anything) for a while, but now I have a pair of tan and a pair of black.

3. neutral undershirts
If you work in a conservative office like me (a seminary, doesn't get more conservative than that!), a good camisole or undershirt will make your v-neck tops more work appropriate. Since these are usually cheap, I'd recommend buying at least three--white, black, and gray for me, since those match most of my clothes. They not only give a bit more modesty, they also add dimension to your outfit, which is always good.

4. a good casual skirt
I'm one of those people that hate wearing shorts--I think board shorts look funny on me and regular shorts leave me feeling too exposed, so I usually opt for knee-length skirts. While I have many different fun skirts (purple, patterned, etc), my skirt that's as important as my jeans is my A-Line Khaki skirt. sounds boring, I know, but it goes with any weird thing I want to pair with it. Good alternatives for your basic match with anything skirt is a jean skirt or a jersey skirt.

skirts by thriftypoet featuring Old Navy skirts

Items in this set:
Drape Pocket Ruch Waist Skirt, $50
Blue denim skirt, 32 GBP
Women: Women's Tiered Voile Skirts - Blue Print, $25
Gap Petite Shirred khaki skirt, $18
Old Navy Womens Roll-Over Jersey Skirts, $15

5. a good pair of jeans, duh
If you're American, you own jeans, right? If you're only going to buy one pair of jeans Ever, buy a dark wash, straight leg jean. I like to have several different jeans, and I recommend having at least two different pair--the around the house jean and the going out dark wash sexy jean--but if you can only afford one, try to compromise with a comfy-ish dark wash jean.

6. nice trousers
I love skirts, but in the really cold parts of the winters, even I will resort to wearing trousers. If you work in an office, this really is a necessity. I really like gray, since it goes with lots and isnt' so stark, but dress pants are up to you. If you've only got money for one pair, buy gray, but if you have money for more than one, a black pair and a pair with pattern (tweed, pinstripe, etc) can be interesting. 

7. a sexy dress
Dresses are my weakness. I have casual kicking around dresses, I have sunday dresses, I have date night dresses. Every woman needs at least one sexy date night dress. If you want to get one that you can dress up or down, I recommend a jewel towned jersey dress. Pair it with sandels and it can feel more casual, pair it with sexy shoes, a clutch, and nice jewelry and it'll be a little more dressed up.

Jersey Dresses by thriftypoet featuring Old Navy dresses

Items in this set:
Lands' End Canvas - Smocked Slub Jersey Dress, $50
ASOS Sleeveless Colour Block Bow Jersey Dress, $17
ASOS V-Neck Jersey Waist Detail Dress, $17
Old Navy Womens Ruffle-Trim Jersey Dresses, $25
Perfectly Pretty Neckline Dress, $20

8. black pumps
Black pumps are like the jeans of shoes, if that makes sense. They're good with jeans, with a skirt or with trousers for work, with your sexy date night dress for a date, there's not much they don't match with. Exciting? not really, but they are versatile. If you're going to buy a second sexy shoe, I'd get something specifcally for date night--a strappy shoe in silver or gold. Metallics can work as neutrals (as long as they're not too over the top), and they'll seem a little more special than black strappy shoes.

9. a winter coat
Unless you live in Florida, this should be on your list. I recommend a classic cut, like the universally flattering Peacoat or a short trench. Black of course will go with anything, but Red  or Yellowwould be so much more exciting

10. underthings that fit!
Before you even get started with all these basics, make sure you've got good underwear. A little girl to girl chat here--pencil skirts and most trousers require thongs. Pantylines are never good, they're grandma-ish looking. Plus, its just sexier. Give them a try. Walmart has cotton thongs, 5 for $6. oh and, even more important, wear a good bra. For the longest time I was buying bras with too big of a waistband, and the day I tried one on that was the right fit, it was like a miracle. Suddenly, cleavage was possible! glorious! And don't assume that you are the size you were 5 years ago. Try on a lot when you go shopping, even ask for a fitting if you're not too embarrassed about it. It feels good to wear a bra that fits. And it makes you look thinner. Instant diet! Who wouldn't want that?


So on a desert island, this is what I'd bring with. Except maybe the coat. And the cardigan. Its the desert, right!

Any basics you can't live without?

What I Wore Weekends

I've worn the stripes off this shirt.

 literally. This shirt used to have silver stripes and they've worn off over time. this is just a simple, cleaning the house outfit. I used to clean house in my jammies, but I've upped it to clothes I wouldn't mind people seeing me in. I'm not a huge fan of shorts in general, but the longer board shorts aren't so bad. I prefer sandels to flip-flops, and even though I probably could wear this shirt without an undershirt, there's not too much reason to show a lot of cleavage when mopping floors and dusting.

