Put a bird on it!

Disclosure: I was provided with a MakerWear hat of my choice and Target gift card in return for my honest opinion of the product and brand. Opinions expressed are always, always my own. The compensation received will never influence my content.

Now that we've talked about hats let me show you the MakerWear hat that I picked out!



Skirt: Vintage, Hand me UP from Suze! (similar stripe skirt in pastel shades)
Sweater: Merona, Thrifted (similar green cableknit sweater)
Denim Jacket: Old Navy, Thrifted (similar and under $40!)
Boots: St John's Bay, Thrifted, $4.60 (similar brown boots under $30)
Necklace: Old Navy, $4.99 (gorgeous triangle shape necklace alternative)
Hat: ℅ MakerWear [retails for $16.99]
Glasses: Firmoo, $6.95 [exact pair]

Naturally, out of all their hats, it was the Put A Bird On It hat that spoke to me… I'm loving it for two reasons: 1.) It's navy and I think I'm having a color love affair with navy right now and 2.) The birds give it a vintage, happy feel. The artist that created the design is J.J. Spectre who, according the artist bio (all can be found with each hat on the site and the tag that come with the hat), is a unicorn who is a design nerd and type lover. Sounds like a fun guy/gal… hope they're enjoying how I styled the design!


Since the birds are quite colorful, I thought I would go that route too. As you can tell, it was a sunny day and, despite being cold, a sunny day calls for color, am I right? This skirt is such a favorite of mine… I could never believe Suze gave it up, but I'm glad she did and that it came to live with me! This denim jacket is also quite a go to for me… I think it was supposed to be a dress but I use it as a jacket - it fits perfectly over almost everything and covers all the right areas. :-)

I had the day off on Monday so I wore this to do some thrift shopping since it was a half off clothes sale day at Salvation Army. Super comfortable and easy to wear… I normally wear a headband when I don't feel like washing my hair, but I think this hat is a great new addition for those kinds of days! Why did I never think of that before? Cute accessory doing double duty to cover up yesterday's hair? Yes, please.


I love that the underside of the hat brim is a different color than the rest of it. It adds a fun pop of color that I think looks great with my glasses… or my Sally Jesse Raphael's, as I call them. Please tell me you know who SJR is or we might have issues... Plus, red and navy together are just so classic - you can't go wrong with that combination.


One of my favorite things about the hat is that IT FITS MY HEAD! Such a novel concept but I swear I often try on hats and they never seem to really fit my head. I don't know if I have a small head (I wouldn't think so), but all baseballs hats normally feel really roomy on me. This one fits perfectly snug and I think the leather strap and buckle on the back might have a lot to do with that. It allows for a really good fit and it is still easy to adjust while you have it on which I really liked - it made it easy to get the perfect fit without having it take it on and off each time.

So, let's review:

• MakerWear is powered by the people - they call it "curated crowd sourcing" and they're using it as a powerful new way to bring fashion to market. Independent artists make designs, the best designs get made and…
• They are sold at Target! I'm sure you can agree - it's one of the best stores. Click here to see if they are available at a Target store near you. (Unfortunately, they're not available in every store yet but let's change that, shall we!?)
• The hats retail for $16.99. Less than a twenty spot for a new accessory that looks cute AND covers up that dirty hair that we all know you didn't wash this morning……. ;-)

________________________________________

Ready to become a part of the MakerWear revolution? There are a few ways you can take part:

1. BECOME THE FACE OF THE REVOLUTION! Become the role model for the maker revolution… not only will you star in their photoshoot, but you'll also win a $1,000 Target gift card. Uhhh, HELLO! Click here to learn how you can enter! I would love to see one of my readers win this!

2. JOIN ME FOR A TWITTER PARTY! I'll be joining the @MakerWearDesign twitter party hosted by @ThriftyChicMom and @TammileeTips tomorrow, January 22nd, at 9pm. You'll definitely want to come too because there will be fabulous giveaways: five $25 Target gift cards, one $100 Target gift card and 15 MakerWear hats! Head on over to Thrifty & Chic Mom to view the official party details. See you there!

SHOP THE LOOK:

October Is: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

{ I interrupt today's usual Winning Wednesday post to bring you this special message. }

Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?


