Tidings of Comfort and Joy

No folks, it's not Christmas just yet, but I was getting a feeling of comfort and joy from this outfit. Comfort from this old denim shirt that has just the perfect amount of wear and softness plus a couple of holes in just the right places (thrifted that way) and also from the fact that there wasn't a single thing that was pulling, tugging, riding up, sagging down, rubbing, poking, itching, sratching or restricting about any of these garments. Nope, not a single thing; not even an irritating tag (because I cut them out).
The "joy" part of this outfit, well that came from the polka dots, because everybody knows polka dots = joy.

I wore this a couple weeks back (before the weather got real cold) when I took my dear mother-in-law out to lunch and shopping. We always have a fun time on these little outings. She's full of life stories and at 84 she's still a fashionable lady, so shopping is quite an adventure with her.  I tell you friends, it's great when you have in-laws that you like and vice - versa.  I equate it with polka dots... a pure joy.

The holidays are fast approaching and things are about to get real hectic for some of us. So, I'll take this opportunity to wish you all the comfort and joy in the world, if not from your in-laws and other relatives, then at least from the clothes you grace your body with.

Do you anticipate spending the holidays with in-laws or out-laws?

New York and Company vest: thrifted
Liz Claiborne denim shirt: thrifted also worn here and here.
Polka dot dress by local company, but can't remember name - cut out the irritating tag: thrifted
Fly London booties: via Saxon Shoes. Sooo comfy!
Vintage Ettienne Aigner purse: thrifted

I'm linking up with Patti's Visible Monday. Come join me.

Bring on the holidays!

Prim, Pretty, Pastel, Pleats, Please!

     …wow, try saying that 10 times fast!

      On occasion I’ll find myself in a particularly prim, ladylike mood, which will inevitably lead me to don a pleated skirt. The outfit I’m wearing today is similar in color scheme to this one. I just wanted to go with pastels and neutrals, no pops of color (unless the rose counts), no blaring accents; just muted and simple.  How fortunate for me that pleats are "in" this season, but really, did they ever go "out"? I've been wearing them since I was a child. I'm sure I'll be wearing them in 2032 when they're fashionable again (for the umpteenth time).

     This will most likely be my work gear for tomorrow but depending on the weather, I may have to change the bottom. Speaking of weather, I really wanted to take these pics outside, but the sun just wouldn't cooperate! It was playing peek-a-boo in and out the clouds every few minute, so I finally gave up and resorted to "studio" pics. 

     So tell me, what item(s) have you been sporting all these years, that now all of a sudden is the "it" item to wear?

pssst...I finally set up my facebook page. Look for and like 'Style Agent 909'. See you there!

Chambray shirt: thrifted
New York and Co. vest: on clearance $7.00 !
skirt: thrifted
Candies platform pumps: thrifted
Rose pin: I've had it forever!

Thrift factor = 83%

 Remnants of winter are still hanging on.
It's really pretty back here once it's all lush and green.

Tribal, Take Two: What I Roar to "The Lion King"

     I'm so diggin' the spring "tribal" trend. When I go to the thrift stores, my eyes immediately settle on anything that could be remotely interpreted as tribal. Hence, the jacket I'm wearing in this post. I've had two occasions to wear it. Once last weekend and today when my dear dear husband took me to see The Lion King. I know, I know. It's been out for years. I've seen the movie but never really had a chance to see the play.
     I kind of had the idea that everyone would show up in animal print. So, I wanted to be a little different, but still in keeping with the theme of the event. Well, to my surprise there was hardly an animal print to be seen! Funny how things sometimes turn out entirely different from what we predict. Well, I'm still glad I wore what I did. For some reason it just wouldn't have seemed right to wear pastels or polka dots, you know what I mean?
     Hope you're having a great weekend. I'm off to enjoy what remains of mine, but stay tuned because Double-Take Tuesday is just around the corner and have I ever got something in store for you!

New Identity jacket: thrifted
New York and Co. blouse: thrifted
Beaded belt: thrifted
Hydraulic denim skirt: thrifted
Lucky Brand boots via Dillard's
Necklaces and bracelets: thrifted

Thrift factor = 83%

 Until next post, happy dressing,

Sincerely,
Style Agent 909

Tribal; it's a wrap!

I’m always in a style crisis just about this time of year. My mind knows it’s winter, the calendar says it’s winter, but my body is craving spring. Mother Nature isn’t helping either; I’ve hardly seen a flake of snow and to top it all off, I’m bombarded with images of new spring trends in all the glossy mags. So, the dilemma this past weekend was: What spring trend can I wear, yet have a visual appearance of warmth? Tribal! This is a dress I picked up a few weeks back at the Goodwill. I was actually fortunate enough to find another dress that was exactly the same style, but a different pattern. I’ll share the other in a later post. I believe the pattern on this dress qualifies as “tribal” especially with the help of a few ethnic looking necklaces. What do you think?

     Thrifting tip- You may have heard this before. Check out all the size sections. Don’t pay attention to the number on the label, because that's all it is. If it looks like it’ll fit, give it a try. These dresses are labeled two sizes larger than what I normally wear. But who cares? They fit great. Then again there’s quite a bit of leeway in both directions when it comes to wrap dresses. 

London Times dress: thrifted
Lucky Brand boots via Dillard's (on clearance here)

Thrifted necklaces. I think the middle one may have come from Walmart.

Bracelets via New York and Company last year on clearance. 

Daffodil and Gray

When I’m out and about at thrift stores, I find all kinds of neat stuff besides clothing. Case in point; these cool catalogs from Spiegel, spring/summer 1952 and Montgomery Ward, fall/winter 1951. Both are still in business via the internet, by the way. I’ve had a ball looking through them, truly a blast from the past. These two catalogs prove one thing: The more things change the more things stay the same (kind of). Some of these styles and color combinations I’ve seen come around a couple of times throughout the years. And here they are again this spring. The retro fifties look is all the rage. I was especially thrilled to see the color combo they call “Daffodil and Gray”. So much more romantic sounding than “yellow and gray”, don’t you agree? And definitely one of my faves.  I just mentioned how much I love gray in one of my earlier posts and truthfully, I don’t think there’s a single color it can’t be paired with. Just a week or two ago I saw a display in New York and Company featuring the two together. So, here’s the 1950’s version and the 2012 version, daffodil and gray my way….

Daffodil and gray...my way

 

Byron Lars sequined hounds tooth skirt: thrifted

New York and Company pin striped vest: thrifted

Old Navy yellow vest: thrifted

Apostrophe basic white shirt via Sears

Nine and Company black strappy sandals: thrifted

Bracelets and earrings: thrifted and via ebay

Thrift factor= 83%

Daffodil and gray....the 1952 version

Spiegel  and Montgomery Ward catalogs