In other news, I did get a chance to make this birthday present for Jenn today:

I make jewelry on occasion, and i thought this looked Jenny-like. These are pretty easy to make, if you have just a basic jewelry making kit. I chose 3 largish sized beads in calm colors that Jenn wears often--black, shell, and blue and copper--, then used the same wire you'd use for making drop earrings to attach them to a ring. If you want more detailed instructions, shoot me an email and I'll be glad to give you some tips!

Bottle Blonde Vintage

Etsy is full of wonderful things; its the place to go if you want something one-of-a-kind for a good price, and who doesn't? In my etsy wanderings I came across this lovely vintage shop, Bottle Blonde Vintage.

This shop has great prices--dresses for $20!--and a well-chosen selection in a variety of sizes. Here are a few of my favorites!

Vintage 80s Shirtwaist Dress...Devils In the Details....Hot Pink Size 6. $20

I know the I Love Lucy dresses can verge on the costumey side at times, but I think this one is so cute. The utilitarian pockets up top and the all over vibrant color give it a more modern feel.

Cross My Heart....Vintage 60s Sweater Vest...Pale Celery Green. $12

I love how soft this sweater looks, the color and the fabric. The cut is unique, something that I don't usually see on the racks lately.

Vintage 60s 70s gold Flower Chain Mail Pendant Necklace by Sarah Coventry. $8

This is a great statement necklace, I think it'd look great with a summery jersey dress, and I like its 70's vibe.

Vintage Blue and White Stripe Seersucker Skirt with Floral Applique Pocket and Built In Shorts. $15

I like the preppy-ness of this skirt, and the cute applique on the side. But its the modesty shorts, oh yes the modesty shorts, that truly drew me to this piece:

Definitely a one of a kind, right? I'm having flashbacks to that one year I was a cheerleader at my strict Baptist high school...bloomers..oh the humanity...Seriously though, modesty shorts aside, I'd pair this skirt with a white tank, some red jewelry and flats and call it a day.

Tami, the mastermind behind all this cuteness, was nice enough to answer a few questions I had about the shop:

How did Bottle Blonde Vintage get started?

I've sold antiques for about 15 years...but I've loved fashion forever! In my travels to estate sales and local auctions, I started accumulating a lot of vintage clothing and accessories. It's crazy how much I've accumulated...I'm afraid my family was close to an intervention! With no really good local outlet, my sister suggested Etsy, and Bottle Blonde Vintage was born! I have tried to keep my selection fresh and affordable with pieces in all price ranges.

What type of girl do you envision wearing Bottle Blonde Vintage?

Every girl CAN...and SHOULD wear vintage! There is something out there for everyone. You can take a piece you love from any era and make it your own. I have three very different college-age daughters, they all have different body types, styles, and personalities, and they all three have incorporated some vintage into their wardrobes.

What is your favorite era in fashion?

It would be hard to choose one era....I can find something from any time frame that I would wear myself. I am an eclectic mess and a comfort freak..so my personal style is uber casual...I've even been known to wear a piece or two of mens clothing...it just works for me!

How would you describe your personal style?

When choosing clothes for the shop I try not to curate too hard....I look for condition and wearability....good bones....but everyones taste is different, and I try to take that into consideration. Which, bottom line, means you'll never know what will turn up in the shop.

How do you choose pieces for the shop?

Why buy vintage?...the glib answer is why not! The right answer is that it is economically smart....it's green, the ultimate form of recycling...and best of all...it sets you apart from most of the crowd. You usually won't show up at a party in the same vintage dress as someone else!

What I Wore Wednesday

"What is that? A scarf? It's April."
"No, no its a Necklace. A big fabric necklace... my sister gave it to me."
"Huh."

Thanks coworkers for reminding me that seminary-work-clothes = nothing too interesting.

Seriously though, I do have trouble figuring out how to wear this necklace in real life. I love them on people I see at the mall, manniquens, tv...but in real life people are like "what in the heck are you doing?" Eventually I came to the attitude of "I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm doing it!"

I normally pair it with a plain top (usually this pink top), so it makes a boring shirt more interesting. Now that its warming up in Kentucky, I'd like to try it with a tank...though I fear that my veer into the dressy-thing with a too-casual thing territory.