1 in 3 families are affected by domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors — physical, sexual, psychological, and economic coercion — used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship. Batterers use of a range of tactics to frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, often injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner.

If you are in danger, please call 911, your local hotline, or (in the U.S.) the National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 or TTY (800) 787-3224.

Together with Miss Vinyl Ahoy and others, I vowed to wear the color purple today to spread the awareness in a small way. In fact, I wore my favorite vibrant purple shirt dress. Unfortunately, the crazy rain storm we had all day pretty much deleted any plans I had to take outfit photos. Never discouraged, I put together a purple inspired Kaboodle styleboard with some frugal ways to add some purple into your wardrobe.

October Is: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

1. Purple gloves: Merona Side Stitch Glove in purple, Target.com, $19.99
2. Desert Boot: Whisper Desert Bootie in purple, Wanted, $49.99 (on sale)
3. Pencil Skirt: Vintage skirt in purple, RenaissanceProfessor's Avant Garde, $15
4. Earrings: Flower Wheel Medallion Earrings in amethyst, 1928 Jewelry, $18
5. Striped Dress: Vintage Striped Cotton Dress in pretty violets, Juannabie, $10
6. Nail Polish: Sexy Divide, by Essie, $8
7. Sweatshirt: French Terry Pullover in Night Orchard, Old Navy, $15 (on sale)
8. Vintage Dress: Vintage Wiggle Dress in deep purple, Serendipity Mae Vintage Boutique, $14.75

Scarf Swap (8/30)

I have a case of the moody mondays today. Admittedly, the first day of the work week is never a favorite of mine... but it felt like everyone took a crabby patty pill today! Did it feel that way in your neck of the woods? I had to take a breather break after I was chewed out (over the phone, mind you) by someone I work with (indirectly work with - not exactly a co-worker of mine). Nothing sets me off more than when someone talks to me like I am five years old - especially when A) I know I am right and B) I am nice while knowing I am right. Gah. Anyway. Had to get that off my chest.

So, back to some frugal fashion... remember that scarf swap that Concrete Catwalk put together back in June? Yeah, that one! Now, I know what you're thinking... Katie, that was June. This is July. Erm, I know. But, see, here's the thing: There was a huge delay in me sending a scarf to my partner. I originally gave my boyfriend the task of sending it to her, which was fine and great... until he put the package in the back of his car and proceeded to forget about it. So there you go. The good news is that everything was sorted out and I have a very forgiving swap partner! Thank you, Jackie!


Dress: Merona, Thrifted, OLD
Scarf: Swapped with Rodori Style!
Earrings: Won in a giveaway
Flats: Mossimo, Thrifted, $3.40
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
Can I tell you how much I love the scarf she sent to me? It is big, bright, and bold. Love. Love. Love. The colors in it change between a pink and orange - probably my two most favorite colors. Unfortunately, I took my photos late in the day and didn't have the foresight to take a photo of the scarf stretched out so you could get a better look at it. Don't worry, we'll visit with this scarf again soon!




I decided that since the scarf is such a bold piece that I would pair it with this simple dress from my 30x30 items. I love it against the black. It makes it pop that much more. Plus, since I can almost-kind-of-sort-of put my hair up now, I added some massive earrings that are perfect at times like this. I'm pretty sure every single person in my office complimented me on both the scarf and earrings today. (OK, maybe not everyone I encountered was a crabby patty.)


Check out my mini baby bun. This was taken around 8pm so I think it did a pretty good job holding up... even if I did have to use one million pins in the back and shellac it down with gel and hair spray. :)

Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to hunt down some ice cream and hop into bed with a good book. I think I've earned both of those after a long day!

Dress on Dress Action (6/30)

Oh, hello there, my fabulous blog friends... long time no blog, eh? I apologize for my sporadic breaks but sometimes a girl just needs a break, you know what I'm sayin'? Don't fret - I was still staying true to my 30 for 30 pieces, just didn't take the time to photograph them like usual so I'll be going back to do that this week to catch you all up on my daily outfittings. I know you have been in all kinds of suspense. :)

So, shall we start with today?


