Mustard | Mascara or Motoroil

all aboard for summer!

Thanks to the naturally cool temperature of our apartment, I had no idea how incredibly humid it was outside today and opted for pants. Not one of my best calls; I was sweating everywhere. Luckily we just got a new A/C unit for the shop so at least I got to be nice and cool while I was working. I’m hoping that it will cool off a little by 8, as I’m planning on going to a concert on Fountain Square tonight (in downtown Cincinnati) as part of the MidPoint Music Festival. If you’re in the area make sure to catch The Minor Leagues!

I borrowed this cool piece of Indian costume jewelry from my roommate and business partner Maya today that I was really excited to wear and was happy it went well with the conductor stripe jeans! As you can see I have worn my new shoes every day since I got them. That’s not just for my posts either, I actually haven’t worn any other shoes- except maybe some flip flops to take the pups out.

I absolutely love the little ruffle on the clutch and the carved bangles!

You know you'll be seeing a lot of them!

WHAT: navy post earrings, chicken lays an egg

indian necklace, borrowed from maya

mustard t, rainbow

carved bangles, my gramma

clutch, chicken lays an egg

navy belt, chicken lays an egg

striped jeans, forever 21

wedges, aldo

WHERE: work at chicken and midpoint music festival

WHEN: friday, june 11

Thanks for reading! Have a good weekend!

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out of africa

I cannot believe that I failed to mention this in my last post- sadly, the hard drive in my computer has died. I took it to the Mac store on Saturday to make sure and they confirmed. It was a very sad day for me. Luckily my wonderful boyfriend is quite adept with computers and he can replace it for much cheaper than they would. Unfortunately, you still must have some money to buy a new hard drive which I do not. Long story short, I will only be able to blog on days that I am working at the shop for a while. Sorry guys!

I finally fixed the zipper on this cool pseudo tribal print skirt, I’ve had it for almost a year and never worn it! I thought I’d roll with that theme and thew on this cool goofy mask necklace. Yesterday I had to get up at 6 a.m. for the first time in several years, and I’m still reeling from that. Since I was so exhausted when I woke up this morning I didn’t put that much effort in my accessories, and I think my outfit is a little boring. No big deal though, it would have been too hot for much more clothing really.

I love the little rhinestone eyes on this guy!

WHAT: mask necklace, chicken lays an egg

mustard ruche top, rainbow

wide belt, rainbow

tribal skirt, chicken lays an egg

flats, target

WHERE: work at chicken

WHEN: wednesday, may 25

Thanks for reading!

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another twofer!!

I was really happy to finally get a chance to wear the dress that my magnificent friend Jeni sent me! It’s so light and breezy, I was comfy all day. I’ve been rocking the sheer scarves as hair wraps all the time lately, they’re my new go to for a bad hair day or a need for color. Through some hardcore thrifting I have recently acquired one in just about every color of the rainbow!

I love how much this purse resembles vinyl upholstery from a 1950′s Bel-Air!

Yet again I ended up playing dress up a bit while I was at work. While I was getting in place before the picture, I fell off the step and this is the picture I got. I really like how it came out though!

I did end up bringing the skirt home, but the very cool suede belt is still for sale at Chicken Lays An Egg!

WHAT: sheer scarf, thrift

button pinwheel earrings, made by me

ginko leaf necklace, gift from maya

dress, gift from jeni

big black ring, forever 21

vintage handbag, chicken lays an egg

sunglasses, chicken lays an egg

socks, yard sale

mary janes, target

WHERE: work at chicken

WHEN: friday, may 14

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nothing without the kindness of friends

Whew! This has been a really fabulous whirlwind weekend for me, so I’m a few days behind on my posts. We had our first afternoon party and sale at Chicken Lays An Egg on Saturday and then I babysat all day today. I cannot WAIT to put up the pictures from the party, we had two of our photographer friends snapping pictures all day and they did suuuuuch an incredible job. Thanks Amy and Rachel, you guys did an amazing job!!

This post however is about how my wonderful friend Jeni really kick-started my love of blogging again. Jeni is an old friend of mine from high school and when we reconnected a few years ago, we really clicked. She is one of the strongest and smartest people I know. She’s so full of life and ready to do whatever fun requires, it makes me feel very lucky to be her friend. Jeni sent me this amazing package last week and it really made my week. She wrote me several really touching cards about how she reads the blog regularly and gave me some great tips on how to keep it fresh. It was especially cool because one of the cards she gave me was this awesome Charley Harper card; he was a very cool modern artist who specialized in wildlife portraits and coincidentally lived in Cincinnati! Here’s a little sampling of his stuff:

Anyway, her letter and everything really lifted me up and put me back in my groove. I actually immediately put on three of the things she sent me; a perfect mustard sweater, bracelet, and the ribbon she used to tie up some of my presents. Here’s how I started my day. Not bad, but nothing too special.