Any tips on how to wear a statement necklace like this?

t-shirt love!

when i graduated college, besides ditching all my weird-looking pants i also tossed all my t-shirts. except, of course, those work-out or sleep-in type t-shirts, which i have maybe 5 of right now. i had decided that t-shirts were for my college self, but my grown up married self wouldn't need any tshirts.

then, a few weeks ago, i was out shopping with my mother in law, husband, brother in law and his wife and melinda was all "i'll buy you an easter present!" so i had one of those "i can buy anything but i can't take a long time to pick it out" moments.

those moments kind of stress me out because i've become a very meticulous shopper over the past year or so. i don't buy things that aren't on my "needs" list (thanks to Tim Gunn!) and i don't buy things without trying them on and i don't buy things that are over my monthly spending budget of $25. basically, i don't buy things.

we were in penneys, which, you know, can be good or oldladyish or trampishly trendy, not one of those "safe" stores where i can go in, close my eyes, pick something up and love it.

in a rush, i ended up with this:

except in red

and, despite its t-shirtness, plainess, and casualness, i completely love it! i've worn it at least 5 times in the past two weeks. in my hasty dismissal of the entire t-shirt catagory, i'd neglected the beauty of a soft, fitted v-neck t in a vibrant color. throw it on with some jeans and flats and its the perfect weekend afternoon outfit. add jewelry, a vest, a casual skirt, and it can be dressed up a bit. i think that its one of those basic pieces that are great for mixing in the more eclectic things in my wardrobe.

The Poet's Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet

Spring Cleaning Time. The apartment is all dusted and mopped and candled and all that good stuff, but have you looked at your closet lately?

Most girls I've met in life have pretty overwhelming closets. I move a lot, so that's a habit I kicked years ago. I like to think of my closet as a personal boutique, one of those cute-named expensive ones with not much stuff in it. Everything fits and makes me feel great.

If you want to have a closet more like that and less chock-full of stuff you don't even know you own, here's a few easy tips to achieving closet simplicity:

1. Figure Out What You Wear
This sounds simple but it isn't. There's a lot of things I "intend" to wear or things that I "should" wear, but I don't wear. This might sound a little OCD, but to figure out what I really wear, I like to hang up my clothing in a rotating basis. Whenever I wear something, I hang it up on one side of my closet, and the next time I pick out an outfit, I pick it from the opposite side of the closet. That way I can see what I keep passing over week after week. I'd do this for maybe a month or two. If you haven't worn an item in two months, unless its for a seasonal reason, it needs to be reconsidered.

2. Throw All Not-Worn Clothes On Your Bed for Sorting
This is the fun part, I think. Once you've figured out what you don't wear even every 2 months, then make a pile on the bed. Now go through the pile and try everything on.

3. Ask Yourself Why You Don't Wear These Items
Is it because the item is too big or too small or has a hole or a stain or a rip or you don't have the right shoes / top / cardigan for it or you have no where to wear it, etc?

4. Make Three Piles: Keep, Repair, Giveaway
I'm pretty sure this is a Tim Gunn tip, but I like it so I'll borrow it for the sake of this post. If you try on something from the not-worn-ever pile and you don't have any reason not to be wearing it, then reconsider--is this top really your style? do you Actually like it, or is it just trendy? Honestly, there are a lot of stylish things I don't personally like. And that's ok. For these items, see if you have a friend that would want it, or give it to Goodwill. It'll make someone's day. Same goes for too big /too small clothes. For the items that are ripped or stained, if you can't fix them (or use them for a crafty DIY project), then toss them.

5. Enjoy your New Closet!
Now you have a beautifully trim closet. You've given to charity (or to friends), tossed out old things (or put them aside for projects), and what you have left are clothes that not only fit right, but make you feel good. Having less clothes isn't a bad thing. You'll know whats in your closet, you'll have some signature pieces to play around with, and you'll have less I-Have-Nothing-To-Wear-Days, since all the too tight too big unflattering things are gone.

Once your closet is thinned out, its just about maintence. My wardrobe consists of mainly hand me downs and thriftstore finds, I buy Maybe 5 items of clothing for myself a year, and I still find myself needing to get rid of things from time to time. I recommend doing a closet cleaning once every season, whenever you put your winter clothes in storage and your summer clothes in your closet.

On Consumerism and Personal Style

Confession: part of me has always struggled with enjoying fashion.

On one hand, I grew up with two highly stylish and individualistic sisters, so an interest in personal style was unavoidable. On the other hand, how can I endorse buying a $180 tank top when there are people out there that are starving?

