frye shoes

i used to pass off frye as sturdy and unstylish boots, but their latest designs are too good to ignore:





i've been on such a boots kick lately, and i'd like the above boots in several colors. the quality looks good from what i can tell online, and the shape seems really flattering. i love the last pair because it manages to encompass everything i'm a sucker for at the moment: mini-wedges, t-straps, peeptoes, and a pretty shade of brown all in one.

one small problem about the boots: i' don't really wear boots. i'm more of a sneakers and flats girl. can i be converted?

since i've been buying up a storm...

i thought i'd e-bay some of my older, but gently worn clothes. a.p.c., seychelles, anthropologie, urban outfitters and the gap.


i'm still trying to pare down the number of clothes i have, so i think auctioning off some of them is a step in the right direction.

skirt is finally finished!

here she is:






it all started with piping. at the store, i loved it so much i bought the entire roll (all 24 yards of it). i'd never seen printed piping before, and i thought it could be a nice touch with solid colors. i bought the wine-colored cotton for some other project, but then i remembered that i always liked the way navy blue and wine looked together. the wood buttons i chose because i wanted something different from fabric-covered buttons, and i thought they made the skirt look more "spring-like".

the specs:
*lightweight cotton
*fully lined with matching poly material
*enclosed seams (i used a sewing machine)
*functional curved pockets
*cream and navy piping
*two small pleats in the front, two darts in the back

originally, the skirt was 15 inches long, but then when i tried it on, i thought it needed another inch. i am almost 5'2" so keep in mind that it doesn't look so mini on me. my next project? a mini-mini skirt.

sometimes it's just not meant to be

i don't think i'm meant to own this bag:


i've wanted it since last year, and thought it was completely sold out in the states. however, recently, i found out that moma was selling it for $185--a hundred dollars cheaper than before. i was in the process of saving up for it when i checked the moma web site again, and now it's $395. utter nonsense! as much as i like it, i can't spend 400 bucks on a bag i would be afraid to be rough with.

i really need to find a new bag to fall in love with, because this is ridiculous.

i just gave my credit card a workout

from active endeavors:

ong five-tier silk skirt. this is more for fall, but i liked the color very much. it's nice to buy clothes in other colors besides black all the time.


from shop bop:

development silver pleated v dress. i've been looking for a fancy dress for a while now, and i think this suits me. plus, yellow and gray is one of my favorite color combinations. it's probably too big, but i can take it in if need be. i think i may have snagged the last one, because i just went to the site again and it's not on there anymore!


tashkent by cheyenne cole wedge boots. i tried these on as a joke before, but now i realize that they're pretty amazing-looking. lately, i've been struggling with liking the look of high heels, but not being able to feel stable in them. with these shoes, i get height and support. i also like how they are "quiet" shoes. with heels you get the "click-clack" sound when the heels hit the pavement, and i'm not sure how i feel about that.


all this stuff i got on sale for 50% off or more. pretty sweet!

now, as to not overcrowd my closet (although it's pretty skimpy anyway) i'm going to e-bay some of my gently-worn clothes. watch out for links!

i love flea markets

not many things make me happier than finding cool stuff at flea markets and thrift stores. such simple pleasures of mine.

on saturday i hit up a church flea market sale as well as one at a ymca. i found many neat things, but i'm trying to pare down all the "stuff" cluttering up my apartment, so i only bought what i knew i would use. i'm really excited to play with my new purchases:

lots of vintage buttons.


fabric. i liked the print of the one on the left, and it's very lightweight so i'm going to make it into some kind of summer top. the fabric on the right is a textured sweatshirt material from the 70s. i don't know exactly what i can do with this yet, but the texture was so interesting i couldn't pass it up. plus, it was only a buck.


and, on a whim, i bought this paper shredder for $1.00. it works, frighteningly so. the monster-like noises it emits make me a little jumpy. i would have even paid $2.00 for it, it's that awesome.


i've officially caught the bargain bug and will be stalking the garage sale listings every weekend the weather is nice. stay tuned for more cheap chic purchases!