Flower Girl

If I was still teeny tiny and planning on donning a costume for Halloween night to run up to front porches and doors to claim a sweet candy treat, you can bet your bottom dollar that I would want to be nothing but this pretty pink flower complete with dainty little white socks and black maryjanes.

Source: The Clothes Horse

Farm Fresh

I am a bonafide city gal.  No doubt about it.  I love the whooshing sounds of traffic, the beep beep beeping of car horns, the click-clacking of heels against the pavement and the bright shiny lights of a bustling busy downtown.  It feels like home to me.

But every now and then, I think I could leave it all behind for the country.  I dream of living on a farm in a cottage built for two (eventually, eh?) with a wraparound porch and swing (gotta have the swing) and waking up to the sounds of a rooster's call coaxing me to get up and out from under my comfy-cozy covers to begin another day's worth of work.

That's just what Emerson (from EmersonMade fame) did.  She and her hubby honey left the hustle and bustle of New York's city streets for the farm fresh, country chic life where she makes her acclaimed floral fancies along with her newest endeavor of fantabulously fashion-y wears (my current faves darlingly displayed here, here, and here).

So maybe if Emerson could do it, I could too.  Maybe.  Someday.

Source: EmersonMade.

Skirting The Issue

Twirl.  Spin.  Repeat.

Isn't that just about the only thing you can see yourself doing while in this too-cute-for-words customizable trenched topper?  I mean, it's got everything you could possibly need: the ruffles, the bow, the buttons, the perfect khaki color ... and all under 100 smackaroos. 

It can't get any better.  It just can't.

Source: Changjiali

Coif Conundrum

I'm completely and totally confused when it comes to my current coif.  For ages now all I've been able to talk and blog about is wanting to keep a sleek and slick pixie atop my head and to douse it in a bright white shade like the chickies above (and would love to walk around town with that third style especially) but now I'm feeling a rather forceful push and pull ever since seeing this fab unkempt 'do in the fantastic Clint Eastwood-directed flick, Hereafter.

I'm so boggled that I even visited my scissor-wielding sister/hairdresser this weekend and wouldn't let her touch even one tiny hair on this head o'mine (a miracle in and of itself) because I was (and think I still am) bound and determined to rock the messy movie 'do myself.  I mean, I've practically got the perfect length already since I've been lazily (and unknowingly) growing it out for months now and all I really have to do is scrunch it up while it's wet and - voila! - hairdo done.

Help a girl out!  What say you?  Chop or grow?

Source: Refinery 29

Julia Julia



Meet Julia.

She-of-the-drool-worthy-platinum-long-locks, wicked sense of humor to match wits with  and a vintage-packed-want-every-piece-wardrobe (really, I gotta get going on a shopping trip with this one) sent me a link to her new pretty pretty portfolio and I was floored with what I found.  Floored.  And puffed up with all sorts of pride since I oh-so-luckily get to call her my bestie. 

Picture after picture (I truly wanted to post every one here, but thought I'd leave the thrill of discovery to you) of the little things cleverly made bigger than life by her photographic hand.  I seriously am counting down the days until I can happily be in the background of her super mega success and look over beaming and say how I lucky I was (and am) to have "known her when."  See for yourself here and could you do me a favor?

Tell her Bex says hi.

Source: Julia Julia

Double Take

I had to rub my eyes a couple times to make sure I was really seeing what I was seeing when I saw the coat Alexa Chung sports in a pic for Pepe Jeans London because I literally just bought the spitting image (the shape, the collar, the faux fur-ness) over on Piperlime.  To think I have a little bit of the same fashion sense and taste as a super stylin' megstar like Alexa?  Well, let me tell you, it just about made my whole day ... alright, my whole year.

Coat of Many Collars pic courtesy of styleist

Layering 101

I got schooled.  Schooled in the art of cold weather layering by this here expert example pictured above.  And if there is one thing I like about winter (and trust me, I can really only think of this one thing - ok, ok - maybe hot chocolate with mini marshmallows too) when it comes to the inevitable snow that will soon be lining the streets of where I call home, it is the fact that when it does get so very chilly (as my Rudolph red nose always proves), my obvious love of/for all things fashion gets to seriously multiply because I just get to wear more of it as I pile on the layers and layers of all my warm-wearing goodness.

I'm off to a pretty good start with these almost-to-the-knee boots that I luckily happened to score on sale recently and now I'm looking to complete the above ensemble with these necessary additions: a brooch-adorned hat, a bejeweled necklace (think I've got that covered with some baubles already in my possession), a big ol' chunky knitted scarf, a comfy-cozy t-shirt dress (I may have to improvise with some tunics already hanging in my closet) an oversized cardi, patterned tights (do fishnets count?) and my carry-everything black crossover bag (that can morph into a hand-held) to pull it all together ... since I plan on wearing nothing but some form/interpretation of this exact outfit all winter long ...

