Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Outfit of the Day: Happy 240th Birthday U.S.A!

This past weekend was 4th of July weekend!


It was chock full of wonderful time spent out of doors and out spending time with friends.

While fourth of July usually passes without too much fanfare from me, I had a dose of extra enthusiasm this year for the event and the weekend in general. I owe this all to Jessica at the blog Chronically Vintage for sharing so much of her enthusiasm for this holiday as well as her enthusiasm and love over her native holiday, Canada Day. Hearing her take on the festivities that happen here in the states with our bbqs, fireworks, and parades made me want to make sure I fit at least some (if not all) of these activities into my holiday weekend. Sometimes it just takes a fresh pair of eyes to see something in a new and enthusiastic light.

On Saturday Tim and I spent the morning going out for breakfast and then spent the afternoon exploring around town, going to the mall for a bit, getting ice cream, and seeing what was playing at the movie theater. He had his heart set on watching the new Flula Borg movie Buddymoon but it turns out it is only out in very limited release.

On Sunday we spend the day out at the beach with one of our friends. The early afternoon was spent first getting together equipment for the day then a stop for lunch before the beach. We had the plan to go windsurfing that day. It was going to be my first time trying it, but it turns out the windsurf board we had was way too small for beginners. While the guys had a good time trying it, I got to enjoy a day out on the beach enjoying the good weather.

Monday was an extra special treat. It turns out the friend we saw just the day before helped make a float for the Alameda 4th of July parade for a club he's in and we got invited to sit on it! I've never been in a parade before so this was an extra special treat to not only get to see the parade but also be in one and join in! The Alameda 4th of July parade is herald as being one of the largest and longest 4th of July parades in the country. It makes a 3 mile loop around Alameda and by the time the last of the floats are starting to make their journey out of the starting gate the first floats are making their way back to the start. It was an awesome experience to say the least. After the parade the club for which the float was representing, the Aeolian Yacht club, was having a bbq, which we got to go to as well. It was a great bbq, right on the water with live music! After eating Tim and I went for a walk along one of the shoreline walking paths, and then after, came back to the club to play a couple rounds of horseshoes with our friend. Before heading home we decided to stop by another bbq other friends of ours were hosting ending the night seeing some fireworks going off both near and far.



Looking towards Crown Memorial Beach, Alameda, CA

Aeolian 4th of July Parade float 2016

Getting into position for the parade-- The best seats in the house!

Old fashioned lemonade stand and parade watchers, Alameda, CA

More 4th of July parade watchers, Alameda, CA

Quiet walk along the shoreline, Alameda, CA




Outfit of the Day (Saturday):

I decided to kick start the 4th of July weekend with my Trashy Diva Trixie dress and bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print. I figured the red white and blue colors would make for a perfect dress this weekend. I paired it with a patent leather-like red belt which came from a Bernie Dexter dress and some comfy blue Rocket Dog flats which I got several years ago, I think from Zappos. For a finishing touch I wore golden stud earrings, which I bought last year from Forever 21, to match the golden yellow of the rockets in the print.

Trashy Diva Trixie dress and Bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress and Bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress and Bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print- Side View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress and Bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress and Bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress and Bolero in Sci Fi Rockets print- Side View

Golden studs and Trashy Diva Sci Fi bolero- Close Up



Outfit of the Day (Sunday): 

On Sunday, continuing along with the 4th of July theme, I decided to wear my Trashy Diva Trixie dress in red gingham. I paired this with a red cardigan which I got several years ago from Nordstrom Rack and red Ecco flats which I got from ebay last year. For a finishing touch I paired this with a fun banana themed straw purse which I got also from ebay a couple weeks ago.

Trashy Diva Trixie dress in Red Gingham- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress in Red Gingham- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress in Red Gingham- Side View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress in Red Gingham- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress in Red Gingham- Front View

Trashy Diva Trixie dress in Red Gingham- Side View



Outfit of the Day (Monday, 4th of July):

On 4th of July I had my heart set on wearing my Stop Staring Sailor swing dress (A.K.A. the Luxury Craft dress) which I got from Modcloth a couple years ago. It just so happened to work out perfectly for the float we ended up being on for the 4th of July parade that day! To add extra touches of 4th of July to this outfit I paired it with my red Ecco flats, red floral stud earrings I got from Forever 21 a couple years ago, a red bracelet my step mom gave me a few weeks ago, and a red vintage purse I got from Etsy several years ago.


