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

The Highs and Lows of Online Secondhand Shopping

On Saturday, I experienced the distaff sides of online shopping.
Two packages, two distinct experiences.

The first that I tore into came from Suzanne Carillo's VintageBySuzanne Etsy Shop.

Look! It's a present!

Suzanne blogged about this item and as soon as I read her words "it’s just not my vibe" I pounced.

Cool buttons!

It is my vibe it most certainly!

Package number two: Fluevog Supervog Safety Oxfords, purchased on eBay.
A "smile" greeted me as I opened the envelope
(Yes, I paid $14 postage for shoes wedged into a tyvek shipping envelope without any padding).
This was not a happy smile to see:

[Thinks to self: On noooooo. Expensive cobbler repair. Let's see how they fit].
[On dear. They were very large looking].
Advertised as Size 7.5, they were MEN's 7.5.
10" footbed - 1.5" too long! And both shoes have the sole splitting issue in front.
Damn. They are really pretty (albeit heavy) shoes.

Comparing sizes: a shoe that fits, a shoe that doesn't.

I went back online to check the photos of the listing to see if I'd overlooked the flaws, and to see how the sizing had been described, but the detail photos and additional description [which I didn't know about before. EBay newbie, me] were gone.
I asked for a refund and was issued a purchase price refund, without the shipping. So perhaps this is how the seller makes his money? I don't know. I messaged the seller to see if he wanted them returned, crickets.
I guess their destiny is my Poshmark shop. Sigh.

Have you experienced any online shopping highs or lows? Do tell!

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday.
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup

FierceCon 2019 -- the Power of Kindness

What? FierceCon was last weekend? Where does the time go?
WHAT is FierceCon? The tag line is "It’s not a Conference. It’s a Connection! Celebrating and empowering women at Midlife & Beyond." It's the brain child of Catherine Grace O'Connell and I encourage all of my over-40 female friends to consider attending in 2020. It was amazing. Yes, I've imbibed the Kool-aid.

I will probably [read hopefully] write more about my experience eventually.
[Including my project to sketch everyone that attended].
This post is about what I wore, as documented by others [credit given if I recall photographer].

Friday. The Fluevog Dress.

With Rena Perez of Fine.Whatever
We are brandishing the mini cards I had printed of the sketches I'd completed in time for printing.

I had a professional photoshoot with Courtney Paige Ray and wanted to have photos in The Dress, wearing Fluevogs, and showcasing my Fluevog Shoe Art.

photo by Courtney Paige Ray

Saturday day. The Kimono fabric Tunic

We are the Leopard Squad!
Lana Lindgren, Jill Lorentz, Amy Kennedy, Deb Gutierrez [shoes, can't see]

Saturday Gala. The BOOM! tunic.

In the hotel bar before the "Gala" party.
photo by the bartendress

Barbie Holmes, Sophie Davies, BOOM!

Sunday. The "tribal" tunic. The one I hand sewed on a bus.

photo by Paula Griffin

With Theresa Martin and wearing her super light leather earrings [gifted, link to similar].

The Faces of Fierce on Sunday morning. Catherine is reclining center front.
photo: Mike Castagna

Looking at these photos brings back the super fun time that I had and all the new friends that I've made. Really, consider joining in next year! I'll sketch you!

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike

#SecondHandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

I wore this week's Fluevog thrifty find, the Evers, on Friday.
Maybe I'll wear them today too.
We're having a welcome "cold spell" (SoCal version, 70F).

Another eBay score.
I admired these when they were still available from Fluevog.
Pounced on them when they came up in my "Fluevog 7.5" watchlist. $299 retail/ $60 used.

The socks are new, by K. Bell. Purchased at The Sock Man, NYC.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday

#SecondHandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

And what is this week's second hand Fluevog? It's one that I didn't buy!

Here is the listing on eBay (link):

Yes, I have remained on the Fluevog 7.5 watchlist. This beauty came up on Wednesday morning.

I liked this but wasn't entirely sure. My "western style" mules don't get worn that often.
I made a counter offer, and the seller countered back.
I was this close to hitting Buy It Now

and then

I thought to check the Fluevog site to see what they originally sold for.
And guess what?
NEW ONES are currently in stock and ON SALE for $119.!!!!!!

I know this is not in the spirit of #SecondHandSeptember, of buying only second hand, but hey, with shoes, new IS better than used, if possible. Sorry, not sorry.

So far, I've done no buying of these at all. The heel height is a little beyond my comfort zone and I need to go to my local Fluevog shop and try them on, or try on a cousin in the same family.
Such as:

(insert drool emoji) (fortunately for my pocketbook, unavailable in my size) (unless I require an 8)

So the "thrifty" find this week is in the sense of saving money thrifty, not thrift store thrifty, and learning the lesson of "research the Fluevogs before spending over $100 on used"

Lastly, here's a link to an older post, regarding a previous western style mule thrift store find that was perhaps my most thriftiest find ever!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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#SecondHandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

It's another Fluevog Thrifty Find!

The Fluevog Tate

All my September Thrifty Finds will be Fluevogs. I've found that many!
Because of the lacing, I can get my foot into this Fluevog style. His slip-on boots? Not a chance.
Believe me, I've tried!

