An Over the Top Outfit, Deconstructed

I'm going to a Zandra Rhodes book signing on Wednesday.
On Friday I road tested an outfit.

Let's study what's going on.

The pink fluffiness is a rectangle of Mongolian Lamb. Maybe originally intended as a rug?
It was displayed on the floor at the Flitterman Collection studio sale:

It was love at first sight, but it took me several circuits of the room to commit.
No regrets!

Next layer is the pink mystery fiber sequinned ombre scarf that I got at a Tibetan shop in Williamsburg, NY in January 2012. That MIGHT have been the moment I was finally comfortable wearing Barbie Pink.

On my extremities:
chenille armlettes cut from socks,
striped socks from Uniqlo (obtained at a store opening on deep discount).

Neon Yellow Fluevog Aimees on my feet.

Base layers: royal blue cheap Chinese high-low dress:

And last but not least, the Crazy Legs Leggings from Society6!

Somebody (on Facebook? on Instagram?) wanted to see a closeup of the print on the leggings:

It's a digital composite of three 60's prints which I insterted into the Crown of Thorns quilting pattern.

Let's continue deconstructing!
I couldn't find the red ground paisley vest (in a box somewhere), here are the other two sources:

Pink, mustard, and white smock that is "in work" (I cut off the yoke).

You've seen this neon shirt before!

All three garments came from my friend Larry's stash. Thanks Larry!

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Ageless Style

Live Colorfully!

I've been to a bunch of music gigs, madly taking photos (when allowed), scribble sketching in the dark, and making a marked attempt to stand out from the sea of black.

I really hit rainbow gold when I ran into Nipper at Evie Sands and Amy Raasch at The Federal on Saturday.

photos by Ruth

I remember admiring Nipper as she pontificated in the Otis courtyard during lunch break, circa 1986.
She was an Illustration major. She sported amazing shredded fishnets.

Here are some patio selfies showcasing the double paisley effect:

Too dark, must change location

Kept it a wide crop -- I loved all the weird angles with my ladder "tripod", the annoying bed thing that Severo scavenged, the stabby ray of sunlight, and the hose head, which color coordinated so nicely.

I wore this exact same outfit twice. To the above mentioned show and to the Pettybreakers at The Coach House the night before. No outfit shots from that night. [Sad face].
However I DID capture this moment:

My hair matches my treat! (No, I don't mean Severo)

Severo's BFF Rafael now drums for the Pettybreakers and I insisted on this group selfie.

Scribble sketches (on Sketch Blog) and an "I'm with the band" (on Glutton Blog) posts coming eventually. One more gig tonight that I want to include!

Par-tay on!

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherines #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week

Clogged, In a Good Way

I went to a clog close-out sale today, at the Santa Monica Airport Flea.
Here is how most of my collection (I left out a few exotics) looked at dawn:

I took this for reference in case I needed to remember what I already owned.

It was bright yet chilly, so I piled on accessories

Mismatched hat with mock braids. It's warm.
I wore extra thick socks -- to avoid buying "Torture Clogs".

Once at the flea, I made a beeline to Zingara, who was having a fabulous sale --
Sven wooden soled clogs at $49/pair vs $100+

Aren't those saddle shoe baby clogs adorable? Want!

Zingara used to have a shop on Abbot Kinney, before it became an overpriced, overhyped international shopping destination.
I did a post about the shop (and Abbot Kinney) here.
Phase two she moved to a "container shop" in the West Adams district. (I never got there).
Now, for Phase three, she's going in a new (undisclosed) direction, without her inventory.

I bought two pairs.

Bronze backless . Brown backless 2-tone suede.
Not to worry, I DID buy pairs!
The mismatched socks came that way -- I bought them at a cute country store in Vermont.

My collection grows!

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
and Cherie's Shoe and Tell

Happy clogging!

52 Pick-me-up: Electric Blue / Impatience

••• 

Electric Blue is this week's color for my 52 Pick-me-up linkup party.
It seemed like the right moment to wear the colorful paisley top that Maricel gave me a while ago:

It matched my cyan Uniqlo tee and nicely clashed with my gilded paisley scarf.
Electric Blue = very visible, catch me at Patti's Visible Monday.

Electric Blue / Impatience -- link if you have the inclination!

52 Pick-me-up: Grass / Growth / Courage

••• 

Grass Green is the color this week for 52 Pick-me-up.
I have touches of it in my vest and leggings:

I'm linking up with Patti for Visible Monday.

The week's prompts here are: Grass / Growth / Courage
Link and tell!

52 Pick-me-up: Wear Something of Your Mom's

PURCHASED/ BORROWED/ 

Greetings from central upstate NY still.
I'm happy to report that the sun finally made an appearance, so I'm not yet growing moss.

May 11 is Mother's Day here in the States, which is why I created this week's challenge to wear something that was/is your mom's. Very conveniently, I'm currently visiting mine, so I was able to rummage around in her upstairs closets, where she stores things that she no longer wears.
Look what I found!

And this:

Handsewn, probably by my mom

Behind my head are two paintings by my Great Grandfather, Charles M. Frost

He was a doctor and painted as a hobby.
I was very lucky to grow up surrounded by original art.
I'm sure it influenced me!

What do you have that was or is your mom's?
Link and tell!

A Walk in the Woods

CREATED/ PURCHASED/ PURLOINED/ GIFTED/ PRESS SAMPLE*/ 

I'm still at my mom's.
It's still gloomy weather.
I'm still wearing the quilted corduroy shirt:

*pink puffed necklace courtesy of Capwell & Co

If I took it off (brrrr) I'd blend right into these woods along my aunt's driveway.
That is, if I lay down like a mossy log:

baby trees!

My scarf has a secret...

ducks in the paisley!

Isn't it a hoot? quack?
Connie, of Snow in the Air, gave it to me when we met up on my first day of the road trip.
She gave me a bag with lots of goodies, the most important being a bottle of water.
Yes, I started a road trip INTO THE DESERT forgetting to pack water.
Doh! Connie came to the rescue! Thanks Connie!

Um, no lack of water here. It has rained for a week. Enough already. I've got ramps to collect.

Captured during the one hour of sun we were allotted on Saturday

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday. Take a gander!

52 Pick-me-up: Back to Front

PURCHASED/ PURLOINED/ 

Oh look! I've been magically teleported to my back yard!
It's all an illusion, I'm not there at all. I'm in South Carolina.
52 Pick-me-up is still happening, despite the road trip.

This week's challenge is to wear something back to front.
I've been trying that out lately with low-cut tops. Here, the stripe dress is backwards.

Try it with a V-neck cardigan, like Roquelle. It might give you more options for stuff you already own.

Experiment, link, and tell!

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

Paisley with a Splash of Burgundy

Two Birds do an Inspiration Monday meme.
Every week, they post a photo and you get a week to ponder how to interpret the look.

WooHoo! Paisley! I looooooove paisley!
But guess what? I only have ONE paisley shirt that sort of matches this.

(no way was I leaving the house looking like this!)

And I don't "do" skinny jeans (these are leggings to fake the look)...
And I don't go barefoot in my shoes...
And I can't wear those shoes right now because my feet are a mess [sad face]...

Let's go for more coverage and add a skirt, a scarf, and socks:

I've never used this Juicy Couture scarf, now is the time

hmmmm

wrapping it is kinda cool

close-up on the amulet

actual shopping look: shirt tied at waist, scarf in bag (it was 77!)

shopping bounty: veggies and the tiny butternut squash to roast

Joining Patti's Visible Monday crew and Two Birds
Click on over, if you will...