On my way out the door I saw her package, so when I opened it at the store this is what I threw together:

So much better!

It's so windy there!

How perfect is it that she tied up my present with a long white ribbon?!

WHAT: white ribbon, from jeni

mustard sweater, from jeni

little bows skirt, chicken lays an egg

brown balls bracelet, from jeni

leather belt, chicken lays an egg

square lace shoes, chicken lays an egg

WHERE: work at chicken, changing the window display

WHEN: wednesday, march 7

Thanks for reading, there will be more very soon!

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chart a course

I’ve noticed in going back through my old posts that slowly more and more cuss words have worked their way into my blog. I had to laugh because honestly it just means I’m being myself a little more. My mom taught me many of my most flavorful words in her moments of surprise pain and extreme aggravation. Truthfully I love dirty words, it delights me quite a bit to throw a good fuck into a sentence. I really don’t think about it too much, but the other day I was reading Keiko Lynn‘s little get to know me post where she mentioned that she can’t bring herself to swear. It seemed like such a cute odd thing to me, only because I’m so opposite.

Anyway, this outfit is obviously pretty similar to my last, but I was really happy with this color combo. Not to mention the INCREDIBLE map shirt! Random fact about me: I love geography, and one of the most beautiful things to me are maps. Doesn’t matter what it’s of or what facts it illustrates, I am obsessed. I have a giant map of Cincinnati right by my door in case I ever don’t know where I’m headed.

I had a good time taking these photos today, sorry for the location change though!

I got this awesome little guy at an antique store for $2!

WHAT: purple studs, thrift

map shirt, thrift

seagull necklace, antique store

stretchy skirt, h&m

spinny silver ring, gift?

gray tights, tj maxx

mustard mary janes, target

gray scarf, target

leather jacket, chicken lays an egg

flower brooch, chicken lays an egg

WHERE: work at the shop

WHEN: friday, january 22

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gettin’ back in the swing

I have to say that I’m not terribly impressed by my outfit today, but I didn’t have time to play around with it before I ran. I had to head out early today because my super sweet brother gave me his scooter and sidecar today so we had to go to the title office and junk. I absolutely cannot wait to learn how to drive it! And I have only ridden in the sidecar, but it is one of the most fun experiences…it’s like being in a parade all the time. Everybody stops to look at you going by, and everybody smiles.

Anyway, here’s my tribute to primary colors. Oh, and I also believe this is the debut of my new boots. I bought them recently because they are the same ones my friend Nancy has and she wore them everyday last winter, so I know they hold up. Although now I’m having a bit of buyer’s remorse with them. I like them, but I’m not totally in love. I had just been looking so long to no avail that I got impulsive. Oh well, they’re warm and I like them enough.

WHAT: birds in the sun necklace, chicken lays an egg

yellow t, rainbow

red knit vest, chicken lays an egg

polyester gingham skirt, thrift

white socks, urban

leather riding boots, dsw

WHERE: work at the library

WHEN: monday, january 11

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same thing, different day

Since I’m still kind of sick and unfortunately had to work, I was hoping to optimal comfort and warmth. I think I did pretty well. Surprisingly, my feet didn’t hurt me all day!

That face is because my pup was leaping around the bed in a frenzy.

These are the earrings I made with the leftover buttons from the neon green dress I altered! (October 24 post)

She just couldn't control herself any longer.

Oh no! One of my favorite rings broke this morning! Luckily, I think my old friend super glue can help me out.

WHAT: green post earrings, leftover from alteration

quilted apple dress, chicken lays an egg

mustard plastic ring, pangaea

white band and watch, on loan from maya

navy tights, target

mustard mary janes, target

WHERE: just an average day at our little shop and some errands

WHEN: friday, december 4

Well I’m hoping with a lot of sleep I can knock this thing out, so I’m off to bed! Take it easy.

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RETROactive posting- part 1

When I was looking through my pictures the other night, I realized that there were a few days that some how got lost in the mix and were never posted! So over next week or so I’m going to go back and finally post those.

This first set is from my birthday (before I actually had my blog), but there are some really cute ones of me and the boy! We spent the day running around the Natural History Museum. It was one of the best days I can remember.

The front cover of the mix my lovely boy made me for my birthday! Isn't he sweet?!

Jacob had one of his kidneys removed, and we still don't know how the museum got ahold of it!