I guess the American Dream for a lot of girls is to have a walk-in-closet the size of my college dormroom current apartment or a pair of $2000 shoes, but my blog is not about that. I'm Not a proponent of materialism, consumerism, whatever you'd like to name it.

I'd like to encourage others to create a personal style with minimal resources. To own 20 tops and wear them creatively rather than owning 200 in the latest styles. To shop secondhand. To clean out your closet and give what you don't wear to charity. To swap clothes with your friends (or steal clothes from your sister's closets...).

An interest in fashion is as valid an interest as a guy being interested in baseball. Its not anymore shallow or meaningless. Personal style is one of the forms of art that gets the most exposure to everyday people. Not everyone will go to an art gallery or a poetry reading (sadly), but they can't really avoid creative fashion when they walk past you on the street.

and, Hey, I'm a girl too, there are definitely expensive items I drool over at times (see all of my "wantables"). But just because I admire Monet paintings doesn't mean I own any. Or, if there's an expensive something I must have, its my one expensive something of the year. Clothes come in style and out of style. The ruffles that are so in this year will be replaced with clean cut, masculine lines the next. Invest in the basics, like Tim Gunn says, spend as little (or nothing) as possible on the trends. Consider the French Five-Piece Wardrobe -- having your wardrobe revolve around a few key basics each season.

I don't think spending less on clothes necessarily equals being less stylish. When you've got less to work with, you've really got to "make it work." This is where you can truly stretch your creativity. I've learned to make jewelry because I didn't have enough money for accessories. If there's a trend that you're really wanting to try, like embellished cardigans, why not try to embellish one of your cardigans yourself? Not only do you get to participate in a "trend" that you love, you'll get the satisfaction of telling people you Made it, when they ask where its from. Compliments on your shirt Plus your creativity, gold star!

And saving money in that department can allow you to put more money into savings, maybe have a few extra date nights, and, most importantly, be financially able to give to others who are in need.

Because in the end, do those lime green crocs truly matter?

ugly stuff: anthropologie

as i mentioned in a previous post, i've been giving anthropologie far too much love in my posts of late. i don't own anything they've made because of the prices, i've never actually been in a store since they don't have them anywhere near where i live. i just like to look at their stuff online and get their little catalogs and Dream.

even a beautiful store like anthropologie has flaws.

$98.00. I'd like to call this "hillary gone wild"

$148.00. ah, my favorite thing. a denim romper.

$128.00. as much as i love the ruffle trend going on right now, this is overkill.

$98.00. i'm not a fan of ponchos. you might as well just throw a sack over your body, they give no shape. and my mawmaw wants her shawl back, thanks.

what makes it worse is that not only are these things ugly, they're Expensive too. of course, if you're wanting to drop that much cash at anthro, there are plenty of other beautiful things to buy. its kind of hard to find ugly things there.

Wantable of the Week

ah, anthropologie. always so beautiful and expensive.

The Pollen Promise Skirt. not sure if thats supposed to be mocking allergies or not. $99.95 . on sale. i love this skirt--bright, summery colors, abstract pattern. i'd like to wear this with a black tank and pink flats. then go traipsing around a used car lot (?) like model in the picture above. if you have the money, buy this so i can live vicariously through you.

i think that one day i'm going to have to heap some hate on anthropologie to counterbalance all this love.

Hair Style Basics

these would probably be a little better with pictures, which would constitute me taking a bunch of pictures of myself over the next few days which i don't have much time for at the present. so none of these pictures are of me (unfortunately, ha), but they'll give you an idea of what i'm talking about.

top 5 ways i like to fix my hair:


1. hot rollers
these are super easy. use the mid-sized rollers for your top layer of hair, the large sized for underneath. its pretty without trying to hard, and once you've been doing it a while, it takes just a few minutes in the morning. hair spray and scrunch the curls to finish.  then you'll magically look like j-lo:

so easy to look so good, right?

2. scrunch
this is the easiest of all, i usually fix my hair like this on the weekends. when you get out of the shower, comb through your hair, then take a palm sized amount of mousse and make sure it gets all through your hair, then turn your head upside down and scrunch your hair to the roots. i like to let it airdry after that. oh and also, hairspray it.

(and "scrunch" is not to be confused with "scrunchy." scrunchies are a no)

by the way, my husband has an unexplicable hatred of jessica beil. he says her eyes look dumb. hmm. at least her hair looks good i guess.

3. messy ponytail bun
my hair has just gotten long enough to do this again! yay! so, to do this, i put my head upside down and make a highish, loose ponytail, but instead of pulling it all the way through the ponytail holder, i only pull it halfway through on the third time (does this make sense?). this makes a little folded over bun thing. not cute, yet. so then i take the folded over part and twist it all the way around so its more circly and less folded over. then i take all the spikey fallen out pieces and twist them too so it looks sort of like this:

i love the lower set version of this too:

4. pinned back at the sides
take maybe an inch of the hair that frames your face and pin it back with a bobby pin to right above your ear...little girls do a version of this with hairbands more on top of their head.

5. half up half down
this is good for work. and good for when i'm not having a great hair day but don't want to give up entirely (ponytails are for that). (i don't part my hair in the middle, but it still works)

5. side ponytail
i'm going to start doing these again when my hair is a little longer. i don't always curl my hair for these, but i think it works best that way. maybe after a long day at the office, i'd pull back my curls into a side pony like this for chilling with the hubs at home.

so, as you see, i'm not ultra adventurous. i like to do things that are easy and not too time consuming, which means working with my natural texture rather than fighting it. which means saying no to straightening (no matter how sexy straight hair looks) and yes to curls.

Ruche

ok, so i don't really shop online much. or at all. I remember in high school my sisters would buy the occasional top or skirt from alloy, realize it didn't fit any of us, then send it back. that instilled in me a healthy suspicion of online shopping.

currently, being a seminary wife, i don't have any money to shop with (the last thing i bought for myself was a white shirt for $3.50 from F21. this was two months ago.), but i do like to windowshop and admire from afar. hence my appreciation for online stores. to paraphrase Zoolander, i don't really shop at their stores, but I admire that they are out there, making it.

BUT, if I were going to shop online, the first place I would check out would be Ruche.

They've got cute vintage-ish stuff, like Modcloth, but more reasonable prices. A small, well-chosen, boutique type of selection with feminine details.

Here are a few pics from their spring lookbooks:

Wear This Not That: Neon Jeans

in college i had this thing where i thought it was super flattering and unique and cool to wear weird looking pants. i liked pants sort of like this:

stripey pants

scotch-tape pants

weird pants by thriftypoet featuring Alexander McQueen pants

assortment of  weird pants i would've thrifted

even though I would like to offer alternatives to the ugliness of the NEON JEAN, I know that college-Renee would've totally owned one in every color:

bright pants by thriftypoet featuring Volcom jeans

Its like a rainbow of pants, right?

When you put neon on your butt and thighs, guess what people are going to be looking at? That's why I think that these really work best on a younger crowd---think middle-school girls, before hips and thighs set in. Although, if you're one of those type of girls that maintain little stick legs throughout high school, go for it. but these are really even too young for 20 year olds, in my opinion. Neon is better in little doses, to add interest.

Here are some vivid alternatives, if you've just got to get some technicolor in your outfit:

technicolor girls by thriftypoet featuring Chinese Laundry shoes

Items in this set:
Watercolor Leafy Tank, $13
Chinese Laundry Sweet Caroline at Zappos.com, $39
Shop Clutches and other Handbags at the ALDO Shoes Online Store., $40
ASOS Metal Tab Across-Body Bag, $24
Aesop's Fable Necklace in Fox, $44

these are all under $50. I particularly love that tank..soft and spring-ish looking to me. I wouldn't recommend wearing these all together, but neon shoes look pretty toned down when paired with jeans or a neutral colored skirt. plus, accessories are where you're supposed to have fun anyways.

Wantable of the Week

My dream Easter dress:

When Doves Fly by Modcloth, $64.99

I hope everyone is having a lovely Easter weekend, enjoying time with family and remembering the reason for Easter--Christ's sacrifice of his life for the sin of those who believe in him, his burial, and resurrection on the third day!

Poetry Month!

April is the cruelest month...according to T.S. Eliot.

But i think its a pretty happy month, Because its Poetry month, the one month out of the year that your everday americans might think "oh yeah, poetry, that's still going on?"

I promise, poetry isn't as boring as you think it is. I encourage you to give poetry a chance this month! And, to get you started, here is a list of poetic things you can do during April.

• Poem a Day: subscribe to have a poem emailed to you every day
• Poetry Events: search for poetry events near you
• Poem in Your Pocket Day: the perfect accessory
• Favorite Poem Project: listen to Americans from across the country recite their favorite poems.
• The Poetry Foundation: read poems by topic, author, or occassion
• Word Mover: create your own little computer poems
• Buy my Poetry Chapbook! ...ok, couldn't resist the plug...