A Shoulder to Cry On

Maggy London dress via Belk, Franco Sarto gold metallic heels - thrifted.

I've noticed something about bloggers. They're not really complainers. So today, ladies, I offer you my shoulder to cry on (see, I'm even dressed for it). It's time for a good old-fashioned, belly achin' moan and groan, b!tch and whine session. No complaint is too big or too small. Each complaint is just as valid as another. The fact that one person had a fender bender is just as good (or bad) as the fact that a dress another was eyeing is no longer available in her size. If everything is hunky dory in your life you can complain on behalf of someone else. I'll get the ball rolling for this... violins, please...

You'll note I'm not smiling in this photo, that's because not less than one hour before,  my husband told me I needed to lose 10 pounds! Mind you, I'm the same size as when we met. Geeze! Is there any better way to wreck a woman's day? The nerve of that man! I didn't even get a chance to ask that age old question, "Honey, does this dress make me look fat?"
Well, I feel better already just talking about it with you all, my blog friends. I still love my hubby of course and this picture kind of made me giggle. I'm so in love with the beachy/nautical lifestyle, I'll take it any way I can get it. That includes posing with fake sea creatures in the middle of rural Virginia!
O.k. ladies, now it's your turn. Ready, set, complain!
I'll be at Patti's and Monday Mingle.

Summertime Tex Mex Western

Nobody loves western like I love western (clothes that is). I should have lived on the Ponderosa and married a man named Hoss. As a matter of fact, I'm so enamored with it, it was one of the first looks I debuted on this blog and this post is merely an excuse to show off my summer version. All that's missing is the pistols!

This photo represents my three great western finds for the month. 

The scarf immediately said "Tex-Mex" to me:

 $1

The white jeans are boot cut Meronas and still had the tag: $6

And best of all, these Jessica Simpson cowboy "boot" slides/mules: $3.50

(check out the close up below)

 The Crow's Nest is where all my fantasy western gear is. I go there for inspiration. It's kind of pricey, but a girl can dream right?

Well I don't know about you, but I'm ready to ride off into the sunset and start my weekend. See y'all back here on Monday. Hi-yo Silver!

Just in Case...

Michaelangelo long skirt: thrifted

White shirt: Hubby's closet

Fashion Focus heels: thrifted

One of the delights of thrifting is being able to buy completely useless crap that may gather dust for months, years even before it’s worn and not feel guilty about it. I call these transactions, “Just In Case” purchases or JIC’s. For example, I may buy a super cute pair of jeans that’s two sizes too small, just in case I lose 50 lbs.

Do any of you remember when Sharon Stone wore her husband’s plain white button down shirt over a formal bottom to the Oscars? It caused a media frenzy and forever more it was fashionable to wear something casual over something formal. That’s what I had in mind when I bought this long skirt. I’m gonna rock it just like Sharon did; you know….just in case I get invited to a high society charity ball or something this holiday season.

Oh… and for the record, I did lose about 50 lbs three years ago and still wear those super cute jeans. A large percentage of my JIC’s do have their moment to shine. These items are still waiting for theirs…

I can't wait for overalls to make a come back!

These shoes have green, red and yellow lights in the heels that flash every time a step is taken (like the kids tennis shoes). They're aptly named 

"Disco" on the soles.

This makes me think of Prince...

She wore a raspberry beret...the kind you

find in a second hand store... 

Time to fess up! Tell us about some of your

"just in case" buys.

Linking up with Patti
and the gals at Monday Mingle.
See you there!

Preview: Time For a Fall High Low

Welcome back to another Fall preview. Like my previous post this outfit is one I would wear when I feel the need for rich warm colors but the weather is still warm.
I was planning on skipping the Hi Low trend. I like it on other people, but not so much for myself. And that's kind of weird because I do like asymmetrical skirts, and a high low could definitely be classified as asymmetrical right?  But Jasifer's BFSC called for a high low, so here I am wearing one, which I have to admit, I like; maybe because it doesn't come off as such until viewed from the side.
What's up with the clock you ask? It represents time (how original is that?). Time I seem to run out of so quickly or never have enough of. And time is a big issue when it comes to blogging, because there's other things in life that require attention too. But really, it's a purchase from Goodwill that doesn't work. No problemo though. I'll donate it right back to them and get a 20% coupon for my next purchase!
On a side note, some time ago, this vest I'm wearing was in the JCP
store and I really, really wanted it, but wasn't willing to shell out $55. So, I waited...and waited...........and waited. It finally went on clearance, but guess what? No more of my size left! Now three years later, I find it at Goodwill, still not in my size, but hey, that's what belts are for. Good(will) comes to those who wait!

American Living vest
Ralph Lauren Chaps skirt     ========> All from Goodwill
Braided leather belt
Non working clock

Nine West leopard pumps: via Belk

                                                              See, it really is a high low.

