OOTD: gratuitous cell phone self shots

I don't get dressed up as often now that I don't go to work. So here's a real quick post - I got this dress when I was in London a few months ago and really love it!

However, I need to dig out the tripod and not try to take pictures of myself like this. It's like my blog circa 2009 up in here today.

shoe shot:


zoolander face:

werq it baby.

legs:


tattoo, which I haven't shown a very good picture of yet:


Outfit details:
dress: Marks & Spencer
shoes: Dansko rory pumps
necklace: polymath, via urban craft uprising
tattoo: started in 11/10, Christy Brooker, Damask Tattoo

Thursday Links

Art & Craft:

Awesome art made from paint chips (via How About Orange)

How to make an ombre (dip-dyed, for those of us not in the know) t-shirt (Cotton & Curls via Craftzine)

Some of the most beautiful tattoo work I've ever seen (I especially love this one) (find more Thomas Hooper here and here)

Body Image & General Fattery:

"If I am to value myself, and my intelligence, and my contributions to the world, I must also value the vessel that enables me to engage with that world, and that helps me to experience everything that makes me the person I am, no matter how anyone else may try to tear me down."
(from Why The Worlds Needs Fat Acceptance by Leslie Kinzel)

Surprisingly insightful discussion happening in the comments on this post about feminism and dieting (via SocImages)

"It's okay to feel really ugly sometimes. Being body positive all the time is hard work." A reminder to let ourselves off the hook. (via Eat the Damn Cake)

Creative Living:

Great post on making space for creativity that's especially timely for me and my new venture! (via Kyla Roma)

Anyone else out there read (or write!) any super great posts this week? Leave them in the comments!

Wish List: eShakti & Swedish Hasbeens

I talked the other day about not buying expensively into a trend that I'm not sure about. Well, if I were to buy into the wooden clog/platform trend... Swedish Hasbeens would be the ones I'd buy!

My monthly check of eShakti's offerings also gave me a few items to lust over. If only I hadn't quit my job! Oh well, it's worth it. :) I can enjoy these beauties from afar.

eShakti and Swedish Hasbeens by neffbot

Do any of y'all have a pair of Swedish Hasbeens? If so, do you like them? Have any of you ever bought expensive shoes only to regret it later?

Etsy shop update: Lowered prices!

Hey everyone! I'm clearing out my etsy shop to prepare for lots of great new finds.

So, if you're in the market for midi skirts (like this one, or this one) or an awesome lace blouse, I just lowered prices!

I'm especially drawn to the blouse - won't someone give it a good home?

Also, blog readers get 15% off, just convo me beforehand and I'll adjust the price for you.

Thrifting pro-tip: get that "vintage" smell out of non-washable items

The other day I scored this awesome straw purse from a Goodwill outside of Seattle (the ones in the 'burbs are always better than the ones in the city since they aren't as picked over!).



It was only $3 since it was 50% off.



Unfortunately, it's a little stinky. Not too bad, but it definitely has that "vintage" smell, if you know what I mean...

But never fear - because there's a way to get out that smell!

What you'll need:

2 dryer sheets

A large ziploc baggie

What to do:

Put one dryer sheet inside the purse

Put one outside the purse

Fold the purse to fit inside the kind-of-too-small baggie

Wait a few days

Enjoy a fresh smelling new-to-you purse!


Also, umm, tear the tag off before you take it out with you. Not that any of us are forgetful in that way, nosirree, nope.

Do any of you have any tips or tricks for making thrifted/secondhand items smell better? Share them in the comments!

OOTD: To celebrate my last day at work

I'm back! And now I can tell you some big news.

I quit my day job.

That's right. Last week, prior to setting off into the Florida sunset, I ended my corporate employment and am now self-employed (more on that after the pretty pictures).


the look of stylish self-employment

Bob was such a sweetie and took me out for a date night to celebrate.



We went to Palace Kitchen, and it was delicious. I had three different kinds of pork, because one kind isn't enough. Also, I had ham for lunch. Because I love the flesh of the pig, apparently. And who doesn't? Well, lots of people, probably.


outfit details:
sheer cream dress: asos.com clearance (no longer available)
under dress: Target, ages ago, it's a heather grey jersey number
black wooden platform wedges: Target
bangle: H&M

Anyways, "my last day" you may be wondering? Why am I quitting my job and what will I be up to? Well, as some of my old school readers may recall, last year I launched a fashion consulting business. It's my dream to help women find their personal style.



If you're interested in working together, or perhaps have a friend or relative you'd like to refer, I'd love to talk to you! I give a 15% discount to all blog readers, so let's get this party started!

Off to Key West, regular witty posts and comments will return in a few days!

OOTD: Cheap and cheerful sandals

Hello my lovelies, how's everything?