With Grunge/90's styles making a fashion return, these are perfect, toe scuffs and all.
Thank you, eBay!
Now I just need SoCal winter. I will not wear boots in 80-90F weather.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #ShareAllLinkup

#SecondhandSeptember This Week's Thrifty Find

Since I'm trying (and already failed at) a #NoPurchaseSeptember, my "thrifty finds" will be second hand items that I've recently rediscovered amidst my clutter.

Its easy! All I have to do is go through one of my boxes of stuff! And maybe put the item where it belongs! Haha.

I didn't even do that. I looked at my shoe shelf at all the Fall Fluevogs I've amassed off eBay and put on a pair.
(They're "Fall" Fluevogs because it's been too hot to wear them).

I got these in June for $49 and they're NEW! Absolutely no wear on the soles.
I love all the detailing. And they're super comfy!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The Fluevog Dress Visits Fluevog Manhattan

I just returned home from a wonderful two week trip East.
Many, many different meetups and museums -- eventually I hope to write about them all.

Today, it's all about The Dress and its debut at Fluevog Manhattan:

Photo by Paul, who sent it to John Fluevog, who responded: "Does she do those drawings herself?"

I posed with the Investigator, as it's one of the styles sketched in the repeat.

From the 2017 Fluevog Sketch series. See the entire set on Pattern Recognition

To commemorate this auspicious occasion, I (finally) made an individual Investigator sketch that's available on Redbubble (I get a commission for purchases):

Fluevog website Investigator link

In addition, I wore The Dress yesterday to an event that I chauffeured Ruth to in Pasadena.

My Fluevog Peacemakers pair perfectly with The Dress.
I obtained them on Fluevog Day at the Abbot Kinney store.
Here is The Dress link.

Don't forget -- I've got a Summer-long Link-up Party happening.
Link as much as you'd like. The more the merrier.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Fluevog Time!

Severo and I had a mini date to Abbot Kinney and the Fluevog Store to try on some shoes and get entered in the Win 10 Years of Free Shoes contest. (See more about that here, on Fluevog).
By the way, this is not a sponsored post. I just adore Fluevogs.

The Tiger print display. Sigh.

I happen to have art that I created in the '80s while a freshman at Otis available on Society6 that coordinates so nicely with that tiger print:

Society6 link for tote

We'll get back to the Tiger stuff.

First, I tried on the X and O print Receptive
Yeah, cute:

Cute, but not an "I must have these now" situation.
Plus not the correct size.

Next up was Cleo. Cleo I could not get over my high instep. No photo.

Then I took off my socks and tried Dede.
I coerced Severo into trying on Chalky for the photo op possibilities.
Plus if he wins the contest, he'll buy me shoes!

Stylin' but WAY too painful for both of us.
The gals in the store had a good laugh at Severo's loud groaning over the pain.
"Now you know what we go through ALL THE TIME!"

My Wishlist and Scorecard:

I didn't try everything because the poor Fluevogists have to run upstairs to get the pairs.
The store is tiny.

Then, on a whim, I tried Sugarsnap:

They are SO CUTE! I am in love!
Why oh why are they on Mini heels?
Why can't they be on the lower Enneagram heels?
I will be obsessing over these for a while.

They have entered my Wishlist, despite the heel height.

And, speaking of Fluevogs, I'm almost finished with an A-Z blogging challenge of Fluevog Art. (Third year).
Mosey on over to Pattern Recognition and take a looksee.
Or check the #fluevogpattern hashtag on Instagram.

Linking with
Patti's Visible Monday
Cherie's Shoe and Tell
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week

Mending Momentum

I left you "hanging by a thread" in my last post...
The rehab of the African textile into a tunic was ALMOST finished at the Mindful Mending workshop...
The next day, I used my mending momentum and took the materials to Otis with me -- I utilized the nice, big, EMPTY table  in the Otis Fashion Dept conference room:

DONE!

I was SO EXCITED that I finished, I popped it on over my outfit and took some iPhone selfies.

There was a problem, though. The textile smelled very musty and got worse with my body heat.

Then we had LOTS of rain, so I couldn't hang it outside to air out on the clothesline.

FINALLY, the weather cooperated.
I found online a suggestion to soak the fabric in vinegar to help remove the odor.
It worked a charm.

And then yesterday I was able to wear it to work:

I liked the look of the tunic over another tunic in my initial selfies, so I tried it over my denim button up.

My Indigo and Orange Symphony!

The Fluevog Enthusiasts played along perfectly.

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup

Fantasy Tights

This is what I wore on Thursday for my teaching gig [Digital Fashion at Otis].

I lack decent legwear to coordinate with the burgundy/navy dress and had to resort to boring black tights. Despite that fact, I got my Fluevog Enthusiasts captured by the roving Otis Instagrammer @designschoolshoes Woohoo!

I coordinate so nicely with the wall.

I recently made a print for this week's Spoonflower design challenge that would work perfectly:

Alas, custom tights have yet to appear on either Redbubble or Society6, so they are only a Photoshopped fantasy. (Yes, I've had custom tights made before, but there's a minimum order of 6 pairs and I still have inventory left from that endeavor. Not something worth repeating).

The print IS available on all the Redbubble things in the original Black/Red colorway [I get a commission]. 

AND the Navy/Burgundy up for voting in the Spoonflower Challenge. May I solicit your vote? Voting is open until 2/20, 3pm EST. Keep scrolling until you find my submission!

Linking up with 

Patti's Visible Monday

Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike