day seventy-one.

Day Seventy-one 11/7/2009
Dress: Navy and White checkered with Pink Bubbles Vintage Dress
Purchased From: Caprice Vintage in Nice, France
Year or Era Purchased: Fall 2009
Price: $22.25
Accessories: Pink and Navy Fishnets, heels for part of the day, mary janes for the rest, pink ribcage earrings, bow headband
Hair and Makeup: Down and wavy with a bow headband,usual makeup
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: Several dress compliments and one earrings compliment
Day: 


Today's dress was purchased on our vacation to France from a really adorable vintage clothing store called Caprice Vintage in a cute little alley near the Port section of Nice.  It is located at 12 Rue Droit 06300 to be exact.   It is too big and I really should get it altered because I love it so.  Turns out it kind of photographs like crap and the pattern looks wonky. I still love it though.  My earrings are awesome hot pink rib cages and I purchased them from Vive 1977 in the Piazza.  They're heavy but they don't make me ears itch or feel gross like a lot of earrings do. 


I drank too much last night, imagine that.  We went to our corner bar and hung out with some friends and I didn't get to bed until almost 3am.  I woke up to our alarm at 8am as I forgot to turn it off.  My head was pounding and my throat was sore because you are still allowed to smoke at Les and Doreen's Happy Tap. Yuck. My clothes and hair are quite stinky today.  Michael and I went to brunch at Beau Monde and enjoyed delicious crepes. Mmmmmm. After I grocery shopped with my brother in preparation for his wedding reception tomorrow.  I came home and started cleaning the mess that is our living room. Little scraps of thread and fabric are everywhere and paint splatters litter the hardwood floor.   Michael came home and I went out with him to get some ingredients needed to make pesto for Brad and Sherry's reception.  We then went over to celebrate the one year anniversary of my friend Gert's dog grooming salon, The Groove Hound.  I ate some cheese, drank some wine and hung out with some friends by a fire in the side yard.  It was really cute and I had a nice time.  We then went to gather music and put it on my ipod for tomorrows shindig.  I came home and made pesto and ate sandwiches and watched some of What About Bob.  Now I will go sleepytime. 

day seventy.

Day Seventy 11/6/2009
Dress: Grey Fancy Promy Strapless Dress
Purchased From: H&M
Year or Era Purchased: Winter 2006 or 2007
Price: $29.50
Accessories: Argyle tights, black boots, grey cardigan, grey neck warmer made from chopping off part of a turtleneck sweater
Hair and Makeup: Down and curly with a bow headband, black eye makeup
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: Kelly said she liked it and that she liked my headband, Rica joked it was my new year's dress, Michael said "boobs".
Day: 


I have to be getting sick. No good.  Do not want. I woke up feeling a little crappy and hung out in bed for an extra hour playing with the cats and my phone.  It was so cold, so very cold and our heat wasn't on so under the covers was fantastic.  I finally got up, made coffee and fed the squirrels.  While I was doing all of that I missed a call from my Mom.  I called her back and she let me know that my Uncle Tony had passed away after a long illness.   Even though we knew it was coming it was still a shock to hear it.  He was in pain so I have to think he as at peace now.  


I spent the next few hours at my computer playing with photoshop and reading photoshop tutorials online. My hands became ice and I finally broke down and turned on the heat.  Ugh. 


Since I only have thirty days left it's time to wear some of the fancier dresses that I have left.  I'm glad it's at least Friday as I feel I can sort of get away with it more so than on a Tuesday.  I really love this dress even if it is a little too small in the boobular area.  I originally bought it as a maybe New Year's Dress along with another 50's dance inspired dress from H&M. I ended up not wearing this dress for New Year's because it wasn't doing it for me when I tried it on, I was much skinnier then.  Since I've put on a few pounds the dress fits a lot better, score.   I paired it with a grey cardigan and grey argyle tights.  Grey is one of my favorite colors so this outfit made me really happy. When shopping with Jen the other day we saw this huge turtleneck scarf thing in the men's section at H&M.  I have since been obsessing over it and I wanted some sort of neck cover with this outfit so I dug through my donation pile and cut off the top part of a turtleneck sweater and voila, a cute little neck warmer.   I accidentally cut it a little asymmetrical but now I love my mistake. 


I worked a little bit and ran a few errands and then came home and ate cheerios since I didn't get a chance to eat before I left the house.  I then went over to my friend Kelly's to see my new boyfriend, Fergus, or maybe he's Finn, or his original name Weenie.  Whatever his name is he's amazing! I want him but she's keeping him so that's awesome. Check out his cute little face. 

I came home and made sandwiches for dinner and Michael and I watched The Office and 30 Rock.  Now we'll venture out for Friday night and get into some trouble, or not, probably not.  

day sixty-nine.

Day Sixty-nine 11/5/2009
Dress: Pink Floral or Swampy Print
Purchased From: I can't remember for sure, a thrift store of sorts. 
Year or Era Purchased: 2006-2007ish?
Price: $5?
Accessories: Pink tights, homemade cream legwarmers (sweater sleeves). blue rose ring, black on black chucks
Hair and Makeup: Parted in the middle and pulled back, some bangs, usual makeup plus teal eyeshadow in the crease
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: none
Day: 



We slept through the alarm today and that was no good because Michael had an eye doctor appointment. D'oh.  Today was super boring so I have nothing really to report on. I worked, went to the gym, made vegetarian beef stew using seitan and served it with buttered egg noodles, we watched a bunch of television and I drank some red wine. Now it is time for shower and sleepytime.  I feel like I'm getting sick. I hope not.  


Today's dress is one of my favorites because I love the print. It's not the most or even the least flattering but it's comfortable. I spruced it up with a pair of legwarmers that I made from chopping the sleeves off of a baggy sweater. You can pretty much make legwarmers out of anything this way.  I particularly like them because they're a little bigger and cover a bit of the shoes. Yup. 


SSS, sorry so short.  God,  I used to actually write that on notes to people in school.  Dork!

day sixty-eight.

Day Sixty-eight 11/4/2009
Dress: Black with White Polka Dots and Cherries Strapless Dress
Purchased From: I can't remember for sure, I want to say some place like Forever 21 or Joyce Leslie or something
Year or Era Purchased: Spring/Summer 2006
Price: $10? I remember being really excited that I got it super cheap and on sale.
Accessories: Black tights, black knee high boots, black cardigan, black short sleeved shirt underneath
Hair and Makeup: Down and wavy, usual makeup
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: A compliment on my boots, hair and Michael said "oooh cherries"
Day: 



So I totally didn't get everything on my list done last night. Oh bother.  I did get a crapton of laundry done and all of my dresses and a lot of the others articles of clothing that were strewn about hung up and/or put away.  The bedroom is looking better.  It's a process.  I'll get there. 


Today's dress is not super flattering with my extra pounds and it was kind of chilly today so I paired it with a short sleeved shirt underneath to hide some more skin. I also wore a cardigan. I think I may have added some bulk to the dress with the undershirt but I wore my coat most of the day so whatevs. 


I woke up a little earlier today but I was dragging my feet a lot, very tired lady.  I worked and then drove to King of Prussia to meet up with my oldest friend, Jen.  We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate her birthday and then we shopped and chatted it up. It was lots of fun.  The evening certainly revolved around eyebrows as we visited Sephora for an eyebrow filler solution for her and then I got my eyebrows threaded at one of those weird mall stands.  We both couldn't stop staring at ourselves in mirrors.  Hers were way darker than she's used to and mine are much skinnier but we are both happy, just getting used to it.  Eyebrow threading is really weird.  I probably should not have just trusted some crazy lady in the mall with my eyebrows but it all happened so fast.   At first we were walking by the stand with a don't bother me attitude but then I realized it was a threading stand and stopped for a second to look at it. Before I knew it I was in the chair holding onto my eyelid and forehead, stretching the skin for a stranger to vigorously rub thread together and remove a ton of my eyebrow hairs.  It hurts but not more than waxing. It's definitely weird to be on display in the mall though.  I think I'd do it again.  I also think this blog has way too many accounts of hair removal!


I came home and watched the Phillies lose the series, so my friend Chad will be happy to not have to read anything about baseball in this blog anymore.  Good for him.  I am exhausted so until tomorrow's dress, goodnight. 

day sixty-seven.

Day Sixty-seven 11/3/2009
Dress: Black with White Polka Dots Vintage Sheath Dress
Purchased From: Don't remember, sorry. Definitely a thrift store of sorts. 
Year or Era Purchased: I've had it for about four or so years???
Price: $5-20 is my guess
Accessories: Teal tights, black boots, black and white striped cardigan
Hair and Makeup: A bun with teased hair and curled bangs, usual makeup
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: none
Day: 



I tried so hard to get out of bed before 9:30 but I failed.  I finally got up and did some laundry and scooped the litter, fed the cats and the squirrels.  I made an appointment at a dermatologist and the lady doctor and researched the dentists that our friends suggested.  I have started making lists of goals of crap to get done for the day. I am already falling behind on today's list. Ugh. So much pressure! 


