All Halos' Eve

Angelic Little Me circa 1997

Come with me All Hallow's night

 We'll frighten everyone in sight

Such pranks for once, are justified

 And fun and frolic amplified.

                                   ~19th Century Halloween postcard

Here's hoping you have a happy and spook-tacular Halloween, my angels (and you devils too!)

Halloween poem/saying courtesy of suite101.com

Hats Off To You

Toppers: $28 - $48

Now that's a deal I can wrap my head around.

Hats off to you, Anthropologie!

All hat images courtesy of Anthropologie

Blerg. Blerg. Blerg Is The Word.

Blerg. Blerg. Blerg. Blerg is the word.

(I'm kinda really glad you can't see the little 'dance' -if you can call it that- I'm doing right at this very moment while typing this out)

I always seem to find myself enamored with any one thing that I can't quite put just a single word to when describing it.  This installment for Blog Of The Week is the perfect example.  Charming, witty, disarming, infectious,  humorous ... see what I mean? To give it proper praise, I'd need a dictionary and a thesaurus to dole out due word justice (not something a 'wordy' like me ever takes lightly)

My introduction to all things 'blerg,' came on a day I was reading and perusing design*sponge where the ladies over at Bird And Banner were giddily giving out gift ideas centered around the second wedding anniversary and how to incorporate cotton (who knew cotton was the traditional and official celebratory material?) and my finger literally stopped a-clickin' and scrolling as soon as my eyes saw the bouquet they had done for a blushing bride in this stunner of a picture:

Turns out the darling creative duo also kindly included a link over to the beautiful bride's adorable blog ... and that's where I first met the genius girlie residing in the wonderful world of blerg.  She, too, had written an entry all her own about the fact that they were featuring her (and her fluffy 'floral' bouquet)  Her totally unique tip?  She still has said bouquet, but now it's happily displayed in a silver vase and sprayed with her wedding perfume (how divine is that?)

Her entries are usually short and sweet, but both the sentiment (they always seem to put a big ol' grin on my face) and images are just oh-so-pretty ... like when she proudly made her very own desktop wallpaper ...and if that wasn't enough ... she then offered it to all of us (her devotees) to use too:

So so fantastically, fashionably, fabulously chic, no?

(uh-oh. I think I just walked a very fine line with some dangerous 'alliteration overkill' right there. Eek.)

Just thinking about it now makes me feel like a kitty cat ... ready to pounce on my mouse for my next blerg-ified fix click.

It's official.  Consider me completely, 100% blogsmacked. 

Click here to see just what I mean.

(but don't say I didn't warn you when you feel the urge to do a little dance yourself!)

Banner and Photos/Images courtesy of blerg

FURocious. Faux Real.

I woke up this morning, peeled off my many-layered blankets and covers (you can just never have enough - this coming from the girl that, if possible, would wear one wrapped around her out in public) and felt that old, familiar chill.  I peered out my bedroom's window and, sure enough, saw the green grass ever-so-lightly dusted with bright white snow (looking just like perfectly pretty powdered sugar)

Winter is here, and with it, comes my eternal search for the perfect cold weather accessories for my wardrobe.  Lately I've been (day)dreaming up ways I could possibly wear pieces found in this fabulous faux fur movement we seem to be experiencing in fashion right now.

Maybe it's the return of Rachel Zoe to my TV season (where almost every dark tight and chunky platformed shoe outfit is topped with a furry friend) or is it my grandmother's influence ... where as a little girl ... I can remember peeking into her closet and seeing rows upon rows of long, luscious furs? (although I do believe she went for the 'real deal' where I'm all about the faux)

Although the above fashionistas could very well have been inspirations, it was all due to this particular picture that I saw when opening my e-mail's inbox from Urban Outfitters:

The picture that started it all.

So I 'screen shopped' high and low and found some furry friends all of my own that hopefully one wintry day soon, I'll be cozying up to and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to wear my very own fuzzy blanket out in public after all.

$168 Silence & Noise Pamela Coat

(same as inspiration picture)

$168 BYCORPUS CHUBBY JACKET

(Makes me want to say: "I am woman, hear me ROAR!")

