loving :: myself. i’ve spent many years feeling insecure, comparing myself to others, worrying too much about what people think… i don’t know if it’s age or experience or what, but i feel strong inside. i feel really good about who i am and what i stand for. it’s a triumph, really. this newfound inner peace is invigorating and inspiring. and while i’m not perfect, i like me.
reading :: magazines – nylon, marie claire, glamour – piles of them all over the house. every year i order two or three from a fundraiser through my son’s school. and every year i can’t keep up as they continue to roll in. so if you see me wearing something that was so last november …you’ll know that i probably just finished flipping through an old issue of marie claire.
watching :: we’ve been dorking out lately – the science channel is on in our home almost as much as bravo. how it’s made, dark matters, survivorman… but our favorite – idiot abroad. we caught a marathon last weekend and now we’re hooked. i love karl. love him. the 3rd and final season just started.
thinking about :: my blog. more specifically, figuring out what it means to me and what i want to convey to my readers {or anyone on the planet who stumbles upon it.} originally, i started this blog as a way to “advertise” my vintage shop on etsy. it wasn’t long before i made friends and found myself in the thick of “fashion blogging” – it was weird taking photos of myself, but it was fun and allowed me to be creative with my clothing/love of fashion. at that time, i was able to post nearly every day. i had readers! i had fans! i was writing. but then i started reading things like – to have a successful blog you must do “this, this, or this.” i got caught up in the numbers and i started comparing my blog to the bigger blogs. because of those insecurites, i found myself being catty and judge-y and that toxic combo sucked the fun right out of something i once enjoyed doing. eventually, i quit. but i kinda missed it, so i came back. but it wasn’t the same…it was like starting over. the frustration of trying to find where i fit in was making me wishy-washy - do i or don’t i? why am i doing this? does anyone care? what do i have to offer? once again, i was frustrated. several months ago, i had a heart to heart with a fellow blogger/friend. we talked about the pros and cons and i soaked up her advice like a sponge. i thought about it for weeks and decided…it’s time to shit or get off the pot. yes, i know…very wise words, indeed. so i dropped a deuce in the think tank: started planning a redesign {which hasn’t happened yet, despite the recent small changes i’ve made}, i’m researching how to offer sponsorships and ad space, i began networking with bloggers that i have more in common with, and made a list of the things that inspire me most, things that will make this blog more about me, not about what a blog is supposed to be. i feel good about it. i no longer stress over the small details. i share the things i love, when i have time. i like my blog. i like the community and the friends i’ve made. it allows me to be more creative…and if i inspire a few people in the process, great!
***long story, short – i liked blogging, i loved blogging, i hated blogging, i quit blogging, i started blogging, i wanted to quit blogging, but here i am…blogging. the end.
anticipating :: a two night stay in one of these, at this place. so. freaking. pumped. this was a christmas gift to both of us from my dad and stepmom. mark and i celebrate our birthdays next month, so it might be the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway up the coast.
listening to :: everything. recently downloaded: i knew you were trouble {taylor swift}, thrift shop {macklemore & ryan lewis}, closer {tegan and sara}, not over you {gavin degraw}
working on :: drinking less coffee and more green tea. my love of the bean is insane, but green tea is healthier.
wishing for :: the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans. where can i get a pair without breaking the bank?!
loving :: songpop! my username is aka_paige…download the app and let’s play!
reading :: the claiming of sleeping beauty. yeah, yeah. i know what you must think of me – first the fifty shades trilogy and now this. truth is, i’ve had the sleeping beauty set for years. now that everyone is so interested, i thought i’d blow the dust off the covers and indulge myself. and ps…this series is more graphic than fifty shades, so…you’ve been warned!
watching :: the questions is…what aren’t we watching? from grey’s anatomy to the walking dead…we like a wide variety of tv shows. yet another reason to love fall, eh?
thinking about :: tackling some of the projects on my “diy” pinterest board. maybe start with making these or doing this. they look easy enough! and perfect for this time of the year.
anticipating :: the holidays. we’re going to sit down this weekend and prepare a holiday shopping budget. and to save money, i may take on a more “homemade” approach when giving gifts to friends and coworkers. any suggestions??
listening to :: the xx – coexist // zee avi - ghostbird // niki & the dove – instinct
working on :: myself. i need to make some changes in my life, but i can’t see moving forward until i change my mindset, take on a more positive, “can do” attitude. i’ve become complacent and somewhat settled. it’s time to shake things up a bit…challenge myself…raise a few eyebrows. huzzah!
wishing for :: two tickets to paradise. {admit it, you totally sang that line.} i think mark and i need to get away…away from the hustle and bustle and stress. we’d miss the kids, sure…but yes, away from them, too. bora bora, anyone? {le sigh} oh and this sure is cute!