Layering 101 pics courtesy of Vanessa Jackman

Daydream Believer

I've been dwelling (quite happily and comfortably, thank you very much) here in No Man's Land for a while now, but in my current fella-less state, I still find there are times when I tilt my head to one side and put my hand under my chin and am taken away as I dream of my (one day) big day and thought I'd share my most recent blushing bride findings with you this morning:

1.  The 'I Do' Hairdo: I can't seem to see myself wearing a veil, so naturally, anything from band.do's bridal line will do (especially No. 111 and No. 112)  

2.  The Dress:  Any of the white-laced lovelies (look at the gorgeous second and fourth pretties I went gaga for) that walked in the Spring 2011 Erdem Show.

3.  The Bouquet:  Never have I seen a more beautiful or clever take on a bouquet before - a whole cluster of blingy brooches instead of the traditional flowers?! Yes, please!

4.  The Ring:  I fell pretty darn hard (some may even say it was love at first sight) for this antiqued, vintage-y-looking beauty.

5.  The 'Something Blue' Shoe:  Sorry, no photo with this one, the perfect pair are going to stay under wraps (boxed and hidden) for my possible maybe-one-day event, but I can tell you that they are a pair of sky high blue suede shoes maryjanes.

So, if any of you out there know of any fashion-loving gents that would be ready and willing to volunteer and/or are up for the challenge of little bargain-hunting me, lemme know.  In the meantime, I'll just fill my days with what-to-wear wishes and daydreams. 

Bunched and Brooched Bouquet courtesy of Grey Likes Weddings

That's A Wrap

Bye Bye, beanie ... Hello, turban! 

Most hats (from fedoras to cloches) look a little off, a little odd on me (I've got a big noggin which means I need a bigger size which also usually means it covers all of my short-ish hairdo) but with the new trend of the turban style, I can just plop it on top and flip out the sides and back of my hair and call it a day.  And what girl wouldn't want to don a darling hot pink number atop her head?

Wrapping it up pic courtesy of creativeyarn

Just A Thought

I don't know about you, but I kinda sorta think every day (especially Monday) should rain down sequins ... wouldn't that be fabulous?!

Sequins, sequins and more sequins pic courtesy of Stardust and Sequins

Shoedini

My sister is a magician.  Seriously.  She has this incredible knack for being able to call me up, tell me to type in a site, and somehow the next perfect addition to my wardrobe appears on my computer screen. 

Take these boots, for example.  How did she know that I was on the search for the perfect brown boot that just happened to have a sturdy wedged heel and laces up?  Because, people, I told you ... she's magical. 

She's like the Shoedini of our time.  Really.  And I, for one, can't wait to see what style trick(s) she has up her sleeve next ...

Pic of the next pair to grace my shoe self courtesy of My Spring Shoes

Cheetah Girl

Two things spring to mind here:

1.  This takes me back to my Run Lola Run boxed redhead days (that, in all honesty, lasted maybe a week on my head before completely washing out) but for those few incredible days ... wherever I walked ... a hard-hitting techno beat followed.  Talk about a confidence booster.

AND

2.  It is high time that I finally become a member of the cat family that I have been so keen on joining with my own faux-bulous coat.  I opted to go the cheetah route instead of the leopard.  Just to be a little unique, a little different and now I can't wait until it arrives so I can (hopefully) hear that bangin' beat again.

MEOW.

My 'I Am Woman Hear Me Roar' pic courtesy of Studded Hearts

Goldeneye

I've literally been sitting on my hands ever since seeing these shiny specs hoping to quell my increasing-by-the-second overwhelming urge to click and buy them as fast as my fingers will let me.  They're just so gold.  And sparkly.

Visions of someone else wearing them, a someone else that had a quicker clickin' finger than me are almost too much to bear.  Like another early bird will have gotten this worm if I don't and I'll just have to potentially sit here tending to a terrible case of the shoulda woulda couldas. 

What's a bargaining girl to do?  Hmm.  To buy or not to buy ... that is always the question, isn't it?

Golden peepers pic courtesy of Bibby's Rocket

Glitz & Glam

I've saved this picture in an online folder for ages now for no other reason than when I saw all that sparkle and shine, my internal magpie meter went all sorts of haywire.  Ever since, I've been searching for the perfect tinseled topper and think I've finally hit the glittery goldmine.

Sequin search?  Done, done and done.

Puttin' on the glitz pic courtesy of Garance Dore

Blondeshead Revisited

Moth to a flame.  That's literally the only way I can describe what happens to me whenever I see a picture of a super blondie blonde.  It always, without fail, reminds me of when I had and wore the same platinum pretty shade; even now, this second, as I type (and proverbially pat myself on the back for continuing my bargain-y ways of saving my bucks by donning my natural dirty blonde color) I'm inexplicably drawn to its beautiful blonde brightness.  Like I said ... Moth to a flame.

Back in the blonde days pic courtesy of tamgutlich

P.S. I Want This Book

Martha Stewart I am not.  The day they were passing out the crafting gene, I must have been absent (probably in another line somewhere waiting to get the bargaining one instead) but I do love me some never-will-I-be-able-to-afford runway kind of fashions.