Me? Well, I've been enjoying the sunny weather, and, strangely, wearing heels! I know, who am I and what have I done with the other Rebecca, who is every bit as beautiful and witty, but more sensible in footwear choices?

I've just been inspired lately by all the short summer dresses paired with chunky platform sandals, so I had to go get in on that action.



My preferred method of easing into a style that I'm not too sure of (in this case, wooden platform sandals) is to buy it cheap at first, then invest later if the trend sticks with me.

I found these sandals at Target and they definitely fit the bill - cheap and cheerful, the perfect way for me to try out the platform look.

Outfit details:
Dress: Asos.com, 2010
Necklace: Whiteowl.etsy.com
Platform sandals: Target



I also tried Stephanie's headband hairstyle again to much better effect (here's the last attempt). My longer hair worked better and required far fewer bobby pins! As my British friends may say, result!*



All in all, a good day with a good outfit and good hair. And, I must say, this dress paired with this lovely lace necklace I got from White Owl is really becoming my equivalent of a power tie. I feel fabulous every time I wear it.



Do you have an accessory or a combo that transports you to feelings of fabulousity about yourself?

*Claire, am I using that correctly?

Thursday Links

Hey everyone! Time for another semi-regular Thursday Links!

Here are a few posts I've enjoyed lately -

Never forget that you are awesome! (Sarah Neuburger via Design Is Mine)

Crafty:

Beautiful pictures like these really make me want to try to make a home succulent garden (via Rachele at Nearsighted Owl)

Luckily, Kyla Roma posted on how to make a container succulent garden, so I can make my dreams of keeping plants alive* come true (via Kyla Roma).

I've modified vintage dresses before, but I really want to try something like this (Addi Enne via Low Budget Diva)

From the "why didn't I think of this before? archives: Embroidery Hoop Laundry Bag (cornflower blue via Craftzine)

Body Image and General Fattery:

“How many fatties does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Uhm, actually, as a rule fat people don’t screw in lightbulbs because they’re too busy smashing normative standards of beauty, being fancy as fuck, looking totally badass, making out with each other, eating delicious snacks, walking around on the streets, taking off their tops, making children cry, shaking their bellies at people, mooning people and uhm yeah, so fat people don’t ever actually screw in lightbulbs, you’ll never see that.” (via Majestic Legay of Glitter Politic via Rotundlr)

Sal over at Already Pretty says it so well: Happiness is the point. Style is just a way.

One of my favorite blogs, honestly, on how she 'bucks the mainstream' (via Dances With Fat)

Fat Dialogue in Love (Mitten Paws via Weesha's World)

*in my defense, I've been able to keep a dog alive, which is more rewarding than plants anyways.

Kirsty and I take Portland by storm

This weekend, Bob and I headed down to Portland for a day trip for the special occasion of seeing Kirsty and Alex! They are in the states for a bit, and we wanted to head to Fat Fancy together and take them to Powell's. And look at beards. You know, Portlandy things.

Bob and Alex headed off to the Starbucks across the street while Kirsty and I tried on amazing vintage dresses.

Like so:

(I think this was handmade from a bedsheet. Amazing)

And voila:

(we called this dark confection the "Edwardian Power Ballad")

The next stop was Powell's, where we exchanged a suitcase and a backpack full of books for an always-amazingly-high amount of store credit (I feel like Powell's is really generous in that way). I picked up a book I'd been wanting for awhile, Alicia Paulson's Embroidery Companion.



Then we headed over to an arcade that I can't remember the name of, where I sweat. A lot. It was unbearably warm inside. I hate sweating.


Outside the arcade, two sweaty hot babes pose for the camera:


After that, Kirsty and Alex had serious jetlag to contend with, so they went on to relax for the rest of the evening and Bob and I rounded out the triumvirate of every Portland trip we take by going to Pine State Biscuits, where my Southern heart was melted by sweet tea in mason jars.


We always order the same thing: THE REGGIE!!! A biscuit with fried chicken, bacon, sausage gravy, and cheddar cheese.

Bliss.

What were your plans for the 4th of July weekend? Did anyone do anything fun?

Internet lovin'*

(This was one of the first images that came up on Google Images for the phrase "internet loving". I'm not really sure about the tie in, but I needed a pic for this post and, well, surprised cat is pretty adorable.)

I have so many favorite blogs and find so many bloggers inspiring that I wanted to do a post to highlight just a handful (a handful!) of blogs that I've been faithfully reading for the past several months.

If I can be counted on to be consistent (which I can't), I think I'd like to make this a weeklyok, let's not kid ourselves, monthly feature. Because, seriously, the internets are full of great blogs.

Here are a few of them - please enjoy!
a monkey fatshionista
pretty penny mae
tall girl blogging
bearly on earth
a curious fancy
fatty unbound
a well rounded venture
the nearsighted owl


*not that kind, though if you are into that, I say go for it!