Stop Staring Sailor Swing dress- Front View

Stop Staring Sailor Swing dress- Front View

Stop Staring Sailor Swing dress- Front View

Stop Staring Sailor Swing dress and accessories- Close Up

Stop Staring Sailor Swing dress and Forever 21 earrings- Close Up



Did you do anything to celebrate 4th of July? Did you end up dressing in theme this year?








Saturday, July 2, 2016

Outfit of the Day: Sweet Magnolias and Cats and Cats

Last weekend, aside from doing the Walk of Wine, Tim and I also went to the movies on Sunday to see the Conjuring 2


I was feeling like being ironic so picked out my sweetest, most girliest dress for watching this horror movie.


Outfit of the Day (Sunday): 

The dress I picked out was my Trashy Diva Pinafore dress in Steel Magnolias print. I paired this with an equally sweet pair of white t-straps shoes by B.A.I.T. which I got from Amazon a couple years ago. For a finishing touch, I finished the outfit off with some turquoise heart-shaped stud earrings which I got from Forever 21 also a couple years ago. It was a fun movie and somehow, I felt like I had dressed in just the right outfit for the day.

Trashy Diva Pinafore dress in Steel Magnolias- Front View

Trashy Diva Pinafore dress in Steel Magnolias- Front View

Trashy Diva Pinafore dress in Steel Magnolias- Side View

Trashy Diva Pinafore dress in Steel Magnolias- Close Up



Outfit of the Day (Monday):

Then on Monday Tim and I went out with my mom and step-dad for a belated birthday dinner for Tim. For the occasion I picked out a cat print skirt, Fun For the Books skirt by Retrolicious, which I got from Modcloth last year. I paired this with a Trashy Diva Chambray Trixie top, a pair of basic black flats... and some more cats!

Retrolicious Fun For the Books skirt with Trashy Diva Chambray Trixie top- Front View

Retrolicious Fun For the Books skirt with Trashy Diva Chambray Trixie top- Front View

Retrolicious Fun For the Books skirt with Trashy Diva Chambray Trixie top- Side View

Retrolicious Fun For the Books skirt with Trashy Diva Chambray Trixie top- Close Up

Rare cameo appearance of Wolfgang on the blog




The cats must have been in an especially friendly mood on Monday as I not only got Fox in every outfit photo, I also got Wolfgang in the close up of the print photos!






Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Outfit of the Day: Walk of Wine-O's crossing (yet again)!

This past weekend was the annual Hayward Walk of Wine


Walk of Wine is perhaps one of my favorite summer activities ever! (You can see my past posts on this event here and here) The city puts together this event once a year during the summer. For $35 people are invited to go from shop to shop in the downtown Hayward area and partake in wine pours (getting exceedingly tipsy at each stop) while also sampling cheese and crackers, fruit, deli meats, and small sandwiches with their wine pours. As always one of my favorite stops is the Hayward Fire Station in downtown Hayward. Another highlight of the walk this time around was making it out to the "Haywards" mural, as well while being slightly tipsy sitting on a bench on the sidewalk, waving to one of the downtown Hayward bike cops and having him wave back.

It's such a fun, friendly activity, and a good way to get out into the neighborhood. It was a good way to spend a nice sunny day out with Tim, his mom, and two of my best friends.



Come along! In the fire truck at the Hayward Fire Station

At the downtown Hayward Fire Station

In front of the Haywards mural, Hayward, CA


Outfit of the Day:

For Walk of Wine this year I decided to wear my Pinup Girl Clothing Bella Donna dress in Italian Landscape. I thought the Italian theme would go well with the wine theme of the day. Also, I figured dark red would be good in case I spill any red wine on myself. ;) To give this dress extra poof I wore it with a black petticoat I got from Amazon last year. I paired this with a comfortable pair of walking shoes-- black ankle strap flats by Blowfish which I got several years ago. For a finishing touch I also wore a pair of red plastic studs which I got from the local retro style clothing shop, Vintage Alley, also from a couple years ago. As pictured above I also brought along a paper parasol which was gifted to me by a friend several years ago.

Pinup Girl Clothing Bella Donna dress in Italian Landscape- Front View

Pinup Girl Clothing Bella Donna dress in Italian Landscape- Front View

Pinup Girl Clothing Bella Donna dress in Italian Landscape- Side View



What are your favorite summer activity ever?








Saturday, June 25, 2016

Dress Review: Mahjong Madness

Hello Kittens!


I had to share this newest print and my newest dress from Trashy Diva with you all!

Trashy Diva has really been hitting it out of the ball park with great prints this year! When I first saw this print, the Mahjong print, released by Trashy Diva about two weeks ago I couldn't resist adding it to my basket and checking out right away. Not only do I adore the print, a novelty midcentury print featuring colorful (i.e. easy to style with) mahjong tiles all over, I am also in LOVE with the fabric, lightweight cotton voile!