$53 The Carrie Jacket

(All you need is a pair of opaque tights and some heels)

$19.99 Melodie Cropped Jacket

(really adoring its 'color of the moment' purple shade)

$29.99 Kimichi Blue Faux Fur Trim Open Blazer

(Love how it's just the lightest touch of fur)

$28.99 Fur Vest

(You can never go wrong with basic black, right?)

$88 Silence & Noise Fur Vest

(The most 'Rachel Zoe' of the bunch. Bananas.)

$38.90 Faux Fur Zip Vest

(This looks so super comfy-cozy, all zipped up to the neck, no?)

$39 Colorblocked Fur Vest

(The ombre coloring is so chic and modern)

$36.99 Fur Knit Vest

(Something about it makes the chilly air turn warm by just lookin' at it)

What do you think, dear readers o' mine, should I go faux?

Yes?  No?  Maybe so?

Pictures courtesy of UO, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Delias and Lulus

P.S. Speaking of Rachel Zoe, if you need a bit of a chuckle, check out this video by clicking here, I couldn't stop laughing (thanks to cupcakes and cashmere for her 'tweeted' link) A-mazing.

The MM Express

"Last call!"

"Tickets, please!" 

The whistle is a-blowin' ...
(choo-choo!)

"ALL ABOARD!"

Hello and welcome to the Manly Monday Express where we take you on a guided tour of all things 'fashion fella friendly' (and at each stop, feel free to exit the train and shop for some of your own money-saving style steals)

Please, if you will, take your seats now ... fasten those belts and buckle up, boys ... you're in for quite the accessorized ride!

If you look to your left, you'll see today's first stop - Cinch-y Center

(where there's a belt, there's a waist)

Your Guide Gal is partial to the Film Strip Belt - what can I say? Words are my weakness ... 

$27.65  NAILHEAD BUCKLE BELT

$34.65 LEATHER STUDDED BELT

$31.15 GRAPHIC LEATHER BELT - TRUTH AND VALOR

$39.50 REVERSIBLE RIB TEXTURE BELT

$39.50 GRAPHIC BELT - FILM STRIP

$24.50 STRIPE NEON WEB BELT

Fast approaching is our next stop - The Buckle Stops Here Boutique

(Their Motto: We NEVER Buckle Under Pressure)

Etsy Members/Accounts Accepted (And Highly Recommended) Here

$27 Zipper Made Of Staples Buckle In Yellow

Seller: bykali

$44 License Plate Buckle Vintage Metal Mosaic

Seller: randitan

$30 Nail Burst In Dark Blue

Seller: bykali

$25 SLAG Hand Crafted Belt Buckle

Seller: fosterweld

$11 Vintage 70s Spin On A Hip Belt Buckle

Seller: treasuresinanattic

$14 Vintage Mens Wild West Belt Buckle With Black Cabochon

Seller: treasuresinanattic

$38 Over The Seven Seas Belt Buckle

Seller: flightpathdesigns

$25 Scrolled Edge Gun Belt Buckle

Seller: Motorbike

$35 Wood Buckle - Handmade

Seller: irvberman

The last stop on today's tour? Denim Depot

(Our Men ALWAYS Wear The Pants)

Tour Guide Tip: Dark Washed Jeans? Cuff 'n' Roll 'Em for a whole new vintage vibe

Today's Special:  The Slim Rocco Fit

(a skinny cut that gives just the right amount of leg room)

(Other available styles/fits: The Extra Slim (simply snug), Classic (room for your boots) and Loose (the most relaxed)

$69.50 Rocco Boot Cut Jean - Streaked Sandblast

$69.50 Rocco Boot Cut Jean - Whisker Wash

$49.50 Rocco Boot Cut Jean - Midnight Aged

$59.50 Rocco Straight Leg Jean - Light Granite

$88 Rocco Straight Leg Jean - Black Resin

$79.50 Rocco Straight Leg Jean - Sleek Rinse

Well, gents (and ladies), it looks as if we are pulling back into Style Station where our bargain-y accessory adventure first began ... and where this train tour must now end.

Thank you for choosing to ride The Manly Monday Express today.  We appreciate your purchasing patronage and look forward to serving all your shopping needs the next time you choose to ride in style.