Black Dress: Merona, Thrifted, OLD
Zebra Dress: Mossimo, Thrifted, OLD
Vintage Necklace: Estate Sale, $5
Sandals: Mossimo "Pilar", Target, $29.99 (but free for me w/ gift card)
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
I loved this outfit. Sometimes I wonder if I should just own a closet full of black and white clothing because I always just feel so ME in black and white getups. They've just always been my thing.

I had the idea to layer these two dresses last week but put off wearing it until today because this week is supposed to be an absolutely scorcher. And that it was. I think one of the reports I read said at one point if had gotten to 107 degrees. Oh, mama. And it is supposed to stay this warm all week. (Remind me again why I included any type of sleeved clothing in my 30 pieces... anyone?) Yes, summer has arrived in Michigan. And the humidity? Don't get me started.


So, I don't know if I have mentioned it here before but my boyfriend took me estate sale shopping on my birthday back in June. I, of course, hit up estate sales all the time but it was nice to have him as a shopping buddy for once. My boyfriend is amazing but the one thing he fails at is being a patient shopper. This normally means I never even desire to have him go shopping anywhere with me - even the grocery store. However, that changes once a year on my birthday where he morphs into a stellar shopping buddy and is as patient as can be. I'll take it.

That being said, you should probably know the story behind this necklace. I walked by it on the very first estate sale we hit up. I'm sure you can imagine that the second I saw it, my heart started pounding and my eyes widened. This pretty lady was meant to be mine. But then disappointment came - the necklace had no price tag. Can I just tell you how much I hate when things are not marked at estate sales/garage sales/etc? I can maybe understand if it is an expensive antique and you want to wheel and deal to see what someone will offer you... but on this necklace? C'mon, put a price on it. So, anyway, I ask how much it is and the guy proceeds to tell me $10. Now, $10 may not sound like much, but remember who you're talking to - I was not happpy with this price. Defeated, I put it down and told my boyfriend I was ready to hit the road. Outside, he told me I needed to go back in and bring the guy down on price... but, here is something that may surprise you: I don't haggle. Never have. Never will. I'm just not into having that discussion with people. But my amazing boyfriend? He could care less. He walked back in and got the guy down to $5 and walked back out with my necklace. Did I mention how much I love him - particularly on this day? :)

This necklace, especially when paired with this dress on dress action, makes me wanna do a little dance...



Sorry, couldn't resist. I love the way the zebra print dress swung under the black dress. I didn't think dancing at work would be appropriate (oh, who am I kidding...) so I waited to share it with you guys.

Lady Grey (2/30)

Some days just seem nothing but a world of grey. Do you ever have those days?


Gingham Button Up: Merona, Target, $4.98 (clearance)
White Tee: Charlotte Russe, OLD
Grey Capris: LEE, Won in giveaway (FREE!)
Houndtooth Scarf: Old Navy, OLD
Sandals: Liz Claiborne Flex, Thrifted, $2.80
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

You wake up late. Your shower doesn't seem long enough. Nothing fits right, looks right, feels right, anything right. Your hair doesn't lay the way you want it to. It's too hot outside. The humidity makes your hair look worse. It's so cold inside that you suddenly feel like you should be wearing a fur coat. Your nail polish chips. Your job bores you to tears. You talk to five million angry people on the phone. A co-worker annoys you. Dinner has to be made. Laundry needs to be washed. Projects need to be completed. Trash needs to be taken out. And so on and so on.

And then your boyfriend takes your fashion photos for your blog and makes you smile all goofy like and everything is put into balance again.



Here's to the grey days that make you appreciate the non grey days that much more! :)

Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow (1/30)

Last week I got the chance to hang out with Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy and Nicole and Mary of The Sale Rack at the Canton Public Library to talk about shopping, deals and discounts as part of the library's Frugal Living presentation series. It also happened to be the first day I broke out my 30 for 30 pieces.