Enter my new (only around 13 or so dollars) must-buy bargain bible:  P.S. I Made This ... I See It.  I Like It.  I Make It (and thanks, Mama, for the introduction).  This girlie, Ms. Erica, takes it to a whole new level with 25 pretty projects that even I (she who is allergic to all things DIY) could see myself actually attempting (and succeeding) in doing.

Guess it's pretty obvious what I'll be picking up during my errand-running this weekend, huh?

Crafty cover pic courtesy of Mama's A Rolling Stone

P.S.  As if all this fabulousness wasn't enough on its own, she's even got a beautiful blog that I just can't stop staring at and drooling over.  Like those totally rad neon heels and this nifty parachuting men (!) toy necklace.  Awesome.  Just awesome.  And completely crafty cool.

The Story Of A Girl And Her Little Black Dress

I picked up my very own copy of Glamour's Special Edition 1,000 Dos & Don'ts to Dress By Forever (out now) thinking I was just paying for some frivolous fashion fun and to hopefully brush up on some simple style rules as to avoid any of my own future (possibly embarrassing)  black-barred moment(s).  Little did I know then, that inside those glossy pages, I'd be purchasing something much more important by reading the story of and meeting Sheena Matheiken - the girl behind The Uniform Project - who armed with (only) one simple little black dress and a year changed not only the school/education system in India but the way I'd forever view the fashion world: 

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

Consider me inspired (not to mention trying really, really hard not to be way more than slightly sort of jealous of her darling dark and bobbed/banged 'do).  And the next time I find myself (this proud deal seeker and bargainista) frustratingly standing in front of my own closet, declaring that I simply have absolutely nothing to wear (which happens much more often than I'd care to admit) all I'll have to do is pull out my own lbd knowing that it (and I) have the power to change the world - just like Sheena did - one little black dress at a time.

See the next dress' adventures (by month) here.

Some Girls Have All The Luck

I got lucky.  Really, really lucky when I opened my inbox to see a congratulatory e-mail from Robin at Dark Pony Designs announcing that I was the lucky recipient and winner of these black and white lovelies.  Upon their arrival (I excitedly opened my mailbox to see a little white box with a glittery heart atop and inside it my winnings) I immediately snazzied myself up (a little mascara here and some hot pink lips there) and snapped away donning my new danglers.

And it's already been determined (almost instantly from putting them on) that these earrings will most definitely be making their own cameo appearance come Halloween night when I'll be answering the door to every ghost and ghoul that dares enter (and I just happen to love the way they look hanging from my short-ish, half-pixied, half-bobbed hairdo)

So thank you, Robin, for gifting me with my new (and most favorite) of bejeweled accessories.  I can't wait to show them off even more as they rest, brush and hang ever so coolly on my shoulders.  Oh.  And P.S. - I've still got my eye on those bustiers and what I hope to make my next piece from you: That heart-pounder of a brooch.  So freakin' cool. 

All skull snaps shot by me (Bex)

Right Hand Gal

Remember the right-handed ring movement and revolution that took place a few years back among all the strong independent women of the world who were gosh darn tired of waiting for a man to put a ring on it? (With even Beyonce singing the sentiment?!)

Well ... the growing-smaller-every-second traditionalist side of me is finally ready to jump in feet (err, fingers) first and get me my own right-handed bling. 

And I think I'm going to start here.  With this pink pretty.  Or maybe this black beauty.

Ha.  See?  With all the picking power up to independent little me, the possibilities are quickly becoming (quite enjoyably) endless ...

Puttin' a ring on it pic courtesy of Birch Beer Boutique

Wet Wellies

With October comes the beginning of rainy, slushier streets here in these parts and inevitably my mind always goes back to our very first winter here when I was a mere 4 years young (having migrated from the warm California sun to the chilly cold of Utah) and our first treks through the wet streets over to our elementary school where I got my first lessons in the importance of layering and dressing (appropriately) for the weather.

I'd stand next to the coat rack, unzip and unravel both coats and scarves as well as pull off my heavy sock-stuffed 'moon boots' and slip on a pair of simpler tennies or flats and wait for the recess bell to ring where I'd find myself back at said rack piling on the layers again to protect my tootsies from the cold blowing outside.

Fast forward - just a few years - to now.  Now, I'm a rebel.  Now, I've even been known to wear suede (!) in the rain, sleet and snow and I have perfected the art of running to and from wherever I need to go in record time so I don't taint the pretty of whatever shoe I happen to be wearing during the inclement weather.

But I've missed the days where I got to show off not one, but two pairs of shoes a day as I switched from one warm-booted foot protector in the morning to an easier flat for the day's more dry of activities so I'm going back in time this year ... and I'm starting it off properly with my very own pair of Wellies ... and I think I've found just the site (and shoes) to start with: Flowery greys on Mondays, sailor stripes on Tuesdays, pretty plaids on Wednesdays ... 

Yeah.  I think it's safe to say that this is going to be the start of a (very) beautiful foot friendship ...

Rainy day footwear pic courtesy of Wellies (dot) com