Fall Preview: Metallic Leather + BFSC

Hey ladies. I've missed you. Once again life had encroached on blogging! And to tell the truth, it had me just wore out! Now I'm back and rested.
If you're a fashion magazine addict like myself, you know they're already giving sneak peeks of the fall fashions. One trend I'm happy to see is metallic leather. Why? Cause I've already got some my closet... since last year! I just never got around to wearing it. Well, it's gonna see some action this year by golly! There's just one problem. There's that tricky transition period between summer and fall when you start craving the darker, richer colors, yet, it's still too warm to bring out the wool coats and sweaters...what to do? I usually solve this dilemma by wearing light weight fabrics in darker colors. I also skip the tights and scarves. But like the title says, this is just a preview. I haven't quite got a hankerin' for dark rich colors yet. I'm still having way too much fun with my brights, shorts and espadrilles.

I'm marking "wear something sleeveless" and "high waist" off  Jassifer's BFSC. I'm naturally high waisted and I do everything in my power to try and hide it; usually by wearing something long over it or I don't tuck my top in. Now that I think about it, maybe that's why I didn't wear this skirt; because of it's high waist. Hmmm.



Note to self: Do not pose with hands fully in pockets!



Spiegel metallic leather skirt: thrifted
Orvis reversible cargo vest: thrifted
No label blouse: thrifted
Franco Fortini booties: thrifted.



When do you start thinking about fall trends?
Are there any you're looking forward to?

You'll notice I'm wearing two different pairs of shoes. Which do you like better the  burgundy pumps ===========================>
 or  the black booties?

See you all at the usual hangout,
Visible Monday.
Monday Mingle.

BFSC, Denim and Diamonds

Isn't it the coolest thing to come across a look in a magazine that you feel you can actually pull off? The July 2012 issue of Marie Claire has just such a look for me! It's called "Denim and Diamonds". It mostly features different combinations of distressed denim with sexy black leather loaded down with diamond accessories. As soon as I saw their take on this, I knew it was something I'd want to try. Better still, I already had everything I needed in my closet and I felt I didn't necessarily have to wait until fall to wear it. My rhinestones, er...I mean diamonds are on my shoes, belt, necklace and some on my bracelets. The bustier I'm wearing is leather with a light croc embossed pattern; the denim of course is my jacket.
I expect to have a thing or two to celebrate this week and Stephen has promised to take me to a restaurant I've been wanting to try, so guess what I'll be wearing?


Eddie Bauer denim Jacket: via Eddie Bauer
Newport News leather bustier: found in antique store
Peter Nygard skirt: via Dillard's (old)
Rhinestone, chain link belt: Express (old)
Silver rhinestone shoes: thirfted
Various "diamond" accessories: thrifted and Walmart.

 I'm  marking "Wear something strapless" off the list of Jasifer's Big Fat Summer Challenge.

This is an easy look ladies. Who doesn't have some distressed denim, something black and a few diamonds lying around?

I'll be seeing you all tonight at Patti's Visible Monday,
and Monday Mingle

Pssst...quick question before I go. Is anybody having trouble seeing anything on my posts or does anything look especially different? I'm getting a message from Google to download Google Chrome or else I  might experience problems. Please let me know. Thanks. Styleagent909@gmail.com

Have a lovely, stylish week!

Welcome Back Neon

Just like love, sometimes a trend is better the second time around. Case in point, neon. Raise your hand if you remember the brightly hued socks worn with pumps back in the mid 1980’s, *Sheila raises hand*, or the mesh fingerless gloves.  Now while you’re at it, replay those memories in your head set to “Like a Virgin” spinning in the background. Yeah, kinda makes you go all soft inside, huh? I was totally gonna skip the trend this time around. But bit by bit I got pulled in...a neon nail polish here...a neon watch there. And now, these shorts. I’ve been given a second chance at love, courtesy of  Gap.

Now for you young uns’ that have absolutely no clue what I was talking about in the first paragraph, don’t even worry 'bout it. Just know that you’ve got it so much better. Fluorescent or neon as it’s now called, is ten times classier than the 1980’s version.  It’s somehow even managed to make itself office worthy. So enjoy it while it lasts, but when the trend fades away, just pack it up and stow it in a safe place; cause chances are, 15-20 years from now,  your daughter is going to look back at your blog and ask, “Mom, do you still have that neon clutch you’re holding that picture?” Yep, you too can have your very own memories to replay of bright, mega-watt nail polish and trendy neon platform pumps, all set to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" playing in the background. Yeah, kinda makes you go all soft inside, huh?

 And here's how I'm styling them for the weekend...

Josephine Studio blouse: thrifted

Gap Boyfriend Neon shorts: via Gap...on sale now!

Dooney Bourke purse: thrifted

Gruen watch: via hospital gift shop

Gap T-strap sandals: via Gap about 7 years ago.


Is this your first, second or even third time around with neon?


Have a stylish weekend!