All Belts and Denim Photos courtesy of Express (For Him)

All Buckle Images courtesy of Etsy (type in "men's belt buckles" in the provided search box)

Victory Song

Found myself in rather dire need of my very own victory song for this Saturday night while trying to compile and organize all these bloggy thoughts that are swirling about in my little head so I can then transfer them into some kind of typed out cohesion for you to read (and I think I may have found just that in the Muse tune below)  Wish me luck.  I will be victorious ...

Paranoia is in bloom,

The PR transmissions will resume,

They'll try to push drugs that keep us all dumbed down,

And hope that we will never see the truth around

(So come on)

Another promise, another scene,

Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed,

And all the green belts wrapped around our minds,

And endless red tape to keep the truth confined

(So come on)

They will not force us,

They will stop degrading us,

They will not control us,

We will be victorious

(So come on)

Interchanging mind control,

Come let the revolution take it's toll,

If you could flick a switch and open your third eye,

You'd see that

We should never be afraid to die

(So come on)

Rise up and take the power back,

It's time the fat cats had a heart attack,

You know that their time's coming to an end,

We have to unify and watch our flag ascend

They will not force us,

They will stop degrading us,

They will not control us,

We will be victorious

Video courtesy of You Tube
Lyrics provided by LYRICSMODE

There's An Angel Among Us

From the moment my motorcycle boots-wearing feet stepped out of my ride and onto the fenced patio where I stopped at the red double-doored entrance, I knew I was in for a heavenly treat.

Once inside, I was graciously greeted by a man dressed in head-to-toe black (beanie included) who promptly escorted my blazered self to a reserved white linen-covered corner table (a stark, stunning contrast to the brightly painted rooms) where I awaited the rest of my party and admired the artwork-adorned walls (all done - and sold - by local artists)

Soon my table of one turned into a welcome table of five, and with conversation flowing, the menu selections naturally began.  Dessert for dinner was the theme for this night and as I examined the descriptions of the sweet treats, I excitedly followed suit with my order:  Panna Cotta (5.50) - This elegant traditional Italian dessert is a set cream with a silky texture.  Flavors are also whimsical. 

They had me at whimsical.

In mere moments, with music filling the air, a just-the-right-size saucer was placed in front of me where the set cream was covered with deep red pomegranate sauce and a gorgeous green sprig of mint.  Spoon in hand, this other-worldly thing just melted ever so softly and smoothly onto my tongue and in my mouth.  Simple, delicious decadence.

As the night (filled with intoxicating conversation) was coming to its close, a small, white piece of paper was delivered and peacefully rested in the middle of the just-lit-by-candle table with five miniature rounded cookies, and upon further inspection, the flavor was sampled and found: amaretto. Divine. 

With the white-slip-of-paper-business taken care of (my thanks to M) everyone slowly starting getting to their feet (I don't think any of us really wanted this night to end) I found myself lingering just a bit longer as I took one last look around this place I had grown to love and adore (in such a short time) to breathe it in until my next return.

My sincerest gratitude and thanks to The Tin Angel Cafe for your warm and welcoming hospitality that served to be the perfect backdrop to 'meet and greet' my newfound lovelies and fellow future shopgirls (J, C and L) ... and for my own little slice of heaven.

      

Logo/Pictures courtesy of The Tin Angel Cafe (please click on over to find the location, hours, menu items and all information regarding local artist/artwork and live music calendar)

The Thin Grey Line

You know that blurry little place between black and white? 

Well ... I think I'm going to nestle and settle myself right into that fuzzy conundrum of a grey area ... and call it home.  At least for now. 

I think I'm gonna like it here.

Photo courtesy of my grey $10 TJMaxx frock found somewhere between black and white

Serenity Now

Has there ever been a moment in your day where you close your eyes, wishing you could be guided and led by the hand, to a place where you are invited to do nothing more than simply breathe in the beauty? 

Such a place does exist and I have found it in The Drifter And The Gypsy where few words are ever spoken (but those that are feel forever thought-provoking and awe-inspiring) and the breathtaking images speak volumes. 

Entranced and immersed in basking glows of softness and light where you are the princess in your very own fairytale, and when you fear you must escape into realities again, you are left with an open invitation to return, always to warm, welcoming arms.

So close your eyes, take my hand, and dream with me:

(these are just a few of my favorite images from this serene site)

Remember to breathe.  Just breathe.

This Wednesday Website of the Week feature courtesy of the wonderful world of The Drifter And The Gypsy