Help from the Past Outfit

CREATED/ PURCHASED/ GIFTED/

This somewhat odd combination resulted from a search on my own blog. I wanted to wear these striped tights and couldn't remember what I'd paired them with the last time I wore them. Since I was strapped for time, I used the search feature on my sidebar, using "brown". The results were less than stellar (only three) because the search feature does not include labels, only text within titles or the body of a post. It doesn't include visuals either, so I'm wondering just how helpful it really is.

Anyway, this look came up and it was exactly what I needed:

from this post from 6/11

I used the concept of mixing the scarf and the dress with brown elements, choosing warmer elements more appropriate for November in soCal.

The leopard stole:

It's a simple rectangle of soft fake fur and Chinese silk brocade for the lining.
It's my own design and you're welcome to steal the concept! It measures 18 x 60" but would work better if it were 18 x 66" (I was limited by the amount of brocade yardage I had on hand). To make it, sew the two pieces right sides together, leaving a part unsewn so you can turn it inside out, then hand stitch the remaining open part. I made the leopard side a little bit larger so that it would wrap around the edges.

Fashion bloggers: have you ever searched through old blog posts when you've hit an outfit block?

Linking up with Très Chic Style Bits

52 Pick-me-up: Triple Play

PURLOINED/ GIFTED/ PURCHASED

Your mission this week, if you choose to accept it:

Wear the same garment 3 ways during the week. Will anyone notice? - See more at: http://spygirl-amb.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_19.html#sthash.7FHKj5E7.dpuf

Wear the same garment 3 ways during the week. Will anyone notice?
Ha! Will anyone else try this?

The easy solution would be to deploy a black garment. Instead, I picked a bright printed dress!
My photos were all taken at the office.

I was especially happy with look #3.
Did any co-workers make remarks? No. They remained mute.

Note: You get extra time for this one -- TWO WEEKS!

Green and Red Again

LINKS/ PURLOINED/ PURCHASED/ PRESS [sunglasses]/

This week, I dressed in complementary color schemes.
I tried various combos, really I did! But red and green remained my favorites.

Here, I vamp with some dandelion greens,
picked up at the farmers market.
I can't imagine eating the ones from my lawn,
I'm sure those are terribly bitter.

The paisley in that top dominated my week. I used it in an art piece that will go in a 60's themed show at SCA Project Gallery in Pomona, July 13-27. I uploaded it to Society6 and to the show Facebook Event Page. A lively conversation ensued over various garments I could make with the print. Resulting in my ordering SIX pairs of tights (because that was the minimum). It will be the inaugural item in my ASOS Marketplace shop. Insanity!
Here's the print:

60s Crown of Thorns Quilt, digital composite, various sizes, ©2013 Anne M Bray

Tomorrow, the linky for 52 Pick-me-up, Complementary Colors closes.
Come on over and play! Older posts that relate to the theme are welcome.

I'm linking up with Patti's Visible Monday. Another playground to consider.

The Duro Olowu x JCP Shirt Goes for Its Audition

CREATED/ PURCHASED/ GIFTED/ LINKS

Remember Jan in her Duro Olowu shirt?

[Jan won the "longest legs" prize in the April sketchathon, btw]

I was entranced by it, but couldn't buy it online ("sold out").
Imagine my glee when Jan said she'd pick me up one when she was next "in town".
Jan lives near Fort Smith, Arkansas so there was lots of Olowu inventory at her JCP.

Eventually, the planets aligned and it arrived on my doorstep.
OH HAPPY DAY!

Next, what to mix it with?

I have matching socks!

I piled some candidates next to it...
Then I tried things on.

#1, the Calvin Klein bubble dress (07 sold as a swim coverup)
with yellow tights -- looks good but problematic:
very warm, dress won't stay in place

#2, 80s neon yellow bubble knit and the socks
I'd probably wear this with burg/brown/black capris or tights added

#3, for giggles, I tried it with my Indian jingle jangle skirt.
Looking a bit lost in all that fabric.

The legs win!

Alas, my right arm is swollen, and the right shirt sleeve is skin tight, so I'll have to wait to wear this. BooHoo! This just might inspire me to get back to taking care of my arm issues. I might think of some other combos in the interim as well!


Jan, thank you again for the shirt! I adore it!


Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday, in a virtually visible sort of way

Inspired by the #OSCARS and Robin Roberts

I performed an experiment yesterday: I "Live Sketched" the OSCAR telecast!

Starting at around 2:45 PST, I planted myself on the couch, tuned into ABC.
I had paper, my old Barbie croquis figure, markers, and colored pencils.
During commercials or boring parts, I shot photos of my work as it progressed, and posted via Instagram to Facebook and Twitter. (I've provided my webstagram link in case you want to see the roughs).
I'll do a post with all my sketches on Wednesday (I still have to scan and clean them all).

Here's a teaser -- Robin Roberts, who was interviewing the stars as they walked the red carpet.

I thought Robin was absolutely radiant. And the moment when she was interviewing Halle Barry? OMG, I got goosebumps. Two beautiful, strong women. I sat there, mesmerized, gawping at the TV, trying (and failing) to shoot photos of them with my phone.

I think Robin's royal blue/purple gown entered my subconscious. I had actually composed an entirely different post for today. But I was compelled to wear my purple tights and my striped sweater dress and the rest developed from that.