happy weekend, friends. i hope you’ve got something{s} fun planned!
ps. photos taken via instagram. my username is aka_paige if you wanna follow along. :)
i trust all of you had a safe and fantastic fourth of july weekend…?
mine was great! full of relaxing, a little thrifting, TONS of food, too much traffic (not cool), decent (but not great) weather…all with WrW and our wonderful friends, alison and daveed.
i have a few photos, but i’ll share them later this week.
recently, WrW and i saw goldfrapp at the hollywood bowl. i’m always amazed by how many people have never heard of her.
if you don’t know who she is, check her out! i see her as a cross between lady gaga and debbie harry. what’s not to love about that?? listen below!
fabulous, huh? she’s amazing, live.
on the way to the concert, WrW took this dope shot of me in the subway…
i love the movement of it.
ever have one of those last-minute wardrobe changes that you wish you’d never made?
this happened to me that night.
originally, i had the oversized blazer you see in the photos, belted with a long, gold chain necklace…
but for some reason, on our walk to the subway, i switched it up by removing the “belt” and wearing the blazer open.
meh.
i now see that belted was better.
oh well. ya live, ya learn.
i’m wearing…
blazer – thrifted (for sale in the shop!)
vneck tshirt – american apparel
denim stirrup leggings – local boutique
wedges – vintage, bought from etsy
belt/necklace – thrifted
yes, i’m selling the blazer. but not because i don’t LOVE it…because it’s a tad too big on me. if i had the balls, i’d wear it as a mini…sooo hot. any takers? i dare ya… *wink wink*
and thanks SO MUCH for all the lovely “scarf love” comments. if you try the modified suspenders…please, send me photos! i’d love to see how you wear it!
a few of you asked how to do it…
first of all, it works best with a long, narrow scarf. put it around your neck and tuck the ends into your high waist skirt, jeans, shorts, or trousers! add a belt to hold the scarf in place.
the scarf as a cumberbund is equally as simple. unfold the scarf, so that it is wide, wrap around your waist, and tie in the back. add a belt for an extra pop of color.
also, some new readers have left comments this weekend…hello and welcome! i can’t wait to check out your blogs, too!
lots of fun things planned this week…more new items, guest blogging, and a surprise!
WrW and i dig music a lot…it’s a great thing to share with your significant other!
but even more so, we love the idea of making a picnic dinner, complete with wine or bottles or corona, and heading to the hollywood bowl to enjoy a great band under the stars.
a couple of weeks ago, we saw sting in concert.
to be honest with you, i want to say a lot more about how awesome he is in concert, but i’m sitting on my couch with a mean headache, stuffy nose and very sleepy eyes.
i’m about to take a couple benadryl, which will render me incomprehensible for the rest of the day. or at least until about 5pm.
i’m wearing…
lace tshirt – nordstrom
yellow cardi – local boutique
90s, paper bag trousers – thrifted
bralette – american apparel
necklace – bday gift from a friend, urban outfitters
sandals – local boutique
i intended to put these trousers in the shop a looooooong time ago, see them here.
i’m glad i didn’t, because i really like them!
these trousers that we’re all obsessed with these days are a funny thing, yeah?
on one hand, i really like the high waist and the tapered leg, but on the other…like zoe over at haiku ambulance says, they tend to give you diaper butt…
if you’re looking for a pair, it may take some time to find the perfect, thrifted fit. try them all on! and just remember that white and lighter colors aren’t as flattering as black or navy. so maybe look for darker pairs first. then, when you’re comfortable with the fit and how to style them the best for your body, go for the ligher colors!
just my two cents.
WrW and i have more concerts coming up! in fact, we just saw goldfrapp on sunday evening. i’ll be posting that outfit in the next couple of days.
taylor and i had a lot of fun taking these photos yesterday!
at one point, he asked me to twirl and jump up and down…that kid cracks me up.
here i am, about to take flight!
it’s almost the freakin’ weekend!! tomorrow evening, i embark upon an adventure to visit a new friend. i’ll be sure to come home with lots of photos and stories. i’m so excited!
btw…have you heard the song inspiration information?? it was originally done by shuggie otis in 1974. however, more recently, sharon jones and the dap-kings covered it on the album compilation – dark was the night.
you have got to check out this dope tune. it’s a feel good song with lots of funk and soul. gare-uhn-TEED to put a spring in your step a swing in them hips, guuuurrrrl.
what the heck…go buy the album! it’s a good one. you won’t be disappointed.
(not in the shop YET.)
navy blue belt – thrifted
vintage purse – also borrowed from barefoot & vintage (for sale!)
*all photos by taylor*
**Please note – i must give credit where credit is due…my friend ashley gave me a handful of vintage items (from her personal collection) to sell in the shop. as much as i’d like to take credit for finding this amazing dress…i did not. thanks, ashley!