I worked and then came home and voted and made dinner (leftover potatoes and green beans, veggie bbq chicken and bread and butter) Since Septa went on strike today I knew the traffic would be horrendous and avoided trying to get to the gym.  I will attempt a morning visit instead.   


I really like today's dress but to be honest it is a smidge too small.  It rides up a bit and isn't super flattering but I covered my armpit fat with a cardigan. I like the stripe/polka dot contrast.  I also like my fun blue tights. They make me happy. 


Now it is time to tackle my to do list for the evening. It goes a little something like this: 


a.  Finish cabinet clean-out.  I have this red cabinet that I keep clothes in and it is mostly empty right now as most of my clothing is either dirty or I don't like it anymore.  I am in the process of folding the stuff I like and organizing it, placing it neatly into the cabinet.  Stuff I don't want goes into one of the many donation or try to sell bags.


b. Hang up clean dresses.  I don't really have a closet right now since our closet is small and we both have clothes we never wear hanging in it, I'm not sure why exactly but whatever, eventually we'll move onto our third floor and we'll have two closets.  For now we both have our own clothing racks and mine is entirely dresses.  They really don't all fit so maybe I'll try to figure something out with the worn dresses.  For now they are all in a pile on my floor and that is no good, no good at all. 


c. Fold laundry.  I have done about four or five loads of laundry in the last two days.  Luckily a few were towels but unluckily one of them was the lot of socks I've been missing forever so I have a lot of sock folding in my future. Ugh. 


d. Take a bath and drink a glass of red wine.  Ok, this one isn't really on the list but it will be nice if I ever get to it.


e. Paint nails.  I have blue nail polish and a red nail polish pen. Hmm. What ever would I do with those? 


So yeah, I better get cracking.  

day sixty-six.

Day Sixty-six 11/2/2009
Dress: Red with white leaf or flower petal pattern Dress
Purchased From: Reverie
Year or Era Purchased: Summer 2009
Price: $20.00
Accessories: Black tights, black mary janes, knit Phillies hat
Hair and Makeup: down and wavy, usual makeup
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: none
Day: 


I still wasn't feeling one hundred percent this morning so I slept in until 9:30 and then putzed around the house for two hours before starting work. I did manage to do an insane amount of neglected dishes and a load of laundry.  This whole dress thing definitely requires less laundry.  I worked, grocery shopped and got my food loving self to the gym before coming home and making an amazing and soul warming dinner of potatoes au gratin, green beans with slivered almonds and vegetarian lemon/garlic chicken.  Wicked yum.  I totally fatted my way through two servings.  


I wore a red dress today since the Phillies are playing.  I am simultaneously blogging and watching the game right now.  The dress is from a cool vintage store on Girard Avenue.  I drive by it all the time but have only been in once and I got this dress and the squirrel brooch from day one.  I've been waiting to wear this since it's long sleeve and today's weather was kind of perfect for it.  My knit hat was a freebie at one of the games.  Also good for today's weather.  I paired the outfit with black tights and shoes because it's one of my favorite looks.


I don't know if I have it in me to go over every detail of the costume construction but I'll give it a try.  I started out with a punching balloon and paper mached at least 5 layers on it before attaching layers of paper towel for padding and then a layer of duct tape for structure.  

I paper mached a few more layers on top of the duct tape as I needed to paint some of it and glue fur to other parts.    

The nose and horns are also made of paper towels wrapped with duct tape and then paper mached with several layers, followed by a paint job.  The eyeballs were made of a styrofoam ball, sliced in half and painted yellow with black.  

The mouth was constructed of cardboard, painted with white cut out teeth glued to it.  I also used a sharpie to add some mouth details.  I attached all of the facial features with liquid nails because "amazing goop" craft glue does not in fact bond whatever, last forever as it claims.  Since the fabric store only had white faux fur I had to work with it.  I tried dyeing it with two packets of dark brown but that only turned it a purplish grey color so after I attached the fur to the head with liquid nails I used fabric paint in black and brown and painted the fake fur until it resembled the color I wanted.  I ran out so I wasn't able to get it exactly as I wanted.  I stuffed the inside of the hollow head (the balloon deflated mostly on its own and then I satisfied my urge by popping it) with newspaper and glued batting to the rim to help close up the large gap.  I then used extra fake fur and finished stuffing it enough so that it sat on my head properly.  My original design used a batting helmet inside with the head held up a bit and my face visible but that made the head shaky and unstable so I nixed it and that's when I realized it was comfortable and looked better without. 