So, as my tee says, "Have a Nice Day"!

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday. Where the elite meet.

I Love: Greens and Mustard

If you think I'm talking about food, well, that is entirely likely!

Beets, Shishito Peppers, + Kale from Sunday

It all started with this top made by Luv 'N' Stuff (Chicago):

I bought this plaid plush top at Sonny's, in South Pasadena [now Koi] in the early 90s.
A pullover, it was always a little too bulky, a little too warm.
I found it Sunday afternoon languishing on the floor of the wardrobe where I store my jackets.

I made a simple cut down center front and a world of new mixtures began!

I've worn it every day this week. Here are Tuesday and Monday:

Yesterday's uploads to my new Trendstartr account
So matchy matchy!

I coordinate with the kitchen floor!

Pondering the mustard and green, yellow and green while driving to work:

I end up behind trucks with these colors! And road signs! And painted road lane indicators!!!!!!

At work, I took a moment and mixed up some hues in Photoshop and got their nearest Pantone (PMS)#s

The green that I'm NOT caring for:
OMG Emerald, PMS 17-5641, Pantone's "Official Color" for Spring 2013

source
Too bluish for my taste.
Give me my spring green grass green PMS 363!

It's still summer in LA

Hello all!
Coming out of hibernation for a moment.
Linking up with Patti's Visibles.

Green and Black

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday
Have a great day!

Neon Preppy -- #OOTD

OK, OK, it's neon tropical. This loud shirt from the Larry archives makes it's sartorial debut today.

Hot pink and green always remind me of Lilly Pulitzer and Lilly Pulitzer reminds me of my preppy school-mates (I went to Emma Willard, a girls' prep school).
Oh! I just remembered that I also grabbed a Lilly from Larry with the intention of selling it!
Here it is:

Yep, monkeys are in those coconut palm trees

It will appear on Threadflip soon, after I press it and take enticing photos. It's tagged a size 6.

Meanwhile, I'm certainly visible today...
Visible Monday over here, do click and partake!

Green Goddess Dressing - #OOTD

I whipped up this look on Saturday for the first day of my new OTIS Continuing Ed class: Advanced Digital Design for Fashion and Textiles.
The scarf-as-wrap was a last minute stroke of visibility and I anchored it with a plastic leopard pin that I'd made in 1978 (meaning I glued a pin back to one of those plastic animals that you get as part of a menagerie-in-a-bag). The scarf loosened up during the class and I ended up removing it.

I bought the scarf in Portland last year.
The color combination was irresistible!

I later moved the pin to my shirt and wore it all day Sunday.
Rawr!

This photo was Sunday's 365photo.
Yes, still pursuing that.
Flickr or instagram are the current best locales to view

This is this week's contribution to Patti's Visible Monday.
Click on over! You'll see some lovelies!

To the Max - #OOTD

Comfortable and bright. Scrounged the maxi cotton/spandex knit tank dress from the sample box at work. I am SO lucky! I'm road testing it at work to see if I trip on the stairs in it. So far, I'm safe from self harm.

Cool Comfort - #OOTD

Wearing zig zags while I work on zig zag patterns.
Linen top and knit skirt both snagged at Savers in Austin in March.
Entire outfit (shirt, skirt, scarf, sandals) cost less than $25!

Not What I Started With

but it worked out OK

I love my $10 square dancing skirt!
The gold rick-rack is disintegrating, can hardly tell.
I got it in Austin in maybe 1999? At Flashback?

Visible Monday already. Where did the weekend go? I want a do-over!
More visibles here. GO!

Sporting Green and Grinning: Meet The Frugal Fatshionista and Things That Make a Girl Go Muse

Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! Did you know that kelly green is this week's fashion blogger power color? How convenient!

The Frugal Fatshionista- Diana | Austin, Texas
Things That Make A Girl Go Muse- Rocio | Houston, Texas

Meet Diana and Rocio, who I met on Saturday on line for the TxSC thrifting bus. They are best friends and now live 165 miles apart. Notice that they have THE EXACT SAME COAT draped over their arms. I think that was a coincidence (great minds thinking alike). You can tell from their beautiful smiles how happy they were to reunite.
Now go check out their blogs!

Which Way to the Blarney Stone?

See my socks? That color green is the new hot blogger color.
I wanted to wear my new thrifted bias cut
red, yellow and green stripe skirt
but I need to do a bit of sewing on it...
So, here are some of my more eccentric green pieces:
a 3/4 sleeve wool coat that is WAY too warm for soCal
and
a furry stole that I got in LA Chinatown at a curio shop.

I'm channeling Auntie Mame today!
Thinking I must Netflix that --
might get some good style tips!

Freesias! They smell like Earl Grey tea to me...

Did you know the Blarney Stone has a reputation for being the Stone of Eloquence? I found that out because I used Google to get the correct spelling. The things you find out from the Google!

Greenness inspired by Everybody: Everywear
Click below to see more green goddesses...

Layer Up - Sleeveless over Sleeve

Thursday's layering challenge was supposed to involve a vest. I don't own any vests, but since vests are sleeveless, I did sleeveless layering. I'm also starting to road test outfits for the TxSC bloggers' conference in Austin in March. So looking forward to that! We have our flights, our room and a car booked. Yee-ha!

The Ladies who Layer