Jacob had one of his kidneys removed. We still don't know how the museum got ahold of it.

I thought this was kind of amazing. Look how little comes in each box!

This one hasn't really been to space. It's a replica. Boo.

This is Cincinnati Museum Center's entire global warming display. Wow.

WHAT: pinwheel button earrings, homemade by me!

brown floral scarf, chicken lays an egg

mustard t, rainbow

blue skirt, thrift

bronze gladiator sandals, the store of evil (wal-mart)

WHERE: cincinnati museum center

WHEN: august 5

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the boy’s birthday

Since yesterday was my very sweet, handsome boyfriend’s birthday we went out with a few friends to our favorite restaurant, the always delicious Rio Grande. It’s this little Mexican place with unbelievably cheap and awesome food and GIANT margaritas. If you live in Cincinnati and have never been there, you are doing yourself a serious disservice.

Anyway, the best part of the evening was definitely him opening the little plush Cthulhu I made for him. Cthulhu, if you’ve never heard of him, is a mythical evil sea monster guy from and H.P. Lovecraft story. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu)

surprise!!

cthulhu and other little guys from the story (his mustache is removable)

As you can see from the picture, that night I debuted my little pink ballerina dress, gray scarf, and saddle shoes. It was the same outfit I posted a week or so ago when I bought that dress, so I didn’t think I needed to redo it.

I went for warmth today since there was a pretty nasty wind. I love how the color of this sweater looks on me, but I hardly ever wear it. I have a bad habit of forgetting that I own sweaters due to the fact that I have to keep all my heavy stuff like that in my living room closet. The dinky hanging one I have in my room is always about to collapse as it is. Tangent. Anyway, as much as I love the pocket watch necklace I’m wearing, it is a perfect example of why I usually don’t shop at Urban Outfitters. It cost almost $25, which is honestly way more than I usually pay for jewelry, but I loved it so I bought it. Less than a month after I got it, it stopped keeping time, and then shortly after that the second hand just fell off and now lies in the bottom of the face. Annoying. But I do totally love the funky closure on the leather belt I’ve got on, and I got it for $1! And I got the jacket for free!

My dog, Chopper gets really jealous when I ignore her when I’m posing as you can see.

chopper gets really jealous when i go out in the hall to take pictures

jacket & scarf

green sweater

pocketwatch necklace

WHAT:jockey hat, forever 21

green sweater (it’s super soft), thrift

pocket watch necklace, uo

chunky yellow plastic ring, found on the sidewalk

gray belt, shop therapy

teeny tiny houndstooth skirt, thrift

mustard mary janes, target online

WHERE: work and out to dinner (indian! yes!!)

WHEN: thursday, november 19

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a night on the town, a day with the kids

Last night Maya, Amy, and I went out to Mayday (the former Gypsy Hut) for the cd release party of The Minor Leagues, a really great local Cincinnati band.You can check em out at http://www.minorleaguesmusic.com/

(From left) Patrick Helmes, Josh Combs (I believe), and Hilly Kenkel

Amanda Lee Anderson of http://www.amandalee.org/

the whole gang

We ran all around Northside and had a fantastic little night on the town. Since Chicken Lays An Egg just signed up for a collaborative ad with Mayday, (as well as Sidewinder, Bughouse Video, Melt, and possibly Shake It Records) Maya and I were eager to meet Kim and Vanessa the new owners of Mayday and Sidewinder. They were as sweet and fun as I could have hoped for and I hope to do a lot of business with them in the future. Support your local female small business owners and go check out Mayday, it still has all the things you love about the old Gypsy Hut but better!

Anyway, here’s what I wore; I only wish I had gotten better ones of Amy and Maya’s adorable outfits too. Sorry for the image quality on some of these!

curtsy

check out the awesome yellow lining!

braclet & belt

best quarter machine ring ever

knee highs & mary janes

WHAT: black t with bubble sleeves, rainbow

orange patent belt, chicken lays an egg

paisley and yellow satin skirt, chicken lays an egg

black and white tablet bracelet, chicken lays an egg

green rhinestone ring, quarter machine

white knee socks, thrift

mustard mary janes, target online

WHERE: mayday and northside tavern

WHEN: saturday november 14

amy

amys shoes

miss maya

knee sock party

It was a completely accidental knee sock party!

And today I have an easy day of hanging with Max and Vivi, the kids I’ve been babysitting for most of their lives, so we’ve got a definite rapport. Not to mention that they really are really well-behaved, fun, and crazy smart. And if I ever planned on having a grown-up house, I’d love to have a gorgeous giant Victorian like theirs.

look at that wraparound porch!