Cotton voile is a super soft, almost shear fabric. What I love about Trashy Diva dresses in cotton voile is that Trashy Diva always (so far at least) lines their cotton voile dresses, so not only is the dress incredibly lightweight, but it also has some extra fluff in the skirt which I love! Also, in my opinion cotton voile Trashy Diva dresses are also the easiest of all TD dresses to wash at home. They usually take well to a cold machine wash in the hand wash cycle, though officially the tag on all TD dresses say dry clean.  (Full disclosure: I haven't tried it yet on this dress so when in doubt always follow the instructions on the tags)

Now on to the cut. This print came out in three dresses (the Annette, the Trixie, and the Shirtwaist dress) and several separates (gathered mini skirt, circle skirt, and lena blouse). Right away I knew I wanted to try this print in the shirtwaist dress. The shirtwaist dress is one of Trashy Diva's newest dress cuts. It features a classic 1950's shirtwaist style with fully functioning buttons all down the front of the dress. It also has a small almost peter pan type collar. The sleeves are a longer length sleeve. When worn uncuffed the sleeves goes a little beyond my elbows. It can be worn cuffed (as I did in the pictures below) to any desired length. I like to wear it cuffed just to my elbows. I really think it gives the dress a great 1950's silhouette. The skirt has pleats along the waist at the sides and all along the back which gives it a great flair. This dress also comes with a matching belt and has pockets. Another feature they added to this dress is a hook and eye at the waist and a little snap button at the top button to keep everything looking smooth and polished when it's on. I have to admit though, I was disappointed that this shirtwaist dress lacked snap buttons that go all the way down at the spaces between each button. If you are familiar with their past designs you might know what I'm talking about. In the past with some other cuts like the Louise blouse and Darling top to name a few, TD used to put in the extraordinary feature of adding a hidden snap button between each button in front button styles. This was perfect to keep front button styles from gaping. I wish this was something they continued on with style as I feel this style really needs it! One other thing to note is that this dress does not have any zips anywhere. It doesn't need it, but it was still unusual to see it wasn't there on the dress.

A word about fit: I got this dress in my usual size 10 and it's a perfect fit. There is some gaping at the front between the buttons but I think it will be an easy fix to use a bit of double sided fashion tape or for a more permanent solution I might add some snap buttons myself.

Overall, it's an amazing dress and I hope with the introduction of this print that means there will be more cotton voile in the future for TD's summer line!


Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Front View

Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Front View

Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Side View

Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Back View

Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Close Up


Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Sleeve Close Up

Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Gathered Waist Close Up

Trashy Diva Shirtwaist dress in Mahjong- Close Up






Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Matching You Teaware to Your Dresses Part 27: Summertime Comics

There's something about the start of summer that makes me think of comics


Perhaps it's because it's the most perfect time for sitting someplace quiet in the the shade with a stack of comics... Perhaps it's because with the start of summer, it usually means the end of school for school age children, and so it's the memory of this that makes me want to bust out with my stack of comic books? Maybe though it's all the action hero blockbusters that usually come out in time for summer that's got comics on my mind? Whatever the case, I figured with the official start of summer here, I thought it would be the perfect time to do a comic themed perfect pairing on the blog!

I found this adorable and fun comic themed dress online at one of my favorite shops, Cats Like Us. The Pop Art Comic Book dress by Folter features a sweetheart neckline, adjustable straps, elastic at the back, and a back zip. This shorter cotton dress is perfect for the warmer summer months ...and it's currently on sale at Cats Like Us!


Folter Pop Art Comic Book dress, image source, Cats Like Us: http://catslikeus.com/products/folter-clothing-pop-art-comic-book-dress

Folter Pop Art Comic Book dress, image source, Cats Like Us: http://catslikeus.com/products/folter-clothing-pop-art-comic-book-dress



When I saw this dress online I knew I had to pair it here for a Perfect Pairing with my comic book themed teapot! I got this Betty Boop teapot the last time I was at Universal Studios in Orlando a couple Novembers ago (you can read all about it here). The comic theme on this teapot immediately caught my eye. The layout of the comic panels is perfect! It fits perfect on each component (the teapot and the tea cup) separately and is just how you would expect to see it in a weekly comic strip. But when placed together mimics how the panels would look in a comic book or graphic novel! It's smaller shape and tea for one design make it perfect for a quiet afternoon spent in a quiet corner alone reading a stack of comics too! Together with this Pop Art Comic Book dress, it is a match made in comic heaven!


Betty Boop teapot

Betty Boop teapot

Betty Boop teapot