Fashion Props and These Boots

I've been reading a lot of local fashion blogs, and like a kid on the playground, I feel a little bit left out. Just wanted to give some props to Sweet William, Fore Front Fashion, Sweeter Salt, Grandma June, and Mainely Mara are cool, smart, fashionable women, and hey, sometimes I don't wear sweatpants. Tomorrow is the first day of school and I actually intend on showering. I can be fashionable! And I love Lady Gaga!

I've also modeled some killer vintage finds for Mandy at Shop Grandma June.

Here's the outfit I wore on New Year's Eve, just picture it without the double chin and the mess in the background. God, I look like all of my aunts on my father's side in this picture.

Shirt: 100% silk, vintage.
Skirt: wool, J. Crew. (Pockets!)
Shoes: patent leather(?), Steve Madden.

I sent this as a pic-message to Cleveland, as I was choosing my outfit the night before. He said he was speechless. Assuming he wasn't talking about the mess, I told him not to get his hopes up, it was just a good angle on the mirror/camera angle. Still haven't seen the pics from that night so we might never know...

Oh, and after MUCH, MUCH controversy, I bought these boots on Etsy:

Does anyone else know what it's like to wake up, check your checking account balance and have a panic attack, thinking that you're going to overdraw and be hit with some serious overage fees? I lost my job and suffered two dental traumas in the last two months, over the holiday season. It was a difficult time. I deserve to treat myself to one special present for not falling into a bottomless pit of despair, as I might've done in other phases of my life.

These boots might even inspire me to reprise my role as Carrie Okay. START WALKIN!

These Boots

It's no secret that one of my favorite songs to karaoke is "These Boots Are Made for Walking," by Nancy Sinatra. It's easy, short and I have a little dance, and it works because even in the summer, I'm usually wearing boots.

A few months ago, I was running across Middle Street to see Tess Van Horn at the Black Parrot, one of the best clothing boutiques in Portland. That day I happened to be wearing a pair of caramel colored imitation-leather knee high slouch boots. I got them at the Salvation Army for six dollars, and wasn't totally crazy about them- my old Nine West boots had huge holes and were in dire need of repair. Six dollars for new boots was a lot less than the fifty dollars I'd probably pay at the cobbler to have the Nine West boots repaired.

So this woman, probably 50 something-ish, sees me run into to the store, parks her car and follows me in. She says that she loves my boots, and asked me if I got them there. I tried to not look completely shocked- there was no way in a million, bajillion years I'd ever be able to afford ANYTHING at the Black Parrot, let alone the boots! They were six dollars and not even leather! She told me they were a great find, I blushed, agreed, and tried to explain that she should just get Frye boots, which are expensive, but would probably last her the rest of her life. She shrugged and left the store.

At the time I could've never anticipated the events of last week... I got tipsy at (well, before and during,) the Black Parrot anniversary sale, and went home with these Rachel Comey boots. Thank you, student loan refund.