The legs were made from a pair of cream colored textured tights and I painted a scale pattern on them with a stiff brush using a mix of black and brown fabric paint and then quickly dragged the brush through each of the scales.  I bought at pair of slippers at Target and painted the same scale pattern on them with white and black fabric paint.  I then made sixteen stuffed "claws" using felt, stuffing and embroidery thread.  Eight of the claws were sewn onto the slippers, a feat that was extremely painful since the slippers were thick and I kept poking myself with the needle.  Ouch.  

Using a dress that I already own (the one from day forty-four) I traced the dress onto a piece of orange fleecey fabric with chalk and then cut it out. Since there was no way I was finding a sweater in orange/yellowy stripes I had to buy two types of fabric and sew stripes onto the dress.  Luckily my friend Kristin has a sewing machine and she showed me how to use it.  I did hand sew the dress stripes on one day when I was waiting for Easter to be done at the vet, the rest was sewn using the sewing machine.  Michael is more proficient in sewing machines than I am, thank goodness, because he was able to help me when Kristin went home and let me borrow her machine. I sewed the dress and it fit well, yay.  Since I haver never made a dress from scratch (and yes, I realize this was not made well, but whatever, I made it) before I knew I would not be able to conquer sleeves so I opted for extended arm warmers.  I sewed their stripes on with the machine and then sewed them together, also with the machine.  They almost lined up perfectly but I opted to keep them detached in case it was super hot and I wanted to remove them.  I then hand sewed the claws onto the arm warmers.  I also sewed two brown felt paws onto them.  Looking back I wish I had changed the claw/arm design a bit because they kept flopping around.  If I could do it again I would have inserted some sort of flexible wire into the claws or changed their placement.  Oh well.  My tail was made with more fake fur, dyed but not painted since I ran out of fabric paint.  It contained a piece of 14 gauge romex wire and was sewn directly onto the dress.  The wire wasn't actually strong enough to bend the tail into shape but I think it gave it something extra oomph.  

When all was said and done I spent about $100 and 35 hours on the costume.  I didn't use all of the supplies and I overbought fabric by about $20 but I was able to help a friend with her costume by supplying her with fake fur and I will make a cat bed with the remainder.  It looks like polar bear fur so I might buy a white teddy bear and try to make a funny little bear rug/bed for the cats.  We'll see.  For now I'm going to try to get my house and life back in order! Okay, I guess I was able to go into detail, and I guess the Phillies just won too! Word!

day sixty-five.

Day Sixty-five 11/1/2009
Dress: Black and White Pattern Dress
Purchased From: Ross
Year or Era Purchased: Spring 2009
Price: $12.99
Accessories: jeans and boots
Hair and Makeup: none and none, too hungover so I wore a horse mask for the photo.
Comments/Compliments/Complaints: none
Day: 


We slept in the Element atop yoga mats and layers of comforters.  I can't say with certainty that it was comfortable as my judgement may have been a little blurred but I am pretty sure it was cozy enough.  I woke with the immense pressure of a throbbing bladder and dull ache within my skull. The Halloween party was tons of fun and the costume was a hit.  There were some seriously awesome costumes for my viewing pleasure as well.  I certainly consumed both too many drinks and too many varieties of drinks. Today's hangover was epic. 


I threw on the dress that I brought with me and since it was much colder than I anticipated I paired it with jeans and a long sleeve black shirt.  To be completely honest today's dress was not thought out and I put zero effort into it.  I just grabbed something off the rack last night and shoved it in a bag.  I put pjs on when I got home.  After dressing I found a chair and tried to shake my hangover with some ibuprofen and water.  After shoving vegetarian bubble balls (veggie meatballs wrapped in crescent roll dough) and weenie winks into mouth we packed our stuff and headed to Capriotti's for vegetarian turkey hoagies, the cure for a bad hangover.   We drove home and my ever growing nausea almost got the best of me.  I made it home, thought I was in the clear and let Michael use the bathroom only to find myself hunched over our kitchen trash puking up the tasty vegetarian treats of the morning.  Ugh.  Dumb.  I then climbed into bed with a tray, my hoagie, a giant ball jar full of ice water and a bag of chips.  I'm not proud but I ate ten inches of hoagie, half a bag of chips and drank thirty-two ounces of water while watching an episode of House.  I then promptly passed out for three hours, waking to the new daylight savings darkness.   I spent the rest of the night looking at pictures and watching the sad, sad Phillies game.  Now I'll be retiring to bed but I promise to post the costume process tomorrow complete with pictures and explanations of the construction.  It's November, wow! Rabbit Rabbit