Yellow Henley: Old Navy, Thrifted, $2.99
Black Dress: Merona, Thrifted, Old
Sandals: Mossimo "Pilar", Target, $29.99 (but free, bought with gift card)
Washer Necklace: Handmade gift from my BFF
Long Chain Necklace: Estate Sale, $0.50
Black Beaded Bracelets: Gift from boyfriend
Evil Eye Bead Bracelet: Gift from friend at work
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

Now, please forgive my wrinkles. This dress likes to wrinkle anyway but after eight hours at work and two hours in the car during crazy bad traffic, I was looking a little rough. I like to think of wrinkles as little love ripples of worn clothing. I'm kidding. I'm just saying that to cover up how much I hate ironing. :)

Also, I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but I painted my nails. If you know me well, you know this is unheard of. I'm not the biggest fan of painted nails (on myself) because A) it never stays looking as nice as I would like it to for as long as I want it to and B) I'm terrible at painting my left hand. Anyway, I painted my nails a shimmery yellow-gold to match my outfit and was delighted with the result. I also painted my toes a neon orange shade that I picked up for $2.99...


And just for fun, some voguing for your viewing pleasure...





All photos taken by Miss Vinyl Ahoy!

The Styleboard Outfit Post

I was feeling under the weather yesterday so I never took a photo of my outfit. I got to thinking today that that is such a shame because it was rather cute... The socks were really the main point of the outfit and I would hate for you guys not to see it in action. Instead of putting it all back on (aka - annoying), I opted to create a new styleboard on Kaboodle to show it off...

What I Wore:... by konde1kn

Dress: Merona, Thrifted (Similar to the one shown - buy it here!)
Sweater: Merona, Target (Similar to the own shown - buy it here!)
Socks: Fair Isle in Red, Ozone Socks, Won in a giveaway!
Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target, Target, $7.48 (clearance)
Earrings: Ocean Blue flower earrings, An Blath Paipeir, Won in a giveaway!

Are these socks amazing or what? I was really excited when I found out I won two free pairs of Ozone Socks from Second Time Around. In fact, I found out that I won on April 13th, Rachel sent my address and requested socks to Ozone on April 14th and I had the socks in my mailbox on April 18th! If that isn't great service, I don't know what is! Anyway, the second I saw these socks, I knew they had to be mine! I love their fair isle design and actually wouldn't mind getting them in the other colors too. I've only recently become a sock wearing kind of girl but these have absolutely made an impression on me. They're in my closet for keeps!

And the earrings... Please be sure to check out the An Blath Paipeir shop. These earrings are made from recycled paper as are the rest of their brooches, earrings, barrettes and headbands. SO COOL, right? I was worried that I would wreck them within the first five seconds of handling, but that couldn't be further from the truth. They are super sturdy and completely unique.

Oh, finally, one more fun story about these socks: I was walking back to work after my lunch ended when I saw my old boss. She smiled and said "Those are some wild socks there, funky girl!" to which I replied with a "Would you expect any less!?" No. No she would not. :)

Black on Cream, Cream on Black

I spent yesterday at my grandpa's house in northern Michigan, right on the tip of the "thumb" actually... I knew snow would be coming today without even listening to the weather report because on my drive to his house it was blizzarding on and off. This is a normal occurrence for them as it snows more there than it does down here but, still, SNOW IN MID-APRIL!? Grr. As a result, the socks and boots are back today, but I still wanted to wear a dress.


Dress: Maggy London, Marshalls, OLD
Sweater: Merona, Thrifted, OLD
Tank: American Eagle, Thrifted, OLD
Socks: Apt 9, Kohls, $6
Boots: Franco Fortini, eBay, OLD
Bracelet: Gift from friend, FREE
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

I actually bought this dress a few years ago for a work Christmas party. It's more formal than it appears here since I have it covered up with a sweater. The front is a deep v-neck and the back is as well - which gives it a slightly fancier feel. Honestly, though, I don't think there is a Maggy London dress that I don't like. They all seem to have the greatest fit.


And how is that for some print on print action? I like that the main color is reversed on each piece.

In other exciting news:
1. I found out that I won a pair of the Blowfish Shoes Garren platform sandals from Meet Virginia Design! I have totally been lusting over these shoes for some time so I am really, really excited that I am now adding them to my wardrobe! Perfect summer sandal! Now it just needs to stop snowing...

2. I spent the majority of this past Saturday thrifting with Suze from Miss Vinyl Ahoy. Major fun ensued. I mean, 1.) I was thrifting so obviously that was fun, but 2.) Suze is a blast. Anyway, check out some photos of some of our outfits and escapades over at her blog today. :)